Automation platform

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025081377-A1
Application number	US-202418950419-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 18, 2024
Priority date	May 25, 2022
Publication date	Mar 6, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A base module has a base connection surface with a projection formed around a first opening. A functional module has an engagement element arranged at a second opening having a recess with an edge forming a stop. A sealing socket runs around the second opening. A cap structure includes a frame running around the second opening, a plug-in receptacle connected to the frame and having a latching hook, and a soft component arranged on the frame facing the functional connection surface. The engagement element can be inserted into the plug-in receptacle with the soft component resting against the sealing socket and the latching hook engaged in the recess. A connecting device is provided between the modules. When the connecting device is open, the latching hook makes contact with the stop and the sealing socket is supported on the soft component with the connection surfaces spaced apart. When the connecting device is closed, the connecting surfaces are pressed against each with the soft component between the projection and the sealing socket, and the engagement element pushed into the plug-in receptacle with the latching hook at a distance from the stop.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An automation platform having:
a base module, at least one functional module and at least one connecting device for connecting the base module and the functional module, wherein the base module comprises a base housing having a base housing connection surface, wherein the base housing connection surface comprises at least one first opening, wherein a projection running around the first opening is configured in the base housing connection surface, wherein the functional module comprises a functional housing having a functional housing connection surface, wherein the functional housing connection surface comprises at least one second opening, at least one engagement element arranged at the second opening and a sealing socket running around the second opening, wherein a wall of the engagement element comprises a recess, wherein an edge of the wall of the engagement element delimiting the recess forms a stop on a side of the recess facing away from the functional housing connection surface, wherein the functional module comprises a cap structure having a hard component and a soft component arranged on the hard component, wherein the hard component comprises a frame running around the second opening and at least one plug-in receptacle connected to the frame, wherein the soft component of the cap structure is arranged on a side of the frame facing the functional housing connection surface and runs laterally around the second opening, wherein a latching hook is arranged at a wall of the plug-in receptacle, wherein the engagement element is inserted into the plug-in receptacle in such a way that the soft component bears against an outer wall of the sealing socket and the latching hook engages in the recess, wherein, when the functional module is placed onto the base module, with the connecting device open, the soft component of the cap structure arranges the hard component of the cap structure at the functional housing connection surface in such a way that the latching hook of the plug-in receptacle abuts on the stop of the engagement element, the cap structure engages in the first opening in the base housing connection surface in such a way that the frame of the hard component of the cap structure rests on the projection in the base housing connection surface and the outer wall of the sealing socket is supported on the soft component of the cap structure in such a way that the functional housing connection surface is spaced apart from the base housing connection surface and, when the connecting device is closed, the functional housing connecting surface is pressed against the base housing connecting surface in such a way that the soft component of the cap structure is radially pressed in regions between the projection in the base housing connection surface and the outer wall of the sealing socket and the engagement element of the functional housing connection surface is inserted into the plug-in receptacle of the hard component of the cap structure in such a way that the latching hook of the plug-in receptacle is spaced apart from the stop of the engagement element.

2 . The automation platform according to claim 1 ,
wherein the functional housing connection surface comprises at least one further engagement element arranged opposite to the second opening and to the engagement element, wherein a wall of the further engagement element comprises a further recess, wherein a further edge of the wall of the further engagement element delimiting the further recess forms a further stop on a side of the further recess facing away from the functional housing connection surface, wherein the hard component comprises at least one further plug-in receptacle connected to the frame, wherein a further latching hook is arranged at a wall of the further plug-in receptacle, wherein the further engagement element is inserted into the further plug-in receptacle in such a way that the soft component abuts on an outer wall of the sealing socket and the further latching hook engages in the further recess, wherein, when the functional module is placed onto the base module, with the connecting device open, the soft component of the cap structure arranges the hard component of the cap structure on the functional housing connection surface in such a way that the further latching hook of the further plug-in receptacle abuts on the further stop of the further engagement element, wherein, when the connecting device is closed, the further engagement element of the functional housing connection surface is inserted into the further plug-in receptacle of the hard component of the cap structure in such a way that the further latching hook of the further plug-in receptacle is spaced apart from the further stop of the further engagement element.

3 . The automation platform according to claim 1 ,
wherein the sealing socket is configured to taper at least in sections originating from the functional housing connection surface, wherein the soft component of the cap structure abuts on the outer wall of the sealing socket in the region of the tapered section.

4 . The automation platform according to claim 1 ,
wherein the sealing socket is connected to the engagement element and is formed in the region of the engagement element by the latter or runs laterally around the engagement element.

5 . The automation platform according to claim 1 ,
wherein an additional soft component is arranged between the functional housing connection surface and side walls of the functional housing, wherein, when the functional module is placed onto the base module, the additional soft component is arranged on the base housing connection surface when the connecting device is open and is pressed against the base housing connection surface when the connecting device is closed.

6 . The automation platform according to claim 5 ,
wherein the side walls of the functional housing comprise a further projection on an inner side of the functional housing, wherein, when the functional module is placed onto the base module, the additional soft component rests against the further projection when the connecting device is open and is pressed against the further projection when the connecting device is closed.

7 . The automation platform according to claim 5 ,
wherein the functional housing connection surface comprises an additional projection protruding in the direction of the side walls of the functional housing, wherein the additional projection is embedded in the additional soft component, wherein, when the functional module is placed onto the base module, the additional soft component rests against the additional projection when the connecting device is open and is pressed against the additional projection when the connecting device is closed.

8 . The automation platform according to claim 1 ,
wherein the functional housing connection surface is rigidly connected to side walls of the functional housing, wherein a further soft component is arranged in a groove formed on the functional housing connection surface, wherein, when the functional module is placed onto the base module, the further soft component is arranged on the base housing connection surface when the connecting device is open and is pressed against the base housing connection surface when the connecting device is closed.

9 . A functional module, comprising
a functional housing with a functional housing connection surface, wherein the functional housing connection surface comprises at least one second opening, at least one engagement element arranged at the second opening and a sealing socket running around the second opening, wherein a wall of the engagement element comp

Assignees

• Beckhoff Automation Gmbh

Inventors

• Melzer Udo
• Siegenbrink Daniel

Classifications

• H05K7/1474

  Mounting of modules, e.g. on a base or rail or wall · CPC title

• H05K7/1468

  Mechanical features of input/output (I/O) modules · CPC title

• H05K5/061

  sealed by a gasket held between a removable cover and a body, e.g. O-ring, packing · CPC title

• H05K7/1465 Primary

  Modular PLC assemblies with separable functional units · CPC title