Arrangement for installing a communication unit in an apparatus

• US 20060010000A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia Holding AG
• Original Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia Holding AG
• Inventors: Wagner, Andreas, Ortmann, Axel, Schlaaff, Torsten, Schilling, Tilmann, Jauert, Joachim, Wolm, Dieter
• Granted Patent: US 8,004,858 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/4.20
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00193 Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00233 Housing, e.g. lock or hardened casing

Abstract

An arrangement for installing a communication unit in an apparatus having a security housing, such as a mail processing apparatus, including a cavity bay located at a non-secure region of the apparatus that is accessible by a cover that is non-destructibly detachable from the security housing. The bay receives a pluggable communication unit that has a connection element connectible by a plug-in movement with a connection element of a motherboard located in the secure region of the apparatus: The cavity has at least one further connection element that is electrically conductively and mechanically connected with a metal chassis part of the apparatus in the security housing. This further connection element protrudes into the cavity and establishes contact with the communication unit for grounding thereof.

Claims

1. In an apparatus having a security housing containing a security housing containing a grounded metal chassis, a motherboard comprising operating circuitry for the apparatus and a communication unit having a connection element for plugging said communication unit to said motherboard, with said motherboard being disposed in a secure region in said security housing, the improvement of an arrangement for installing said communication unit comprising:

said security housing comprising a cavity bay disposed at a non-secure region of said security housing, said bay having a size and shape adapted to receive said communication unit, said communication unit being plugged to said motherboard when received in said bay;

a cover closing said bay, said cover being non-destructively detachable from said security housing; and

at least one further connection element projecting into said cavity and adapted to contact said communication unit when said communication unit is in said cavity, said further connection element being electrically conductively and mechanically connected to said chassis.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said security housing comprises a housing shell, and wherein said bay is disposed at an exterior of said housing shell.

3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said housing shell comprises a lower housing shell of a franking machine.

4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said connection element of said communication unit is a first connection unit, and comprising a plurality of further connection elements including a second connection element of said motherboard, and wherein said communication unit comprises a carrier circuit board with a communication component mounted thereon, said first connection element being disposed on said carrier circuit board and being plugged into said second connection element when said communication unit is received in said bay, said plurality of further connection elements also comprising at least one third connection element disposed in said bay, and electrically and mechanically connected to said chassis, and wherein said carrier circuit board comprises at least one contacting and fastening element, mating with said at least one third connection element to ground said carrier circuit board to said chassis.

5. The improvement of claim 4 wherein said carrier circuit board has a drill hole therein through which said at least one connecting and fastening element proceeds for mating with said at least one third connection element, said at least one third connection element comprising a bolt with interior threading.

6. The improvement of claim 4 wherein said carrier circuit board has a drill hole therein through which said at least one connecting and fastening element proceeds for mating with said at least one third connection element, said at least one third connection element comprising a bolt with exterior threading.

7. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said security housing comprises a housing shell, and wherein said cover and said housing shell are formed of plastic.