Electrical device having a base and an electrical module

• US 7,442,068 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2005
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Jost, Fritz, Hammer, Jorg, Hindermann, Jorg, Jandl, Josef, Jandl, legal representative
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman; Alexander
• Application Number:
  US11/232,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20060121770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 439/374,488,174,13,681,851 200/258 340/254,628
• US Class Current: 439/374
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/052 Mounting on rails

Abstract

Such an electrical device (6) comprises an electrical module (8) for the purpose of communicating between the electrical module (8) and another electrical device. An identification transmitter (14) is provided which has a first position, in which the electrical module (8) is in a non-operative state, and a second position, in which the electrical module (8) is in an operative state. In addition, an identification pick-up (20) is provided which interacts with the identification transmitter (14) in the second position in order to evaluate information defined by the identification transmitter (14). The electrical device (6) makes possible, inter alia, an alternative addressing concept in which the location of a fixedly installed base (12) or the wiring to the base (12) is addressed, since the information transmitter (14) is located on the base (12).

Claims

1. An electrical device operable to communicate with another electrical device, the electrical device comprising:

an electrical module configured to communicate between the electrical module and another electrical device;

an identification transmitter operatively coupled to the electrical module, the identification transmitter rotatably movable between a first position with respect to the electrical module in which the electrical module is in a non-operative state and a second position with respect to the electrical module in which the electrical module is in an operative state; and

an identification pick-up which interacts with the identification transmitter in the second position in order to evaluate information defined by the identification transmitter, wherein the operative state of the electrical module is a function of the position of the identification transmitter, and wherein the defined information is one of a plurality of possible information patterns detectable by the identification pick-up when the electrical module in the operative state; and

the identification transmitter is in the form of a plug, and wherein the identification pick-up is in the form of a socket in order to accommodate at least part of the identification transmitter.

2. The electrical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information defines an address for the electrical module in order to identify the electrical module in a system.

3. The electrical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information defines a predetermined operative state for the electrical module.

4. The electrical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification pick-up contains leaf springs in the form of contact elements.

5. The electrical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug contains a plurality of locations, a first number of locations having an element, and a second number of locations being free locations, wherein the free locations lack the element, wherein the socket is configured to receive a plurality of combinations of elements and free locations, and wherein the combination of elements and free locations interacts with contact elements of the identification pick-up.

6. The electrical device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each combination of elements and free locations defines a different address.

7. The electrical device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a base which accommodates the electrical module such that the electrical module makes electrical contact with the base and the electrical module can be removed from the base.

8. The electrical device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the identification transmitter is arranged on the base.

9. The electrical device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the electrical module, in the non-operative state, is not installed in an operative manner in the base and, in the operative state, is installed in an operative manner in the base.

10. The electrical device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the identification transmitter is movably secured to the base.

11. The electrical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug has elements which interact with contact elements of the identification pick-up.

12. The electrical device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the identification transmitter and the identification pick-up bring about latching which mechanically latches the electrical module.

13. The electrical device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the electrical module is switched off if the latching is released.

14. An electrical device operable to communicate with another electrical device, the electrical device comprising:

an electrical module configured to communicate between the electrical module and the another electrical device, the electrical module configured to be received by a base;

an identification transmitter secured to and movable with respect to the base, the identification transmitter operatively coupled to the electrical module, the identification transmitter rotatably movable between a first position with respect to the electrical module in which the electrical module is in a non-operative state and a second position with respect to the electrical module in which the electrical module is in an operative state, the identification transmitter including identification information in both the first position and the second position;

an identification pick-up which interacts with the identification transmitter in the second position in order to evaluate information defined by the identification transmitter, wherein the operative state of the electrical module is a function of the position of the identification transmitter; and

wherein the information defines an address for the electrical module in order to identify the electrical module in a system.

15. The electrical device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the electrical module, in the non-operative state, is not installed in an operative manner in the base and, in the operative state, is installed in an operative manner in the base.

16. The electrical device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the address is a multi-bit address.

17. The electrical device as claimed in claim 14 wherein a physical configuration of the plug defines address information.