Plug-and-socket device comprising an intergrated diagnostic/evaluation circuit, display and switchable terminating resistors

• US 20040093183A1
• Filed: 08/11/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: profichip GmbH
• Original Assignee: profichip GmbH
• Inventors: Seel, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 7,065,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/183
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/301 having means for preventing complete unscrewing of screw or nut

Abstract

Plug and socket devices for measuring and diagnostic purposes are known in the art. The substantial disadvantage of said plug and socket devices is that they only furnish mechanical and electrical connections. For diagnostic purposes, an additional socket for connecting the corresponding diagnostic device must therefore be provided. According to the invention, in order to provide for automatic diagnosis when the plug and socket device is connected, the latter has insulation piercing connectors, screw terminals or spring terminals for connecting at least one cable. A printed circuit board, on which a diagnostic and evaluation circuit is located is provided in the housing of the plug and socket device, at least one switchable terminating resistor is provided and the plug and socket device has a display device that is connected to the diagnostic and evaluation circuit for automatic continuous display of evaluation results. The device is applicable in the domain of connecting devices for bus systems and networks in data systems and communications, as well as for computer and automated systems.

Claims

1. Plug and socket device (ST) having:

at least one cable connection in the form of an insulation piercing connector, screw terminal or spring terminal (A) for the connection of at least one cable,

at least one connection (B) for an electronic circuit,

a circuit board disposed in the housing of the plug and socket device (ST) on which a diagnostic and evaluation circuit (D) and at least one switchable terminating resistor (W) are disposed,

a controller communicating with the diagnostic and evaluation circuit (D), and

a display means (AE) connected to the diagnostic and evaluation device (D) for displaying the results of the evaluation,

wherein the terminating resistor (W) can be operated using a sliding switch (S) or can be switched and/or adjusted by means of the diagnostic and evaluation circuit (D).

2. The plug and socket device of claim 1, characterized in that, the diagnostic and evaluation circuit (D) is preferably supplied with power via the cable (K) and/or the connection (B) and the display means (AE) is preferably a monitor or a touch screen which can facilitate both display and input for the diagnostic and evaluation device (D).

3. The plug and socket device of claim 1, characterized in that the plug and socket device (ST) has an upper part (OT) and a lower part (UT) and the terminating resistor (W) is disposed in the upper part (OT) of the plug and socket device and can be manually or electrically switched.

4. The plug and socket device of claim 1, characterized in that the plug and socket device (ST) preferably has a see-through cover for the insulation piercing connector, the screw terminals or the spring terminals (A) for visual supervision of the connections.

5. Plug and socket device according to claim 3, characterized in that the display means (AE) has at least one light diode disposed in the lower part (UT) of the plug (ST) on the printed board and at least one light guide associated with this light diode.

6. Plug and socket device according to claim 3, characterized in that the cable (K) being connected in the lower part (UT) of the plug and socket device (ST) and a socket (B) being disposed, offset by 900, on the front side in the upper part (OT) of the plug and socket device (ST) for connecting the electronic structural component, wherein a device socket (GB) for connecting a programming or diagnostic device with extended functions is disposed on the opposite rear side.

7. Plug and socket device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical clamping and guidance of the cables (K) for the insulation piercing connectors, screw terminals or spring terminals (A) is effected via transparent ribs, wherein the plug housing is produced from shielding metallic material and the shielding of the cable (K) is connected to the plug housing.

8. Plug and socket device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection (B) comprises mechanical plug encoding elements or encoding elements which are connected to the diagnostic and evaluation circuit (D) and are self-encoding in accordance with the specifications of the type-specific structural component and/or in dependence on the application.

9. Plug and socket device according to any one or more of the claims 1 through 8, characterized by use in a bus system, wherein a status display of bus test functions is displayed on the display means (AE) and at least one switching contact (SK) is provided whose active element can be actuated by the structural component or the cable (K) to be connected.

10. Plug and socket device according to claim 9, characterized in that the active element has at least one axially displaceable or radially pivotable spring contact.