EP0149907A2 - Active connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical connector having logic circuitry therein is taught. Briefly stated, a lower assembly (126) is profiled to receive a carrier strip (124) with an intermediate assembly (112) disposed on top of the carrier strip. A logic package (100) is placed in a window (118) in the intermediate assembly with the logic package having conductive pads (102) thereon which make electrical contact with portions (143) of the carrier strip. A polarized ribbon cable (104) is then placed into a channel (114) in the intermediate assembly with a top assembly (90) having grooves (98) therein which are profiled to accept the polarized ribbon cable being placed on top thereof. The components are then fixedly mated together through the use of latches (92) and tabs (128) contained on the top and lower assembly. Insulation displacing contacts (130, 132) which are part of the carrier strip and bent up therefrom protrude through the intermediate assembly with the result that electrical contact is made with the individual conductors and the ribbon cable.

Description

• The present invention is related to material disclosed in the following concurrently filed, copending U.S. Patent Applications, all of which are assigned to the same assignee as the present invention:
• U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 567,476, "A Time Slot Addressed, System Keyed Multiplex Device", filed January 3, 1984 by P. S. Chang and E. P. Dowling;
• U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 567,458, "Polarized Ribbon Cable Connector Having Circuit Components Therein" filed January 3, 1984 by E. Dowling and J. Fortuna;
• European patent applications corresponding to the above are filed concurrently with the present application.
• This invention relates, generally, to a multiplex system and more particularly to a time-slot addressed form of multiplexing for controlling input and output signals for various types of electrical devices.
• Initially as well as in the present, classical wiring methods involved point to point wiring. However with the ongoing desire for increased production coupled with increased labor and operating costs, wire harnesses or assemblies are being used with greater frequency. Classical methods of such assemblies involved the fabrication and installation of point to point designated wire harness assemblies, terminated as necessary with compatible connectors and contacts or terminals. This still continues to be the predominant practice with only now automatic harness manufacturing coming into its own. This automated harness manufacturing does help to lower the cost involved therewith, but still results in hidden costs such as harness boards which must be maintained and stored for future use as well as tested harness assemblies. Further, such multiple wire, pre-made harness assemblies do remain typically difficult to install into electromechanical system assemblies, due to their size in relation to the required dressing for fitting amongst the apparatus such as motors contained in a piece of machinery. Further, such harness wiring techniques are not intrinsically modular but are rather fixed in nature, making new feature options or add-ons difficult.
• With the introduction of microcomputer controlled technology into electromechanical systems, some economies were realized in the area where buss technology has been employed. However, the utilization of buss technology has generally required the utilization of some form of hand shaking, that is the recognition by the controlled device of the address sent by the microcomputer which is unique to the particular recognition device. Further, this type of technology generally utilizes ribbons of parallel conductors requiring a multitude of wires for signals such as address, command, resets, interrupts, power, grounds and timing. Additionally, such ribbon or buss type technologies which loop around electromechanical systems are susceptible to electrical noise being induced which may require the use of sophisticated and extensive error detection and/or correction techniques.
• A number of discrete attempts have been made at different aspects of bus technology such as may be found in United States Patent Numbers 4,293,177 "Flat Cable Connected" issued October 6, 1981, to Weisenburger; 4,209,219 "Method and Apparatus for Terminating Multi-Conductor Cable" issued June 24, 1980, to Proietto; 4,206,962 "Data/Logic Connector" issued June 10, 1980, to Shue, Jr., et al; 4,160,573 "Flat Cable Connector" issued July 10, 1979, to Weisenburger; 4,113,341 "Electrical Connector Having Provision for Circuit Components" issued September 12, 1978 to Hughes; 4,062,616 "Ftat Flexible Cable Connector Assembly Including Insulation Piercing Contacts" issued December 13, 1977, to Shaffer et al; 4,005,518 "Apparatus for Connecting Conductors in Flat Cable to Terminals in a Connector" issued February 1, 1977, to Bakermans; and 3,879,099 "Flat Flexible Cable Connector Assembly Including Insulation Piercing Contacts" issued April 22, 1975, to Shaffer. One attempt has been made, however, to begin to utilize buss technology in an electromechanical environment, a description of which can be found in United States Patent Number 4,370,561 "Vehicle Multiplex System" issued January 25, 1983, to Briggs.
• However, systems such as this or devices such as those found in the mentioned patents are generally unsuitable for systems outside of their original field of intended use.
• Accordingly, it is desirable to have a device or system which allows for bidirectionality, that is commands out, responses back, offers the potential of utilization with few conductors on which instructions and responses are sent while Minimizing the amount of wire and the number of positions per connector and incorporates some of the standardized interconnection techniques such as those which are used in buss wiring. Further, it is desirable to have a system that is directly compatible with microcomputer hardware/software, which is capable of being fully and completely fabricatable on automatic machinery, is simple, relatively easy as well as inexpensive to manufacture and utilize, compatible with switching high or low voltage/power while providing transponding status, and which is also compatible with a variety of sensors for providing the status for such transponders. Additionally, it is desirable to have a device which is relatively immune to electrical interference. Such a device is taught by the present invention.
• Accordingly, it is also desirable to have a device which teaches and as an object of the invention an active connector, comprising a connector housing, a multiconductor electrical cable, a connector carrier strip disposed in the housing, having contact areas for receiving wires of the multiconductor electrical cable and for allowing for the attachment of at least one set of input and/or output wires thereto, characterized in that a logic package device is disposed in the housing adjacent to the carrier strip, wherein active electronic components are disposed in the logic package, the components in said package being in electrical contact with the contact areas of the carrier strip and thereby in electrical communication with the electrical cable and further having at least one set of input and/or output signal terminals which are in contact with the input and/or output wires thereby facilitating electrical signal processing and/or communication.
• FIGURE 1 is an illustration of the prior art using buss technology with the utilization of ribbon cables and input/output modules;
• FIGURE 2 is an illustration of the system as envisaged by the present device;
• FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram of the logic circuitry utilized with the present device;
• FIGURE 4 is a timing diagram as utilized by the schematic of Figure 3;
• FIGURE 5 is a pin out diagram of the semiconductor chip to be utilized by the present device;
• FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of an active connector;
• FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 6;
• FIGURE 8 is an assembled perspective view of the connector of Figure 6;
• FIGURE 9 is an isometric view of the underside of the active connector of Figure 6 utilizing input/output pins;
• FIGURE 10 is an exploded isometric view of an X- or T-type connector for the interconnection of ribbon cable as utilized by the present device;
• FIGURE 11 is a plan view of the contacts of Figure 10 after formation of the basic contact structure;
• FIGURE 12 is an isometric view of the connector of Figure 10 in assembled condition;
• FIGURE 13 is an exploded isometric view of an end or terminating connector which is utilized in conjunction with a printed circuit board;
• FIGURE 14 is a plan view of the contacts of Figure 13 after formation of the basic contact structure; and
• FIGURE 15 is an assembled isometric view of the connector shown in Figure 13.
• Reference is now made to Figure 1 which is a representative diagram of the buss type technology utilized with the prior art. Here there is shown a command andcontrol system 20 which uses present day or standard bus technology approaches and therefore only a brief description will be made below. Generally, a controller or microcomputer/processor 22 is connected to a ribbon cable orharness 24. Thecontroller 22 generally utilizes a parallel output or a number of discrete wires whereby each wire represents a circuit path. Aconnector 25 is used to tap into theharness 24 thereby providing aleg 26 which is then connected to aninterface card 28. Generally theinterface cards 28 require local power for processing the signals which are carried over theharness 24. Theinterface cards 28 form a plurality of i/0 functions such as switch A or loadA 30, 32 or switch B orload B 34, 36. Additionally, amotor 38 may also be monitored for rpm, phase loss, etc. while solenoids orvalves 40 may also be controlled. Control/sensing wires 42 are generally utilized to connect sensors to the various loads and/or devices to theinterface unit 28. It has been found that this type of system generally utilizes a protocol system between thecontroller 22 and theinterface cards 28 for prioritizing and controlling communications between thedifferent interface cards 28 and thecontroller 22. It has also been found that this or similar types of systems generally are subject to interference and are bulky or space consuming as well.
• Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown an illustration of the system as envisaged by the present invention. Here, a time-slot addressed system keyed multiplexed system (TASK) shown generally at 44 is illustrated. Acontroller 46 which may be a microprocessor or a computer as well as a port or interface point with a larger computer system essentially "drives" or directs the multiplex system, the basic operation of which is old in the art. Theribbon cable 48 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention has four conductors. These conductors are for power, ground, clock signal and timing, although it is to be understood that more conductors may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention or fiber optics may be utilized. The power and ground conductors provide electrical power to theactive connectors 52 thereby removing the necessity for power of theactive connectors 52 at remote locations. The timing conductor provides a timing signal for theactive connectors 52 for control purposes and will be described more fully below while the data conductor provides a data path to individualactive connectors 52 from thecontroller₄6 or responses from theactive connectors 52 to thecontroller 46. A nurrber of devices or connectors are attached to thecable 48 at different points where control or monitoring of various devices is desired. An X- or T-type connector is utilized to tap theribbon cable 48 for going in two directions. Anactive connector 52 is placed onto thecable 48 at any point where control or monitoring is desired while an "E" (end) or . terminatingconnector 54 is utilized at the end of the bus for terminating bus impedance purposes as well as for attachment to printed circuit board in some applications. Response/command connector plugs withwires 56 are utilized in conjunction with theactive connectors 52 to provide an electrical path for command or response situations. Further, various devices or loads may be utilized in conjunction with thetask system 44 such as amotor load 48, light 60,photosensor 62,flow sensor 64,temperature sensor 66, shut offvalve 68,pressure gauge 70,position switch 72,coil control 74 and an on/offcontrol switch 76. It is to be understood, however, that theabove devices 58 through 76 are exemplary only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of applications.
• Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a schematic diagram of the logic circuitry utilized with the active connector of the present system. It should be noted that the preferred embodiment of the present system the circuitry embodied in Figure 3 is on a chip level and is placed into a package for use within a connector housing (described more fully below). The circuitrv is connected at four places to the cable. These places are the ground, positive power v the master clock (MCK) 78 anddata 80. Address lines A3 through A8 are utilized for providing an address to be recognized by the circuitry. Command lines C1, C2, C3 and C4 provide output from the logic circuitry to various load or load controlling devices while response lines RE1, RE2, RE3 and RE4 provide an input means to the logic circuitry from sensors or monitoring devices. For simplicity purposes a number of functions have been divided or shown in block form, the titles of which are listed in Table I below.

  
• The functioning of the devices in units U-1 through U-13 is well known, readily understood by one skilled in the art and is readily available on a discrete package basis. Thedata bus 80 is connected to the A-R/T (A-Receive/Transmit) terminal of line transceiver_U-₁ and is a receive/transmit signal for bidirectional communication on the data bus. The A-R/T is then internal to U-1 connected to the output of a dual-input-NAND gate as well as to the input of the inverting amplifier A. The NAND gate of U-1 has connected to one of its inputs, the output of an inverting amplifier. The input of the inverting amplifier S is connected to electrical ground provided by the ground bus. The remaining input of the NAND gate of U-1 is the A-TRA (Transmit) terminal and which is connected to the output of a four-input-NAND gate U-11. The output of the inverting amplifier A is A-REC (receive) and is connected to each D input for units U-12 and U-13 which are dual D-type flip-flops. The Q outputs of the D-type flip-flops of units U-12 and U-13 are connected to the command terminals C1 through C4 in the order shown. The clear (CLR) terminals of the flip-flops contained in U-12 and U-13 are connected together and, thence, connected to one end of resistor R4 and one terminal of timing capacitor B (84). The remaining end of resistor R4 is tied to V_cc while the remaining terminal of timing capacitor B (84) is connected to the ground bus. The resistor/capacitor combination of R4, 84 provides a timing function. It is to be understood, however, that this timing function may be comprised of different devices such as an R/C oscillator of a very short time constant coupled with a counter, thereby providing the proper timing values. The clock (CK) terminals of the flip-flops contained in U-12 and U-13 are individually connected to the outputs of the NOR gates contained in U-8 which is a quadruple two-input-NOR gate. One of the input terminals from each of the NOR gates in unit U-8 is tied together and thence to the output terminal of exclusive NOR gate U-5/B, clock terminals (CK) of units U-3 and U-4 which are synchronous four-bit counters and to the clock input (CK) of unit U-7 which is a J-K flip-flop. Also tied to these clock (CK) inputs is one end of resistor R2 with the remaining end of resistor R2 connected to the V_cc bus. Each of the remaining input terminals of the NOR gates of U-8 are connected to output terminals Y4, Y5, Y6 and Y7 of U-9, a three-line to eight-line decoder such that Y4 is connected to the NOR gate of U-₈ associated with C1 with Y5, Y6 and Y7 being similarly connected with command terminals C2, C3 and C4 respectively. The output terminals Y0, Y1, Y2 and Y3 of U-9 are each consecutively connected to one input of the four gates for unit U-10, a quadruple 2-input-OR gate. The remaining inputs of the OR gates of U-10 are connected to response terminals RE1, RE2, RE3 and RE4 such that the Y3 output terminal of U-9 is connected to the same OR gate as response terminal RE4 with Y2, Y1 and YO similarly connected to the respective gates associated with RE3, RE2 and RE1. The outputs of the OR gates contained in U-10 are connected to the input terminals of the four-input-NAND gate U-11. Two of the enable terminals EN-2 and EN-J of decoder U-9 are connected to the ground bus white the enable terminal EN-1 is connected to all of the output terminals of the exclusive NOR gates of U-6 as well as to the output terminals of the exclusive NOR gates of U-5/A and one end or resistor R3. The remaining terminal of resistor R3 is connected to the V_cc or power bus. The select terminals SEL1 and SEL2 of the decoder U-9 are connected to output terminals OA and 0B of the synchronous four-bit counter U-4. Select terminal SEL3 is connected to the Q terminal of U-7, a J-K flip-flop. One input terminal of each of the NOR gates of U-6 is connected to the address terminals A3, A4. A5 and A6 individually while similarly one input terminal of U-5/A is connected to A7 and A8. The remaining input terminals of the NOR gates in U-6 and U-5/A are connected to outputs OC and OD as well as OA, OB, OC and OD of synchronous four bit counters U-3 and U-4 such that OC and OD of U-4 are connected to the inputs of the NOR gates of U-6 associated with address terminals A3 and A4 respectively while OA, OB, OC and OD of U-3 are connected to the input of the gates associated with A5, A6, A7 and A8 respectively. The load terminals of four-bit counters U-3 and U-4 are tied to the power bus V_cc' while the load terminal of U-3 is also connected to an enable line EN-₁ of U-3. The remaining enable terminal EN-2 of U-3 is connected to the ripple terminal (RPL) of U-4. Enable terminal EN-1 of U-4 is connected to V_cc while the second enable terminal EN-2 of U-4 is connected to the 0 terminal of J-K flip-flop U-7. The clear (CLR) terminals of U-3 and U-4 are connected together and also to the CLR and J terminal of U-7 as well as to the Q terminal of U-2. The K terminal of U-7 is connected to the ground bus. One input of an exclusive NOR gate in U-_5/B is connected to the ground bus with the remaining input connected to one input terminal of the NAND gate of U-2 and to the output of the inverting buffer amplifier of U-1, thereby defining a not-master clock signal MCK. The input to the inverting amplifier of U-1 (B-Receive) is connected to the master clock (MCK)bus 78. The remaining input to the NAND gate of the monostable multivibrator U-2 is connected to ground. Atiming capacitor 82 is connected across the C_ext terminals of the monostable multivibrator U-2 with one terminal of the capacitor connected to one end of resistor R1 and the remaining end of resistor R1 tied to V_cc.
• Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a pin-out diagram of the semiconductor chip to be utilized by the present invention. Here it can be seen that thelogic chip 89 utilizes an 18 pin pin-out arrangement, although it is to be understood that fewer or more pins may be utilized. Thepin assignment 86 utilizes conductive pads shown generally at 88 for connection of thelogic chip 89 with external circuitry. Thechip 89 has four response leads RE1, RE2, RE3 and RE4, four command leads C1, C2, C3 and C4 and six address leads A3, A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8. Additionally, a ground and a V_cc (power) terminal, adata terminal 80 and a master clock (MCK) terminal 78 are utilized.
• Referring now to Figure 6, an exploded view of an active connector as utilized by the present system is shown. Theactive connector 52 is comprised of an active connectorhousing top assembly 90 having retaining latches 92 thereon. Disposed diagonally across from each other are polarizing indentations A andB 94, 96 respectively. Thetop housing 90 has ribbon cable polarizing grooves orchannels 98 disposed therein for centering and rigidly retaining apolarized ribbon cable 104. Alogic package 100 havingconductive pads 102 thereon is utilized with the active connector and has contained therein the logic chip having the logic circuitry of Figure 3 and the pin-out presentation as described in Figure 5. Thepolarized ribbon cable 104 has two largediameter power conductors 106 and two smallerdiameter signal conductors 108 which are disposed in a ribboncable carrier material 110. This material is in the preferred embodiment of the present system an extruded plastic, although it is to be understood that other types of ribbon cabling may be utilized. An active connector housingintermediate assembly 112 is utilized and which has contained therein acable receiving channel 114 for receipt of thepolarized ribbon cable 104. Disposed in theintermediate assembly 112 are insulation displacementcontact receiving apertures 116 which are utilized in conjunction with the activeconnector carrier strip 124, described more fully below. Anintermediate housing aperture 118 is disposed in the center of theintermediate assembly 112 while polarizing tabs A andB 120, 122 respectively are disposed thereon also. An activeconnector carrier strip 124 provides a circuit path structure for interconnection with the conductors contained in theribbon cable 104 as well as theconductive pads 102 contained on thelogic package 100. An active connector housinglower assembly 126 is provided and has disposed thereon retainingtabs 128 which are engageable with the retaining latches 92. Locatingpin apertures 129 are disposed in thelower assembly 126 which are profiled to receive pins located on the underside of the intermediate assembly 112 (not shown).
• Referring now to Figure 7, an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 6 is shown. Thecarrier strip 124 in the preferred embodiment of the present system is stamped out of a singular piece of beryllium copper and then formed for usage with the present invention. Thecarrier strip 124 haspower conductor terminals 130 andsignal conductor terminals 132 stamped and formed therefrom. Disposed in the power andsignal conductor terminals 130, 132 areinsulation displacement areas 134 which are used to rigidly hold the ribbon cable in place (not shown) and to make contact with the appropriate electrical conductors, their use of which is well known in the art. Aconductor strip ground 136 and a conductorstrip power area 138 is provided each havingpin apertures 140 which are utilized in conjunction with response or command signals. Disposed adjacent to the power andsignal conductor terminals 130, 132 are addresspin knockout regions 142. It is to be understood that although thecarrier strip 124 is shown with all portions bent and separated as shown, this is done for simplicity or illustration purposes only. In the preferred embodiment of the present system thecarrier strip 124 would be stamped having the power andsignal conductor terminals 130, 132 bent up as shown but having the contact legs shown generally at 143 in a non-bent position parallel to the planar disposition of thecarrier strip 124 and connected by a piece of carrier strip material which would not have been punched out yet. Thecarrier strip 124 is then inserted into thelower assembly 126 wherein a punch and die operation is performed to remove the center portion of the strip which joins thecontact legs 143. Further shown in more detail is thelower assembly 126 which houses thecarrier strip 124. Disposed in thelower assembly 126 areknockout pin apertures 144 which are in alignment with the addresspin knockout regions 142. Thelower assembly 126 has alower assembly aperture 145 which is used for the punch and die operation mentioned previously. Inset or recessed into thelower assembly 126 are carrier strip recesses 146 such that upon mounting thecarrier strip 124 into the lower assembly 126 a smooth contiguous surface is presented with the exception of the power orsignal conductor terminals 130, 132. The carrier strip recesses₁₄₆ have disposed therein lower assembly response/command pin apertures 147 which coincide with the response/command pin apertures 140 disposed in thecarrier strip 124. Therefore, upon placing thecarrier strip 124 into therecesses 146 of thelower assembly 126 theintermediate assembly 112 is placed on top of thecarrier strip 124. Locating pins (not shown) disposed on the underside of theintermediate assembly 112 mate with the locatingpin apertures 129 with the pins then collapsed or pressed in place so as to expand in theapertures 129 thereby rigidly holding the intermediate assembly to thelower assembly 112, 126. Thelogic package 100 is then inserted into theintermediate housing aperture 118 and in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is fixedly held in place by a sealantladhesive.
• Referring now to Figure 8, an entireactive connector assembly 148 is shown. Here it can be seen how the retaining latches 92 engage the retainingtabs 128 thereby holding thetop assembly 90 tightly to thelower assembly 126. Further evident is how the polarizing tabs A andB 120, 122 mate with the polarizing indentations A andB 94, 96. Also shown is theribbon cable 104 in its fully mated position in theassembly 148.
• Referring now to Figure 9, there is shown the underside of the active connector of Figures 6, 7 and 8. Here thelower assembly 126 mates with a response/command plug, shown generally at 150. The response/command plug 150 has response/command plug latches 152 disposed thereon which engage the response/command plug tabs 154 disposed on thelower assembly 126. Apolarizing bar 156 engages theplug polarizing groove 158 contained on theplug 150. Disposed in theplug 150 arepins 160 having response/command wires 162 attached thereto with thepins 160 rigidly held in place in theplugs 150. Thepins 160 engage the lower assembly response/command pin apertures 147 and thereafter would engage the response/command pin apertures 140 contained in the active connector carrier strip 124 (not shown). Also disposed in thetower assembly 126 are theknockout pin apertures 144 as mentioned previously. The locatingpin apertures 129 enable theintermediate assembly 112 to be fixedly secured to thelower assembly 126. Due to the handle-like formation of the response/command plug latches 152 it is readily evident that the response/command plugs 150 are readily removable.
• Referring now to Figure 10, there is shown an exploded isometric view of an X- or T-type connector for the interconnection of ribbon cable as utilized by the present system. It is to be remembered that components similar in structural operation to previously described components will be identified by the previously assigned numeral with the addition of a prime ('). Here there is shown an X-connectorouter assembly 164, 164' which has X-connector retaining latches 166, 166' attached thereto. Ribbon cable polarizing grooves 98' are disposed in theouter assemblies 164, 164'. X-connectorinner assemblies 168, 168' are disposed between theouter assemblies 164, 164' and have X-connector insulationdisplacement contact apertures 170, 170' disposed therein. Theinner assemblies¹68, 168' have X-connectorcable receiving panels 172, 172' disposed therein withinner assembly tabs 174, 174' disposed on the outside of theinner assemblies 168, 168'. Disposed between theinner assemblies 168, 168' areX-connector contacts 176.
• Referring now to Figure 11, there is shown a plan view of the contacts of Figure 10 after stamping but before forming. Here it can be seen that theX-connector contacts 176 are comprised of anX-connector contact strip 178 having X-connector signal terminals andX-connector power terminals 179, 181 respectively disposed thereon. Disposed in the signal and thepower terminals 179, 181 areinsulation displacement areas 180.
• Referring now to Figure 12, an isometric view of the connector of Figure 10 in an assembled condition may be seen. Here theX-connector assembly 182 which is comprised of theouter assemblies 164, 164' and theinner assemblies 168, 168' are mated with theribbon cable 104, 104'. Shown also is how the retaining latches 166, 166' engage with each other as well as theinner assembly tabs 174, 174¹ similarly mating with each other. In this configuration of an X-type arrangement, theribbon cables 104, 104' crisscross each other thereby forming the X. In the event that a T-type arrangement is desired, thecable 104 or 104' would enter into theconnector assembly 182 and would not extend therethrough.
• Referring now to Figure 13, an exploded isometric view of end or terminating connector (E) which is utilized in conjunction with a printed circuit board is shown. Here the structure of the connector and its usage is similar to the X-type arrangement as shown in Figures 10 and 12 with the distinction that oneouter assembly 164' is utilized and endconnector contacts 184 are used. Also utilized is a printedcircuit board 186 having printedcircuit board apertures 188 disposed therein. The printed circuit board may have a terminating resistor mounted thereon (not shown).
• Referring now to Figure 14, there is shown a plan view of the contacts of Figure 13 after formation of the basic contact structure. Shown is an endconnector contact strip 189 which has X-type connector signal terminals 179' as well as X-typeconnector power terminals 181¹, each havinginsulation displacing areas 180¹ disposed therein. Formed and stamped at the remaining ends of the signal andpower terminals 179¹, 181' are wire wrap orcontact terminating posts 187, which in the preferred embodiment of the present invention are compliant pin type terminals for securely affixing the terminatingposts 187 in printed circuit board apertures.
• Referring now to Figure 15, an assembled isometric view of the connector shown in Figure 13 is illustrated having an "E" (end)connector assembly 190 disposed on a printedcircuit board 186. Theassembly 190 is shown as having a portion of the ribbon cable 104' disposed therein with theouter assembly 164' and theinner assemblies 168, 168' shown in mated condition to each other and to the printedcircuit board 1₈6.
• Referring back to Figure 2, an overview for utilization of the present system may be obtained. It is to be understood, however, that the present device may be utilized in a variety of situations other than the one shown. These various situations may include photostat machines, assembly lines, or automobiles. In this manner, electrical power to operate various devices such as lights, motors, compressors or the like is essentially run in parallel with thepresent TASK system 44 being a truly command and control system. Accordingly, theribbon cable 48 is run through and around various components which are to be interconnected with the TASK system. Thereafter, theE connectors 54 and the X-or T-connectors 50 are placed onto thecable 48. Theactive connectors 52 are then placed adjacent various loads or where monitoring is required. At this point, the response command plugs 150 having response commandconnector plug wires 56 attached thereto are mated with theactive connectors 52. These wires shown generally at 56 are then attached to the appropriate control or monitoring device. The attachment of theactive connectors 52 to thecable 48 requires that the connectors be properly terminated as well as an address code be designated for eachconnector 52 which is to be described more fully below.
• Referring now to Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, mating of anactive connector 52 to acable 48 may be seen. In the preferred embodiment of the present system thelogic package 100, active connector housingintermediate assembly 112, activeconnector carrier strip 124 and active connector housing lower assembly would be fully assembled prior to cable mating. Thepolarized ribbon cable 104 is comprised of twopower conductors 106 and twosignal conductors 108 which are disposed on a ribboncable carrier material 110. Thecable 104 is then placed into the ribboncable polarizing grooves 98 which are contained in the active connectorhousing top assembly 90. It is clearly obvious that thesegrooves 98 are of different diameters thereby allowing thecable 104 to be inserted in one direction only. Thehousing top assembly 90 is then mated with thelower assembly 126 such that thepower conductor terminals 130 andsignal conductor terminals 132 havinginsulation displacement areas 134 make electrical contact with theconductors 106, 108 contained in thecable 104. The retaining latches 92 contained on thetop assembly 90 engage the retainingtabs 128 contained on thelower assembly 126, thereby rigidly maintaining thecable 104 between the upper andlower assemblies 90, 126. Polarizing indentations A andB 94, 96 cooperate with polarizing tabs A andB 120, 122 respectively thereby insuring proper orientation of thecable 104 in theactive connector assembly 148. Thereafter a stylus or other suitable tool (not shown) is inserted into the appropriateknockout pin apertures 144 contained in thelower assembly 126 thereby shearing the metal contained in the addresspin knockout regions 142 of the activeconnector carrier strip 124. In this manner, theactive connector assembly 148 thereby acquires its own unique "address", the operation of which will be more fully described below. Response/command plugs 150 are then mated with theactive connector assembly 148, with the response/command wires 162, as mentioned previously, interconnected with the desired devices.
• Referring now to Figures 10, 11 and 12, the construction and mating of theX-connector assembly 182 is clearly shown. An X-connector contact strip shown generally at 178 is, in the preferred embodiment of the present system, stamped in a continuous reel type basis from a metal such as beryllium copper. Thestrip 178 hasX-connector signal terminals 179 andX-connector power terminals 181 each havinginsulation displacement areas 180 therein. The signal andpower terminals 179, 181 are in an alternating relationship on thestrip 178 to accommodate the power and signalconductors 106, 108 contained in thepolarized ribbon cahle 104. Thestrip 178 is cut into lengths of four pairs of terminals thereby accommodating four conductors in thecable 104, although it is to be understood that more or less may be utilized depending upon the number of conductors which may wish to be utilized in thecable 104. The power and signalconductors 179, 181 are then bent into the shapes shown as a unit ofX-connector contacts 176. Thecontacts 176 are then placed in between the two X-connectorinner assemblies 168, 168' such that the signal andpower terminals 179, 181 are placed into the X-connector insulationdisplacement contact apertures 170, 170'. If, as is desired in the preferred embodiment of the present system, thecontacts 176 are placed as a unit between theinner assemblies 168, 168¹ a hand or machine tool is utilized to cooperate with thepunch areas 171, 171¹ to sever the areas between the signal andpower terminals 179, 181. Thereafter, in a manner similar to the active connector utilization, thecable 104 is placed into the grooves 98' of the X-connectorouter assemblies 164, 164¹. The entire assembly is then mated such that the X-connector retaining latches 166, 166' engage theinner assembly tabs 174, 174' contained on the X-connectorinner assemblies 168, 168'. Coincidentally with the mating is the electrical interconnection of the appropriate portions of thecontacts 176 to the conductors contained in thecable 104. In this manner, the outer andinner power conductors 106 for eachcable 104 respectively, are electrically interconnected and similarly the outer andinner signal conductors 108 contained in thecable 104 are respectively electrically interconnected. This therefore forms an X-connector assembly shown generally at 182. In the event that thecable 104, 104' is not to be connected in an X-fashion but rather in a T-fashion, thecable 104, 104' is simply not extended past the edge of theassembly 182.
• Referring now to Figure 13, 14 and 15, termination of the cable 104' is shown. This termination may be for several reasons, among which is the need to provide a terminating resistance for impedance purposes to the end of the cable 104' or interconnection with additional circuitry such as a controller or microprocessor or port interface 46 (shown in Figure 2). Shown is an endconnector contact strip 189 which is similar to thecontact strip 178 of Figure 11. Accordingly, signal terminals are alternated with power terminals 179', 181' but only on one side of thecontact strip 189. On the other side of thecontact strip 189 are wire wrap orcontact terminating posts 187. In a manner similar to theconnector contacts 176 of Figure 10,connector contacts 184 are disposed between the connectorinner assemblies 168, 168¹ with the metal disposed between adjacent terminals 179', 181' and which are severed or separated as previously described for the X-connector. The cable 104' is then aligned with the grooves 98' contained in theouter assembly 164' which is identical to that of the X- or T-connector. Theinner assemblies 168, 168' and the cable 104' along with theouter assembly 164' andconnector contacts 184 are then joined into one piece through the use of the retaining latches 166¹ in conjunction with the inner assembly tabs 174' identically to that described for the X-connector. In this manner, the end connector uses the same components as the X- or T-connector with the exception of theend connector contacts 184 and the omission of oneouter assembly 164'. The entire assembly is then mated with thecircuit board 186 which in the preferred embodiment is a printed circuit board having plated through holes disposed in the printedcircuit board apertures 188. The printed circuit board apertures engage the terminatingposts 187 and thereafter conductive strips (not shown) contained on thecircuit board 186 which are interconnected with the appropriate resistor or electrical components (not shown). It is to be understood that, in the event that the cable 104' is to be terminated through use of a resistor, the appropriate value of resistance chosen is dependent on a number of obvious factors such as cable length, number of active devices placed onto the cable as well as the input/output impedance for any controllers and each individual active connector. Accordingly, anend connector assembly 190 is readily obtainable. Also clearly shown is that the cable 104' may extend through both ends of theassembly 190 such that a microprocessor may be placed in between the ends of the TASK system thereby minimizirg any impedance, signal reflectance or positioning problems which may be present.
• Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a schematic of the logic portion of the present system, the operation of which will now be discussed. Here it can be seen where the connections for power V_cc, ground, masterclock MCK bus 78 and thedata bus 80 are made. Also shown are the four response terminals RE1, RE2, RE3 and RE4 which may be looked upon as providing a status indication for a monitored device. Also shown are the command terminals C1, C2, C3 and C4 which may be considered as control signals. Further shown are the address lires A3, A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 which define the particular address or reception number for eachindividual logic package 100. Since six address lines are utilized 2⁶ or 64logic packages 100 may he utilized. In the event thatmore logic packages 100 are desired, additional address lines may be added with the appropriate addition of gating circuitry such as the NOR gates found in U-6 and U-5/A. However, since only six address lines are utilized, eachlogic package 100 in the preferred embodiment is then capable of four response and four command signa!s. The actual manner of identifying eachlogic package 100 with the unique address is relatively simple and may be realized by referring to the present figure in conjunction with Figures 6 or 7. The address terminals A3 through A8 are presented ascontact pads 102 contained on the exterior of thelogic package 100. These contact pads make electrical contact with thecontact legs 143 contained in the activeconnector carrier strip 124 being presented to thecontact legs 143 which are in electrical contact with the addresspin knockout regions 142. In this manner, power in the form of GND which is provided by thepower conductor terminal 130 is always presented to the address lines. By severing the electrical connection at the acdresspin knockout region 142 in a manner previously described, GND is thereby removed from the appropriate address line thereby leaving some or all of the address lines tied low to GND or left floating. Themaster clock terminal 78 receives a timing signal which is placed on thecable 104 over thesignal conductor 108. This master clock signal is introduced to device U-2 which is a one-shot monostable multivibrator. This multivibrator provides a manner to start a count in thelogic package 100 for address identification purposes. Accordingly, as long as the clock pulse received over thebus 78 alternates between high and low as it normally should, the output Q will remain high. However in the event that there is an absence of a high from theclock bus 78 for one or more time slots (a time slot being defined as two pulses), synchronous 4-bit counters U-3 and U-4 will reset. With the continuation of the clock pulses the 4-bit counters U-3 and U-4 begin to count the appropriate number of time slots. The outputs of synchronous 4-bit counter U-3 and a portion of synchronous 4-bit counter U-4 are then presented to exclusive NOR gate U-6. Thereafter when these outputs from 4-bit counters U-3 and U-4 match the address presented by address lines A3 through A8, a true condition is presented to the enabled input of 3-8 line decoder U-9. Once the decoder U-9 is enabled, command terminal C1 and response terminal RE1 are gated in that order with a similar operation occurring for C2 in conjunction with RE2 and C3 in conjunction with RE3 and C4 in conjunction with RE4. Contemporaneously with the gating of a command and response terminal is the extraction from or insertion onto the data bus throughterminal 80. Accordingly, exclusive NOR gate U-5/B toggles with the master clock signal which therefore clocks synchronous 4-bit counters U-3 and U-4 along with J-K flip-flop. Therefore, for exemplary purposes only, were one to assign an address code to Figure 3 the circuit would function as follows. After the one-shot monostable multivibrator U-2 has reset and thereby cleared devices U-3, U-4 and U-7 exclusive NOR gate U-5/B would begin toggling in time with the master clock signal which is provided by the master processing circuitry (not shown). This would therefore begin a count sequence in synchronous 4-bit counter U-3 and U-₄ as well as setting up a toggling Q signal emanating from J-K flip-flop U-7. Upon the time slot, pulse the counter numbers of U-3 and U-4 would match the address code presented by address lines A3 through A8 (000100 with A8 being the first 0 on the left and therefore the most significant while A3 is represented by the last number shown and is the least significant with the result that the addresspin knockout region 142 for A5 would be intact and therefore tied to GND with the remainder of the regions for A3, A4 and A6 through A8 removed). Therefore, a true condition would exist for the outputs of exclusive NOR gates U-5/A and U-6 which are presented to the enable terminal EN-1 of the 3 to 8 line decoder U-9. This 3-to-8 line decoding from U-9 is in essence decoding the outputs of OA and OB of counter U-4 and the Q terminal of J-K flip-flop U-7. Therefore, as the decoder U-9 essentially presents a true condition to its output, this is presented to the NOR gates of U-8 and the OR gates of U-10 in a successive fashion. This therefore, for the command terminals, allows any data pulse or condition which is on the data bus to be toggled through the associated D-type flip-flops of U-12 and U-13 to each device which is to be controlled and therefore, for example, turning on or off a particular device. Similarly, with the successive true condition outputs presented by decoder U-9 to the OR gate U-10, a response signal is allowed to be presented to the data bus and thereby telling the master controller the status of the device which is being monitored such as, for example, whether it is on, off, or within a particular temperature range. In this manner it is readily obvious how data is either inserted into or extracted from thedata bus 80.
• Referring now toFiaure 4, a timing diagram is shown for illustration purposes. Here it can be seen that the master clock signal MCK defines two pulses as a time slot. The one-shot monostable multivibrator U-2 shows a positive condition upon the receipt of a master clock MCK pulse and would stay in this condition until the master clock pulse is low for one time slot. In this manner, the master processor can interrogate as many logic packages as many times as is desired before the master clock timing signal is allowed to remain low for one time slot. In the utilization of the present system, it is preferred that after all 64 device logic packages have been sampled the master clock signal is allowed to go low for one time slot and thereby essentially provide a start signal at the beginning of each complete cycle. A count portion numbered 0-4 is shown in the present figure for ease of illustration. Although the count line is a data orcontrol line 192 and astatus timing sequence 194, the control and status signals correspond to command and response signals and therefore appear in an alternating fashion such that the bottom line of the timing diagram denotes control, status,control 192, 194, 192, etc.
• It is to be understood that many variations of the present system may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, a greater or lesser number of address leads may be utilized with the result that a greater or lesser number of active connectors are used while the circuitry and protocol system may be used in a stand-alone mode external to a connector or in other types of connector systems. Further, the contacts or carrier strips may be comprised of metals other than copper such as aluminum or steel while the order in which commands and responses are utilized may be changed such that all responses or all commands within a particular logic package may be solicited before all commands or responses respectively are solicited. Also, different types of ribbon cable may be utilized while different shapes for polarization between connector, component and cable may be used or the spacing or sequence of power to signal conductors may be changed. Additionally, in the event that it is desired, a communication system may be initiated between the master controller and the logic package or between logic packages through the successive interrogation or commands with a particular sequence of pulses thereby designating a particular command or soliciting a particular response. The particular devices utilized in the schematic may also be changed or modified such as, for example, an OR gate in conjunction with an inverter. The timing function used with the one-shot monostable multivibrator may take the form of a free-running flip-flop which is utilized, as mentioned previously, in conjunction with a counter. Also, the housings themselves may be molded around the carrier or contact strips as opposed to the sandwiching which is presently shown. Additionally, different types of compliant pin type terminals may be used or different types of circuit boards other than printed such as silk-screened or flexible membranes may be utilized.
• Accordingly, and for the reasons discussed above, the present device provides a system approach which is easy as well as inexpensive to manufacture, easy as well as inexpensive to apply and use, and which provides for a extremely high degree of modularity and thereby facilitating the addition, subtraction or modification of units or features as desired.

Claims (7)

1. An active connector, comprising:

a connector housing (52);

a multiconductor electrical cable (104);

a connector carrier strip (124) disposed in said housing, said connector carrier strip having contact areas (130, 132) for receiving the wires of said multiconductor electrical cable and for allowing the attachment of at least one set of input and/or output wires (140) thereto, characterised in that:

a logic package (₁00) is disposed in said housing adjacent said carrier strip, wherein active electronic components are disposed in said logic package, said components being in electrical contact (102) with said contact area of said carrier strip (143) and thereby in electrical communication with said electrical cable and further having at least one set of input and/or output signal terminals (88) which are in contact with said input andior output wires (140) thereby facilitating electrical signal processing and/or communication.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein a microprocessor (46) is in electrical contact with said wires of said electrical cable such that said logic package is in electrical communication therewith.

3. A device according to claim 1 further characterised in that a plurality of housings containing said logic packages are disposed at spaced intervals along said electrical cable.

4. A device according to claim 2 wherein a plurality of housings having logic packages therein are disposed at spaced intervals along said electrical cable thereby providing signal processing and/or communication between logic packages and/or the microprocessor and a logic package.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein said electrical cable is comprised of a ribbon cable (104).

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein said active electronic components disposed in said logic package are comprised of electronic amplifiers.

₇. A device according to claim 1 wherein said active electronic components disposed in said logic package are comprised of a digital switching logic array.

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