Distribution device in a data signal processing installation, and data signal processing installation

p0001The invention relates to a distribution device, in particular a main distributor, a data signal processing system, a data signal processing system and a cassette element for a distribution device of a data processing system.

p0002Distribution devices are used, for example, in telecommunication systems, in particular when a larger number of subscribers are to be connected to an associated switching device. In addition to the transfer of voice data from telephone devices, a transfer of computer data is also taking place over the telecommunication system.

p0003In order to utilize already existing structures of copper cable networks, common transmission lines are used for the low-frequency speech signals as well as for the higher-frequency computer signals. In order to be able to simultaneously transfer computer data and voice data via a common line, the associated signals must be combined on the customer side, as well as in a switching center, and separated again after the transmission path. This takes place, for example, with so-called splitter devices, of which the speech and computer signals are separated from one another according to their different signal frequencies and assigned to the respective use. That is, processing of data signals is effected by a selective division of frequency ranges of the data to be transmitted to respective speech subscribers, as well as the devices provided for processing the data.

p0004Such data processing devices are hitherto provided as additive components, which are added as external components to existing data signal processing systems. This results in problems in that such data processing devices have long connecting paths and a high number of electronic contact elements for producing the necessary connections to the data signal processing system. As a result, the associated overall installation becomes more expensive and more susceptible to faults, the latter being the case, in particular, in the case of long transmission distances. In this case, losses caused by long conduction paths and many contact points must then be eliminated by means of expensive and, again, expensive amplification and interference suppression measures.

p0005In <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> A schematic structure of such a data processing system 100 with a distribution device 110 according to the prior art is shown. According to this, the distribution device 110 has two separate distribution blocks 120, 130, of which the distribution block 120 is connected to a switchgear 140 (eg a distribution block) of a telephone switching system 150 as well as a splitter device 160 for transmitting exclusively voice data signals A modem device 170, which is connected to a computer network 180. The second distributor block 130 of the distributor device 110 is connected to the switchgear 190 (eg a distributor block) of a subscriber 200 and the splitter device 160 for the transmission of both computer and voice data signals. In this telecommunication system, computer and voice data signals from the subscriber 200 are transmitted on a common line 210 to the second distribution block 130 and are forwarded by the latter via a distribution line 220 to the splitter device 160. The speech and computer data signals are separated from the splitter device 160, the computer data signals being forwarded to the modem device 170, and the voice data signals being forwarded to the first distribution block 120, from which they are then supplied to the telephone switching system 150. In the reverse case, the voice data signals arriving from the telephone switching system 150 via the first distribution block 120 as well as the computer data signals arriving from the computer network via the modem 170 are combined by the splitter device 160 and passed on to the subscriber 200 via the second distribution block 130. In this telecommunication system 100, connection lines 220, 230 with associated connections are required both between the first distributor block 120 and the splitter device 160 as well as between the second distributor block 130 and the splitter device 160.

p0006<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP0909102A2"><text>EP 0 909 102 A2</text></patcit> As the closest prior art discloses a main distributor with a distribution rack, wherein distributor blocks and split modules configured as separate assemblies are mounted on the distributor rack of the main distributor.

p0007It is an object of the invention to provide a device for a data signal processing system as well as a data signal processing system in which voice data and computer data signals can be transmitted via common lines and with which, nevertheless, a good and interference-proof data transmission is also possible even with long transmission distances. It is another object of the invention to provide a means by which an existing data signal processing system can easily be retrofitted with the formation of a system according to the invention.

p0008According to the invention, a distributor device, in particular a main distributor, is provided for a data signal processing system having the features of claim 1.

p0009Passive electronic components here are to be understood as components, such as, for example, resistors, capacitors, coils and the like, while active electronic components are to be understood as all types of semiconductor elements, such as transistors.

p0010By means of the data signal conditioning unit, the data signals, which can be both analogue and digital voice data and computer data signals, can be processed in the desired manner, for example distributed, purpose-oriented assigned or organized, and combined again to form a combined voice data / computer data total signal To forward a large number of voice and computer data signals transmitted simultaneously over the signal lines of subscribers.

p0011By means of the integration of this data signal conditioning unit into the distributor device, a strong simplification of the construction of an associated telecommunication system can be achieved. Thus, the data signals coming from telephone switching systems and networks can be routed directly to the distributor device, ie, without the intermediary of further distribution systems or processing systems, since the processing of the data signals is carried out by the data signal processing unit integrated into the distributor device. Furthermore, through the integral design of the distributor device with the data signal conditioning unit, long transmission lines between distributor blocks and data signal conditioning unit are eliminated; In particular, the distribution device has a reduced number of lines and associated connections, since both the subscribers as well as the network and a telephone switching system can lead lines directly to the distributor block of the distributor device without any redirections to other distributor blocks and processing systems being necessary. This provides an overall simpler and therefore also considerably more cost-effective and faster installable system. The space requirement of the system is also reduced with the elimination of lines and the shortening of cable routes.

p0012With the shorter cable paths and the smaller number of additional electrical contact points for additional electrical connections, the system also increases the efficiency of the system and reduces its susceptibility to breakdown.

p0013For its part, the distributor device, in turn, physically provides a component with sufficiently large spaces, as well as problem-free expansion possibilities for accommodating additional components, so that the attachment of the electronic components of the data signal conditioning unit to the hardware components, ie construction components, of the distributor is simple and thus cost-effective Is.

p0014The distribution device thus represents a powerful but still very little susceptible system for use in a data signal processing installation, due to the integral design of the distribution block with the data signal conditioning unit and the short interconnection and routing paths thus achieved and the reduced number of electrical contact points.

p0015With the distribution device according to the invention, a secure separation of respective subscribers is furthermore achieved since the distribution and thus the breakdown of their data signals is made secure in access within the distribution device which is not accessible to third parties.

p0016The distributor device according to the invention can be provided for the connection of copper lines, which are fastened to associated cable clamps, preferably insulation clamps, which in turn are arranged on the respective functional element in one or more row (s) under the formation of one or more clamping strip (s). Alternatively, the functional elements can also be designed for receiving coaxial cables and optical fiber cables. According to one embodiment, the distributor device is designed as a hybrid distributor which has functional elements for accommodating all three types of lines mentioned, ie, copper, coaxial and optical fiber cables.

p0017According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the data signal conditioning unit has a filter arrangement of high and / or low and / or bandpass filters, from which the data signals transmitted by the data signal lines can be filtered out and passed on according to their frequency ranges.

p0018This means that the data signals transmitted on a data signal line simultaneously, such as voice data and computer data signals, are filtered out by the filter arrangement according to their specific frequency ranges and forwarded to associated distribution lines, which lead, for example, to a modem device with a subsequent computer network or to a telephone switching system. As a result, data can be transferred from different data signals between the distribution device and the subscribers connected thereto via a common data signal line assigned to the respective subscriber. The different data signals are assigned different data signal frequencies which are detected by the filter arrangement in order to be able to filter out the associated data signals and to be able to forward them specifically in accordance with the respective subscriber as well as the data signal type (speech data signal or computer data signals).

p0019Although the electronic components of the data signal conditioning unit can be mounted, for example, via separate holders within the receiving device, they are preferably arranged directly on one or more of the functional elements and / or on the receiving device. This is done, for example, by the fact that the components are fastened directly to wall elements of the receiving device, for example, riveted or screwed, or soldered onto printed circuit elements of the functional elements. This achieves a space-saving and more cost-effective design by utilizing the components of the distributor block per se directly for the attachment of the additional components. This thus represents a maximally integrative structure.

p0020Alternatively, the distributor block can also have one or more cassette elements or plug elements, which are detachably assembled with associated functional elements for the mutual transmission of data signals, and in which the data signal conditioning unit or a part thereof is arranged. In this case, it is possible, by simply replacing the cassette elements or plug elements, to retrofit the distributor block with current data signal conditioning units without having to replace the distributor as a whole or to have to carry out complex and thus expensive work such as soldering. The respective cassette element and the associated functional element are preferably attached to each other by means of a simple plug-in connection, which is simultaneously designed as an interface between the cassette element and the functional element.

p0021In the case of the use of cassette elements or plug elements as the location of the components of the data signal conditioning unit in the distributor block, it is particularly preferred to design the respective cassette element or plug element in such a way that it can be exchanged against an overvoltage / overcurrent protection magazine or an overvoltage / Protection plug as well as using its interface to the functional element. Such protective magazines and protective plugs are provided in various embodiments of main distributors or distributor strips according to the prior art. Their replacement by means of the cassette elements or plug elements according to the invention therefore represents a particularly simple and space-saving embodiment in which little additional structural changes have to be made to the distributor construction. With the cassette element or the plug element according to the invention, certain existing distributors can thus also be retrofitted.

p0022According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving device is designed in the form of a receptacle into which the functional elements can be inserted, wherein the electronic components of the data signal conditioning unit or a partial number of the components are mounted on the bottom of the trough, A plug connector part is attached which is connected to the electronic components of the data signal conditioning unit attached to the bottom of the receiving trough and into which an associated functional element can intervene to produce an electrical contact between the functional element and the components of the data signal conditioning unit attached to the bottom of the receiving trough.

p0023The receiving trough forms with its form closed on the three sides a secure housing which can also be equipped with the insertable functional elements in a simple and variable manner from its open side. The present large floor area of ​​the trough is a very protected and yet easily accessible place for accommodating electronic components, since the floor surface is protected on the back by the associated bottom wall of the receiving trough as well as by the inserted functional elements; It is also quickly released by simply unplugging the functional elements. A secure electrical functional connection between the data signal conditioning unit and the functional elements is also achieved in a simple manner by the plug connector installed on the floor tub.

p0024Although the electronic components can, for example, be mounted directly on the base of the bath, they are preferably arranged on a board attached to the bottom of the receptacle. This circuit board is also referred to as a backplane and has the advantage that the associated data signal conditioning unit can be installed as a part on the receiving trough and can be exchanged by the same so that the associated distribution device can be assembled and maintained more easily.

p0025Alternatively or additionally, the electronic components of the data signal conditioning unit or a part number of the components are arranged on one or more carrier boards which are detachably assembled with the respectively associated functional element. In this case, the carrier board is, for example, mounted directly on the rear side of the functional element, extending the same, and is electrically connected to the functional element.

p0026Further alternatively or additionally, the electronic components of the data signal conditioning unit or a partial number of the components are arranged on one or more intermediate boards, which are / are each arranged between two functional elements and which is / are provided with a contacting device. By way of the latter, the electronic components on the intermediate board are connected to the interconnection of the distributor device.

p0027In the case of the use of the functional elements as transducers for the components of the data signal conditioning unit, the functional elements advantageously have circuit boards which are provided for receiving the electronic components of the data signal conditioning unit and at which terminals for connection of the data signal lines are attached. The printed circuit boards are components with small dimensions and high security with regard to the transmission of electrical signals. They can also be provided as direct carriers of connecting parts for the signal lines to be connected, so that a further space saving and a simpler and hence more cost-effective design is achieved. In the case of the use of copper cables or the like stranded cables as signal lines, preferably, clamping terminals are provided as connecting parts. When using coaxial and / or optical waveguide cables, plugs connected to the circuit boards can be mounted, eg screwed.

p0028According to the invention, a data signal processing system with the inventive distributor device is also provided. According to the above-described advantages of the distributor device, this data / data signal processing system represents a powerful and interference-free system with which voice data and computer data signals can also be transmitted quickly and safely over long transmission distances.

p0029Preferably, the cassette element is designed in such a way that it can be connected in exchange to an overvoltage / overcurrent protection magazine and, using its interface, to an associated functional element of the distributor device for the mutual transmission of data signals. With this cassette element according to the invention, existing distribution devices, such as certain main distributors of telecommunication systems, can be retrofitted with a data signal conditioning unit, whereby existing communication systems can be converted into simpler and more robust systems.

p0030The invention is explained in the following by means of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. In the drawing: FIG.<ul><li><figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> A telecommunication system according to the state of the art,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> A data signal processing installation in the form of a telecommunication system according to an embodiment of the invention,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0003">FIGS</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0004">4</figref> Perspective views of a receiving trough of a distributor block of a distributor device according to an embodiment of the invention,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0005">FIG</figref> A perspective view of a functional element of a distributor block of a distributor device according to the invention,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0006">FIGS</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0007">7</figref> Perspective views of a cassette element of a distributor device according to an embodiment of the invention,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0008">FIG</figref> A perspective view of a distributor strip according to an embodiment of the invention,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0009">FIG</figref> A perspective view of a single plug of a distributor strip according to an embodiment of the invention,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0010">FIG</figref> A perspective view of a connector board of a distributor strip according to an embodiment of the invention,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0011">FIG</figref> A perspective view of a receiving trough of a distributor block of a distributor device according to an embodiment of the invention,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0012">FIGS</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0013">13</figref> Perspective views of a main manifold according to an embodiment of the invention which demonstrate the assembly of the main manifold, and FIG</li><li><figref idrefs="f0014">FIG</figref> A perspective view of a main manifold according to another embodiment of the invention.</li></ul>

p0031In the <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> (Eg a distribution block) of a telephone switching system 8, a modem device 9 of a computer network 10, or a switchgear 11 (eg, a distribution block) A distribution block) of a subscriber. In the event that such a large number of subscribers 6 are connected to the distributor block, that a single distributor block 3 is not sufficient, a plurality of coupled distributor blocks can also be provided. Only low-frequency voice data signals are transmitted via the line 4 between the distribution block 3 and the telephone switching system, whereas computer data signals, in particular with high frequencies, are transmitted via the line 5 between the computer network 10 -with the intermediate circuit of the modem device 9 -and the distribution block 3 of the distributor device 2 . Line data signals and computer data signals are simultaneously transmitted via the line 6 between the subscriber 12 and the distribution block 3.

p0032A data signal processing unit (not shown) is integrated into the distribution block 3, from which the voice data signals and the computer data signals, which are fed to the allocation block 3 via the lines 4 and 5, are combined to form a combined voice data / computer data signal, 6 to the subscriber 12. Conversely, a combined voice data / computer data signal supplied by the subscriber 12 via the line 6 to the distribution block 3 is separated from the data signal processing unit integrated into the distribution block into separate voice data signals and computer data signals and transmitted via the respective lines 4 and 5 to the telephone switching system 8 The computer network 10 is forwarded.

p0033In the telecommunication system 1 according to the invention, therefore, in contrast to the above-described system according to the prior art, two transmission lines with associated connection parts, as well as a separate distribution block, are connected between the modem and the telephone switching system.

p0034<figref idrefs="f0003">FIGS</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0004">4</figref> Show an elongated receptacle 13 of a distributor block 3 of a data signal processing system according to an embodiment of the invention in two different perspective views; The distributor block 3 is provided as a main distributor in this case. Into the<figref idrefs="f0001">FIGS</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0002">2</figref> As can be seen, for example, by way of example in FIG <figref idrefs="f0003">FIG</figref> Are superimposed transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the receptacle 13, whereby the distributor block 3 is formed by means of which the signals from the lines connected to the distributor are distributed in a predetermined manner.

p0035The receptacle 13 has a continuous U-shaped cross-section, and thus two side walls parallel to each other as a tub handle 15, 16 and a tray bottom 17 extending perpendicularly to these tray legs 15, 16, by means of which the tubbing legs 15, 16 are connected to one another. The receptacle 13 is preferably made of a sheet material which is readily bendable and which can also be machined by punching. However, the manner of producing the recesses formed in the trough is not limited to punches; Other types of production, such as, for example, laser processing, are also suitable. A data signal conditioning unit 18 in the form of an arrangement of active and passive electronic components 19, ie resistors, coils and coils and the like, or semiconductor elements in the form of transistors, is mounted on the inside of the receiving trough. The data signals distributed by means of the distributor and their associated data are collected from this data signal conditioning unit 18, distributed and targeted, ie transmitted according to the intended data destination and the data signal type (voice data signal or computer data signal). The data signal conditioning unit 18 is thus designed as a so-called splitter filter arrangement from which data signals are filtered out in a frequency-oriented manner from a data / data signal bundle and forwarded to the associated transmission destinations. In a preferred arrangement of the main distributor according to the invention in a telecommunication system, these destinations are the subscribers, as well as a telephone switching system and a computer network, by means of which the desired switching of the subscribers with respect to their voice and computer data is made possible among one another. Conversely, speech data signals originating from the data signal conditioning unit 18 and computer data signals emanating from the computer network are combined into combined voice data / computer data signals which are then fed to the participants via a common line.

p0036The data signal conditioning unit 18 has a circuit board 20 with holes 21, via which the circuit board 20 is fastened to the base 17 of the receiving trough 13, for example by riveting or screwing. The components 19 of the data signal conditioning unit 18 are in turn mounted in connection with circuit paths (not shown) on the circuit board 20 by means of soldering or plug-in contacts.

p0037The battens 15, 16 each have a series of retaining tongues 22, which are formed, for example, by means of punching from the trough legs 15, 16 and which can also serve as connecting tongues for distribution-internal interconnection lines. A narrow limb section 15 ', 16' of the respective tub limb 15, 16 is provided between the fixed end of the holding tongues 22 and the tub bottom 17 as a non-recessed side wall section of the receptacle 13, which limb section 15 ', 16' forms the foot for the associated holding tongues 22 . At its free end portion, the respective holding tongue 22 has a hole-shaped recess 23 into which a hook 24 of an associated functional element 14 (see FIG<figref idrefs="f0005">FIG</figref>) In order to secure the functional element 14 on the receptacle 13. At its free end portion, the respective holding tongue 22 also has a recess 25 which is adjacent to the recess 23 and is provided for receiving a wire guide (not shown) for interconnecting wires. The recess 25 is hook-shaped for this purpose, so that the wire guide (not shown) can engage with a corresponding counterpart in the recess 25 for its attachment to the holding tongue 22. The recesses 23 of the retaining tongues 22 of the embodiment shown in FIG<figref idrefs="f0003">FIGS</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0004">4</figref> Right and left bathtub legs 15, 16 are provided laterally open in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle 13. The holding tongues 22 of the<figref idrefs="f0003">FIGS</figref>, <figref idrefs="f0004">4</figref> On their free end portions, are also provided with a front-side recess 26, where the free end portions of the retaining tongues 22 of the embodiment shown in FIG <figref idrefs="f0003">FIGS</figref>, <figref idrefs="f0004">4</figref> Left bath leg 16 do not have such a recess. The recesses 26 on the front side serve to receive guide noses (not shown) of the functional elements 14, so that the latter can be inserted into the receiving trough 13 only in the correct orientation during the assembly of the distributor block.

p0038The holding tongues 22 are furthermore provided at their other end section, ie, their foot section, with a recess 27 which is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the tongue. These recesses 27 serve to receive cable connectors (not shown) which are laterally connected to receiving receptacle 13, which in turn are inserted into corresponding receiving receptacles on the functional elements 14 for the transmission of data signals. These cables are provided with leads for connecting the functional elements 14 and / or interconnections via printed circuit boards.

p0039How <figref idrefs="f0004">FIG</figref> The data signal conditioning unit 18 also has a plug-in part 28 in the form of a plug-in socket into which an associated plug-in connector part (not shown) of one of the functional elements 14 can engage in order to establish an electrical contact between the functional element 14 and its operating element 14 Internal interconnection and its possibly present interconnection with other functional elements can be achieved in a simple manner by plugging this functional element 14 into the receptacle 13.

p0040The end <figref idrefs="f0005">FIG</figref> Is provided for receiving copper cables or other stranded cables with a clamping strip 29 with a number of insulation clamps 30 into which the copper cables (not shown) to be connected are inserted. The cutting clamps 30 are arranged successively in a longitudinal row, whereby one of the hooks 24 described above is located at the respective end of the end of the clamping strip 29. The cut-off terminals 30 are continued downwards by contact springs 31, via which a plug-in contact with a distribution circuit, not shown, is achieved. The functional element 14 also has a second clamping strip (not shown), which is designed corresponding to the above-described clamping strip 29 and is arranged parallel to the same. The signal flow generally runs only separately in the respective functional elements 14, specifically between the lines which are connected to the two cable conductors belonging to the functional element 14. However, interconnections between lines which are connected to different functional elements 14 are also conceivable. Furthermore, a functional element can also have more than two cable conductors. The interconnections are in the form of cable guides integrated into the main distributor; Alternatively, printed circuit boards with corresponding conductor tracks are also provided as interconnections.

p0041The clamping strip 29 and the clamping strip (not shown) are attached to a printed circuit board 32 on which components 19 of a data signal conditioning unit 18 are mounted. The printed circuit board can also be provided on both sides with such components, whereby a space saving is achieved. The arrangement of the data signal conditioning unit 18 on the functional element 14 has the advantage that it can be adapted specifically to the associated interconnection plan of the functional element 14 and can thus be arranged anywhere in any receiving trough 13 without requiring additional adjustments between the processing unit 18 and the functional element 14 Must be carried out.

p0042<figref idrefs="f0006">FIGS</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0007">7</figref> Show a cassette element 33 according to the invention of a distributor device of a data signal processing system according to an embodiment of the invention in two different perspective views.

p0043The cassette element 33 has a printed circuit board 34 on both sides of which, ie on the front side 34 'and rear side 34', components 19 of a data signal conditioning unit 18, as described above, are mounted. The printed circuit board 34 is enclosed by a frame 35, on which two handgrips 36 are mounted, which are arranged on opposing frame sections. The cassette member 33 is rectangular in shape with the handgrips 36 being arranged on the shorter rectangle sides of the frame 35. A contact spring strip 37 is provided on a longitudinal side of the cassette element 33, which is in electrical connection with the components 19 of the data signal processing system 18 arranged on the printed circuit board 32 and can be inserted into an associated receiving socket (not shown) on an associated functional element 14, In order to establish an electrical connection between the data signal conditioning unit 18 on the cassette side and the circuitry and / or the data signal conditioning unit 18 of the functional element 14 and / or the data signal conditioning unit in the receiving trough 13 in which the functional element 14 is accommodated.

p0044Particularly preferably, the contact spring strip 37 of the cassette element 33 is designed to be compatible with such a connection socket on the operating element side, which is otherwise provided for accommodating overvoltage / overcurrent protection magazines. The protective magazine of a distribution device, for example a main distributor of a telecommunications system, can thus be replaced by the cassette element according to the invention with the data signal conditioning unit 18, in the event that the predetermined protective regulations permit the predetermined protective regulations Yet safely working system.

p0045In <figref idrefs="f0008">FIG</figref> A distributor block 3 in the form of an elongated distributor bar 38 is shown according to an embodiment of the invention. The distributor strip 38 has an E profile in the cross-section, the two outer strip limbs 39, 40 of the distributor strip 38 forming the functional elements 14 being connected to the signal lines (not shown). For this purpose, the strip limbs 39, 40 have cable clamps on their rear side, on which the signal lines can be attached.

p0046A central limb 41 of the E-shaped distributor strip 38 is provided on its front side with recesses for receiving individual plugs 42, on which components 19 of a data signal conditioning unit 18 are mounted. The individual connectors 42 are accommodated in the recesses in exchange for overcurrent / overvoltage protection plugs. In the event that the distributor strip is not provided with such protective plugs, the components 19 of the data signal conditioning unit 18 can also be attached to the distributor strip by other types of fastening, for example by screwing on the middle limb 41.

p0047In <figref idrefs="f0009">FIG</figref> An individual plug 42 according to the invention is illustrated with a component 19 of a data signal conditioning unit.

p0048Out <figref idrefs="f0010">FIG</figref> An alternative to the individual plugs 42 is shown; A plug cassette 43 is provided thereon which has a printed circuit board 44 from which connecting tongues 45 are formed which can be brought into electrical contact with the distributor strip 38 by inserting the plug cassette 43 with its connecting tongues into the recesses of the distributor strip 38. Furthermore, components 19 of a data signal conditioning unit 18 are mounted on the circuit board 44.

p0049In <figref idrefs="f0011">FIG</figref> Another receptacle 13 of a main distributor according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. This receptacle 13 differs from that shown in FIG<figref idrefs="f0003">FIGS</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0004">4</figref> And a leg region 46 which is adjacent to the bottom of the bath 17, and a leg region 47 facing away from the bottom of the bath. The latter are connected to the bath legs 15, 16 of the apparatus shown in FIG <figref idrefs="f0003">FIGS</figref>, <figref idrefs="f0004">4</figref> Is formed substantially identically so that its description is omitted.

p0050The limb regions 46 of the bath limbs 15, 16 facing the tub bottom 17 each have elongated recesses 48 which extend with their longitudinal direction in the direction in which the respective tubing limb 15, 16 extends from the tub bottom 17. The recesses 48 serve to receive cassette elements 33 which can be inserted into the recesses 48 from the side of the receiving trough 13 and can then be inserted into the functional elements 14 arranged in the front region between the leg regions 47 to produce an electrical connection.

p0051A mount 49 is screwed on the rear side of the tray bottom 17, which is parallel to the side edge of the tray bottom 17 as well as outwardly extending strips 50 with slots 51 formed therein for accommodating data signal lines (not shown).

p0052<figref idrefs="f0012">FIGS</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0013">13</figref> Show assembly operations during the assembly of a main distributor according to the invention as distributor block 3 of a distributor device 2. The main distributor has a receiving trough 13 according to FIG <figref idrefs="f0011">FIG</figref> , So that, with regard to the construction of the receiving trough 13, reference is made to the above explanations.

p0053Functional elements 14 with cable guides 52 connected thereto are arranged in the front region between the leg regions 47 of the receptacle 13, the functional elements 14 being accommodated in the cable guides 52 and being in electrical contact with them via their contact springs 31.

p0054Out <figref idrefs="f0013">FIG</figref> It can be seen how a cassette element 33 can be inserted into the associated recess 48 from the side of the receiving trough 13. The cassette elements 33 can then be plugged together from the rear side of the functional elements 14 to form an electrical contact with the functional elements 14.

p0055In this embodiment of the invention, the electronic components of the data signal conditioning unit are arranged within the respective cassette element 33. This means that, in this case, each functional element 14 has a data signal processing unit specifically assigned to it.

p0056<figref idrefs="f0014">FIG</figref> Shows schematically a distributor device 2 with a distributor block 3 in the form of a main distributor according to an embodiment of the invention. The manifold block 3 has a U-shaped receiving trough 13, in the troughs 15, 16 of which there are slots 53 for accommodating functional elements 14 and intermediate plates 54 (only one is shown) arranged between the latter. A data signal conditioning unit 6 with electronic components 19 assigned to the respective functional element 14 is arranged on the respective intermediate board 54.

p0057Behind the respective functional element 14, a circuit board 55 is arranged between the same and the bottom 17 of the receptacle 13, which circuit board 55 is connected to the associated functional element 14 in an electrically connected manner. The printed circuit board 55 can also be used as a carrier board for receiving electronic components of the data signal processing unit or a data signal processing unit; It is electrically connected via a connector strip 56 to a circuit board 20 (backplane), which is mounted on the inner side of the bath floor 17. In this case, conductor paths are provided on the circuit board 55 and the printed circuit board 20, of which an interconnection for the respectively associated functional element 14 is formed.