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An electrical and/or optical interface device between a first piece of equipment, especially of the automatic-machine type, and at least one other piece of equipment of an industrial plant, is disclosed. The device is capable of receiving at least one multipoint connector for serving communication c

An electrical and/or optical interface device between a first piece of equipment, especially of the automatic-machine type, and at least one other piece of equipment of an industrial plant, is disclosed. The device is capable of receiving at least one multipoint connector for serving communication channels between functional elements of the first piece of equipment and functional elements of at least said other piece of equipment, and it is made in the form of a modular assembly whose components are distributed among an alignment of functional modules, of the terminal-block type, that are placed side by side. Each communication channel is served by a functional module containing the interface components which fulfill out the functions that relate to this channel and receiving the multipoint connector part serving this channel, the various functions carried out by the interface device being distributed among various functional modules of said alignment.

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1. An interface device for connecting one or more external multipoint connectors used to establish one or more functional communication channels between devices which employ electrical or optical conductors, comprising:a linear assembly of functional modules, said functional modules being positioned

1. An interface device for connecting one or more external multipoint connectors used to establish one or more functional communication channels between devices which employ electrical or optical conductors, comprising:a linear assembly of functional modules, said functional modules being positioned in alignment, in said linear assembly, each functional module having a peripheral wall and an end wall and defining an elementary part of one or more multipart connectors formed by a plurality of said functional modules and having substantially mutually perpendicular sides, wherein the modularly assembled multipart connector provides for direct connection, with one or more external multipoint connectors, using ducts in each of two substantially mutually perpendicular sides one of which ducts is a guiding duct in the peripheral wall and which opens over its length into the wall making up the end wall of its functional module, the ducts being adapted for interconnecting one or more electrical or optical conductors which form one or more functional communication channels and communication functions performed through the interface device are distributed among a plurality of aligned functional modules. 2. The interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the functions which may be performed by the functional communication channels includematching, switching, control relaying, protecting, and signaling. 3. The interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linear assembly functional modules are configured to be complementary to at least one multipoint connector from a first piece of equipment, said modules having an alignment axis, and a thickness along their alignment axis which is equal to a unitary or larger multiple of the pitch of two connectors.4. The interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aligned functional modules are in a side-by-said configuration.5. The interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more elements are provided to electrically interconnect one or more functional modules.6. The interface device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each electrical interconnection element is provided through the outside of the modules.7. The interface device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each electrical interconnection element is provided inside of the modules.8. The interface device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each electrical interconnection element is disconnectable.9. The interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aligned functional modules are elongated and the elongated portions thereof are parallel to each other.10. An interface device for connecting at least one external multipoint electrical and/or optical connector, comprising:a linear assembly of modules, each module comprising: an end wall and a perimeter wall, which goes around the end wall, delimiting an housing for an electrical and/or optical device; an electrical and/or optical device fitted in the housing; and a duct, with a fixed connection member extending partially into said duct, provided in the perimeter wall in order to form a part of a multipart connector complimentary to the external multipoint connector, the connection member being connected at least to the electrical and/or optical device, the duct is a guiding duct in the peripheral wall and opening over its length into the wall making up the end wall of its functional module; and a multipart electrical and/or optical connector, configured to receive the external multipoint connector, constituted by the linear alignment of the ducts of the modules placed side by side with each module in direct contact with an adjacent module. 11. The interface device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the duct of each module is a guiding duct provided for engaging a part of the external multipoint connector.12. The interface device as claimed in claim 10, wherein each module comprises an aperture provided in the perimeter wall in relation of which a electrical and/or optical connection terminal is fitted, the connection terminal forming at least a part of the electrical and/or optical device fitted in the module.13. The interface device as claimed in claim 10, wherein each module comprises fastening means in order to fasten the module to a next module.14. The interface device as claimed in claim 10, wherein each module has a thickness, corresponding to the width of the perimeter wall, which is equal to a unitary or larger multiple of the pitch of two connection members of the external multipoint connector.15. The interface device as claimed in claim 10, wherein one or more elements are provided to electrically interconnect at least one functional module.16. The interface device as claimed in claim 15, wherein each electrical interconnection element is provided through the outside of the modules.17. The interface device as claimed in claim 15, wherein each electrical interconnection element is provided inside of the modules.18. The interface device as claimed in claim 15, wherein each electrical interconnection element is disconnectable.19. The interface device as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least some of the electrical and/or optical devices fitted in the housing of the modules perform communication functions.20. The interface device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the functions which may be performed by the electrical and/or optical device include matching, switching, control relaying, protecting, and signaling.21. An interface device for connecting at least one external multipoint electrical and/or optical connector, comprising:a linear assembly of modules, each module comprising: an end face and a perimeter wall, which goes around the end face, delimiting an housing for an electrical and/or optical device; an electrical and/or optical device fitted in the housing; and a duct, with a fixed connection member extending partially into said duct, provided in the perimeter wall in order to form a part of a multipart connector complimentary to the external multipoint connector, the connection member being connected at least to the electrical and/or optical device; and a multipart electrical and/or optical connector, configured to receive the external multipoint connector, constituted by the linear alignment of the ducts of the modules placed side by side with each module in direct contact with an adjacent module, wherein the duct of each module is opened on the side of the end face and on the opposite side. 22. An interface device for connecting at least one external multipoint electrical and/or optical connector, comprising:a linear assembly of modules, each module comprising: an end face and a perimeter wall, which goes around the end face, delimiting an housing for an electrical and/or optical device; an electrical and/or optical device fitted in the housing; an aperture provided in the perimeter wall in relation of which a electrical and/or optical connection terminal is fitted, the connection terminal forming at least a part of the electrical and/or optical device, the duct is a guiding duct in the perimeter wall and opening over its length into the wall making up the end face wall of its functional module; and a duct, with a fixed connection member extending partially into said duct, provided in the perimeter wall in order to form a part of a multipart connector complementary to the external multipoint connector, the connection member being connected at least to the electrical and/or optical device; and a multipart electrical and/or optical connector configured to receive the external multipoint connector, constituted by the linear alignment of the ducts of the modules placed side by side, with each module in direct contact with an adjacent module. 23. The interface device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the duct of each module is a guiding duct provided for engaging a part of the external multipoint connector.24. The interface device as claimed in claim 22, wherein each module comprises fastening means in order to fasten the module to a next module.25. The interface device as claimed in claim 22, wherein each module has a thickness, corresponding to the width of the perimeter wall, which is equal to a unitary or larger multiple of the pitch of two connection members of the external multipoint connector.26. The interface device as claimed in claim 22, wherein one or more elements are provided to electrically interconnect one or more functional modules.27. The interface device as claimed in claim 26, wherein each electrical interconnection element is provided through the outside of the modules.28. The interface device as claimed in claim 26, wherein each electrical interconnection element is provided inside of the modules.29. The interface device as claimed in claim 26, wherein each electrical interconnection element is disconnectable.30. The interface device as claimed in claim 22, wherein at least some of the electrical and/or optical devices fitted in the housing of the modules perform communication functions.31. The interface device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the functions which may be performed by the electrical and/or optical device include matching, switching, control relaying, protecting, and signaling.32. An interface device for connecting at least one external multipoint electrical and/or optical connector, comprising:a linear assembly of modules, each module comprising: an end face and a perimeter wall, which goes around the end face, delimiting an housing for in electrical and/or optical device; an electrical and/or optical device fitted in the housing; an aperture provided in the perimeter wall in relation of which a electrical and/or optical connection terminal is fitted, the connection terminal forming at least a part of the electrical and/or optical device; and a duct, with a fixed connection member extending partially into said duct, provided in the perimeter wall in order to form a part of a multipart connector complementary to the external multipoint connector, the connection member being connected at least to the electrical and/or optical device; and a multipart electrical and/or optical connector configured to receive the external multipoint connector, constituted by the linear alignment of the ducts of the modules placed side by side, with each module in direct contact with an adjacent module, wherein the duct of each module is opened on the side of the end face and on the opposite side. 33. An interface device for connecting one or more external multipoint connectors used to establish one or more functional communication channels between devices which employ electrical or optical conductors, comprising:a linear assembly of functional modules, said functional modules being positioned in alignment in said linear assembly, each functional module defining an elementary part of one or more multipart connectors formed by a plurality of said functional modules and having substantially mutually perpendicular sides, wherein the modularly assembled multipart connector provides for direct connection, with one or more external multipoint connectors using ducts in each of two substantially mutually perpendicular sides for interconnecting one or more electrical or optical conductors which form one or more functional communication channels and communication functions performed through the interface device are distributed among a plurality of aligned functional modules wherein at least one functional module has at least one perimeter wall having perpendicular portions and contains at least one duct located at perpendicular portions of the perimeter wall, each duct including a pin connected to an electrical or optical conductor and each duct complementary to the external connection. 34. An interface device for connecting at least one external multipoint electrical and/or optical connector, comprising:a linear assembly of modules, each module comprising: an end face and a perimeter wall, which goes around the end face, delimiting an housing for an electrical and/or optical device; an electrical and/or optical device fitted in the housing; and a duct, with a fixed connection member extending partially into said duct, provided in the perimeter wall in order to form a part of a multipart connector complimentary to the external multipoint connector, the connection member being connected at least to the electrical and/or optical device; and a multipart electrical and/or optical connector, configured to receive the external multipoint connector, constituted by the linear alignment of the ducts of the modules placed side by side with each module in direct contact with an adjacent module, wherein the perimeter wall has perpendicular portions and the duct is located at the perpendicular portions of the perimeter wall, and the duct fixed connection member comprises a pin connected to an electrical or optical conductor and the duct being complementary to the external connection. 35. An interface device for connecting at least one external multipoint electrical and/or optical connector, comprising:a linear assembly of modules, each module comprising: an end face and a perimeter wall, which goes around the end face, delimiting an housing for an electrical and/or optical device; an electrical and/or optical device fitted in the housing; an aperture provided in the perimeter wall in relation of which a electrical and/or optical connection terminal is fitted, the connection terminal forming at least a part of the electrical and/or optical device; and a duct with a fixed connection member extending partially into said duct, provided in the perimeter wall in order to form a part of a multipart connector complementary to the external multipoint connector the connection member being connected at least to the electrical and/or optical device; and a multipart electrical and/or optical connector configured to receive the external multipoint connector, constituted by the linear alignment of the ducts of the modules placed side by side, with each module in direct contact with an adjacent module, wherein the perimeter wall has perpendicular portions and the duct is located at the perpendicular portions of the perimeter wall, and the duct fixed connection member comprises a pin connected to an electrical or optical conductor and the duct being complementary to the external connection.