Electrical connectors – Electromagnetic or electrostatic shield – Shielding individually surrounding or interposed between...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2001-08-14
Vu, Hien (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Electromagnetic or electrostatic shield
Shielding individually surrounding or interposed between...
C439S372000, C439S533000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273756
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to a chassis cast power connector with coaxial shielding.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With the continuing increase in the supply and demand for powering various electrical devices which are used extensively in an apparatus, such as a motor vehicle, the need for improved high power connectors exists. Motor vehicles of today have numerous electrical components and electrical motors which require power to run. As a result, power is distributed along the motor vehicle by power carriers, e.g., power cables, and power connectors, e.g., bus bars, which are used to connect the various electrical devices to a power source, a motor, or the like of the vehicle. Consequently, high power connectors which are used in the automotive field and elsewhere must be capable of withstanding high current loads. Typically, the power connectors includes a female connector member and a male connector member for sliding insertion into the female connector member. The female connector member in turn is connected to a cable assembly and the male connector member may be connected to a second cable assembly. By joining the male and female connector members together power may easily be distributed along the motor vehicle by use of these power connector members. Each of the connector members includes complementary power contacts and dielectric insulation disposed therein.
Conventionally, high power connectors were received in openings formed in the chassis and the connectors were mated to the chassis using a number of fasteners. One advantage of this mounting location in a typical automotive application is that the vehicle's chassis provides the low voltage circuitry return path. Typically, one of the male and female connector members is received in a power connector receptacle prior to the receptacle being secured to the chassis. The receptacle is generally plated with nickel before one of the connector members is inserted into the receptacle to form a receptacle assembly. This receptacle assembly is then mated to the chassis with fasteners. In an exemplary embodiment, the chassis is part of an electronic box in the motor vehicle. An interface gasket must be used between the chassis and connector receptacle to help seal the receptacle assembly for electromagnetic interference (EMI) and environmental contaminates. Furthermore, the environment in which these power connectors are used puts a great deal of both mechanical and thermal stress on the power connectors.
This conventional process requires that the high power receptacle be formed separately from the vehicle's chassis and because the receptacle is mounted to the chassis within an opening after the receptacle and connector member are joined, the process involves a series of steps involving separate components and increased time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a chassis cast power connector with coaxial shielding for preventing conductors within the connector from broadcasting electromagnetic interference (EMI) outside of the connector. In an exemplary embodiment, the chassis cast power connector comprises a connector receptacle which is cast with a chassis and extends away from one surface of the chassis. The connector receptacle includes an opening which preferably receives male and female connector members, wherein the male connector member is capable of being slidably received in the female connector receptacle to form an electrical connection therebetween.
The connector receptacle acts a shield for protecting the electrical connection formed between the mated male and female connector members. A locking member is preferably provided with the connector receptacle for releasably retaining one of the male and female connector members within the connector receptacle during the mating process with the other of the male and female connector members.
Because the connector receptacle is integral with the chassis, improved coaxial EMI containment and improved environmental seal are provided by the present invention. Additionally, these improvements are provided in a connector capable of handling high power loads, on the order of 60 kilowatts and higher. In addition, the present invention offers other advantages over conventional power connectors as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. For example, the integral nature of the connector receptacle permits greater weight cable assemblies or bus bar assemblies to be used therewith.
The above-described and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3020516 (1962-02-01), Despard
patent: 4678260 (1987-07-01), Gallusser et al.
patent: 4695110 (1987-09-01), Wasserlein
patent: 4840574 (1989-06-01), Mills
patent: 4990094 (1991-02-01), Chandler et al.
patent: 5507664 (1996-04-01), Carmo
patent: 5551885 (1996-09-01), Yamanashi et al.
patent: 0667957 (1938-11-01), None
Downer Scott D.
Ward Terence G.
DeVries Christopher
General Motors Corporation
Vu Hien
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