Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Miscellaneous
Patent
1989-07-10
1991-07-16
Picard, Leo P.
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Miscellaneous
361394, 361399, 361412, H05K 714
Patent
active
050329545
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a housing for electronic components suitable for use in hostile environments, and, more particularly, to such housing having connectors for electronic components and also having electronic components mounted therein.
2. Background of the Prior Art
Housings and switch boxes of various embodiments suitable for accommodating electronic circuits are generally known. Known in particular from patent EP 0 078 405 is a built-in plastic housing, whereby a cover and a floor portion are secured by special means to one or more annular middle sections. This method permits the size of the housing to be increased or decreased in stages.
Also generally known are service elements such as connecting elements (e.g. sockets or male plugs) which, being installed on the front and/or rear walls of such housings, enable the attachment of mating elements for the purpose of electrically connecting the housing to its environment. Such sockets and/or male plugs are connected in the housing through suitable wiring arrangements to normally parallel-arranged adjacent circuit boards comprising the electronic components of the overall electronic system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a stable and cost-effective housing for small electronic circuitry arrangements that is capable of operating in hostile environments while permitting an adequate transfer to the outside of heat generated by the electronic components. The proposed housing should be connected to its environment through a plurality of male plugs, sockets or female plugs.
In keeping with this object, there is provided in accordance with one aspect of the present invention a housing suitable for use in hostile environments and serving to mechanically secure and electrically connect a plurality of plug-in type circuit boards that bear integrated electronic circuits and that are arranged parallel to one another. The housing comprises a tubular, rectangular cross-sectioned, rigid middle section, a front panel and rear wall. The front panel and rear wall are detachably secured to the middle section covering respectively opposite open ends thereof. The rear wall comprises a rigid, die-cast section having two domes separated one from the other by a reinforcing rib having therein a plurality of spaced-apart guide notches. The guide notches serve to laterally or frontally secure circuit boards which can be located within the housing. One of the domes on the rear wall is adapted to accommodate a printed circuit board that bears a plurality of first male/female plugs facing the interior of the housing. A plurality of one part of second male/female plugs are detachably secured to the housing and projecting through the second dome of the rear wall into the housing. A cable of conductors extend from the second male/female plugs. Guide grooves opposite one another in the interior of the middle section are arranged slidably receiving opposite edges of respective ones of a plurality of plug-in type circuit boards that bear integrated electronic circuits and are arranged in spaced-apart, parallel relationship. The circuit boards have another part of male/female plugs for direct electrical contact with the corresponding first and/or second male/female plugs upon insertion into the housing.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings while the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an end view of a middle section of the proposed housing;
FIG. 2 is a front end view of an assembled housing of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the assembled housing of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view through the rear wall only of the housing taken essentially along the line A--A of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a cross-sect
REFERENCES:
patent: 3997819 (1976-12-01), Eggert et al.
patent: 4669030 (1987-05-01), Bannister
patent: 4791531 (1988-12-01), Jessup
Ascom Hasler AG
Picard Leo P.
Sparks Donald A.
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