Sensor connector

Details Sensor connector Sensor connector

1997-07-22

2000-04-04

Paumen, Gary

Electrical connectors

With circuit component or comprising connector which fully...

Connector includes or covers additional component

439607, H01R 1366

Patent

active

060454059

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electrical connector for coupling to a sensor for example a sensor mounted in a combustion chamber the connector being resistant to shock and electrostatic and electrormangnetic interference.
2. Summary of the Prior Art
In the automotve industry, pressure sensors have been developed for positioning in combustion chambers of combustion engines to determine the combustion characteristics (pressure over time) of the ignited fuel within the piston chamber. Such sensors might comprise a piezo electrical device for measuring the pressure variations, or other electrically driven pressure sensors, which thus need to be supplied with leads for electrical power and signal transmission. Due to the high electrostatic and electromagnetic interference generated by ignition of the spark in the piston chamber, the signal leads need to be protected from this interference by shielding and possibly filtering. A further problem are the high shocks generated by the combustion. The connector must be able to withstand the shocks over the specified life of the combustion engine whilst making reliable connection with the sensor. Other sensors for use in an automobile or other types or vehicles may of course also be subject to mechanical shock, thermal solicitation, and electronmagnetic noise.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An electrical connector for mounting on a printed circuit board is known from DE-A-43 116 39. The connector includes an insulating body in which at least one contact is arranged. The connector further includes a shield member which has apertures for terminals which project through the shield member. The shield member may also be the ground contact element which is arranged on or in the insulating body. A filter arrangement may be used.
It is an object of this invention to provide a sensor connect that provides a reliable connetion to a sensor subject to mechanical or thermal shock, and electromagenetic interference e.g. a sensor mounted in an automobile, in a cost-effective manner.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a sensor connector that protects the signal leads leading to the sensor from excessive electromagnetic and electrostatic interference or example generated by spark ignition, and furthermore a connector that can withstand the shocks for example generated by a combustion engine over the required lifetime of the engine.
The objects of this invention have been achieved by providing a sensor connector comprising an outer housing having a cavity extending therethrough, and a connection section mounted therein that has an insulative housing and terminals for connection to leads of a sensor cable, further comprising a conductive shield member mounted transversely to the passage of the cavity and extending substantially fully thereacross except for around the terminals which project past the shield member.
In one embodiment, the shield member could be a stamped and formed plate that is overmoulded by the housing, or securely fixed thereto. The inner housing may be fully received within the outer housing, the inner housing comprising cavities for receiving receptacle contact portions of the terminals for electrical contact with pin contacts of the sensor. The contact portions may be integral with an insulation displacement contact (IDC) connection portion for contacting the sensor leads, the housing having a plurality of slots extending substantially parallel to each other from an outer surface of the housing to the IDC connection sections to allow stuffing of the leads into the IDC sections therethrough.
The terminals could further comprise additional contact legs extending therefrom for electrical contact to a pole of a capacitor or another filter element, the other pole of the filter element electrically connected to the shield member.
In another embodiment, the shield member could be formed by conductive material covering a printed circuit board, the board also having circuit traces for interconnecting the ter

REFERENCES:
patent: 5124880 (1992-06-01), Okamoto et al.
patent: 5246389 (1993-09-01), Briones
patent: 5769667 (1998-06-01), Belopolsky
PCT International Search Report (see PCT Publication).

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