Electricity: conductors and insulators – Anti-inductive structures – Conductor transposition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-25
2001-08-28
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Anti-inductive structures
Conductor transposition
C174S034000, C361S818000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281432
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to metal components and more particularly to electronic device housings made of sheet metal and sheet and support elements used for electronic devices, especially used for electronic devices operating at high frequencies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Support structures and housings made for electronic components are often made of sheet metal. The sheet metal structures can include support elements, housings as well as shielding elements, e.g. elements provided to shield various devices as to electromagnetic emissions that cause electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Electronic devices are being used which operate at very high frequencies. This leads the designer of housings and support structures to increasingly provide systems and components for reducing EMI problems.
Sealing elements are often used for forming an electromagnetic shield. Such sealing elements are typically used at the interfaces between components. This may be for example where a sheet metal component joins with another sheet metal component or where a sheet metal component joins with some other element, including a circuit board. At these interfaces, various different sealing elements may be provided. Other similar elements which function to limit electromagnetic interference problems may also be provided to form an EMI barrier or shield.
In order to increase the functional effect of the shield and/or to provide space for the shield, depressions and grooves may be provided. This is for example to provide a seat for the shield. Besides locating the shield, the depression provides additional space for the shield. Providing depressions in the sheet metal will however reduce space on the opposite side of the depression. This is problematic for various reasons. Such a depression will limit the space adjacent to the depression, at the opposite side of the sealing element.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a process for forming a depression in a metal piece such as a sheet metal element without depressing the opposite side of the metal piece.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a sheet metal piece with a depressed region on one side wherein the metal does not protrude outwardly from the other side.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an electronic component and support system which provides sheet metal elements with a sheet metal piece with a depressed region on one side wherein the metal does not protrude outwardly from the other side and which includes sealing elements such as a conductive sealing gasket in the depressed region to reduce electromagnetic interference problems.
According to the invention, a process is provided providing a metal sheet element and removing portions of the sheet metal at a series of locations in a section of the sheet metal element. By removing portions a plurality of webs are provided separating the holes. The webs are subsequently pressed to allow the webs to expand into the region of the holes and to form a depressed region based on the depressed surfaces of each of the webs relative to the surrounding web sheet.
The portions are preferably removed in a series along a section. After the webs are subsequently pressed this can form for example a groove or other depressed region. A gasket element or other device for limiting electromagnetic interference is subsequently provided in the depressed region.
The holes may advantageously be formed using a punch press.
According to another aspect of the invention a metal element is provided with a section including a first surface and a second surface. Plurality of holes are formed in the metal section extending through the metal section from the first surface to the second surface. The holes to define a series of webs separating the holes. The webs have a second surface at a level of the second surface of the metal element and the webs have a first surface which is depressed relative to the first surface of the metal surface by pressing the webs and allowing the webs to expand into the region of the holes to form a depressed region.
The invention also relates to a system using a metal element as noted above wherein a gasket is positioned in the depressed region and an additional element for the surface is placed in close proximity with the first surface of the metal element. The gasket is provided in contact with the additional element to limit the electromagnetic interference from outside of the connection between the metal element and the additional element and from inside to the outside, effectively providing an EMI barrier. The gasket includes a conductive fabric or other conductive surface of a resilient body.
Various different metal elements may be used. Preferably sheet metal is used which may be for example have a thickness in the range of 0.048 in. The holes may advantageously be punched to have a width (HW) of for example 0.180 inch. This is advantageous as to the use of commercially available electromagnetic interference strips. The length (HL) of the hole may advantageously be 0.125 inch. This allows for various sized webs (W) including for example webs of from 0.075 to 0.080 inch. After the pressing of the webs, the surface of the webs is depressed from the surface of the metal element by e.g. 0.030 inch±0.003/.000.
The process is particularly advantageous for forming enclosures such as enclosures for local area network devices, communications devices, telephonic systems, etcetera. The process may be advantageously used to join two sheet metal elements to form either a housing or some other support. Additionally, the process may be employed with a sheet metal piece joined to a circuit board or some other element, e.g. plastic as well as plastic and a mixture of some other materials.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4717791 (1988-01-01), Mathur
patent: 5161997 (1992-11-01), Defibaugh et al.
patent: 5656380 (1997-08-01), Raber et al.
patent: 467399 (1992-01-01), None
patent: 4-116900 (1992-04-01), None
3Com Corporation
McGlew and Tuttle , P.C.
Oliva Carmelo
Reichard Dean A.
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