Single contact spring

Details Single contact spring Single contact spring

1994-11-23

1997-02-04

Ledynh, Bot L.

Electricity: conductors and insulators

Anti-inductive structures

Conductor transposition

174 35R, 24293, H05K 900

Patent

active

056000928

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a single contact spring, especially for RF-shielding or RF-screening of electronic devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to such springs for latch-locking into sheet-metal apertures.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrical devices must be screened such that high-frequency parasitic radiations can neither escape from the device nor enter the device. Screenings of this kind are realized, for example, for frontages of electronic devices, e.g. doors, side parts and roofs, and also for partitions which serve to separate screened and unscreened chambers. Such RF shielding devices or screening partitions are made from sheet metal and are provided with a metallic surface. Screenings of this kind are generally realized with springs, these springs latch-locking by complicated sequences of movements into sheet-metal apertures or different profiles such that the springs are permanently prevented, by positive engagement, from jumping out under mechanical loads. It is often difficult in this case to locate them in a mounting hole. Springs are also known which, made from contact strips, are stuck onto a contact surface. This fastening is problematical in terms of mounting methods and the holding requirements are only poorly met. Furthermore, springs of this kind should be designed such that they withstand transverse forces at a contact region under mechanical loads or during mounting. Furthermore, spring excursions, or deflection paths, in known spring systems are short and cannot, in the contacted state, be moved towards zero. Nor are they generally able to spring freely away to the rear and thereby exhibit, in the end state, high spring forces and friction noises relative to the initial contact. Contact elements of this type also generally require large graduation intervals.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an individually mountable contact spring which latchlocks easily into an aperture in a sheet-metal blank and cannot be deformed beyond its elasticity threshold.
In order to achieve this object, the invention therefore provides for a single contact spring which is configured in such a way that it comprises a latch cage and a resilient contact part configured as a contact cup. The latch cage is configured generally as a channel or trough, having a lower part which is trapezoidal or rectangular in cross section. Furthermore, the latch cage is open at two ends and has two longitudinal sides, the sides having respectively opposing cutouts. The top edges of the longitudinal sides are angled-off outward, and the contact cup is held by means of an angled-off carrier part fastened to one of the ends. In one of the cutouts in the longitudinal sides there is disposed an outwardly bent-off elbow in which there engages a correspondingly opposite-bent, hook-shaped part, which is connected to the contact cup.
The contact cut can herein either be conically or pyramidally configured.
By virtue of these measures, a spring is obtained, the mounting of which is realized by pressure in a plug-in direction and which locates easily in a mounting hole. An automated mounting is thereby possible. This spring, by absorbing shock in the contact region, counteracts any transverse forces arising from mechanical action or generated upon movement or mounting of the fitted parts and is thereby secured against damage. It can be mounted, moreover, having small graduation intervals. The spring has a contact region that normally projects a large distance, but when the spring is contacted and compressed, the contact region recedes to nearly flush fit, or zero projection distance. The spring is able to deflect freely away to the rear, so that the motional forces, as the spring excursion increases, do not increase unnecessarily beyond the spring rate dictated by the shape and material type. The spring can be used both as a pressure contact and as a sliding contact. As a pressure contact it can be used on swi

REFERENCES:
patent: 4535565 (1985-08-01), Erikson
patent: 4566746 (1986-01-01), Hobson
patent: 4720273 (1988-01-01), Thole
patent: 4761516 (1988-08-01), Reichert
patent: 4866213 (1989-09-01), Lindsay
patent: 5124889 (1992-06-01), Humbert et al.
patent: 5225629 (1993-06-01), Garrett

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