DE102006006565A1 - Shielding arrangement for electrical connecting device, has electrically conducting housing wall engaged in or interspersed in recess, where shielding material is provided on side of housing wall and edge section extends into edge gap - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement (10a) has an electrically conducting housing wall arranged at a recess (14a). The housing wall (16a) is engaged in or interspersed in the recess. A two-dimensional flexible shielding material is provided on a side of the housing wall surrounding the recess. An edge section (22a) extends into an edge gap between the edge of the recess and the electrical connecting device. An independent claim is also included for a method for mounting an electrical connecting device arranged at recess of an electrically conducting housing wall.

Description

The The invention relates to housing structures of electronic devices, in which at least one electrical connection device such as z. B. an electrical connector in the region of a housing wall is arranged.

Especially The invention relates to a shielding arrangement for such electrical connection device and a method for mounting an electrical connection device on the housing wall.

It is known that an electrically conductive, so z. B. of metal manufactured housing structure the so-called EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) of the relevant equipment significantly improved. unwanted Radiated are shielded by such a structure, be it one by external sources outside of the housing caused interference or one inside the case, so from the device concerned self-generated interference radiation.

The EMC problematic is particularly serious in practice, if the device a sophisticated data processing is used (eg, a computer system represents) and / or the device is operated in an installation environment in which numerous other electronic devices are as z. B. in the field of automotive electronics the case is.

Around the device to supply with electrical energy and / or an electrical Signal or data exchange to enable with external facilities are electrical Connecting devices such as connectors (eg connection sockets) usually each at recesses of the housing wall engaging in the recess or passing through the recess arranged. In terms of manufacturing tolerances, this is practically necessary every recess of the housing wall to measure a little bigger as actually necessary. Therefore remains in the known housing structures always a more or less big one Edge gap between the recess edge and in the region of the recess arranged connecting device. Depending on the type of in the Practice occurring interference radiation can such edge column the quality Significantly impair the shielding. In particular, deteriorates the EMC for electromagnetic radiation of a particularly high frequency.

It An object of the present invention is the shielding effect an electrically conductive, provided with at least one connecting device housing to improve.

These Task is solved by a shielding arrangement having the features of the claim 1 and a method for mounting an electrical connection device with the features of claim 10. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

With The invention makes it possible in a simple manner, the extent of said edge gaps reduce or even eliminate this marginal column altogether, thereby the shielding effect of the housing considerably is improved. This improvement may be for one or more connecting devices a housing wall be provided.

The Connecting device can, for example, a known per se Represent connectors, by means of which the device in question to external Facilities connectable is, be it z. B. for power or for data exchange. such Connectors such as sockets and the like are those skilled in the art well known and need therefore no one here closer Explanation.

Especially, when in operation over the electrical connection device carried signal itself a source from interfering radiation represents or there is a risk that this signal due to interference impaired is, it is advantageous if the electrical connection means an electrically conductive sheath or encapsulation (eg, a metallic connector housing) which abuts the shielding material. In this case, the shielding material lies preferably over a large part the circumference, in particular substantially around the entire circumference at this serving or encapsulation.

When Shielding material can z. B. known conductive Materials are used on a plastic basis. Examples for this are: Open-cell urethane foam with a polyester mesh, electroplated with Ni / Cu core material of soft elastic PE foam or PU foam with a surrounding Ni / CU textile; silicone material (especially fluorine-silicone) with embedded metal filaments (z. From Monel (a Ni / Cu alloy); Metal-polyester nonwovens Etc.

The shielding material used, as is the case with the above examples, is preferably electrically conductive, in particular three-dimensionally electrically conductive. Moreover, it is favorable if the material is more or less highly compressible and does not lose its conductivity even in the compressed state. These properties can, for. B. with embedded in a plastic material, crimped metal wires are obtained, which have a high elasticity due to their crimping and numerous contact points on the surface of Ma terials to provide in the mounted state, a good electrical connection between the housing wall and the material (and optionally a conductive housing of the connecting device). (eg more than 100 contact points per cm ² ).

suitable Shielding materials are commercially available in the form of "shielding mats or sheets" and can assembled for use according to the invention become. In a preferred embodiment, the shielding material punched or cut.

Although it may be sufficient to form the shielding arrangement, the prefabricated shielding material first provisionally on the housing wall (or a connecting device) to fix it during assembly of the equipment ultimately between the connection means and the housing wall firmly clamp, so is in an alternative embodiment provided that the shielding directly to the housing wall is attached. The attachment can be easily z. B. by a bonding done. In this regard, is a self-adhesive Shielding advantageous. However, it may also be a suitable one Glue, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive used for this purpose become.

In an embodiment owns the supernatant Edge portion of the shielding material one or more cuts, that from the inner edge of the shielding material towards the recess edge run. Such as advantageous in one as above mentioned Punching or cutting the material formed incisions have the advantage that the material "itself better in the edge gap sets ". It should be remembered that this in itself at the (typically level) housing wall flat extending material angled in the region of the edge gap must extend into this gap. Especially with a closed ring Edge gap or in strongly curved and / or angled portions of the Randspaltverlaufs can Incisions simplify assembly and improve the screening result.

Prefers follows the contour of the housing wall recess the contour of the received from this recess electrical Connecting device, so that an edge gap with a in the essentially uniform gap.

For many common Types of electrical connection devices is an im essentially circular or substantially rectangular recess particularly suitable.

at a rectangular (or generally polygonal) recess, the mentioned above Incisions formed in the shielding material in the corners of this shape become.

at a round, in particular circular recess shape are preferred several cuts evenly over the Circumference distributed, in particular equidistant in the circumferential direction.

For a good and permanent connection of the shielding material to the housing wall recess it cheap, when the shielding material, starting from the edge section located in the edge section over a certain minimum distance flat on the housing wall along (away from the edge gap) extends. This minimum distance should at least on the order of magnitude the housing wall thickness at the concerned, preferably above. If the shielding material on the housing wall the recess annular is applied surrounding, so z. B. be provided that everyone Point at the periphery of the shielding material a distance from the recess edge has, at least twice, more preferably at least three times as big as the housing wall thickness in the recess edge area is.

In a preferred embodiment is provided that the edge gap is dimensioned such that the edge section extending into the edge gap of the Shielding material is compressed in the edge gap. For example, can therefor a gap provided which is not greater than 80% the shielding material thickness is.

Further it is preferred if the extending into the edge gap in Edge portion of the shielding completely passes through the edge gap or even (on the opposite Housing wall side) protrudes.

If on a housing wall a plurality of electrical connection devices are provided, then can be a coherent one Shielding material section (ie eg blank) for several Connecting devices are used in common, which in particular at immediately adjacent connection devices or housing wall recesses is very beneficial.

• – Aufbringen eines flächigen flexiblen Abschirmmaterials auf einer Seite der Gehäusewand derart, dass dieses die Aussparung umgibt und ein Randabschnitt in den Bereich der Aussparung übersteht, und
• – Einschieben der elektrischen Verbindungseinrichtung in die Aussparung, so dass diese in die Aussparung eingreift oder die Aussparung durchsetzt und der überstehende Randabschnitt des Abschirmmaterials in den sich ergebenden Randspalt zwischen dem Aussparungsrand und der elektrischen Verbindungseinrichtung hinein umgebogen wird.

A particularly advantageous method for mounting an electrical connection device on a recess of an electrically conductive housing wall comprises the following steps:

• - Applying a flat flexible Abschirmmaterials on one side of the housing wall such that it surrounds the recess and a rim portion projects into the region of the recess, and
• - Inserting the electrical connection direction in the recess so that it engages in the recess or passes through the recess and the protruding edge portion of the shielding material is bent into the resulting edge gap between the recess edge and the electrical connection means inside.

In order to Shielding arrangements of the type described above can be made simpler Realize manner and also the particular embodiments described above can be realized in this way.

The Shielding arrangement and the assembly method described above are compatible with electronics widely used Construction, in which electrical connecting devices first on Fixed edge of a circuit board and electrically contacted then to install this circuit board in a housing, which is already provided with recesses, which correspond are arranged to the connecting means. The above-mentioned mounting method required insertion of the electrical connection device in the recess can in this case by the installation of the circuit board done with already existing connection device.

In a preferred embodiment is the arrangement for a housing wall a circuit board receiving housing provided, wherein the electrical connection device attached to the circuit board is and during assembly by a shift of the circuit board towards the housing wall pushed into the recess.

In Particularly advantageous in this regard are fastening means for Attaching the circuit board in a housing, which immediately before the attachment provide a displacement of the circuit board. For example, this can be done be provided a "pin slot arrangement".

The Invention will now be described with reference to embodiments with reference on the attached Drawings further described. Put it (partially schematized) represents:

1 is a perspective view of a housing wall according to a first embodiment, viewed from the inside of the housing,

2 is a perspective view of the housing wall of 1 but viewed from the outside of the case,

3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in 2 .

4 is a perspective view of some components of an electronic device according to a second embodiment, viewed from the housing interior,

5 is a perspective view of the structure of 4 , viewed from the outside, and

6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in 5 ,

The 1 to 3 illustrate the formation of a shielding arrangement 10 for an electrical connector 12 that is at a recess 14 a housing wall formed from sheet metal 16 is to be arranged.

In the example shown, the recess 14 the housing wall 16 about square.

Like it out 1 it can be seen, is first an approximately square frame-like blank of an electrically conductive plastic mat 18 ("HF gasket") so extensively glued to the inside of the housing wall, that an outer portion 20 the plastic mat 18 flat the recess 14 surrounding the housing wall and an inner edge portion 22 the plastic mat 18 in the area of the recess 14 survives.

The protruding part 22 the plastic mat 18 is good in 2 to recognize and has a width, in the example shown smaller than the width of the immediately adjacent to the housing material portion 20 is. In addition, the width of the protruding section 22 larger than the housing wall thickness.

After the housing wall 16 prepared in this way, the connector becomes 12 as in 3 seen from the inside of the housing forth in the recess 14 pushed (see arrow 24 ). In the inserted position (not shown) penetrates the connector 12 the recess 14 and is slightly on the outside of the case (in 3 above).

A connector housing of the connector 12 has one of the recess 14 adapted, also approximately square contour and is slightly smaller dimensions than the recess 14 , so when inserting the connector 12 the protruding on the four sides of the recess contour edge portions 22 the plastic mat 18 bent by 90 ° and between the connector 12 and the housing wall 16 be trapped.

So that the insertion of the connector 12 in the recess 14 goes smoothly and the one in the recess 14 protruding edge section 22 the plastic mat 18 can be easily bent into the resulting edge gap, in particular at the inner corners of the material blank 18 cuts 26 be provided in the 1 and 2 indicated by dashed lines.

In the finished state results from the described arrangement of the electrically conductive plastic mat 18 an advantageous shielding against occurring in the installation environment of the device in question and / or generated by the device itself interference. In particular, the EMC of the device in question is characterized by the shielding arrangement described 10 significantly improved.

The connector 12 may be of a known type and represent, for example, a connection socket for connecting a corresponding connector of a connection cable or wiring harness. If the device in question is a computer system, then the described shielding can be used particularly advantageously for connection devices via which data signals are transmitted from the computer system to external devices (and / or vice versa).

Single plug contacts of the connector 12 are in 3 With 28 referred to and can be contacted with mating plug contacts, not shown, connected from the outside of the housing connected mating connector. The connector 12 Specifically, it can be designed to meet one or more of the following standards: USB, FireWire, power standards, CAN bus, audio / video standards (eg, VGA, RGB, SCART, DVI, HDMI, SVHS, etc.), speaker jack, RCA jacks , SPDIF, etc. Should z. B. for reasons of space, or the desired connections can not be realized directly on the housing, so these connections z. B. on a (further) connector can be formed, which in turn via an electrical Lei processing arrangement (eg., Cable) with the directly on the housing arranged connector is connectable.

Especially if via the connector 12 Data signals are transmitted at high speed, which are relatively sensitive to any interference, so the connector 12 an electrically conductive enclosure or at least on the surface electrically conductive connector housing. In the context of the invention, this results in the additional advantage that on the shielding 18 an electrical connection from the housing to the encapsulation or sheathing of the connector 12 is created.

at the following description of another embodiment be for equivalent components use the same reference numbers, each supplemented by the small letter "a" to distinguish the embodiment. there is essentially only on the differences to the or already described embodiments received and otherwise hereby expressly refer to the description of previous embodiments.

4 shows another example of a shielding arrangement 10a for two adjacent connectors 12a and 12a ' , which correspond to corresponding recesses 14a respectively. 14a ' in a common housing wall 16a intervention.

The housing wall 16a forms together with other, in each case via a screw or plug connection associated housing walls a total approximately cuboid housing for a mobile computer system ("Car PC"), which is intended for installation in a motor vehicle and z. B. can provide on-board computer, multimedia and communication functionalities for the vehicle.

Of the other, each substantially rectangular housing walls is in 4 only one to the housing wall 16a at right angles adjacent housing wall 17a shown.

The cuboid casing can, for example, external dimensions have their installation in standardized receiving slots of a Allow motor vehicle. Especially in this installation environment is a good EMC often a mandatory requirement with the described shielding arrangement can be met.

Apart from that in the embodiment according to 4 a common shielding mat 18a for several (here: two) connecting devices 12a and 12a ' is used, the Abschirmanordnungen could be designed as already with respect to the 1 to 3 described.

Deviating from the example described above, however, it is provided here that the plug connectors 12a . 12a ' the respective recesses 14a . 14a ' not fully enforce, but only intervene in this. This is z. B. from the sectional view of 6 the example of the connector 12a seen.

A peculiarity of in 4 , illustrated embodiment is the way in which the connector 12a . 12a ' in the assigned recesses 14a . 14a ' be inserted. This method will be explained below.

The connectors 12a . 12a ' are in a conventional manner as electrical components in the assembly of a circuit board 30a applied to the edge thereof, for example on a flat side of the circuit board 30a soldered. As part of this assembly process, other components of the computer system were also deployed, of which 4 only some examples drawn and with 32a are designated.

Furthermore, in 4 two of several pin-slot arrangements 34a can be seen, which in the manner described below, the attachment of the circuit board 30a serve in the housing.

The arrangements 34a each comprise a housing-fixed cylindrical pin, one in the circuit board 30a trained slot interspersed, so that in the illustrated situation, a displacement of the circuit board 30a in the direction that results for inserting the connector 12a . 12a ' in the associated Ausspa ments of the housing wall 16a is required. In the example shown, the cylindrical mounting pins are formed of metal and welded to a housing bottom, not shown, projecting upstanding.

When mounting the computer system can thus advantageously already fully populated circuit board 30a can be used from above, so that the pins attached to the housing bottom, the correspondingly arranged slots of the circuit board 30a push through.

Below is the circuit board 30a towards the housing wall 16a be moved so that the connectors 12a . 12a ' in the desired manner, forming the shielding in the associated recesses 14a . 14a ' be inserted.

In this state, then the actual attachment of the circuit board 30a done in the housing. Leg illustrated example, this in turn is very advantageously accomplished by elastic (not shown) plastic sleeves from above the pins of the assemblies 34a be pushed and loaded by means of a screw on the upper end face of the pins down, so that by friction a suitable fixation of the circuit board 30a with respect to the pins and thus with respect to the housing is achieved. Alternatively or additionally, the actual attachment of the circuit board 30a in the shifted state also z. B. done by a screw elsewhere, such as holes in the circuit board 30a , which only in the shifted state are aligned with corresponding screw holes of the housing (eg at the housing bottom).

Of course, a plurality of circuit boards can be stacked in this or a similar manner and arranged in each case in a displaceable manner in the housing. It is even conceivable that the displacement of the individual circuit boards are different from each other to z. B. to the individual circuit boards arranged connectors during assembly of the device to push against different housing walls of the housing to provide there each Abschirmanordnungen the type described. For this purpose, z. B. be provided that the pins of the arrangements 34a are provided with correspondingly sized length for stacking their circuit boards and circuit boards are lined up alternately with the elastic plastic sleeves to a stack. At the top of this stack can then turn z. B. by screwing a clamping load of the entire stack done. For such, possibly carried out by an automatic screwing at each one upper end of the pin, a thread (internal or external thread) may be provided on the end face of the pin.

How it works 5 and even better 6 it can be seen that is in the assembled state between a respective recess 14a . 14a ' and the outer periphery of the connector 12a respectively. 12a ' resulting edge gap dimensioned so that the in the edge gap extending into the edge portion 22a of the shielding material 18a is compressed in this marginal gap. This reliably ensures that there is no air gap between the connectors after installation 12a . 12a ' and the housing structure remains.

Claims (10)

Shielding arrangement for an electrical connection device ( 12 ), which are at a recess ( 14 ) an electrically conductive housing wall ( 16 ) engaging in the recess or the recess is arranged to pass through, with a flat flexible shielding material ( 18 ), which on one side of the housing wall ( 16 ) the recess ( 14 ) is applied surrounding and from which a peripheral portion ( 22 ) in an edge gap between the recess edge and the electrical connection device ( 12 ) extends into it. Shielding arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection device ( 12 ) represents a connector. Shielding arrangement according to one of prospective claims, wherein the electrical connection device ( 12 ) has an electrically conductive encapsulation, on which the shielding material ( 18 ) is present. Shielding arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shielding material ( 18 ) is punched and / or cut to size. Shielding arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shielding material ( 18 ) by means of a bond to the housing wall ( 16 ) is attached. Shielding arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge portion ( 22 ) of the shielding material ( 18 ) one or more cuts ( 26 ) formed by the inner edge of the shielding material ( 18 ) in the direction of the recess edge. Shielding arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge gap is dimensioned such that the edge section extending into the edge gap ( 22 ) of the shielding material ( 18 ) is compressed in the marginal gap. Shielding arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge section extending into the edge gap ( 22 ) of the shielding material ( 18 ) completely penetrates the marginal gap. Shielding arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the arrangement for a housing wall ( 16 ) one of a circuit board ( 30 ) receiving housing, and wherein the electrical connection device ( 12 ) on the circuit board ( 30 ) is fixed and during assembly by a shift of the circuit board ( 30 ) to the housing wall ( 16 ) in the recess ( 14 ) is pushed. Method for mounting an electrical connection device ( 12 ) at a recess ( 14 ) an electrically conductive housing wall ( 16 ), comprising the steps of: - applying a flat flexible shielding material ( 18 ) on one side of the housing wall ( 16 ) such that this the recess ( 14 ) and a border section ( 22 ) in the area of the recess ( 14 ), and - inserting the electrical connection device ( 12 ) in the recess ( 14 ), so that this engages in the recess or passes through the recess and the protruding edge portion ( 22 ) of the shielding material ( 18 ) in the resulting marginal gap between the recess edge and the electrical connection device ( 12 ) is bent into it.