Patent Application
20080057787
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
Referring to Figures. 1-4, an apparatus 10 for associating a cable 12 including a braid 13 with an electronic device 14 and improving electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) shielding between the cable 12 and electronic device 14 is illustrated. The apparatus 10 comprises a tubular member 16 that includes an outer dimension 18, and defines a first opening 20, a second opening 22, and a cable cavity 24. The tubular member 16 is configured to associate with the electronic device 14 and the braid 13 of the cable 12 in a manner that allows the outer dimension 18 of the tubular member 16 to receive a charge from the braid 13 of the cable 12 in a region 15 of the tubular member 16 disposed externally to the electronic device 14. It should be appreciated that the tubular member 16 may include any geometric cross-section.
In an exemplary embodiment, such as that which is illustrated in the Figures, the tubular member 16 associates the cable 12 with a backshell portion 26 of the electronic device 14. This is accomplished by installing at least a portion, or region 19, of the tubular member 16 into a device cavity 28 defined by the backshell 26. This region 19 of the tubular member 16 includes the second opening 22, which opens into the device cavity 28. The outer dimension 18 of this region 19 may further define at least one ridge 30 that is associable with at least one groove 32 defined by the backshell 26, and located within the device cavity 28. Association of the ridges 30 with the grooves 32 provides a secure association between the tubular member 16 and the backshell 26 (and thus, the electronic device 14). This type of secure association may also be accomplished via a lip (not illustrated) extending from an end of the tubular member 16 and associating with a flange structure (not illustrated) defined by the backshell 26 and located within the device cavity 28.
The region 15 of the tubular member 16 not disposed in the device cavity 28 of the backshell 26 (i.e. external to the electronic device 14) may extend from the backshell 26 into a surrounding environment via a device opening 34 defined by the backshell 26. This region 15 includes the first opening 20. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, an end 35 of the cable 12 may enter the cable cavity 24 via the first opening 20, and extend through the cable cavity 24 from the first opening 20, through the second opening 22, and into the device cavity 28. It should be appreciated that an electronic device 14 that does not include the backshell 26 described in this embodiment may itself define the device cavity 28 and device opening 34 in any portion of its (the electronic device's) structure. As such, the tubular member 16 and cable 12 may be disposed in and extend from the device cavity 28 and device opening 34 of any portion of the electronic device 14, just as is discussed above with regards to the backshell 26.
Referring again to the exemplary embodiment discussed above, the cable 12 includes a conductor portion (not illustrated), a foil portion 36, the braid portion 13, and a jacket portion 40. The foil 36 of the cable is a shielding material that houses and separates the conductor from the metallic mesh braid 13, which in turn is housed and shielded from the external environment by the jacket 40 In this embodiment, the foil portion 36 of the end 35 of the cable 12, and any cable components contained internally to the foil portion 36 (such as the conductor), are the portions of the cable 12 that are disposed within the cable cavity 24. The braid portion 13 and jacket portion 40 are the portions disposed externally to the cable cavity 24. The jacket portion 40 is cut off short of the first opening 20, exposing the woven metal braid portion 13. The exposed braid portion 13 is extended over a lip 42 of the tubular member 16 so that the exposed braid 13 envelops (at 360 degrees) the portion of the tubular member 16 that extends from the backshell 26. In this manner, the cable 12 is securely associated with the tubular member 16. As shown in
In addition a Faraday cage may be created around the cable cavity 24 via the enveloping of the region 15 by the woven metallic braid 13. A Faraday cage is an apparatus designed to prevent the passage of electromagnetic waves into its interior space. A charge on a surface of a Faraday conductor resides only on the surface, and has no influence on anything enclosed within. Thus, charge or EMI traveling from the braid 13 to the region 15 of the tubular member 16 will not penetrate into the cable cavity 24. As the EMI will not penetrate the cable cavity 24, it cannot affect contents of the cable cavity 24, such as the foil 36 and conductor residing therein. In this manner, effective EMC shielding between the backshell 26 and cable 12 is achieved.
Referring to
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or substance to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is important that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the apportioned claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.
