Patent Application
20200127421
The invention generally relates to shielded cable assembly particularly to a shielded cable assembly with an electromagnetic shield terminal assembly.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.
The electromagnetic shield terminal assembly 14 includes a tubular inner ferrule 20 shown in
The electromagnetic shield terminal assembly 14 also includes a crimped outer ferrule 34 illustrated in
Each of the insulation crimp wings 40 defines a plurality of prongs 42 that have pointed ends that penetrate the outer insulation layer 18. Each insulation crimp wing 40 defines an upper prong 42A on a free end 44 of the insulation crimp wing 40 and a lower prong 42B located nearer a base 46 of the insulation crimp wing 40 than the upper prong 42A. The prongs 42 are generally radially evenly spaced about the circumference of the outer insulation layer 18, i.e. the four prongs 42 are spaced such that each prong 42 is radially offset by about 90 degrees from an adjacent prong 42. The even spacing of the prongs 42 provides a more uniform distribution of puling force to resist detachment of the outer ferrule 34 from the outer insulation layer 18. The prongs 42 also maintain the grip of the outer ferrule 34 to the outer insulation layer 18 if the outer insulation layer 18 shrinks due to aging or temperature exposure.
The cable attachment portion 36 defines a hemispherical first projection 48 that contacts and indents the shield conductor 16. Each of the bypass crimp wings 38 defines a hemispherical second projection 50 that contacts and indents the shield conductor 16. The second projections 50 are positioned opposite the first projection 48.
The cable attachment portion 36 defines a knurled pattern in an interior surface of the cable attachment portion 36. The knurled pattern includes a plurality of indentations 52. Each indentation in the plurality of indentations 52 has a rhomboid shape. A first pair of opposing inner corners define a generally longitudinal minor distance therebetween and a second pair of opposing inner corners different from said first pair of opposing inner corners define a major distance therebetween. The generally longitudinal minor distance is less than the major distance.
When used with a double shielded cable, i.e. a cable having a two piece shield conductor with a foil shield conductor surrounded by a braided wire shield conductor, the foil shield conductor may be disposed between the inner ferrule 20 and the inner insulation layer and the braided wire shield conductor may be disposed between the inner ferrule 20 and the outer ferrule 34.
The electromagnetic shield terminal assembly 14 further includes a tubular shield contact 54, best shown in
The electromagnetic shield terminal assembly 14 additionally includes a tubular terminal insulator 66, best shown in
The terminal insulator 66 defines an orientation rib 70 that longitudinally extends along a portion of the terminal insulator 66. The orientation rib 70 is received within the slot of the inner ferrule 20 to aid in the insertion of the terminal insulator 66 into the inner ferrule 20 and to provide proper orientation of the terminal insulator 66 within the electromagnetic shield terminal assembly 14. The terminal insulator 66 also defines a plurality of crush ribs 72 that are configured to contact the ferrule transition segment 30. These crush ribs 72 ensure that the terminal insulator 66 is properly seated within the inner ferrule 20 and shield contact 54 and inhibits movement of the terminal insulator 66 within the electromagnetic shield terminal assembly 14. Proper seating of the terminal insulator 66 reduces electrical impedance fluctuations within the interface between the inner ferrule 20 and the shield contact 54. As shown in
The electromagnetic shield terminal assembly 14 shown in
The cable attachment portion 236 defines a hemispherical first projection 248 that contacts and indents the shield conductor 16. Each of the bypass crimp wings 238 defines a hemispherical second projection 250 that contacts and indents the shield conductor 16. The second projections 250 are positioned opposite the first projection 248.
While this invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to configure a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely prototypical embodiments.
Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the following claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
As used herein, ‘one or more’ includes a function being performed by one element, a function being performed by more than one element, e.g., in a distributed fashion, several functions being performed by one element, several functions being performed by several elements, or any combination of the above.
It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are, in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact.
The terminology used in the description of the various described embodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
As used herein, the term “if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” is, optionally, construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context.
Additionally, while terms of ordinance or orientation may be used herein these elements should not be limited by these terms. All terms of ordinance or orientation, unless stated otherwise, are used for purposes distinguishing one element from another, and do not denote any particular order, order of operations, direction or orientation unless stated otherwise.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/747,820 filed on Oct. 19, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62747820 | Oct 2018 | US |
