Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are used in a wide variety of electronic devices including household appliances, motor vehicles, computers, and even children's toys. The PCBs are generally mounted within a housing that protects the PCB and facilitates installation into a particular application. In most cases, the PCB is connected to the electronic devices through a plug-in and mating connector combination that attaches to the PCB through an opening in the housing. The plug-in connector includes a plurality of wires or “pins” that extend between the mating connector and the PCB. The PCB may thus be integrated into the electrical device as a modular component and easily installed or removed for service or replacement by connecting or disconnecting the plug-in connector. Further, a filter may be provided to reduce electrical noise or interference with signals transmitted through the pins that may be caused by external electromagnetic fields, e.g., other electrical devices in the vicinity of the PCB. In one example, an electrical system for a motor vehicle employs a PCB housed within an aluminum casting and mounted on an interior surface of the vehicle. A plug-in connection header is assembled as part of the housing to allow the mating connector to interface with the PCB. The housing thus generally protects the PCB from contaminants and damage, while the connection header provides a reliable electrical connection for the transmission of a filtered signal between the electrical system and the PCB.
In known configurations, filtering mechanisms are secured within a housing, generally adjacent a PCB. Generally straight contact pins extend vertically from the PCB and filter within the housing to a connection header that receives a mating connector. The generally straight pins result in a relatively tall connection header assembly, especially when the mating connector is secured to the connection header. Further, the filtering devices must generally be secured within the housing to provide adequate protection from external contaminants and/or shock and vibration that may occur during use of the device, resulting in a relatively tall housing. Rearrangement of the filter and/or contact pins generally results in even more complex assemblies that are not practical for assembling in a mass manufacturing setting.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a filtered connection header, which provides a lower profile to minimize space in the housing while still allowing for efficient assembly.
Various examples of a filtered electrical connection header assembly for an electrical device, and methods for assembling a filtered connection header assembly for an electrical device, are disclosed herein. An illustrative example of an electrical connection header includes a housing defining an interior volume for an electrical circuit, and an external surface adjacent the interior volume. The electrical connection header further includes a connection header assembly secured to the housing, including a plurality of electrical pins. The pins each include a first portion, and a second portion oriented generally orthogonal to the first portion. The second portions of the pins extend into the interior volume of the housing to contact the electrical circuit. The electrical connection header further includes a filter assembly configured to filter a signal transmitted though the pins that is secured to the external surface of the housing.
Another example of an electrical connection header includes a housing configured to receive an electrical circuit and a connection header assembly secured to the housing. The connection header includes a plurality of electrical pins, each including a first portion and a second portion oriented generally orthogonal to the first portion of the pins. The second portion of the pins extend through the housing for contacting the electrical circuit. The connection header further includes a connector shroud secured to the housing. A forward end of connector shroud receives a pin stabilizer having a plurality of apertures that receive the first portion of the pins for engagement with a mating connector at the forward end of the connector shroud.
An illustrative example of a method for assembling a filtered connection header may include providing a housing for an electrical circuit, and providing a plurality of pins having first portions and second portions oriented generally orthogonally to the first portions. The method may further include inserting the first portion of the pins into an inner pin stabilizer, securing the pins to the housing and inserting the inner pin stabilizer into a connector shroud.
While the claims are not limited to the illustrated examples, an appreciation of various aspects is best gained through a discussion of various examples thereof. Referring now to the drawings, illustrative examples are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent the various examples, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain an innovative aspect of an example. Further, the examples described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limiting or restricting to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. Exemplary illustrations of the present invention are described in detail by referring to the drawings as follows.
A plug-in connector for an electrical device is provided. The plug-in connector generally includes a filtered connection header secured to a housing. The filtered connection header may include a plurality of pins that are angled, e.g., at a right angle, to provide a relatively low profile. The connection header further includes a filter assembly secured to an external surface of the housing, e.g., adjacent an internal volume of the housing that receives an electrical device in contact with the pins, thereby allowing for simplified assembly of the filter assembly to the housing. The filtered connection header may also include a pin stabilizer assembly receiving the pins for alignment or positioning for engagement with a mating connector. The pin stabilizer assembly includes an inner pin stabilizer that may be assembled to the pins. The pin stabilizer assembly may further include an outer pin stabilizer that is inserted into a forward end of the connection header to receive the inner pin stabilizer. The inner pin stabilizer thus generally aligns the pins for insertion to the outer pin stabilizer.
Turning now to
As best illustrated in
Pins 108 may be secured to housing 102 with a filter assembly 114. Filter assembly 114 is generally configured to filter electrical signals transmitted through pins 108. For example, as shown in
As briefly described above, connector shroud 122 is secured to housing 102 and receives the first portions 110 of pins 108. Connector shroud 122 generally positions or aligns first portions 110 of pins 108 for engagement with a mating connector (not shown) at a forward end 122a of connector shroud 122. As will be described further below, connector shroud 122 receives the pins from a rearward end 122b of the connector shroud 122.
Turning now to
As best shown in
As seen in
As briefly described above, connector shroud 122 is secured to housing 102. For example, as best seen in
Proceeding now to
In step 604, a plurality of pins is provided. For example, as described above, pins 108 may be provided that include a first portion 110 and a second portion 112 that is oriented generally orthogonal to the first portion 110. Pins 108 may be initially straight, and bent to form first and second portions 110, 112. Pins 108 may advantageously be provided in bent form prior to insertion to a filter assembly 114, to reduce damage to filter assembly 114 that may occur during a pin ending process, as will be described further below. Process 600 may then proceed to step 606.
In step 606, the first portion 110 of pins 108 are inserted into an inner pin stabilizer. For example, as described above, first portions 110 of pins 108 may be inserted into apertures 126a provided in an inner pin stabilizer 128. Inner pin stabilizer 128 generally aligns the first portions of pins 108 and maintains proper spacing therebetween for engagement with second apertures 126b of outer pin stabilizer 130 and/or a mating connector (not shown) associated with connection header assembly 104. Process 600 then proceeds to step 608.
In step 608, pins 108 are secured to housing 102. For example, as described above, pins 108 may be inserted into a filter assembly 114 that is secured to housing 102, such that the pins are generally also secured to housing 102. For example, filter assembly 114 and/or pin block 120 may be secured to an external surface 106 that is adjacent interior volume A of housing 102. Securement of filter assembly 114 to an external surface of housing 102, e.g., external surface 106, generally allows filter assembly 114 to be secured to housing 102 from outside interior volume A. In other words, filter assembly 114 may be assembled to housing 102 from an upper side of housing 102, generally opposite interior volume A. Further, assembly of filter assembly 114 to housing 102 from an upper side of housing 102 generally allows pins 108 to be inserted to circuit board 116 prior to bending pins 108, at least where pins 108 are formed by bending pins that are initially generally straight. Advantageously, bending and inserting pins 108 to circuit board 116 prior to securement of circuit board 116 to housing 102 may reduce any damage, e.g., strain between circuit board 116 and grounding posts 107 and/or housing 102, that could occur to circuit board 116 if pins 108 are bent after the pins 108 are inserted to the circuit board 116 and the circuit board 116 is secured to housing 102. In other words, assembling pins 108 to circuit board 116 prior to securement of circuit board 116 to housing 102 may reduce damage to circuit board 116 that may result from strain exerted upon circuit board 116 by the pin bending process. Process 600 then proceeds to step 610. Other methods of securing pins 108 to housing 102 may be employed, such as where a filtered connection header is not necessary. For example, a pin block 120 may be provided that is secured directly to external surface 106 of housing 102 and retains second portions 112 of pins 108. Process 600 then proceeds to step 610.
In step 610, pins 108 are inserted into a connector shroud 122. For example, as described above, connector shroud 122 is assembled onto housing 102, such that first portions 110 of pins 108 are received at a rearward end 122b of connector shroud 122. Process 600 may then proceed to step 612, where connector shroud 122 is secured to housing 102. Connector shroud 122 may advantageously allow for a dual direction assembly while being secured to housing 102. More specifically, connector shroud 122 may receive the ends of first portion 110 of pins 108 and be moved rearwardly in a first direction that is generally parallel to first portion 110 of pins 108. Connector shroud 122 is moved rearwardly in this first direction until groove 133 is located generally directly above tongue 134 of housing 102. Groove 133 may include an extending portion 136 that contacts tongue 134 when connector shroud 122 is positioned such that groove 133 and tongue 134 are aligned, prior to moving connector shroud 122 downward to fully seat tongue 134 within groove 133. Accordingly, extending portion 136 provides a positive contact between connector shroud 122 and housing 102, thereby generally ensuring connector shroud 122 is not misaligned with housing 102. Connector shroud 122 may then be moved in a second direction, generally downwardly and/or generally orthogonal to the first direction, thereby seating tongue 134 of housing 102 within groove 133 of connector shroud 122. The dual direction assembly generally allows for a robust assembly of connector shroud 122 to housing 102, especially with the angled orientation of pins 108. Further, as described above, connector shroud 122 may be provided with a groove 133 that mates with a tongue 134 of housing 102. Further, an adhesive or sealant may be provided within groove feature of connector shroud 122 and/or upon tongue 134, thereby generally sealing an interface between connector shroud 122 and housing 102, and further providing a generally sealed interface between an electrical device contained within housing 102 and a mating connector (not shown) received by connector shroud 122. Process 600 may then proceed to step 614.
In step 614, an outer pin stabilizer is inserted into a forward end of a connector shroud 122. For example, as described above, outer pin stabilizer 130 may generally be received in a forward end 122a of connector shroud 122, and slid in a generally rearward direction, e.g., parallel to first portions 110 of pins 108, within connector shroud 122. Outer stabilizer 130 is moved rearward until the outer pin stabilizer 130 receives the first portion 110 of pins 108, and subsequently the inner pin stabilizer 128. Inner pin stabilizer 128 thus advantageously aligns the first portions 110 of pins 108 for receipt of the first portions 110 within apertures 126b of outer pin stabilizer 130. Outer pin stabilizer 130 may be generally secured within connector shroud 122 by any positive engagement feature, friction fit, snap-fit features, or the like.
Accordingly, a device 100 and a process 600 for assembling the device 100 are provided that allow for a generally low profile of device 100, and in particular of connection header assembly 104. Further, device 100 and process 600 allow for simplified assembly of connection header assembly 104 to housing 102.
Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment each time it appears.
With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claimed invention.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims.
All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary in made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5364293 | Peterson | Nov 1994 | A |
5507655 | Goerlich | Apr 1996 | A |
6413119 | Gabrisko, Jr. et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6527587 | Ortega et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
20010010978 | Paagman | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20010012730 | Ramey et al. | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20020192988 | Droesbeke et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |