Modular unit for insertion into HF-tight housings for electronic equipment

• US 5,233,507 A
• Filed: 04/01/1992
• Issued: 08/03/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schroff GmbH (nVent Electric Plc)
• Original Assignee: Schroff GmbH (nVent Electric Plc)
• Inventors: Joist, Michael, Gunther, Hans-Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan, Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): SPARKS, DONALD ALAN
• Application Number:
  US07/861,581
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 174/35 R, 174/35 GC, 174/35 TS, 174/51, 361/415, 361/424, 439/108, 439/607, 439/609
• US Class Current: 361/818
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0016 having a spring contact

Abstract

For the purpose of high-frequency sealing the longitudinal gaps between the U-shaped profiles of the front plates of modular units that are to be inserted into HF-tight housings of electronic equipment, a spring element of metal, for example a non-corrosive steel, is proposed.

This spring element is composed of two identical contact springs having spring leaves and a spring clip disposed therebetween. The spring clip is provided with a clamping leaf equipped with claws. A planar rear leaf connects the two contact springs with the spring clip. An angled-away insertion strip at the clamping leaf facilitates insertion of the spring clip onto a longitudinally rectangular longitudinal web at the rear face of the front plate. The spring leaves are provided with contact humps and an abutment strip and contact the longitudinal strip of the front plate of the adjacent modular unit which is provided with an insertion slope.

Claims

1. A single-piece, high-frequency shield for being clipped on a plate of a modular unit insertable into a housing for electronic equipment;

said shield comprising;

(a) an elongated, planar, single rear leaf having opposite first and second longitudinal edge zones; and

(b) a series of consecutively disposed spring elements extending along and facing said rear leaf;

each spring element having

(1) two side-by-side positioned, parallel-extending, spaced contact spring leaves each having opposite first and second ends;

said first end of said contact spring leaves being integrally connected with said rear leaf at said first longitudinal edge zone thereof;

(2) a connecting bridge integrally connecting the two contact spring leaves at said second ends thereof;

(3) a clamping leaf positioned between said two contact spring leaves in a rectangular space defined by the contact spring leaves and said connecting bridge;

said clamping leaf being integrally connected at one end thereof to said rear leaf at said first longitudinal edge zone thereof;

said clamping leaf and a portion of said rear leaf forming a spring clip of each said spring element for clamping the shield on a plate of a modular unit.

2. A modular unit for insertion into a HF-tight housing for electronic equipment;

the modular unit comprising;

(a) a circuit board carrying electronic components;

(b) a front plate carrying said circuit board and having a longitudinal web and an opposite, longitudinal strip extending parallel to the web;

said web and said strip being oriented generally perpendicularly to said front plate; and

(c) a single-piece, high-frequency shield including

(1) an elongated ,planar, single rear leaf having opposite first and second longitudinal edge zones; and

(2) a series of consecutively disposed spring elements extending along and facing said rear leaf;

each spring element having

(i) two side-by-side positioned, parallel-extending, spaced contact spring leaves each having opposite first and second ends;

said first end of said contact spring leaves being integrally connected with said rear leaf at said first longitudinal edge zone thereof;

(ii) a connecting bridge integrally connecting the two contact spring leaves at said second ends thereof;

(iii) a clamping leaf positioned between said two contact spring leaves in a rectangular space defined by the contact spring leaves and said connecting bridge;

said clamping leaf being integrally connected at one end thereof to said rear leaf at said first longitudinal edge zone thereof;

said clamping leaf and a portion of said rear leaf forming a separate spring clip for each said spring element;

the separate spring clips being clamped on said longitudinal web for securing said high-frequency shield to said front plate.

3. The modular unit as defined in claim 2, further comprising a contact nub provided on at least some of said contact spring leaves.

4. The modular unit as defined in claim 2, further comprising an abutment strip integrally formed at said second end of said contact spring leaves;

the abutment strips being bent towards said rear leaf.

5. The modular unit as defined in claim 2, wherein said clamping leaves have a free terminal portion bent in a direction away from said rear leaf to function as an insertion strip.

6. The modular unit as defined in claim 2, further comprising a claw provided on said clamping leaf and being oriented toward said rear leaf.

7. The modular unit as defined in claim 6, wherein said claw is a pressed-through triangle having a vertex oriented opposite to a direction of insertion of the spring clips onto said longitudinal web.