Electrical connector with EMI/RFI shielding

• US 5,749,744 A
• Filed: 06/26/1996
• Issued: 05/12/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Henderson, Brent E., Bolen, Pat A., DeFranco, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Khiem
• Assistant Examiner(s): Byrd, Eugene G.
• Application Number:
  US08/671,261
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 439/164, 439/15, 439/13
• US Class Current: 439/164
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6581 Shield structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6598 Shield material
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/025 having a flexible conductor wound around a rotation axis

Abstract

An electrical connector such as a clockspring for carrying electrical signals through a steering wheel provides EMI/RFI shielding. The electrical connector includes a housing formed of a conductive plastic and/or a metallized exterior surface.

Claims

1. A clockspring for carrying electrical signals through a steering wheel comprising:

a housing having an outer radial wall and a top formed of conductive plastic;

a hub rotatably mounted to the housing formed of conductive plastic; and

a ribbon cable coiled around the hub and connected to the housing and the hub, wherein the ribbon cable is shielded from EMI/RFI.

2. The clockspring of claim 1, wherein the conductive plastic includes stainless-steel fibers.

3. The clockspring of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes an outer radial wall and a bottom formed of conductive plastic.

4. The clockspring of claim 1, wherein the hub includes a top and bottom formed of conductive plastic.

5. An electrical connector for carrying electrical signals through a steering wheel comprising:

a housing have an outer radial wall and a top having an outer metallized layer;

a hub rotatably mounted to the housing having a top and bottom, including an outer metallized layer; and

a ribbon cable coiled around the hub and connected to the housing and the hub, wherein the ribbon cable is shielded from EMI/RFI.

6. The clockspring of claim 5 wherein the metallized layer is formed by plating on the surface of the housing.

7. The clockspring of claim 5 wherein the metallized layer is formed of a plastic metallic film.

8. The clockspring of claim 5 wherein the metallized layer is formed of a material having an adhesive backing and adhered to the outer surfaces of the housing of the clockspring.