Metal equipment cabinet having shielding structure for suppressing electromagnetic radiation therefrom

• US 5,949,019 A
• Filed: 11/07/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Telecommunications Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Telecommunications Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Sirainen, Martti
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ngo, Hung V
• Application Number:
  US08/965,773
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 174/35 GC, 174/35 R, 361/753, 361/759, 361/799, 361/769, 361/787, 361/800, 361/816, 361/818, 277/920, 312/223.2, 49/492.1, 49/495.1, 49/496.1
• US Class Current: 174/368
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0016 having a spring contact

Abstract

A shielding structure for suppressing interference radiation in an electric field between abutting surfaces of two separate parts of a metallic device cabinet. The structure is formed by a spring element, at least the outer surface of which is made of an electrically conductive material. The spring element has two substantially parallel branches which are fastened to one of the parts to be shielded at least in one opening made in this part, to project towards a contact surface of the other part.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic field interference-suppressing cabinet for a device comprising:

a metallic cabinet having opened and closed conditions and being adapted to house electrical or electronic equipment, said cabinet allowing electromagnetic energy to radiate outwardly from said cabinet, said electromagnetic energy when strongly radiating from said cabinet being capable of causing unacceptable electromagnetic interference at a radio frequency, said cabinet comprising a first part comprising a first portion and a second part comprising a second portion, said first portion being confrontingly opposed in juxtaposition with said second portion when said cabinet is in said closed condition; and

a shielding structure comprising a spring externally made of an electrically conductive material, said spring comprising an intermediate portion, a fastener provided on said intermediate portion, and opposite first and second ends, said intermediate portion integrally joining said first and second ends, said first and second ends comprising respective first and second outer portions substantially parallel with each other and comprising respective first and second distal ends, each of said first and second distal ends comprising a bent portion defining a peak;

said first part of said cabinet comprising a first surface and two openings formed through said first surface, said second part of said cabinet comprising a first surface, said first surface of said second part opposing said first surface of said first part when said cabinet is in said closed condition, said peaks of said first and second distal ends protruding through said two openings through said first surface of said first part along a direction generally orthogonal to said first surface of said second part, and said fastener being fastened to said first part;

said first part further comprising another opening, said fastener being fastened to said first part by being inserted into said another opening;

said first part comprising a door comprising an outer door part having a main panel and an edge bend, and an inner door part having a main panel and an edge bend;

said first surface being provided in said main panel of said inner door part;

said another opening being provided in said edge bend of said inner door part;

said edge bend of said outer door part overlapping said edge bend of said inner door part; and

said first and second outer portions of said spring each being L-shaped and having a first branch provided with a respective said peak and extending between said main panel of said inner door part and said main panel of said outer door part, and a second branch extending out through a respective further opening provided through said edge bend of said inner door part and said second branch extending between said edge bend of said inner door part and said edge bend of said outer door part; and

said fastener extending between said main panel of said inner door part and said main panel of said outer door part and extending through said another opening.

2. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein:

said cabinet comprises a plurality of shielding structures.

3. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein:

said spring is made of mosaic gold wire having a round transverse cross-sectional shape.

4. The cabinet of claim 3, wherein:

said fastener is a loop formed in said wire.