Module assembly with mounting integrity detection including deformable washer
First Claim
1. A module assembly comprising:
- a case having at least one electrically non-conducting mounting portion with an internal wall defining a mounting opening therethrough,an electrically conducting insert molded into the mounting portion and extending partly into the mounting opening below an upper surface of the mounting portion surrounding said opening,an electrically conducting fastener comprising a head and a shank, at least one portion of the internal wall of the mounting portion being adapted for guiding the shank therethrough for mounting engagement with an object but without contacting the electrically conducting insert,an electrically conducting washer surrounding the shank adjacent the head thereof, the washer having at least one first portion extending obliquely outward and away from the head of the fastener to be deformed between the head of the washer and a surface of the mounting portion and thereby exert a mounting force on the case as the fastener is advanced through the mounting opening into engagement with the object,the washer having a second portion adjacent the head of the fastener that projects in a direction axially away from the head into the mounting opening to engage the electrically conducting insert below the upper surface of the mounting portion as the fastener is advanced to complete a series circuit from the electrically conducting insert through the washer and the fastener to the object and thus signal the achievement of a desired mounting force.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A module is mounted to a object with a fastener and a special washer. The fastener engages the object through a mounting opening in mounting portion of a module case. The washer has a first portion extending obliquely outward and downward to be deformed between the fastener head and an electrically non-conducting surface of the mounting portion and thus increase a mounting force on the module with mounting advancement of the fastener. The washer has a second portion extending axially into the internal opening to contact an electrically conducting insert therein and thus create a series electrical circuit from the typically grounded object through the fastener, washer and insert to a detecting circuit, which verifies that the module is securely mounted with a predetermined mounting force.
8 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A module assembly comprising:
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a case having at least one electrically non-conducting mounting portion with an internal wall defining a mounting opening therethrough, an electrically conducting insert molded into the mounting portion and extending partly into the mounting opening below an upper surface of the mounting portion surrounding said opening, an electrically conducting fastener comprising a head and a shank, at least one portion of the internal wall of the mounting portion being adapted for guiding the shank therethrough for mounting engagement with an object but without contacting the electrically conducting insert, an electrically conducting washer surrounding the shank adjacent the head thereof, the washer having at least one first portion extending obliquely outward and away from the head of the fastener to be deformed between the head of the washer and a surface of the mounting portion and thereby exert a mounting force on the case as the fastener is advanced through the mounting opening into engagement with the object, the washer having a second portion adjacent the head of the fastener that projects in a direction axially away from the head into the mounting opening to engage the electrically conducting insert below the upper surface of the mounting portion as the fastener is advanced to complete a series circuit from the electrically conducting insert through the washer and the fastener to the object and thus signal the achievement of a desired mounting force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification