Improved electrical connector

Abstract

A connector (1) for electrically connecting a wiring cable and an electronic circuit board (2) of a vehicle, the connector (1) comprising: a main body (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and provided with a first connection portion (3') configured to cooperate with the wiring cable and a second connection portion (3'') configured to contactingly cooperate with the electronic circuit board; and a plurality of pins (S) provided with a first end portion (S') configured to electrically cooperate with the electronic circuit board (2) and a second end portion (S'') configured to electrically cooperate with the wiring cable, the plurality of pins (S) being carried by the main body (3) which is electrically isolated therefrom, the connector (1) comprising a shielding device (5) configured to radially surround the second connection portion (3'') with respect to the axis (A) and to contactingly cooperate with the electronic circuit board (2) when the connector (1) is fixed to the electronic circuit board (2) in use, to prevent the transmission of electromagnetic radiation towards the pins (S').

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application No. 102023000010623 filed on May 25, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to connectors, in particular to electrical connectors.

[0004] The present invention is preferably, but not exclusively, applied to the wiring of vehicles for military use, which comply with the mandatory standards of the electrical interface. In the following, reference will be made, by way of example only, to this application. BACKGROUND

[0005] Vehicles, for example military vehicles, comprise an electronic system provided with at least one electronic unit electrically connected to one or more electronic devices, for example sensor means or radio communication systems.

[0006] The above connection is obtained by means of a wiring which connects the electronic devices to the electronic unit. Said wiring is connected to the electronic unit, in particular by means of a connector.

[0007] Said connector comprises electrically conductive elements, for example pins, arranged according to a predefined geometry around an axis of the connector and configured to electrically allow the connection between the unit containing the electronic circuit board and the aforementioned wiring.

[0008] The pins are carried by a support body which is fixed to the electronic circuit board by means of through holes and relative fixing elements, for example screws, and, if necessary, to other vehicle support parts.

[0009] However, the above structure of the connector cannot avoid a series of problems in terms of risk of electromagnetic interference and lack of protection from dust and water, which are unacceptable in the military industry.

[0010] First of all, the presence of the pins for connecting to the electronic circuit board inside the unit allows the transmission of interference into the electronic circuit board.

[0011] Therefore, a shielding circuit is provided, which is designed to neutralize the interference due to the pins and is arranged close to the connection of the pins on the electronic circuit board.

[0012] Furthermore, the through holes which allow the electronic circuit board to be fixed also allow the entry of interference signals, as well as dust and water.

[0013] Therefore, there is a need for a connector which is able to solve the above interference and sealing problems affecting known connectors.

[0014] The object of the present application is to meet the needs discussed above in an optimized and economic manner. SUMMARY

[0015] The above object is achieved by a connector according to the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] The present application will be best understood with the detailed description of a preferred embodiment, provided by way of non-limiting example, by carefully reading the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

[0017] · Figures 1A-1B is a schematic view, i.e. a side view and a sectional view in the longitudinal direction, respectively, of a first embodiment of a connector according to the present application;

[0018] · Figures 2A-2B is a schematic view, i.e. a side view and a sectional view in the longitudinal direction, respectively, of a first embodiment of a connector according to the present application; and

[0019] · Figures 3A-3B is a schematic view, i.e. a side view and a sectional view in the longitudinal direction, respectively, of a first embodiment of a connector according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In the drawings, the number 1 indicates a connector for military use, configured to electrically connect an electronic circuit board 2 to a corresponding wiring cable (not shown).

[0021] In particular, the connector 1 comprises a body 3 comprising a first connection portion 3' and a second connection portion 3" opposite each other along a longitudinal axis A, the body 3 extending along the longitudinal axis A. In particular, the body 3 is manufactured according to the MIL standard and is sized so that it can be mated with any kind of required electrical connection.

[0022] The connection portions 3', 3" are advantageously connected to each other in a rigid manner, in particular they are manufactured as one single piece.

[0023] In particular, the first connection portion 3' is configured to be connected, for example by means of a shape coupling, for example in particular a threaded shape coupling as shown in figure 1, to a wiring system provided with a plurality of cables, figure 1 showing as a whole a connector 1 according to the present application.

[0024] In particular, the second connection portion 3" is configured to contactingly mate with the electronic circuit board 2 and comprises a plurality of pins S configured to be inserted into the electronic circuit board 2 and to electrically mate therewith.

[0025] In particular, the pins S are arranged in a predefined geometric shape around the axis A according to the need to make the connection between the electronic circuit board 2 and the wiring by means of the connector 1.

[0026] In particular, the pins S define a first end portion S' configured to cooperate with the electronic circuit board 2, and a second end portion S" opposite the first end portion along the longitudinal axis A and electrically connected to the aforesaid wiring (not shown).

[0027] In particular, the connection portion 3" comprises a support element for the pins S.

[0028] Preferably, as shown in all the embodiments, the main body 3 is made as a hollow tubular body and the pins S are carried by a support element housed on the inside of the main body 3 and are made in a separate way. The pins S are advantageously carried by the support element, passing through the support element along the axis A.

[0029] In particular, the main body 3 is made of a metallic material and the support element for the pins S is made of a non-conductive material. In particular, the main body 3 is made of aluminum.

[0030] Advantageously, the first connection portion 3' and the second connection portion 3" are visually separated from each other by means of an indication device 4 made as an annular band obtained on the outside of the main body 3 and configured to provide information about the type of connector.

[0031] In particular, the indication device 4 is obtained by means of a groove formed on the outer surface of the main body 3 and is colored or houses a colored ring. The color can be associated with a specific type of connector.

[0032] According to the present application, the connector 3 comprises a shielding device 5 configured to radially surround the second connection portion 3' and to cooperate in contact with the circuit board when said connector is fixed to said circuit board in use, to inhibit the transmission of electromagnetic radiation to said pins S'.

[0033] In particular, said shielding device 5 comprises a portion of metallic material, thus generating a Faraday cage around said connection portion 3" which directs the electromagnetic radiation to the main body 3, thus preventing the transmission of electromagnetic radiation to the pins 3.

[0034] In particular, the shielding device 5 comprises said metallic portion, which is made as one single piece together with the main body 3.

[0035] The shielding device 5 advantageously comprises a main portion 5' extending radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A from the second connection portion 3" and a protruding portion 5" extending axially, i.e. towards the second connection portion 3", starting from the main portion 5' on the side opposite the first connection portion 3'.

[0036] In particular, the protruding portion 5" radially bounds a first portion S' of the pins S, thus radially bounding a cavity 6 which, in use, is axially bounded on one side by the electronic circuit board 2 and on the other side by the second connection portion 3", in particular by the support elements for the pins S.

[0037] The connector 1 advantageously defines a first plurality of blind holes 7 configured to allow the insertion of fixing means (not shown) configured to allow the connection of the connector 1 to the electronic circuit board 2.

[0038] In particular, said first plurality of blind holes 7 is obtained in the protruding portion 5" and is made with an axis parallel to the axis A.

[0039] The protruding portion 5" advantageously has a substantially polygonal shape, with the axis A as center, and has a quadrangular shape, in particular a square shape, in the attached figures. The first blind holes 7 are preferably obtained in the area of the vertices of the shape of the protruding portion 5".

[0040] The connector 1 preferably defines a second plurality of blind holes 8 configured to allow the insertion of fixing means (not shown) configured to allow the connection of the connector 1 to the portion of the inner wall of the box containing the electronic circuit board 2.

[0041] The protruding portion 5" advantageously has a substantially polygonal shape, with the axis A as center, and has a quadrangular shape, in particular a square shape, in the attached figures. The second blind holes 8 are preferably obtained in the area of the vertices of the shape of the protruding portion 5".

[0042] In particular, said second plurality of blind holes 8 is obtained in the protruding portion 5" and is made with an axis parallel to the axis A, and more particularly they are coaxial with the first plurality of blind holes 7.

[0043] In the embodiment of Figure 1A / Figure 1B , Figure 2A / Figure 2B , Figure 3A / Figure 3B the above described parts are similar, but there are differences in the relative dimensions of the first connection portion 3' and of the second connection portion 3" and of the shielding means 5, and in the number and arrangement of the pins S.

[0044] In particular, said dimensions vary according to the type of connector, the number of cables required, the number of available pins S and the thickness of the screws used on the circuit board 2.

[0045] The operation of the above described embodiments of the connector according to the present application will be disclosed below.

[0046] Once in use, as in the Figure 1A / Figure 2A / Figure 3A In the configuration of the connector 1 allows, through the pins S, the electrical connection of the electronic circuit board 2 and the wiring to each other. Once connected by means of the fixing means in the holes 7, the second connection portion comes into contact with the electronic circuit board 2, isolating the first portion S' of the pins S in the space 6, separated from the outside by the shielding means 5, which act as electromagnetic "transmission" to the body 3 of the connector 1, which can be transmitted to other vehicle elements connected, for example, through the second holes 8.

[0047] For the above reasons, the advantages of the connector according to the present application are evident.

[0048] Thanks to the shielding means disclosed herein, the pins 5 can be electromagnetically isolated from the radiated interference coming from the environment. In this way, the electromagnetic requirements established by the military standards can be better respected, in addition to the possible use of on-board electronic components on the circuit board.

[0049] In addition, thanks to the use of blind connection holes between the connector and the electronic circuit board or vehicle portion, it is prevented that water and dust, as well as other interfering radiations, reach the pins of the connector.

[0050] Furthermore, thanks to the protruding portion and the space that accommodates the end of the pin, the isolation is further improved, as a result of the free space obtained between the shielding means and the electronic circuit board.

[0051] In addition, in the case where the shielding means are manufactured together with the body of the connector as one single piece, the space and the costs are significantly reduced.

[0052] In addition, the electrical conductivity of the body 3 is further improved, which is necessary to meet the military requirements.

[0053] Finally, the connector according to the present application can obviously be subject to changes and variants, but these do not go beyond the scope of protection set forth in the attached claims.

[0054] As widely shown, the shape and type of the parts shown herein can be changed based on design needs.

Claims

1. A connector (1) for electrically connecting a wiring cable and an electronic circuit board (2) of a vehicle, the connector (1) comprising a main body (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and provided with a first connection portion (3') configured to cooperate with the wiring cable and with a second connection portion (3") configured to contactingly cooperate with the electronic circuit board, the connector (1) comprising a plurality of pins (S) provided with a first end portion (S') configured to electrically cooperate with the electronic circuit board (2) and with a second end portion (S") configured to electrically cooperate with the wiring cable, the plurality of pins (S) being carried by the main body (3) electrically isolated therefrom, the connector (1) comprising a shielding device (5) configured to radially surround the second connection portion (3") with respect to the axis (A) and to contactingly cooperate with the electronic circuit board (2) when the connector (1) is fixed to the electronic circuit board (2) in use, to prevent the transmission of electromagnetic radiations towards the pins (S'). wherein The shielding device (5) comprises a main portion (5') extending radially with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) around the second connection portion (3") and a protruding portion (5") extending axially from the main portion (5') on the side opposite the first connection portion (3'), the protruding portion (5") radially delimiting the first portion (S') of the pins (S) to radially isolate a cavity (6), the cavity (6) being axially delimited in use on one side by the electronic circuit board (2) and on the other side by the second connection portion (3").

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein, The shielding device (5) comprises a portion made of a metallic material.

3. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, The shielding device (5) comprises a polygonal shaped portion surrounding the main body (3) with the axis (A) as a center.

4. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, The shielding device (5) is made in one piece with the main body (3).

5. The connector according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a first plurality of blind holes (7) configured to allow the connection with the electronic circuit board (2) by means of fixing means.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein, The first plurality of blind holes (7) have an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis (A).

7. Connector according to one of claims 5 or 6 when dependent on claim 3, wherein The first plurality of blind holes (7) are made close to the vertices of the polygonal shape.

8. The connector according to one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a second plurality of blind holes (8) configured to allow the connection with a housing portion of the electronic circuit board (2) by means of fixing means.

9. The connector of claim 8, wherein, The second plurality of blind holes (8) have an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis (A).

10. Connector according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein The first plurality of blind holes (7) and the second plurality of blind holes (8) are coaxial to each other.

11. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, The shielding device (5) is made of aluminum.

12. A system comprising an electronic circuit board (2) and a wiring cable and a connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the connector (1) connecting the electronic circuit board (2) and the wiring cable via the pins (S).

13. A vehicle comprising the system of claim 12.

Images