Shield structure

The shield structure addresses reduced shielding in electronic devices by dividing openings into front and back sections using an elastic, conductive structure, enhancing electromagnetic noise shielding efficacy.

WO2026004162A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-01-02MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/JP2024/033367
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-06-24
Filing Date
2024-09-19
Publication Date
2026-01-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Electronic devices with conductive housings face reduced shielding performance due to openings like wiring holes or gaps, which can lead to electromagnetic noise emission or penetration, especially when the opening length resonates with electromagnetic wave frequencies, failing EMC tests.

Method used

A shield structure that divides openings into a front and back in the depth direction using an elastic structural portion made of conductive material, which is elastically deformable to engage with the opening ends, ensuring electrical continuity.

Benefits of technology

Enhances electromagnetic noise shielding performance by effectively dividing and connecting the opening, improving shielding properties compared to conventional methods, particularly at resonant frequencies.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A shield structure (10) is provided in an opening (5) that is open in a housing formed from a conductive material and has an opening cross section having a longitudinal side and a lateral side. The shield structure (10) comprises: an elastic structure (11) that is provided at a freely selected position in the longitudinal direction, extends in the depth direction from one opening end (6) of the opening (5) to the other opening end (7), and is elastically deformable in the lateral direction; and conductive parts (12a-12d) that are provided at one end and the other end in the depth direction of the elastic structure (11) and can be locked to the one opening end (6) and the other opening end (7) by elastic deformation of the elastic structure (11).
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Description

Shield structure

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a shield structure.

[0002] Some electronic devices are provided with a housing made of a conductive material. However, if the housing has openings, such as gaps between the housing and other components, wiring holes, or heat dissipation vents, unwanted electromagnetic waves (hereinafter referred to as electromagnetic noise) may be emitted or penetrate through the openings. Thus, when openings are provided in the housing, the shielding properties of the housing may be reduced.

[0003] When the longitudinal length of the opening is sufficiently shorter than the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave, the shielding performance of the housing is not significantly reduced. On the other hand, when the longitudinal length of the opening is half the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave or an integer multiple of that length, resonance occurs in the frequency band of the electromagnetic wave, and the shielding performance of the housing is significantly reduced. Therefore, it is common to make the longitudinal length of the opening shorter than the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave so that resonance does not occur in the frequency band where electromagnetic noise exists.

[0004] Openings such as wiring holes or ventilation holes are often necessary for functionality, or gaps often occur between the housing and other components such as doors due to assembly constraints. For example, if an EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) test conducted after the electronic device is fully assembled fails to meet EMC standards, measures must be taken to improve the shielding of the openings, either to reduce electromagnetic noise radiated from the inside to the outside of the housing or to improve the housing's resistance to electromagnetic noise. Possible measures include shortening the longitudinal length of the openings or changing the opening dimensions or shape.

[0005] On the other hand, there may be cases where it is not possible to improve the housing design for some reason. In such cases, it may be possible to shorten the longitudinal length of the opening by, for example, attaching conductive tape or metal wire to the opening.

[0006] Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a conductive member in which an opening of a housing made of a conductive material is divided in the longitudinal direction to improve shielding properties.

[0007] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-327412

[0008] The conductive member disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided on two opposing inner surfaces of the opening. Therefore, the conductive member disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not sufficiently divide the opening in the depth direction of the opening. As a result, the conductive member disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not sufficiently improve the shielding properties for the opening.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a shield structure that can divide an opening into a front and a back in the depth direction.

[0010] The shield structure according to the present disclosure is a shield structure that opens into a member made of a conductive material and is provided within an opening whose cross section has long and short sides, and that includes an elastic structural portion that is provided at any position in the long direction, extends in the depth direction from one opening end of the opening to the other opening end of the opening, and is elastically deformable in the short direction, and is provided at one and the other ends in the depth direction of the elastic structural portion, and is capable of engaging with the one opening end and the other opening end by elastic deformation of the elastic structural portion.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, the opening can be divided into a front portion and a rear portion in the depth direction.

[0012] 1A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a shield structure according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the shield structure according to the first embodiment attached to an opening. FIG. 1B is a YZ plane cross-sectional view of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B is a diagram comparing the shield structure according to the first embodiment with a conductive member according to a conventional example. FIG. 2A is a result of an electromagnetic field analysis of shielding performance. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the shield structure according to the first embodiment attached to an opening. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the conductive member according to the conventional example attached to an opening. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the shield structure according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3B is a YZ plane cross-sectional view of the shield structure according to the second embodiment attached to an opening. FIG. 3B is a YZ plane cross-sectional view of the shield structure according to the second embodiment attached to an opening. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the shield structure according to the third embodiment. FIG. 4B is a YZ plane cross-sectional view of the shield structure according to the third embodiment attached to an opening. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the shield structure according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 5B is a YZ plane cross-sectional view of the shield structure according to the fourth embodiment attached to an opening. FIG. 5B is a YZ plane cross-sectional view of the shield structure according to the fourth embodiment attached to an opening. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a shield structure according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 6B is a YZ plane cross-sectional view of the shield structure according to the fifth embodiment when attached to an opening. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a shield structure according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 7B is a YZ plane cross-sectional view of the shield structure according to the sixth ...B is a view showing a configuration of a shield structure according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a shield structure according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 8B is a YZ plane cross-sectional view of the shield structure according to the seventh embodiment when attached to an opening. FIG. 8C is a view showing a state in which the shield structure according to the seventh embodiment has elastically deformed. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a shield structure according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 9B is a YZ plane cross-sectional view of the shield structure according to the eighth embodiment when attached to an opening.Fig. 9C is a diagram showing a state in which the shield structure according to embodiment 8 is elastically deformed. Figs. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing conductive parts in the shield structure according to embodiment 9.

[0013] In order to explain the present disclosure in more detail, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] First Embodiment A shield structure 10 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a shield structure 10 according to embodiment 1. The shield structure 10 according to embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 1 is detachably attached to, for example, an opening 5 of a housing of an electronic device. When attaching the shield structure 10 to the opening 5, the number of the shield structure 10 may be one or more.

[0016] The housing of the electronic device is made of a conductive material, such as a metal material. The opening 5 is a passage that penetrates a wall portion that forms the housing in the thickness direction. Therefore, in the electronic device, there is a risk that electromagnetic noise will be radiated from inside the housing to outside the housing through the opening 5, or that electromagnetic noise will enter the inside of the housing from outside the housing through the opening 5.

[0017] Therefore, electronic devices improve their shielding against electromagnetic noise by providing a shield structure 10 in an opening 5 of the housing. The opening 5 may be a wiring hole, a vent hole, or the like, that is necessary for the function of the electronic device. Alternatively, the opening 5 may be a gap between components that arise due to assembly constraints in the housing. Here, the opening 5 is formed, for example, in a slit shape, and its cross section is rectangular. That is, the cross section of the opening has two opposing long sides (long sides 6a, 6b and long sides 7a, 7b, described below) and two opposing short sides. The long sides and short sides are perpendicular to each other.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1 , the coordinate system of the shield structure 10 attached to the opening 5 is, for example, an orthogonal three-axis system. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions are perpendicular to one another. Here, the X-axis direction is the long dimension direction of the opening cross section of the opening 5. The Y-axis direction is the short dimension direction of the opening cross section of the opening 5. The Z-axis direction is the depth direction of the opening 5. In other words, the depth direction of the opening 5 coincides with the length direction of the opening 5, the thickness direction of the wall of the housing, and the propagation direction of electromagnetic noise. The opening cross section of the opening 5 is uniform in the depth direction.

[0019] The opening 5 has opening ends 6 and 7, which are both ends in the depth direction (front and back in the depth direction). The opening end 6 is one or the front opening end of the opening 5. This opening end 6 has long sides 6a and 6b that face each other in the short dimension direction. The two long sides 6a and 6b have the same length in the long dimension direction. The opening end 7 is the other or the back opening end of the opening 5. This opening end 7 has long sides 7a and 7b that face each other in the short dimension direction. The two long sides 7a and 7b have the same length in the long dimension direction. Furthermore, the long sides 6a and 7a face each other in the depth direction. The long sides 6b and 7b correspond to each other in the depth direction.

[0020] Next, the configuration of the shield structure 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0021] The shield structure 10 divides the opening 5 in the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the opening. FIG. 1 shows an example in which one shield structure 10 divides the opening 5 into two in the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the opening. As shown in FIG. 1 , the shield structure 10 is provided within the opening 5 and is arranged at an arbitrary position in the longitudinal direction. The shield structure 10 is also provided across the entire depth direction of the opening 5. Such a shield structure 10 is made of a conductive material. The conductive material is, for example, a metal material. The shield structure 10 is preferably made of a metal material such as an elastic spring material.

[0022] The shield structure 10 has an elastic structure 11 and conductive portions 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d.

[0023] The elastic structure 11 has elastic plates 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d. The elastic plates 11a to 11d are formed as thin, flat plates and all have the same shape. One ends of the elastic plates 11a to 11d are connected to each other at the middle of the opening 5 in the depth direction. The other ends of the elastic plates 11a to 11d are arranged to face the long sides 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b of the opening 5.

[0024] At this time, elastic plates 11a and 11d are arranged in a straight line. Elastic plates 11b and 11c are also arranged in a straight line. That is, the plate material made up of elastic plates 11a and 11d and the plate material made up of elastic plates 11b and 11c are arranged so as to intersect with each other. In this way, by having elastic plates 11a to 11d, elastic structure 11 can be elastically deformed in the short length direction when pressure is applied from both sides in the short length direction, even if it is made of a metal material that does not have elasticity.

[0025] The other ends of the elastic plates 11a and 11b constitute one end of the elastic structure 11 in the depth direction, and the other ends of the elastic plates 11c and 11d constitute the other end of the elastic structure 11 in the depth direction.

[0026] The conductive portions 12a to 12d provide electrical continuity between the elastic structure 11 and the opening 5. The conductive portions 12a to 12d are provided so as to be bent from the other ends of the elastic plates 11a to 11d.

[0027] Conductive portion 12a can be locked to the opening edge, including long side 6a, of opening end 6, by utilizing the elastic deformation of elastic structure 11. Conductive portion 12b can be locked to the opening edge, including long side 6b, of opening end 6, by utilizing the elastic deformation of elastic structure 11. Conductive portion 12c can be locked to the opening edge, including long side 7a, of opening end 7, by utilizing the elastic deformation of elastic structure 11. Conductive portion 12d can be locked to the opening edge, including long side 7b, of opening end 7, by utilizing the elastic deformation of elastic structure 11.

[0028] Therefore, when attaching the shield structure 10 to the opening 5, first, pressure is applied to the shield structure 10 from both sides in the short length direction to crush the shield structure 10. Therefore, the shield structure 10 elastically deforms in the short length direction so that the conductive portions 12a and 12b approach each other and the conductive portions 12c and 12d approach each other. Note that when crushing the shield structure 10, it is considered to use a person's fingers or tweezers.

[0029] Next, as described above, the shield structure 10 is inserted into the opening 5 while being crushed from both sides in the short length direction, and then the pressure is released from the shield structure 10. As a result, the shield structure 10 returns to its original shape in the short length direction, with the conductive portions 12a and 12b moving away from each other and the conductive portions 12c and 12d moving away from each other.

[0030] Therefore, conductive portion 12a engages with the opening edge of opening 5, including long side 6a. Conductive portion 12b engages with the opening edge of opening 5, including long side 6b. Conductive portion 12c engages with the opening edge of opening 5, including long side 7a. Conductive portion 12d engages with the opening edge of opening 5, including long side 7b. As a result, opening 5 and shield structure 10 are electrically connected to each other. At this time, by shifting the crushed shield structure 10 in the longitudinal direction, the shield structure 10 is locked at a predetermined longitudinal position in the opening 5.

[0031] Furthermore, when removing the shield structure 10 from the opening 5, the shield structure 10 engaged with the opening edge of the opening 5 is crushed from both sides in the short direction. This causes the opening 5 and the shield structure 10 to lose electrical continuity with each other. Next, the crushed shield structure 10 is pulled out from the opening 5.

[0032] Therefore, by allowing the shield structure 10 to be elastically deformed, it can be easily attached to and detached from the opening 5. In this case, either the opening end 6 on one end side or the opening end 7 on the other end side may be used to attach and detach the shield structure 10 to and from the opening 5. Different opening ends 6 and 7 may be used for attaching and detaching the shield structure 10.

[0033] Next, the effects of the shield structure 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram comparing the shield structure 10 according to the first embodiment with a conductive member 100 according to a conventional example.

[0034] FIG. 2A shows the results of an electromagnetic field analysis of shielding performance. The vertical axis of FIG. 2A represents shielding performance, and the horizontal axis of FIG. 2A represents frequency. The solid line in FIG. 2A represents the frequency characteristics of the shielding performance of the shield structure 10 shown in FIG. 2B. The dashed line in FIG. 2A represents the frequency characteristics of the shielding performance of the conductive member 100 shown in FIG. 2C. The electromagnetic field analysis was performed under the condition that a slot-shaped opening 5 having a length of 45 mm in the X-axis direction and a length of 6 mm in the Y-axis direction was provided in the center of an aluminum plate having a length of 400 mm in the X-axis direction, a length of 400 mm in the Y-axis direction, and a thickness of 10 mm in the Z-axis direction.

[0035] 2B is a cross-sectional view of the shield structure 10 according to the first embodiment attached to the opening 5. The shield structure 10 shown in FIG. 2B is disposed in the center of the opening 5 in the longitudinal direction. The width dimension (length in the longitudinal direction) of the shield structure 10 is 5 mm. The shield structure 10 is attached to the opening 5 by being inserted into the opening 5 from the depth direction.

[0036] 2C is a cross-sectional view of a conventional conductive member 100 attached to an opening 5. The conductive member 100 shown in Fig. 2C is assumed to be a conductive tape, a conductive wire, or the like, with a width of 5 mm. The conductive member 100 is attached to the edge of the opening 5 so as to cover the other end of the opening 5.

[0037] Therefore, assuming that slit-shaped opening 5 is a rectangular waveguide, and the cutoff frequency when the fundamental mode of the electromagnetic wave propagating through opening 5 is the TE10 mode, the cutoff frequency is calculated as C [speed of light] / (2 × 20 mm) = 7.5 GHz. As shown in Figure 2A, it can be seen that the shielding performance of shield structure 10 is higher than the shielding performance of conductive member 100 in the frequency band of 7.5 GHz or less, which is the cutoff frequency.

[0038] The conductive member 100 according to the conventional example only divides the opening end of the opening 5 in the longitudinal direction, and does not take into consideration division in the depth direction of the opening 5. In contrast, the shield structure 10 according to the first embodiment not only divides the opening 5 in the longitudinal direction, but also divides the opening 5 into a front and a back in the depth direction by providing electrical conductivity to one end and the other end of the opening 5 in the depth direction. Therefore, the shield structure 10 according to the first embodiment has improved electromagnetic noise shielding properties compared to the conductive member 100 according to the conventional example.

[0039] As described above, the shield structure 10 according to the first embodiment is a shield structure 10 that opens into a housing made of a conductive material and is provided within an opening 5 whose cross section has long and short sides, and that includes an elastic structure 11 that is provided at any position in the long direction, extends in the depth direction from one opening end 6 to the other opening end 7 of the opening 5, and is elastically deformable in the short direction, and conductive portions 12a to 12d that are provided at one and the other ends in the depth direction of the elastic structure 11 and can be engaged with the one opening end 6 and the other opening end 7 by elastic deformation of the elastic structure 11. Therefore, the shield structure 10 can divide the opening into a front and a back in the depth direction.

[0040] Furthermore, in the shield structure 10 according to the first embodiment, the elastic structure 11 has four elastic plates 11a to 11d connected to the opposing long sides 6a, 6b at one opening end 6 and the opposing long sides 7a, 7b at the other opening end 7. Therefore, the shield structure 10 can make the elastic plates 11a to 11d conductive to all of the long sides 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b.

[0041] Furthermore, in the shield structure 10 according to the first embodiment, one ends of the four elastic plates 11a to 11d are connected to each other at the middle in the depth direction, and the other ends are provided with the conductive portions 12a to 12b, respectively. Therefore, the shield structure 10 allows the elastic plates 11a to 11d to easily elastically deform, and the conductive portions 12a to 12d to be easily attached and detached.

[0042] Second Embodiment A shield structure 20 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the shield structure 20 according to the second embodiment. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment above are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0043] The shield structure 20 according to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 3 includes an elastic structure 21 instead of the elastic structure 11 of the shield structure 10 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. That is, the shield structure 20 includes the elastic structure 21 and conductive portions 12a to 12d.

[0044] 3, the elastic structure 21 has elastic plates 21a and 21b. The elastic plates 21a and 21b are formed as thin, flat plates and have the same shape. The elastic plates 21a and 21b constitute a first elastic plate and a second elastic plate.

[0045] The elastic plates 21 a and 21 b are curved in the length direction, and are curved in opposite directions to each other. The elastic plates 21 a and 21 b are arranged so that the length direction coincides with the depth direction of the opening 5.

[0046] The elastic plate 21a is disposed on the long sides 6a and 7a side of the center position in the short dimension direction in the opening 5. The elastic plate 21a is provided so as to be convex toward the long sides 6b and 7b side. The elastic plate 21b is disposed on the long sides 6b and 7b side of the center position in the short dimension direction in the opening 5. The elastic plate 21a is provided so as to be convex toward the long sides 6a and 7a side.

[0047] The longitudinal intermediate portions of the elastic plates 21 a and 21 b, i.e., the protruding portions of the elastic plates 21 a and 21 b, are directly and electrically joined together by, for example, rivets, spot welding, wire, conductive tape, or a conductive adhesive.

[0048] One end of each of the elastic plates 21a and 21b constitutes one end of the elastic structure 21 in the depth direction, and the other end of each of the elastic plates 21a and 21b constitutes the other end of the elastic structure 21 in the depth direction.

[0049] The conductive portion 12a is bent from one end of the elastic plate 21a. The conductive portion 12b is bent from the other end of the elastic plate 21b. The conductive portion 12c is bent from one end of the elastic plate 21a. The conductive portion 12d is bent from the other end of the elastic plate 21b.

[0050] Therefore, in the shield structure 20, the elastic structure 21 is elastically deformable in the short direction of the cross section of the opening 5 within a range of a length shorter than the short length of the cross section of the opening, and is therefore insertable into the opening 5. As a result, the conductive portion 12a can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 6a, of the opening end 6, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 21. The conductive portion 12b can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 6b, of the opening end 6, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 21. The conductive portion 12c can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 7a, of the opening end 7, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 21. The conductive portion 12d can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 7b, of the opening end 7, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 21.

[0051] As described above, in the shield structure 20 according to the second embodiment, the elastic structure 21 includes an elastic plate 21a that is positioned closer to one of the long sides 6a, 7a of the one opening end 6 and the other opening end 7 than the center position in the short dimension direction and that curves convexly toward the other long sides 6b, 7a of the one opening end 6 and the other opening end 7, and an elastic plate 21b that is positioned closer to the other long sides 6b, 7b of the one opening end 6 and the other opening end 7 than the center position in the short dimension direction and that curves convexly toward the one of the long sides 6a, 7a of the one opening end 6 and the other opening end 7. The curved convex portion of the elastic plate 21a and the curved convex portion of the elastic plate 21b are connected. This allows the shield structure 20 to easily elastically deform the elastic plates 21a, 21b and easily attach and detach the conductive portions 12a to 12d.

[0052] Embodiment 3 A shield structure 30 according to embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the shield structure 30 according to embodiment 3. Note that components having the same functions as those described in embodiment 1 above are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0053] The shield structure 30 according to the third embodiment shown in Fig. 4 includes an elastic structure 31 instead of the elastic structure 11 of the shield structure 10 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. That is, the shield structure 30 includes the elastic structure 31 and conductive portions 12a to 12d.

[0054] 4, the elastic structure 31 has elastic plates 31a and 31b. The elastic plates 31a and 31b are formed as thin, flat plates and have the same shape. The elastic plates 31a and 31b constitute a first elastic plate and a second elastic plate.

[0055] The elastic plates 31 a and 31 b are curved in the length direction, and are curved in opposite directions to each other. The elastic plates 31 a and 31 b are arranged so that the length direction coincides with the short dimension direction of the opening 5.

[0056] The elastic plate 31a is disposed in the opening 5 closer to the opening edge 6 than the center position in the depth direction. The elastic plate 31a is provided so as to have a convex shape toward the opening edge 7. The elastic plate 31b is disposed in the opening 5 closer to the opening edge 7 than the center position in the depth direction. The elastic plate 31a is provided so as to have a convex shape toward the opening edge 6.

[0057] The longitudinal intermediate portions of the elastic plates 31 a and 31 b, i.e., the protruding portions of the elastic plates 31 a and 31 b, are directly and electrically joined together by, for example, rivets, spot welding, wires, conductive tape, or a conductive adhesive.

[0058] The one end and the other end of the elastic plate 31a constitute one end of the elastic structure 31 in the depth direction, and the one end and the other end of the elastic plate 31b constitute the other end of the elastic structure 31 in the depth direction.

[0059] The conductive portion 12a is bent from one end of the elastic plate 31a. The conductive portion 12b is bent from the other end of the elastic plate 31a. The conductive portion 12c is bent from one end of the elastic plate 31b. The conductive portion 12d is bent from the other end of the elastic plate 31b.

[0060] Therefore, in the shield structure 30, the elastic structure 31 is elastically deformable in the short direction of the cross section of the opening 5 within a range of a length shorter than the short length of the cross section of the opening, and is therefore insertable into the opening 5. As a result, the conductive portion 12a can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 6a, of the opening end 6, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 31. The conductive portion 12b can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 6b, of the opening end 6, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 31. The conductive portion 12c can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 7a, of the opening end 7, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 31. The conductive portion 12d can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 7b, of the opening end 7, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 31.

[0061] As described above, in the shield structure 30 according to the third embodiment, the elastic structure 31 includes an elastic plate 31a that is disposed closer to one opening edge 6 than the center position in the depth direction and that curves convexly toward the other opening edge 7, and an elastic plate 31b that is disposed closer to the other opening edge 7 than the center position in the depth direction and that curves convexly toward the one opening edge 6. The curved convex portion of the elastic plate 31a and the curved convex portion of the elastic plate 31b are connected. Therefore, the shield structure 30 allows the elastic plates 31a and 31b to easily elastically deform and allows the conductive portions 12a to 12d to be easily attached and detached.

[0062] Fourth Embodiment A shield structure 40 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the shield structure 40 according to the fourth embodiment. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first and third embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0063] A shield structure 40 according to the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 5 includes an elastic structure 41 instead of the elastic structure 31 of the shield structure 30 according to the third embodiment shown in Fig. 4. The elastic structure 41 is configured by adding an elastic connecting portion 41a to the elastic structure 31. That is, the shield structure 40 includes the elastic structure 41 and conductive portions 12a to 12d. The elastic structure 41 also includes elastic plates 31a and 31b and the elastic connecting portion 41a.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic connection portion 41a electrically connects the intermediate portions of the elastic plates 31a and 31b in the length direction, that is, the convex portions of the elastic plates 31a and 31b.

[0065] Therefore, in the shield structure 40, the elastic structure 41 is elastically deformable in the short direction of the cross section of the opening 5 within a range of a length shorter than the short length of the cross section of the opening, and is therefore insertable into the opening 5. As a result, the conductive portion 12a can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 6a, of the opening end 6, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 41. The conductive portion 12b can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 6b, of the opening end 6, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 41. The conductive portion 12c can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 7a, of the opening end 7, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 41. The conductive portion 12d can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 7b, of the opening end 7, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 41.

[0066] In addition, in the shield structure 20 of embodiment 2 shown in Figure 3, the elastic connecting portion 41a may electrically connect the longitudinal middle portions of the elastic plates 21a and 21b, i.e., the convex portions of the elastic plates 21a and 21b.

[0067] As described above, in the shield structure 40 according to the fourth embodiment, the elastic structure 41 has the elastic connecting portion 41a that connects the curved convex portion of the elastic plate 31a with the curved convex portion of the elastic plate 31b. Therefore, the shield structure 40 also elastically deforms at the elastic connecting portion 41a, so that the elastic deformation of the entire elastic structure 41 can be increased while maintaining the electrical connection between the elastic plates 31a and 31b. As a result, the elastic structure 41 of the shield structure 40 can be easily inserted into and removed from the opening 5.

[0068] Fifth Embodiment A shield structure 50 according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the shield structure 50 according to the fifth embodiment. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment above are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0069] A shield structure 50 according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 6 includes an elastic structure 51 and conductive portions 12b and 12d.

[0070] The elastic structure 51 is a thin, flat elastic plate. The elastic structure 51 is curved in its length direction. The elastic structure 51 is disposed so that its length direction coincides with the depth direction of the opening 5. The elastic structure 51 is provided so as to be convex toward the long sides 6 a and 7 a.

[0071] One end and the other end of the elastic structure 51 are connected to the long sides 6 b and 7 b, respectively. The intermediate portion in the length direction of the elastic structure 51, i.e., the convex portion, is in contact with the surface of the opening 5 that connects the long sides 6 a and 7 a. This intermediate portion in the length direction of the elastic structure 51 constitutes the conductive portion 51 a. Therefore, the elastic structure 51 is electrically connected to the inner surface of the opening 5.

[0072] One end of the elastic structure 51 constitutes one end of the elastic structure 51 in the depth direction, and the other end of the elastic structure 51 constitutes the other end of the elastic structure 51 in the depth direction.

[0073] The conductive portion 12b is provided so as to be bent from one end of the elastic structure 51. The conductive portion 12d is provided so as to be bent from the other end of the elastic structure 51.

[0074] Therefore, in the shield structure 50, the elastic structure 51 is elastically deformable in the short direction of the cross section of the opening 5 within a range of a length shorter than the short length of the cross section of the opening, and is insertable into the opening 5. As a result, the conductive portion 12b can be locked to the opening edge including the long side 6b at the opening end 6 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 51. The conductive portion 12d can be locked to the opening edge including the long side 7b at the opening end 7 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 51.

[0075] In the shield structure 50, the elastic structure 51 may be provided so as to be convex toward the long sides 6 b and 7 b. In this case, the conductive portion 51 a of the elastic structure 51 contacts the surface of the opening 5 that connects the long sides 6 b and 7 b.

[0076] As described above, in the shield structure 50 according to the fifth embodiment, the elastic structure 51 is curved so as to be convex toward one of the long sides 6 a, 7 a at the one opening end 6 and the other opening end 7, and the curved convex portion is connected to the inner surface of the opening 5. Therefore, in the shield structure 50, the elastic structure 51 can be connected to the inner surface of the opening 5, and therefore the number of connection points with the opening 5 can be increased in the depth direction.

[0077] Sixth Embodiment A shield structure 60 according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the shield structure 60 according to the sixth embodiment. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first and fifth embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0078] The shield structure 60 according to the sixth embodiment shown in Fig. 7 includes a conductive portion 61 instead of the conductive portion 12b of the shield structure 50 according to the fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 6. That is, the shield structure 60 according to the sixth embodiment includes an elastic structure 51 and conductive portions 12d and 61.

[0079] 7, the conductive portion 61 is formed in a thin, flat plate shape. The conductive portion 61 extends in the short dimension direction. One end of the conductive portion 61 is provided so as to be bent from one end of the elastic structure portion 51. The conductive portion 61 is also arranged so as to straddle the opening edge 6 of the opening 5 in the short dimension direction.

[0080] Therefore, in the shield structure 60, the elastic structure 51 is elastically deformable in the short direction of the cross section of the opening 5 within a range of a length shorter than the short length of the cross section of the opening, and is insertable into the opening 5. As a result, the conductive portion 12d can be locked to the opening edge, including the long side 7b at the opening end 7, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 51. The conductive portion 61 can be locked to the opening edge, including the long sides 6a and 6b at the opening end 6, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 51.

[0081] In the shield structure 60, the elastic structure 51 may be provided so as to be convex toward the long sides 6 b, 7 b. In this case, the conductive portion 51 a of the elastic structure 51 contacts the surface of the opening 5 that connects the long sides 6 b, 7 b. In the shield structure 60, the conductive portion 61 may be arranged so as to straddle the opening end 7 of the opening 5 in the short direction.

[0082] As described above, in the shield structure 60 according to the sixth embodiment, the conductive portion 61 is arranged so as to straddle in the short direction one of the opening ends 6. Therefore, the shield structure 60 can be electrically connected to the two opposing long sides 6 a, b of the opening end 6 using one conductive portion 61.

[0083] Seventh Embodiment A shield structure 70 according to a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the shield structure 70 according to the seventh embodiment. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0084] The shield structure 70 according to the seventh embodiment shown in Fig. 8 includes a conductive portion 71 instead of the conductive portion 12d of the shield structure 60 according to the sixth embodiment shown in Fig. 7. That is, the shield structure 70 according to the seventh embodiment includes an elastic structure 51 and conductive portions 61 and 71.

[0085] 8, the conductive portion 71 is formed in a thin, flat plate shape. The conductive portion 71 extends in the short dimension direction. One end of the conductive portion 71 is provided so as to be bent from the other end of the elastic structure portion 51. The conductive portion 71 is also arranged so as to straddle the opening edge 7 of the opening 5 in the short dimension direction.

[0086] Therefore, in the shield structure 70, the elastic structure 51 is elastically deformable in the short direction of the cross section of the opening 5 within a range of a length shorter than the short length of the cross section of the opening, and the shield structure 70 is insertable into the opening 5. At this time, as shown in Fig. 8C , the shield structure 70 can be easily inserted into the opening 5 by tilting either one of the conductive portions 61, 71 in the depth direction. The shield structure 70 can be inserted from the opening end 7 side by elastically deforming the conductive portion 61 in the depth direction, and can be inserted from the opening end 6 side by elastically deforming the conductive portion 71 in the depth direction. Fig. 8C shows an example in which the conductive portion 71 is elastically deformed in the depth direction.

[0087] As a result, the conductive portion 61 can be locked to the opening edge including the long sides 6a and 6bb at the opening end 6 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 51. The conductive portion 71 can be locked to the opening edge including the long sides 7a and 7b at the opening end 7 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 51.

[0088] In the shield structure 70, the elastic structure 51 may be provided so as to be convex toward the long sides 6 b and 7 b. In this case, the conductive portion 51 a of the elastic structure 51 contacts the surface of the opening 5 that connects the long sides 6 b and 7 b.

[0089] As described above, in the shield structure 70 according to the seventh embodiment, the conductive portions 61, 71 are arranged so as to straddle in the short direction one opening end 6 and the other opening end 7. Therefore, the shield structure 70 can electrically connect the two opposing long sides 6 a, 6 b at the opening end 6 and the two opposing long sides 7 a, 7 b at the opening end 7 using one conductive portion 61, 71, respectively.

[0090] Eighth Embodiment A shield structure 80 according to an eighth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the shield structure 80 according to the eighth embodiment. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first, fifth, sixth, and seventh embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0091] The shield structure 80 according to the eighth embodiment shown in Fig. 9 includes an elastic structure 81 instead of the elastic structure 51 of the shield structure 70 according to the seventh embodiment shown in Fig. 8. That is, the shield structure 80 according to the eighth embodiment includes the elastic structure 81 and conductive portions 61 and 71.

[0092] 9, the elastic structure 81 is a thin, flat elastic plate. The elastic structure 81 is arranged so that its length coincides with the depth direction of the opening 5. One end of the elastic structure 81 is connected to the long side 6b of the opening edge 6, and the other end of the elastic structure 81 is connected to the long side 7a of the opening edge 7. In other words, the elastic structure 81 is arranged in the opening 5 so as to form a diagonal line connecting the long sides 6b and 7a.

[0093] One end of the elastic structure 81 constitutes one end of the elastic structure 81 in the depth direction, and the other end of the elastic structure 81 constitutes the other end of the elastic structure 81 in the depth direction.

[0094] The conductive portion 61 is provided so as to bend from one end of the elastic structure 81. The conductive portion 71 is provided so as to bend from the other end of the elastic structure 81.

[0095] Therefore, in the shield structure 80, the elastic structure 81 is elastically deformable in the short dimension direction of the cross section of the opening 5 within a range of a length shorter than the short dimension of the cross section of the opening, allowing the shield structure 80 to be inserted into the opening 5. At this time, as shown in Fig. 9C , the shield structure 80 can be easily inserted into the opening 5 by tilting either one of the conductive portions 61, 71 in the depth direction. If the conductive portion 61 is elastically deformed in the depth direction, the shield structure 80 can be inserted from the opening end 7 side, and if the conductive portion 71 is elastically deformed in the depth direction, the shield structure 80 can be inserted from the opening end 6 side. Fig. 9C shows an example in which the conductive portion 71 is elastically deformed in the depth direction.

[0096] As a result, the conductive portion 61 can be locked to the opening edge including the long sides 6a and 6bb at the opening end 6 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 51. The conductive portion 71 can be locked to the opening edge including the long sides 7a and 7b at the opening end 7 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 51.

[0097] In the shield structure 80, the elastic structure 81 is disposed in the opening 5 so as to form a diagonal line connecting the long sides 6a and 7b.

[0098] As described above, in the shield structure 80 according to the eighth embodiment, the elastic structure 81 is disposed diagonally in the depth direction within the opening 5. Therefore, the shield structure 80 can simplify the configuration of the elastic structure 81.

[0099] Furthermore, in shield structure 80 according to embodiment 8, conductive portions 61, 71 are arranged so as to straddle, in the short direction, one opening end 6 and the other opening end 7. Therefore, shield structure 80 can electrically connect, using one conductive portion 61, 71, each of two opposing long sides 6 a, 6 b at opening end 6 and two opposing long sides 7 a, 7 b at opening end 7.

[0100] Ninth Embodiment A shield structure (not shown) according to a ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing conductive portions 91, 92, and 93 in the shield structure according to the ninth embodiment. These conductive portions 91, 92, and 93 are modified versions of conductive portions 12a to 12d. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment above are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, the conductive portions 91 to 93 shown in FIG. 10 are shown as representative modified versions of conductive portion 12a among conductive portions 12a to 12d.

[0101] 10A, the conductive portion 91 has a thickness greater than that of the elastic plate 11a. The increased thickness of the conductive portion 91 makes it easier to grasp the conductive portion 91 with a human finger or tweezers. Therefore, the shield structure according to the ninth embodiment allows the conductive portion 91 to be easily attached and detached.

[0102] 10B , the conductive portion 92 has an opposing surface 92a and a protruding portion 92b. The opposing surface 92a is a surface that faces the opening edge of the opening 5, including the long side 6a. The protruding portion 92b protrudes from the opposing surface 92a toward the opening edge of the opening 5, including the long side 6a, and engages with the opening edge. Therefore, a gap is formed between the opposing surface 92a and the opening edge. As a result, the shield structure according to embodiment 9 allows a person's finger or tweezers to be inserted into the gap, making it easy to remove the conductive portion 92.

[0103] 10C , the conductive portion 93 straddles the long side 6 a and engages with the opening edge including the long side 6 a and the inner surface of the opening 5. Therefore, the shield structure according to the ninth embodiment can improve the engagement force of the conductive portion 93.

[0104] It should be noted that within the scope of the present disclosure, the embodiments may be freely combined, or any component in each embodiment may be modified, or any component in each embodiment may be omitted.

[0105] The shield structure of the present disclosure comprises an elastic structural portion that can elastically deform in the short direction of the opening, and a conductive portion that can be engaged with the opening end of the opening by elastic deformation of the elastic structural portion, thereby enabling the opening to be divided into a front and a back in the depth direction, and is suitable for use in a shield structure device, etc.

[0106] 5 Opening, 6, 7 Opening end, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b Long side, 10 Shielding structure, 11 Elastic structure, 11a to 11d Elastic plate, 12a to 12d Conductive portion, 20 Shielding structure, 21 Elastic structure, 21a, 21b Elastic plate, 30 Shielding structure, 31 Elastic structure, 31a, 31b Elastic plate, 40 Shielding structure, 41 Elastic structure, 41a Elastic connecting portion, 50 Shielding structure, 51 Elastic structure, 51a Conductive portion, 60 Shielding structure, 61 Conductive portion, 70 Shielding structure, 71 Conductive portion, 80 Shielding structure, 81 Elastic structure, 91, 92, 93 Conductive portion, 92a Opposing surface, 92b Protruding portion, 100 Conductive member.

Claims

1. A shielding structure that is provided within an opening that is opened in a member made of a conductive material and whose cross section has long and short sides, the shielding structure comprising: an elastic structural part that is provided at any position in the long dimension, extends in the depth direction from one opening end to the other opening end of the opening, and is elastically deformable in the short dimension; and conductive parts that are provided at one and the other ends in the depth direction of the elastic structural part, and can be engaged with the one opening end and the other opening end by elastic deformation of the elastic structural part.

2. The shield structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic structure has four elastic plates respectively connected to the opposing long sides of one of the opening ends and the opposing long sides of the other opening end.

3. The shield structure according to claim 2, wherein one ends of the four elastic plates are connected to each other at the middle in the depth direction, and the conductive portion is provided at each other end.

4. The shield structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic structure comprises a first elastic plate arranged closer to one of the long sides of the one opening end and the other opening end than the center position in the short dimension direction and curved so as to convexly form toward the other long side of the one opening end and the other opening end, and a second elastic plate arranged closer to the other long side of the one opening end and the other opening end than the center position in the short dimension direction and curved so as to convexly form toward the one long side of the one opening end and the other opening end, and the curved convex portion of the first elastic plate and the curved convex portion of the second elastic plate are connected.

5. The shield structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic structure comprises a first elastic plate that is positioned closer to the one opening end than the center position in the depth direction and that curves convexly toward the other opening end, and a second elastic plate that is positioned closer to the other opening end than the center position in the depth direction and that curves convexly toward the one opening end, and the curved convex portion of the first elastic plate and the curved convex portion of the second elastic plate are connected.

6. A shield structure according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the elastic structure has an elastic connecting portion that connects the curved convex portion of the first elastic plate and the curved convex portion of the second elastic plate.

7. A shield structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic structure is curved so as to be convex toward one of the long sides at the one opening end and the other opening end, and the curved convex portion is connected to the inner surface of the opening.

8. The shield structure according to claim 7, characterized in that the conductive portion is arranged so as to straddle at least one of the opening ends of the one opening end or the other opening end in the short length direction.

9. The shield structure according to claim 1, wherein the elastic structure is disposed diagonally in the depth direction within the opening.

10. The shield structure according to claim 9, wherein the conductive portion is arranged so as to straddle both the one opening end and the other opening end in the short length direction.

11. A shield structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the thickness of the conductive portion is greater than the thickness of the elastic structure portion.

12. A shield structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the conductive portion has an opposing surface facing the opening edge including the long side of the opening, and a protrusion that protrudes from the opposing surface towards the opening edge including the long side of the opening and engages with the opening edge.

13. A shield structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the conductive portion is engaged with an opening edge including the long side of the opening and an inner surface of the opening, straddling the long side.

Citation Information

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