Perpendicular Shield Termination Fixture for Limited Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In aircraft and other vehicle applications, the space constraints within electronics cabinets limit the clearance for cable routing and maintenance due to the depth of conventional tray connectors and backshells, making it difficult to install and maintain components.
Innovation Solution
A shield termination fixture with a base, insert apertures, and a retainer mechanism that compresses or fixes cable shields to terminate them efficiently, reducing the space required for cable entry and minimizing electromagnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional tray connectors and backshells are configured parallel with the rear cabinet wall to facilitate LRU engagement, then connector engagement is simplified, but the clearance space for cable routing and maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the tray connector and backshell from a parallel configuration to a perpendicular configuration relative to the cabinet wall. This dimensional change allows cables to enter the backshell from the side rather than requiring a 90-degree turn from the front, effectively utilizing the depth dimension of the cabinet space and increasing clearance for cable routing and maintenance activities.
2Ease of operation
If the cable must traverse parallel to the cabinet wall and turn 90 degrees to enter the backshell, then connector engagement is maintained, but the space between mounting tray and cabinet wall is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the cable traverse parallel to the cabinet wall and then turn 90 degrees to enter the backshell, the patent inverts the approach by having the cable enter the backshell directly from the side in a perpendicular configuration. This eliminates the required bend radius constraint and reduces the overall cable path length, freeing up space between the mounting tray and cabinet wall.
3Ease of repair
If tray connectors and backshells are positioned to allow easy LRU removal and installation, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the clearance for technician work is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connector system into distinct functional components: the tray connector for electrical connection and the perpendicular backshell for cable termination. This segmentation allows the LRU to be quickly removed and replaced at the tray level while the cable management function is separated into the perpendicular backshell, providing technicians with adequate clearance to work on both the LRU and cable connections without interference.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for efficient termination of cable shields in limited clearance environments, reducing the space needed for cable routing and improving maintenance accessibility while effectively preventing electromagnetic crosstalk and interference.
Implementation Method 1
The retainer is configured to compress the shield of the cable between the base and the retainer for termination
Implementation Method 2
The cable includes one or more shields for controlling electromagnetic emissions, electromagnetic susceptibility, and electrical crosstalk between wires of the cable or between cables
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods provide for the termination of shields within and around a cable at a connector in limited clearance environments. According to embodiments described herein, a shield termination fixture includes a base, at least one insert aperture, at least one retainer, and a mechanism for terminating cable shields. The base attaches to a connector and defines the insert aperture through which a cable will enter the fixture for connection to the connector. A signal wire of the cable is connected to the connector and a wire shield is positioned between a base wall adjacent to the insert aperture and a shield retainer. The shield retainer is secured to the base, compressing and terminating the wire shield. A cable shield may be terminated via compression between a cable shield retainer and the shield retainer, between the shield retainer and the base, or via fixed attachment to a retainer.