Providing shields to reduce electromagnetic interference from connectors
AssigneeNCR Corporation
InventorsJames L. Knighten, Arthur R. Alexander
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus to provide a shield assembly for a connector, with the shield assembly having a cover to enclose the connector and a neck portion adapted to surround an outer surface of a portion of the cable. An inner surface of the neck portion makes contact with the outer surface of the cable. When the cable carries a high frequency signal, a capacitive impedance is provided between the neck portion and an outer shield of the cable to reduce electromagnetic signal leakage. Alternatively, the neck portion can make electrical contact with the cable shield, either by use of elements protruding from the inner surface of the neck portion or by removing an insulating jacket of the cable.
Claims35
A shield assembly for a connector that is connected to a port of a chassis, a cable extending from the connector, the shield assembly comprising:
- an electrically conductive cover defining a chamber to enclose the connector;
- an attachment mechanism adapted to attach the cover to the chassis;
- an electrically conductive gasket electrically contacted to the cover and adapted to be placed between the cover and chassis;
- and
- a cable engagement body having an opening with a width less than a width of the chamber, the opening adapted to surround an outer surface of a portion of the cable.
A shield assembly for a connector that is connected to a port of a chassis, a cable extending from the connector, the shield assembly comprising:
- an electrically conductive cover defining a chamber to enclose the connector;
- an attachment mechanism adapted to attach the cover to the chassis;
- and
- a cable engagement body having an opening with a width less than a width of the chamber, the opening adapted to surround an outer surface of a portion of the cable,
- wherein the cable engagement body comprises an inner surface defining the opening, and wherein the width of the opening is substantially the same as a width of the cable to enable the inner surface of the cable engagement body to contact an outer surface of the cable,
- wherein the cable engagement body comprises an electrically conductive element adapted to pierce through an outer jacket of the cable to enable electrical connection between the cable engagement body and a shield of the cable.
A connector assembly for mating with a port in a chassis, comprising:
- a connector having a housing formed of an electrically conductive material, the connector adapted to mate with the port;
- a cable extending from the connector, the cable having a shield, wherein the connector housing is electrically connected to the shield of the cable;
- a shroud adapted to enclose the connector housing, the shroud having an electrically conductive first end to electrically contact the chassis and a cable engagement body having an inner opening to receive the cable, the cable engagement body having an inner surface in contact with an outer surface of the cable,
- wherein the cable comprises an outer insulating layer, and wherein the inner surface of the cable engagement body is capacitively connected to the cable shield through at least the outer insulating layer,
- wherein the shroud is formed of an electrically conductive material, and wherein the shroud is adapted to cooperate with the chassis and the cable shield to prevent electromagnetic leakage;
- an attachment mechanism adapted to attach the shroud to the chassis;
- and
- an electromagnetic interference gasket in contact with a surface of the shroud, the shroud to electrically contact the chassis through the electromagnetic gasket.
A connector assembly for mating with a port in a chassis, comprising:
- a connector having a housing formed of an electrically conductive material, the connector adapted to mate with the port;
- a cable extending from the connector, the cable having a shield, wherein the connector housing is electrically connected to the shield of the cable;
- a shroud adapted to enclose the connector housing, the shroud having an electrically conductive first end to electrically contact the chassis and a cable engagement body having an inner opening to receive the cable, the cable engagement body having an inner surface in contact with an outer surface of the cable, the cable engagement body further having an element to electrically contact the shield of the cable;
- an attachment mechanism adapted to attach the shroud to the chassis;
- and
- an electromagnetic interference gasket in contact with a surface of the shroud to enhance the electrical contact between the shroud and the chassis.
A method of reducing electromagnetic interference, comprising:
- mating a connector having a housing to port in a chassis;
- electrically contacting the connector housing to a shield of a cable;
- enclosing the connector within an electrically conductive shroud;
- and
- contacting an inner surface of a portion of the shroud to an outer surface of the cable extending from the connector;
- electrically connecting the portion of the shroud to the cable shield,
- wherein the shroud cooperates with the cable shield to prevent electromagnetic leakage;
- attaching the shroud to the chassis with an attachment mechanism;
- and
- electrically contacting the shroud to the chassis with an electromagnetic interference gasket.
A system comprising:
- a chassis having a structure defining a port;
- a connector adapted to mate with the port;
- a cable extending from the connector, the cable having a shield, the connector having a housing electrically connected to the shield;
- an electrically conductive shroud enclosing the connector, the shroud electrically connected to the shield of the cable;
- an attachment mechanism adapted to attach the shroud to the chassis;
- and
- an electromagnetic interference gasket to enable electrical contact between the shroud and the chassis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.