IMPROVED CABLE SHIELD CONNECTOR

Abstract

 A cable shield connector (200) for ensuring electrical continuity between a shielded electrical connector (300) and a shielded cable (100), the cable shield connector (200) comprising: a ferrule portion (230) defining an opening (202) for receiving a portion of the shielded cable (100) and an outer surface (232) for contacting a cable shield (13) of the shielded cable (100), the ferrule portion (230) extending axially from a distal end (201) of the ferrule portion (230) to a base portion (250) of the cable shield connector (200); wherein the base portion (250) is positioned radially outside the ferrule portion (230) and comprises at a periphery section (253) a shielding connector section (251) defining an inverted skirt (257) extending towards the distal end (201) and at least partially surrounding the base portion (250), the inverted skirt (257) defining sidewalls (257a) for contacting corresponding sections of a connector shield (311) of the shielded electrical connector (300).

Description

Field

[0001] The present application relates in general to cable shield connectors, and more particularly, to an improved cable shield connector for ensuring electrical continuity between a shielded electrical connector and a shielded cable.

Background

[0002] Electrical connectors are usually terminated to a shielded cable via a cable shield connector, which is arranged to establish an electrical connection between the shield of the electrical connector housing and the cable shield.

[0003] Examples of known cable shielded connectors are disclosed in US10756471 and US10128611 and mainly relate to the provision of a ferrule assembly attached to the cable shield that is configured to establish an electrical connection with the shield of the connector housing, thereby terminating the electrical connector to the shielded cable. A typical ferrule assembly, such as the one shown in US10128611, comprises an annular inner ferrule portion with an opening for receiving the shielded cable that extends to an end shield portion. The end shield portion is in the form of a forward skirt that extends around the ferrule portion, such that the edges of the end shield portion point towards the opening of the connector housing. The cable shield is usually secured on the ferrule portion through crimping. However, due to the forces applied at the ferrule portion during crimping, the end shield portion is displaced with respect to the opening of the electrical connector housing. As a result, it becomes difficult to insert the ferrule assembly in the electrical connector housing during the electrical connector assembly. The displacement of the end portion may further cause issues in establishing a continuous electrical connection between the sidewalls of the forward skirt of the end portion and the electrical connector shield, thereby compromising the termination of the electrical connector to the shielded cable during operation.

Summary

[0004] It is an aim of the present disclosure to provide an improved cable shield for ensuring electrical continuity between a shielded electrical connector and a shielded cable that overcomes the problems described above.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a cable shield connector is provided for ensuring electrical continuity between a shielded electrical connector and a shielded cable, the cable shield connector comprising:

a ferrule portion defining an opening for receiving a portion of the shielded cable and an outer surface for contacting a cable shield of the shielded cable, the ferrule portion extending axially from a distal end of the ferrule portion to a base portion of the cable shield connector;

wherein the base portion is positioned radially outside the ferrule portion and comprises at a periphery section a shielding connector section defining an inverted skirt extending towards the distal end and at least partially surrounding the base portion, the inverted skirt defining sidewalls for contacting corresponding sections of a connector shield of the shielded electrical connector.

[0006] The cable shield connector, also referred to as a recovery shield, is provided with a connector shielding section in the form of an inverted skirt that may define at least two opposing sidewalls extending towards the distal end of the ferrule portion. As such, the edges of the inverted skirt point away from the opening of the connector housing during assembly of the cable shield connector and the electrical connector, thereby it becomes easier to insert the cable shield connector into the connector housing. As the cable shield connector is inserted into the connector housing, the sidewalls of the inverted skirt come into contact with corresponding sections of the connector shield, thereby securing the cable shield connector in the connector housing and ensuring electrical continuity between a shielded electrical connector and a shielded cable. The number of sidewalls defined by the inverted skirt may be adjusted depending on the shape of the base portion of the cable shield connector and/or the electrical connector housing. For example, the inverted skirt may define at least two sidewalls positioned at opposing sides of the base portion, which are configured for contacting corresponding sections of the connector shield.

[0007] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the sidewalls of the inverted skirt are configured to extend in an angled direction with respect to an inner base surface of the base portion.

[0008] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the sidewalls of the inverted skirt are positioned around the base portion at an obtuse angle with respect to the inner base surface shielding connector section. The sidewalls of the inverted skirt may surround the base portion, thereby increasing the contact surface with the connector shield to further improve the termination of the electrical connector to the shielded cable.

[0009] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the sidewalls are configured to be displaced inwardly, when in contact with the corresponding sections of the connector shield of the shielded electrical connector. the sidewalls are configured to exert a biasing force to the corresponding sections of the connector shield.

[0010] The sidewalls defined by the inverted skirt are positioned at an angled direction with respect to the base portion, preferably at an obtuse angle, e.g. over 90 degrees. As such, when the cable shield connector is inserted into the connector housing, the sidewalls of the shielding connector section are configured to bend inwards, thereby exerting a biasing force on the inner sidewalls of the connector housing. Due to the biasing force exerted by the sidewalls of the shielding connector section, continuous electrical contact is established between the shielding connector section and the connector shield. Furthermore, the biasing force exerted by the sidewalls prevents the movement of the cable shield connector within the electrical connector housing, thereby ensuring continuous contact between the shielding connector section and the connector shield section. The angle of the shielding connector section sidewalls is adapted according to the dimensions of the connector housing opening and the dimensions of the cable shield connector. In general, the angle of the inverted skirt sidewalls is adapted so that a desired biasing force is applied to the connector housing to ensure continuous contact with the connector shield and secure the cable shield connector in the connector housing. The shape of the cable shield connector is accordingly adapted so that it fits into the connector housing. Preferably, the base portion of the cable shield connector is substantially the same shape as the connector housing opening.

[0011] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, each sidewall is positioned at a corresponding side of the base portion is configured to be connected to an adjacent sidewall section via a curved corner segment.

[0012] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, each curved corner segment is dimensioned to cooperate with corresponding corner segments of a connector housing of the shielded electrical connector.

[0013] The inverted skirt preferably surrounds the base portion. As such, each sidewall is configured to engage a corresponding sidewall of the connector housing, thereby improving the connection between the cable shield connector and the connector shield. The curved corner segments are configured to cooperate with corner segments of the connector housing to ensure smooth insertion of the cable shield connector on the connector housing while maintaining continuous contact with the connector shield.

[0014] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the ferrule portion comprises an inner ferrule section for contacting the cable shield of the shielded cable and an intermediate section extending between the inner ferrule section and the base portion, the intermediate section being configured to position the inner ferrule section at a distance from the base portion.

[0015] The cable shield is secured on the outer surface of the inner ferrule section to ensure that there is no interference with the conductive core of the cable. An outer ferrule portion may be secured on top of the inner ferrule section to secure the cable shield portion of the inner ferrule section. In general, the connection between the cable shield connector and the cable shield may be established through crimping or another known method. Therefore, it should be understood that the use of the outer ferrule portion is entirely optional. The intermediate section ensures a sufficient distance is maintained between the connection of the cable shield with the shield cable connector and the connection between the conductive core with a connector terminal of the electrical connector. As such, electrical arcing may be prevented, thereby ensuring the safe electrical operation of the electrical connector.

[0016] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner ferrule section has an annular shape, and the intermediate section is configured to extend radially from the inner ferrule section to the inner base surface.

[0017] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the cable shield connector is made from an electrically conductive material. For example, the cable shield connector may be made from a core conductive material with a first electrical conductivity, such as copper, which may be further plated with a conductive material with a higher conductivity than the core conductive material, e.g. silver, tin, and the like.

[0018] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the cable shield connector is integrally formed. For example, the cable shield connector may be made as a single part using a deep drawing manufacturing process or another suitable manufacturing technique.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical connector assembly is provided comprising:

a shielded cable comprising a cable shield;

a connector housing configured to be coupled to a counter connector housing, the connector housing comprising a connector shield;

a cable shield connector according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect configured to be coupled to the shielded cable and the electrical connector housing so as to for ensuring electrical continuity between the cable shield (130) and the connector shield; and

an outer ferrule portion configured to secure the cable shield on the cable shield connector.

[0020] According to a yet further aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for ensuring electrical continuity between a shielded electrical connector and a shielded cable, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a cable shield connector according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect;

inserting, via an opening defined by a ferrule portion of the cable shield connector, a portion of the shielded cable through the cable shield connector such that at least a portion of the cable shield is disposed on an outer surface of the ferrule portion; and

coupling the cable shield connector to a connector housing of the electrical connector such that sidewalls of an inverted skirt defined around a periphery section of a base portion of the cable shield connector are in contact with corresponding sections of a connector shield of the shielded electrical connector.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

[0021] The following drawings are provided as an example to explain further and describe various aspects of the present disclosure:

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an exemplified electrical connector assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figures 2A-2D show different views a cable shield connector of the assembly shown in Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 3 and 4 show a cross-sectional view of the exemplified electrical connector assembly of Figure 1 respectively before and after assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplified electrical connector according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings

[0022] The following discussion provides many exemplary embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0023] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the examples described herein. The examples may be practised without these details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the examples described. The description is not to be considered as limited to the scope of the examples described herein.

[0024] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an exemplified electrical connector assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The electrical connector assembly comprises a shielded cable 100, a cable shield connector 200, and an electrical connector 300 comprising a connector housing 310. The shielded cable 100 comprising a conductive core 110, a core insulating jacket surrounding the conductive core 120, a cable shield 130 at least partially surrounding the core insulating jacket 120, and a shield insulating jacket 140 surrounding the cable shield 130. The cable shield 130 may be a braided cable shield disposed around the core insulating jacket. The cable shield connector 200 is configured to be secured on the shielded cable 100 and inserted into the connector housing 310 along a mating direction, indicated by the arrow in Figure 1, so that an electrical connection is established between a connector shield 311 of the electrical connector housing 310 and the cable shield 130), to terminate the electrical connector 300 to the shielded cable 100. The cable shield connector 200 is integrally formed in one piece using a known manufacturing method such as deep drawing or similar. The cable shield connector 200 comprises a ferrule portion 230 defining an opening 202 at a distal end 201, which extends through the cable shield connector 200, and an outer surface 232 for contacting the cable shield 130. The ferrule portion 230 extends axially from a distal end 201 to a base portion 250. The base portion 250 is provided at a periphery section 253 with a shielding connector section 251 defining an inverted skirt 257 that extends towards the distal end 201 and at least partially surrounds the base portion 250. The inverted skirt 257 defines sidewalls 257a for contacting corresponding sections of a connector shield 311 of the electrical connector housing 310. The number of sidewalls 257a defined by the inverted skirt 257 may be adjusted depending on the shape of the base portion 250 of the cable shield connector 200 and/or the electrical connector housing 310. For example, the inverted skirt 257 may define at least two sidewalls 257a positioned at opposing sides of the base portion 250, which are configured for contacting corresponding sections of the connector shield 311.

[0025] Figures 2A to 2D show different views of the exemplified cable shield connector 200 shown in Figure 1, having an inverted skirt 257 with four sidewalls 257a positioned at respective sides around the base portion 250 of the cable shield connector 200. The sidewalls 257a are positioned at an angle with respect to an inner base surface 254 of the base portion 250. For example, the sidewalls 257a may be positioned at an obtuse angle, e.g. over 90 degrees and up to 120 degrees, such that the area defined by the sidewalls 257a tapers towards the base portion 250. As such, the sidewalls 257a are configured to bend inwards as they progressively come into contact with respective sidewalls of the connector housing 310 during coupling of the cable shield connector 200 with the electrical connector housing 300.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2A to 2D, the ferrule portion 230 of the cable shield connector 200 comprises an inner ferrule portion 231 for contacting the cable shield 130. The inner ferrule portion 231 is configured to extend from the distal end 201 to an intermediate ferrule point 234 defined along the ferrule potion 230. The ferrule portion 230 further comprises an intermediate section 233 extending between the intermediate ferrule point 234 and the inner surface 254 of the base portion 250. As such, the intermediate section 233 is positioned between the inner ferrule section 231 and the inner base surface 254, thereby positioning the inner ferrule portion 231 at a predetermined distance from the base portion 250 to prevent electrical arcing between the cable shield and the conductive core 110. The distance between the inner ferrule portion 231 and the base portion 250 may be chosen according to the electrical power requirements of the electrical connector 300.

[0027] Figure 2B shows a bottom view of the cable shield connector 200, showing the opening 202 extending through the cable shield connector 200 and the sidewalls 257a being connected to adjacent sidewall 257a via curved corner segments 257b. The curved segments 257b are configured to cooperate with corresponding corner segments of the connector housing 310 to ensure the smooth insertion of the cable shield connector 200 in the connector housing 310. Figure 2B further shows the outer surface 256 of the base portion 250, which during insertion of the cable shield connector 200in the connector housing 310, is configured to face the connector housing opening 330.

[0028] Figure 2C is a top view of the cable shield connector 200 showing the sidewalls 257a surrounding the base portion 250 at a periphery section 253.

[0029] Figure 2D is a cross-sectional side view of the cable shield connector 200 showing the intermediate section 233 extending radially from the inner ferrule section 231 to the inner base surface 256 of the base portion 250.

[0030] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector assembly showing the cable shield connector 200 secured on the shielded cable 100. A portion of the shielded cable 100 comprising the conductive core 110 and the core insulating jacket 120 is inserted through the cable shield connector 200 via the ferrule opening 202. A portion of the cable shield 130 is disposed on the outer surface 232 of the inner ferrule section 231 and is secured therein by an outer ferrule portion 270. As such, the cable shield 130 is disposed between the inner ferrule section 231 and the outer ferrule portion 270. The outer ferrule 270 may be secured on the outer surface 232 of the inner ferrule potion 231 via crimping or another preferred method. As previously described, the sidewalls 257a of the inverted skirt 257 are positioned at an outward angle with respect to the inner base surface 254. The sidewalls 257a are configured to bend inwards, when the cable shield connector 200 and the shielded cable 100 are inserted into the connector housing 310, to contact corresponding sections of the connector shield 311 of the connector housing 310.

[0031] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled electrical connector 300 according to embodiments of the present invention. The conductive core 110 is connected to a connector terminal portion 320, and the sidewalls 257a of the cable shield connector 200 are in contact with the connector shield 311 of the connector housing 310. As previously explained, the sidewalls 257a are configured to bend inwards as the cable shield connector 200 is inserted into the connector housing 310. As such, the sidewalls 257a are configured to exert a biasing force on the connector housing 310, thereby ensuring continuous contact of the inverted skirt 257 with the connector shield 311 and further preventing movement of the cable shield connector 200. As such, the cable shield connector 200 ensures the electrical continuity between the shielded electrical connector 300 and the shielded cable 100. A shielding element 400 may be provided to close off the opening 320 of the electrical connector housing 310 to prevent dirt and/or humidity from entering the connector housing 310.

[0032] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplified assembled automotive electrical connector 300 for high power applications incorporating a cable shield connector 200 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the shielded cable 100 is fitted through the cable shield connector 200 via the ferrule opening 202, and the conductive core 110 is connected to a terminal portion 320 of the electrical connector 300. The cable shield connector 200 is secured on the shielded cable 100 as previously explained with references to Figures 1 to 4, such that a portion of the cable shield 130 is in electrical contact with a ferrule portion 230 of the cable shield connector 200. The sidewalls 257a of the inverted skirt 257 are configured to contact the connector shield 311, thereby terminating the electrical connector 300 to the shielded cable 100.

[0033] While the cable shield connector 200 of the present disclosure has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A cable shield connector (200) for ensuring electrical continuity between a shielded electrical connector (300) and a shielded cable (100), the cable shield connector (200) comprising:

a ferrule portion (230) defining an opening (202) for receiving a portion of the shielded cable (100) and an outer surface (232) for contacting a cable shield (130) of the shielded cable (100), the ferrule portion (230) extending axially from a distal end (201) of the ferrule portion (230) to a base portion (250) of the cable shield connector (200);

wherein the base portion (250) is positioned radially outside the ferrule portion (230) and comprises at a periphery section (253) a shielding connector section (251) defining an inverted skirt (257) extending towards the distal end (201) and at least partially surrounding the base portion (250), the inverted skirt (257) defining sidewalls (257a) for contacting corresponding sections of a connector shield (311) of the shielded electrical connector (300).

2. The cable shield connector (200) of claim 1, wherein the sidewalls (257a) of the inverted skirt (257) are configured to extend in an angled direction with respect to an inner base surface (254) of the base portion (250).

3. The cable shield connector (200) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sidewalls (257a) of the inverted skirt (257) are positioned around the base portion (250) at an obtuse angle with respect to the inner base surface (254).

4. The cable shield connector (200) of claim 3, wherein the sidewalls (257a) are configured to be displaced inwardly, when in contact with the corresponding sections of the connector shield (311) of the shielded electrical connector (300).

5. The cable shield connector (200) of claim 4, wherein the sidewalls (257a) are configured to exert a biasing force to the corresponding sections of the connector shield (311).

6. The cable shield connector (200) of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein each sidewall (257a) is positioned at a corresponding side of the base portion (250) and configured to be connected to an adjacent sidewall section (257a) via a curved corner segment (255).

7. The cable shield connector (200) of claim 6, wherein each curved corner segment (257b) is dimensioned to cooperate with corresponding corner segments of a connector housing (310) of the shielded electrical connector (300).

8. The cable shield connector (200) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ferrule portion (230) comprises an inner ferrule section (231) for contacting the cable shield (130) of the shielded cable (100) and an intermediate section (233) extending between the inner ferrule section (231) and the base portion (250), the intermediate section (233) being configured to position the inner ferrule section (231) at a distance from the base portion (250).

9. The cable shield connector (200) of claim 8, wherein the inner ferrule section (231) has an annular shape, and the intermediate section (233) is configured to extend radially from the inner ferrule section (231) to the inner base surface (254).

10. The cable shield connector (200) of any one of the preceding claims, being made from an electrically conductive material.

11. The cable shield connector (200) of any one of the preceding claims, being integrally formed using a deep drawing process.

12. An electrical connector assembly comprising:

a shielded cable (100) comprising a cable shield (130);

a connector housing (310) configured to be coupled to a counter connector housing, the connector housing comprising a connector shield (311);

a cable shield connector (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 configured to be coupled to the shielded cable (100) and the electrical connector housing (310) so as to ensure electrical continuity between the cable shield (130) and the connector shield (311); and

an outer ferrule portion (270) configured to secure the cable shield (130) on the cable shield connector (200).

13. A method for ensuring electrical continuity between a shielded electrical connector (300) and a shielded cable (100), the method comprising the steps of:

providing a cable shield connector (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 11;

inserting, via the opening (202) defined by the ferrule portion (230) of the cable shield connector (200), a portion of the shielded cable (100) through the cable shield connector (200) such that at least a portion of the cable shield (130) is disposed on the outer surface (232) of the ferrule portion; and

coupling the cable shield connector (200) to a connector housing (310) of the electrical connector (300) such that the sidewalls (257a) of the inverted skirt (257) defined around a periphery section of a base portion of the cable shield connector (200) are in contact with corresponding sections of a connector shield (311) of the shielded electrical connector (300).

Drawing