CN116191109A

CN116191109A - Electric connector assembly

Info

Publication number: CN116191109A
Application number: CN202210646781.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 廖子铭
Original assignee: Mingyi Technology Malaysia Private Ltd
Current assignee: Mingyi Technology Malaysia Private Ltd
Priority date: 2021-11-26
Filing date: 2022-06-08
Publication date: 2023-05-30

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connector assembly (10) for an electrical device (1) in a first fluid chamber (3). The electrical connector assembly (10) comprises an electrical connector connected to the electrical device (1), extending between a first fluid chamber (3) and a second fluid chamber (4), through a junction between the first and second fluid chambers (3, 4). Furthermore, the electrical connector assembly (10) includes a housing (12) located at the junction and at least partially surrounding the electrical connector.

Description

Electric connector assembly

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of electrical circuits, and more particularly, to an electrical connector assembly for an electrical device positioned in a fluid chamber.

Background

Typically, electronic devices such as diodes, transistors, integrated Circuits (ICs), etc. are formed on a substrate element by different techniques. For example, off-the-shelf electronic devices such as various Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) may be mounted on the substrate surface that ultimately forms the inner or outer interface layers of the multilayer structure. Technological developments have led to the advent of printed electronics in which the electronics are printed on rigid or flexible substrates.

The introduction of printed electronics widens the opportunities for application electronics, especially in complex operations, i.e. monitoring the internal operation of gearboxes, motors, generators, etc. However, printed electronic products are often susceptible to damage when such complex operations are performed in harsh environments.

Indian patent publication No. IN-2011DN07596-a discloses an encapsulated circuit arrangement for a vehicle engine compartment. The device includes a package surrounding the electronic device that includes a set of electronic components disposed on a rigid substrate. The package includes a compressible inner layer and a rigid outer layer, wherein the inner layer is located between the component and the outer layer, and the outer layer is attached to the inner layer. The inner layer is configured to absorb deformation due to thermally induced motion of the substrate surface and the component.

Accordingly, there is a need for an electrical connector assembly that protects an electrical connector, such as a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC), from external damage factors without causing any stress or vibration to such a connector. Furthermore, it is desirable to prevent the fluids in the two chambers from mixing to provide accurate measurements while allowing electrical connection between the devices in the two chambers.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly for an electrical device located in a first fluid chamber. The assembly includes an electrical connector connected to the electrical device that extends between a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber and through a junction between the chambers. The assembly further includes a housing positioned at the engagement portion and at least partially surrounding the electrical connector.

The housing includes an inner layer formed by low pressure molding and an outer layer formed by high pressure molding. The inner layer encapsulates at least a portion of the electrical connector and the outer layer encapsulates at least a portion of the inner layer. Further, the outer layer forms a hermetic seal between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber. Each chamber contains the same or different fluids from each other.

Preferably, at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer is formed from a plastics material. More preferably, the plastic material is at least one of polyamide and glass fiber reinforced polymer.

In one aspect of the invention, the outer layer includes at least one rubber seal that contacts the joint when the assembly is positioned at the joint. Further, the outer layer is snap-bonded (snap-fixed) to at least one fluid chamber.

In one embodiment, the electrical device is a sensor for detecting a parameter of the gearbox, and the electrical connector is at least one of a flexible printed circuit, a rigid printed circuit (i.e., a printed circuit board "PCB"), and a flat cable.

Since the outer layer is formed by high pressure molding, the outer layer forms a hard cover layer on the inner layer, thereby protecting the inner layer and the electrical connector enclosed therein from any external damage caused by fluid, heat, vibration, etc. in the cavity. On the other hand, since the inner layer is low-pressure molded, the inner layer serves as a buffer layer between the outer layer and the electrical connector so as to protect the electrical connector from any pressure generated during high-pressure molding of the outer layer. Furthermore, the outer layer forms an airtight seal between the chambers, preventing fluid from entering one chamber into the other, protecting the fluid from contamination, while allowing the flexible printed circuit to extend between the two chambers.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like parts.

Drawings

In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference numerals. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a second numeral that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description applies to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label, irrespective of the second reference label.

Fig. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In accordance with the present disclosure, an electrical connector assembly for an electrical device located in a fluid chamber is provided, which will now be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The examples are not limiting of the scope and limits of the present disclosure. The description relates only to the embodiments and their suggested applications.

The embodiments herein and the various features thereof and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and flows are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The following description of the specific embodiments will reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein sufficiently that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify or adapt for or execute various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Fig. 1 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an electrical connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The assembly (10) comprises an electrical connector in the form of a flexible printed circuit (11), and a housing at least partially surrounding the flexible printed circuit (11). The flexible printed circuit is connected to an electrical device (1) located in a first fluid chamber (3) and extends between the first fluid chamber (3) and a second fluid chamber (4) through a junction (not shown) between the first fluid chamber (3) and the second fluid chamber (4). Preferably, each chamber (3, 4) contains a fluid that is the same or different from each other, and the housing (12) is located at the junction to block fluid flow from one of the chambers (3, 4) to the other chamber (3, 4).

The housing (12) comprises an inner layer (13) and an outer layer (14), the inner layer (13) encapsulates at least a portion of the flexible printed circuit (11), and the outer layer (14) encapsulates at least a portion of the inner layer (13). The inner layer (13) is formed by low-pressure molding, and the outer layer (14) is formed by high-pressure molding. The inner layer (13) and the outer layer (14) are formed of the same or different plastic materials. Preferably, the inner layer (13) and the outer layer (14) are formed of different polymeric materials. More preferably, the inner layer (13) is formed of polyamide and the outer layer is formed of glass fiber reinforced polymer. Most preferably, the inner layer (13) is formed of Macromelt 6839S and the outer layer (14) is formed of BFG30-BN00B 2. The outer layer (14) is configured to form an airtight seal between the fluid chambers (3, 4) when the assembly (10) is located at the junction. In one embodiment, the outer layer (14) includes at least one gasket (15) in the form of a rubber seal. When the assembly (10) is located at the junction, the gasket is in contact with the junction, thereby forming an airtight seal between the fluid chambers (3, 4).

In one embodiment, the outer layer (14) is snap-bonded to at least one of the chambers (3, 4). Alternatively, the outer layer (14) is removably secured to the at least one chamber (3, 4) by any other conventional means, such as mechanical fasteners, adhesives, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical device (1) is a sensor for detecting a gearbox parameter (e.g. temperature, vibration, etc.) such as a vehicle gearbox.

Since the outer layer (14) is formed by high pressure molding, the outer layer (14) forms a hard cover layer on the inner layer (13), thereby protecting the inner layer (13) and the flexible printed circuit (11) enclosed therein from any external damage caused by fluid, heat, vibration, etc. in the chambers (3, 4). On the other hand, since the inner layer (13) is formed by low pressure molding, the inner layer (13) serves as a buffer layer between the outer layer (14) and the flexible printed circuit (11), so that the flexible printed circuit (11) is protected from any stress and/or vibration during high pressure molding of the outer layer (14). Furthermore, the outer layer (14) forms an airtight seal between the chambers (3, 4) preventing fluid from moving between the chambers (3, 4) protecting the fluid from contamination, while allowing the flexible printed circuit to extend between the two chambers, which in turn facilitates accurate operation of the electrical device (1).

Although the invention is described as being used to protect the flexible printed circuit (11), it should be understood that the invention may also be used to protect any electronic component, including but not limited to rigid printed circuits, i.e., printed circuit boards, flat cables, and any other conventional electrical connector.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and "including," are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The method steps, flows, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. The use of "at least" or "at least one" means that one or more elements are used, as one or more desired objects or results may be achieved in one of the embodiments.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly (10) for an electrical device (1) comprises

a) An electrical connector connected to the electrical device (1), the electrical device (1) extending between a first fluid chamber (3) and a second fluid chamber (4), through a junction between the first and second fluid chambers (3, 4), wherein the first and second fluid chambers (3, 4) contain fluid; a kind of electronic device with high-pressure air-conditioning system

b) A housing (12) located at the junction and at least partially surrounding the electrical connector, characterized in that: the housing (12) comprises:

i. an inner layer (13) formed by low pressure molding and encapsulating at least a portion of the electrical connector;

an outer layer (14) formed by high pressure molding and encapsulation of the inner layer (13), wherein the outer layer (14) is configured to form an airtight seal between the fluid chambers (3, 4) when the electrical connector assembly (10) is located at the junction.

2. The electrical connector assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein: the outer layer (14) comprises at least one pad (15), the pad (15) contacting the joint when the electrical connector assembly (10) is located at the joint.

3. The electrical connector assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein: the outer layer (14) is snap-bonded to at least one of the first and second fluid chambers (3, 4).

4. The electrical connector assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein: the electrical device (1) is a sensor for detecting a parameter of the gearbox.

5. The electrical connector assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the inner layer (13) and the outer layer (14) is formed of a plastic material.

6. The electrical connector assembly (10) of claim 5, wherein: the plastic material is at least one of polyamide and glass fiber reinforced polymer.

7. The electrical connector assembly (10) of claim 5, wherein: the inner layer (13) is formed of Macromelt 6839S and the outer layer (14) is formed of BFG30-BN00B 2.

8. The electrical connector assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein: the electrical connector is at least one of a flexible printed circuit (11), a rigid printed circuit, and a flat cable.