GB1168621A - Improvements in or relating to Assemblies of Electric Components. - Google Patents

Abstract

1168621 Casings for electrical apparatus SMITHS INDUSTRIES Ltd 16 Nov 1966 [19 Aug 1965 11 Jan 1966] 35718/65 and 1308/66 Heading G1Q [Also in Division H2] In an assembly of electric components, including measuring instruments such as meters and other components such as switches, the components are mounted on a support structure, Fig.1, and each component is connected in a required circuit by way of a plug-and-socket connection of which one part is carried by the component and the other by the support structure. As fascia panel, Fig.12, covers the components and has a window 58 for viewing the instruments and/or apertures 62, 70 &c. through which control elements (e.g. switch levers) project. The fascia panel is detachably secured to the support panel, to allow for ready replacement of individual components by removing the panel and unplugging the component. The assembly is designed for mounting in a motor vehicle. The support structure takes the form of an open-fronted box viewed through the open front in Fig.1. The back board of this box constitutes the effective support and is fitted with sockets 15, 16, 17 &c. for receiving plugs on the components. The top, bottom and sides of the box terminate at their free ends in a continuous flage 13 to which the fascia panel of Fig.12 is detachably secured after the components (not shown) have been plugged in. Indicating instruments plugged into those sockets 15, 16, 17 lying between the two partitions 81 are covered by a common transparent panel (not shown) which clips into slots 80 in these partitions. The window 58 in the fascia panel of Fig.12 is merely an aperture the border of which frames and assists to retain the clipped-in transparent panel beneath it. Mounted on the back board of the Fig.1 structure is the electric wiring (not shown) which may be in the form of printed circuitry. The instruments and the printed circuit board or sheet are both provided with plug elements which fit into the sockets in the back board. In one form the sockets are in linked pairs consisting of a socket for an instrument joined to a socket for a circuit board contact. In another form each single socket is designed to receive two plug elements, one on an instrument and one on the circuit board. The plug and socket constructions are depicted in Figs.17 and 18 (see Division H2)