WO1996038888A1 - Dispositif de protection contre les decharges d'electricite statique - Google Patents

Dispositif de protection contre les decharges d'electricite statique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996038888A1
WO1996038888A1 PCT/US1996/007591 US9607591W WO9638888A1 WO 1996038888 A1 WO1996038888 A1 WO 1996038888A1 US 9607591 W US9607591 W US 9607591W WO 9638888 A1 WO9638888 A1 WO 9638888A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
connector
protection device
discharge protection
electrostatic discharge
receptor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1996/007591
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David V. Cronin
Original Assignee
Polaroid Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Polaroid Corporation filed Critical Polaroid Corporation
Publication of WO1996038888A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996038888A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/6485—Electrostatic discharge protection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to electrostatic discharge protection devices. More particularly, the invention relates to electrostatic discharge protection devices for connector-receptor assemblies where the electrostatic discharge protection device connects conductors in the connector so they are grounded or maintained at the same electrical potential to inhibit electrostatic charge accumulation when the connector is not mounted on the receptor. The electrostatic discharge protection device then disconnects the ground connection upon operative combination of the connector on the receptor.
  • Electrostatic charge is a stationary electric charge which accumulates on various surfaces.
  • An electrostatic discharge occurs when the electrostatic charge becomes substantial enough to overcome a dielectric material between the charge and another surface of lower electrical potential.
  • An example of such a discharge as naturally occurring is lightning.
  • Electrostatic discharge in the realm of electronics can be devastating to microelectronic devices.
  • a sharp voltage spike caused by an electrostatic discharge can cause permanent and costly damage to semiconductor devices.
  • an electrostatic discharge protection device for use with a connector-receptor assembly which is adapted to be joined to form an electrical connection therebetween.
  • the connector has a shell with a plurality of apertures where each aperture corresponds to a conductive ferrule, the receptor having a base from which conductive pins extend such that the conductive pins are disposed in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other for insertion into the conductive ferrule, thus electrically joining the connector and receptor.
  • the electrostatic discharge protection device comprises a grounding device disposed on the shell of the connector having an operative position and an inoperative position.
  • the electrostatic discharge protection device is in the operative position when the connector is detached from the second complimentary member at which time the electrostatic discharge protection device establishes a shunt between each conductive ferrule thus placing each conductive ferrule at a substantially equivalent electrical potential.
  • the inoperative position is achieved when the connector is joined with the receptor and the shunt is interrupted. Interrupting the shunt then allows each conductive ferrule to become substantially electrically isolated.
  • the invention provides methods in accord with the apparatus described above.
  • the aforementioned and other aspects of the invention are evident in the drawings and in the description that follows. Brief Description of the Drawings
  • Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of an electrostatic discharge protection device of this invention disposed between a connector-receptor assembly having a linear conductor arrangement;
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the electrostatic discharge protection device shown in Figure 1 mated to the connector shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the electrostatic discharge protection device assembly as shown in Figure 2 mated to a printed circuit.
  • Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an electrostatic discharge protection device of this invention.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of the electrostatic discharge protection device shown in Figure 4 attached to a connector.
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of the electrostatic discharge protection device assembly as shown in Figure 5 mated to a printed circuit board.
  • Figure 7 shows an exploded perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of an electrostatic discharge protection device of this invention.
  • Figure 7A is an alternative embodiment of the electrostatic discharge protection device shown in Figure 7.
  • Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the electros? ":ic discharge protection device shown in either Figure 7 or Figure 7 A mated to a connector.
  • Figure 9 is a perspective view of the electrostatic discharge protection device assembly shown in Figure 8 mated to a printed circuit board.
  • Figure 10 shows an exploded perspective view of an electrostatic discharge protection device for use with a connector having two or more open wire terminals.
  • FIG 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an anchoring portion of the electrostatic discharge protection device which holds the electrostatic discharge protection device of Figure 10.
  • Figure 12A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an anchoring portion of the electrostatic discharge protection device which holds an electrostatic discharge protection device of having fully populated wire terminals.
  • Figure 12B shows a side view of the electrostatic discharge protection device of Figure 12 A mated to a connector.
  • Figure 13 shows a side view of an electrostatic discharge protection device mated to a connector in an operative position.
  • Figure 14 shows the electrostatic discharge protection device of Figure 12 in an inoperative position.
  • a connector 10 for use with a mating receptor 20 which connects one or more wires 12 such that electrical communication with pins 24 can be established.
  • the wires 12 pass into the connector 10 and electrically connect to a ferrule 14 for each of the wires 12.
  • the ferrule 14 has extending therefrom a retention bar 18 which projects outward into an aperture 16, thus holding the ferrule 14 and the wires 12 in a secured fixed position within the connector 10.
  • the receptor 20 is usually bonded to a circuit board 22, and is used to interconnect wiring thereto.
  • An electrostatic discharge protection device 30 is shown which wraps around the connector 10 with an interference fit such that the electrostatic discharge protection device 30 is securely held in position relative to the connector 10.
  • the electrostatic discharge protection device 30 has shorting arms 32 extending downward therefrom with one shorting arm 32 corresponding to each of the wires 12.
  • a grounding extension 34 protrudes inward from the shorting arm 32 so as to pass through the aperture 16 and to physically contact the ferrule 14 or the extension bar 18 extending therefrom.
  • the contact of the grounding extension 34 with the ferrule 14 ensures that the wires 12 are shorted until they are secured to the mating receptor 20.
  • a wedge 36 on a bottom portion of the shorting arm 32 rides on an outer lateral surface of the receptor drawing the grounding extension 34 out of the aperture 16 breaking physical contact with the ferrule 14 and thus disengaging the grounding connection with the ferrule 14.
  • the shorting arm 32 is designed such that the wedge 36 has a length less than a height of the lateral surface of the receptor 20 such that physical contact with the circuit board 22 is avoided.
  • an adhesive (not shown) can be placed on an inner lateral surface of the electrostatic discharge protection device 30.
  • the connector 10, as illustrated, is of a type known in the industry as a MOLEX connector which is a trademark of MOLEX Incorporated. This connector is a form of the illustrated embodiment and will be used as an example for all electrostatic discharge protection devices described herein.
  • the MOLEX connector should be considered illustrative and not restrictive in that any connector receptor assembly having a substantially linear conductor arrangement such as the aperture 16 shown in the MOLEX connector can also be used with any of the electrostatic discharge protection devices described herein.
  • the shorting arms 32 of the electrostatic discharge protection device 30 are yieldably biased by any means well known in the art such as a built-in resilient spring bias.
  • the resilient spring bias urges the grounding extensions 34 of the shorting arms 32 against the ferrule 14.
  • the shorting arm that is actually connected to the ground has a higher resistance than the other shorting arms. This is done so that electrostatic discharge, if present, drains slowly to ground, thus preventing high speed, harmful induced internal transient currents. This is accomplished in the preferred embodiment by application of a resistive layer (e.g. carbon-loaded polymer) to a connecting surface of the ground spring arm.
  • a resistive layer e.g. carbon-loaded polymer
  • FIG. 4-6 where like numbers designate previously described embodiment, there is shown a second embodiment of an electrostatic discharge protection device 50 for use with a connector 10'. In contrast to the first embodiment of the electrostatic discharge protection device 30, this electrostatic discharge protection device 50 is more amenable to more than two electrical connections to the electrostatic discharge protection device 50.
  • the electrostatic discharge protection device 50 has a base section 51 which is secured to a lateral surface of the connector 10' and a plurality of shorting arms 52 extending outward therefrom.
  • the plurality of shorting arms extend outwardly in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other, and in spaced apart alignment with respect to the plurality of apertures 16 '.
  • Each of the plurality of shorting arms have a first portion which is integral with the base section 51 and extend outwardly from the base section in an integral connection to a respective distal end portion.
  • the shorting arms 52 are yieldably biased by means well known in the art such as built-in resilience spring bias so as to urge the respective surfaces against the plurality of ferrules 14' thereby creating an electrical interconnection between the plurality of shorting arms 52 and the plurality of ferrules 14'. In this manner the shorting of all or some of the plurality of ferrules 14' is accomplished so as to effectively protect the connector 10' from electrostatic discharge which could operate to damage electrical circuitry attached thereto.
  • the shorting arm 52 is bent to form a grounding extension 54 which extends through the aperture 16' to contact the ferrule 14'.
  • a bridge section 56 has a length slightly greater than a length extending from a bottom portion of the aperture 16' to a bottom portion of the connector 10', thereby allowing the grounding extension 54 to be biased inward into contact with the ferrule 14' without physical resistance from the connector 10'.
  • a wedge 58 is bent into the shorting arm 52 so as to contact the receptor 20' when the connector 10' is moved into operative connection with the receptor 20'.
  • the wedge 58 rides on the receptor 20' forcing the grounding extension 54 out of electrical contact with the ferrule 14' moving the electrostatic discharge protection device 50 into an inoperative position, disengaging grounding connection between the wires 12'.
  • this electrostatic discharge protection device 60 for use with a MOLEX-type connector 10'.
  • this electrostatic discharge protection device 60 has multiple grounding extensions 72 connecting from a single shorting arm 64.
  • This unitary electrostatic discharge protection device 70 comprises a base section 62 which is secured to a lateral surface of the connector 10' as was previously described. Shorting arms 64 bend outwardly from the base section 62 in spaced apart relationship with respect to each other and in spaced apart alignment with respect to the plurality of apertures 16'.
  • the illustrated embodiment shows the electrostatic discharge protection device 60 for use with a MOLEX connector 10' having four wires 12'.
  • a two wire connector 10 such as that shown in Figures 1-3 or such as that subsequently shown in later figures can also be used with this embodiment by simply centering a single shorting arm 64.
  • Each of the shorting arms 64 have a first portion which is integral to the base section 62 and extends outwardly from the base section 62 in an integral connection to a respective one of the distal end portions.
  • the shorting arms 64 are yieldably biased by means well known in the art such as built-in resilient spring bias so as to urge their respective surfaces against the MOLEX connector thereby creating an electrical interconnection between the plurality of shorting arms 64.
  • the shorting arms 64 of this embodiment are designed so as to connect multiple ferrules 14' from a single shorting arm 64. This is accomplished by extending outwardly from planar surface of the shorting arm 64 a grounding extension 72 similar to that described in the first embodiment.
  • the shorting arm 64 as illustrated there are two ground extensions 72 extending outwardly from the shorting arm 64 and are spaced apart so as to pass through a neighboring apertures 16'.
  • the shorting arm 64' can use one or more wedges 70 to draw the grounding extension 72 out of electrical contact with the ferrules 14'.
  • One centered wedge centered upon the shorting arm 64 or two wedges 70 as shown in the illustrated embodiment can be used to accomplish this task.
  • twisting compliance points 68 are built into the shorting arms 64.
  • the twisting compliant points 68 are points in the shorting arm 64 which allow rotational motion of the shorting arm such that the internal resilient bias of the shorting arm 64 will force both of the grounding extensions 72 into physical contact with the ferrules 14' even when the ferrules 14' are misaligned and are not completely parallel.
  • connecting the connector 10' to the receptor 20' causes the wedges 74 to ride up on the receptor 20' causing a withdrawal of the grounding extension 72 from the ferrules 14' placing the electrostatic discharge protection device 60 in an inoperative position.
  • FIG. 7A shows an alternative embodiment of the electrostatic discharge protection device 60 wherein the electrostatic discharge protection device 80 is manufactured in multiple pieces.
  • the base section 82 and the shorting arms 84 with their twisting compliant points 86 are stamped from a single sheet of metal.
  • a separate grounding piece 88 is stamped of a similar conductive metal and is bent so as to form grounding extensions 92 and wedges 94.
  • the grounding piece 88 has its back surface 90 bonded to the shorting arms 84 to form an electrostatic discharge protection device 80 which operates similarly to that previously described in the third embodiment.
  • the base section 82 has a higher inherent electrical resistance than the grounding piece 88. As previously described, this is done so that elecfrostatic charge, if present, drains slowly to ground, thus preventing high speed, harmful induced internal transient currents.
  • an electrostatic discharge protection device 100 with a shorting arm 66' similar to that of the previous embodiment having multiple grounding extensions 72' and multiple wedges 70' with a twisting compliance point 68' centered on the elecfrostatic discharge protection device 100.
  • This elecfrostatic discharge protection device 100 is particularly useful with connectors 10' having more wire terminals 106 than wires 12'.
  • Such a connector 10' has wire terminals 106 available for the electrostatic discharge protection device 100 to connect thereto.
  • the electrostatic discharge protection device 100 has a resilient shorting arm 66' which extends outwardly from a base section 102.
  • the base section is elongated longitudinally along the connector 10'.
  • Resilient securing arms 104 integral with the base are pushed down into the wire terminals 106 such that the resilient securing arms 104 compress within the wire terminals 106.
  • the bias of the resilient securing arms 104 urges an edge of the resilient securing arms 104 outwardly against a lateral surface of the wire terminals 106
  • Figure 11 shows an alternative shorting arm 110 to that shown in Figure 10.
  • the securing arm 110 extends from an integral base 111 but has a triangular shape which allows the securing arm 112 to apply a securing force to two lateral surfaces of the wire terminal 106.
  • An additional feature of this electrostatic discharge protection device is that the bias of the securing arm 112 forces the electrostatic discharge protection device 110 toward the connector 10' forcing the base 111 into tight contact with the connector 10', thus adding additional securing force to the elecfrostatic discharge protection device 110.
  • FIGS 12A and 12B show an alternative securing structure that does not require open wire terminals.
  • an electrostatic discharge protection device 140 with a shorting arms 52 operating in a similar manner to those previously described.
  • the electrostatic discharge protection device 140 has a resilient shorting arm 52' which extends outwardly from a base section 132.
  • the base section is elongated longitudinally along the connector 10'.
  • the base section 132 extends over a top of the connector 10'.
  • the wires 12' pass through holes 138 in the base section 132.
  • gripping arms 140 Opposite the shorting arms 52' are gripping arms 140 which extend down from the base section 131 with an interference fit over the connector 10'.
  • securing arms 142 having a substantially shape project down from the base 132.
  • the securing arms 142 are vertically aligned with wire terminals 134 to fit into the wire terminals 134 next to the wires 12'.
  • the securing arms is resiliently biased to push against the wire 12' and a lateral surface of the wire terminal 134 thus securing the electrostatic discharge protection device 140 in place.
  • FIG. 13 and 14 another embodiment of the electrostatic discharge protection device 120 is shown in combination with a connector 10 and a receptor 20 on a circuit board 22.
  • the electrostatic discharge protection device 120 has a base section 122 which wraps around a lateral surface of the connector 10.
  • a base section 122 which wraps around a lateral surface of the connector 10.
  • a shorting arm 123 extends down from the base 122.
  • Each shorting arm 123 has a grounding extension 124 for contacting the ferrule 14 of the connector similar to that described in Figure 4-7.
  • the shorting arm 123 continues downward past a bottom surface of the connector for a distance greater than a height of the receptor 20.
  • the shorting arm 123 is then folded back at a distal end portion 126 to form a blunt contact point with the circuit board 22.
  • the grounding extension 124 makes electrical contact with the ferrule 14 through the aperture 16 thereby electrically connecting all of the selected wires 12.
  • the distal end portion 126 of the shorting arm 123 makes contact with the circuit board 22. This contact occurs when the connector is approximately 0.25 millimeters from complete insertion. Pushing the connector 10 farther onto the receptor 20 causes the shorting arm 123 to bow outward away from the lateral surface of the connector. As the shorting arm 123 bows, the grounding extension 124 is withdrawn from the aperture 16 away from mechanical contact with the ferrule 14, thus breaking the electrical connection among the wires 12.
  • the amplification is approximately 10: 1 meaning that designing the shorting arm to a length of the height of the receptor 20 plus 0.25 millimeters would, upon insertion of the connector 10 on the receptor 20, cause withdrawal of the grounding extension 124 by approximately 2.5 millimeters.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Elimination Of Static Electricity (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention se rapporte à une pluralité de dispositifs de protection contre les décharges d'électricité statique, qui sont destinés à être utilisés avec un ensemble connecteur-élément récepteur dont les conducteurs sont accessibles depuis l'extérieur. Ce type de dispositif se retire automatiquement de façon à ne plus être en contact électrique avec les conducteurs lors de l'insertion du connecteur dans l'élément récepteur.
PCT/US1996/007591 1995-05-31 1996-05-24 Dispositif de protection contre les decharges d'electricite statique WO1996038888A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US45496395A 1995-05-31 1995-05-31
US08/454,963 1995-05-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996038888A1 true WO1996038888A1 (fr) 1996-12-05

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PCT/US1996/007591 WO1996038888A1 (fr) 1995-05-31 1996-05-24 Dispositif de protection contre les decharges d'electricite statique

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999001912A1 (fr) * 1997-07-05 1999-01-14 Polaroid Corporation Dispositif de protection contre les decharges electrostatiques
EP0924808A1 (fr) * 1997-12-15 1999-06-23 Molex Incorporated Assemblage de connecteur électrique blindé avec système de mise à la terre
FR2777119A1 (fr) * 1998-04-07 1999-10-08 Peugeot Dispositif d'allumage pyrotechnique utilise notamment pour le declenchement d'un sac gonflable de protection d'un occupant d'un vehicule automobile
GB2359941A (en) * 2000-03-02 2001-09-05 Yazaki Corp Connector with arc discharge terminal

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3308492A1 (de) * 1983-03-10 1984-09-20 Preh, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh Nachf. Gmbh & Co, 8740 Bad Neustadt Mehrpolige steckverbindung
EP0286532A2 (fr) * 1987-04-07 1988-10-12 Daiichi Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Connecteur modulaire
US4971586A (en) * 1989-06-30 1990-11-20 Walsh Kevin M Small-sized self-propelled watercraft
US5064388A (en) * 1989-09-19 1991-11-12 Bull S.A. Shielding chassis for protecting an electrical circuit inside said chassis against the effects of electromagnetic radiation

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3308492A1 (de) * 1983-03-10 1984-09-20 Preh, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh Nachf. Gmbh & Co, 8740 Bad Neustadt Mehrpolige steckverbindung
EP0286532A2 (fr) * 1987-04-07 1988-10-12 Daiichi Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Connecteur modulaire
US4971586A (en) * 1989-06-30 1990-11-20 Walsh Kevin M Small-sized self-propelled watercraft
US5064388A (en) * 1989-09-19 1991-11-12 Bull S.A. Shielding chassis for protecting an electrical circuit inside said chassis against the effects of electromagnetic radiation

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999001912A1 (fr) * 1997-07-05 1999-01-14 Polaroid Corporation Dispositif de protection contre les decharges electrostatiques
US5963415A (en) * 1997-07-05 1999-10-05 Polaroid Corporation Electrostatic discharge protection device
EP0924808A1 (fr) * 1997-12-15 1999-06-23 Molex Incorporated Assemblage de connecteur électrique blindé avec système de mise à la terre
FR2777119A1 (fr) * 1998-04-07 1999-10-08 Peugeot Dispositif d'allumage pyrotechnique utilise notamment pour le declenchement d'un sac gonflable de protection d'un occupant d'un vehicule automobile
EP0952636A1 (fr) * 1998-04-07 1999-10-27 Automobiles Peugeot Dispositif d'allumage pyrotechnique utilisé notamment pour le déclenchement d'un sac gonflable de protection d'un occupant d'un véhicule automobile
GB2359941A (en) * 2000-03-02 2001-09-05 Yazaki Corp Connector with arc discharge terminal
GB2359941B (en) * 2000-03-02 2002-04-10 Yazaki Corp Connector
US6478593B2 (en) 2000-03-02 2002-11-12 Yazaki Corporation Connecting terminal
DE10110090C2 (de) * 2000-03-02 2003-05-15 Yazaki Corp Verbindungsanschluss

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