WO2014033581A1

WO2014033581A1 - Electronic interface

Info

Publication number: WO2014033581A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/056634
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Reinhardt; Frank Flittner
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
Current assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2012-08-30
Filing date: 2013-08-14
Publication date: 2014-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2015-02-28
Also published as: DE102012215377B4; US20150171563A1; DE102012215377A1; US9553411B2

Description

Electronic interface The invention relates to an electronic interface, in

particular a USB interface, preferably a mini-USB or micro- USB interface for the automotive sector. The invention further relates to a printed circuit board, in particular a USB card, or a prefabricated electronic cable, in particular for the automotive sector. In this instance, the invention relates to physical electronic interfaces and not to

interfaces which are electronic per se.

There are known in electrical engineering and electronics a large number of electronic connections which are used to transmit electrical signals or voltages and optionally electrical currents with the largest possible range of voltages, data rates or frequencies and optionally electrical currents. In particular in the automotive sector, electronic interfaces for such connections must permanently ensure correct transmission of electronic signals or data and optionally electrical power with significant temperature loading in a passenger compartment with a large number of insertion cycles. A large number of such interfaces is known owing to a large range of applications for connections.

Such electronic interfaces can be fitted to an electronic cable or to/in an electronic device, generally a printed circuit board or a card, of an electrical, electronic or electro-optical device. If the interface is located on a cable, it is usually referred to as a (floating) plug type and/or socket connector, or a connector or a coupling; if the interface is located on/in an electronic device of an apparatus, it is usually referred to as a flush type contact device or a flush type socket, also referred to as a header. Preferred interfaces are interfaces for USB connections (USB: Universal Serial Bus) ; accordingly, reference is made to USB connectors, for example, the increasingly popular mini-USB or micro-USB connectors or interfaces. Furthermore, other

interfaces such as, for example, DVI, SDI, DisplayPort, etcetera, are naturally known. Attempts are permanently being made to improve those

interfaces or connectors, with electromagnetic shielding of the interface being of great significance. For example, mini- USB and micro-USB interfaces have a greater dimension in at least one transverse direction than an interface region of the same interface in the same transverse direction owing to an increase in the spacings between the contact elements in a base region. In the prior art, this results in two-part shielding. In the prior art, there are also known shieldings which are connected at one side between the base region and the interface region. In both cases, a significant empty space, generally a slot, of approximately 270° in a

peripheral direction exists between the base region and the interface region of the shielding, which has a negative effect on shielding quality and consequently a negative effect on a data transmission rate of the interface.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved

electronic interface, in particular an improved USB interface, and accordingly an improved printed circuit board and/or an improved prefabricated electronic cable, in particular for the automotive sector. In this instance, a shielding quality of an interface having different dimensions in a base region and interface region is intended to be improved. In particular, a slot which extends comparatively far in a peripheral direction in an electromagnetic shielding of the interface is intended to be avoided according to the

invention. A contact assembly is further intended to be readily able to be assembled within the interface or the shielding. The interface is further intended to be cost- effective and simple to assemble.

The object of the invention is achieved by means of an electronic interface, in particular a USB interface,

preferably a mini-USB or micro-USB interface for the

automotive sector, according to claim 1; and by means of a printed circuit board, in particular a USB card, or a prefabricated electronic cable, in particular for the automotive sector, according to claim 10. Advantageous developments, additional features and/or advantages of the invention will be appreciated from the dependent claims and the following description. The electronic interface according to the invention has an electromagnetic shielding which has two shielding portions which are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the interface and which have different widths in a transverse direction of the interface, the two shielding portions being able to be brought into a preferably

electrically conductive connection at least at two sides of the interface and/or being connected to each other in a preferably electrically conductive manner. The interface according to the invention can be fitted, for example, to/in a printed circuit board of an electronic card or a

prefabricated electronic cable. The printed circuit board or the card may be a portion of an electrical, electronic or electro-optical device, apparatus or an installation. The devices or apparatuses of the shielding responsible for the electrically conductive connections preferably cover a comparatively large peripheral portion in a peripheral direction of the interface. Thus, the preferably electrically conductive connections can also be provided, for example, in a state constructed in a comparatively wide manner on the comparatively wide side walls of the shielding. To this end, the widest possible material portions of the shielding are preferably used. Slots can be provided between the shielding portions at the comparatively narrow side walls. It is naturally possible to provide connections according to the invention, preferably electrically conductive connections, on those side walls, that is to say, corresponding material portions.

The interface may have, inside the shielding, a contact assembly which is mounted therein and which has a contact receiving member and a contact carrier. The contact carrier has at the front contact springs or contact plates and the rear connection pins of the interface, for example, for a printed circuit board, which connection pins are preferably integrally connected thereto. In place of connection pins, it is also possible to provide other electrical connection devices which ensure, for example, electrical contacting with respect to the electronic cable. The contact receiving member serves to support the comparatively long, free end portions of the contact springs or contact plates and to guide them during use of the interface. In place of contact springs or contact plates, it is naturally also possible to use other contact devices such as, for example, strip conductors, contact pads or the like. In an embodiment of the invention, a first shielding portion of the interface may be in the form of an interface shielding portion and a second shielding portion of the interface may be in the form of a base shielding portion. In this instance, the base shielding portion is preferably constructed so as to be wider in at least one transverse direction of the

interface than the interface shielding portion in the same transverse direction. The interface shielding portion serves to electrically and mechanically contact the interface with a mating connector and the base shielding portion serves to electrically and mechanically connect the interface to a substrate, in particular the printed circuit board, the card or a connector, in particular a plug type connector. In preferred embodiments of the invention, a first

electrically conductive connection is established between the two shielding portions by means of a non-releasable

electrical connection. In this instance, the first

electrically conductive connection can be produced by means of a monolithic, integral, one-piece or materially integral connection between the two shielding portions. In preferred embodiments of the invention, a second, in particular

electrically conductive, connection can further be and/or is established between the two shielding portions by means of a releasable or conditionally releasable connection. In this instance, the second electrically conductive connection may be able to be produced and/or is produced between the two shielding portions by means of an electrical contact, resilient or clamping type contacting system. However, welding, soldering or press-in connections, etcetera, can also be used for this purpose, optionally in an additional manner . The interface may be constructed in such a manner that a second electrically conductive connection can be produced and/or is produced between a side wall of the first shielding portion, in particular the interface shielding portion, and a projection or a lug of the second shielding portion, in particular the base shielding portion. The projection or lug of one shielding portion may be able to be bent or may be bent towards the second shielding portion. In this instance, a rim of the projection or the lug may be able to adjoin or may adjoin the side wall of the shielding portion externally or an edge or a lateral face of the projection or the lug may be able to adjoin and/or may adjoin a rim of the side wall of the shielding portion. For assembly of a contact assembly inside the shielding, the shielding may have a stop, in particular a front-end stop of a wall of the first shielding portion, by means of which stop an excessively extensive forward movement of the contact assembly into the shielding can be prevented and/or is prevented. Furthermore, for assembly of a contact assembly inside the shielding, the projection or lug may have a catch device, preferably a catch projection, and the contact assembly may also have a catch device, in particular a catch projection and/or a catch recess, by means of which movement of the contact assembly backwards out of the shielding can be prevented and/or is prevented.

In all the embodiments of the invention, the shielding may have shielding portions of different widths in two mutually perpendicular transverse directions of the interface, optionally in portions. Furthermore, the two shielding portions may be spaced apart from each other in a

longitudinal direction by means of a slot, the slot preferably extending only partially, that is to say, in a comparatively short manner, in a peripheral direction of the interface. Furthermore, the shielding portion which is narrower in at least one transverse direction may be arranged mainly centrally, that is to say, centrally in at least one position coordinate, with respect to the other shielding portion. Furthermore, the projection or lug may be in the form of a resilient projection or a resilient lug and/or in the form of a clamping projection or a clamping lug.

The side wall of the shielding portion for the projection or the lug may have a recess, in particular a through-recess, which is formed in a substantially complementary manner thereto, it being possible for the projection or lug to be bent into the recess of the side wall. The interface has substantially four sides or side walls, two mutually opposing sides or side walls extending parallel with each other at least in portions. Furthermore, at least one portion of a side or side wall, in particular a narrow side or side wall, of a shielding portion may be aligned with the relevant portion of the other shielding portion in relation to an insertion face of the interface. Furthermore, the catch device, preferably the catch projection, of the projection or the lug may serve to electrically contact the two shielding portions.

In order to encode the interface - that is to say, in order to connect it to a counter-interface, for example, a mating connector, so as to ensure correct polarity - at least one side or side wall, in particular at least a narrow side or side wall of the interface has a curved portion or a

projection. In order to encode the interface, at least one side or side wall, in particular at least one narrow side or side wall of the interface, further may not open at a side or side wall which directly bounds it at a right angle.

In order to close the interface in a mechanically stable or robust manner in a peripheral direction, the shielding may be closed or securely closed by means of a positive-locking, non-positive-locking and/or materially engaging connection, in particular by means of a dovetail type connection. In this instance, a respective shielding portion may be closed in a peripheral direction by means of a positive-locking, non- positive-locking and/or materially engaging connection, in particular by means of a dovetail type connection. It is preferable for the positive-locking, non-positive-locking and/or materially engaging connections, in particular two dovetail type connections, of the two shielding portions to be constructed in a state offset relative to each other in a peripheral direction.

According to the invention, a substantially improved

electromagnetic shielding quality results in comparison with the prior art, which has a significant effect on the maximum data transmission rate which can be achieved. In comparison with the prior art, the number of components for a ready-to- use interface remains at least equal. Furthermore, a simple assembly of the contact assembly inside the interface or the shielding is brought about. In this instance, the contact assembly is fixed in the shielding in such a manner that it is possible to assemble the complete interface, for example, on a USB card or a printed circuit board without additionally retaining the contact assembly or acting on it with a force. The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to embodiments and the appended drawings. In the Figures of the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective side view of one embodiment of a mini-USB interface according to the invention comprising an electromagnetic shielding and a contact assembly;

Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 of the interface from Figure 1, but from an opposing side;

Figure 3 is a lateral cross-section of a detail of the interface from Figure 2 in the region of a connection according to the invention between a base and an interface shielding portion of the shielding;

Figure 4 is a two-dimensional illustration of a punching blank of the shielding of the interface from Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a three-dimensional illustration obliquely from above of an assembly step of a contact carrier in a contact receiving member for the contact assembly of the interface; Figure 6 is a three-dimensional illustration of the contact assembly rotated through +90° in relation to Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view obliquely from above of an assembly step of the contact assembly in the shielding for a complete interface; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the complete interface similar to Figure 7 but in a state sectioned centrally in a longitudinal direction.

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to an embodiment of an electronic or electrical interface 1 (see Figures 1, 2, 8) . In this instance, the interface 1 is in the form of a USB interface 1, in

particular a mini-USB or micro-USB interface 1. Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiment illustrated but may in principle be applied to all interfaces. Thus, for example, it is possible to apply the invention to any

connection devices. Thus, for example, the invention may be used in a plug type device, a socket connector, a plug type connector, a (printed circuit board) pin contact strip, a (PCB) header, etcetera.

The interface 1 substantially comprises an electromagnetic shielding 2 which may also be referred to as an interface 2 or connection region 2, and a contact assembly 4. The contact assembly 4 is mounted inside the shielding 2, the contact assembly 4 preferably being retained by an engagement member inside the shielding 2. The front region of the interface 1, from which a mating connector (not illustrated in the

drawings) can be moved forwards and inwards into the

interface 1, is referred to as the insertion face 6. First, the shielding 2 of the interface 1 (see Figures 1 - 4) is explained in greater detail below, then assembly and

construction of the contact assembly 4 (see Figures 5, 6) and assembly of the contact assembly 4 in the shielding 2 for the interface 1 (see Figures 7, 8) .

The electromagnetic shielding 2 for the interface 1

substantially has two mutually distinguishable shielding portions 20, 24. Firstly, at the front, the first shielding portion 20 which is also responsible for the insertion face 6 and which is also referred to as the interface shielding portion 20. Then, at the rear, the second shielding portion 24 which is also responsible for assembly of the shielding 2 and which is also referred to as the base shielding portion 24. The two shielding portions 20, 24 are arranged so as to be located one behind the other in the longitudinal direction L of the interface 1, preferably directly one behind the other. In this instance, one or more slots 22 may exist between the shielding portions 20, 24 and extend partially in the peripheral direction U of the interface 1.

Owing to the spacings between the contact elements 412 being increased (see also Figures 5, 8) in an assembly region of the interface 1, the shielding 2 has in the base shielding portion 24 in at least one region a greater dimension in at least one transverse direction Q or width direction Q of the interface 1 than a corresponding region of the interface shielding portion 20 in the same transverse direction Q. This can be seen, for example, on the left and at the front in Figure 1 and on the right in Figure 2. This results - apart from a movable two-part shielding - in the slot 22, which extends in the peripheral direction U around at least a comparatively large peripheral region (approximately 270°), between the two shielding portions 20, 24.

In order nonetheless to achieve a shielding which is closed to an extent, the two shielding portions 20, 24 which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L are connected, in particular electrically connected, according to the invention on/in at least two regions by means of

comparatively wide devices or wide material portions of the shielding 2 and/or covered. That is to say, the slot 22 provided in this instance in a movable two-part shielding 2 is thereby closed, covered and/or partially filled with material of the shielding 2. If a cover is used, a small slot may be provided between the cover and a relevant side wall of the shielding 2 (not illustrated) . In this instance, it is preferable for the material portion and the relevant side wall to overlap. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as can be seen in Figure 1, this is carried out, on the one hand, by means of a connection 200 which is preferably in the form of an integral bridge 200 between the two shielding portions 20, 24. That is to say, as may also be seen in Figure 4, the base shielding portion 24 merges in a materially integral manner into the interface shielding portion 20 via the connection 200. That materially integral transition is a material portion 200 of the shielding 2. Within that preferably electrically

conductive connection 200, the base shielding portion 24 can taper, that is to say, it has a curve in cross-section at that location for this case (see Figures 1, 8) .

Furthermore, this is carried out, on the other hand, in the above embodiment of the invention, as can be seen in Figure 2, by means of at least a second connection 202 between the shielding portions 20, 24. That preferably electrically conductive connection 202 has an electrical contact,

resilient or clamping contacting system of the two shielding portions 20, 24. In a preferred embodiment, this is brought about as follows (see Figures 2 - 4) . The base shielding portion 24 has, at the end thereof facing the interface shielding portion 20, a projection 240 or a lug 240 which is preferably bent towards the interface shielding portion 20 or the side wall 210 thereof when a shielding 2 is bent into shape. Only a lug 240 or a shielding lug 240 is discussed below, the term projection also being intended to be included.

In this instance, that shielding lug 240 can contact the side wall 210 of the interface shielding portion 20 by means of an edge or a rim and in particular abut it with a given

resilient force (not illustrated) . It is further possible for an edge or a rim of the shielding lug 240 to abut an end of the interface shielding portion 20 facing the base shielding portion 24 (not illustrated, similar to Figure 3) . It is preferable for the interface shielding portion 20 to have, at an end portion facing the base shielding portion 24, a recess 220, in particular a through-recess 220, in which the

shielding lug 240 can be bent to form a shielding 2 when the punching blank illustrated in Figure 4 is bent into shape.

In this instance, an edge (not illustrated) or a rim (Figure 3) of a free end of the shielding lug 240 may adjoin a rim (not illustrated) or an edge (Figure 3) of the recess 220, preferably with pretensioning, whereby an electrically conductive connection 202 is brought about between the base screening portion 24 and the interface screening portion 20. The electromagnetic shielding action of the electronic interface 1 can thereby be significantly improved. In this instance, it is also conceivable to clamp the shielding lug 240 on/in the recess 220. That is to say, the shielding lug 240 may be in the form of a resilient lug 240 and/or a clamping lug 240. Naturally, a transposed arrangement - that is to say, the shielding lug 240 at the interface shielding portion 20 and the recess 220 in the base shielding portion 24 - may be used. It is preferable for the material portions 200, 202 or the electrically conductive connections 200, 202 or the shielding lug 240 and the substantially complementary recess 220 to be as wide as possible in the transverse direction Q in order to bring about good electromagnetic protection by means of the shielding 2. That is to say, those material portions 200, 202 preferably extend substantially as far as the comparatively round corner regions of the shielding 2 which partially confer on the interface 1 and the insertion face 6 thereof its external shape. The same applies to a cover (not

illustrated, see above) of the slot 22.

For additional electrical contact between the two shielding portions 20, 24 and for securing the contact assembly 4 inside the shielding 2 (see below, Figure 8), the shielding lug 240 may have a catch device 242, preferably a catch projection 242, and the interface shielding portion 20 inside the recess 220 may have a catch device 224, preferably a catch recess 224. When the shielding 2 is in the state bent to shape, the catch projection 242 then engages in the catch recess 224 which is preferably in the form of a through- recess 224. In this instance, the catch projection 242 may be constructed in such a manner that it projects inwards into the shielding 2, which may provide a securing shoulder or a securing projection or a securing spring for the contact assembly 4. Naturally, a transposed arrangement - that is to say, the catch projection 242 on the interface shielding portion 20 and the catch recess 224 in the shielding lug 240 - may be used.

Both the interface shielding portion 20 and the base

shielding portion 24 are preferably mechanically closed by means of a positive-locking and/or non-positive-locking connection 214, 244, in particular a dovetail type connection 214, 244. In this instance, the mechanical connections 214, 244 are preferably arranged in a state offset relative to each other in the peripheral direction U. The mechanical connection 214 of the interface shielding portion 20 is preferably provided centrally at one of the two largest sides of the shielding 2 in terms of surface-area. The mechanical connection 234 of the base shielding portion 24 is, however, preferably provided laterally at a corner region of the base shielding portion 24. The base shielding portion 24 may further have soldering connections 250 or connection pins 250 or connection legs 250 for a printed circuit board (not illustrated) opposite the interface shielding portion 20.

Figures 5 and 6 show an assembly of the contact assembly 4, coated contact elements 412, a so-called contact carrier 410, being moved forwards from the rear into a contact receiving member 400. In an end position, a catch device 414,

preferably a catch projection 414, of the contact carrier 410 engages on/in a catch device 404, preferably a catch recess 404, of the contact receiving member 400. The contact

elements 412 are, at the front, preferably in the form of contact springs 412 or contact plates and, at the rear, in the form of connection pins 412. The contact receiving member 400 is constructed in such a manner that the contact springs 412 are retained at the free longitudinal end portions thereof and are guided in a resilient portion in the

direction of a resilient path. Naturally, a configuration of the contact assembly 4 other than the configuration

illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 is possible.

Figures 7 and 8 show assembly of the contact assembly 4 in the shielding 2 to form the complete interface 1, the contact assembly 4 being moved forwards from the rear into the shielding 2. In this instance, the contact assembly 4 is moved into the shielding 2 until a portion of the contact assembly 4 abuts a stop 222 of the shielding 2. Since the interface shielding portion 20 in many regions is narrower than the base shielding portion 24, it is preferable for the stop 222 to be a front-end region of a wall of the interface shielding portion 20, that front-end region facing the wall of the base shielding portion 24. At a time before the contact assembly 4 reaches the stop 222, the catch device 242 of the shielding lug 240 preferably snap-fits behind a catch device 422, 423 of the contact receiving member 400. The catch device 422 is preferably in the form of a catch projection 422 and the catch device 423 which cooperates therewith is preferably in the form of a catch recess 423. It is naturally possible to use only one catch projection 422 or one catch recess 423. The catch device 422, 423 is preferably constructed in such a manner that the contact assembly 4 can be further moved forwards as far as the stop 222.

It is particularly possible not to provide the interface with contact springs 412 but instead to provide as contact

elements contact elements 412 which extend in a flat and planar manner (not illustrated) such as, for example, rectangular contact pads or strip conductors. For USB

interfaces 1, this means that the invention can be applied to UBS plug type devices or USB connectors.

List of reference numerals

1 Electronic/electrical interface (physical); connection device, plug type device, socket connector, plug type connector, USB connector, in particular mini/micro-USB connector, (printed circuit board) pin contact strip, (PCB) header (PCB: printed circuit board)

2 Electromagnetic shielding, interface, connection region 4 Contact assembly

6 Insertion face of the interface 1

20 Interface shielding portion, first ( second) /front (rear) shielding portion

22 Slot between the shielding portions 20, 24, preferably not extending completely round

24 Base shielding portion, second (first) /rear (front) shielding portion

200 Preferably electrically conductive connection between the shielding portions 20, 24, in particular integral

construction of the shielding portions 20, 24, integral bridge, material portion, device; can be replaced by

connection 202

202 Preferably electrically conductive connection between the shielding portions 20, 24, in particular electrical contact 202 of the shielding portions 20, 24, material portion, device

210 Side wall of the shielding portion 20

214 Positive-locking, non-positive-locking and/or materially engaging connection of the shielding 2, in particular dovetail type connection

220 Recess, through-recess

222 Stop, front-end stop of a wall

224 Catch device, preferably catch recess, in particular through-recess, recess for electrical contacting 240 (Resilient /clamping/shielding) Projection,

(resilient /clamping/shielding) lug of the shielding portion

24

242 Catch device, preferably catch projection, projection for electrical contacting

244 Positive-locking, non-positive-locking and/or materially engaging connection of the shielding 2, in particular dovetail type connection

250 Soldering connection, connection pin, connection leg 400 Contact receiving member

404 Catch device, preferably catch recess

410 Contact carrier

412 Contact element; contact spring/plate (at front), connection pin (at rear)

414 Catch device, preferably catch projection

422 Catch device, preferably catch projection

423 Catch device, preferably catch recess

L longitudinal direction of the interface 1

Q Transverse direction, width direction, radial direction of the interface 1

U Peripheral direction of the interface 1

Claims

1. Electronic interface, in particular a USB interface, preferably a mini-USB or micro-USB interface (1) for the automotive sector, having:

an electromagnetic shielding (2) which has two shielding portions (20, 24) which are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction (L) of the interface (1) and which have different widths in a transverse direction (Q) of the interface (1), characterised in that

the two shielding portions (20, 24) are in an electrically conductive connection (200, 202) with respect to each other at least at two sides of the interface (1) .

2. Electronic interface according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the devices (200, 202) responsible for the electrically conductive connections (200, 202) cover a comparatively large peripheral portion in a peripheral direction (U) of the interface (1) .

3. Electronic interface according to either of the preceding claims, characterised in that a first shielding portion (20, 24) is in the form of an interface shielding portion (20) and a second shielding portion (24, 20) is in the form of a base shielding portion (24) of the interface (1),

the base shielding portion (24) preferably being constructed so as to be wider in at least one transverse direction (Q) of the interface (1) than the interface shielding portion (20) in the same transverse direction (Q) .

4. Electronic interface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a first electrically conductive connection (200) is established between the two shielding portions (20, 24) by means of a non-releasable electrical connection and/or

a second electrically conductive connection (200) is

established between the two shielding portions (20, 24) by means of a releasable or conditionally releasable electrical connection .

5. Electronic interface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first electrically

conductive connection (200) is produced by means of an

integral or one-piece connection between the two shielding portions (20, 24) and/or

a second electrically conductive connection (200) is produced by means of an electrical contact, resilient or clamping type contacting system between the two shielding portions (20, 24) .

6. Electronic interface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a second electrically

conductive connection (200) is produced between a side wall (210) of the first shielding portion (20, 24) and a

projection (240) or a lug (240) of the second shielding portion (24 , 22 ) .

7. Electronic interface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the projection (240) or lug

(240) of one shielding portion (20, 24) can be bent or is bent towards the second shielding portion (24, 22) .

8. Electronic interface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, for assembly of a contact assembly (4) inside the shielding (2), the shielding (2) has a stop (222), by means of which an excessively extensive forward movement of the contact assembly (4) into the

shielding (2) is prevented and/or

the projection (240) or the lug (240) has a catch device (242) and the contact assembly (4) also has a catch device (422, 423), by means of which movement of the contact assembly (4) backwards out of the shielding (2) is prevented.

9. Electronic interface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that:

· the shielding (2) has shielding portions (20, 24) of

different widths in two mutually perpendicular

transverse directions (Q) of the interface (1),

optionally in portions;

• the two shielding portions (20, 24) are spaced apart

from each other in a longitudinal direction (L) by means of a slot (22), the slot (22) preferably extending only partially in a peripheral direction (U) ;

• the shielding portion (20, 24) which is narrower in at least one transverse direction (Q) is arranged

substantially centrally with respect to the other

shielding portion (24, 20);

• the projection (240) or lug (240) is in the form of a

resilient projection (240) or clamping projection (240) or a resilient lug (240) or clamping lug (240);

· the projection (240) or the lug (240) is bent into a

recess (214) of the side wall (210); and/or

• positive-locking, non-positive-locking and/or materially engaging connections (214, 244) of the shielding

portions (20, 24), in particular two dovetail type connections (214, 244), are constructed in a state offset relative to each other in a peripheral direction (U) .

10. Printed circuit board, in particular a USB card, or prefabricated electronic cable, in particular for the automotive sector, characterised in that

the printed circuit board or the prefabricated cable comprises an electronic interface (1) according to any one claims 1 to 9.