WO2019193352A1

WO2019193352A1 - Modular electromagnetic shielding housing

Info

Publication number: WO2019193352A1
Application number: PCT/GB2019/050989
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yvan Martin
Original assignee: Hypertac S.A.; VIENNE, Aymeric
Priority date: 2018-04-05
Filing date: 2019-04-04
Publication date: 2019-10-10
Also published as: GB2574367A; GB201805655D0

Abstract

In some embodiments, there is provided a modular electromagnetic shielding housing of an electrical receptacle and/or of an electrical plug, the housing comprising at least one module, each module comprising: a lower profile configured to form at least partly a lower element of the housing, an upper profile configured to form at least partly an upper element of the housing, a front electrical connector having an electrical contact and being configured to form at least partly a front element of the housing, and a rear electrical coupling having an opening and being configured to form at least partly a rear element of the housing, wherein the lower element and the upper element of the housing are configured to cooperate with the rear element by mutual overlapping such that electromagnetic shielding of the housing is enhanced; the housing further comprising at least two lateral elements, each lateral element being configured to cooperate with the upper element, the lower element and the rear element by mutual overlapping such that electromagnetic shielding of the housing is enhanced.

Description

Modular electromagnetic shielding housing

Field of the Inve tion

The disclosure relates but is not limited to an electromagnetic shielding housing of an electrical receptacle and/or of an electrical plug. The disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing an electromagnetic shielding housing. The disclosure also relates to a system comprising a receptacle and a plug which may be plugged together.

Background

An electrical plug usually comprises a mobile connector. A connector usually comprises at least one electrical contact fitted in an insulator. The electrical plug may comprise male electrical contacts (e.g. comprising pins) and/or female electrical contacts (e.g. sockets).

An electrical receptacle usually comprises a fixed connector (e.g. fixed in a panel e.g. of a vehicle, such as a train wagon), usually comprising at least one electrical contact fitted in an insulator. The electrical receptacle may be mated with the electrical plug. The electrical receptacle may comprise female electrical contacts (e.g. sockets) and/or male electrical contacts (e.g. comprising pins) corresponding to the electrical contacts of the electrical plug.

In some applications, such as on vehicles such as trains as non-limiting examples, the electrical plug and/or the electrical receptacle may have a housing providing electromagnetic shielding against an electromagnetic field surrounding the electrical plug and/or the electrical receptacle. Such a housing is usually monobloc to enhance electromagnetic shielding.

Summary

Aspects and embodiments of the invention are set out in the appended claims. These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention are also described herein. Brief description of the drawings

Aspects of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 A and 1 C schematically illustrate perspective front top views of a first example embodiment of housings of an example receptacle comprising three modules and one module, respectively;

Figures 1 B and 1 D schematically illustrate perspective rear top views of the first example embodiment of the housing of Figures 1A and 1 D, respectively;

Figures 2A and 2C schematically illustrate perspective front bottom views of a second example embodiment of housings of an example plug comprising three modules and one module, respectively;

Figures 2B and 2D schematically illustrate perspective rear top view of the second example embodiment of the housing of Figures 2A and 2C, respectively;

Figures 3 schematically illustrates a lengthwise cross section view in perspective of the first example embodiment of the housing of Figures 1 A and 1 B;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates an exploded rear top view in perspective of the second example embodiment of the housing of Figures 2A and 2B;

Figures 5A and 5B schematically illustrate crosswise cross section views in perspective of the first example embodiment of the housing of Figures 1A and 1 B;

Figure 6A schematically illustrates a perspective front top view of an example profile of the second example embodiment of the housing as illustrated in Figure 2A;

Figure 8B schematically illustrates a perspective rear bottom view of an example profile of the second example embodiment of the housing as illustrated in Figure 2B;

Figure 6C schematically illustrates a perspective front top view of a plurality of example profiles as illustrated in Figure 8A;

Figure 7A schematically illustrates a perspective rear top view of a plurality of example couplings of the second example embodiment of the housing as illustrated Figure 2B;

Figure 7B schematically illustrates a perspective front top view of the plurality of example couplings as illustrated in Figure 7A;

Figure 8 schematically illustrates an exploded rear top view in perspective of the first example embodiment of the housing of Figures 1 A and 1 B; and

Figure 9 schematically illustrates a flowchart of an example method of manufacturing. in the drawings, similar elements bear identical numerical references.

Overview

The disclosure relates but is not limited to an electromagnetic shielding housing of an electrical receptacle and/or of an electrical plug. The housing may be modular. Each module of the housing comprises a lower profile and an upper profile, a front electrical connector having an electrical contact and a rear electrical coupling having an opening. The housing comprises an upper element, a lower element, a front element and a rear element, each element of the housing being formed at least partly by the profiles, the connectors and the couplings of the at least one module, respectively. The housing further comprises at least two lateral elements cooperating with the other elements of the housing.

The housing may comprise at least one module, or a plurality of modules comprising at least two modules, such as three or more modules. During manufacture of the housing, any number of modules may be added to the housing, and the manufactured housing may not be monobloc. Manufacture may thus flexible in some examples, the modules may be identical to each other. In some examples, manufacture of a housing comprising modules which are identical to each other is cheaper than manufacture of a housing comprising non-identical modules.

Regardless of the number of modules in the housing and even if the manufactured housing is not monobloc, the upper element and the lower element cooperate with the rear element in such a way that electromagnetic shielding of the housing is enhanced. Additionally or alternatively, regardless of the number of modules in the housing and even if the manufactured housing is not monobloc, each lateral element cooperate with the upper element, the lower element and the rear element in such a way that electromagnetic shielding of the housing is enhanced.

An electrical system may comprise an electrical receptacle e.g. mated with an electrical plug. During the mating of the electrical receptacle with the electrical plug, the front element of the housing of the electrical receptacle may be plugged into the front element of the housing of the electrical plug. The mating of the electrical receptacle with the electrical plug may be performed in such a way that electromagnetic shielding of the system is enhanced. Therefore, even though the front element of the housing of the electrical receptacle and/or the front element of the housing of the electrical plug may not be configured to enhance the electromagnetic shielding of the respective housings, the electromagnetic shielding of the system may be enhanced.

In some examples, at least some of the elements of the housing cooperate by mutual overlapping. In the present disclosure, mutual overlapping means that at least a part of an element overlaps another element. The overlapping may be provided when e.g. at least a part of an element extends over, at least once, another element and/or when at least a part of an element is inserted in another element. In the present disclosure, the term “mutual” refers to the fact that the respective positions of the elements for the overlap do not matter, as long as an overlap takes place. In the present disclosure, enhancement of the electromagnetic shielding means that the electromagnetic shielding is greatly improved, and that the electromagnetic field surrounding the housing is blocked or is negligible.

in some examples mutual overlapping may enable the housing not to be monobloc, regardless of the number of modules in the housing in examples, in a system the electrical receptacle and the electrical plug may be mated such that the upper, lower and lateral elements of the respective housings cooperate by mutual overlapping, such that the electromagnetic shielding of the system is also enhanced where the electrical receptacle and the electrical plug are mated. In some examples, mutual overlapping may inhibit faults in the electromagnetic shielding, such as open passages and/or slots and/or holes as non-limiting examples.

Detailed description of example embodiments

Figures 1A, 1 B, 1 C and 1 D schematically illustrate a modular electromagnetic shielding housing 3 of an electrical receptacle 1. Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D schematically illustrate a modular electromagnetic shielding housing 3 of an electrical plug 2.

In the examples of Figures 1 A to 1 D, and 2A to 2D, the housing 3 comprises at least one module 4. In the examples of Figures 1A, 1 B, 2A and 2B, the housing 3 comprises three modules 4. However it should be understood that the housing 3 may comprise any number of modules 4, such as one module (as illustrated in Figures 1 C, 1 D, 2C and 2D), two modules, or more than three modules such as five modules or more.

Each module 4 comprises a lower profile 5 configured to form at least partly a lower element 6 of the housing 3. Each module 4 comprises an upper profile 7 configured to form af least partly an upper element 8 of the housing 3.

Each module 4 comprises a front electrical connector 9 configured to form at least partly a front element 10 of the housing 3. The front electrical connector 9 has an electrical contact 13. In some examples the electrical contact 13 is fitted in an electrical insulafor 14. As illustrated in Figures 1 A, 2A and 4, the insulator 14 may comprise an electrical insulation block 43.

As illusfrated in Figures 1 A and 1 C, the electrical contact 13 comprises a male electrical contact (as a non-limiting example - female electrical contacts may also be envisaged). As illustrated in Figures 2A and 2C, the electrical contact 13 comprises a female electrical contact (as a non-limiting example - male electrical contacts may also be envisaged). Each module 4 comprises a rear electrical coupling 1 1 configured to form at least partly a rear element 12 of the housing 3. The rear electrical coupling 1 1 has an opening 15. In some examples, as illustrated in Figures 2B and 2D, a cable gland 16 may be fitted in the opening 15. As illustrated in Figure 4, cabling 55 connects a front electrical connector 9 to a corresponding rear coupling 1 1. The cabling 55 is protected from the surrounding electromagnetic field by the shielding provided by lower, upper, rear and lateral elements of the housing 3. This may be advantageous in applications such as on vehicles such as trains as non-limiting examples. An electrical system may comprise an electrical receptacle 1 mated with an electrical plug 2 such that the front element of the housing of the electrical receptacle is plugged into the front element of the housing of the electrical plug. In examples, the electrical receptacle and the electrical plug may be mated such that the upper, lower and lateral elements of the housing of the receptacle cooperate with the upper, lower and lateral elements of the housing of the plug, such that the electromagnetic shielding of the system is also enhanced where the electrical receptacle and the electrical plug are mated, even though the front element of the housing of the electrical receptacle and/or the front element of the housing of the electrical plug may not be configured to enhance the electromagnetic shielding of the respective housings. This may be advantageous in applications such as on vehicles such as trains as non-limiting examples.

In some examples, a material of the upper, lower and lateral elements of the housing of the plug and/or the receptacle may comprise an alloy of aluminium, as a non-limiting example.

As illustrated in Figures 1A and 1 C, the upper, lower and lateral elements of the housing 3 of the receptacle 1 form a protruding peripheral lip 59. As illustrated in Figures 2A and 2G, the upper, lower and lateral elements of the housing 3 of the plug 2 form a protruding peripheral lip 61 . The protruding peripheral lip 59 and the protruding peripheral lip 61 are configured to mutually overlap when the electrical receptacle 1 and the eiectrical plug 2 are mated In a system. The mutual overlapping (e.g. between an inner surface of the lip 61 mutually overlapping an outer surface of the lip 59 - however the opposite may be envisaged) enables the electromagnetic shielding of the system to be enhanced where the electrical receptacle and the electrical plug are mated, e.g. at the level of the lips 59 and 61.

As illustrated in Figures 2A and 2G, the lip 61 of the plug 2 comprises strip contacts 58 (e.g. located on an inner surface of the lip 61 ) for chassis grounding by cooperation with the lip 59 of the receptacle 1 (e.g. by contacting an outer surface of the lip 59). The strip contacts 58 of the lip 61 of the housing 3 of Figure 2A may provide chassis grounding by cooperation with the lip 59 of the housing 3 of Figure 1 A. it should be understood that the strip contacts may be provided on the receptacle instead of the plug.

As illustrated in more detail in Figures 3 and 4, the lower element 6 and the upper element 8 of the housing 3 are configured to cooperate with the rear element 12 by mutual overlapping 60. The mutual overlapping 60 may enable electromagnetic shielding of the housing 3 to be enhanced.

As illustrated in more detail in Figures 4 and 8, the lower element 6, the upper element 8 of the housing 3 are configured to cooperate with the front element 10. The front element 10 may be placed in recesses 23 of the housing 3. In the examples of Figures 1A to 1 D, and 2A to 2D, the housing 3 further comprises at least two lateral elements 171 and 172. As illustrated in more detail in Figures 4 and 8, the lateral elements 171 and 172 of the housing 3 are configured to cooperate with the front element 10. The front element 10 may be placed in recesses 23 of the housing 3.

As illustrated in more detail in Figures 4, 5A, 5B and 8, each lateral element 171 or 172 is configured to cooperate with the upper element 8, the lower element 8 and the rear element 12 by mutual overlapping 80. The mutual overlapping 60 may enable electromagnetic shielding of the housing 3 to be enhanced. in the example of Figures 1 A to 1 D, and as illustrated in more detail in Figures 3, 5A, 5B and 8, the lower profile 5 and/or the upper profile 7 of each module 4 comprises a first lateral side 18, a second lateral side 19, a front side 20 and a rear side 21 .

In the example of Figures 2C and 2D, and as illustrated in more detail in Figures 8A, 8B and 6C, the lower profile 5 and/or the upper profile 7 of each module 4 comprises a first lateral side 18, a second lateral side 19, a front side 20 and a rear side 21 . In some examples, each side 18, 19, 20 and 21 comprises a mechanical connector 22. in some examples, and as illustrated in more detail in Figures 3 and 8, the mechanical connector 22 of the rear side 21 is configured to cooperate with the rear element 12 of the housing 3 to form the respective mutual overlapping 60.

As illustrated in more detail in Figures 3 and 8, the mechanical connector 22 of the rear side 21 comprises a groove 25 configured to cooperate with, as described in more detail below, e.g. a boss 49 of a mechanical connector 48 of a coupling 1 1 of the rear element 12 of the housing 3, to form the respective mutual overlapping 80.

As illustrated in more detail in Figures 4 and 6B and 7A and 7B, the mechanical connector 22 of the rear side 21 comprises an abutment surface 35 configured to cooperate with, as described in more detail below, e.g. a shoulder 26 of a mechanical conneclor 48 of a coupling 1 1 of the rear element 12 of the housing 3 to form the respective mutual overlapping 60.

As illustrated in more detail in Figures 1 C and 1 D, 5A, 5B and 8, the mechanical connector 22 of the first lateral side 18 is configured to cooperate with a first lateral element 171 of the housing 3 to form the mutual overlapping 60. Additionally or alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 1 C and 1 D, 5A, 5B and 8, the mechanical connector 22 of the second lateral side 19 is configured to cooperate with a second lateral element 172 of the housing 3 to form the mutual overlapping 60. In the example of Figures 1 C and 1 D, 5A, SB and 8, the overlapping 60 may be provided by cooperation of an abutment surface (e.g. provided on the first lateral side 18 and/or second lateral side 19) with a shoulder (e.g. provided on the first lateral element 171 and/or second lateral element 172). It should be understood that a position of the abutment surface and/or the shoulder may be inverted, and that the shoulder may extend over the abutment surface or the opposite, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B.

It should be understood that in the example of Figures 1A to 1 D, a crosswise width of the lower profile 5 and/or of the upper profile 7 depends on the number of modules 4 in the housing.

As illustrated in more detail in Figures 2C and 2D, the mechanical connector 22 of the first lateral side 18 is configured to cooperate with a first lateral element 171 of the housing 3 to form the mutual overlapping 60. Additionally or alternatively, the mechanical connector 22 of the second lateral side 19 is configured to cooperate with a second lateral element 172 of the housing 3 to form the mutual overlapping 60. in other words, for a housing comprising a single module 4 only (as shown in Figures 1 C to 1 D and 2C to 2D), the first lateral sides 18 of a lower profile 5 and of the upper profile 7 may cooperate with the first lateral element 171 of the housing 3, and the second lateral sides 19 of the same lower profile 5 and upper profile 7 may cooperate with the second lateral element 172 of the housing 3.

As illustrated in Figure 4, for the upper element 8, the mechanical connector 22 of the second lateral side 19 comprises a tongue 27 configured to cooperate with a receiving groove 28 of the second lateral element 172 of the housing 3 to form the mutual overlapping 60. Alternatively or additionally, the mechanical connector 22 of the first lateral side 18 comprises a receiving groove 29 configured to cooperate with a tongue 30 of the first lateral element 171 of the housing 3 to form the mutual overlapping 60. It should be understood that a position of the tongues 27 and 30 and/or a position of the grooves 28 and 29 may be inverted, e.g. the tongue 27 may be located on the second lateral element 172 and/or the groove 29 may be located on the first lateral element 171 . As illustrated in Figure 4, for the lower element 6, the mechanical connector 22 of the second lateral side 19 comprises a tongue 27 configured to cooperate with a receiving groove 28 of the second lateral element 172 of the housing 3 to form the mutual overlapping 60. Alternatively or additionally, the mechanical connector 22 of the first lateral side 18 comprises a receiving groove 29 configured to cooperate with a tongue 30 of the first lateral element 171 of the housing 3 to form fhe mutual overlapping 60. It should be understood that a position of the tongues 27 and 30 and/or a position of the grooves 28 and 29 may be inverted, e.g. the tongue 27 may be located on the second lateral element 172 and/or fhe groove 29 may be located on the first lateral element 171 . As illustrated in more detail in Figures 1 B, 1 D, and 2B and 2D, the upper profile 7 and the lower profile 5 are configured to be removably secured to the rear element 12 of the housing 3 by attaching means 31 . Additionally or alternatively, the upper profile 7 and the lower profile 5 are configured to be removably secured to at least one lateral element 171 or 172 of the housing by attaching means 32.

In some examples, the attaching means 31 and or 32 comprise ai least one screw 33 cooperating with at least one threaded bore 34.

As illustrated in Figures 1 B, 1 D, 2B, 2D, 3, 7A, 7B and 8, the rear electrical coupling 1 1 comprises a first lateral side 44, a second lateral side 45, an upper side 46, and a lower side 47. Each side 44, 45, 46 or 47 comprises a mechanical connector 48.

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 8, the mechanical connector 48 of the upper side 46 is configured to cooperate with the upper element 8 of the housing 3 (e.g. to cooperate with the mechanical connector 22 of the upper profile 7) to form the mutual overlapping 80. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 8, the mechanical connector 48 of the lower side 47 is configured to cooperate with the lower element 6 of the housing 3 (e.g. to cooperate with the mechanical connector 22 of the lower profile 5) to form the mutual overlapping 60.

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 8, the mechanical connector 48 of the upper side 48 comprises a boss 49 configured to cooperate respectively with a groove 25 of the upper element 8 of the housing 3 (e.g. part of the mechanical connector 22 of the upper profile 7) to form the respective mutual overlapping 60.

Alternatively or additionally, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 8, the mechanical connector 48 of the lower side 47 comprises a boss 49 configured to cooperate with a groove 25 of the lower element 8 of the housing 3 (e.g. part of the mechanical connector 22 of the lower profile 6) to form the mutual overlapping 60.

As illustrated In more detail in Figures 4, 6A and 6B, the mechanical connector 22 of the rear side 21 comprises an abutment surface 35 configured to cooperate with a shoulder 26 of the rear element 12 of the housing 3 to form the respective mutual overlapping 60.

As illustrated in Figures 2B, 2D, 4 and 7A, 7B, and 1 B, 1 D and 8, the mechanical connector 48 of the first lateral side 44 is configured to cooperate with the first lateral element 171 of the housing 3 to form the mutual overlapping 60. Alternatively or additionally, the mechanical connector 48 of the second lateral side 45 is configured to cooperate with a second lateral element 172 of the housing 3 to form the mutual overlapping 60. in the example of Figures 2B, 2D, 4 and 7A, 7B, the overlapping 60 may be provided by cooperation of an abutment surface and/or a shoulder (e.g. provided on the first lateral side 44 and/or the second lateral side 45) with a corresponding shoulder and/or abutment surface (e.g. provided on the first lateral element 171 and/or second lateral element 172). it should be understood that a position of the abutment surface and/or the shoulder may be inverted, and that the shoulder may extend over the abutment surface or the opposite. In the example of Figures 1 B, 1 D and 8, the overlapping 60 may be provided by cooperation of an abutment surface (e.g. provided on the first lateral side 44) with a corresponding shoulder (e.g. provided on the first lateral element 171 ) and/or by cooperation of an shoulder (e.g. provided on the second lateral side 45) with a corresponding abutment surface (e.g. provided on the second lateral element 172). It should be understood that a position of the abutment surface and/or the shoulder may be inverted, and that the shoulder may extend over the abutment surface or the opposite.

In other words, for a housing comprising a single module 4 only (as shown in Figures 1 D and 2D), the first lateral side 44 of a coupling 1 1 may cooperate with the first lateral element 171 of the housing 3, and the second lateral side 45 of the same coupling 1 1 may cooperate with the second lateral element 172 of the housing.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 8, the rear electrical coupling 1 1 is configured to be removably secured to at least one lateral element 171 or 172 of the housing 3 by attaching means 31 The attaching means 31 may comprise at least one screw 33 cooperating with at least one threaded bore 34.

As illustrated in Figures 1 A to 2B, the housing 3 may comprise three modules 4 (as a non-limiting example).

As illustrated in Figures 1 B, 2B, 7A, 7B and 8, the rear electrical coupling 1 1 of each module 4 may have a shape which is identical to a shape of at least one other rear electrical coupling 1 1 of at least one other module 4 of the housing 3. Alternatively or additionally, the rear electrical coupling 1 1 of each module 4 is configured to cooperate with the at least one other rear electrical coupling 1 1 of the at least one other module by mutual overlapping 60 such that electromagnetic shielding of the rear element of the housing is enhanced.

As illustrated in Figures 1 B, 2B, 7 A, 7B and 8, the mechanical connector 48 of the first lateral side 44 of the coupling 1 1 of one module (e.g. of the module 4 in the middle of the housing 3) is configured to cooperate with a mechanical connector 48 of a second lateral side 45 of a first coupling of at least one other module 4 of the housing 3 (e.g. of the module 4 on a first side in the housing 3) to form the mutual overlapping 60. Alternatively or additionally, the mechanical connector 48 of the second lateral side 45 of the coupling is configured to cooperate with a mechanical connector 48 of a first lateral side 44 of a second coupling of at least one other module 4 of the housing 3 (e.g. of the module 4 on a second side in the housing 3) to form the mutual overlapping 60.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6C, the lower profile 5 of each module 4 has a shape which is identical to a shape of at least one other lower profile 5 of at least one other module 4 of the housing 3. Alternatively or additionally, the lower profile 5 of each module 4 is configured to cooperate with the at least one other lower profile 5 of the at least one other module 4 by mutual overlapping 60 such that electromagnetic shielding of the lower element 6 of the housing 3 is enhanced.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6C, the upper profile 7 of each module 4 has a shape which is identical to a shape of at least one other upper profile 7 of at least one other module 4 of the housing 3. Alternatively or additionally, the upper profile 7 of each module 4 is configured to cooperate with the at least one other upper profile 7 of the at least one other module 4 by mutual overlapping 60 such that electromagnetic shielding of the upper element 8 of the housing 3 is enhanced. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6C, the mechanical connector 22 of the first lateral side 18 of the lower profile and/or the upper profile of one module (e.g. of the module 4 in the middle of the housing 3) is configured to cooperate with a mechanical connector 22 of a second lateral side 19 of a first lower profile and/or upper profile of at least one other module 4 of the housing 3 (e.g. of the module 4 on a first side in the housing 3) to form the mutual overlapping, and the mechanical connector 22 of the second lateral side 19 of the lower profile and/or the upper profile of the module is configured to cooperate with a mechanical connector 22 of a first lateral side 18 of a second lower profile and/or upper profile of at least one other module 4 of the housing 3 (e.g. of the module 4 on a second side in the housing 3) to form the mutual overlapping.

As illustrated In Figures 2A, 2B and 4, the upper element 8 may correspond to the lower element 6 flipped upside down, such as the upper profiles 7 may have a shape which is identical to the shape of the lower profiles 5. As illustrated in Figures 1A to 2D, the electrical receptacle of Figures 1A and 1 B and the corresponding electrical plug of Figures 2A and 2B comprise asymmetric guides 57 for mutual connection.

The receptacle 1 may comprise attachments means 62 for attachment so that the receptacle may be fixed. The attachment may occur e.g. to a vehicle, such as a coach of a train as non-limiting examples. As illustrated in Figure 9, the disclosure also relates to a method 100 of manufacturing a modular electromagnetic shielding housing of an electrical receptacle and/or of an electrical plug according to any aspects of the above disclosure.

The method 100 comprises:

assembling at 101 , at least one module, each module comprising:

a lower profile configured to form at least partly a lower element of the housing,

an upper profile configured to form at least partly an upper element of the housing,

a front electrical connector having an electrical contact and being configured to form at least partly a front element of the housing, and

a rear electrical coupling having an opening and being configured to form at least partly a rear element of the housing,

wherein the assembling at 101 comprises assembling the lower element and the upper element of the housing with the rear element by mutual overlapping such that electromagnetic shielding of the housing is enhanced; and

assembling, at 102, at least two lateral elements of the housing, wherein the assembling at 102 comprises assembling the upper element, the lower element and the rear element by mutual overlapping such that electromagnetic shielding of the housing is enhanced.

Any of the components of the housing described in the present disclosure may be used in the method 100.

Other variations and modifications of the housing or the module(s) will be apparent to the skilled in the art in the context of the present disclosure, and various features described above may have advantages with or without other features described above.

Although Figures 1 A to 1 D schematically Illustrate an electrical receptacle 1 , it should be understood that similar considerations would apply to an electrical plug. Similarly, although Figures 2A to 2D schematically illustrate an electrical plug 2, it should be understood that similar considerations would apply to an electrical receptacle.

It should be understood that when mutual overlapping is disclosed as occurring by cooperation of a groove with a boss, cooperation of an abutment with a shoulder may also be envisaged.

Also when one occurrence of mutual overlapping has been disclosed, it should be understood that more than one occurrence of mutual overlapping may also occur.

Claims

1 Claims

1. A modular electromagnetic shielding housing of an electrical receptacle and/or of an electrical plug, the housing comprising at least one module, each module comprising:

wherein the lower element and the upper element of the housing are configured to cooperate with the rear element by mutual overlapping such that electromagnetic shielding of the housing is enhanced;

the housing further comprising at least two lateral elements,

each lateral element being configured to cooperate with the upper element, the lower element and the rear element by mutual overlapping such that electromagnetic shielding of the housing is enhanced.

2. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the lower profile and/or the upper profile comprises:

a first lateral side;

a second lateral side;

a front side; and

a rear side,

each side comprising a mechanical connector,

wherein the mechanical connector of the rear side is configured to cooperate with the rear element of the housing to form the respective mutual overlapping, and

wherein the mechanical connector of the first lateral side is configured to cooperate with a first lateral element of the housing to form the mutual overlapping, and the mechanical connector of the second lateral side is configured to cooperate with a 2 second lateral element of the housing to form the mutual overlapping.

3. The housing of claim 2, wherein the mechanical connector of the rear side comprise: a groove configured to cooperate with a boss of the rear element of the housing to form the mutual overlapping; and/or

an abutment surface configured to cooperate with a shoulder of the rear element of the housing to form the mutual overlapping.

4. The housing of claim 2 or 3,

wherein the mechanical connector of one of the lateral sides comprises a tongue configured to cooperate with a receiving groove of one of the lateral elements of the housing to form the mutual overlapping, and the mechanical connector of the other lateral side comprises a receiving groove configured to cooperate with a tongue of the other lateral element of the housing to form the mutual overlapping, and/or

wherein the mechanical connector of at least one of the lateral sides comprises an abutment surface configured to cooperate with a shoulder of the at least one lateral element of the housing to form the mutual overlapping.

5. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper profile and the lower profile are configured to be removably secured to the rear element of the housing by attaching means.

6. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the upper profile and the lower profile are configured to be removably secured to at least one lateral element of the housing by attaching means.

7. The housing of claim 5 or 6, wherein the attaching means comprise at least one screw cooperating with at least one threaded bore.

8. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the front electrical connector comprises an insulation block.

9. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electrical contact comprises a - 3 - female electrical contact and/or a male electrical contact.

10. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the upper, lower and lateral elements of the housing of the receptacle and/or of the plug are configured to form a protruding peripheral lip configured to cooperate with a corresponding protruding peripheral lip of a plug and/or receptacle, respectively, to form respective mutual overlapping.

11. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising strip contacts for chassis grounding by cooperation with another housing.

12. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 1 1 , wherein the rear electrical coupling comprises:

a first lateral side;

a second lateral side;

an upper side; and

a lower side,

each side comprising a mechanical connector,

wherein the mechanical connector of the upper side and the mechanical connector of the lower side are configured to cooperate respectively with the upper element and the lower element of the housing to form the respective mutual overlapping, and

wherein the mechanical connector of the first lateral side is configured to cooperate with a first lateral element of the housing to form the mutual overlapping, and the mechanical connector of the second lateral side is configured to cooperate with a second lateral element of the housing to form the mutual overlapping.

13. The housing of claim 12, wherein the mechanical connector of the upper side and/or the mechanical connector of the lower side comprise a boss configured to cooperate respectively with a groove of the upper element and/or the lower element of the housing to form the respective mutual overlapping.

14. The housing of claim 12 or 13, wherein the mechanical connector of the first lateral - 4 - side comprises an abutment surface and/or a shoulder configured to cooperate respectively with a corresponding shoulder and/or abutment surface of one of the lateral elements of the housing to form the respective mutual overlapping and/or the mechanical connector of the second lateral side comprises an abutment surface and/or a shoulder configured to cooperate respectively with a corresponding shoulder and/or abutment surface of another of the lateral elements of the housing to form the respective mutual overlapping.

15. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the rear electrical coupling is configured to be removably secured to at least one lateral element of the housing by attaching means.

16. The housing of claim 15, wherein the attaching means comprise at least one screw cooperating with at least one threaded bore.

17. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a cable gland fitted in the opening.

18. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising at least two modules.

19. The housing of claim 18, wherein the rear electrical coupling of each module:

has a shape which is identical to a shape of at least one other rear electrical coupling of at least one other module of the housing; and

is configured to cooperate with the at least one other rear electrical coupling of the at least one other module by mutual overlapping such that electromagnetic shielding of the rear element of the housing is enhanced.

20. The housing of claim 19, wherein the rear electrical coupling comprises:

a first lateral side;

a second lateral side;

each side comprising a mechanical connector,

wherein the mechanical connector of the first lateral side of the coupling of one module is configured to cooperate with a mechanical connector of a second lateral side - 5 - of a first coupling of at least one other module of the housing to form the mutual overlapping, and

wherein the mechanical connector of the second lateral side of the coupling of the module is configured to cooperate with a mechanical connector of a first lateral side of a second coupling at least one other module of the housing to form the mutual overlapping.

21. The housing of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the lower profile of each module: has a shape which is identical to a shape of at least one other lower profile of at least one other module of the housing; and

is configured to cooperate with the at least one other lower profile of the at least one other module by mutual overlapping such that electromagnetic shielding of the lower element of the housing is enhanced.

22. The housing of any one of claims 18 to 21 , wherein the upper profile of each module: has a shape which is identical to a shape of at least one other upper profile of at least one other module of the housing; and

is configured to cooperate with the at least one other upper profile of the at least one other module by mutual overlapping such that electromagnetic shielding of the upper element of the housing is enhanced.

23. The housing of any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the lower profile and/or the upper profile comprises:

a first lateral side;

a second lateral side;

each side comprising a mechanical connector,

wherein the mechanical connector of the first lateral side of the lower profile and/or the upper profile of one module is configured to cooperate with a mechanical connector of a second lateral side of a first lower profile and/or upper profile of at least one other module of the housing to form the mutual overlapping, and

wherein the mechanical connector of the second lateral side is configured to cooperate with a mechanical connector of a first lateral side of a second lower profile and/or upper profile of at least one other module of the housing to form the mutual 6 overlapping.

24. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the upper element corresponds to the lower element which is flipped upside down.

25. The housing of claim 24, wherein the upper profile of each module has a shape which is identical to the shape of the lower profile of each module.

26. An electrical receptacle comprising the shielding housing of any one of claims 1 to 25.

27. An electrical plug comprising the shielding housing of any one of claims 1 to 25.

28. The electrical receptacle of claim 26 or the electrical plug of claim 27, comprising asymmetric guides for mutual connection with a corresponding electrical plug or an electrical receptacle, respectively.

29. A system comprising:

the electrical receptacle of claim 26; and

the electrical plug of claim 27,

wherein the electrical receptacle and the electrical plug are configured for mutual connection.

30. A method of manufacturing a modular electromagnetic shielding housing of an electrical receptacle and/or of an electrical plug, comprising:

assembling at least one module, each module comprising:

a rear electrical coupling having an opening and being configured to form - 7 - at least partly a rear element of the housing,

wherein the assembling comprises assembling the lower element and the upper element of the housing with the rear element by mutual overlapping such that electromagnetic shielding of the housing is enhanced; and

assembling at least two lateral elements of the housing, wherein the assembling comprises assembling the upper element, the lower element and the rear element by mutual overlapping such that electromagnetic shielding of the housing is enhanced.