Patent ID: 7105954
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
1. An interface cable adapted to connect to a sensor, said interface cable comprising: a unitary cable structure comprising first and second cable portions; said first cable portion comprising first power supply leads and first sensor leads having first and second ends; said second cable portion comprising second power supply leads and at least one second sensor lead having first and second ends; an elongated shroud structure including an elongated circuit board having a longer longitudinal dimension than a width dimension and comprising opposing first and second longitudinal edges; said first end of said first power supply leads and said first sensor leads of said first cable portion being attached to said first longitudinal edge of said elongated circuit board; said first end of said second power supply leads and said at least one second sensor lead of said second cable portion being attached to said second longitudinal edge of said elongated circuit board; a power convertor mounted to said elongated circuit board for converting AC power supplied to said second end of said first power supply leads to DC power to be supplied to said second end of said second power supply leads located distally from said circuit board; a sensor interface mounted to said elongated circuit board and forming a connection between said first sensor leads and said at least one second sensor lead to convert either a current sourcing or current sinking output, supplied at said second end of said at least one second sensor lead to a switching output, to be supplied to said second end of said first sensor leads located distally from said circuit board; a potting material encasing said elongated circuit board including said power convertor and said sensor interface; and an overmold material surrounding said potting material and extending past said first and second ends of said circuit board and covering said first ends of said first and second cable portions.