Housing with self-orienting grounding stud

A self-aligning grounding stud arrangement (100) for a housing (120) includes a grounding stud (210) that extends from a first end (212) outside the housing (120) to a second end (214) inside the housing (120). An anti-rotation flange (230) of the grounding stud (210) is received by an anti-rotation receiver (138) of the housing (120). The grounding stud (210) includes a first attachment feature (220) positioned between the first end (212) of the grounding stud (210) and the anti-rotation flange (230) and further includes a second attachment feature (260) positioned between the second end (214) of the grounding stud (210) and the anti-rotation flange (230). The housing (120) includes at least one guide (140) for rotationally orienting the anti-rotation flange (230) with the anti-rotation receiver (138).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to electrical grounding of housings and/or enclosures. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the electrical grounding of housings and/or enclosures for telecommunications equipment.

BACKGROUND

In the field of telecommunications, there is a need to electrically ground certain enclosures and/or housings. The electrical grounding may be used to dissipate static electricity, provide a return path for electrical power, provide a safety ground in case of equipment malfunction, etc. Certain enclosures/housings are made of nonconductive material (e.g., plastic, fiber glass, etc.). As the enclosure/housing may not readily conduct electricity, a grounding stud may be passed through a wall of the housing/enclosure and thereby provide a grounding point on an exterior and interior of the enclosure/housing.

In certain applications, the enclosure/housing needs to be water-proof or water-resistant. In particular water, moisture, cleaning fluids, etc. present at the exterior of the housing/enclosure should be prevented by the housing/enclosure from reaching components within the interior of the enclosure/housing. Various rating systems (e.g., IP67) have been established to classify various levels of water resistance of various enclosures. To provide such water resistance around the grounding stud, a seal may be used to seal the grounding stud against an opening through a wall of the enclosure/housing.

The grounding stud may include threaded connections for attaching terminals to the grounding stud at the interior and/or the exterior of the enclosure/housing. To facilitate installing and/or removing the terminals from the threaded connections, the grounding stud may be rotationally connected to the enclosure/housing.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a grounding stud arrangement including a grounding stud assembly and a housing. The grounding stud assembly includes a ground stud that extends from a first end to a second end with an anti-rotation flange position between the first end and the second end of the grounding stud. The grounding stud includes a first attachment feature positioned between the first end of the grounding stud and the anti-rotation flange. The grounding stud further includes a second attachment feature positioned between the second end of the grounding stud and the anti-rotation flange. The housing includes a wall with a hole and an anti-rotation receiver. A portion of the grounding stud is positioned within the hole and at least a portion of the anti-rotation flange is received by the anti-rotation receiver. The housing further includes at least one guide for rotationally orienting the anti-rotation flange with the anti-rotation receiver.

Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method of assembling a grounding stud arrangement. The grounding stud arrangement includes a grounding stud assembly and a housing. The grounding stud assembly includes a grounding stud extending from a first end to a second end with an anti-rotation flange positioned between the first end and the second end of the grounding stud. The method includes providing the housing, inserting the second end of the grounding stud through a hole of the housing, and rotationally orienting the anti-rotation flange of the grounding stud with an anti-rotation receiver of the housing. The anti-rotation flange of the grounding stud is rotationally oriented with the anti-rotation receiver by engaging the anti-rotation flange with at least one guide of the housing and further inserting the grounding stud through the hole.

Still other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a housing with provisions for grounding at least one component within an interior of the housing. The housing includes a wall, a hole in the wall, an anti-rotation receiver, and at least one guide. The hole in the wall is configured to receive a portion of a grounding stud. The anti-rotation receiver is configured to receive at least a portion of an anti-rotation flange of the grounding stud. The at least one guide is configured to rotationally orient the anti-rotation flange with the anti-rotation receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the principles of the present disclosure, a housing assembly102is provided with a grounding stud assembly200and thereby forms a grounding stud arrangement100. As depicted atFIG. 4, the housing assembly102includes a housing piece120and a housing piece126. In certain embodiments, a grounding stud arrangement100may be formed by a housing piece120and the grounding stud assembly200. The housing piece120and the housing piece126may thereby form an enclosure110with an exterior112and an interior114. One or more components116may be housed within the interior114of the enclosure110(seeFIG. 3). The grounding stud assembly200may provide electrical grounding to the component116within the interior114. In particular, the grounding stud assembly200includes a grounding stud210that extends between a first end212and a second end214. As depicted, the first end212is positioned outside the enclosure110, and the second end214is positioned inside the enclosure110. The grounding stud210is made of an electrically conductive material. The grounding stud210may thereby ground the component116within the interior114of the enclosure110, even if the enclosure110is made of an electrically non-conductive material.

According to the principles of the present disclosure, the grounding stud210is rotationally held by a mount130of the housing piece120. Furthermore, the grounding stud210is rotationally oriented with respect to the mount130automatically when positioning the grounding stud210into the mount130. As will be described in detail below, by inserting the grounding stud210into the mount130along an axis A1, rotational alignment is established between the grounding stud210and the mount130of the housing piece120.

Turning again toFIGS. 1-5, the enclosure110will be described in detail. In the depicted embodiment, the enclosure110includes the housing piece120. The housing piece120includes a wall122that separates the interior114from the exterior112. As depicted, the mount130may be a feature on the wall122of the housing piece120. As depicted, the mount130is included on a boss132that rises above the exterior112of the wall122. In other embodiments, the boss132may be raised from the interior114of the wall122. As depicted, the boss132includes a cylindrical perimeter centered on the axis A1.

The mount130further includes a hole134. As depicted, the hole134is a cylindrical bore through the wall122that is centered on the axis A1. As depicted, the mount130further includes a counter bore136positioned at the interior114of the wall122. As depicted, the counter bore136is also centered on the axis A1.

As depicted, the mount130includes an anti-rotation receiver138. As depicted, the anti-rotation receiver138is formed in a pocket positioned within the boss132. The anti-rotation receiver138includes anti-rotation features. As depicted, the anti-rotation receiver138includes a faceted perimeter150about the pocket. In the depicted embodiment, the faceted perimeter150is a multi-faceted perimeter. In other embodiments, the faceted perimeter150may include a single facet152. In the depicted embodiment, the faceted perimeter150includes a plurality of the facets152. As depicted atFIG. 14, the faceted perimeter150is in a form of a hexagon with six of the facets152centered about the axis A1. As depicted, the facets152of the faceted perimeter150meet each other at an intersection edge. In other embodiments, the individual facets152may be spaced from each other. As depicted atFIG. 14, the six facets152together form six flats of a female hexagonal pocket. As depicted, the anti-rotation receiver138includes a seat154at the bottom of the pocket. The seat154thereby also has a hexagonal perimeter. In other embodiments, the seat154may be separated from the facets152. As depicted atFIGS. 8 and 9, the counter bore136includes a seat156opposite about the wall122from the seat154.

Turning now toFIGS. 10 and 15-18, the grounding stud210will be described in detail. As depicted, the grounding stud210includes a first attachment feature220adjacent the first end212of the grounding stud210. As depicted, the first attachment feature220includes first threads224. In other embodiments, the first attachments feature220may include various other attachment features such as one or more set screws, clips, attachment blades, etc. The first attachment feature220may further include a radial surface222. As depicted, the radial surface222is positioned opposite the first end212about the first threads224.

As depicted, the grounding stud210includes an anti-rotation flange230. As depicted, the anti-rotation flange230is a medial flange positioned between the first end212and the second end214of the grounding stud210. As depicted, the anti-rotation flange230extends from a first shoulder232to a second shoulder234. The first shoulder232is adjacent the radial surface222. As depicted, the anti-rotation flange230includes a faceted perimeter236. The faceted perimeter236includes at least one facet238. In the depicted embodiment, the faceted perimeter236is a multi-faceted perimeter with a plurality of the facets238. In the depicted embodiment, the faceted perimeter236includes a hexagonal perimeter. As depicted, the male hexagonal perimeter is centered about the axis A1.

As depicted, the anti-rotation flange230includes a sealing member groove240. In the depicted embodiment, the sealing member groove240is an O-ring groove. As depicted, the sealing member groove240is positioned beneath the second shoulder234. The sealing member groove240extends from the second shoulder234to a bottom242along the axis A1. The sealing member groove240further extends between an outer wall244and an inner wall246. As depicted, the inner wall246of the sealing member groove240is coincident with a radial surface262that extends toward the second end214from the anti-rotation flange230.

As depicted, the radial surface262is included on a second attachment feature260of the grounding stud210. The second attachment feature260further includes second threads264. The second threads264extend from the radial surface262to a pilot250. A chamfer252is included between the pilot250and the second end214of the grounding stud210.

As illustrated atFIG. 8, the grounding stud assembly200may further include a sealing member300, a washer310, a Belleville washer320, a first nut330, a first lock washer360, a second nut370, a second lock washer420, and a third nut430. In certain embodiments, the grounding stud assembly200may further include an internal ground conductor assembly340and/or an external ground conductor assembly400. In other embodiments, the internal ground conductor assembly340may be included with the component116. In other embodiments, the internal ground conductor assembly340may be a feature of the enclosure110(e.g., a grounding bus). In certain embodiments, the external ground conductor assembly400may be included with a power cable, a rack, a utility pole, etc.

As depicted, the internal ground conductor assembly340includes a terminal342with an eyelet344. The internal ground conductor assembly340further includes a wire350that is terminated at the terminal342at an end352of the wire350. Similarly, the external ground conductor assembly400is depicted as including a terminal402with an eyelet404. The external ground conductor assembly400further includes a wire410with an end412that is terminated at the terminal402.

As mentioned above, according to the principles of the present disclosure, the grounding stud210and/or the grounding stud assembly200is automatically rotationally aligned with the anti-rotation receiver138of the grounding stud mount130of the housing piece120. As depicted atFIGS. 5-9, 13, 14, and 19-23, a plurality of guides140and/or140′ is positioned about the mount130. As depicted, the guides140,140′ are positioned beyond the boss132away from the wall122. In other embodiments, one or more guides may be mounted directly on the wall122. In certain embodiments, one or more guides may be spaced from the anti-rotation receiver138. At least one of the guides140,140′ rotationally orients the anti-rotation flange230with the anti-rotation receiver138. As depicted, the housing piece120includes a plurality of the guides140,140′ for rotationally oriented the anti-rotation flange230with the anti-rotation receiver138. As depicted the guides140,140′ are each an extension of one of the facets152, respectively.

As depicted, two of the facets152do not include a corresponding one of the guides140. A terminal exit160for the terminal402may thereby be provided by the absence of one or more of the guides140,140′ from the facets152. As depicted, a pair of the guides140,140′ is positioned opposite the axis A1. In other embodiments, all of the facets152may include a corresponding one of the guides140,140′.

As depicted, the plurality of the guides140,140′ together form a plurality of the peaks142,142′ and valleys144,144′. A plurality of slopes146,146′ is formed between the plurality of peaks142,142′ and valleys144,144′, respectively. As depicted atFIGS. 19, 20, and 22, contoured edges may be formed on the guides140,140′ in certain of the depicted embodiments, chamfers148are depicted as the contoured edges atFIGS. 19 and 22, and rounds148′ are depicted as the contoured edges atFIG. 20. As illustrated atFIGS. 21 and 23, contoured edges148,148′ may be omitted from the guides140.

As depicted atFIGS. 19-21, the guides140include slopes146that linearly transition between the peaks142and the valleys144. The guides140thereby form a plurality of triangular features that progressively engage the anti-rotation flange230of the grounding stud210. As depicted atFIGS. 22 and 23, the guides140′ include curved slopes146′ that extend between the peaks142′ and the valleys144′. In the depicted embodiments, the curved slopes146′ are in a form of circular arcs that extend from the anti-rotation receiver138. The curved slopes146′ thereby progressively engage the anti-rotation flange230of the grounding stud210as the grounding stud210is inserted through the hole134of the grounding stud mount130.

The mount130with the triangular guides140and chamfered edges148is given reference numeral130aatFIG. 19. The mount130with the triangular guides140and rounded edges148′ is given reference numeral130batFIG. 20. An example mount130with the triangular guide140and a sharp edge is given reference number130catFIG. 21. An example mount130with the curved guide140′ and a sharp edge is given reference number130datFIG. 23. And, a mount130with the curved guide140and the chamfered edge148is given reference number130eatFIG. 22. In certain embodiments, the various guides140,140′ with the various edges148,148′ may be combined in various combinations with one another. In other embodiments, guides with other shapes and with other edge treatments may be used.

The guides140,140′ engage edges270and/or vertexes272of the second shoulder234of the anti-rotation flange230of the grounding stud210(seeFIG. 15). In certain embodiments, various edge treatments may also be used to contour the edges270and/or the vertexes272.

Turning now toFIGS. 5, 7, and 8, a method of assembling the grounding stud arrangement100will be described in detail, according to the principles of the present disclosure. In particular, the grounding stud210may be sub-assembled by positioning the sealing member300over the second end214of the grounding stud210and onto the pilot250. The sealing member300may be slid across the second threads264and over the radial surface262and finally into the O-ring groove240. Upon the sealing member300being sub-assembled, the second end214of the grounding stud210may be inserted through the hole134of the grounding stud mount130. The chamfer252may guide initial insertion of the second end214into the hole134. The grounding stud210is then further translated along the axis A1. The anti-rotation flange230contacts the guides140,140′ and thereby is automatically rotationally oriented with the anti-rotation receiver138. In particular, the edges270and/or the vertexes272of the anti-rotation flange230engage the peaks142,142′ and/or the slopes146,146′. Continued insertion along the axis A1thereby rotates the grounding stud210until the anti-rotation flange230of the grounding stud210rotationally matches the anti-rotation receiver138of the grounding stud mount130. Upon the rotational orientation matching, the anti-rotation flange230is fully insertable into the anti-rotation receiver138. Upon the anti-rotation flange230being inserted into the anti-rotation receiver138, relative rotation between the grounding stud210and the housing piece120is prevented by the facets238of the anti-rotation flange230engaging the facets152of the faceted perimeter150. The washer310may now be assembled over the second end214of the grounding stud210. The assembly of the washer310may be done from within the interior114of the enclosure110. The washer310may seat against the seat156at the bottom of the counter bore136. The Belleville washer320may likewise be installed over the second end214of the grounding stud210. As depicted, a first side322of the Belleville washer bears against the washer310. The nut330is similarly installed over the second end214of the grounding stud210. Threads332of the nut330are threaded on the threads264of the second attachment feature260. The second side324of the Belleville washer abuts the nut330. The nut330is further threaded and may thereby compress the Belleville washer320and further compress the sealing member300when tightened. The Belleville washer320may perform as a spring and thereby regulate a clamping load that the nut330places on the wall122of the housing piece120. The eyelet344of the terminal342of the internal ground conductor assembly340may be positioned over the second end214of the grounding stud210. A first side346of the eyelet344is depicted as abutting the nut330. The lock washer360may be positioned over the second end214of the grounding stud210. The nut370may be positioned over the second end214of the grounding stud210. Threads372of the nut370may be threaded onto the threads264of the second attachment feature260. By tightening the nut370, the lock washer360may bite into the eyelet344and thereby enhance an electrical connection. If the grounding stud arrangement100is being sub-assembled without the internal ground conductor assembly340, assembling the terminal342may be omitted and the nut370may be tightened against the lock washer360and the nut330without the eyelet344.

Connection of the external ground conductor assembly400to the grounding stud210will now be described in detail. The eyelet404of the terminal402of the external ground conductor assembly400may be positioned over the first end212of the grounding stud210. This may be done from the exterior112of the enclosure110. A first side406of the eyelet404is abutted against the first shoulder232of the anti-rotation flange230of the grounding stud210. The eyelet404may be positioned about the radial surface222. The lock washer420may be installed over the first end212of the grounding stud210. The lock washer420may be positioned against a second side408of the eyelet. The nut430may be positioned over the first end212of the ground stud210. Threads432of the nut430may be threaded on the first threads224of the grounding stud210. Upon tightening the nut430against the lock washer420, the lock washer420may bite into the second side408of the terminal402and thereby enhance an electrical connection between the external ground conductor assembly400and the grounding stud210. The external ground conductor assembly400is thereby securely mechanically connected to the grounding stud210. The external ground conductor assembly400is thereby electrically connected by the grounding stud assembly200to the internal ground conductor assembly340.

In embodiments where the grounding stud assembly200is being sub-assembled to the grounding stud arrangement100without the external ground conductor assembly400, assembling the eyelet404may be omitted and the nut430may be tightened against the lock washer420and the anti-rotation flange230without the eyelet404.

As illustrated atFIG. 6, the terminal402may extend through the terminal exit160formed between the pair of opposing guides140. The opposing guides140may thereby rotationally constrain the terminal402about the grounding stud210.

PARTS LIST