Abstract:
An EMI suppressive device. In one embodiment, the EMI suppressive device is electrically connected to an electric motor having a substantially non-conductive shroud and a conductive drive shaft. The EMI suppressive device includes a packaged circuit that suppresses electromagnetic interference and contains one or more signal terminals that connect to the electric motor and one or more ground terminals that connect to ground. The EMI suppressive device also includes a bracket that supports the packaged circuit and has one or more interfaces that interface with one or more of the one or more ground terminals of the packaged circuit, and a conductive element that contacts the shroud and electrically connects to the drive shaft to provide a path to ground.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/886,145, filed on Jul. 7, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,142,001, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   FIELD 
   Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a module that includes a packaged circuit or a chip. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide a packaged circuit module the provides improved connections and easier installation. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Packaged circuits including integrated circuits (which are sometimes called “chips”) are used in a variety of applications. Packaged circuits may be used in environments subjected to a variety of phenomena that can affect the operation of the circuit. For example, packaged circuits used in automobiles may be susceptible to vibrations from the vehicle, electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) from electric motors used in power accessories, and large temperature changes. 
   Maintaining packaged circuits may also be difficult. Repairing or replacing a packaged circuit may include removing old soldered connections and/or wires and soldering new connections between the packaged circuit and one or more interfacing components and may be costly in both time and materials. Packaged circuits may also be located in small, tight positions further increasing the difficulty of repairing or replacing them and providing the connections needed for proper functioning. 
   SUMMARY 
   In one embodiment, the invention provides a packaged circuit or chip module that includes a packaged circuit containing a plurality of first terminals, and a circuit board supporting the packaged circuit and containing a plurality of secondary terminals and a plurality of terminal traces leading from one or more of the plurality of first terminals to one or more of the plurality secondary terminals. The packaged circuit module may also comprise a bracket configured to support the circuit board and to interface with one or more of the plurality of first terminals. 
   In another embodiment, the invention provides an interference suppression module that includes a packaged circuit containing one or more terminals configured to be connected to a remote device and one or more ground terminals configured to be connected to ground. The module also includes a circuit board supporting the packaged circuit and containing terminal traces leading from the one or more terminals to one or more secondary terminals and a bracket configured to support the circuit board and to interface with one or more of the one or more ground terminals. 
   In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a system of suppressing interference generated by a device. The system includes a packaged circuit configured to suppress interference. The system also includes one or more terminals configured to be connected to the device and one or more ground terminals configured to be connected to ground; a circuit board containing the packaged circuit and terminal traces leading from the one or more terminals to one or more secondary terminals; and a bracket configured to support the circuit board and to interface with one or more of the one or more ground terminals. 
   In yet another embodiment, an EMI suppressive device configured to be electrically connected to an electric motor includes a substantially non-conductive shroud and a conductive drive shaft. The device also includes a packaged circuit that is configured to suppress electromagnetic interference. The packaged circuit contains one or more signal terminals configured to be connected to the electric motor and one or more ground terminals configured to be connected to ground. A bracket is configured to support the packaged circuit and has one or more terminals configured to interface with one or more of the one or more ground terminals of the packaged circuit. The bracket also has a top support configured to contact the shroud and electrically connect to the drive shaft to provide a path to ground. 
   Another embodiment provides An EMI suppressive device that can be electrically connected to an electric motor having a substantially non-conductive shroud and a conductive drive shaft. The EMI suppressive device includes a packaged circuit that suppresses electromagnetic interference and contains one or more signal terminals that are connected to the electric motor and one or more ground terminals that are connected to ground. The EMI suppressive device also includes a bracket that supports the packaged circuit and has one or more interfaces that interface with one or more of the one or more ground terminals of the packaged circuit, and a conductive element that contacts the shroud and electrically connects to the drive shaft to provide a path to ground. 
   Another embodiment provides an EMI suppressive device that can be electrically connected to an electric motor having a substantially non-conductive shroud and a conductive retainer. The EMI suppressive device includes a packaged circuit, a circuit board, and a bracket. The packaged circuit suppresses electromagnetic interference and contains one or more signal terminals that connect to the electric motor and one or more ground terminals that connect to ground. The circuit board supports the packaged circuit and contains electrical links leading from the one or more signal terminals to one or more secondary terminals. The bracket supports the circuit board and has one or more clips that interface with one or more of the one or more ground terminals of the packaged circuit, and a conductive element that contacts the shroud and the conductive retainer to provide a path to ground. 
   Another embodiment provides a packaged circuit module that can be electrically connected to an electric motor having a substantially non-conductive shroud and a conductive retainer. The packaged circuit module includes a packaged circuit, a first interface terminal, and a bracket. The packaged circuit suppresses electromagnetic interference and contains one or more signal terminals that connect to the electric motor and one or more ground terminals that connect to ground. The first interface terminal electrically connects to one of the one or more signal terminals of the packaged circuit and connects to a first terminal of a motor. The bracket connects to one of the one or more ground terminals of the packaged circuit and to a ground. The bracket also has first and second legs and a conductive element that snaps onto the shroud and contacts the conductive retainer to provide a path to ground. 
   These and other embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention will become apparent upon review of the drawings and description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a packaged circuit. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the packaged circuit of  FIG. 1  placed on a circuit board. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a bracket with two legs and three clips. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bracket of  FIG. 3  supporting the packaged circuit and circuit board of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the bracket of  FIG. 4  supporting the packaged circuit and circuit board of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6   a  is a side view of the bracket of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6   b  is a detailed view of the bracket of  FIG. 6   a.    
       FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment attached to an electric motor. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Before embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the examples set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of applications and in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected,” and “coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting, and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary packaged circuit  10 . The packaged circuit  10  could be an integrated circuit manufactured on a semiconductor, a miniaturized circuit, or an encapsulated circuit. The exemplary packaged circuit  10  has four terminals  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18 . Other circuits could have a different number of terminals. Each terminal  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  is located on one side of the packaged circuit  10 . Each terminal may be configured to transmit or receive signals. Each terminal may be an input terminal, an output terminal, an input/output terminal, a ground terminal, a power terminal, a signal terminal, or any other type of terminal. In some embodiments terminals on opposite sides, for example, terminals  14  and  18 , are ground terminals, while terminals  16  and  12  are power terminals and designed to be connected to a remote device such as a power supply. In some embodiments, for example, the terminal  16  is a positive terminal and the terminal  12  is a negative terminal that allows current to flow through the packaged circuit  10 . The positive and negative terminals may also be reversed making the terminal  16  the negative terminal and the terminal  12  the positive terminal. 
   The packaged circuit  10  may be configured with various processing capabilities. For example, the packaged circuit  10  may be configured to filter or otherwise reduce the impact of electromagnetic interference generated by an electric motor. In one embodiment, the packaged circuit  10  takes the form of an X2Y® device manufactured by X2Y® Attenuators, LLC. X2Y® devices take multi-layer capacitor technology used for filtering and insert ground, or shielding electrodes between each capacitor. The additional ground electrode plates are then connected to the sides of the component adding two ground terminals and forming a four-terminal device. The ground electrode plates provide a shorter line-to-ground capacitance that provides reduced attenuation and less unwanted inductance. The X2Y® device contains one X capacitor and two balanced Y capacitors in one integrated packaged. The two types of capacitors allow the device to operate in both a common mode and differential mode simultaneously. The X2Y® technology can be used in a number of devices including switch-mode decoupling capacitors, AC &amp; DC leaded devices, SMT filters, planars, multicap arrays, polymer based chips, ceramic chip filters, thin film filters, thick film filters, ferrite devices, leaded MOV filter/surge devices, and planar MOV surge devices. 
   Besides providing filtering, the packaged circuit  10  may also be configured to relay output signals generated by various devices or provide operating instructions to various components. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates the packaged circuit  10  connected to a circuit board  20 . The packaged circuit  10  may be connected to the circuit board  20  by inserting pins of the packaged circuit into slots on the circuit board  20  or may be held in by brackets surrounding the packaged circuit  10  itself. The circuit board  20  also contains terminal traces  22  and  24  extending from signal terminals  12  and  16 . The traces  22  and  24  provide electrical connections from the terminals  12  and  16  of the packaged circuit  10  to two secondary or interface terminals  26  and  28  arranged on the circuit board  20 . In some embodiments, the traces  22  and  24  may be constructed from semiconductive material to link the signal terminals  12  and  16  of the packaged circuit  10  to the two secondary terminals  26  and  28 . In general, the traces  22  and  24  may be any configuration that allows the secondary terminals  26  and  28  to be connectable to the two signal terminals  12  and  16  of the packaged circuit  10 . The two secondary terminals  26  and  28  allow the terminals  12  and  16  to be displaced from the packaged circuit  10 . In some embodiments, the secondary terminals  26  and  28  are the terminals that interface with a remote device rather than the signal terminals  12  and  16 . In some embodiments, the secondary terminals  26  and  28  may be sized differently (e.g., larger) than the signal terminals  12  and  16  to facilitate the connection and installation of the packaged circuit  10  to another component. The packaged circuit  10  and the terminals  12  and  16  may be too small or located in problematic locations to properly connect to a remote component such as a motor and may require intricate wiring and/or soldering. The intricate wiring and/or soldering may be susceptible to vibrations, movements or other aspects of the environment causing the wires and/or soldering to break or become disconnected. The placement of the secondary terminals  26  and  28  may also be configured on the circuit board  20  so that the secondary terminals  26  and  28  are located closer to where they require connection to a device or component such as an electric motor so that connections such as wires can be shortened in length or eliminated entirely. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates a bracket  30 . The bracket  30  has an upper surface  31  and two clips  32  and  34  located on each side of the upper surface  31 . In some embodiments the clips  32  and  34  may be used to hold the circuit board  20  on the upper surface  31 . The clips  32  and  34  may be configured to provide a snap or friction fit. The top of the clips  32  and  34  may include a lip that holds the circuit board  20  in place by pushing the top of the circuit board  20  onto the upper surface  31 . The height of the clips  32  and  34  under the lip may be constructed to be the same height, or within a given margin, as the circuit board  20  to provide a secure fit under the lip. 
   To insert the circuit board  20  into the bracket  30 , the clips  32  and  34  may be flexible and malleable and pushed open or apart in order to insert the circuit board  20 . The clips  32  and  34  may “snap” back into place after the circuit board  20  has been placed under the lips. A spreading tool may also be used to move the clips  32  and  34  apart and together in order to insert and then hold the circuit board  20  on the upper surface  31  of the bracket  30 . The circuit board  20  may also be slid under the clips  32  and  34  from one side of the bracket  30  and held in place through the pressure of the clips, or lips, on the circuit board  20 . The circuit board  20  may also be held on the upper surface  31  using fasteners such as screws or bolts or an adhesive such as a conductive epoxy. In some embodiments, using the clips  32  and  34  may allow the circuit board  20  to be easily and quickly replaced since it snaps in and out from under the clips  32  and  34 . 
   The bracket  30  also has two legs  36  and  38 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the legs  36  and  38  may have a clip at the end, similar to the clips  32  and  34 , so that the bracket can be easily snapped into place on other components of the system. In alternative embodiments, the legs  36  and  38  may be attached to other components or structures by using screws, bolts, or other fasteners. The legs  36  and  38  may also be attached using an adhesive or solder. The bracket  30  may contain more or less legs or supports depending on the particular needs of the application at hand. 
   In some embodiments, the bracket  30  has a top support  39  to provide bracing and reinforcement for the bracket  30  like the two legs  36  and  38 . The end of the top support  39  may also contain a clip like those located on the ends of the legs  36  and  38 . The clip of the top support  39  may be configured to attach to a structure such as part of an electric motor in order to provide a ground path. The top support  39  may also be used as a handle or grip to place or remove the bracket  30 . In some embodiments, the bracket  30  is constructed from a conductive material such as steel or other metals, conductive plastics, or the like. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a packaged circuit module  40  containing the packaged circuit  10 , the circuit board  20 , and the bracket  30 . As shown in the figure, the two clips  32  and  34  hold the circuit board  20  in place on the upper surface  31  of the bracket  30 . In embodiments where the bracket is conductive, the bracket and particularly the upper surface  31  may offer EMI shielding and ground connection to the circuit board  20  and packaged circuit  10 . 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  provide additional details of the packaged circuit module  40 . As best seen by reference to  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , the circuit board  20  may be held on the bracket  30  by the two clips  32  and  34  with a friction fit. The two clips  32  and  34  are configured to hold the circuit board  20  on the upper surface  31 . In some embodiments, the two clips  32  and  34  are connectable with the terminals  14  and  18  of the packaged circuit  10 . As mentioned previously, the terminals  14  and  18  may be ground terminals of the packaged circuit  10 . As previously described, an X2Y® device has two or more ground connections or terminals in order to reduce the line-to-ground path for capacitors. In some embodiments, where the bracket  30  is constructed from a conductive material and is attached to or interfaced with a component, device, or structure that would provide grounding through the clips of the two legs  36  and  38  and/or the clip of the top support  39 , the two clips  32  and  34  may interface with the ground terminals  14  and  18  and may provide grounding for the packaged circuit  10 . The clips  32  and  34  may provide grounding through a direct connection or may be soldered to the ground terminals  14  and  18  to ensure a proper connection and ultimately a proper grounding for the packaged circuit  10 . The clips  32  and  34  may also be attached to the ground terminals  14  and  18  using an adhesive such as a conductive epoxy. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates the packaged circuit module  40  connected to an electric motor module  50 . The motor module  50  includes an electric motor  52 , a connector  54 , a shroud  56 , and a mechanical drive  58 . The connector  54  may interface with a wire harness that provides power, ground, and other control connections. The shroud  56  provides shielding from debris and dust and provides separation between the electric motor  52  and the mechanical drive  58 . The shroud may be constructed of an insulating or non-conductive material. 
   As seen in  FIG. 7 , the packaged circuit module  40  is located on the shroud  56 . In the illustrated embodiment, the structure and design of the bracket  30 , including the clips located at the ends of the legs  36  and  38  and the top support  39 , snap onto the shroud  56 . No additional fasteners such as screws or bolts are needed, which allows for quick replacement and reduced cost. 
   In some embodiments, the clip of the top support  39  may attach to a conductive retainer  64  surrounding the mechanical drive  58  in order to provide grounding. The mechanical drive  58  may create an antenna effect that generates an electromagnetic field. The clip of the top support  39  may provide a ground path that dissipates electromagnetic interference created by the mechanical drive  58 . 
   In some embodiments, the placement of the secondary terminals  26  and  28  are configured such that the secondary terminals  26  and  28  align with the necessary component(s) and/or device(s) of the system. As seen in  FIG. 7 , the secondary or interface terminals  26  and  28  are located such that they automatically interface or connect with output terminals  60  and  62  protruding through the shroud  56 . The output terminals  60  and  62  may represent power terminals routed from the electric motor  52 . The signals from the output terminals  60  and  62  are received by the secondary terminals  26  and  28  and transmitted through the traces  22  and  24  to the signal terminals  12  and  16  of the packaged circuit  10 . The signals from the output terminals  60  and  62  may represent power terminals used to operate the packaged circuit  10 . 
   The secondary terminals  26  and  28  may also provide a connection to a device or component through direct contact, wires and/or soldering, a combination thereof, or alternate forms of connection. 
   Since the shroud  56  is an insulator and the bracket  30  is connected to it, the bracket  30 , in particular the clips  32  and  34 , can provide ground connections for the ground terminals  14  and  18  of the packaged circuit  10 . As previously stated, the clips  32  and  34  may simply interface through contact with the ground terminals  14  and  18  or may be soldered to the terminals  14  and  18 . 
   As previously described, the packaged circuit  10  may be configured to provide functionality other than electromagnetic filtering and may be located in systems other than those described. The construction of the bracket  30  may also be varied depending on the system and location of the packaged circuit  10 . The bracket  30  may also consist of part of a preexisting component and/or device. In some embodiments, clips may be added to beams or other structures of the system that could be used to attach and support the circuit board  20  containing the packaged circuit  10 . The packaged circuit  10  may also contain more than four terminals and may contain more or less ground terminals and/or signal terminals. The positions of the terminals  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  shown are for illustrative purposes only and other configurations are possible. The circuit board  20  may also be replaced with other structures and substrates capable of supporting a packaged circuit and providing terminal traces to secondary terminals such as an insert-molded plastic substrate. The terminal traces  22  and  24  and secondary terminals  26  and  28  may also be provided by and embedded in the bracket  30  itself. The circuit board  20  may also be permanently affixed to the bracket  30 . 
   Various features and aspects of the invention are set forth in the following claims.