Patent Publication Number: US-7594824-B1

Title: Low profile angular backshell assembly device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates to a backshell for an electrical connector assembly for VHDCI (Very high density cable interconnect) series, more particularly with an angular position which cable opening of the backshell is perpendicular to the plane of chamber of the backshell to force a particular orientation of the connector cable with respect to an interface device, which provides the cable connector assembly in a minimum amount of clearance space for high speed electrical transmission systems such as military and other applications. 
   2. Prior Art 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   Structures are known for use with electrical connectors to provide some degree of strain relief and to thereby prevent against damage due to forces exerted during the frequent connection and disconnection. Some such structures are known as backshells and surround the cable and connector. 
   Cable connector backshell assemblies for high speed and high density transmission (VHDCI) electrical devices presently available are only suited for applications that limited spacing is not an issue. When spacing is limited and the cable needs to be bent to mate with the respected device this causes many problems. For example in military applications when an electrical enclosure has plurality of components and limited depth, a bending radius takes tremendous amount of space in some cases it makes it difficult or impossible to close the enclosure&#39;s lid. A bending radius puts stress on the interfacing connector device therefore causes imperfect connectivity and excessive ware on the connectors. 
   Typical backshells available in the industry such as the ALL-BEST CONNECTORS type VHDCI series manufactured by All Best Electronics Co. Ltd Taiwan, R.O.C (see page 35 of the 2003 Version 1 All-Best connectors catalog), VHDCI Off-Set U320/SE backshell by THE MATE COMPANY, Temecula, Calif. (see website: tmcscsi.com), and also HDRA-E68LGKPC by HONDA CONNECTORS, Bannockburn, Ill. (see website: hondaconnectors.com) are all straight angle backshell and are not suited where spacing is limited and there are plurality of components make it very difficult to attach the cable connector assembly with a straight angle backshell. 
   The following prior art for the said application is not desirable either. 
   For example, one such backshell is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,550 which issued to Rupert on Jun. 27, 1989. This backshell includes a pair of half shells which can be engaged around an electrical connector. This backshell consist of two shells to receive the cable in a direct straight angle. Therefore, it is considered undesirable in view of the complex plural components required and straight cable exit restricts the installation in a limited amount of clearance space. Yet, another backshell housing shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,407 which issued to Volk on Sep. 14, 1993, also requires a straight cable exit, therefore, being considered undesirable in a space where there is limited clearance. Another prior art of U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,245 issued to Arvind on Jan. 25, 2000, shows
 
a cable connector backshell assembly with a straight angle cable exit, again undesirable for the application where space is limited.
 
   Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a low-profile right angle backshell assembly to house a portion of a cable adjacent to the connector and the connector for high speed high density electrical transmission VHDCI series to mate with respected device without bending the cable, therefore, saving space, relieve stress on connectors, increase better connectivity, and longer life for the connectors. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Broadly the present invention provides a right angle backshell assembly for high speed high density VHDCI (very high density cable interconnect) electrical transmission cable connector. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Description: The novel feature believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the claims. The invention itself will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an open backshell in conformance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the cover in conformance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2A  is a bottom view of the cover in conformance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2B  is a back view of the cover in conformance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the base in conformance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3A  is a back view of the base in conformance with the present invention; 
   

   DRAWING 
   Reference Numerals 
   
       
         21  Cover 
         22  Chamber top 
         23  Cover top securing holes 
         24  Cover back tapped holes 
         25  Cover right angle cable opening 
         27  Rails 
         29  Cover corners chamfered 
         31  Base 
         33  Channels 
         35  Base tapped holes 
         37  Base right angle cable opening 
         38  Notches 
         39  Base back securing countersink thru holes 
         41  Chamber bottom 
         43  Base corners chamfers 
         50  Backshell assembly 
         51  Cover, half circle cable opening 
         52  Base, half circle cable opening 
     
  
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the figures and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of the invention and its use will be described. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a backshell assembly  50  of base  31  and the cover  21 . Half circle opening  51  in  FIG. 2  and half circle opening  52  in  FIG. 3  from the base  31  and the cover  21  upon closure form an opening to admit and retain an end portion of a cable. Said opening  51  and  52  is a circular opening which fits snugly around the circumference of the cable this opening has a substantially right angle turn to guide the cable in a substantially right angle. Also upon closure of the cover  21  and the base  31  a chamber is created by surfaces of  22  in  FIG. 2A  and from  41  in  FIG. 3  to house the electrical terminal connector which is at a substantially right angle with the cable. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates the cover  21  of the backshell assembly  50  used to construct a backshell assembly wherein shows the positions of the left and right side counter sink and thru 
   holes  23  securing the cover. A right angle preferred embodiment  25  located at the backend of  21  wherein a half circle  51  is formed through the embodiment  25  wherein to partially enclose the electrical cable. The right angle embodiment  25  is chamfered on both sides of its front corners  29  to create a low profile embodiment. 
     FIG. 2A  the embodiment  21  consist of left and right rails  27  extending from the back to the front of the cover wherein said rails are parallel to one another and to the side edges of the embodiment  21 , wherein creates a portion of the backshell chamber  22 , and intended to engage in channels  33   FIG. 3  where by enclosing the channel  33  and positioning the cover to the base  31  of the backshell assembly. 
     FIG. 2B  further illustrates the positioning of the back screws used to secure the base  31  to the cover  21  from the back by means of screws to threaded holes  24 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates the embodiment of the base of the backshell assembly  31  used to construct a backshell assembly  50  wherein the embodiment  31  consist of left and right channels  33  parallel to one another and side edges of embodiment  31 , wherein creates a portion of the backshell chamber  41 , which houses the electrical connector. Channels  33  are intended to house the jackscrews (not shown) to secure backshell assembly to mating device. Channels  33  are extending from the back to the front of base  31 .  FIG. 3  further illustrates threaded holes  35  for securing the cover  21  to the base  31 . A right angle preferred embodiment  37  located at the backend of the embodiment  31  wherein a half circle is formed to partially enclose a portion of the electrical cable and guide it substantially at a right angle. The right angle embodiment  37  is chamfered on both sides of its back corners  43  to create a low profile embodiment.  FIG. 3  further illustrates retaining notches  38  on both sides of the chamber walls to maintain fixed position and stability for the terminal connector within the chamber  41 . 
     FIG. 3A  illustrate the back view of embodiment  31  wherein includes a left and right thru holes and countersink  39  to pull the cover  21  around the cable and secure the base  31  to the cover  21  by means of countersink screws. 
   While the above is a complete description of specific embodiments of the present invention, various modifications, variations, and alternatives maybe employed. For example, the preferred embodiments  37  and  25  could be modified in various angles other than just 90 degrees it could be any angle to accommodate the space and the mating device. For example, 30, 45, 60 degrees or whatever angle to meet the required applications. Additionally, openings  51  and  52  for admitting cable could be modified in different geometry such as oval, elliptical or others. Further, the retaining notches  38  could be modified to a wider width to accommodate different versions of connectors. The backshell assembly  50  could be made from different material such as aluminum, steel, brass or family of plastics. Furthermore, The backshell assembly could be manufactured in different sizes. The backshell assembly could be manufactured by means of machining from blank material, casting or stamping or different methods. The backshell could have different finish like plating, powder coating, painting and different methods coating. 
   While the invention is shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.