GB2170656A

GB2170656A - Electric circuit assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB2170656A
Application number: GB08429436A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Ingram Arthur Leith
Original assignee: Marconi Co Ltd
Current assignee: BAE Systems Electronics Ltd
Priority date: 1983-12-23
Filing date: 1984-11-21
Publication date: 1986-08-06
Also published as: DE3446742A1; GB2170656B; SE8406570L; FR2578108A1; FR2578108B1; SE8406570D0

Abstract

An electric circuit assembly comprises two or more generally annular frames 1 each carrying one or more electric circuit cards 2 and each provided with a plurality of plug and socket connectors 3, 4 arranged around its periphery. The frames are arranged to fit together to form a hollow cylindrical structure with the circuit cards within it, the connectors providing electrical paths between adjacent frames and thereby between the circuit cards carried by these frames. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electric circuit assemblies The present invention relates to electric circuit assemblies.

There is frequently a need for electric or electronic equipment to be packaged in cylindrical containders, but it can be difficult to obtain a desired high packaging density where the diameter of the cylinder is only a few inches, particularly if a passage through the assembly has to be left free. Assemblies of this form are often required to be both resistant to shock and vibration and accessible for the making of connections between the parts.

In one known form of assembly rectangular circuit cards of varying sizes are stacked parallel to the axis of a cylindrical housing.

In another form circuit cards are assembled perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical housing, the cards taking the form of circles or tori with segments removed to provide space for interconnections. The provision of interconnections becomes more difficult as larger numbers of wires are needed. Again, in a closely packed assembly of circuit cards the soldering of connections can be difficult because of the limited access, and space must be provided for a flexible loop in any connecting wires to permit assembly. If discrete connectors are used a relatively large segment must be cut out of at least some cards to provide sufficient space, reducing the useable area of the circuit cards.

According to one aspect of the present invention in an electric circuit assembly comprising two or more electric circuit cards each card is mounted on a respective substantially circular frame bearing respective plug and socket connectors, said frames being arranged to join with one another to form a substantially cylindrical assembly within which the circuit cards on respective frames lie substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the axis of said assembly, said plug and socket connectors being arranged to provide electrical interconnections between adjacent frames and thereby between said circuit cards.

According to another aspect of the present invention an electric circuit assembly comprises two or more frame members each bearing a plurality of plug and socket contacts, said frame members being arranged to join with one another to form a generally hollow structure with respective plug and socket contacts on adjacent frame members cooperating to provide electrical interconnecting paths between said adjacent frame members, and each frame member being arranged to carry within its periphery one or more electric circuit cards to which electrical connections are arranged to be made by way of respective plug and socket contacts on the respective frame member.

Preferably the frame members are of substantially annular form and said structure is of hollow cylindrical form.

An electric circuit assembly in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a part of the assembly in perspective, Figure 2 shows in perspective a tool for use in dismantling the assembly, and Figure 3 shows in perspective a test connector for use with the assembly.

Referring first to Fig. 1 the assembly comprises a plurality of sections, of which only one is shown, each comprising a generally annular outer frame 1 of electrically insulating material upon which there is supported a generally planar electric circuit card 2. The card 2 may be annular, as shown in Fig. 1, or may be circular, part-circular or of any other convenient outline.

Spaced around each frame 1 there are provided a plurality of contact members 3 arranged in a single "circular row", each contact member 3 extending -generally parallel to the axis of the annular frame 1 and comprising a pin or male contact portion 4 at one end and a socket or female contact portion (not shown) at the other, this other end of each contact member 3 being contained within a respective close-tolerance hole in the annular frame 1.Surrounding the pin portions of the contact members 3 there is provided a shroud member 5, which may be formed integrally with the annular frame 1, this shroud member 5 serving both to protect the pin portions 4 and, in co-operation with a corresponding portion 6 of smaller diameter on another frame 1, to locate two frames that are to be "stacked", or plugged in to one another in a circuit assembly, before the pin portions 4 of contact members 3 on one frame 1 begin to engage the respective socket portions (not shown) of corresponding contact members 3 on the other frame. An axially-extending rib 7 on the inner face of the shroud member 5 and a corresponding groove on the outer face of the portion 6 serve to ensure that frames 1 stack in the correct rotational orientation.

When two or more frames 1 are stacked, to form a generally cylindrical assembly, the mated contact members 3 form a plurality of continuous electrically conducting paths from one frame to the next, and electrical interconnections between circuit boards 2 on different frames 1 may be made by soldering or otherwise electrically connecting the necessary pin portions 4 on the respective frames 1 to electrically conductive tracks on the respective circuit boards 2. For this purpose the circuit boards 2 may be provided with holes at all pin positions, as indicated in Fig. 1, although connections will be made only where conduc tors on the boards 2 are extended to the required pins 4.

It will be appreciated that in an assembly of these frames 1 the boards 2 carried by the frames will lie with their planes generally par allel and transverse to the axis of the cylindri cal structure formed by the frames, the spac ing between adjacent boards 2 being deter mined by the axial thickness of the frames 1.

Although a right-cylindrical form of assembly is widely applicable it will be appreciated that the frames 1 themselves may be of non-circu lar or part-circular plan as required.

The contact members 3 may be arranged in an interrupted ring and/or in two or more rows, as required by the number of connec tións to be extended through the assembly.

The shroud members 5 on each frame 1 may be cut away at intervals around the frame 1, for example at three places as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, so that the edge of the shroud member 5 at each of those places forms a ramp 7. A jointed and knurled ring 8, shown in Fig. 2, may be fitted around the assembly, and closed with a pin 9, in such a position that inwardly extending projections 10 lie where a shroud member 5 has been cut away. Upon rotation of the ring 8 with re spect to the assembly the projections 10 ride up the ramps 7 and bear against the under edge of the shroud member 5 on the next frame 1, enabling a progressive and even sep aration of frames.

Referring to Fig. 3 when a circuit assembly or a single frame requires testing a test frame 11 may be plugged into the assembly or the single frame 1 exactly like another frame 1, and the necessary external connections made by way of a multiconductor cable 12 and a conventional multiway connector 13.

The substrate for the circuit board 2 may be moulded integrally with the frame 1.

In applications where the frames 1 would not be sufficiently robust if composed entirely of electrically insulating material, these frames may be cast or machined from, say, alumi nium, with the individual contact pins being located and supported within sleeves of elec trically insulating material.

Claims

1. An electric circuit assembly comprising two or more electric circuit cards, wherein each card is mounted on a respective sub stantially circular frame bearing respective plug and socket connectors, said frames being ar ranged to join with one another to form a substantially cylindrical assembly within which the circuit cards on respective frames lie sub stantially parallel to one another and substan tially perpendicular to the axis of said as sembly, said plug and socket connectors be ing arranged to provide electrical interconnec tions between adjacent frames and thereby between said circuit cards.

2. An electric circuit assembly comprises two or more frame members each bearing a plurality of plug and socket contacts, said frame members being arranged to join with one another to form a generally hollow structure with respective plug and socket contacts on adjacent frame members cooperating to provide electrical interconnecting paths between said adjacent frame members, and each frame member being arranged to carry within its periphery one or more electric circuit cards to which electrical connections are arranged to be made by way of respective plug and socket contacts on the respective frame member.

3. An electric circuit assembly in accordance with Claim 2 wherein the frame members are of substantially annular form and said structure is of hollow cylindrical form.

4. An electric circuit assembly comprising two or more frame members of substantially annular form each bearing a plurality of plug and socket contact members arranged in a substantially circular row centred on the axis of the respective frame and each contact member extending generally parallel to that axis, said frame members being arranged to join with one another to form a generally cylindrical hollow structure with respective plug and socket contacts on adjacent frame members cooperating to provide electrical interconnecting paths between said adjacent frame members, and each frame member being arranged to carry within its periphery one or more electric circuit cards to which electrical connections are arranged to be made by way of respective plug and socket contacts on the respective frame member.

5. An electric circuit assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

6. An electric circuit assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.