Patent Application
20210119381
Telecommunications systems often employ hardline connectors for data transfer between telecom components, e.g., a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) and a telecommunications sector antenna. These hardline connectors often employ an arrangement of spring-biased fingers/elements for making the requisite electrical connections, e.g., signal or electrical ground connections, from one connector to a mating connector. One type of connector, known as a 4.3-10 Connector, commonly employs a multi-fingered inner conductor socket surrounded by a multi-fingered outer connector basket which receive an inner conductor pin and an outer conductor sleeve, respectively, of an adjoining/opposing connector.
The geometric similarity between connectors, in combination with the difficulty associated with physically making an electrical connection, i.e., fifty (50) feet in the air, can cause Linemen to improperly/incorrectly join connectors. While connectors which do not properly mate will, in most instances, not be able to be joined (i.e., to affect a viable telecommunications connection), the attempt alone can damage or, otherwise distort, at least one of the conductors.
Particularly vulnerable are the fingers of the outer conductor basket. For example, a Mini-Din connector, which is also an RF connector used in the telecommunications industry, is sufficiently similar in appearance that one might inadvertently try to connect a Mini-Din plug to a 4.3-10 jack. Unfortunately, in applying force to establish the connection, the structure of the Mini-Din plug may press against and force outward the finger elements of the 4.3-10 outer conductor basket. Not only would this cause an improper RF connection, it would damage the 4.3-10 jack, requiring that it be replaced. Inasmuch as the connector is, most often, an integral component of an electronic component, e.g., a Remote Radio Unit or an antenna, a seemingly small amount of damage to the connector can incapacitate a very costly piece of telecommunications equipment, i.e., ranging from $20K to $40K to replace.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome, or otherwise lessen the effects of, the disadvantages and shortcomings described above.
Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Brief Description of the Drawings and Detailed Description.
In one embodiment of the disclosure, a connector is provided comprising a center or inner conductor, an outer conductor basket and an annular abutment/alignment guide disposed therebetween. The inner conductor socket transmits RF signals from one connector to another across a mating interface. The outer conductor basket comprises a plurality of axially projecting fingers operative to electrically ground the connector. The annular abutment comprises an outwardly facing abutment surface and an alignment guide disposed integrally with the annular abutment. The annular abutment surface projects from a base of the connector between the inner conductor and outer conductor basket. The alignment guide includes a flanged end portion projecting: (i) radially outboard from an upper or forward end of the annular abutment, and (ii) over, or forward of, the tip ends of each axially projecting basket finger. The annular abutment: (a) inhibits inward radial displacement of the axially projecting fingers, (b) prevents plastic deformation of the basket fingers upon annular abutment of a non-mating connector, and (c) aligns a mating connector so as to prevent damage to the basket fingers upon annular abutment of the mating connector.
In one embodiment, the annular abutment is integral with the connector base and in another embodiment, the annular abutment is separate from, and non-integral with the base. In the latter embodiment, the annular abutment is press-fit against an inwardly facing surface of the connector base.
A connector is described including first and second connectors or connector portions each comprising electrically-connecting inner and outer conductors. While the connector includes first and second mating connector portions, it should be understood and appreciated that, in the context used herein, a “connector” means either or both of the connector portions.
The following describes a connector, for example, a 4.3-10 connector, and a protective annular abutment for inhibiting, mitigating or reducing damage which may or can occur to a multi-fingered spring-biased outer conductor basket of the connector. The 4.3-10 connector 10 of the type described herein may have an impedance of about fifty Ohms (50Ω) with a frequency range of between about one Kilo-Hertz (0.1 GHz) to about six Giga-Hertz (6 GHz.), although variations to the connector parameters are possible and within the scope of the disclosure. Such connectors are available for purchase under the model designations 4.3-10 from JMA Wireless Inc., (a world-class industry leader in the design, fabrication, and supply of wireless RF telecommunications products) located in Liverpool, State of New York.
While the protective annular abutment is particularly useful for 4.3-10 connectors, it will be appreciated that the protective annular abutment, and the teachings associate therewith, are equally applicable to a wide-variety of telecommunications/signal connectors. The protective annular abutment of the present disclosure has utility upon assembly of the 4.3-10. Specifically, the annular abutment prevents damage to the basket fingers by guiding a mating connector over the basket fingers, especially when the connectors are presented or mated at a large angle of inclination.
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The annular abutment 20 defines a central bore 36 for receipt of the inner conductor or pin 12, and, in the described embodiment, forms an annular ring or annular abutment 38 configured to engage, and center, the pin 12 within the annular abutment 20. As such, only a small circumferential ring comes into contact with the signal transmitting pin 12, thus minimizing the probability of inducing interference.
The annular abutment 20 may be integrally formed with the body of the connector 10 or formed as a separate, isolated element.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is depicted in
Similar to the previously described embodiment, the annular abutment 20 prohibits outward plastic deformation of the basket fingers 16t while the alignment guide 30 is configured to prevent misalignment of the connectors 10 and damage to the basket fingers 16 as the first connector 10A is joined to the second connector 10B along a mating interface.
In summary, the annular abutment 20 protects the basket fingers 16 from being displaced radially, i.e., both inwardly and outwardly, beyond the elastic limits or properties of the basket fingers 16. The abutment surface 26 of the annular abutment prevents the basket fingers 16 from being plastically deformed inwardly beyond the initial outward bias of the fingers 16. That is, the basket fingers 16 are biased outwardly so as to form the angular relationship between the basket fingers 16 and the abutment surface 26. The angle α is selected so as to maintain the outward angular bias of the basket fingers, i.e., without degrading or plastically deforming the basket fingers 16 inwardly. On the other hand, the alignment guide 30 of the annular abutment 20 also protects the basket fingers 16 from being displaced radially outwardly in a similarly damaging manner. Inasmuch as the guide surface 34 is disposed radially outboard of the tip ends 16t of the basket fingers 16, a mating connector surface 52 may be forced over the basket fingers 16 rather than beneath, or under, the fingers 16. As a result, a mating connector cannot be inserted in a manner which would plastically deform the basket fingers 16 outwardly, i.e., potentially damaging the fingers 16.
Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments described above, where one or more of its components, functionalities or structures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or more of the components, functionalities or structures of a different embodiment described above.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2019/027913 | 4/17/2019 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62658743 | Apr 2018 | US |
