The disclosure relates generally to electrical coaxial connectors for establishing electrical connections between mated electrical connectors, and more particularly to electrical coaxial connectors with a translating grounding collar for establishing a ground path with a mating connector.
Coaxial connectors are frequently used to establish electrical connections between different electronic devices and/or electronic components to each other to establish electronic communication between them. A coaxial connector is an electrical connector typically used with coaxial cables to maintain a quality connection and shielding across the connection of coaxial components. In particular, coaxial connectors are configured to carry (e.g., propagate) electrical signals (e.g., frequency signals, radio frequency (RF) signals, microwave RF signals, etc.) across the connection of coaxial components. Some coaxial connectors are used as adapters to mate to and provide electrical communication between two other connectors that need to be mated.
Coaxial connectors conventionally include electrically conductive contacts, which are surrounded by a non-conductive insulator, such as plastic, which is then surrounded by a housing, among other components. In manufacturing and machining a coaxial connector, each of the components (e.g., parts, pieces) of the coaxial connector has a certain manufacturing tolerance or range of variability (e.g., +/−0.001 mm). When the coaxial connector is assembled, the manufacturing tolerances of each individual component attribute to a tolerance stack up or range of variability of the entire assembly. In other words, for example, the precise location of the tip of a conductor (e.g., male pin contact, female socket contact, etc.) relative to an end of the housing may vary between different coaxial connectors, even though the coaxial connectors are of the same type and manufacture. This creates some variability in the compression and/or mating distance required for these connectors to make and/or maintain electrical contact for continuous signal conductivity.
Further, these coaxial connectors conventionally require a grounding contact as part of the circuit connection made by the connector. However, electrical surges may occur as the coaxial connector is mated to another connector where an electro-static discharge (ESD) is generated across the conductors prior to grounding through the grounding contact due to a buildup of static charge in the connectors. Such an electrical surge may cause damage to electronic equipment (e.g., printed circuit board (PCB) and/or components thereof) in electrical communication with the coaxial connector. Further, without a proper ground connection, the coaxial connector may not function properly (e.g., may not provide a properly functioning RF path) and/or may experience rapid electrical degradation of the conductors of the corresponding connectors.
No admission is made that any reference cited herein constitutes prior art. Applicant expressly reserves the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of any cited documents.
Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a coaxial connector with a translating grounding collar for establishing a ground path with a mating connector. The coaxial connector is configured to establish a ground path and an electrical path between two mating connectors. In exemplary aspects disclosed herein, the coaxial connector includes a housing with a first conductor and a second conductor mounted within, and electrically insulated from, the housing. Further, the coaxial connector comprises a grounding collar mounted to the housing to provide a grounding path between the coaxial connector and the mating connector during mating that can discharge electro-static discharge (ESD) build up before an electrical path is established between the first and second conductors and a mating connector. At least a portion of the first conductor is positioned in the grounding collar, with the grounding collar and first conductor independently spring-biased towards a first end of the coaxial connector. Prior to mating of the coaxial connector with a mating connector, the first and second conductors are electrically insulated from one another. As a first end of the coaxial connector is mated with a mating connector, the grounding collar is designed to make contact with the mating connector, and axially translate before the first conductor contacts the mating connector. Once the grounding collar and the first conductor are in contact with the mating connector, the grounding collar and first conductor axially translate together at least until the first conductor contacts the second conductor. Thus, the coaxial connector is grounded before establishing an electrical connection between the coaxial connector and a mating connector while also compensating for tolerance stack variability in the coaxial connector. Thus, a continuous and reliable electrical and grounding contact between the connectors can be made through the coaxial connector.
One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a coaxial connector comprising a housing, a first conductor, and a grounding collar. The housing comprises a first end and a second end. The first conductor is mounted within and electrically insulated from the housing. The grounding collar is mounted to and in electrical communication with an exterior of the housing with at least a portion of the first conductor positioned within the grounding collar. The grounding collar is biased towards the housing first end and configured to axially translate towards the housing second end upon contact with a first connector. The coaxial connector is configured to establish an electrical path between the first conductor and the first connector after establishing a grounding path between the grounding collar and the first connector, and after axial translation of the grounding collar.
An additional embodiment of the disclosure relates to a coaxial connector comprising a housing, a first conductor, a second conductor and a grounding collar. The housing comprises a first end and a second end. The first conductor comprises a first end and a second end. The first conductor first end is configured to contact a first connector. The first conductor is mounted within the housing towards the housing first end by a first dielectric. The first conductor is electrically insulated from the housing by the first dielectric. The first conductor is biased towards the housing first end and configured to axially translate towards the housing second end upon contact of the first conductor first end with the first connector. The second conductor comprises a first end and a second end. The second conductor second end is configured to contact a second connector. The second conductor is electrically insulated from the housing by a second dielectric. The second conductor is mounted within the housing towards the housing second end by the second dielectric. The second conductor is fixed relative to the housing. The grounding collar is mounted to and in electrical communication with an exterior of the housing, with at least a portion of the first conductor positioned within the grounding collar. The grounding collar is biased towards the housing first end and configured to axially translate towards the housing second end upon contact with the first connector. The coaxial connector is configured to establish an electrical path between the first conductor and the first connector after establishing a grounding path between the grounding collar and the first connector, and after axial translation of the grounding collar. The coaxial connector is further configured to establish electrical contact between the first conductor second end and the second conductor first end after axial translation of the first conductor.
Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments.
Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a coaxial connector with a translating grounding collar for establishing a ground path with a mating connector. The coaxial connector is configured to establish a ground path and an electrical path between two mating connectors. In exemplary aspects disclosed herein, the coaxial connector includes a housing with a first conductor and a second conductor mounted within, and electrically insulated from, the housing. Further, the coaxial connector comprises a grounding collar mounted to the housing to provide a grounding path between the coaxial connector and the mating connector during mating that can discharge electro-static discharge (ESD) build up before an electrical path is established between the first and second conductors and a mating connector. At least a portion of the first conductor is positioned in the grounding collar, with the grounding collar and first conductor independently spring-biased towards a first end of the coaxial connector. Prior to mating of the coaxial connector with a mating connector, the first and second conductors are electrically insulated from one another. As a first end of the coaxial connector is mated with a mating connector, the grounding collar is designed to make contact with the mating connector, and axially translate before the first conductor contacts the mating connector. Once the grounding collar and the first conductor are in contact with the mating connector, the grounding collar and first conductor axially translate together at least until the first conductor contacts the second conductor. Thus, the coaxial connector is grounded before establishing an electrical connection between the coaxial connector and a mating connector while also compensating for tolerance stack variability in the coaxial connector. Thus, a continuous and reliable electrical and grounding contact between the connectors can be made through the coaxial connector.
The coaxial connector 102 comprises a first mating interface 108A at a first end 110A for mating with the first mating connector 104 and a second mating interface 108B at a second end 110B (opposite the first end 110A) for mating with the second mating connector 106. Similarly, the first mating connector 104 comprises a first mating interface 112A at a first end 114A and a second mating interface 112B at a second end 114B (opposite the first end). The first mating connector second mating interface 112B is configured to mate with the coaxial connector first mating interface 108A. Similarly, the second mating connector 106 comprises a first mating interface 116A (shown in
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Upon contact with the first mating connector housing 132, the grounding collar 128 translates towards the coaxial connector second end 110B. After the grounding collar 128 translates, the coaxial connector first conductor 130 contacts the first mating connector conductor 134 to establish an electrical path between the coaxial connector 102 and the first mating connector 104. Thus, the coaxial connector 102 is grounded before establishing an electrical connection between the coaxial connector 102 and the first mating connector 104 (and the second mating connector 106). Thus, a continuous and reliable electrical and grounding contact between the connectors 102, 104, 106 can be made through the coaxial connector 102.
The outer shell 126 maintains attachment of the grounding collar 128 to the housing 124, is generally cylindrical, and defines a first opening 212A at a first end (e.g., towards the coaxial connector first end 110A), a second opening 212B at a second end (opposite the first end and towards the coaxial connector second end 110B), and a generally cylindrical interior 212C therebetween. The outer shell 126 further comprises an inward annular flange 214 proximate the first end and defining the first opening 212A to maintain attachment of the grounding collar 128 to the housing 124. In this manner, the size (e.g., diameter) of the first opening 212A is smaller than the second opening 212B. An interior surface of the outer shell 126 (towards the second opening 212B is frictionally engaged with an exterior surface of the housing outer shoulder 206. Accordingly, the outer shell 126 is fixedly attached to the housing 124 and defines a gap 218 (e.g., gap region, divide, etc.) between the outer shell 126 and the housing first portion 204A to retain a portion of the grounding collar 128 within the gap 218. Further, the second opening 212B may include an inner chamfer 216 along an interior edge of the rim to facilitate assembly of the outer shell 126 to the grounding collar 128. More specifically, the outer shell inner chamfer 216 interacts with the housing outer shoulder chamfer 208 to facilitate the assembly as the outer shoulder 206 is slid into the outer shell second opening 212B.
The grounding collar 128 establishes a grounding path with the first mating connector 104, is generally cylindrical, and defines a first opening 220A at a first end (e.g., towards the coaxial connector first end 110A), a second opening 220B at a second end (opposite the first end and towards the coaxial connector second end 110B), and a generally cylindrical interior 220C therebetween. The grounding collar 128 further comprises an outward annular flange 222 proximate the second opening 220B first end to maintain attachment of the grounding collar 128 to the housing 124. When assembled, as shown, a portion of the housing 124 (e.g., the housing first opening 202A) is positioned within the grounding collar interior 220C, with the grounding collar outward annular flange 222 positioned within the gap 218. In this manner, the grounding collar 128 is axially translatable relative to the housing 124 where the grounding collar outward annular flange 222 has clearance for translating within the gap 218. However, the grounding collar 128 is prevented from disengaging from the housing 124 and grounding collar 128 by the interaction of the grounding collar outward annular flange 222 with the outer shell inward annular flange 214. In other words, the outer shell first opening 212A is larger than an external diameter of the grounding collar 128 (e.g., proximate the grounding collar first opening 220A) but smaller than an external diameter of the grounding collar outward annular flange 222. In this manner, the grounding collar 128 cannot disengage from the housing 124.
The outer spring 200 biases the grounding collar 128 relative to the housing 124 towards the coaxial connector first end 110A, and comprises a first flat end surface 224A at a first end and a second flat end surface 224B at a second end (opposite the first end). As shown, the outer spring 200 is positioned within the gap 218 with the first flat end surface 224A positioned towards the coaxial connector first end 110A and contacting the grounding collar 128 (proximate the grounding collar second opening 220B). The second flat end surface 224B is positioned towards the coaxial connector second end 110B and contacting the housing outer shoulder 206. In this manner, the outer spring 200 biases the grounding collar 128 towards the coaxial connector first end 110A, but is compressible such that the grounding collar 128 can axially translate within the gap 218. Further, the outer spring 200 provides continuous grounding contact between the grounding collar 128 and the housing outer shoulder 206. The first and second flat end surfaces 224A, 224B help facilitate an even, constant contact between the grounding collar 128 and the housing outer shoulder 206, minimizes the length of the outer spring 200, provides a lower solid height of the outer spring 200, and spreads out the biasing force.
Each of the first conductor subassembly 300 and second conductor subassembly 302 is mounted within and electrically insulated from the housing 124, and electrically insulated from each other when disconnected from the first mating connector 104 (explained in more detail below). The first conductor subassembly 300 and second conductor subassembly 302 are configured to form an electrical path with the first mating connector 104 when the first conductor subassembly 300 contacts the first mating connector 104. More specifically, the first conductor subassembly 300 is configured to axially translate towards the second conductor subassembly 302 (e.g., and towards the coaxial connector second end 110B) to make contact with the second conductor subassembly 302 and establish an electrical path between the coaxial connector 102 and the first mating connector 104. Axial translation of the first conductor subassembly 300 ensures that the grounding path is established before the electrical path and also compensates for tolerance stack variability.
The first conductor subassembly 300 comprises a first conductor housing 308, an O-ring 310 (e.g., gasket) positioned external to the first conductor housing 308, a first conductor dielectric cylinder 312 positioned within the first conductor housing 308, and the first conductor 130 mounted within the first conductor dielectric cylinder 312. The first conductor housing 308 is in grounding connection with the housing assembly 120. The O-ring 310 seals the housing assembly housing 124 from the environment and ensures proper operation and functioning of the coaxial connector 102. The first conductor dielectric cylinder 312 mounts the first conductor 130 within the first conductor housing 308 and electrically insulates the first conductor 130 from the first conductor housing 308.
The first conductor housing 308 mounts the first conductor 130 within the housing assembly 120. The first conductor housing 308 is in grounding connection with the housing assembly 120. The first conductor housing 308 comprises a first portion 314A defining a first opening 316A at a first end (e.g., towards the coaxial connector first end 110A), a second portion 314B defining a second opening 316B at a second end (e.g., opposite the first end and towards the coaxial connector second end 110B), and an interior 316C positioned between the first opening 316A and the second opening 316B. The first conductor housing first portion 314A frictionally engages the first conductor dielectric cylinder 312 to fixedly mount the first conductor dielectric cylinder 312 within the interior 316C. The first portion 314A comprises an outer annular flange 318 proximate the first opening 316A, and an outer annular protrusion 320 positioned between the outer annular flange 318 and the second cylindrical portion 314B to retain the O-ring 310. The O-ring 310 is positioned and retained between the outer annular flange 318 and outer annular protrusion 320 and remains therebetween as the first conductor housing 308 axially translates relative to the housing assembly housing 124. The second cylindrical portion 314B comprises a plurality of axial cantilever strips 322 extending towards the coaxial connector second end 110B, with each of the axial cantilever strips 322 outwardly biased and comprising a bulbous end 324 to maintain contact with the intermediate bushing 304 and maintain contact as the first conductor housing 308 axially translates relative to the intermediate bushing 304. The axial cantilever strips 322 are circumferentially positioned and separated from one another by axially extending channels 326.
The first conductor dielectric cylinder 312 mounts the first conductor 130 within the first conductor housing 308 and electrically insulates the first conductor 130 from the first conductor housing 308. The first conductor dielectric cylinder 312 is generally cylindrical and defines a first opening 328A at a first end (towards the coaxial connector first end 110A), a second opening 328B at a second end (opposite the first end and towards the coaxial connector second end 110B), and a generally cylindrical interior 328C therebetween. As shown, the first conductor dielectric cylinder 312 mounts the first conductor 130 within the interior 328C.
The first conductor 130 comprises a first male hemispherical contact 330 at a first end, a second male cylindrical contact 332 at a second end, and a rod 334 therebetween. As shown, the first male hemispherical contact 330 is configured to contact the first mating connector 104 (and establish an electrical path therebetween). The first male hemispherical contact 330 is positioned towards the coaxial connector first end 110A, within the grounding collar 128 (e.g., within the grounding collar interior 220C), but exterior to the housing assembly housing 124, the first conductor housing 308 (e.g., first conductor housing first portion 314A), and/or the first conductor dielectric cylinder 312. It is noted that the coaxial connector 102 is configured to minimize the distance between the grounding collar 128 and the electrical signal path (e.g., first conductor 130). This increases the operational reliability of the coaxial connector 102 when mated with the first mating connector 104.
The first conductor 130 is configured to contact and mate with the first mating connector 104. The position of the first male hemispherical contact 330 allows the grounding collar 128 to establish a grounding path before the first male hemispherical contact 330 establishes an electrical path, but also provides a point of electrical contact after the grounding collar 128 axially translates relative to the housing assembly housing 120 and/or first male hemispherical contact 330.
The rod 334 extends through the first conductor housing 308 (e.g., through the first conductor dielectric cylinder 312) without contacting the first conductor housing 308. This ensures that the first conductor 130 does not contact the first conductor housing 308 and insulates the grounding path from the electrical path. As shown, the second male cylindrical contact 332 extends past the first conductor housing second opening 316B, and is positioned within the intermediate bushing 304, proximate to the second conductor subassembly 302. This gap electrically insulates the first conductor subassembly 300 from the second conductor subassembly 302 when the first conductor 130 is in an uncompressed orientation.
The second conductor subassembly 300 comprises a second conductor housing 336, a second conductor bushing 338, a second conductor dielectric cylinder 340, and a second conductor 342 (e.g., electrical feature). The second conductor housing 336 mounts the second conductor 342 within the housing assembly 120. The second conductor housing 336 is in grounding connection with the housing assembly 120. The second conductor bushing 338 attaches the second conductor subassembly 302 to the intermediate bushing 304 (and prevents disengagement of the first conductor subassembly 300 from the housing assembly 120). The second conductor dielectric cylinder 340 mounts the second conductor 342 within the second conductor housing 336 and electrically insulates the second conductor 342 from the second conductor housing 336.
The second conductor housing comprises a first portion 344A defining a first opening 346A at a first end (e.g., towards the coaxial connector first end 110A), a second portion 344B defining a second opening 346B at a second end (e.g., opposite the first end and towards the coaxial connector second end 110B), an interior 346C positioned between the first opening 346A and the second opening 346B, and an outer shoulder 348 positioned between the first portion 344A and the second portion 344B. The outer shoulder 348 is positioned within the housing second opening 202B and frictionally engaged with the housing assembly housing 124, thereby fixedly attaching the second conductor housing 336 to the housing assembly housing 124. Further the second conductor housing 336 contacts the housing second portion inner shoulder 210, which provides a stopping point when inserting the second conductor housing 336 into the housing assembly housing 124 (e.g., preventing over insertion). The first portion 344A comprises an inner annular protrusion 350 to engage and mount the second conductor dielectric cylinder 340 to the second conductor housing 336.
The second conductor bushing 338 defines a first opening 352A at a first end (towards the coaxial connector first end 110A), a second opening 352B at a second end (opposite the first end and towards the coaxial connector second end 110B), and a generally cylindrical interior 352C therebetween. The second conductor bushing 338 further comprises an outer annular flange 354 proximate the first opening 352A, which extends past an external surface of the second conductor housing 336 to interact with the intermediate bushing 304. In this manner, the outer annular flange 354 attaches the second conductor housing 336 to the intermediate bushing 304 (and prevents disengagement of the first conductor subassembly 300 from the housing assembly 120). As shown, the second conductor bushing 338 (e.g., the second opening 352B) is inserted in the second conductor housing interior 346C, and the second conductor bushing 338 is frictionally engaged with an interior surface of the second conductor housing 336 thereby fixedly attaching the second conductor bushing 338 with the second conductor housing 336.
The second conductor dielectric cylinder 340 mounts the second conductor 342 within the second conductor housing 336 and electrically insulates the second conductor 342 from the second conductor housing 336. The second conductor dielectric cylinder 340 is generally cylindrical and defines a first opening 356A at a first end (towards the coaxial connector first end 110A), a second opening 356B at a second end (opposite the first end and towards the coaxial connector second end 110B), and a generally cylindrical interior 356C therebetween. The second conductor dielectric cylinder 340 further comprises an outer annular groove 358 which receives the second conductor housing inner annular protrusion 350 therein to fixedly attach the second conductor dielectric cylinder 340 to the second conductor housing 336. As shown, the second conductor dielectric cylinder 340 mounts the second conductor 342 therein, and electrically insulates the second conductor 342 from the second conductor housing 336.
The second conductor 342 comprises a female socket contact 360 at a first end (towards the coaxial connector first end 110A), a male contact 362 at a second end (opposite the first end and towards the coaxial connector second end 110B), and an external mounting recess 364 positioned therebetween. The second conductor 342 is axially aligned with the first conductor 130. The female socket contact 360 is configured to mate with and receive the first conductor second male cylindrical contact 332 therein when the first conductor 130 axially translates towards the second conductor 342. Further, the female socket contact 360 could include tapered inner sidewalls to provide a tight fit with the first conductor second male cylindrical contact 332. The second conductor male contact 362 is configured to contact and mate with the second mating connector 106. The second conductor mounting recess 364 is configured to be positioned within the second conductor dielectric cylinder interior 356 to fixedly attach the second conductor 342 relative to the second conductor dielectric cylinder 340.
As mentioned above, the first conductor subassembly 300 is attached to the second conductor subassembly 302 by the intermediate bushing 304. The intermediate bushing 304 defines a first opening 366A at a first end (towards the coaxial connector first end 110A), a second opening 366B at a second end (opposite the first end and towards the coaxial connector second end 110B), and a generally cylindrical interior 366C therebetween. The intermediate bushing 304 comprises a first outer annular flange 368A proximate the first opening 366A at the first end and a second outer annular flange 368B proximate the second opening 366B at the second end. The first and second outer annular flanges 368A, 368B decrease the surface area contact between the intermediate bushing 304 and the inner surface of the housing assembly housing 124. This decreases the resistance force as the first conductor subassembly 300 axially translates relative to the housing assembly housing 124. The intermediate bushing 304 further comprises an inner annular flange 370 proximate the second opening 366B at the second end, which interacts with the second conductor bushing 338 to attach the first conductor subassembly 300 to the second conductor subassembly 302 and prevent disengagement of the first conductor subassembly 300 from the housing assembly housing 124.
The first conductor housing first portion 314A is positioned within the intermediate bushing first opening 366A, thereby frictionally and fixedly attaching the first conductor subassembly 300 to the intermediate bushing 304. The second conductor bushing outer annular flange 354 is positioned within the intermediate bushing interior 366C. The outer diameter of the second conductor bushing outer annular flange 354 is smaller than the interior diameter of the intermediate bushing 304 but larger than the intermediate bushing inner annular flange 370. Further, the second conductor housing first portion 344A is positioned within the intermediate bushing second opening 366B (e.g., the diameter of the intermediate bushing inner annular flange 370 is larger than the diameter of the intermediate bushing second opening 366B). In this manner, the second conductor subassembly 302 is attached to the intermediate bushing 304 but allows axial translation of the second conductor subassembly 302 relative to the intermediate bushing 304 and first conductor subassembly 300.
The inner spring 306 biases the first conductor subassembly 300 towards the coaxial connector first end 110A. The inner spring 306 comprises a first flat end surface 372A at a first end and a second flat end surface 372B at a second end (opposite the first end). The inner spring 306 is positioned within a gap 374 defined between the outer surface of the second conductor housing first portion 344A and the inner surface of the housing assembly housing 124. The inner spring 306 is axially aligned with the outer spring 200 but has a smaller diameter so that they can overlap (e.g., a portion of the inner spring 306 can be nested in a portion of the outer spring 200), which can decrease the length of the coaxial connector 102. The first flat end surface 372A contacts the second end of the intermediate bushing 304 proximate the second opening 366B. The second flat end surface 372B contacts the second conductor housing outer shoulder 348. In this manner, the inner spring 306 biases the first conductor subassembly 300 towards the coaxial connector first end 110A, but is compressible such that the first conductor subassembly 300 axially translates within the gap 374 (towards the coaxial connector second end 110B). Further, the inner spring 306 provides continuous grounding contact between the intermediate bushing 304 and the second conductor housing outer shoulder 348. The first and second flat end surfaces 372A, 372B help facilitate an even constant contact between the intermediate bushing 304 and the second conductor housing outer shoulder 348, minimizes the length of the inner spring 306, provide a lower solid height of the outer spring 200, and spread out the biasing force.
In this manner, the first conductor 130 and grounding collar 128 are independently biased (e.g., spring-biased) towards the coaxial connector first end 110A to establish the grounding path before the electrical path (explained in more detail below) and to compensate for tolerance stack variability in the coaxial connector 102. In particular, during manufacturing, each component of the coaxial connector 102 has a certain tolerance (e.g., variability) despite being of the same make and manufacture. Accordingly, the coaxial connector 102 as a whole includes tolerance stack variability where each of these component tolerances compound. As a result, for coaxial connectors 102 of the same make and manufacture, there can be variability of an end of the first conductor 130 (e.g., first male hemispherical contact 330) relative to an end of the grounding collar 128. Axial translation of the first conductor 130 allows for the coaxial connector 102 to compensate for this variability when making a connection between the coaxial connector 102 and the first mating connector 104.
The first mating connector 104 comprises the housing 132, a dielectric 400 positioned within the housing 132, the first conductor 130 positioned within the dielectric 400, and an insulator 402. The housing 132 comprises a first opening 404A at a first end (towards a first mating interface 112A), a second opening 404B at a second end (opposite the first end and towards the second mating interface 112B), and an interior 404C therebetween. The dielectric 400 comprises a first opening 406A at a first end (towards a first mating interface 112A), a second opening 406B at a second end (opposite the first end and towards the second mating interface 112B), and an interior 406C therebetween. Further, the dielectric 400 comprises a recess 408 at the second end (proximate the second opening 406B). The conductor 134 comprises a first male contact 410A at a first end (towards the first mating interface 112A) and a second male contact 410B at a second end (opposite from the first end and towards the second mating interface 112B). The second male contact 410B sits within the recess 408 such that an end surface of the second male contact 410B is approximately planar with an end surface of the first mating connector housing 132. Of course, other configurations could be used, and the relative positioning of the grounding collar 128 and first conductor 130 could be correspondingly altered. The insulator 402 is positioned towards the first mating interface 112A, partially positioned within the dielectric 400, and the conductor 134 extends through the insulator 402.
In
In
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In
At maximum compression of the coaxial connector 102, the first conductor housing 308 contacts the second conductor bushing 338, preventing any further axial translation of the first conductor subassembly 300 towards the second conductor subassembly 302. As shown, when the first conductor 130 axially translates towards the coaxial connector second end 110B, the first conductor second male cylindrical contact 332 inserts into and makes contact with the second conductor female socket contact 360. Accordingly, an electrical path is established and maintained from the first mating connector conductor 134 to the coaxial connector first conductor 130, to the coaxial connector second conductor 342, and to the second mating connector 106. Further, a grounding path is established and maintained from the first mating connector housing 132, to the coaxial connector grounding collar 128, to the coaxial connector housing assembly housing 124 (e.g., via the outer spring 200), to the coaxial connector second conductor housing 336, and to the second mating connector 106. More specifically, when fully mated, the grounded components of the coaxial connector 102 include the housing assembly 120 (e.g., the housing 124, the outer shell 126, the grounding collar 128, the outer spring 200), the first conductor housing 308, the intermediate bushing 304, the inner spring 306, and the second conductor housing 336.
The housing assembly housing 124 comprises an inner shoulder 802 positioned towards the coaxial connector first end 110A. The first conductor housing 308 comprises an outer shoulder 804, complementary in size and shape with the inner shoulder 802, to prevent the first conductor housing 308 from disengaging from the housing assembly housing 124. Further, the first conductor housing 308 comprises an outer annular groove 806 with an O-ring 808 positioned therein. The O-ring 808 seals an interior of the housing assembly housing 124. The first conductor housing 308 is configured to receive a portion of the second conductor housing 336 (e.g., the second conductor housing first opening 346A) within the first conductor housing interior 316C. The first conductor first male contact 810 is planar instead of hemispherical, although any other suitable shape could be used. Further, the first conductor 130 extends past an end of the first conductor housing 308. The second conductor subassembly 302 further comprises a stabilizing ring 812 positioned around the second conductor 342 proximate the second conductor dielectric cylinder 340. The stabilizing ring 812 provides additional mounting stability of the second conductor 342 to the second conductor housing 336.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Since modifications combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/418,308, filed Nov. 7, 2016, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62418308 | Nov 2016 | US |