Patent Application
20180375233
The invention generally relates to coaxial connector assemblies, particularly a method of forming a shielded electrical terminal and a shielded electrical terminal formed by this method.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.
STEP 102, CUT A TERMINAL PREFORM HAVING A FIRSTSHIELD PREFORM INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH A SECOND SHIELD FROM A SHEET OF METAL, includes cutting a shield terminal preform from a sheet of metal defining a single plane. The shield terminal preform has a first shield preform 12 that is connected to and integrally formed with a second shield preform 14.
STEP 104, FORM THE FIRST SHIELD PREFORM INTO A GENERALLY TUBULAR SHAPE HAVING A FIRST AXIS AND A SINGLE OPEN SEAM AND FORM THE SECOND SHIELD PREFORM INTO TWO SEMICIRCULAR CHANNELS HAVING A SECOND AXIS ORIENTED AT A RIGHT ANGLE TO THE FIRST AXIS, forming the shield terminal preform such that the first shield preform 12 is formed into a generally tubular shape as illustrated in
STEP 106, DISPOSE AN INNER INSULATOR WITHIN THE SHIELD TERMINAL PREFORM, includes disposing an inner insulator 28 within the shield terminal preform as illustrated in
STEP 108, PROVIDE AN OUTER HOUSING DEFINING A CYLINDRICAL CAVITY, includes providing an outer housing 38 defining a cylindrical cavity 40 as illustrated in
STEP 110, PLACE THE FIRST SHIELD PREFORM WITHIN THE CYLINDRICAL CAVITY, includes placing the first shield preform 12 within the cylindrical cavity 40, thereby joining the edges 20 of the single open seam 16 to form a tubular first shield 42 and moving the edges 22 of the two semicircular channels 18 closer to form a tubular second shield 44 as illustrated in
STEP 112, INSERT A FIRST TERMINAL WITHIN THE FIRST CAVITY AND INSERT A SECOND TERMINAL WITHIN THE SECOND CAVITY, includes inserting a first terminal 50 within the first cavity 34 and inserting a second terminal 52 within the second cavity 36 as illustrated in
STEP 114, INTERCONNECT THE FIRST TERMINAL WITH THE SECOND TERMINAL, includes interconnecting the first terminal 50 with the second terminal 52 as illustrated in
The braided shield 62 is flared and dressed outside of the second shield 44. However, the foil shield 60 is left surrounding an inner dielectric insulation 66 between the foil shield 60 and the central conductor 54, and is inserted inside of the second shield 44. An unterminated cable has the best ratio for the intended impedance, and the longer that set ratio exists, the less fluctuation there is from the desired impedance. The foil shield 60 is minimally stripped back from the edge of the inner dielectric insulation 66 to prevent a short circuit with the central conductor 54 within a factor of safety. A longer foil shield 60 is better so the edges 22 of the two semicircular channels 18 remain slightly parted to allow easier insertion of the foil shield 60 within the second shield 44. The edges 22 of the two semicircular channels 18 are joined when the outer ferrule 64 is applied.
Accordingly a method 100 of forming a shielded terminal 10 configured to receive a corresponding shielded terminal 10 and a formed by this method 100 is provided. The shielded terminal 10 provides the benefit of reduced part count, fewer manufacturing steps and simpler manufacturing processes than previous methods and shielded terminal 10 designs.
While this invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to configure a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely prototypical embodiments.
Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the following claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
As used herein, ‘one or more’ includes a function being performed by one element, a function being performed by more than one element, e.g., in a distributed fashion, several functions being performed by one element, several functions being performed by several elements, or any combination of the above.
It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are, in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact.
The terminology used in the description of the various described embodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
As used herein, the term “if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” is, optionally, construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context.
Additionally, while terms of ordinance or orientation may be used herein these elements should not be limited by these terms. All terms of ordinance or orientation, unless stated otherwise, are used for purposes distinguishing one element from another, and do not denote any particular order, order of operations, direction or orientation unless stated otherwise.
This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/524,795 filed on Jun. 26, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62524795 | Jun 2017 | US |
