COAXIAL CONNECTOR AND CABLE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A coaxial connector and a coaxial cable forming a cable assembly. The coaxial connector includes a cable entry side for entry of the coaxial cable and an opposite coupling side for coupling with the coaxial counter connector along the connector axis. The coaxial connector includes an inner contact element electrically connected with an inner conductor of the coaxial cable; an outer contact element electrically connected with an outer conductor of the coaxial cable; a dielectric connector element radially arranged between the inner contact element and the outer contact element; a connector housing arranged around the outer contact element; wherein the inner contact element is axially locked against the dielectric connector element and the dielectric connector element is axially locked against the connector housing such that the coaxial cable is strain relieved in an axial direction with respect to the connector housing.

Claims

1. A coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) comprising: a coaxial connector (1) and a coaxial counter connector (4) interconnectable to each other along a connector axis (A) as well as a coaxial cable (2) interconnected to the coaxial connector (1); the coaxial connector (1) having a cable entry side for entry of the coaxial cable (2) and an opposite coupling side for coupling with the coaxial counter connector (4) along the connector axis (A), the coaxial connector (1) including: a) an inner contact element (11), the inner contact element (11) being electrically connected with an inner conductor (21) of the coaxial cable (2); b) an outer contact element (13), the outer contact element (13) being electrically connected with an outer conductor (23) of the coaxial cable (2); c) a dielectric connector element (12), the dielectric connector element (12) being radially arranged between the inner contact element (11) and the outer contact element (13); d) a connector housing (14), the connector housing (14) being arranged around the outer contact element (13); and e) wherein the inner contact element (11) is axially locked against the dielectric connector element (12) and the dielectric connector element (12) is axially locked against the connector housing (14) such that the coaxial cable (2) is strain relieved in axial direction with respect to the connector housing (14).

2. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric connector element (12) is axially locked against the outer contact element (13) and the outer contact element (13) is axially locked against the connector housing (14).

3. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein each of the locking of the inner contact element (11) against the dielectric connector element (12), of the dielectric connector element (12) against the outer contact element (13), and of the outer contact element (13) against the connector housing (14) area is a positive locking (13a, 13b).

4. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the coaxial connector (1) includes a contact sleeve (15) for radial arrangement between the outer conductor (23) of the coaxial cable (2) and the outer contact element (13), thereby electrically coupling the outer conductor (23) of the coaxial cable (2) and the outer contact element (13).

5. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 4, wherein the contact sleeve (15) is arranged displaceable relative to the contact element (13).

6. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 4, wherein the contact sleeve (15) includes a plurality of radial spring elements (151) by which the contact sleeve (15) is interconnected to the outer contact element (13).

7. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein a compensation element (5) is arranged between the coaxial connector (1) and the coaxial counter connector (4).

8. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 7, wherein the compensation element (5) is arranged in a swiveling manner with respect to the coaxial connector (1) and/or the coaxial counter connector (4).

9. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 7, wherein the compensation element (5) is attached to the coaxial connector (1) or the coaxial counter connector (4).

10. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the coaxial connector (1) includes a connector sealing element (16) at the cable entiy side, the connector sealing element (16) being radially arranged between a sheath (24) of the coaxial cable (2) and the outer contact element (13) to provide sealing with respect to at least one out of the group of liquid, humidity, particles, electromagnetic interference.

11. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the inner contact element (11) is a jack.

12. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the outer conductor of the cable (2) is a metal foil or a metal plated polymer tape.

13. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing (14) includes a connector locking structure (141) and the coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) further includes a counter connector locking structure (441) for axial locking the coaxial connector (1) relative to the coaxial counter connector (4).

14. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 13, wherein the connector locking structure (141) and the counter connector locking structure (441) form a snap-on connection.

15. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 14, wherein one of the connector locking structure (141) and the counter connector locking structure (441) comprises a latch and the other of the connector locking structure (141) and the counter connector locking structure (441) comprises a hook.

16. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 15, wherein the latch (141) and/or the hook (441) are arranged displaceable.

17. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 13, further comprising: i. a chassis (31), wherein the coaxial counter connector (4) is permanently coupled to the chassis (31); ii. a printed circuit board (32) mounted within the chassis (31), wherein an RF semiconductor component (33) is mounted on the printed circuit (32) board; iii. an electrical shielding (35), the electrical shielding (35) encapsulating the RF semiconductor component (33), wherein the electrical shielding (35) and the outer counter contact element (43) are electrically connected to a ground (GND) potential: wherein in a state where the coaxial connector (1) is coupled with the coaxial counter connector (4), the connector locking structure (141) and the counter connector locking structure (441) engage.

18. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 17, wherein the counter connector locking structure (441) is formed integrally with the chassis (31).

19. The coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 17, wherein the electrical shielding (35) is interconnected to at least one ground layer of the printed circuit board (32).

20. A coaxial connector (1) according to claim 1.

21. A coaxial counter connector (4) according to claim 1.

22. A coaxial cable (2) according to claim 1.

23. Use of a coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 1 for data transmission in an automobile.

24. Use of a coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 1 in combination with a data modem operating in a frequency modulation scheme.

25. Use of a coaxial connector and cable assembly (100) according to claim 1 in combination with a data modem operating in a frequency modulation scheme and frequency domain duplex operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The drawings are showing:

[0059] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a coaxial connector and cable assembly in accordance with a present invention in a perspective and partly sectional view in a connected state of coaxial connector and coaxial counter connector.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows the coaxial connector and cable assembly of FIG. 1 in an unconnected and unaligned state of coaxial connector and coaxial counter connector with a compensation element arranged between them.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows the coaxial connector and cable assembly of FIG. 1 in an unconnected and axially aligned state of coaxial cable connector and cable counter connector.

[0062] FIG. 4 Shows detail D as indicated in FIG. 3 in an enlarged view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] In the following, exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail with additional reference to the figures. It is to be understood that all directional terms, such as “top”, “bottom”, “left”, right”, “upper”, lower”, “above, “below”, etc. refer to the figures and are sole intended to improve the reader's understanding. They do not imply any particular orientation in use. The same applies to references to the coordinate system that is additionally shown in the figures.

[0064] A coaxial connector 1 (generally best seen in FIGS. 3, 4) comprises inner contact element 11 outer contact element 13, and insulating dielectric connector element 12 in coaxial arrangement with respect to connector axis A (parallel to x-axis). The connector axis A extends from the cable entry side on the left towards the coupling side on the right of coaxial connector 1. The inner contact element 11 is realized as jack with a tubular end section (not individually referenced) to receive a portion of an inner counter connector part a coaxial counter connector 4 respectively a compensation element 5 as explained further below in more detail. The opposite (left) end of inner contact element 11 is electrically connected to the inner conductor 21 of coaxial cable 2, for example by way of soldering, crimping or welding or a combination thereof.

[0065] A connector housing 14 of preferably made of dielectric respectively electrically insulating material, typically plastics, is arranged around the outer contact element 13. The connector housing 14 comprises a connector locking structure 141 in form of a catch for locking the coaxial connector t in an assembled state via a snap-on connection as explained further below.

[0066] The outer contact element 13 is realized as thin metallic tube and extends in axial direction towards the inner contact element 11 at the coupling side (right). Further at the coupling side, the outer contact element 13 comprises a plurality of axial slits, thereby forming a corresponding plurality of finger-like radial spring elements 131 that exert a radial force when deflected. At the end, the outer contact element 13 respectively the spring elements 131 form outwards-directed bulges 132. The bulges 132 and the spring elements 131 serve for electrical coupling with an outer counter contact element of a coaxial counter connector 4 as explained further below in more detail.

[0067] At the cable entry side, a ring-shaped connector scaling element 16 in form of a gasket is radially arranged between the outer contact element 13 and the sheath 24 of coaxial cable 2.

[0068] Electrical coupling of the outer conductor 23 of coaxial cable 2 and outer contact element 13 is realized via metallic tubular contact sleeve 15 that is radially arranged between outer conductor 23 on the inside and outer contact element 13 on the outside. Towards the coupling side of coaxial connector 1, contact sleeve 15 comprises a plurality of radial spring elements 151 that ensure good electrical contact with the inner surface of outer contact element 13. Axially, the outer conductor 23 and the dielectric layer 22 of coaxial cable 2 end substantially flush with the contact sleeve 15.

[0069] The dielectric connector element 12 is axially arranged adjacent respectively with an axial gap to contact sleeve 15 towards the coupling side of coaxial connector 1, a rear portion (towards the cable entry side) of the inner contact element 11 and a front portion (towards the coupling side) of the inner conductor 21 are arranged in a through-going axial bore of dielectric connector element 12. Towards the coupling side, the inner contact element 11 axially projects beyond the dielectric connector element 12. The circumferential outer surface of dielectric element 12 contacts the circumferential inner surface of outer contact element 13.

[0070] The dielectric connector element 12 serves a number of purposes. First, it positions the inner contact element 11 and the outer contact element 12 with respect to each other. Second it serves, due to its dielectric properties, as electrical and electromagnetic insulation in the RF operation frequency range. Third, it serves, together with further connector components, as strain relief. As best seen in FIG. 4, the inner contact element 11 has at its circumferential outer surface, a radial rim 11a that engages a corresponding radial groove (not referenced) on the circumferential inner surface of dielectric connector element 12, thereby positively locking inner contact element 11 with respect to dielectric connector element 12. Further, dielectric connector element 12 has at its circumferential outer surface, a radial groove (not referenced) which is engaged by a circumferential radial rim 13a on the circumferential inner surface of outer contact element 13. Further, outer contact element 13 has at its circumferential outer surface and axially displaced with respect to radial rim 13a, a further radial rim 13b that engages a groove (not referenced) of the inner surface of connector housing 14. Each of the rims 11a, 13a. 13b and the corresponding grooves form a positive locking structure. In this way, the inner contact element 11 is positively locked against the dielectric connector element 12, the dielectric connector element 12 is positively locked against the outer contact element 13, and the outer contact element 13 is positively locked against connector housing 14. Consequently, all axial force and in particular pulling stress (in positive x-direction) that is exerted onto the coaxial cable 2, is transferred from the inner conductor 21 via the inner contact element 11, the dielectric connector element 12 and the outer contact element 13 to the connector housing, without involving the outer conductor 23 of coaxial cable 2 which does accordingly not need to be designed to withstand high axial forces respectively stress. In an alternative design, the dielectric connector element 12 could be directly positively locked with the connector housing 14 rather than via the outer contact element 13.

[0071] As best visible in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an RF device 3 of the coaxial connector and cable assembly 100 comprises a chassis 31 in which a PCB 32 is rigidly mounted. The PCB 32 carries electronic components as generally known in the art and in particular surface-mounted RF semiconductor component 33 on its top surface. The RF semiconductor component 33 is covered by an electrical cover element 351. Generally, the RF semiconductor component 33 is sandwiched (in direction of the z-axis) between the PCB 32 and the cover element 351. The cover element 351 is electrically connected to a ground (GND) potential on the PCB 32 substantially along its whole circumference thereby electromagnetically shielding RF semiconductor component 33. For this purpose, cover element 351 comprises a plurality of individual segments or fingers 351 along its circumference. The RF semiconductor component 33 may in particular be or comprise a sender, receiver or transmitter as discussed in more detail above in the general description.

[0072] The chassis 31 further carries the coaxial counter connector 4 for coupling with the coaxial connector 1. The coaxial counter connector 4 is accordingly fixed to the chassis and forms part of the RF device 3 in this embodiment. The coaxial counter connector 4 comprises an inner counter contact element 41 and an outer counter contact element 43 in coaxial arrangement. The inner counter contact element 41 projects from an insulating respectively dielectric carrier 45 and is electrically coupled with an input and/or output port of the RF semiconductor component 33. The outer counter contact element 43 is of tubular shape and arranged around the inner counter contact element 41. The outer counter contact element 43 is electrically coupled to the ground level.

[0073] Further, a compensation element 5 is present in the shown embodiment. Similar to the coaxial connector 1 and the coaxial counter connector 4, the compensation element 5 comprises a coaxial arrangement of an inner contact element 51, an outer contact element 53 and a dielectric element 52. The dielectric element 52 is arranged within the outer contact element 53 and carries the inner contact element 51 in a central bore. Both the outer contact element 53 and the inner contact element 51 axially project on both sides beyond the dielectric element 52.

[0074] Electrically, the compensation element 5 is arranged between the coaxial connector 1 and the coaxial counter connector 4, with the inner contact element 51 coupling of the compensation element 5 coupling the inner contact element 11 of the coaxial connector 1 with the inner counter contact element 41 of the coaxial counter connector 4, and the outer contact element 53 of the compensation element 5 coupling the outer contact element 13 of the coaxial connector 1 with the outer counter contact element 43 of the coaxial counter connector 4.

[0075] Axially and radially, the compensation element 5 overlaps with the coaxial connector 1 and the coaxial counter connector 4. In the shown embodiment, the inner contact element 51 of compensation element 5 has the shape of an elongated pin with ball-shaped axial end sections that are separated from a main body of the inner contact element 51 by circumferential grooves (best seen in FIG. 2, not individually referenced). One of the end sections is hold by the inner counter contact element 41 in an axially fixed but swiveling manner, with the end section of the inner contact element 51 of compensation element 5 and the inner counter contact element 41 forming a ball bearing (best seen in FIGS. 1, 3). The other axial end section of inner contact element 51 is dimensioned to be received in a tubular end section of inner contact element I of the coaxial connector 11. The outer contact element 53 of the compensation element 51 is dimensioned to be received within the outer contact element 13 of coaxial connector 1 and within the outer counter contact element 43 of coaxial counter connector 4. Similar to the lingers respectively radial spring elements 131 and bulges of outer contact element 13 as explained before, the outer contact element 53 of compensation element 5 comprises, in both axial end sections, segmented to form a plurality of radial spring elements with bulges (not individually referenced, best seen in FIGS. 2, 3). Thereby, the outer contact element 53 of compensation element 5 is allowed to swivel and/or slide within an inner surface of outer contact element 13 and outer counter contact element 43, while maintaining electrical contact.

[0076] Due to its inner contact element 51 being axially fixed by inner counter contact element 41, the compensation element 5 is permanently coupled to the coaxial counter connector 4 and may be considered as forming part thereof. In a variant, the ball bearing is formed between the inner contact element 11 of the coaxial connector 11 and the inner contact element SI of the compensation element 51. In such embodiment, the compensation element 5 is permanently coupled to the coaxial connector 1 rather than the coaxial counter connector 4.

[0077] Due to its swiveling arrangement, the compensation element 5 compensates for tolerances and axial/angular misalignment between the coaxial connector 1 and the coaxial counter connector 4.

[0078] The counter connector 4 further comprises a counter connector housing 44 that is arranged circumferentially around the outer counter contact element 43 and is, in this embodiment, formed integrally with the chassis 31. In a direction towards the coaxial connector 1, the counter connector housing 44 axially projects beyond the compensation element 5 and the counter connector 4. In a connected state of coaxial connector 1 and coaxial counter connector 4, the coaxial counter connector housing 44 is radially revived between the connector housing 14 and the outer contact element 13. A counter connector sealing element 46 in form of a gasket is provided similar to the before-described connector sealing element 16 on the circumferential inner surface of the counter connector housing 44, thereby proving sealing against the outer contact element 13 of the coaxial connector 1. Alternatively, to the counter connector housing 44 being formed integrally with the chassis 31, it could be a separate element end rigidly attached to the chassis 31. In both cases, any force and/or moment that is exerted on the coaxial connector 1 and/or the coaxial cable 2 is transmitted to the chassis and does not affect the electrical coupling between the coaxial connector 1 and the coaxial counter connector 4.

[0079] The coaxial connector 1 and the coaxial counter connector 4 are designed for axial coupling via a snap-fit coupling. For this purpose, the coaxial connector housing comprises a latch 141 with an oblique gliding surface 141a. As counter connector locking structure, a hook 441 is provided at the outer circumference of the counter connector housing 44 with an oblique gliding surface 441a. For connecting respectively coupling the coaxial connector 1 and the coaxial counter connector 4, they are moved towards each other along the connector axis A such that the gliding surfaces 141a, 441a come in contact. The latch 141 is arranged in a radially resilient manner, thereby allowing to deflected outwards. Consequently, the hook 441 is locked by latch 141. For decoupling, a cable sided end section of the latch 141 is pressed radially inwards, resulting in the end of the latch 141 pointing towards the counter connector 4 being radially deflected outwards, such that the latch 441 and the hook 441 disengage.