Coaxial connector
11108199 · 2021-08-31
Assignee
Inventors
- Thomas Lödding (Traunstein, DE)
- Christian Maier (Griesstätt, DE)
- Gunnar Armbrecht (Mühldorf, DE)
- Thomas Schmid (Teisendorf, DE)
Cpc classification
H01R43/16
ELECTRICITY
International classification
Abstract
A coaxial connector has a first coaxial connector portion (1) and a second coaxial connector portion (2). The first coaxial connector portion (1) has an external conductor which is designed as a coaxial socket and the distal end of which is designed as a spring cage (3) with individual spring lugs (9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4, 9.sub.5). The second coaxial connector portion (2) has an external conductor (6) which is designed as a coaxial plug. An electrical and mechanical connection exists between the spring lugs (9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4, 9.sub.5) of the first coaxial connector portion (1) and an external shell surface of the external conductor (6) of the second coaxial connector portion (2). In the region of each gap (10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3, 10.sub.4, 10.sub.5) that is situated between in each case two adjacent spring lugs (9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4, 9.sub.5), there is provided at least one shielding component (11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3, 11.sub.4, 11.sub.5, 11.sub.1′, 11.sub.2′, 11.sub.3′, 11.sub.4′, 11.sub.5′) which is connected respectively to one of the two adjacent spring lugs (9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4, 9.sub.5). A multiple coaxial connector portion has multiple first coaxial connector portion is arranged in a housing (12).
Claims
1. A connector, comprising: an inner conductor; and an outer conductor coaxial to said inner conductor, a distal portion of said outer conductor comprising a plurality of tabs, wherein each of said tabs comprises a first portion and a shielding portion, said shielding portion extending substantially to a respective adjacent tab of said plurality of tabs, and for each of said tabs, said shielding portion of the respective tab projects in a generally circumferential direction from a lateral edge of said first portion of the respective tab.
2. The connector of claim 1, wherein: each of said tabs comprises a second portion, a first plane defined by a major planar surface of said first portion intersecting a common axis of said inner conductor and said outer conductor at a first angle, and a second plane defined by a major planar surface of said second portion intersecting said common axis of said inner conductor and said outer conductor at a second angle significantly different from said first angle.
3. The connector of claim 1, wherein: each of said tabs comprises a second portion, a first distance from a common axis of said inner conductor and said outer conductor to a proximal portion of said first portion being larger than a second distance from said common axis to a distal portion of said first portion, and a third distance from said common axis to a proximal portion of said second portion being smaller than a fourth distance from said common axis to a distal portion of said second portion.
4. The connector of claim 3, wherein: said first portion consists of a substantially planar sheet of material, and said second portion consists of a substantially planar sheet of material.
5. The connector of claim 1, wherein: said circumferential direction is a direction circumferential to a common axis of said inner conductor and said outer conductor.
6. The connector of claim 1, wherein: for each of said tabs, said shielding portion of the respective tab does not contact another of said plurality of tabs.
7. The connector of claim 1, wherein: each of said tabs comprises said first portion, said shielding portion and a bend selected from the group consisting of a first bend intermediate said first portion and said shielding portion and a second bend intermediate a first region of said shielding portion and a second region of said shielding portion.
8. The connector of claim 1, wherein: said connector is a coaxial connector, and said distal portion of said outer conductor and a distal, terminal portion of said inner conductor collectively define a distal, terminal portion of said coaxial connector.
9. A connector, comprising: an inner conductor; and an outer conductor coaxial to said inner conductor, a distal portion of said outer conductor comprising a plurality of tabs, each of said tabs comprising at least one laterally jutting shielding portion such that any ray emanating from a common axis of said inner conductor and said outer conductor in a plane perpendicular to said common axis intersects at least one of said plurality of tabs, and at least one of said tabs comprising a bend selected from the group consisting of a first bend substantially within the bounds of a respective one of said at least one laterally jutting shielding portion of the respective tab and a second bend along a border of a respective one of said at least one laterally jutting shielding portion of the respective tab.
10. The connector of claim 9, wherein: each of said tabs comprises a first portion and a second portion, a first plane defined by a major planar surface of said first portion intersecting a common axis of said inner conductor and said outer conductor at a first angle, and a second plane defined by a major planar surface of said second portion intersecting said common axis of said inner conductor and said outer conductor at a second angle significantly different from said first angle.
11. The connector of claim 9, wherein: each of said tabs comprises a first portion and a second portion, a first distance from a common axis of said inner conductor and said outer conductor to a proximal portion of said first portion being larger than a second distance from said common axis to a distal portion of said first portion, and a third distance from said common axis to a proximal portion of said second portion being smaller than a fourth distance from said common axis to a distal portion of said second portion.
12. The connector of claim 11, wherein: for each of said tabs, said at least one laterally jutting shielding portion of the respective tab extends laterally from said first portion of the respective tab.
13. The connector of claim 11, wherein: for each of said tabs, said at least one laterally jutting shielding portion of the respective tab extends in a generally circumferential direction from a lateral edge of said first portion of the respective tab.
14. The connector of claim 11, wherein: said first portion consists of a substantially planar sheet of material, and said second portion consists of a substantially planar sheet of material.
15. The connector of claim 9, wherein: for each of said tabs, each of said at least one laterally jutting shielding portion of the respective tab does not contact another of said plurality of tabs.
16. A connector, comprising: an inner conductor; and an outer conductor coaxial to said inner conductor, a distal portion of said outer conductor comprising a plurality of tabs, each of said tabs comprising a first shielding portion that projects in a first substantially radial direction and a second shielding portion that projects in a second substantially radial direction.
17. The connector of claim 16, wherein: for each of said tabs, said first shielding portion of the respective tab is substantially parallel to said second shielding portion of a first respectively adjacent tab and said second shielding portion of the respective tab is substantially parallel to said first shielding portion of a second respectively adjacent tab.
18. The connector of claim 16, wherein: each of said tabs comprises a first portion and a second portion, a first plane defined by a major planar surface of said first portion intersecting a common axis of said inner conductor and said outer conductor at a first angle, and a second plane defined by a major planar surface of said second portion intersecting said common axis of said inner conductor and said outer conductor at a second angle significantly different from said first angle.
19. The connector of claim 16, wherein: each of said tabs comprises a first portion and a second portion, a first distance from a common axis of said inner conductor and said outer conductor to a proximal portion of said first portion being larger than a second distance from said common axis to a distal portion of said first portion, and a third distance from said common axis to a proximal portion of said second portion being smaller than a fourth distance from said common axis to a distal portion of said second portion.
20. The connector of claim 19, wherein: for each of said tabs, said first shielding portion projects from said first portion of the respective tab and said second shielding portion projects from said first portion of the respective tab.
21. The connector of claim 16, wherein: each of said first substantially radial direction and said second substantially radial direction is substantially radial relative to a common axis of said inner conductor and said outer conductor.
22. A connector, comprising: an inner conductor; and an outer conductor coaxial to said inner conductor, a distal portion of said outer conductor comprising a plurality of tabs, each of said tabs being bent to overlap a respective adjacent tab of said plurality of tabs without contacting said respective adjacent tab in a respective region of overlap.
23. A connector arrangement, comprising: a first connector; and a second connector, wherein said first connector comprises a first inner conductor and a first outer conductor coaxial to said first inner conductor, said second connector comprises a second inner conductor and a second outer conductor coaxial to said second inner conductor, said first connector is connectable to said second connector such that said first inner conductor electrically contacts said second inner conductor and said first outer conductor electrically contacts said second outer conductor, a distal portion of said second outer conductor comprises a plurality of tabs, each of said tabs comprises a first portion and a shielding portion, said shielding portion extending substantially to a respective adjacent tab of said plurality of tabs, and for each of said tabs, said shielding portion of the respective tab projects in a generally circumferential direction from a lateral edge of said first portion of the respective tab.
24. An antenna system arrangement, comprising: an antenna mounted on an exterior of an automobile; and a connector, wherein said conductor comprises an inner conductor and an outer conductor coaxial to said inner conductor, a distal portion of said outer conductor comprises a plurality of tabs, each of said tabs comprises a first portion and a shielding portion, said shielding portion extending substantially to a respective adjacent tab of said plurality of tabs, for each of said tabs, said shielding portion of the respective tab projects in a generally circumferential direction from a lateral edge of said first portion of the respective tab, and said antenna is electrically connected to said inner conductor.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The embodiments, enhancements and sub-variants of the coaxial connector according to the invention, of the first coaxial connector portion according to the invention, of the multiple coaxial connector portion according to the invention and of the method according to the invention for manufacturing the spring cage of the first coaxial connector portion according to the invention will be discussed in detail below on the basis of the drawing. In the figures of the drawing:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(14) Before the coaxial connector according to the invention is discussed in detail, the coaxial connector according to the prior art will firstly be described below, in the non-plugged-together state on the basis of
(15) The coaxial connector is composed of a first coaxial connector portion 1 and a second coaxial connector portion 2.
(16) The first coaxial connector portion 1 has a spring cage 3, which forms the external conductor, a substantially hollow cylindrical insulator part 4, which is situated within the spring cage 3, and a substantially cylindrical internal conductor 5, which is situated within the hollow cylindrical insulator part 4.
(17) The second coaxial connector 2 has a substantially hollow cylindrical external conductor 6, a substantially hollow cylindrical insulator part 7, which is situated within the external conductor 6, and a substantially cylindrical internal conductor 8, which is situated within the insulator part 7.
(18) In the three-dimensional side view as per
(19) Furthermore, each spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5 has in each case one planar surface correspondingly to the prismatic main hollow body. The planar surface of each spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5 narrows in each case with regard to its width toward the distal end of the first coaxial connector portion 1. Furthermore, in the direction of the distal end of the first coaxial connector portion 1, the planar surface of each spring lug is oriented radially inward in a first section and oriented radially outward in an adjoining second section. By means of the radial orientation of the second section of each spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5, the second coaxial connector portion 2 can be more easily centered in the first coaxial connector portion 1 during the plugging-together process.
(20) In the plugged-together state of the coaxial connector as can be seen from
(21) Each spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5 has, on its inner side, in each case one elevation—a so-called bead—which is in each case not illustrated in
(22) Proceeding from the distal end of the coaxial connector, said bead extends not over the full length of the spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5. In that region of the respective spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5 in which a bead runs, the respective spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5 exhibits high stability in each case, whereas, in that region of the respective spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5 in which the bead is omitted, the respective spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5 exhibits high flexibility in each case.
(23) The comparison of
(24) To reduce the radiation of electromagnetic signal energy through the gaps 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3, 10.sub.4 and 10.sub.5 between the individual spring lugs 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5, shielding components 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3, 11.sub.4 and 11.sub.5 are respectively provided in the individual gaps 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3, 10.sub.4 and 10.sub.5.
(25) As known in the art, radiation of electromagnetic signal energy typically travels along straight line paths known as rays.
(26) As shown in the figures, spring lugs 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4, 9.sub.5 may constitute tab-like structures. As likewise shown in the figures, a tab may comprise at least one shielding portion in the form a respective shielding component 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3, 11.sub.4, 11.sub.5. As shown in the figures and described hereinbelow, the individual shielding components 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3, 11.sub.4, 11.sub.5 may be fastened to a respective tab, namely to a portion of the respective tab that may be designated as a first portion. As shown in the figures and described above, a tab may comprise at least one planar surface. As such, a tab may comprise, for example, a first plane 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2 defined by a major planar surface, e.g. by a major planar surface of the first portion of the respective tab. Similarly, a tab may comprise a second plane 16.sub.1, 16.sub.2 defined by a major planar surface, e.g. by a major planar surface of a second portion of the respective tab. A portion of the first/second portion toward the proximal end of the tab may be designated as a proximal portion. A portion of the first/second portion toward the distal end of the tab may be designated as a distal portion.
(27) As shown in the figures and described hereinbelow, a tab may comprise at least one bend. For example, in
(28) In a first embodiment of the invention, in each case one shielding component 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3, 11.sub.4 and 11.sub.5 is provided in each gap 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3, 10.sub.4 and 10.sub.5. Said shielding component 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3, 11.sub.4 and 11.sub.5 is respectively fastened to a spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5, preferably to the gap-side end of the spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5, which is adjacent to the gap 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3, 10.sub.4 and 10.sub.5 that is to be shielded.
(29) In a first sub-variant of the first embodiment according to the invention as per
(30) In a second sub-variant of the first embodiment according to the invention as per
(31) In a third sub-variant of the embodiment according to the invention, the individual shielding components 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3, 11.sub.4, 11.sub.5 and 11.sub.6 as per
(32) This third sub-variant of the first embodiment according to the invention is suitable in particular for a spring cage which has a hollow cylindrical main body. In the case of the third sub-variant of the first embodiment according to the invention, too, the gap is substantially optimally covered by the associated shielding component 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3, 11.sub.4, 11.sub.5 and 11.sub.6.
(33) In an enhancement of the first embodiment according to the invention, the individual shielding components 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3, 11.sub.4, 11.sub.5 and 11.sub.6 cover not only the respective gap but also a sub-region of the oppositely situated spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4, 9.sub.5 and 9.sub.6. This is illustrated in in
(34) In a second embodiment of the invention, in each case two shielding components 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3, 11.sub.4, 11.sub.5, 11.sub.1′, 11.sub.2′, 11.sub.3′, 11.sub.4′ and 11.sub.5′ are provided in each gap 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3, 10.sub.4 and 10.sub.5, which shielding components are respectively fastened to one of the two adjacent spring lugs 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5. The two shielding components 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3, 11.sub.4, 11.sub.5, 11.sub.1′, 11.sub.2′, 11.sub.3′, 11.sub.4′ and 11.sub.5′ are in this case preferably fastened to the gap-side end of the respective spring lug 9.sub.1, 9.sub.2, 9.sub.3, 9.sub.4 and 9.sub.5. The doubling of the shielding components per gap improves the shielding of the respective gaps and thus reduces a radiation of the electromagnetic single energy out of the coaxial connector.
(35) In a first sub-variant of the second embodiment according to the invention as per
(36) In a second sub-variant of the second embodiment according to the invention as per
(37) In a third sub-variant of the second embodiment according to the invention as per
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(39) The manufacturing method for producing a first coaxial connector having a prismatic basic structure will be described below on the basis of the flow diagram in
(40) In the first method step S10, a planar component, which is intended to form the spring cage or the coaxial socket of the first coaxial connector portion, is punched in accordance with the axial length and the circumferential length of the spring cage or of the coaxial socket. For this purpose, a relatively large planar structural body composed of an electrically conductive material, preferably of a metal and particular preferably of a copper alloy, for example of spring bronze (CuSn.sub.6), is used. During the punching process, the shielding components that are provided in each gap of the spring cage are in particular also punched out in accordance with their size, their position and their shape.
(41) Here, it must be taken into consideration that the size, shape, number and arrangement of the individual shielding components in the individual gaps of the spring cage should be dimensioned and selected such that they can be punched out of the planar structural body in the region of the individual gaps of the spring cage that are formed.
(42) In the next method step S20, the punched-out planar component is bent to form a prismatic spring cage and is connected together at the two shell-side ends of the component of prismatic shape.
(43) In the subsequent method step S30, each shielding component in the individual gaps of the spring cage is bent and aligned with regard to its shape and its orientation with respect to the respective spring lug to which it is connected.
(44) In the next method step S40, into the spring cage produced in the preceding method step S30, which spring cage serves as external conductor, there are fitted the associated insulator part and the associated internal conductor are fitted, and said insulator part and internal conductor are connected to one another to form a first coaxial connector portion according to the invention.
(45) Optionally, in a final method step S50, multiple first coaxial connector portions produced in this way are fitted and fastened in a housing in order to produce a multiple coaxial connector portion.
(46) The spring cage with a prismatic and sleeve-shaped basic structure may also, alternatively to the punching and bending process, be produced by means of cutting manufacturing methods. The attachment of the shielding components to the individual spring lugs of the spring cage is also conceivable by means of mechanical connecting techniques, for example by means of brazing or welding.
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(48) It can be clearly seen that, over the entire frequency range considered, the shielding attenuation is much more pronounced in the case of a spring cage according to the invention with shielding components than in the case of a spring cage without shielding component according to the prior art.
(49) The invention is not restricted to the illustrated embodiments, sub-variants and enhancements. The invention also encompasses in particular all combinations of the features respectively claimed in the individual patent claims, of the features respectively disclosed in the description, and of the features respectively illustrated in the figures of the drawing, where technically expedient.