AU2010313683A1 - Self gauging insertion coupling coaxial connector - Google Patents
Self gauging insertion coupling coaxial connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2010313683A1 AU2010313683A1 AU2010313683A AU2010313683A AU2010313683A1 AU 2010313683 A1 AU2010313683 A1 AU 2010313683A1 AU 2010313683 A AU2010313683 A AU 2010313683A AU 2010313683 A AU2010313683 A AU 2010313683A AU 2010313683 A1 AU2010313683 A1 AU 2010313683A1
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- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- connector
- grip
- grip ring
- ring
- electrical contact
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 title claims description 23
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 title claims description 23
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 title claims description 23
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 title abstract description 13
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 title abstract description 13
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002788 crimping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007812 deficiency Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000593 degrading effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007480 spreading Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003892 spreading Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012549 training Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
- H01R9/03—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections
- H01R9/05—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections for coaxial cables
- H01R9/0527—Connection to outer conductor by action of a resilient member, e.g. spring
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/15—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure
- H01R13/187—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure with spring member in the socket
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/58—Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip, for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable
- H01R13/5804—Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip, for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable comprising a separate cable clamping part
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
- H01R24/38—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
- H01R24/40—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts specially adapted for high frequency
- H01R24/56—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts specially adapted for high frequency specially adapted to a specific shape of cables, e.g. corrugated cables, twisted pair cables, cables with two screens or hollow cables
- H01R24/564—Corrugated cables
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
- H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
- H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
- H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
- H01R4/48185—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar adapted for axial insertion of a wire end
Landscapes
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
Abstract
A self-gauging electrical connector for coaxial cables with outer conductors of varied diameters is provided with a clamp ring coupled to a connector body with a bore. A mechanical grip and an electrical contact are retained within the bore. The mechanical grip and the electrical contact engage the outer conductor upon insertion of the outer conductor into the bore. The mechanical grip is displaced radially proportional to an outer diameter of the outer conductor. The electrical contact is displaced radial proportional to the radial displacement of the mechanical grip.
Description
WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 1 Self Gauging Insertion Coupling Coaxial Connector Cross Reference to Related Applications This application is a continuation-in-part of commonly owned US Utility Patent Application Serial No. 12/611,095, titled "Insertion Coupling Coaxial Connector", filed November 2, 2009 by Jeffrey Paynter and Al Cox, currently pending, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, which is a continuation-in-part of commonly owned US Utility Patent Application Serial No. 12/264,932, titled "Insertion Coupling Coaxial Connector", filed November 5, 2008 by Jeffrey Paynter and Al Cox, currently pending, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND Field of the Invention This invention relates to electrical cable connectors. More particularly, the invention relates to a coaxial cable connector capable of self-gauging for coupling to coaxial cables with an increased range of outer conductor diameters. Description of Related Art Coaxial cable connectors are used, for example, in communication systems requiring a high level of precision and reliability. To create a secure mechanical and optimized electrical interconnection between the cable and the connector, it is desirable to have generally uniform, circumferential contact between a leading edge of the coaxial cable outer conductor and the connector WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 2 body. A flared end of the outer conductor may be clamped against an annular wedge surface of the connector body, via a coupling nut. Representative of this technology is commonly owned US Patent No. 5,795,188 issued August 18, 1998 to Harwath. Machine threaded coupling surfaces between the metal body and the coupling nut of US 5,795,188 and similarly configured prior coaxial connectors significantly increase manufacturing costs and installation time requirements. Another drawback is the requirement for connector disassembly, sliding the back body over the cable end and then performing a precision cable end flaring operation, which retains the cable within the connector body during threading. Further, care must be taken at the final threading procedure and/or additional connector element(s) added to avoid damaging the flared end portion of the outer conductor as it is clamped between the body and the coupling nut to form a secure electrical connection between the outer conductor and the coaxial cable. Alternative coaxial connector solutions, utilizing gripping/and or support elements about which the connector body is then radially crimped and/or axially compressed to secure an electromechanical interconnection between the outer conductor of the coaxial cable and the connector, are also known in the art. Crimped and/or compressed connections may be subject to varying quality depending upon the specific force level applied by the installer in each instance. Support surfaces added to prevent collapse of the outer conductor inserted within the inner diameter of the outer conductor, common in connectors for non-solid outer conductor coaxial cables, introduce an electrical WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 3 performance degrading impedance discontinuity into the signal path. Further, crimping and/or compression becomes impractical with larger diameter coaxial cables, as the increased diameter, sidewall thickness and/or required travel of the corresponding connector/back body(s) increases the required force(s) beyond the levels deliverable by conventional crimp/compression hand tools. Competition in the coaxial cable connector market has focused attention on improving electrical performance and minimization of overall costs, including materials costs, training requirements for installation personnel, reduction of dedicated installation tooling and the total number of required installation steps and or operations. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a coaxial cable connector that overcomes deficiencies in the prior art. Brief Description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, where like reference numbers in the drawing figures refer to the same feature or element and may not be described in detail for every drawing figure in which they appear and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 4 Figure 1 is a schematic cutaway side view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector with a coaxial cable inserted, prior to clamp ring advance. Figure 2a is a schematic close up cutaway side view of the electrical connector of Figure 1. Figure 2b is a schematic close up cutaway side view of an electrical connector similar to Figure 1, demonstrated installed upon a minimum diameter coaxial cable. Figure 2c is a schematic close up cutaway side view of an electrical connector similar to Figure 1, demonstrated installed upon a maximum diameter coaxial cable. Figure 3 is a schematic cutaway side view of the electrical connector of Figure 1 with a nominal diameter coaxial cable inserted and a clamp ring advancing a gauge sleeve longitudinally toward the connector end. Figure 4 is a schematic close up cutaway side view of the electrical connector of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a schematic cutaway side view of another exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector with a nominal diameter coaxial cable inserted and a clamp ring advancing longitudinally toward the connector end.
WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 5 Figure 6 is a schematic close up cutaway side view of the electrical connector of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a schematic cutaway side view of another exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector with a nominal diameter coaxial cable inserted and a clamp ring advancing longitudinally toward the connector end. Figure 8 is a schematic close up cutaway side view of the electrical connector of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a schematic cutaway side view of another exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector with a nominal diameter coaxial cable inserted and a clamp ring advancing longitudinally towards the connector end. Figure 10 is a schematic close up cutaway side view of the electrical connector of Figure 9. Figure 11 is a schematic isometric angled view of the grip ring of the electrical connector of Figure 10. Figure 12 is a schematic cutaway side view of another exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector with a nominal diameter coaxial cable inserted and a clamp ring advancing longitudinally towards the connector end.
WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 6 Figure 13 is a schematic close up cutaway side view of the electrical connector of Figure 12. Detailed Description The inventors have analyzed available solid outer conductor coaxial connectors and recognized the drawbacks of threaded inter-body connection(s), manual flaring installation procedures and crimp/compression coaxial connector designs. Insertion coupling coaxial connectors, for example as disclosed in the inventor's commonly owned US Utility Patent Application Serial No. 12/264,932, titled "Insertion Coupling Coaxial Connector", filed November 5, 2008, currently pending and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, introduces several significant improvements to the coaxial connector arts, eliminating the need for manual flaring of the outer conductor and/or high torque threading of the coupling nut into the connector body during outer conductor end clamping connector to cable end interconnection. Similarly, several improvements to the insertion coupling coaxial connector are disclosed in the inventors commonly owned US Utility Patent Application Serial No. 12/611,095, titled "Insertion Coupling Coaxial Connector", filed November 2, 2009, currently pending, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the outer diameter of coaxial cables can vary. For example, the outer diameter of a coaxial cable made by one manufacturer may differ from the outer diameter of a coaxial cable made by another manufacturer. The WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 7 inventor's electrical performance analysis of the prior insertion coupling coaxial connectors has recognized that a variance in the diameter of the outer conductor of a coaxial cable can negatively impact the quality of the electrical interconnection formed via contact between a helical spring coil outer conductor electrical contact and the outer conductor. As shown in a first exemplary embodiment in Figures 1-4, an insertion coupling type coaxial connecter 6 has a connector body 10 with a connector body bore 16. An insulator 7 seated within the connector body bore 5 supports an inner contact 9 coaxial with the connector body bore 16. The coaxial connector 1 mechanically retains the outer conductor 4 of a coaxial cable 2 inserted into the cable end 14 of the connector body bore 16 via a mechanical grip provided by a grip surface 18 located on the inner diameter of a grip ring 19, the grip surface 18 driven radially inward by interaction of the grip ring 19 with a wedge surface 30. An electrical contact 20, herein demonstrated as a helical coil spring, seated within the connector body bore 5 makes circumferential contact with the outer conductor 4, proximate the end of the outer conductor 4, electrically coupling the outer conductor 4 across the connector body 3 to a connector interface 21 at the connector end 12. The connector interface 21 may be any desired standard or proprietary interface. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the cable end 14 and the connector end 12 are descriptors used herein to clarify longitudinal locations and contacting interrelationships WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 8 between the various elements of the coaxial connector 1. In addition to the identified positions in relation to adjacent elements along the coaxial connector longitudinal axis, each individual element has a cable end side and a connector end side, i.e. the sides of the respective element that are facing the respective cable end 14 and the connector end 12 of the coaxial connector 1. The grip ring 19 may be retained within the connector body bore 5, for example seated within a grip ring groove 27. For ease of grip ring 19 installation (and further elements, if present, described herein below) and/or enhanced grip ring 19 to outer conductor 4 gripping characteristics, the grip ring groove 27 may be formed wherein the cable end grip ring groove sidewall and/or bottom are surfaces of a clamp ring 8 coupled to the connector body 10, for example, via threads 23. The clamp ring 8, may be retained upon the connector body 3 by a retaining feature 29, such as an interlock between snap barb(s) 35 provided on the outer diameter of the clamp ring 8 and one or more corresponding annular snap groove(s) 33 provided on an inner diameter of the connector body bore 5, as best shown for example in Figure 1. Alternatively, the positions of the snap groove(s) 33 and the corresponding snap barb(s) 35 may be reversed. As best viewed in Figures 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 13 an annular wedge surface 30 of the clamp ring 8 has a taper between a maximum diameter at a connector end side and a minimum diameter at a cable end side. An outer diameter of the grip ring 19 contacts WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 9 the wedge surface 30 and is thereby driven radially inward by passage along the wedge surface 30 towards the cable end 15. The spreading/contracting variable diameter characteristic of the grip ring 19 as the wedge surface 30 is traversed axially and/or any manufacturer variances in the diameter of the coaxial cable outer conductor 4 are encountered requires a gap along the circumference of the grip ring 19. A width of the gap may be selected in view of a differential between the maximum and minimum diameter the grip ring 19 is expected to provide. The grip surface 18 of the grip ring 19 has a directional bias, for example via an angled face on a cable end side and a stop face on the connector end side of a plurality of annular or helical protrusions, engaging and gripping the outer diameter surface of the outer conductor 4 when in tension toward the cable end 14 while allowing the outer conductor 4 to slide past the grip surface 18 when moved toward the connector end 12. The grip ring 19 has a range of longitudinal movement within the grip ring groove 27. As the grip ring 19 moves along the wedge surface 30 toward the connector end 12, for example as the leading edge of the outer conductor 4 is inserted into the connector body bore 5 from the cable end 15 and contacts the angled grip surface 18, the grip ring 19 will either spread to allow the outer conductor 4 to pass through, or will also begin to move longitudinally towards the connector end 12, within the grip ring groove 27. Because of the wedge surface 30 taper, as the grip ring 19 moves towards the WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 10 connector end 12, the depth of the grip ring groove 27 with respect to the grip ring 19 increases. Thereby, the grip ring 19 may be spread radially outward to enable the passage of the outer conductor 4 through the grip ring 19 and toward the connector end 12. Conversely, once spread, the bias of the grip ring 19 inward toward its relaxed state creates a gripping engagement between the grip surface 18 and the outer diameter surface of the outer conductor 4. If tension is applied between the connector body 3 and the coaxial cable 2 to pull the outer conductor 4 toward the cable end 14, the grip ring 19 is driven against the tapered wedge surface 30, progressively decreasing the depth of the grip ring groove 27, thereby driving the grip ring 19 radially inward and further increasing the gripping engagement as the grip surface 18 is driven into the outer diameter surface of the outer conductor 4. Alternatively, as the clamp ring 8 is threaded into the connector body 10 via threads 23, the lateral position of the wedge surface 30 moves progressively towards the connector end 12, eventually driving the grip ring 19 against the wedge surface 30 with the same gripping engagement result. The grip ring groove connector end sidewall lateral position, dimensions of the electrical contact 20, and any offsets or spacers also present in the grip ring groove 27 may be dimensioned to allow a range of travel where the resulting grip ring radial inward movement / diameter relative to the expected range of outer conductor diameters is configured for the grip surface 18 to have securely engaged the outer conductor 4 but which is short of a grip ring radial inward movement capable of causing the outer conductor 4 to collapse radially inward beyond an acceptable level.
WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 11 One skilled in the art will appreciate that, within a normal range of attachment force, such as manual hand threading of the clamp ring 8 into the connector body 10 by installation personnel, a final lateral position of the grip ring 19 along the wedge surface 30 is dependent upon a diameter of the outer conductor 4. For example, Figure 2a demonstrates an initial position prior to advance of the clamp ring 8 and Figures 2b and 2c demonstrate a final lateral position of the grip ring 19 resulting from a minimum and maximum outer diameter outer conductor 4, respectively. The range of possible lateral positions of the grip ring 19 (between the minimum diameter position and the maximum diameter position), and thus the final radial inward position of the grip ring 19 in contact with the outer diameter of the outer conductor 4 provides a range of outer conductor 4 diameter variability that is accommodated by the mechanical grip. To provide outer conductor diameter accommodation with respect to the electrical contact 20, proportional to a final radially inward displacement position of the grip ring 19 along the wedge surface 30, a ramp surface 24 coupled with the electrical contact 20, may be applied. Again referring to Figures 1-4, the ramp surface 24 may be provided, for example, on the connector end 12 of a gauge sleeve 22 positioned between the clamp ring 8 and the electrical contact 20. The ramp surface 24 has a taper with a maximum diameter at the connector end side and a minimum diameter at the cable end side. As the clamp ring 8 is threaded into the connector body 10, the connector end 12 of the clamp ring 8 drives the gauge sleeve 22 progressively toward the connector end 12, the ramp surface 24 WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 12 engaging and displacing the electrical contact 20 radially inward relative to the longitudinal position of the clamp ring 8, as best shown in Figures 2b and 2c. An annular spacer 26 may be applied between the grip ring 19 and the electrical contact 20 to provide a cable end sidewall for the electrical contact 20, so that, as the electrical contact 20 is displaced radially inward, the electrical contact 20 biases against the outer conductor 4 rather than merely expanding laterally. Further, the spacer 26 along with the connector body 10 and clamp ring 8 may be configured to position the electrical contact 20 and the mechanical grip laterally, for example so that each engages a corrugation peak 28 of the outer conductor 4. The electrical contact 20 has a spring/elastic compressibility characteristic which creates a secure electrical interconnection resistant to degradation resulting from, for example, vibration and/or thermal expansion cycling of the coaxial connector 6 / coaxial cable 4. In view of the spring/elastic compressibility characteristic of the electrical contact 20, the advance of the clamp ring 8 may be limited by the radially inward position of the mechanical grip driven by the wedge surface 30 into contact with the outer conductor 4. The lateral advance of the clamp ring 8 toward the connector body 10 and/or attempted withdrawal of the inserted coaxial cable 2 towards the cable end 14 displaces the mechanical grip radially inward a first distance to a position corresponding to an outer diameter of the outer conductor 4 and also defines a final position of the clamp ring 8, resulting in a displacement of the electrical contact 20 radial inward a second distance proportional to the mechanical grip radial displacement. Thereby, both WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 13 the mechanical grip and the electrical contact 20 are displaceable radially inward to securely engage the outer conductor 4, responsive to variability of the outer conductor 4 diameter within a defined range. One skilled in the art will appreciate that where the tapers of the wedge surface 30 and ramp surface 24 are the same angle, the first distance and the second distance will be equal. Alternatively, in view of the compressibility of the electrical contact 20, the respective tapers may be arranged wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, providing ease of initial coaxial cable insertion into the connector body bore 16 and enhanced final electrical contact compression into contact with the outer conductor 4. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the ramp surface 24 may be integrated with the clamp ring 8, eliminating the need for a separate gauge sleeve 22. Similarly, the grip ring 19 may be provided with an extension 31 contacting the electrical contact 20 at the desired displacement, eliminating the spacer 26. The ramp surface 24 is preferably formed from a metal material to prevent scoring and/or polymer creep where the ramp surface 24 contacts the electrical contact 20. To enable cost efficient manufacture of the clamp nut 8 of polymeric material, the cable end 14 of a metal ramp pre-form 25 may be overmolded with polymeric material to provide a clamp ring 8 of polymeric material integral with a metal ramp surface 24, for example as shown in Figures 7 and 8.
WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 14 In another embodiment, for example as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the ramp surface 24 may be applied to an inner diameter of the connector body bore 16 and the extension 31 of the grip ring 19 provided with a seating surface 32 positioned to cradle the outer diameter of the electrical contact 20. As the grip ring 19, best shown in Figure 11, moves laterally along the wedge surface 30, a connector end 12 of the grip ring 19 also travels along the ramp surface 24. Thereby, as the grip ring 19 moves radially inward to engage the outer conductor 4, the electrical contact 20 is also moved radially inward. In another embodiment, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the seating surface 32 may be configured to only partially cradle the electrical contact 20. As the grip ring 19 moves laterally and radially inward with respect to the wedge surface 30, the electrical contact 20 is driven by the seating surface 32 against the ramp surface 24, and thus radially inward. Thereby, as the grip ring 19 moves radially inward to engage the outer conductor 4, the electrical contact 20 is also moved radially inward. A retaining lip 34 may be applied to the connector body bore 16 sidewall to retain the grip ring 19 (or gauge sleeve 22, if present) and thereby the electrical contact 20 until the clamp ring 8 is installed. One skilled in the art will appreciate that an insertion coupling coaxial connector 6 where both the mechanical grip securely retaining the outer conductor 4 within the connector body 10 and the electrical contact 20 electrically interconnecting the outer WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 15 conductor 4 with the connector body 10 are adaptable to a range of outer conductor diameters provides significant improvements in universality and/or interchangeability, enabling ready exchange upon existing coaxial cable installations during repairs / upgrades and /or new installations wherein coaxial cables from multiple sources are present. Table of Parts 2 coaxial cable 4 outer conductor 6 coaxial connector 7 insulator 8 clamp ring 9 inner contact 10 connector body 12 connector end 14 cable end 16 connector body bore 18 grip surface 19 grip ring 20 electrical contact 21 connector interface 22 gauge sleeve 23 threads WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 16 24 ramp surface 25 ramp pre-form 26 spacer 27 grip ring groove 28 corrugation peak 29 retaining feature 30 wedge surface 31 extension 32 seating surface 33 snap grooves 34 retaining lip 35 snap barb Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to materials, ratios, integers or components having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, methods, and illustrative examples shown WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 17 and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept. Further, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims (22)
1. A coaxial cable connector with a connector end and a cable end for coupling with a coaxial cable with a solid outer conductor, the connector comprising: a connector body provided with a bore; a clamp ring coupled to the cable end of the connector body; a grip ring retained within the bore, an inner diameter of the grip ring provided with a grip surface, an outer diameter of the grip ring abutting a wedge surface of the clamp ring; the wedge surface provided with a taper between a maximum diameter proximate the connector end and a minimum diameter proximate the cable end; an electrical contact retained within the bore; the grip surface and an inner diameter of the electrical contact dimensioned to receive the outer conductor from the cable end therethrough and couple with an outer diameter of the outer conductor; and a ramp surface coupled to the electrical contact, the ramp surface driving the electrical contact radial inward.
2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the ramp surface is provided proximate a connector end of the clamp ring. WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 19
3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the ramp surface is a sidewall portion of the bore; the grip ring provided with a seating surface contacting the electrical contact; and the grip ring abutting the ramp surface.
4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the ramp surface is a sidewall portion of the bore; the grip ring provided with a seating surface contacting the electrical contact; and the electrical contact abutting the ramp surface.
5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the ramp surface is provided proximate a connector end of a gauge sleeve; and the connector end of the clamp ring abutting a cable end of the gauge sleeve.
6. The connector of claim 1, wherein a connector end of the grip ring contacts the electrical contact.
7. The connector of claim 1, wherein the clamp ring is a metal ramp surface pre form overmolded at the cable end with polymeric material, the ramp surface provided proximate a connector end of the ramp surface pre-form.
8. The connector of claim 1, wherein the wedge surface is formed in an inner diameter of the clamp ring, proximate the connector end of the clamp ring. WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 20
9. The connector of claim 1, further including a thread between the connector body and the clamp ring; and the thread operable to advance the wedge surface axially towards the connector end of the connector.
10. The connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical contact is an annular helical coil spring.
11. The connector of claim 1, further including an annular spacer within the bore, between the electrical contact and the grip ring.
12. The connector of claim 11, wherein the annular spacer is dimensioned longitudinally to align the electrical contact and the grip ring each with a corrugation peak of the outer conductor.
13. A coaxial connector with a connector end and a cable end for coupling with a coaxial cable with a solid outer conductor, the connector comprising: a connector body provided with a bore; a clamp ring coupled to a cable end of the connector body; a grip ring and a helical coil spring within the bore, the helical coil spring positioned at the cable end side of the grip ring; WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 21 a lateral advance of the clamp ring towards the connector body driving the grip ring radial inward, to contact the outer conductor, a first distance corresponding to an outer diameter of the outer conductor and the helical coil spring radial inward, to contact the outer conductor, a second distance proportional to the first distance.
14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the first distance is generally equal to the second distance.
15. The connector of claim 13,wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.
16. The connector of claim 13, wherein helical coil spring contacts a ramp surface provided proximate a connector end of a gauge sleeve between the clamp ring and the helical coil spring.
17. The connector of claim 13, wherein helical coil spring contacts a ramp surface provided upon a clamp ring extension.
18.The connector of claim 13, further including an annular spacer within the bore between the helical coil spring and the grip ring; the annular spacer dimensioned longitudinally to align the electrical contact and the mechanical grip each with a corrugation peak of the outer conductor. WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 22
19.The connector of claim 13, further including an outer diameter of the grip ring abutting an annular wedge surface of the clamp ring; the wedge surface provided with a taper between a maximum diameter proximate the connector end and a minimum diameter proximate the cable end; an inner diameter of the grip ring provided with a grip surface.
20. A coaxial connector with a connector end and a cable end for coupling with a coaxial cable with a solid outer conductor, the connector comprising: a connector body provided with a connector body bore; a clamp ring coupled to the cable end of the connector body; a grip ring retained within the bore; an outer diameter of the grip ring abutting an annular wedge surface of the clamp ring; the wedge surface provided with a taper between a maximum diameter proximate the connector end and a minimum diameter proximate the cable end; an inner diameter of the grip ring provided with a grip surface; a helical coil spring retained within the connector body bore; the connector body bore provided with a ramp surface coupled to the helical coil spring via the grip ring.
21. The connector of claim 20, wherein the coupling of the helical coil spring with the ramp surface is via a seating surface of the grip ring contacting the helical coil spring; and the grip ring abutting the ramp surface. WO 2011/053439 PCT/US2010/051792 23
22. The connector of claim 20, wherein the coupling of the helical coil spring with the ramp surface is via a seating surface of the grip ring contacting the helical coil spring; and the helical coil spring abutting the ramp surface.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US12/611,095 US7927134B2 (en) | 2008-11-05 | 2009-11-02 | Coaxial connector for cable with a solid outer conductor |
| US12/611,095 | 2009-11-02 | ||
| PCT/US2010/051792 WO2011053439A2 (en) | 2008-11-05 | 2010-10-07 | Self gauging insertion coupling coaxial connector |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2010313683A1 true AU2010313683A1 (en) | 2012-05-17 |
Family
ID=43481035
Family Applications (3)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2010313682A Abandoned AU2010313682A1 (en) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-10-07 | Shielded grip ring for coaxial connector |
| AU2010313684A Abandoned AU2010313684A1 (en) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-10-07 | Interleaved outer conductor shield contact |
| AU2010313683A Abandoned AU2010313683A1 (en) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-10-07 | Self gauging insertion coupling coaxial connector |
Family Applications Before (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2010313682A Abandoned AU2010313682A1 (en) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-10-07 | Shielded grip ring for coaxial connector |
| AU2010313684A Abandoned AU2010313684A1 (en) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-10-07 | Interleaved outer conductor shield contact |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (3) | EP2497155A1 (en) |
| CN (3) | CN102640357A (en) |
| AU (3) | AU2010313682A1 (en) |
| BR (3) | BR112012010382A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9197008B1 (en) * | 2014-08-26 | 2015-11-24 | Tyco Electronics Corporation | Electrical assembly having a threaded coupling nut and retaining ring |
| CN104779482B (en) * | 2015-04-07 | 2017-12-12 | 昆山嘉华精密工业有限公司 | Retainer ring |
| CN105552649B (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2018-11-13 | 中航光电科技股份有限公司 | A kind of shielding construction and the connector using the shielding construction |
| CN109425937A (en) | 2017-08-23 | 2019-03-05 | 泰科电子(上海)有限公司 | Optical fiber connector |
| CN110031693A (en) * | 2018-01-12 | 2019-07-19 | 康普技术有限责任公司 | For testing the test fixture and method of the passive intermodulation of coaxial connector |
| CN109659746A (en) * | 2019-01-04 | 2019-04-19 | 成都宝利根科技有限公司 | A kind of receptacle connector and its manufacturing method |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2533343A (en) * | 1944-11-03 | 1950-12-12 | Bac Fernand Georges | Electric connecting device |
| BE474885A (en) * | 1945-04-20 | |||
| US3739076A (en) * | 1972-04-17 | 1973-06-12 | L Schwartz | Electrical cable terminating and grounding connector |
| US3855568A (en) * | 1973-10-10 | 1974-12-17 | Gen Electric | Forced contact electrical connector |
| US4519666A (en) * | 1983-08-15 | 1985-05-28 | Allied Corporation | Triaxial electrical connector |
| US4857015A (en) * | 1988-07-01 | 1989-08-15 | Molex Incorporated | Evironmentally sealed grounding backshell with strain relief |
| IT1277694B1 (en) * | 1995-12-22 | 1997-11-11 | Italtel Spa | DEVICE FOR SHIELDING AGAINST ELECTROMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE OF A SINGLE CABLE |
| US5795188A (en) * | 1996-03-28 | 1998-08-18 | Andrew Corporation | Connector kit for a coaxial cable, method of attachment and the resulting assembly |
| US6639146B1 (en) * | 2002-06-26 | 2003-10-28 | Avc Industrial Corp. | EMI protective cable connector |
-
2010
- 2010-10-07 EP EP10773186A patent/EP2497155A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2010-10-07 AU AU2010313682A patent/AU2010313682A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-10-07 BR BR112012010382A patent/BR112012010382A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2010-10-07 CN CN2010800494779A patent/CN102640357A/en active Pending
- 2010-10-07 AU AU2010313684A patent/AU2010313684A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-10-07 BR BR112012010318A patent/BR112012010318A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2010-10-07 EP EP10773184A patent/EP2497160A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2010-10-07 CN CN2010800495273A patent/CN102640359A/en active Pending
- 2010-10-07 CN CN2010800494783A patent/CN102640358A/en active Pending
- 2010-10-07 AU AU2010313683A patent/AU2010313683A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-10-07 EP EP10818112A patent/EP2497157A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2010-10-07 BR BR112012010319A patent/BR112012010319A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BR112012010318A2 (en) | 2019-09-24 |
| AU2010313682A1 (en) | 2012-05-17 |
| EP2497155A1 (en) | 2012-09-12 |
| CN102640358A (en) | 2012-08-15 |
| EP2497160A1 (en) | 2012-09-12 |
| BR112012010319A2 (en) | 2016-03-29 |
| BR112012010382A2 (en) | 2016-11-29 |
| EP2497157A2 (en) | 2012-09-12 |
| AU2010313684A1 (en) | 2012-05-17 |
| CN102640359A (en) | 2012-08-15 |
| CN102640357A (en) | 2012-08-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK4 | Application lapsed section 142(2)(d) - no continuation fee paid for the application |