EP0865120B1 - RF-Adapter für Leiterplattenverbinder - Google Patents

RF-Adapter für Leiterplattenverbinder Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0865120B1
EP0865120B1 EP98301770A EP98301770A EP0865120B1 EP 0865120 B1 EP0865120 B1 EP 0865120B1 EP 98301770 A EP98301770 A EP 98301770A EP 98301770 A EP98301770 A EP 98301770A EP 0865120 B1 EP0865120 B1 EP 0865120B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connector
plated
attachment means
conductive layer
bore
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98301770A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0865120A2 (de
EP0865120A3 (de
Inventor
Ian James Stafford Gray
Derek Andrews
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Original Assignee
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC filed Critical ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Publication of EP0865120A2 publication Critical patent/EP0865120A2/de
Publication of EP0865120A3 publication Critical patent/EP0865120A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0865120B1 publication Critical patent/EP0865120B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • H01R24/50—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 mounted on a PCB [Printed Circuit Board]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2103/00—Two poles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an adapter for attaching to a printed circuit board (PCB) that facilitates the production of an electrical interface between the PCB and one or more radio frequency (RF) connectors.
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • RF radio frequency
  • one method of connecting RF connectors to printed circuit boards uses right angle connectors that mate directly with a plated through hole in the PCB and/or are soldered to a printed circuit track on one side of the board. It is expensive to produce the right angled body for the connector and it is also difficult to fit an electrical contact bent at 90° into the body. These problems have previously been overcome by producing the right angled body in more than one piece and fitting it together after the contact is inserted. A further problem is encountered if two or more right angle connectors are stacked one above another. The mating end of a right angled connector stacked on top of another of the same size would not be coplanar with the PCB and therefore mating would not be possible. In this situation special connectors must be produced, each level of stacking requiring a specialised connector.
  • Another way of making connection to PCB's uses an adapter mounted onto the PCB having an opposite mating piece to that of an RF connector.
  • the mating part of the adapter is commonly at 90° to the PCB mounting so that when an RF connector is mated with the adapter, the mating pressure is not applied directly to the PCB.
  • the electrical contact(s) in the adapter connecting the mating part to the PCB mounting have to bend through 90° as in the right angled connectors above, posing the same problems.
  • the adapters have to be assembled from parts, since the electrically conductive and insulating parts have to be produced from different materials.
  • EP 0545289 discloses a connector for coupling a coaxial line to a board.
  • a conducting shroud is provided over an insulating body to provide the conductive paths from the coaxial input to the board.
  • the present invention seeks to simplify or reduce the cost of manufacture of connectors and may reduce the part count of the previously mentioned connectors and adapters.
  • a coax-PCB connector comprising a plastics body adapted to mate with an RF connector, at least two contacts for electrical connection with the RF connector upon mating therewith and a plurality of attachment means disposed so as to permit connection to tracks on a printed circuit board, characterised in that the body comprises a first structure of platable plastic and a second structure resistant to plating, coupling between at least one of said contacts and an associated attachment means being effected via plating which defines a conductive layer provided on the exposed surface of the first structure of the body.
  • the plurality of attachment means are coplanar and are arranged around the periphery of the base of the plastics body, and the plurality of attachment means each comprise an area of the conductive layer for direct connection on to a track on the PCB.
  • the coax-PCB connector is referred to as an "adapter".
  • the adapter may be adapted to mate with a plurality of RF connectors and having for each connector at least two contacts for electrical connection with the RF connector upon mating therewith and a plurality of attachment means disposed so as to permit connection to tracks on a printed circuit board, wherein coupling between at least one of said contacts and an associated attachment means is effected via a conductive coating provided on the surface of the body.
  • a bore is provided in the inside of the body which bore is plated to form a female contact for engagement by a male contact of an RF connector, which plated bore adjoins the, or one of the, conductive coating(s).
  • a male or female contact may be secured in the or each plated bore to permit engagement by a respective female or male contact of an RF connector.
  • the or each plated bore may be a through hole in electrical communication at one end with the contact and at the other end with an associated conductive coating.
  • One or more plastics projection may be provided at one end of the body the or each of which projection is plated together with the conductive coatings, one of which coatings adjoins the plated projection and is in electrical communication therewith.
  • a bore may be provided through the body and through the projection which bore is plated to form a plated through hole in electrical communication at one end with the plated projection and at the other end with an associated conductive coating.
  • the or each plated bore may adjoin an associated one of the conductive coatings at the contact end, which conductive coating extends over an outer surface of the body to the associated attachment means.
  • the adapter may comprise two coaxial contacts for the, or for each of the, RF connector(s).
  • the adapter may comprise, for each RF connector, two coaxial contacts the outer one of which contacts is formed by a cylindrical projection.
  • the inner and/or outer surface of the or each cylindrical projection may be plated to provide one of the contacts.
  • a major part of the outer surface of the plastics body is plated and extends to the plating on the surface of the cylindrical projection and to an associated attachment means.
  • the body may have oppositely disposed surfaces and for the, or each, RF connector a through hole to receive a pin of the RF connector inserted from one side, the other side of which body is provided with the conductive coating which extends to the associated attachment means.
  • each RF connector there may be provided a plurality of through holes each for receiving a pin of the connector inserted from one side, and the other side of the body is provided with the conductive coatings which extend to the associated attachment means.
  • the or each conductive layer may be in the form of a track and the attachment means is/are formed by the end of the track(s).
  • the or each conductive coating may be in the form of a track and the attachment means is/are formed by a pin.
  • the ends of the attachment means are preferably coplanar.
  • the body on said one side may have a fully plated surface for connection to the body of one or more coaxial connector(s) mated therewith.
  • the plated surface on said one side may be recessed to receive the or each coaxial connector.
  • the plated surface on said one side may be linked to a conductive track on the other side via a plated through hole or slot which track extends to an associated attachment means.
  • an adapter formed as a Moulded Interconnect Device (MID) for attaching to a PCB.
  • MID technology allows the adapter to be moulded in plastics preferably as a single piece which is then selectively plated with a electrically conductive material so that certain areas can carry an electrical signal.
  • the adapter (10) has a plated body area (1) and a plated through hole (4) , for carrying electrical signals.
  • the two plated areas (1,4) are electrically independent of each other.
  • Solder tabs (3,5) form attachment means and allow the plated areas (1,4) to be directly connected to tracks on a PCB but these could equally be substituted by other means of electrical attachment such as plated pins.
  • the electrical independence between the plated body area (1) and the plated through hole (4) is due to the non-plated areas (9) which are dielectrics and separate the two electrical signal carrying areas.
  • the required impedance between the two signal carrying areas (1,4) could be adjusted according to, for example, the spacing between the plated through hole and the plated body area (1).
  • the electrical continuity between the plated through hole and the PCB is provided by a conductive layer formed by a plated link (2) to a solder tab (3).
  • the plated through hole (4) may form a female contact for receiving a male contact of an RF connector.
  • an electrical contact (7) may be inserted into the hole to provide a male contact for connection to a female contact of an RF connector.
  • the contact (7) may be an interference fit with the hole (4), providing a first electrical signal path communicating between the contact (7) and the plated through hole (4) to the solder tab (3).
  • An outer shell of the RF connector (not shown) would mate with a connector interface (6) of the adapter, providing a second electrical signal path communicating between the outer shell of the RF connector and solder tabs (5) via the plated body area (1) and the connector interface (6).
  • the first and second signal paths could then be connected to the PCB by the solder tabs (3) and (5) respectively which are coplanar.
  • the contact (7) could be moulded as part of the adapter (10) as long as electrical continuity between the contact (7) and the plated through hole (4) is ensured by, for example, continuing the plated through hole through the contact.
  • the plated through hole (4) could be replaced by a plated track running around the outside of the adapter from the contact (7) to the solder tab (3).
  • a dielectric area would be formed on either side of the plated track to ensure electrical independence from the plated body area (1).
  • an adapter (100) for attaching to a PCB is shown with four RF coaxial connectors (101).
  • the adapter (100) is constructed employing Moulded Interconnect Device (MID) technology.
  • MID Moulded Interconnect Device
  • the adapter (100) has a non-plated body area (102) and a plated body area (111) and a number of plated through holes (107,110), which form contacts, for accepting the contacts (103,104) of the RF connectors (101).
  • the plated through holes (110) are electrically connected to conductive layers in the form of first plated tracks (105) that extend between the holes (110) and attachment means in the form of solder tab (113) extending over the end of projection (166) allowing electrical signal communication between a track on a PCB and the coaxial connector centre contacts (104) once the adapter is attached to the PCB.
  • Further solder tabs (114) are each connected by further plated tracks (108) to plated through holes or slots (112).
  • the plated through slots (112) electrically connect the plated tracks (108) to the plated body area (111) which in turn is electrically connected to the plated through holes (107), thus allowing electrical signal communication between the PCB and coaxial outer contacts (103) once the adapter is attached to the PCB.
  • the plated tracks (105) are electrically independent of each other and of the tracks (108).
  • the solder tabs (113,114) are coplanar and allow the adapter (100) to be directly connected to tracks on the PCB but this could equally be substituted by other means of electrical attachment such as plated pins.
  • an adapter (100) for attaching to a PCB is shown with four RF coaxial connectors (101).
  • the adapter (100) is constructed employing Moulded Interconnect Device (MID) technology.
  • the adapter (100) is formed by a two part moulding process.
  • a substructure (106,122, 123) is moulded from a first platable plastic which then has a superstructure (121) moulded around it, the plastic of the superstructure being resistant to plating.
  • the adapter is then plated, the exposed areas of the substructure (106,122,123) accept the plating whilst those of the superstructure (121) do not.
  • a common tracking area (122) is used to connect the outer contacts (103) of RF connectors (101) to a solder tab (106).
  • a plated through hole (123) is adapted to accept a metal insert (124).
  • the insert (124) has a screw threaded hole (125) allowing a housing (not shown) that holds the RF connectors (101) to be screwed to the adapter (100) ensuring a secure fit.
  • the plating of the hole (123) and the metal insert (124) allow the housing to be connected to ground, if necessary.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Structure Of Receivers (AREA)
  • Input Circuits Of Receivers And Coupling Of Receivers And Audio Equipment (AREA)

Claims (21)

  1. Ein koaxialer Leiterplatten-Verbinder (10, 100) mit einem Kunststoffkörper, der so angepaßt ist, daß er mit einem RF-Verbinder (101) verbunden werden kann, mit mindestens zwei Kontakten (6,7,111,107,110) für die elektrische Verbindung mit dem RF-Verbinder (101) bei dessen Anschluß und mehrere Befestigungsvorrichtungen (5,113,114), die so angeordnet sind, daß sie mit Leiterbahnen auf einer Leiterplatte verbunden werden können, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
    der Körper eine erste Struktur (106,122,123) aus metallisierbarem Kunststoff und eine zweite Struktur (121) die gegen Metallisieren resistent ist, eine Kupplung zwischen mindestens einem der Kontakte (6,7,111, 107, 110) und einer zugehörige Befestigungsvorrichtung (5,113,114) umfaßt, die durch Metallisieren bewirkt wird, die eine leitfähige Schicht auf der exponierten Fläche der ersten Struktur (106,122,123) des Körpers definiert.
  2. Ein koaxialer Leiterplatten-Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, wobei die mehreren Befestigungsvorrichtungen (5,113,114) in einer Ebene liegen und um den Umfang des Sockels des Kunststoffkörpers angeordnet sind, und wobei die mehreren Befestigungsvorrichtungen (5,113,114) jeweils einen Bereich der leitfähigen Schichten für die direkte Verbindung mit einer Leiterbahn auf der Leiterplatte umfassen.
  3. Ein Verbinder nach Anspruch 2 zur Verbindung mit der Leiterplatte durch Lötdepots (113,114), die zwischen den Befestigungsvorrichtungen und entsprechenden Leiterbahnen auf der Leiterplatte angeordnet sind.
  4. Ein Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, der so angepaßt ist, daß er mit mehreren RF-Verbindern zusammenpaßt und für jeden Verbinder mindestens zwei Kontakte (6,7,111,107,110) für die elektrische Verbindung mit dem RF-Verbinder bei dessen Anschluß sowie mehrere Befestigungsvorrichtungen (5,113,114), die so angeordnet sind, daß sie die Verbindung mit Leiterbahnen auf einer Leiterplatte ermöglichen, hat.
  5. Ein Verbinder nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, wobei für den bzw. jeden RF-Verbinder ein Bohrloch im Inneren des Körpers vorgesehen ist, wobei das Bohrloch (4,107,110) metallisiert ist, um einen Buchsenkontakt zur Verbindung mit einem Steckerkontakt (103,104) eines RF-Verbinders (101) zu bilden, wobei das metallisierte Bohrloch an die leitfähige Schicht grenzt.
  6. Ein Verbinder nach Anspruch 5, wobei ein Steckerkontakt (7) in dem oder in jedem metallisierten Bohrloch (4) fest verbunden ist, um ein Verbinden mit einem Buchsenkontakt eines RF-Verbinders zu ermöglichen.
  7. Ein Verbinder nach Anspruch 5, wobei ein Buchsenkontakt in dem oder in jedem metallisierten Bohrloch (4) fest verbunden ist, um ein Verbinden mit einem Steckerkontakt eines RF-Verbinders zu ermöglichen.
  8. Ein Verbinder nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, wobei das bzw. jedes Bohrloch ein durchgehendes Loch ist und an einem Ende mit dem Kontakt und am anderen Ende mit einem zugehörigen Bereich der leitfähigen Schicht elektrisch kommuniziert.
  9. Ein Verbinder nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, wobei ein oder mehrere Kunststoffvorsprünge (6) an einem Ende des Körpers vorgesehen sind, wobei der bzw. jeder Vorsprung zusammen mit der leitfähigen Schicht metallisiert ist, wobei die Schicht an den metallisierten Vorsprung grenzt und damit elektrisch kommuniziert.
  10. Ein Verbinder nach Anspruch 9, wobei für jeden Vorsprung (6) ein Bohrloch durch den Körper und durch den Vorsprung vorgesehen ist, wobei das Bohrloch metallisiert ist, um ein durchmetallisiertes Loch (4) zu bilden, das an einem Ende mit dem metallisierten Vorsprung und am anderen Ende mit einem zugehörigen Bereich der leitfähigen Schicht elektrisch kommuniziert.
  11. Ein Verbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 5, 6, 7 oder 9, wobei das oder jedes metallisierte Bohrloch an einen zugehörigen Bereich der leitfähigen Schichten am Kontaktende grenzt, wobei sich die leitfähige Schicht über eine äußere Fläche des Körpers zu zugehörigen Befestigungsvorrichtungen (3,5,113,114) erstreckt.
  12. Ein Verbinder nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, der zwei koaxiale Kontakte (103,104) für den oder jeden RF-Verbinder (101) enthält.
  13. Ein Verbinder nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, der für jeden RF-Verbinder zwei koaxiale Kontakte enthält, wobei der äußere Kontakt durch einen zylindrischen Vorsprung gebildet ist.
  14. Ein Verbinder nach Anspruch 13, wobei die innere bzw. äußere Fläche des oder jedes zylindrischen Vorsprungs metallisiert ist, um so einen der Kontakte zu bilden.
  15. Ein Verbinder nach Anspruch 14, wobei ein großer Teil der äußeren Fläche des Kunststoffkörpers metallisiert ist und sich zur Beschichtung auf der Oberfläche des zylindrischen Vorsprung des und zu einer zugehörigen Befestigungsvorrichtung erstreckt.
  16. Ein Verbinder nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, wobei der Körper gegenüberliegende Flächen hat und wobei für den bzw. für jeden RF-Verbinder (101) ein durchmetallisiertes Loch (107,110) für die Aufnahme eines von einer Seite eingeführten Stiftes (103,104,109) des RF-Verbinders vorgesehen ist, wobei die andere Seite des Körpers mit der leitfähigen Schicht (122) versehen ist, die sich zur den zugehörigen Befestigungsvorrichtungen (113,114) erstreckt.
  17. Ein Verbinder nach Anspruch 15 oder 16, wobei es für jeden RF-Verbinder mehrere durchmetallisierte Löcher zur Aufnahme eines von einer Seite eingeführten Stiftes des Verbinders gibt, und wobei die andere Seite des Körpers mit der leitfähigen Schicht versehen ist, von denen Flächen sich zur den zugehörigen Befestigungsvorrichtungen (113,114) erstrecken.
  18. Ein Verbinder nach Anspruch 16 und 17, wobei die leitfähige Schicht in Form einer Leiterbahn oder von Leiterbahnen (105,108,122) ist und die Befestigungsvorrichtungen durch das Ende der Leiterbahnen gebildet werden.
  19. Ein Verbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 16 bis 18, wobei der Körper auf der einen Seite eine vollständig metallisierte Oberfläche für die Verbindung mit dem Körper eines oder mehrerer verbundener koaxialen Verbindern aufweist.
  20. Ein Verbinder nach Anspruch 19, wobei die metallisierte Oberfläche auf der einen Seite eine Vertiefung hat, um den oder jeden koaxialen Verbinder aufzunehmen.
  21. Ein Verbinder nach Anspruch 19 oder 20, wobei die metallisierte Oberfläche auf der einen Seite mit einer leitfähigen Leiterbahn auf der andern Seite über ein durchmetallisiertes Loch oder Schlitz verbunden ist, wobei sich die Leiterbahn zu einer zugehörigen Befestigungsvorrichtung erstreckt.
EP98301770A 1997-03-14 1998-03-10 RF-Adapter für Leiterplattenverbinder Expired - Lifetime EP0865120B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9705378A GB2312567B (en) 1997-03-14 1997-03-14 Radio frequency connector to printed circuit board adpator
GB9705378 1997-03-14

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0865120A2 EP0865120A2 (de) 1998-09-16
EP0865120A3 EP0865120A3 (de) 1999-06-16
EP0865120B1 true EP0865120B1 (de) 2000-11-02

Family

ID=10809279

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98301770A Expired - Lifetime EP0865120B1 (de) 1997-03-14 1998-03-10 RF-Adapter für Leiterplattenverbinder

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0865120B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE197358T1 (de)
DE (2) DE19745722A1 (de)
DK (1) DK0865120T3 (de)
GB (1) GB2312567B (de)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2371261B (en) 2001-01-22 2004-04-07 Itt Mfg Enterprises Inc Electrical component with conductive tracks
DE102005011053A1 (de) * 2005-03-10 2006-09-21 Preh Gmbh Sonnensensor in MID-Technik
DE102006039879A1 (de) * 2006-08-25 2007-11-08 Siemens Ag Elektronisches Modul

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5158465A (en) * 1990-02-23 1992-10-27 General Electric Company Audio jack connector
JP2626281B2 (ja) * 1991-03-18 1997-07-02 日本電気株式会社 同軸コネクタ
EP0545289B1 (de) * 1991-11-30 1997-03-05 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Koaxialleiter/Mikrostreifenleitungsübergang
JPH07135053A (ja) * 1993-11-08 1995-05-23 Murata Mfg Co Ltd 同軸コネクタ及び同軸コネクタの実装構造

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK0865120T3 (da) 2000-11-27
DE69800371T2 (de) 2001-03-01
EP0865120A2 (de) 1998-09-16
EP0865120A3 (de) 1999-06-16
DE19745722A1 (de) 1998-09-24
DE69800371D1 (de) 2000-12-07
GB2312567B (en) 1998-06-10
GB2312567A (en) 1997-10-29
GB9705378D0 (en) 1997-04-30
ATE197358T1 (de) 2000-11-15

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