EP1037316A2 - Electrical connection and method of building it - Google Patents
Electrical connection and method of building it Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1037316A2 EP1037316A2 EP99125701A EP99125701A EP1037316A2 EP 1037316 A2 EP1037316 A2 EP 1037316A2 EP 99125701 A EP99125701 A EP 99125701A EP 99125701 A EP99125701 A EP 99125701A EP 1037316 A2 EP1037316 A2 EP 1037316A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- electrical connection
- pcb
- housing
- contacts
- housing parts
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
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
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/70—Coupling devices
- H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
- H01R12/712—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit
- H01R12/714—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit with contacts abutting directly the printed circuit; Button contacts therefore provided on the printed circuit
Landscapes
- Support Of Aerials (AREA)
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to an electrical connection between contacts of a housing and contacts of a printed circuit board (PCB) arranged within the housing and a method of building such an electrical connection.
- In a two way radio or a mobile telephone, which are collectively referred to as radio device, in a vehicular cradle it is often needed to direct radio frequency (RF) radiation either to its antenna rod or to an outside cable connected to the cradle. In the prior art this is achieved by a switch within the device which guides the radiation to the device's antenna if not activated. If the device is inserted into the cradle the switch is activated and it guides the radiation to the outside cable via a plug in the cradle. Often an impedance conversion is required either to the antenna branch or to the outside cable which in the prior art is provided on a printed circuit board within the device.
- Coaxial cables as well as antenna rods are widely used for conveying RF signals. Despite the simple radial symmetric construction of such cables conventional branches therefrom are unsymmetrical and branch housings have to be positioned accordingly with respect to the branching cable or rod, e.g. branch housings built as plug-in parts for BNC-couplings.
- The present invention arose in an attempt to alleviate these problems.
- According to the invention there is provided an electrical connection between contacts of a housing and contacts of a printed circuit board (PCB) arranged within the housing, the PCB being cramped between housing parts connected by means of screw connection.
- Preferably strip conductors of the PCB are formed as contacts. Advantageously strip conductors of the PCB form concentric ring contacts. This allows cramping the PCB between housing parts by screwing together these housing parts. Advantageously contacts are gold plated.
- Preferably the PCB has a circular periphery. This allows a small PCB and a suited small housing.
- Preferably the PCB contains a filter or an impedance transforming circuit. This allows to place a filter within a coax cable. An impedance transforming circuit allows an electrical connection between RF conductors of different wave resistance.
- Preferably the PCB contains a reed switch. This allows to place a remotely activated switch within a cable or rod or antenna for conditionally providing electrical connections to a branch.
- Preferably the contacts of the housing are rings of metal. Such rings are mechanically strong and easy to manufacture and to mount due to the axial symmetry.
- Preferably the contacts of the housing are partly embedded in plastic, this allows to build one-piece housing parts having contacts by casting plastic.
- Electrically isolated housing parts that isolate the contacts of each housing part and allow plastic threads in each housing part which provide both pressure on the cramped PCB and a watertight connection between the housing parts.
- Preferably the housing comprises outside circular contacts. This allows an axially symmetric antenna adapter. Such an adapter can be screwed between a radio and an antenna and has not to be azimuthally positioned to a branching direction.
- Thus, the invention allows to provide a vehicular cradle for a radio or a mobile telephone, wherein, when the radio is inserted, a switch within an antenna adapter is actuated and an electrical connection of the radio or mobile telephone is switched from its antenna to the vehicular cradle.
- A method of building an electrical connection between contacts of a housing and contacts of a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising the steps
- arranging the PCB between two housing parts having at least one contact each and being adapted to be put together such that each contact of each housing part faces a respective contact of the PCB;
- putting together the two housing parts until the PCB is cramped between the housing parts.
- Preferably the method of building an electrical connection comprises the additional step
- mounting an auxiliary housing part to the two housing parts already put together such that an auxiliary contact of the PCB touches a respective contact of the auxiliary housing part.
- Advantageously putting together housing parts is performed by screwing.
- Preferably the method of building an electrical connection comprises the additional step
- fixing housing parts to each other.
- Advantageously fixing housing parts to each other is performed by glueing or pinching.
- Mounting an antenna adapter evolves in the same way with suited housing parts.
- Figure 1 shows an antenna coupler comprising an electrical connection in accordance with the invention.
- Figure 2 shows a PCB for the electrical connection in accordance with the invention in top view.
- Figure 3 shows the antenna coupler comprising the electrical connection in accordance with the invention used to couple a radio device to a roof mounted antenna or to an antenna mounted on the radio device;
and a part of a radio cradle in cross-section. - With reference to figure 1,
antenna coupler 10 comprisesfirst housing part 12,second housing part 14, and PCB 16, PCB 16 is cramped betweenhousing parts -
First housing part 12 comprisesinner metal ring 22, firstplastic housing 24, and firstouter metal ring 26. Firstplastic housing 24 is plastic moulded throughholes 28 in firstouter metal ring 26 and isolates it frominner metal ring 22.Inner metal ring 22 is connected to firstplastic housing 24 bythreads 30 which connection is fixed by glue.Inner metal ring 22 comprisesfirst housing thread 31 for screw connectingfirst housing part 12 with an antenna (not shown).Inner metal ring 22 has gold platedfirst contact surface 32 and firstouter metal ring 26 has gold platedsecond contact surface 33 and gold platedthird contact surface 35. -
Second housing part 14 comprisesmetal body 34 and secondplastic housing 36 which is plastic moulded throughholes 38 inmetal body 34 such that it has outerplastic portion 40 and innerplastic portion 42.Metal body 34 comprisessecond housing thread 44 for screw connectingsecond housing part 14 with a radio (not shown).Metal body 34 comprises gold platedfourth contact surface 46 and secondouter metal ring 47 gold having platedfifth contact surface 48. Preferably,first housing thread 31 andsecond housing thread 44 are matching such that an antenna (not shown) with matching thread can be screwed into eitherantenna coupler 10 or the radio (not shown). - PCB 16 comprises
components 50 andreed switch 52. PCB 16 comprisesboard 54 in form of a disk with has a circular periphery.Board 54 has circular strip conductors on both sides in contact withcontacts -
First housing part 12 andsecond housing part 14 are screw-connected by threads 55 which connection is fixed by glue.Reed switch wire 57 extends throughtube section 56 of innerplastic portion 42 and throughmetal tube 58 ofsecond housing part 14.Metal body 34 comprisesflank 59 formed outwardly suitable to activate an external switch (not shown) within a radio, which switch is activated only ifantenna coupler 10 but not an antenna is screw-connected to the radio. Reedswitch wire 57 is soldered tometal tube 58 at itsfree end 60.Metal tube 58 preferably comprises gold platedouter cylinder wall 61. Those of skill in the art will know that instead offlank 59metal tube 58 could activate the external switch (not shown) within the radio. - Thus, an electrical connection is provided between contacts of a
housing PCB 16 arranged within the housing,PCB 16 being cramped betweenhousing parts Surfaces outer metal ring 26 and secondouter metal ring 47 form outside circular contacts which have also gold-platedsurfaces - A method of building an electrical connection between contacts of a housing and contacts of
PCB 16 comprising the steps - arranging
PCB 16 between twohousing parts PCB 16; - putting together
housing parts PCB 16 is cramped betweenhousing parts - This electrical connection and method of building it allow to mount an antenna adapter in a very simple way from substantially axial symmetric parts.
First housing part 12,second housing part 14 andPCB 16 includingreed switch 52 are pre-manufactured independently; arranged;housing parts PCB 16 is cramped between them;metal tube 58 is shifted overreed switch wire 57 and squeezed toinner plastic portion 42;reed switch wire 57 is soldered tometal tube 58 at itsfree end 60. - In a preferred embodiment the method of building an electrical connection comprises the additional step
- mounting an auxiliary housing part to the two housing parts already put together such that an auxiliary contact of the PCB touches a respective contact of the auxiliary housing part.
- In the above description it is assumed that
inner metal ring 22 is premounted tofirst housing part 12. In another preferredembodiment metal ring 22 is mounted afterfirst housing part 12 has been mounted tosecond housing part 14 withPCB 16 inbetween. Then,inner metal ring 22 is mounted as anauxiliary housing part 22 to the two housing parts already put together such that anauxiliary contact 64 ofPCB 16 touches arespective contact 32 of theauxiliary housing part 22. - In a preferred embodiment the method of building an electrical connection comprises the additional step
- fixing housing parts to each other.
- Advantageously, the fixing of housing parts to each other is performed by glueing.
- Specifically, glue is applied to
threads 30 and threads 55 before the respective parts are screwed together and the glue cures afterwards such that the respective parts are fixed. - Figure 2 shows
circular PCB 16 of Fig. 1 for the electrical connection comprising circular strip conductors. Fig. 2 a) shows the side ofPCB 16 facingfirst housing part 12, the side comprisingfirst strip conductor 62,second strip conductor 64 andducts PCB 16 facingsecond housing part 14, the side comprisingthird strip conductor 72,components 50 andducts ducts - Figure 3 shows
antenna coupler 10 comprising the electrical connection in accordance with the invention used to coupleradio device 80 to roof mountedantenna 82 or toantenna 84 mounted onradio device 80.Radio device 80 is shown located incradle 86 which is fixed to a dashboard ofmotor vehicle 88 having a roof mountedantenna 82. It will be referred to details ofantenna coupler 10 shown in Fig. 1. -
Radio device 80 is a two way radio which (when not placed in the cradle 86) is usable as a handheld portable radio.Antenna 84 is a conventional portable radio antenna which is helically wound. It terminates at its lower end with a conventional male screw-threaded connector comprisingfirst housing thread 31.Cradle 86 comprises a box-like structure having formed in itsfront face recess 90. -
Recess 90 is shaped to receiveradio device 80 and includes electrical contacts to enable the required type of connection to circuitry in a carrier. The circuitry includes battery charging circuits for charging a battery of theradio device 80 and for connection to a loudspeaker and microphone (not shown) mounted invehicle 88.Recess 90 also includes a locking mechanism to retain theradio device 1 in the recess. This mechanism is operated by means of anexternal locking lever 92 to lock theradio device 80 intorecess 90 or to subsequently release it. -
Antenna 84 can be directly screw-connected toradio device 80 or viaantenna coupler 10 therebetween as shown in Fig. 3. In case of direct connection the abovementioned switch within the radio is inactivated such thatantenna 84 is electrically connected toradio device 80 via the screw-connection. - In case of connection via
antenna coupler 10 the abovementioned switch within the radio is activated such thatantenna 84 is conditionally electrically connected toradio device 80 viametal tube 58 andreed switch 52 ifradio device 80 is not positioned incradle 86. - If
radio device 80 is positioned incradle 86 thenreed switch 52 is activated by magnets (not shown) withincradle 86. Then,antenna 82 is electrically connected toradio device 80 viametal tube 58,reed switch 52 and firstouter metal ring 26. Firstouter metal ring 26 is contacted atthird contact surface 35 byfirst prong 94 ofcradle 86 and guides the signal to an antenna cable (not shown) toantenna 82. A ground connection is established betweenradio device 80 and the antenna cable via the screw-connection ofmetal body 34 which is contacted atfifth contact surface 48 by second prong 96 ofcradle 86. - According to differences between antenna impedance of
antenna 84 and cable impedance of the antenna cable within the vehicle, impedances are transformed by circuits. Generally,radio device 80 andantenna 84 are matched to antenna impedance. Thus, one impedance transforming circuit withinradio device 80 is used to transform to cable impedance ifantenna coupler 10 is inserted, i.e. switched in byflank 59. Another impedance transforming circuit formed bycomponents 50 onPCB 16 transforms back to antenna impedance ifreed switch 52 is inactive. - Whilst in the above described embodiment two prongs are provided one on
third contact surface 35 and one onfifth contact surface 48 in alternative embodiments more than one prong per contact surface may be used. This may reduce the contact resistance. - The coupler may also be used to couple the radio to test equipment by placing the radio into a cradle in which the prongs are connected to the test equipment rather than a further antenna.
- The radio and the coupler will typically be part of a communication system which will include a number of other units mobile and portable.
-
-
antenna coupler 10 -
components 50 -
first housing part 12, -
reed switch 52. -
second housing part 14, -
board 54 -
PCB 16 - threads 55.
-
inner metal ring 22, -
tube section 56 - first
plastic housing 24, -
Reed switch wire 57 - first
outer metal ring 26, -
metal tube 58 -
holes 28 -
flank 59 -
threads 30. -
free end 60. -
first housing thread 31 -
outer cylinder wall 61. -
first contact surface 32 -
first strip conductor 62, -
second contact surface 33 -
second strip conductor 64 -
third contact surface 35. -
ducts - second
plastic housing 36 -
third strip conductor 72, -
holes 38 -
radio device 80 -
outer plastic portion 40 - roof mounted
antenna 82 -
inner plastic portion 42, -
antenna 84 -
second housing thread 44 -
cradle 86 -
fourth contact surface 46 -
motor vehicle 88 - second
outer metal ring 47 - its
front face recess 90. -
fifth contact surface 48. - locking
lever 92
first prong 94
second prong 96
Claims (18)
- An electrical connection between contacts of a housing (12, 14) and contacts of a printed circuit board (PCB) (16) arranged within the housing, the PCB being cramped between housing parts (12, 14) connected by means of screw connection (55).
- An electrical connection as claimed in claim 1 wherein strip conductors (62, 64, 72) of the PCB (16) are formed as contacts.
- An electrical connection as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein strip conductors (62, 64, 72) of the PCB form concentric ring contacts.
- An electrical connection as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the PCB (16) has a circular periphery.
- An electrical connection as claimed in any previous claim wherein the PCB (16) contains a filter and/or an impedance transforming circuit and/or a reed switch (52).
- An electrical connection as claimed in any previous claim wherein contacts of the housing are rings (22, 26) of metal.
- An electrical connection as claimed in any previous claim wherein the contacts of the housing (12, 14) are partly embedded in plastic.
- An electrical connection as claimed in any previous claim wherein the contacts of different housing parts (12, 14) are electrically isolated.
- An electrical connection as claimed in any previous claim comprising outside circular contacts (26, 47).
- An antenna adapter comprising an electrical connection as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9.
- A radio comprising an antenna adapter as claimed in claim 10.
- A vehicular cradle comprising a radio as claimed in claim 11.
- A vehicle comprising a vehicular cradle as claimed in claim 12.
- A method of building an electrical connection between contacts of a housing and contacts of a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising the stepsarranging the PCB between two housing parts having at least one contact each and being adapted to be put together such that each contact of each housing part faces a respective contact of the PCB;putting together the two housing parts until the PCB is cramped between the housing parts.
- A method of building an electrical connection as claimed in claim 14, comprising the additional stepmounting an auxiliary housing part to the two housing parts already put together such that an auxiliary contact of the PCB touches a respective contact of the auxiliary housing part.
- A method of building an electrical connection as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein putting together housing parts is performed by screwing.
- A method of building an electrical connection as claimed in claim 14, 15, or 16, comprising the additional stepfixing housing parts to each other.
- A method of building an electrical connection as claimed in claim 17, wherein fixing housing parts to each other is performed by glueing or pinching.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9906003 | 1999-03-17 | ||
GB9906003A GB2348055A (en) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-03-17 | Cramped pcb interconnection |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1037316A2 true EP1037316A2 (en) | 2000-09-20 |
EP1037316A3 EP1037316A3 (en) | 2002-02-06 |
Family
ID=10849699
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99125701A Withdrawn EP1037316A3 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-12-23 | Electrical connection and method of building it |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1037316A3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2348055A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102016122714A1 (en) * | 2016-11-24 | 2018-05-24 | Endress + Hauser Wetzer Gmbh + Co Kg | Communication adapter for a transmitter of a field device |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB326158A (en) * | 1928-09-05 | 1930-03-05 | Frederic Charles Tucker | Improvements in or relating to couplings for flexible electric cords or cables |
EP0697771A1 (en) * | 1994-07-16 | 1996-02-21 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Adapter for a radiodevice and a retaining clip therefor |
DE29721015U1 (en) * | 1997-11-27 | 1998-01-15 | Jaguar Stahlwarenfabrik Gmbh | Charging station for rechargeable electrical handheld devices |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5609496A (en) * | 1994-11-15 | 1997-03-11 | Micropolis Pte Ltd. | Air-tight connector assembly |
-
1999
- 1999-03-17 GB GB9906003A patent/GB2348055A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-12-23 EP EP99125701A patent/EP1037316A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB326158A (en) * | 1928-09-05 | 1930-03-05 | Frederic Charles Tucker | Improvements in or relating to couplings for flexible electric cords or cables |
EP0697771A1 (en) * | 1994-07-16 | 1996-02-21 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Adapter for a radiodevice and a retaining clip therefor |
DE29721015U1 (en) * | 1997-11-27 | 1998-01-15 | Jaguar Stahlwarenfabrik Gmbh | Charging station for rechargeable electrical handheld devices |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1037316A3 (en) | 2002-02-06 |
GB2348055A (en) | 2000-09-20 |
GB9906003D0 (en) | 1999-05-12 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5394162A (en) | Low-loss RF coupler for testing a cellular telephone | |
EP0829107B1 (en) | Antenna coupler for a portable radiotelephone | |
US5959583A (en) | Antenna adapter | |
US5769661A (en) | In-service removable cable ground connection | |
CN112086784B (en) | Coaxial cable male connector for transmitting ultrahigh frequency signals | |
EP0733274B1 (en) | Coaxial connector with impedance control | |
MXPA97009334A (en) | Antenna coupler for a portable radiotelephone | |
WO1998025323A9 (en) | Dual-band antenna coupler for a portable radiotelephone | |
EP0869584A1 (en) | Coaxial connector for switching antennas | |
US5551080A (en) | Radio frequency connector | |
CA2304907A1 (en) | Coaxial cable filter assembly | |
JP3372999B2 (en) | Electrical connector assembly and method | |
US6663424B1 (en) | Ultra wideband interconnect solution | |
EP1037316A2 (en) | Electrical connection and method of building it | |
JP4469704B2 (en) | Condenser microphone | |
GB2254495A (en) | Connecting shielded cable to a pcb or the like. | |
CA2301323A1 (en) | On-glass antenna system | |
JPH08222924A (en) | Antenna structure | |
US5357223A (en) | Connection device between an antenna and a microelectronic enclosure | |
US5989038A (en) | Coaxial electrical connector | |
JP2553796B2 (en) | Antenna system | |
US5049093A (en) | Card edge electrical connector | |
JP4162337B2 (en) | High-frequency circuit connection structure | |
JPH11331016A (en) | Transmission/reception unit | |
KR20030086127A (en) | Surface mountable l-loop excitation structure on dielectric inset metallic waveguide |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Free format text: 7H 01R 12/22 A, 7H 01R 13/622 B |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8566 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20020807 |