EP1989760A1

EP1989760A1 - Bent-back plug-type connector for coaxial cables

Info

Publication number: EP1989760A1
Application number: EP07701847A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sascha Meier; Marc Moser
Original assignee: Huber and Suhner AG
Current assignee: Huber and Suhner AG
Priority date: 2006-02-28
Filing date: 2007-01-30
Publication date: 2008-11-12
Also published as: US20090017678A1; CN101395763A; WO2007098617A1

Abstract

A bent-back plug-type connector (10) for coaxial cables (21), in particular for standardized RF plug-type connections in the automotive sector, comprises a bent-back outer conductor (12) having a first conductor section which extends along a plug axis (34) and a second conductor section which adjoins said first conductor section and is arranged at an angle with respect thereto, as well as a first inner conductor (14), which is arranged concentrically and insulated in the first conductor section, and a second inner conductor (15), which is arranged concentrically and insulated in the second conductor section and is detachably connected to the first inner conductor (14) in the corner region of the bent-back outer conductor (12). With such a plug-type connector, simpler fitting, a secure and permanent connection and simpler and more cost-effective production are achieved by virtue of the fact that the first inner conductor (14) has a square cross section, and the fact that an opening, which is delimited on both sides in the plug axis (34) and into which the second inner conductor (15) can be inserted with one end so as to latch in and make contact, is provided in the first inner conductor (14).

Description

DESCRIPTION

CIRCULAR CONNECTOR FOR COAXIAL CABLES

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the field of connector technology for coaxial cables. It relates to an angled connector for coaxial cable according to the preamble of claim 1.

STATE OF THE ART

In the automotive industry, HF systems (GPS, outdoor antenna for mobile communications, car radio, etc.) are increasingly being integrated into the vehicles, for which coaxial cables must be laid and connected in the vehicle. For such coaxial car connectors, standards have been introduced in the US and Europe to make systems from different suppliers compatible. In The USA has the SAE / USCAR-18 standard, which complies with the European standard DIN 72594-1 (FAKRA). International standard ISO-20860-1 applies.

In this context, the applicant already offers automotive connectors, which are grouped under the name ARC (Automotive Radiofrequency Connectors), and which, as an HF connector family, are specially developed for telematics, multimedia, safety and security applications in automobiles and trucks have been.

Within this family, there are angle connectors in which the coaxial cable to be connected is usually introduced at 90 ° angled to the direction of insertion or connector axis in the connector.

In such angled connectors, the inner conductor was previously composed of two straight inner conductors, which in the assembly of the

Connector perpendicular to each other oriented were inserted into each other. For this purpose, the oriented in the insertion direction first inner conductor, which was designed as a solid rotary part, at the end provided with a fork, was inserted into the perpendicular to a connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable pin contact. Such angle connectors for the automotive sector are disclosed for example in DE-A1-10 2004 041 809 or DE-B3-103 39 965.

A disadvantage of the known constructions that the first inner conductor is not secured against rotation about its longitudinal axis or the plug axis. This can lead to a twisted first inner conductor must first be laboriously aligned so that the second inner conductor can be inserted into the fork. Furthermore, the fork is open to the rear, so that under unfavorable circumstances, the second inner conductor can slip out of the fork to the rear. Finally, the pin contact of the second inner conductor in the fork is merely jammed, but does not latch. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to improve an angled connector of the type mentioned so that the disadvantages of known solutions are avoided, and that in particular results in a connector which has an easy to install, safe and permanent connection, especially in the region of the inner conductor, and can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner.

The object is solved by the entirety of the features of claim 1. The essence of the invention is to use a first inner conductor, which has a polygonal cross-section, and provided in the first inner conductor a limited in the plug axis on both sides opening into which the second inner conductor can be inserted with one end latching and contact-making. Due to the angular cross section, it is possible to secure the first inner conductor without further effort against twisting in the plug axis, so that the opening for inserting the second inner conductor is always oriented correctly. The limitation of the opening on both sides ensures that the second inner conductor can not slip laterally out of the opening. An additional security is the latching insertion.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first inner conductor is produced as a stamped bent part from an elongated strip of a metal sheet and forms a concentric to the connector axis pipe, in particular the first inner conductor has a cross section in the form of an equilateral triangle with three

Having side walls, two of the side walls in a corner of the triangle collide to form a butt joint, and the opening for inserting the second inner conductor at the rear end of the inner conductor is formed as a width-expanded butt joint between the two side walls. The two side walls colliding to form a butt joint and at an angle of 60 ° form a slot-shaped opening in the area of the extended butt joint, the walls of which can be pressed elastically outward, if one Pen of larger diameter is inserted through, and spring back again when the pin is pulled out. If, in particular, the second inner conductor according to a development at the end, with which it is inserted into the opening, is designed in the manner of a jack plug, results from the elastic behavior of the side walls a latching action after insertion of the thickened pin end. The production of the first inner conductor as a stamped and bent part proves to be particularly inexpensive and easy.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the first inner conductor has a cross-section in the shape of an equilateral triangle with three side walls, that two of the side walls in a corner of the triangle collide to form a butt joint, and that the opening for insertion of the second inner conductor at the rear end of the first inner conductor between two fork arms of a contact fork formed there is arranged.

When punching bent part, the protection against slipping can be achieved in that the opening is slit-shaped and limited to the rear end of the inner conductor out by a molded tab. This tab may be bent inwardly to facilitate the insertion of the second inner conductor.

The rotation of the first inner conductor can be achieved in a simple manner that the first inner conductor is concentrically held in the first conductor portion of the outer conductor by means of a substantially cylindrical dielectric, that the dielectric has a central through hole for receiving the first inner conductor, and that the cross section of central passage opening corresponds to the angular cross-section of the first inner conductor.

The second inner conductor is formed at its end facing away from the first inner conductor end for receiving the inner conductor of the coaxial cable to be connected. In the region of the opening of the first inner conductor, the dielectric has an opening, in particular a slot, through which the second inner conductor can be inserted from the side into the inner first inner conductor.

Preferably, the outer conductor is angled at an angle of about 90 °.

Due to the design as a stamped and bent part, it is particularly easy to realize that at the first inner conductor at its front end, the side walls each pass into individual contact tongues, which together form a spring-back aufweitbare socket for receiving a connector pin, which is provided on a counterpart to the connector.

The two conductor sections of the outer conductor are preferably formed as a hollow cylinder, and the outer conductor is made as a stamped and bent part in one piece from a metal sheet. As a result, the production can be further simplified and even more cost-effective.

In the first conductor section of the outer conductor then contact tongues are arranged for making contact with a counterpart of the connector. In the second conductor section of the outer conductor latching tongues are arranged for engaging a plug-in transition piece for the outer conductor of the coaxial cable.

Preferably, the first conductor section of the outer conductor is designed as a hollow cylinder closed over the circumference, a plastic housing is snapped onto the first conductor section of the outer conductor, and latching tongues are provided on the first conductor section for engagement of the plastic housing, locking points are formed on the first conductor section for the rotationally fixed connection between plastic housing and outer conductor. and the plastic housing and the locking points are formed or arranged so that the plastic housing in stepped rotational positions, in particular in steps of 45 °, can be latched. Due to the closed design of the outer conductor in its front, first conductor section, the outer conductor can be used there as a guide for the plastic housing and so a wobble between outer conductor and plastic housing can be avoided easily and safely.

In particular, the connector with the plastic housing, the

Outer conductor and the first inner conductor compatible with the interface standards SAE / USCAR-18 and FAKRA (DIN 72594-1) formed.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. Show it

Fig. 1-4 shows a preferred embodiment of an angled connector according to the invention in the assembled state in different views, wherein Fig. 1 and 3 show the connector with cut outer conductor, Fig. 2 shows the connector in a perspective side view, and Fig. 4 shows the connector in the front view, seen in the direction of the plug axis, reproduces;

Fig. 5-8 the connector according to Fig. 1-4 in analogous views in the not yet assembled state;

Fig. 9 in different sub-figures different views of the first

Inner conductor of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4;

Fig. 10 in different sub-figures different views of

Outer conductor of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a section from FIG. 5 with an inserted second inner conductor; FIG. Fig. 12 in two sub-figures different views of the dielectric of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4;

Fig. 13 in different sub-figures different views of the first

Inner conductor according to another embodiment with a contact fork for receiving the second inner conductor; and

14 shows in two partial figures the longitudinal section and a perspective side view of the second inner conductor from FIG. 2.

WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-14 show exemplary embodiments of the connector according to the invention and its components in various views and installation states. The angled connector 10 comprises an angled outer conductor 12 (see FIG. 10), two inner conductors 14 and 15 concentrically arranged inside the outer conductor (see also FIG. 14), a standardized plastic housing 11, a transition piece 17 and a compression sleeve 20. The first Inner conductor 14 is in the front conductor portion 12a of the outer conductor 12 by means of a cylindrical dielectric 13 (see FIG. 12) stored isolated. The hollow cylindrical, electrically conductive transition piece 17 is inserted with one end in the rear conductor portion 12b of the outer conductor and is there by means of locking tongues 23 which engage in corresponding recesses on the outside of the transition piece 17, locked (Fig. 11). The outer conductor 19 of the coaxial cable 21 to be connected (for example a shielding braid) is pushed over the other end of the transition piece 17 and pressed by means of the enclosing compression sleeve 20.

The outer conductor 12 shown individually in FIG. 10 is designed as a one-piece stamped bent part and has corresponding butt joints 32. Of the Outer conductor 12 comprises two tubular conductor sections 12a and 12b, which adjoin one another and are at right angles to one another. On the first conductor section 12a, two latching tongues 22 are formed opposite the top and bottom, with which the plastic housing 11 can be latched on the conductor section 12a after pushing over (see, for example, FIG. 3). On the side of the first conductor section 12a two contact tongues 33 are arranged, which ensure the electrical contact between the outer conductor 12 and the corresponding outer conductor of the counterpart when inserting the connector 10 into a counterpart. Furthermore, locking points 31 are formed laterally behind the contact tongues 33 by embossing, which serve to align and guide the plastic housing 11 pushed onto the outer conductor 12. The design of the outer conductor 12 as a hollow cylinder closed over the circumference ensures that the plastic housing 11 is guided on the outer conductor and an undesirable wobble between outer conductor 12 and plastic housing 11 is reliably avoided. The plastic housing 11 is preferably formed so that it can be positioned in cooperation with the locking points 31 in different, each rotated by 45 ° rotational positions relative to the outer conductor. Other latching steps of 30 °, 60 ° or 90 ° are also possible.

The first inner conductor 14 according to FIG. 9 is designed as a one-piece stamped and bent part. It has as a cross-section an equilateral triangle (FIGS. 9a and d) and has three side walls 24a, 24b and 24c which merge at the front end into individual, in the radial direction elastically bendable contact tongues 25a, 25b and 25c. The arrangement of the contact tongues 25a, 25b and 25c in a triangle forms a socket into which a connector pin existing on the counterpart connector pin 10 can be plugged in contact. At the rear end of the first inner conductor 14, a slot-shaped opening 27 is formed between the abutting side walls 24b and 24c, in which the second inner conductor 15 is formed with its in the manner of a jack plug

Front part snap-in can be inserted (see Fig. 11, 14). The opening 27 is formed by the side walls 24b and 24c at the upper edge be provided with a recess 26. A further recess 30 in the third side wall 24a ensures that the opening 27 is accessible from below. At the rear end of the recess 30, a tab 28 is formed, which is bent obliquely inwardly and the opening 27 is blocked towards the end. This ensures that the inserted into the opening 27 second inner conductor 15 can not slip out of the opening 27 to the rear. At the same time, the oblique position of the tab 28 facilitates the insertion of the second inner conductor 15 from below into the opening 27.

The second inner conductor 14 is shown in detail in FIG. 14. It comprises along its longitudinal axis a sleeve part 46 with an axial bore 48 for receiving the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and then a plug part 47 in the manner of a jack plug which has a tapered tip 49 and a circumferential locking groove 50 formed behind it at the front end.

The first inner conductor 14 is held in a rotationally fixed manner in a central through-bore 38 of the dielectric 13 (FIG. 12), which has a corresponding triangular cross-section. The dielectric 13 is divided into a first cylindrical portion 36 having a smaller outer diameter and a second cylindrical portion 37 having a larger diameter. The outer diameter of the second portion 37 is selected so that it matches the inner diameter of the first conductor portion 12a of the outer conductor 12. The first portion 36 receives the contact tongues 25a, 25b and 25c of the first inner conductor 14 and is adapted to the connector standard. In the area of the opening 27 of the first

Inner conductor 14, the central passage opening 38 of the dielectric 13 through a slot 39 downwardly open, so that the second inner conductor 15 can be inserted through the slot 39 transversely to the plug axis 34 in the opening 27 in the first inner conductor 14. Chamfers 40 on the walls of the slot 39 also facilitate the insertion of the second inner conductor 15. The passage opening 38 in the dielectric 13 is designed to be larger in cross-sectional area than the first inner conductor 14. On the free upper edge of the Side wall 24b of the first inner conductor 14 is formed a nose 29, which serves to guide and fix the first inner conductor 14 in the through hole 38.

During assembly of the connector 10, the first inner conductor 14 is first inserted together with the dielectric 13 in the first conductor portion 12a of the outer conductor 12 by clamping (clamping tongues 41). Furthermore, the transition piece 17 is inserted into the second conductor section 12b latching. The coaxial cable 21 is prepared as shown in FIG. 5 and the second inner conductor 15 is with its sleeve-shaped portion on the exposed end of the

Inner conductor 16 of the coaxial cable 21 is pushed and fixed. The cable end with the second inner conductor 15 is then inserted through the transition piece 17 into the second conductor section 12 b until the front end of the second inner conductor 15 engages in the opening 27 in the first inner conductor 14. At the same time, the outer conductor 19 of the coaxial cable 21 travels over the lower end of the

Transition piece 17 and can be fixed contact by means of the over-pushed compression sleeve 20 there.

An alternative embodiment of the first inner conductor to FIG. 9 is shown in FIG. The device for connection to the second inner conductor 15 is formed in this first inner conductor 14 'in the form of a contact fork 42, between the two fork arms 43 and 44, the opening 45 for receiving the plug part 47 of the second inner conductor 15 is arranged. This embodiment of the first inner conductor 14 'also achieves a secure and mechanically stable contact between the two inner conductors 14' and 15.

Overall, the following result for the connector according to the invention

Features and Benefits:

Due to the front closed shape of the outer conductor 12, the plastic housing 11 can be supported over the entire length of the outer conductor, resulting in a significant reduction of the wobble game (earlier was the outer conductor at its front end slotted and slightly pushed inwards, so that here the contact with the counterpart was made);

- The contact with the outer conductor of the mating connector is ensured by the two side slightly pressed tabs; - With the locking tongues (Schnapplaschen) 22 front of the outer conductor

12 snap into the plastic housing 11;

- Due to the improved leadership between plastic housing 11 and outer conductor and a free rotation of the plastic housing 11 to the plug axis 34 is possible; the lateral locking points 31 on the outer conductor 12 allow a stepped, e.g. 45 ° rastering the rotational position of the plastic housing 11 around the plug axis 34;

- The snapping of the mushroom-shaped or designed in the manner of a jack plug second inner conductor 15 in the first inner conductor 14, 14 'is safer guaranteed;

- In contrast to the round milled / rotated first inner conductor of the triangular first inner conductor 14, 14 'already secured against twisting in the dielectric 13 and must not be aligned before plugging the second inner conductor 15; and - the snapped second inner conductor 15 is guided, he can not slip out to the rear.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 connectors (angled)

11 plastic housing

12 outer conductors

12a, b head section

13 dielectric

14.14M5 inner conductor

16 inner conductors (coaxial cable)

17 transition piece 18 dielectric (coaxial cable)

19 outer conductor (coaxial cable)

20 compression sleeve

21 coaxial cable

22,23 latching tongue

24a, b, c side wall (inner conductor 14, 14 ')

25a, b, c contact tongue (inner conductor 14, 14 ')

26,30 recess

27 opening (slot-shaped)

28 tab

29 nose

31 resting point

32 butt joint

33 contact tongue

34 plug axis

35 longitudinal axis (coaxial cable)

36.37 section (dielectric)

38 passage opening

39 slot

40 bevel

41 clamping tongue

42 contact fork

43,44 fork arm

45 opening

46 sleeve part

47 plug part

48 bore

49 tip (conical)

50 locking groove (circulating)

Claims

1. Angled connector (10) for coaxial cable (21), in particular for standardized RF connectors in the automotive sector, comprising an angled outer conductor (12) having a first, along a plug axis (34) extending conductor portion (12 a) and an adjoining and at an angle thereto arranged second conductor portion (12b), and a first inner conductor (14, 14 ') which is concentric and isolated in the first conductor portion (12a) is arranged, and a second inner conductor (15), which concentrically and isolated in the second conductor portion (12b) is arranged and in the corner region of the angled outer conductor (12) with the first inner conductor (14, 14 ') releasably connected, characterized in that the first inner conductor (14, 14') has a polygonal cross-section, and that in the first Inner conductor (14, 14 ') in the plug axis (34) limited to both sides opening (27, 45) is provided, in which the second inner conductor (15) with a em snap-in end and can be plugged contact.

2. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the first inner conductor (14, 14 ') as a stamped and bent part of an elongated strip of a

Metal sheet is made and forms a plug axis (34) concentric tube.

3. Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the first inner conductor (14) has an equilateral triangular cross-section with three side walls (24a, 24b, 24c) that two of the side walls (24b, 24c) in a corner of the triangle collide to form a butt joint, and that the opening (27) for inserting the second inner conductor (15) at the rear end of the first inner conductor (14) is formed as a width-expanded butt joint between the two side walls (24b, 24c).

4. Connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the opening (27) is slot-shaped and the rear end of the inner conductor (14) through an integrally formed tab (28) is limited, and that the tab (28) to facilitate the insertion of the second inner conductor (15) is bent obliquely inwards.

5. Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the first inner conductor (14 ') has an equilateral triangular cross-section with three side walls (24a, 24b, 24c) that two of the side walls (24b, 24c) in a corner of Triangle forming a butt joint collide, and that the opening (45) for inserting the second inner conductor (15) at the rear end of the first inner conductor (14 ') between two fork arms (43, 44) of a contact fork (42) formed there.

6. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first inner conductor (14, 14 ') in the first conductor portion (12a) of the outer conductor (12) by means of a substantially cylindrical dielectric (13) is concentrically held, that the Dielectric (13) has a central passage opening (38) for receiving the first inner conductor (14, 14 '), and that the cross section of the central passage opening (38) corresponds to the polygonal cross section of the first inner conductor (14, 14').

7. Connector according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the second inner conductor (15) at the end, with which it is inserted into the opening (27, 45), in the manner of a jack plug (47, 49, 50) is trained.

8. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second inner conductor (15) at its the first inner conductor (14, 14 ') remote from the end (46) for receiving the inner conductor (16) of the coaxial cable to be connected (21 ) is trained.

9. Connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the dielectric (13) in the region of the opening (27, 45) of the first inner conductor (14, 14 ') has an opening, in particular a slot (37) through which the second inner conductor (15) in the inner first inner conductor (14, 14 ') can be inserted from the side.

10. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the outer conductor (12) is angled at an angle of about 90 °.

11. Connector according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that at the first inner conductor (14, 14 ') at its front end, the side walls (24a, 24b, 24c) in each case in individual contact tongues (25a, 25b, 25c) merge together form a spring-back aufweitbare socket for receiving a connector pin.

12. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the two conductor sections (12a, 12b) of the outer conductor (12) are formed as a hollow cylinder, and that the outer conductor (12) is made as a stamped and bent part in one piece from a metal sheet.

13. Connector according to claim 11, characterized in that in the first conductor section (12a) of the outer conductor (12) contact tongues (33) for making contact with a counterpart of the connector (10) are arranged.

14. Connector according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that in the second conductor portion (12b) of the outer conductor (12) locking tongues (23) for engaging a plug-in transition piece (17) for the outer conductor (19) of the coaxial cable (21) are arranged.

15. Connector according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the first conductor section (12a) of the outer conductor (12) as is formed over the circumference of closed hollow cylinder, that on the first conductor portion (12a) of the outer conductor (12) a plastic housing (11) is snapped, and that on the first conductor portion (12a) locking tongues (22) are provided for locking the plastic housing.

16. Connector according to claim 15, characterized in that for the rotationally fixed connection between the plastic housing (11) and outer conductor (12) on the first conductor portion locking points (31) are formed.

17. Connector according to claim 16, characterized in that the

Plastic housing (11) and the locking points (31) are formed or arranged so that the plastic housing (11) in the stepped rotational positions, in particular in increments of 30 °, 45 °, 60 ° or 90 °, can be locked.

18. Connector according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the connector (10) with the plastic housing (11), the outer conductor (12) and the first inner conductor (14, 14 ') compatible with the interface standards SAE / USCAR -18 and FAKRA (DIN 72594-1) is formed.