EP2083484A2 - Koaxialstecker mit Sperrgewindeverbindung - Google Patents

Koaxialstecker mit Sperrgewindeverbindung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2083484A2
EP2083484A2 EP09000703A EP09000703A EP2083484A2 EP 2083484 A2 EP2083484 A2 EP 2083484A2 EP 09000703 A EP09000703 A EP 09000703A EP 09000703 A EP09000703 A EP 09000703A EP 2083484 A2 EP2083484 A2 EP 2083484A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
clamp nut
connector body
connector
clamp
outer conductor
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Withdrawn
Application number
EP09000703A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2083484A3 (de
Inventor
Norman McMullen
Nahid Islam
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.)
Commscope Technologies LLC
Original Assignee
Andrew 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
Priority claimed from US12/349,905 external-priority patent/US7661984B2/en
Application filed by Andrew LLC filed Critical Andrew LLC
Publication of EP2083484A2 publication Critical patent/EP2083484A2/de
Publication of EP2083484A3 publication Critical patent/EP2083484A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • 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
    • H01R9/0521—Connection to outer conductor by action of a nut
    • 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
    • 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
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
    • 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
    • H01R2103/00—Two poles
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electrical cable connectors. More particularly, the invention relates to a coaxial cable connector having a locking threaded connection for the prevention of undesired loosening of the threaded connection after assembly.
  • Coaxial cable connectors are used, for example, in communication systems requiring a high level of reliability and precision.
  • an opposing thrust collar may be placed between the back side of the flared end of the outer conductor and the coupling nut.
  • a circular coil spring or the like may be used between the thrust collar and the flared end of the outer conductor. Rotation of the coupling nut urges the thrust collar, if present, against the spring and the spring against the backside of the flared end of the outer conductor. Thereby, the flared end of the outer conductor is securely sandwiched between the annular wedge surface and the spring.
  • a connector that is poorly installed may damage equipment, significantly degrade system performance and/or lead to premature system failure. Therefore, prior connectors typically include extensive installation instructions that require costly specialized tools.
  • Threaded connections on and between connectors are typically tightened using wrenches having the potential for large moment arm force generation that may damage the connector and/or associated cable(s).
  • Commonly owned US Patent 6793529 issued September 21, 2004 to Buenz discloses a positive stop for threaded surfaces between the coupling nut and connector body located at the position along the threads at which a specific desired clamping force is applied upon the leading edge of the outer conductor of the attached cable, eliminating the need for torque wrenches and greatly simplifying connector assembly.
  • a connector 1 for use with a coaxial cable 5 has a coupling nut 10 adapted to fit over an end portion of the cable 5.
  • a sheath 15 of the cable 5 is removed from the end of the cable 5 to expose the outer conductor 20.
  • Threads 25 between the coupling nut 10 and the connector body 35 operate to drive a thrust collar 27 into a clamp element, here a circular coil spring 30 to clamp a leading edge 26 of the outer conductor 20 between the circular coil spring 30 and an annular wedge surface 33 of the connector body 35, to secure the connector 1 to the cable 5.
  • the clamping action creates a compression force that is distributed evenly around the annular wedge surface 33 to create a uniform electrical and mechanical interconnection between the connector body 35 and the outer conductor 20.
  • the connector 1 may be supplied with environmental seals to prevent fouling and/or moisture infiltration into the connector 1 and/or coaxial cable 5.
  • a stop o-ring 37 seals between the outer radius of the coupling nut 10 and the connector body 35; an outer conductor o-ring 39 seals between the coupling nut 10 and the outer conductor 20.
  • an inner conductor o-ring 41 seals between the inner conductor 45 and an inner contact 47 coaxially located within the connector 1 by an insulator 49.
  • a surface-to-surface positive stop contact for example, between an end 50 of the connector body 35 and a shoulder 52 of the coupling nut 10.
  • a surface-to-surface positive stop contact for example, between an end 50 of the connector body 35 and a shoulder 52 of the coupling nut 10.
  • the specific location upon the connector 1 of the positive stop is adapted to a position where the coupling nut 10 is threaded to the connector body 35 to clamp the leading edge 26 of the outer conductor 15 at a desired maximum compression force level.
  • the circular coil spring 30 may be configured to have an acceptable range of deformation prior to collapse to accommodate manufacturing tolerances of the associated connector 1 components and an expected thickness range of the outer conductor leading edge 26.
  • the selected clamp element has a limited deformation characteristic short of a collapse and/or crush force level to allow for an increased range of associated component manufacturing tolerances.
  • the limited deformation characteristic may be varied to adapt for observed manufacturing tolerances, for example, by varying the selected material, the configuration of the compression arrangement and/or the thickness of the selected material.
  • the selected limited deformation characteristic may be adapted to provide a desired range of additional compression "slack" before the positive stop is reached, allowing use of overall manufacturing cost saving decreased precision in the manufacturing process but still ensuring that each connector assembly will reach the desired compression force when the positive stop is reached, even if the components of an individual connector each happen to be on the short side of the allowable manufacturing tolerance.
  • the selected clamp element here the circular coil spring 30, may be adapted to have the desired limited deformation characteristic by selecting a material, such as steel, and a desired material thickness wherein the circular coil spring 30 will partially deform over a desired compression force range before either collapsing or transmitting a damaging out of range compression force to the leading edge 26 of the outer conductor 20.
  • the overlap between the coupling nut 10 and the connector body 35 may be reversed. That is, rather than the connector body overlapping the coupling nut 10 as shown in Figure 1 , the relative positions of the components may be reversed, for example as shown in US Patent 5,795,188 . The compression force generation between the components remains the same in either configuration.
  • the cable 5 end is prepared and the coupling nut 10 placed over the cable end along with any applicable outer conductor o-ring 39 and thrust collar 27.
  • the circular coil spring 31 or other clamp element is then stretched over the leading edge 26 into position behind the leading edge 26.
  • the stop o-ring 39 is placed upon the coupling nut 10 proximate the shoulder 52.
  • the connector body 35 is then located so that the inner contact 47 engages the inner conductor 45 and the annular wedge surface 33 is pressed against the front side of the leading edge 26.
  • the coupling nut 10 is then moved toward the connector body 30 and threaded into the threads 25 as shown in Figure 1 .
  • the coupling nut 10 is threaded until the end 50 of the connector body 30 reaches the positive stop at the shoulder 52 of the coupling nut 10 as shown in Figure 2 . Reaching the positive stop signifies to the installation personnel that the desired compression force has been reached without requiring use of a torque wrench and prevents further tightening of the coupling nut 10 which would increase the compression force beyond the desired maximum level.
  • the connector 1 may be adapted to mate with the dimensions and configuration of a specific coaxial cable 5, for example a coaxial cable 5 with annular or helical corrugations in the inner and/or outer conductors 47, 20.
  • the thrust collar 27 may be formed with a step located at a point where the circular coil spring 30 bridges across the corrugations.
  • the connector end 55 of the connector 1 may be adapted to mate according to male and/or female embodiments of a proprietary or standardized connector interface, such as BNC, Type-N, SMA or DIN.
  • the inventor(s) have analyzed the long term performance of connectors configured with a positive stop according to US Patent 6793529 .
  • the friction between smooth co-planar surfaces of the positive stop threaded connection when installed in environments with extreme levels of vibration, temperature variation and/or moisture penetration, provides less than desired resistance to undesired loosening of the threaded connection, especially where each of the surfaces are metallic.
  • the metal coupling nut adds a significant weight, materials and manufacturing cost to the connector.
  • polymeric material typically has a creep characteristic that further reduces the long-term retention characteristic of threaded interconnections.
  • Connectors according to the invention incorporate a thread locking feature and optionally use a polymeric material for the coupling nut, instead of metal.
  • a connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention has a thread lock created by an interference fit between the connector body 35 and the coupling nut 10.
  • a body locking surface 57 is located on an inner diameter surface of a cable end of the connector body 35.
  • a corresponding coupling nut locking surface 59 is formed on an outer diameter area of the coupling nut 10, preferably between the shoulder 52 and the threads 25.
  • the inner diameter of the body locking surface 57 is formed smaller than an outer diameter of the coupling nut locking surface 59.
  • the degree of interference fit may be selected to create a resistance to threading that is not so great that it causes undue effort to thread the elements together up to the positive stop, but alternatively once at the positive stop secures the assembly from undesired unthreading.
  • an angled guide edge 61 may be applied to one or both of the respective locking surfaces.
  • an annular deflection groove 63 may be applied to the connector body 35 exterior surface at a longitudinal position corresponding to the position of the threads 25. The deflection groove 63 provides a flexure point for the connector body 35 enabling a slight stress relief as the interference fit between the respective locking surfaces is made, until the coupling nut 10 and connector body 35 contact one another at the positive stop.
  • the coupling nut 10 is preferably formed from a polymeric material such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) plastic resin.
  • PBT polybutylene terephthalate
  • the PBT or other selected polymeric material may be injection molded and/or machined. Carbon black or the like may be added to the PBT or other selected polymeric material to improve a UV radiation resistance characteristic of the polymeric material.
  • the connector body 35 is preferably formed from a metallic material having suitable strength and conductivity characteristics, such as coated or uncoated brass or a copper alloy.
  • a slight elasticity characteristic of the polymeric material may aid in permitting the initial threading that engages the interference fit and also then aids in retention of the interference fit once threading is complete, as the polymeric material returns to a static position, sealing securely at the interference fit.
  • a polymeric coupling nut 10 acting directly upon the clamp element, here demonstrated as a circular coil spring 30.
  • a thrust collar 27 may be applied.
  • textures, corrugations, ribs, protrusions or the like may be applied to the locking surfaces to provide a positive interlock and/or higher levels of retention / resistance to unthreading.
  • the thread lock may be a plurality of interlocking corrugations and/or ramp features which allow threading in a direction across the ramp faces but which present shoulders or other stops in the direction of unthreading.
  • the thread lock may be applied to create a connector embodiment that is not removable without destroying the connector, once secured upon the coaxial cable 5.
  • the arrangement of the overlapping portions containing the threads 25 between the coupling nut 10 and the connector body 35 may be exchanged.
  • a second exemplary embodiment demonstrates a threaded interconnection between the coupling nut 10 and connector body 35 in which the coupling nut 10 overlaps the connector body 35.
  • the thread lock is demonstrated as a friction surface formed as corrugation(s) 65 applied to the surfaces of the positive stop contact between the end 50, now of the clamp nut 10, and the shoulder 52, now of the connector body 35.
  • corrugation(s) 65 alone, provide a significant resistance to unthreading.
  • the corrugation(s) 65 may be applied with or without also configuring an additional thread lock in the form of, for example, an interference fit between the body locking surface 57 and the coupling nut locking surface 59, as described herein above.
  • the thread interlock is a radial ramp protrusion 67 of the connector body 35 that interlocks with an inner diameter ramp groove 69 of the clamp nut 10 as the threading between the clamp nut 10 and connector body 35 reaches the positive stop.
  • the ramp protrusion 67 to ramp groove 69 thread interlock may be applied with or without also configuring an additional thread interlock such as an interference fit between the body locking surface 57 and the clamp nut locking surface 59.
  • the interference fit is demonstrated in the present embodiment with a contact area that is a plurality of arc segment(s) that are less than the entire circumference of the clamp nut 10 and/or connector body 35.
  • the length of the arc segments selected for the interference fit surfaces may be used to configure the resistance to threading presented by the interference fit surfaces and also the degree of thread lock function obtained therefrom.
  • a fourth exemplary embodiment demonstrates a releasable thread lock that enables disassembly of the connector 1 without damage to the thread lock.
  • One or more deflectable tab(s) 71 are positioned to engage and interlock with respective socket(s) 73 against rotation in an unthreading direction as the coupling nut 10 and connector body 35 are threaded together along the corresponding thread(s) 25 to the positive stop.
  • the interlock between the deflectable tab(s) 71 and socket(s) 73 if configured to be on the exterior surface of the connector, for example as best shown in Figures 16 and 17 , provides a visual indicia to the assembler that the positive stop has been reached.
  • visual indicia such as alignment marks or the like may be applied the connector exterior to indicate the rotational positions between the connector body 35 and clamp nut 10 that indicate that the positive stop is being approached and/or has been reached.
  • the deflectable tab 71 may be manually deflected away from engagement with the socket 73 to enable unthreading of the coupling nut 10 from the connector body 35.
  • thread interlock(s) according to the invention to a coaxial connector with a positive stop configuration significantly improves the connector's resistance to unthreading due to vibration, thermal expansion and/or tampering.
  • the addition of thread interlock(s) also enables the clamp nut 10 to be formed with cost efficient and light weight polymeric materials that may otherwise exhibit an unacceptable threaded connection stability due to a polymeric material creep characteristic.
  • the various thread lock embodiments of the invention may also be applied to connector configurations that do not include a positive stop configuration and also to threaded connections other than between the connector body and the clamp nut, such as the coupling nut of a connector interface.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
EP09000703A 2008-01-22 2009-01-20 Koaxialstecker mit Sperrgewindeverbindung Withdrawn EP2083484A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US2280808P 2008-01-22 2008-01-22
US12/349,905 US7661984B2 (en) 2008-01-22 2009-01-07 Locking threaded connection coaxial connector

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2083484A2 true EP2083484A2 (de) 2009-07-29
EP2083484A3 EP2083484A3 (de) 2011-05-18

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EP09000703A Withdrawn EP2083484A3 (de) 2008-01-22 2009-01-20 Koaxialstecker mit Sperrgewindeverbindung

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EP (1) EP2083484A3 (de)
KR (1) KR20090080916A (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8558746B2 (en) 2011-11-16 2013-10-15 Andrew Llc Flat panel array antenna

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TWM491981U (zh) * 2014-08-12 2014-12-11 Well Shin Technology Co Ltd 線纜連接器
KR102147146B1 (ko) * 2019-10-21 2020-08-31 주식회사유비씨에스 풀림 방지용 커넥터 일체형 분배기 및 케이블 커넥팅 어셈블리
KR102363606B1 (ko) * 2020-06-05 2022-02-17 한국전력공사 전선 퓨즈 및 이의 제조 방법

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7128029U (de) 1971-07-21 1971-10-07 Spinner G Hf-koaxial-steckverbindung
DE2136500A1 (de) 1971-07-21 1973-02-01 Siemens Ag Hf-koaxialsteckverbindung
DE9301171U1 (de) 1992-02-22 1993-04-01 Karl Lumberg GmbH & Co, 58579 Schalksmühle Elektrischer Steckverbinder, insbesondere für Näherungsschalter
US6113410A (en) 1998-10-27 2000-09-05 Lucent Technologies Inc. RF connector lock

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6793529B1 (en) * 2003-09-30 2004-09-21 Andrew Corporation Coaxial connector with positive stop clamping nut attachment

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7128029U (de) 1971-07-21 1971-10-07 Spinner G Hf-koaxial-steckverbindung
DE2136500A1 (de) 1971-07-21 1973-02-01 Siemens Ag Hf-koaxialsteckverbindung
DE9301171U1 (de) 1992-02-22 1993-04-01 Karl Lumberg GmbH & Co, 58579 Schalksmühle Elektrischer Steckverbinder, insbesondere für Näherungsschalter
US6113410A (en) 1998-10-27 2000-09-05 Lucent Technologies Inc. RF connector lock

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8558746B2 (en) 2011-11-16 2013-10-15 Andrew Llc Flat panel array antenna

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR20090080916A (ko) 2009-07-27
EP2083484A3 (de) 2011-05-18

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