EP2304851A2

EP2304851A2 - Plug connector and plug connector set

Info

Publication number: EP2304851A2
Application number: EP09777073A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Haunberger; Manfred Stolle
Original assignee: Kathrein Werke KG
Current assignee: Kathrein SE
Priority date: 2008-07-24
Filing date: 2009-07-09
Publication date: 2011-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-09
Also published as: US20110130048A1; CN102077422A; DE102008034583A1; EP2304851B1; ES2386195T5; WO2010009815A2; EP2304851B2; WO2010009815A3; ES2386195T3; DE102008034583B4; ATE555525T1

Abstract

An improved plug connector has an electrical outer conductor contacting section of an outer conductor of the plug that is designed to run separately in the radial direction from the axial stop, such that the high frequency signal path formed on the inner wall of the outer conductor between the outer conductor of the plug connector and a further outer conductor of a further plug connector for connection thereto runs over the electrical contacting device running in the radial direction. A mechanical action axial stop on the connector or plug side of the plug connector is provided outside the high frequency signal path provided by the radial contacting device.

Description

Connector and connector set

The invention relates to a connector according to the preamble of claim 1 and a connector set according to the preamble of claim 16th

Connectors in general are used to disconnect or connect electrical lines in order to transmit current and / or, above all, electrical signals. These may be multiple or single plugs.

In the area of the connectors, the coaxial connectors, which comprise an inner conductor and an outer conductor and, as a rule, an outer conductor shield, are of great importance, the inner conductor being normally electrically-isolated from the outer conductor using a dielectric. Instead of a dielectric in the form of a solid, a cable insulation can be used as a holder for the centering of the inner conductor. Depending on the purpose, a wide variety of coaxial connectors are distinguished in this respect.

In the field of high-frequency technology, for example, the so-called BC connectors are known, the F connectors (for example for radio frequency transmission up to 5 GHz), SMA plug connectors (for frequency ranges from 1 to 18 GHz), UHF plug connectors and, for example, also 7 16 (DIN) connectors according to IEC standard EN 60 169-4.

In particular, the last-mentioned 7-16 (DIN) connectors according to the IEC standard EN 60 169-4 represent robust RF connectors, which are generally used up to, for example, 7.5 GHz. They are mainly used for larger HF power if the mechanical connection is also exposed to environmental influences. Therefore, such connectors are mainly used in the antenna technology and in particular in MobiIfunkanlagen such as base stations.

According to the DIN standards, connectors can be formed with both a pin contact and a socket contact. A pin contact (male contact) is a contact in which the electrical contact is made on the outer surface of the contact part (pin). A plug connector with a female contact is a contact in which the electrical contact is made on the inner surface of the contact part. With regard to the connector types, a distinction can be made between a plug and a coupler. A plug is a connector which has the movable part of the locking mechanism. The coupler is the counterpart to the plug, which sometimes referred to as "socket". Finally, a coupled connector set consists of two or more connectors which are connected together, if necessary, with an intermediate connector or connecting part (in the case of a connector with connecting parts).

A coupled connector set, as he has become known for example from DE 18 13 161 U, so includes two coupled connectors, the one connector, for example, a connector with pin contact (characterized by a pin-shaped inner conductor connector) and the other connector a connector with female contact (characterized by its inner conductor female contact) can be. In principle, the connectors could also be designed with a hermaphroditic contact, in which the inner conductors are the same in both coupled connectors or can be referred to neither pin nor socket-shaped. During axial mating of the plug and the socket while an inner conductor contacting on the one hand and a corresponding outer conductor contacting the other is made.

If two connectors are coupled together, they can so far axially plugged together, ie pushed together until an associated outer conductor ring abuts an axial limit stop on an outer conductor of the other connector (face), and thereby also the electrical contacting of the outer conductor of the two connectors to be coupled is guaranteed. In order to ensure good intermodulation properties in such high-frequency connections (HF connections), it is necessary that high contact pressures or capacitive couplings be present between the components. Capacitive couplings are usually not possible due to the compact design of connectors, since the space required is not sufficient. In addition, capacitive couplings often have too low a high-frequency bandwidth and do not allow DC and / or data transmission.

High contact pressures have the disadvantage that very good materials must be used that can withstand the high pressures. Thus, for example, in a 7-16 (DIN) connector according to the IEC standard EN 60 169-4 no plastic outer conductor can be used, ie no coated with a conductive layer plastic outer conductor or no existing plastic union nut for producing a permanent solid axial connection between Plug and socket, as this can not be guaranteed the same mechanical and electrical properties over long periods of time (especially if it is taken into account that such a connector is exposed under certain circumstances, large temperature fluctuations). The relaxation occurring in particular in the case of plastic would lead to a change in the mechanical contact pressure and thus also to a change in the electrical properties. Above all, intermodulation problems occur in such cases, which should in any case be avoided.

For intermodulation measurements (so-called IM measurements), the RF connectors must always have a minimum torque be tightened so that the recommended contact pressure is achieved. The high tightening torque is also necessary to compress the integrated seal.

Starting from this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connector (with pin contact and / or with female contact), preferably the improved connector is to be plug-compatible, i. the inventively improved connector should preferably interact easily with the respective standardized counterpart, that is, that the standardized counterpart to the invention modified connector itself does not need to be changed. This downward compatibility makes it possible to use and use connectors according to the invention also with conventional, cooperating connectors. In the context of the invention, not only one connector or two cooperating connectors is to be improved, but also an improved, coupled connector set is to be created.

The object is achieved with respect to the connector according to the invention according to the claim 1 and with respect to the invention (coupled) connector set according to the features specified in claim 16. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

By the present invention, a completely new approach is taken, which brings with it surprising and significant advantages over the prior art.

The gist of the invention is that the mecha- The limit stop limiting the maximum insertion path, ie the insertion depth between two connectors to be coupled relative to one another, is separated from the function of the electrical contacting between the two outer conductors of the plug connectors which cooperate in the coupled state.

In the prior art, even for the performance of measurements, sufficiently high torques have always had to be applied to a union nut on the connector in question in order to have the one connector, e.g. with the pin contact (hereinafter referred to simply as a pin-shaped connector or even shorter as a plug) for convenience with the other connector, e.g. with the socket contact (which is also referred to below as socket-shaped connector or sometimes even shorter than socket) with sufficient axial forces stop limited to keep in contact with each other. Because the application of sufficiently high torques to generate the sufficiently high axial contact forces between the Außenleiterab- sections of the two detachable connector is necessary to ensure the appropriate contact pressure to bring about the desired electrical contact between the outer conductors of the two cooperating connector.

This function is now separated according to the invention. On the one hand, a limit stop for the production of the mechanical connection between the male and the female connector is provided, whereas the electrical signal path is separated from it, so that a sufficient and uniform and always consistent Außenleiterkontaktierung between socket and plug is already guaranteed, if the male and female connector are not even completely plugged into each other and an intended union nut is not tightened to its final position.

Although the generic DE 18 13 161 U shows a plug for coaxial RF connectors, in which the one outer conductor contact part, which is slotted axially parallel and resilient to the outside, radially outwardly projecting contact segments having with the inwardly facing surface of the second outer conductor of the second contact part cooperate. The spring tongues provided with the contact segments simultaneously abut in the axial direction with their leading front end against a corresponding annular shoulder of the outer conductor of the second contact part, so that not only the axial pressing forces are preset via this axial stop, but also the HF Signal path is fixed. Because the RF signal path always spreads to the inside (and not shielded from the interior) surfaces of the external conductors to be contacted, so that here the RF signal path between the two stop to see only to be contacted by the outer conductor sections and the are radially outwardly projecting contact segments in the form of annular contact beads for the RF signal path without relevance.

As a result, it remains in the disadvantages described according to the prior art, according to which high tightening torques for the front contact between the outer conductor of the socket-shaped connector with the outer conductor of the pen. migen connector no longer necessary because now the electrical contact not axially (the axial mechanical stop limit between the two to be coupled connectors), but separated from it radially via contacts, in particular via spring contacts.

Furthermore, the invention has the following advantages:

Even when carrying out measurements (ie, if the union nut is not tightened to the maximum), the proof of the electrical function of the outer conductor contact can be affirmed and assumed by the fact that the contacting of the inner conductor is ensured. Due to the larger diameter of the outer conductor even lower currents are present, so that the contact is therefore less critical.

The mechanical stop for the introduction of the torque (and for the above-mentioned seal between the two connectors to be coupled) according to the invention, for example, in the connector with sleeve-shaped inner conductor contact outside the high-frequency signal path. For this purpose, a generally annular groove between the outer conductor thread and the outer conductor spring contacts is provided in the connector with female contact, wherein the axial direction extending mechanical depth of this groove is preferably selected such that for a relevant, cooperating connector, for example with pin contact a defined axial stop between the two plug-in connectors is specified until one connector is inserted in the other connector maximum can. This can be achieved with a wide variety of connector types, especially in the case of the aforementioned 7-16 (DIN) connectors according to the IEC standard EN 60 169-4. For the sake of completeness, it will be noted that a portion of the applied torque will not only act between the two stops of the coupled connectors, but a portion of that torque will additionally act on the seal provided between the two coupled connectors.

Alternatively, an insulating member between the mentioned outer conductor spring contacts and an outer conductor stopper may be used on the connector provided with a female outer conductor. Even in this case, the maximum axial contact force between the two co-operating outer conductors on the mentioned outer conductor spring elements is effective, however, via a provided at the end of the outer conductor spring elements insulation, which acts between the two cooperating outer conductors of the two coupled connectors. In contrast to the prior art, there is thus no electrical-galvanic connection between the front contact of the external socket outer conductor and the inner plug outer conductor of the two cooperating plug connectors engaging therein. Separately, the signal path is again in radial direction via the spring contacts of the outer conductor of one connector to the outer conductor ring of the other connector. Thus, no galvanic outer conductor end contact between the two cooperating connector is generated. there For example, the insulation may be designed so that when the plug is tightened, the spring contact action of the spring contacts is even enhanced (packing gland principle).

Relaxations of the material (e.g., plastic or composite) do not affect the electrical contacts, e.g. the intermodulation.

The connector according to the invention with internal plug-shaped outer conductor can be used with conventional, cooperating connectors, which are provided with a corresponding outer, sleeve-shaped outer conductor. Likewise, an inventive connector with external socket outer conductor can be used with a conventional, cooperating connector, which is provided with a corresponding inner connector outer conductor. In that regard, the respective connector according to the invention is plug-compatible. That is, even when using a connector according to the invention, the cooperating counterpart need not be changed, but it can be used standardized connectors that can interact with the connector according to the invention. This applies to the most diverse types of sockets and connectors, especially for 7-16 (DIN) connectors according to IEC standard EN 60 169-4. In that regard, there is no restriction in the function. In other words, commercially available or standardized connectors of a respective type of connector in question including commercially available or standardized 7/16 (DIN) connectors according to the IEC standard EN 60 169-4. The inventive principle can thus also be applied to all other connector families, for example N-type connectors, EIA connectors, etc.

Electrical tests (eg VSWR tests or IM tests) can be carried out without screwing on a union nut, since no axial contact between the outer conductors is necessary.

The spring contact ring thereby can be designed so that it does not project beyond the outer conductor thread in the axial direction, that is not over the open end of the outer conductor thread in the axial direction, but ends at the same height or preferably already ends before the edge of the outer conductor thread. Thus, such a contact can also be placed without a protective cap, so that the sensitive outer conductor or outer conductor contact is mechanically protected.

In other words, the invention is applicable to connectors or (coupled) connector sets, of which one connector each has a female-outer conductor contact (in which the contact is made on the inner surface of the contact member) and the other connector has a pin-outer conductor contact (in which the electrical contact is made on the outer surface of the contact part) comprises. If in this respect is spoken of a pin-shaped contact or pin outer conductor contact, this means that based on the outer conductor of the pin-shaped contact is sleeve-shaped or sleeve-like design, as inside the again mentioned inner nenleiter-contacting between the two plug - is provided. The invention can be applied to pin contacts or female contacts (free connectors, connectors to cables, fixed connectors, etc.). The connector types may be the mentioned connectors or couplers or sockets. In particular, the invention can also be applied to intermediate or transition connectors.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. In detail:

Figure 1: a schematic axial section through a connector according to the invention with a socket according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a representation comparable to FIG. 1 with regard to a slightly modified embodiment;

FIG. 2a shows a development of the outer conductor of the coupler in an embodiment modified from FIG. 2;

FIG. 3: an embodiment modified from FIG. 1, in which the electrically conductive

Outer conductor of the socket is surrounded by an externally threaded female housing made of plastic material;

Figure 4 is a slightly modified to Figure 1 embodiment with shortened trained in the axial direction socket outer conductor contact portion. 4a shows a slightly modified embodiment of FIG. 4 for illustrating the RF signal path on the inner walls of the outer conductors and of the radial contacting device;

Figure 5 shows a modified embodiment with an inventively designed and modified connector and a inventively designed or modified socket.

6 shows an exemplary embodiment in which a plug connection according to the invention can be used as a connection with an axial compensation device between two electrical / electronic devices, in particular between an antenna housing and an electrical device for a TMA amplifier; and

FIG. 7 shows a schematic comparable to FIG

Axial section through a known in the prior art connector.

First, a coupled plug connector set according to the prior art with two nested connectors will be shown and described with reference to Figure 7, wherein in the one case to a connector with pin contact for the inner conductor contacting and the other to a Connector with socket contact for the inner conductor contacting is. In that regard, the first type will hereinafter also be referred to briefly as a plug and the co-operating further plug connector as a coupler, irrespective of whether they are moving or not. Liehe plug connectors or fixed connectors, so are permanently installed connectors, which are commonly referred to as housing connectors and are mounted on a housing or in a device. It is already noted at this point that regardless of the design of the connector with a pin or a female contact for the inner conductor the same principle applies to the outer conductor, ie a connector either a female outer conductor (in which the electrical contact on the inner surface of the outer conductor takes place) or a plug outer conductor (in which the electrical contact is made on the outer surface of the plug outer conductor), wherein in the latter case the male outer conductor is designed as a hollow cylinder or at least as a rule hollow cylinder-like. For coding reasons, the connector, which has a pin-shaped inner conductor contact, is often provided with a sleeve-shaped outer conductor contact, whereas the connector is provided with sleeve-shaped inner conductor contact with a plug-shaped outer conductor contact, so the contact surface in this case, the outer conductor contacting lies on the outer surface of this hollow cylindrical outer conductor.

The coupled connector set shown in Figure 7 thus includes two nested connectors, one of which will also be referred to as a coupler (socket) 100 and the other as a connector 200, which are inserted along an axial axis 300 stop limited into each other. Both the plug and the coupler can be moving parts. One of them can also be permanently installed. But it is also possible that both are permanently installed and two devices with permanently installed plug-in can be contacted electrically, optionally with the interposition of an intermediate or transition connector.

For this purpose, the connector 100, sometimes referred to as coupler 100, comprises a sleeve-shaped inner conductor 101, which comprises a bush-shaped inner conductor spring cage 103. This bush-shaped inner conductor spring basket 103 has a plurality of generally axially extending separating cuts 105 which extend from the open end of the inner conductor 101 over a certain Axialweg, whereby individual in the inner conductor bush 101 existing inner conductor contact springs 107 are formed.

This socket inner conductor 101 is held by a bushing insulator or bushing isolator ring 109, which is offset in the free inner conductor spring basket 103, and is thereby electrically-galvanically separated from the socket outer conductor 113. The aforementioned socket isolator ring 109 is sometimes also referred to below as the bushing-side centering disk 109. Deviating from this, the cable centering of a cable connected to the connector can be used as a holder for centering the inner conductor.

The coupler outer conductor 113 surrounds the coupler inner conductor 101. The coupler outer conductor 113 is designed in the manner of a coupler outer conductor housing 115 and has an outer thread 117 on its outer circumference in an axial partial length.

Furthermore, in the coupler outer conductor 113, from its contacting and plug-in side facing downwards in FIG. a ring-shaped outer conductor groove 119 is introduced, whereby a coupler outer conductor threaded body 118 is separated from the coupler outer conductor contacting portion 121 in an axial partial length of the coupler. The coupler outer conductor contacting portion 121 and the coupler outer conductor threaded body 118 with the outer conductor thread 117 are in the selected embodiment, a one-piece, electrically conductive member forming the coupler outer conductor housing 115.

In the example shown, the front end 123 on the coupler outer conductor contacting section 121 projects beyond the front end 125 of the coupler outer conductor threaded section 117.

A coupler 100 thus formed can be plugged into one another in the axial direction 300 with the aforementioned plug 200. The coupler 100 thus has on the side facing the coupler also has a connection or plug-in side, via which the two connectors can be plugged into each other once in the form of the coupler 100 and in the form of the plug 200.

The plug 200 in this case comprises a plug inner conductor 201, which is designed plug or pin-shaped and engages in the contacted state in the coupler Innenleiter- spring cage 113, wherein by contacting the Innenlei - terkontaktfern 107 of the coupler with the outer circumference of the plug inner conductor 201, the electrical-galvanic contacting between the inner conductor of the socket and the inner conductor of the plug can be brought about. The axial overlap between the inner conductor spring cage 113 of the socket and the pin or plug-shaped inner conductor 201 of the plug is provided to a sufficient extent. This plug inner conductor 201 is surrounded by a plug outer conductor 213, wherein the plug inner conductor 201 similar to the coupler via a plug insulator, a plug insulator ring 209 or a so-called stek kererk centering 209 held and electrically-galvanically is separated, wherein the centering may consist of a suitable (arbitrary) material, for example of plastic. Also in this case, the insulator 209 can be dispensed with if the cable insulation is used as a holder for centering the inner conductor.

The plug outer conductor 213 has a radially inwardly projecting projection or annular projection 215, which faces the coupler 100 in the axial direction in the illustrated embodiment forms an annular stop shoulder 217.

Likewise, on the plug outer conductor 213, a radially outwardly projecting projection or annular projection 219 is provided, over which in the axial direction of the coupler 100 facing also lying an outer, in the illustrated embodiment, annular shoulder 221 is formed.

Further, a cap nut 223 is provided, which is formed in the manner of a cap or the like, which is provided with a frontal projection 223 a, about which the plug with its outer conductor, for example, on the outwardly projecting projection 219, can be taken, if the cap nut 223 is screwed with its internal thread 227 on the external thread 117 on the coupler outer conductor housing 115. However, the aforementioned union nut 223 can also be attached to the other connector. that is, to be provided on the coupler 100.

In order to produce a mechanically sufficiently strong connection, correspondingly high torques must be applied to the cap nut 223 until the plug and the coupler are braced against one another at their axial stop limit with sufficiently high axial pressures, thereby limiting the maximum insertion movement (insertion depth) is. When tightening the nut 223 runs namely the end face 123 of the annular coupler outer conductor contacting portion 121 on the stop shoulder 217 of the plug 200 and generates here introduced by the torque maximum axial clamping forces between the outer conductor of the coupler 100 and the connector 200. At the same time fixed here between the end face 123 of the coupler outer conductor contacting section 121 and the electrically conductive stop shoulder 217 of the plug 200 of the electrical signal path.

It can also be seen from the drawings that the hollow-cylindrical plug outer conductor 213 otherwise engages without contact in the ring-shaped or hollow-cylindrical outer conductor 119 of the socket 100. As can be seen from Figure 7, comes in nested coupler and plug at full axial torque leading in the insertion direction end face 131 of the outer conductor 121 at a distance 11 relative to the groove bottom 119a of the hollow cylindrical coupler outer conductor groove 119 to lie, so that the full Contacting forces between coupler and plug act only between the end face 123 of the socket and the stop shoulder 217 of the plug. Between the outer end face 125 on the side facing the plug boundary side of the coupler outer conductor housing 115 and the stop shoulder 221 of the radially outwardly projecting projection 219 is an additional seal 220, in particular a ring seal or an O-ring used between the end 125th of the coupler outer conductor housing 115 and the outer annular projection 219 of the plug is pressed in order to ensure the desired tightness of the connector against environmental influences.

A first variant of the solution according to the invention will now be described and shown with reference to FIG.

The inventive solution according to the axial sectional view of Figure 1 differs from the prior art solution of Figure 7, characterized in that now an axial stop limit between the plug and coupler is made by that the male outer conductor 213 (hereinafter partially also as outer male outer conductor 213 is not axially pressed with the annular end portion 123 of the coupler-side Kontaktierungs- section 121, but with another portion of the coupler outer conductor 113. In the illustrated embodiment, an axial stop limit between plug and coupler is ensured by that to the outer conductor 213 of the plug 200 belonging annular end face 231, which dips into the annular outer conductor groove 119 of the coupler outer conductor 113, axially abuts the groove bottom 119 a of this outer conductor groove 119, so that upon tightening the union nut 223 by the introduction entsprec Hender torques on the nut here the maximum axial compression forces be generated between coupler and plug.

Deviating from the prior art but now separated from the mechanically acting axial stop limit provided a radially extending signal path, including, for example, the coupler 100 with a socket outer conductor contact (or socket-like contact) and the cooperating connector 200 with a pin Outer conductor contact (ie at least one pin or sleeve-shaped outer conductor contact) is provided, via which the mentioned radial signal path can be generated. In other words, therefore, the electrical signal path extends via the ring-shaped or hollow-cylindrical (pin) coupler outer conductor contacting section 121, which lies within the sleeve-shaped or cylindrical outer plug conductor 213 (socket outer conductor contact) and is surrounded by this wherein the coupler outer conductor contacting portion 121 is provided with a radially outwardly projecting contacting portion 121a. This contacting region 121a preferably lies at least in the vicinity of the free end of the coupler outer conductor contacting section 121, that is to say at least in the vicinity of or adjacent to the end face 123 which delimits the coupler outer conductor contacting section 121 in the direction of plug 200. The contacting regions 121a are configured in the form of radially outwardly projecting elevations which surround the adjacent radially outwardly facing surface sections of the outer conductor 113, i. Overhang coupler outer conductor contacting sections 121.

In a preferred variant, the coupler outer conductor contacting section 121 is also offset from one another by a multiplicity of circumferential directions of the coupler outer conductor contacting section 121 and preferably in the axial direction separating slots 121b in a plurality of circumferentially offset outer conductor spring tongues 121c articulated, which are held under prestress on the cylindrical inner wall 213a of the male outer conductor 213 pressed (this principle with a further discussion below also with reference to Figure 2a is shown and described in more detail). The contacting region 121a formed on the outer conductor spring or contact tongues 121c is formed in the form of radially projecting elevations, without being limited to this exemplary embodiment.

In this exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, a spacing space 11 'is then ultimately formed between the end face 123 on the coupler outer conductor contact section 121 and the corresponding annular shoulder 217 on the male outer conductor 213, so that no signal path exists here in deviation from the prior art the two coupled connectors 100, 200, so no galvanic contact between the coupler 100 and the plug 200 is given.

Since the current flows on the coupler outer conductor 113 only on the inner wall 113a along, this also means that for the signal transmission, only the biasing forces between the coupler outer conductor contact tongues 121c and the inner wall 213a of the male outer conductor 213 are critical and no longer the axial contact forces between the two acting in the axial direction mechanical see stops, which are formed by the groove bottom 119a of the coupler outer conductor 113 and the end face 231 of the male outer conductor 213. The embodiment according to Figure 2 differs from that of Figure 1 in that in the distance space II ¹ between the end face 125 of the coupler outer conductor contact tongue 121c and the corresponding inner annular stop shoulder 217 nor an insulator 233 is provided so that the electric Signal path, as in the embodiment of Figure 1, between the inner coupler outer conductor contact tongues 121c and the outer, so the coupler outer conductor contact tongues surrounding plug outer conductor 213 takes place in the radial direction and in the axial direction, only the mechanical contact pressure, by the Union nut 223 is initiated, can act. In this case, it could even be dispensed with that the frontal boundary of the plug outer conductor 213 abuts the groove bottom 119a. The tolerances can also be chosen so that an axial strain is generated at both locations. So that the isolator ring 233 is seated on the leading connection or plug-in side, it is provided with a cylindrical extension 233b (FIG. 2) in addition to its annular portion 233a (which is generally aligned perpendicular to the axial direction 300), so that the so formed Insulator 233 can be plugged with appropriate dimensioning on the end of the coupler outer conductor or the spring tongue 121c and held there before mating with a plug.

In this case, the insulator 233 and the end face of the contact tongues 121c of the coupler outer conductor contact portion 121 may be formed and / or shaped so that upon initiation of torque via the union nut 223 by the introduced axial forces between the annular shoulder 217 and the example annular insulator 233 forces are introduced to the end face 123 on the contact tongues 121c, which contribute to increasing the outward radial forces on the contact tongues 121c and thereby press the contact portions 121a on the contact tongues 121c even more strongly in the radial direction to the inner wall 213a of the outer conductor 213 of the plug 200 and thereby Optionally improve the electrical signal path.

The mentioned insulator or isolator ring 233 is preferably permanently connected to the coupler 100 in this embodiment (as described by the cylindrical projection 233a being press-fitted to the inner wall of the plug outer conductor 213), so that such a coupler according to FIG 2 and a coupler according to Figure 1 can also be set with a conventional connector of a corresponding connector, since the plug 200 has remained unchanged in the embodiment of the known in the art Steckvererbinders of Figure 7 and also in the variant of Figure 1 and 2, a conventional plug can be used with the coupler of the invention.

In the following, a modification to FIG. 2 is discussed.

Basically to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2a, a construction is shown between the two coupled plug connectors 100, 200, which largely corresponds to that according to FIG. For this purpose, a development of the rather hollow-cylindrical coupler outer conductor contacting section 121 is shown in FIG. 2a, which comprises the mentioned outer conductor spring or contact tongues 121c, which pass through Separating slots 121b are separated from each other. In this embodiment, not only contact tongues 121c are provided adjacent to each other, but in this embodiment shown alternately (but this can also be solved differently) in addition to an outer conductor spring or contact tongue 121c Außenleiterabstütz section 121d provided in the insertion, ie project beyond the contact or spring tongues 121c in the axial direction. Deviating from the fact that between each at least two spring tongues 121c an axially far outstanding outer conductor section 121d is provided, it may also be sufficient that only one or two, ie fewer or even more outer conductor support sections 121d are provided as outer conductor spring tongues 121c ,

Furthermore, an insulating body, for example in the form of an insulating ring 233 is also provided in this embodiment, which is provided between the downwardly facing end faces 123 of the coupler outer conductor contact portion 121 and the corresponding annular stop shoulder 217 of the male outer conductor 213, for example by appropriate design Also, at least Reibschlussmäßig to the axially projecting outer conductor support sections 121d is held. In the case of a tightened union nut, the leading end faces 123 of the coupler outer conductor contacting section 121 thus run against the interposition of the mentioned insulator 233 on the corresponding male outer conductor stop 217, so that corresponding axial pressing forces introduced via the cap nut act here , This also causes the axially acting tension between the two outer conductors of the connectors 100 and 200 from the radially extending signal path over the mentioned contact portions 121a of the contact tongues 121c separated. In other words, the high-frequency signal path always passes over the conductive surfaces facing the inner space I (the inner space I being the one in which the inner conductors 101 and 201 of the plug-type connectors are also present). In other words, therefore, the electrical connection takes place on the RF signal path of the inner walls 113a in communication with the inner space I via the surface of the inner wall of the radially extending contacting device adjacent to the inner space I and from there to the inner wall 213a of the next plug connector 200 from where the RF signal path then continues, for example, to a connectable to the connector 200 outer conductor of a coaxial cable. The between see the groove bottom 119 a of the outer conductor 113 and the annular end face 231 of the other outer conductor 213 effective axial stop is thus removed to the interior I and / or shielded, so separated. In other words, the RF signal path propagating only via the electrically conductive surfaces adjoining the inner space I does not lead via the axial stop, so that this axial stop is thus separated from the HF signal path.

It is shown with reference to FIG. 3 that the coupler housing 115 can be divided radially into two and has a conductive coupler outer conductor 113, which is arranged inside and in this case surrounded by a coupler outer conductor housing 115 surrounding this coupler outer conductor 113 is, which may for example consist of an insulator, in particular in the form of a plastic. But also any other arbitrary material can be used, for example also aluminum etc. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the coupler outer conductor housing 115, which is made of electrically nonconductive material, is shaped in such a way that the groove bottom 119a and the externally threaded housing section 118 are also formed therewith, with the annular end-face boundary 125 pointing in the direction of the plug. so that between the plastic coupler housing formed and the annular shoulder 221, the mentioned seal 220 is arranged, on which act corresponding pressing forces. The inwardly limiting surface of the groove-shaped recess 119 is formed in this case by the coupler outer conductor 113 with the coupler outer conductor contact portion 121 which - as described - is preferably divided into axially extending contact fingers, which act with outwardly acting preload forces on Outer conductor of the plug abut.

Reference is made to a further modified embodiment of Figure 4, which differs from that of Figure 2 in that the coupler outer conductor contact portion 121 is more shortened and in the axial direction only over a partial length of the coupler outer conductor threaded body 118 and / or of the plug outer conductor 213 extends, in particular with respect to the radially inwardly projecting projection 215th

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the axial length of the coupler outer conductor contact section 121 and the spacing of the contact conductor tongues 121c from the groove bottom 121a are approximately 70% to 98%, preferably 90% to 95%, of the axial length of the stop - Shoulder 217 axial protruding axial length of the plug outer conductor. In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the coupler outer conductor contact section 121 is now shortened very sharply in the axial direction so that the coupler outer conductor contact section 121 comes to lie with the contact tongues 121c in the vicinity of the groove bottom 119a. In other words, it can be stated that the coupler outer conductor contact section 121 can easily cover itself in its axial extent in a range of between 1% or 5% to 95% or even 99% with the plug outer conductor 213, that is, with the plug connector. Outer conductor 213 in the region between its connection or plug-side, annular end face 231 and its inwardly projecting annular shoulder 217 on the projection 215. Dimensional restrictions exist insofar here not.

In this case, the contact tongues 121c are preferably provided in the end region of the coupler outer conductor contact section 121, but may also be provided offset relative to this front end plane 123.

The embodiment according to FIG. 4a essentially corresponds to that of FIG. 4, wherein (which is not necessary) the corresponding outer conductor contacting section 121 is designed to be elongated in the axial direction, projects there completely freely in the axial direction and does not fulfill any function. The actual contacting device acting in the radial direction likewise runs again over the radially projecting contacting regions 121a, as explained with reference to the preceding exemplary embodiments.

In FIG. 4 a, the dot-dash lines on the inner walls 113a and 213a of the couplers to be joined are shown in FIG. continuous high-frequency signal path RF-S drawn. In other words, this high-frequency signal path - as already mentioned several times - always runs only on the interior or surfaces of the electrically conductive parts adjoining the interior I (wherein the interior I within the outer conductor is that region in which the inner conductors 101 , 201). However, it can be clarified on the basis of the contacting part 121 (not fulfilling any function) via the radial contacting device with its contacting region 121a how this HF signal path always runs on the inner walls of the outer conductors or of the radial contacting device which adjoins the Interior I adjoin. In other words, this RF signal path thus runs past the axial stop, which is separated (and thus shielded) from the inner walls (ie surfaces) of the outer conductors and the radial contacting device. This applies, for example, just for the embodiment of Figures 1, 3 and 4, since the axial (galvanic) stop is always provided outside of the RF signal path, in other words away from the inner walls of the outer conductor and the radial contacting devices. Since, therefore, the high-frequency current can flow only on the conductive surfaces adjacent to the interior I and not through the metal, and the axial contact between the connectors quasi "behind" these surfaces (on which the RF signal path HF-S extends) is located, the separate formation of this RF signal path is realized by the axial stop. In other words, in the inner (coaxial) region, ie in the direct inner RF connection path between the inner walls of the individually coupled outer conductor, no conductive mechanical axial stop may be present. This ensures that the mechanical axial stop has no effect on the electrical properties of the connection.

With reference to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5, it is now shown in the sense of an inversion and permutation that an outer conductor contact section 241 can also be formed on the plug outer conductor 231, preferably likewise in the region of the annular front end 231. Here, preferably radially inwardly projecting Contact tongues 241 c are formed, which are in contact with the radially outwardly facing contact surface of the coupler outer conductor section 121.

In this case, even the axial contact forces between coupler and plug between the radial end face 231 of the plug and the groove bottom 119a of the coupler 100 act without here an insulator, such as plastic is interposed. In spite of galvanic contact, the HF signals and currents flow on the inner inner wall 113a, so that only the purely mechanical pressing forces act in the axial direction and only the radially extending signal path between the outer conductor contact section 241 and the Outer conductor contact tongues 241c and the coupler outer conductor 113 is crucial. In this exemplary embodiment, too, the coupler outer conductor contact section 121 is again shortened in the axial direction, similar to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4. In this exemplary embodiment too, the actual contact tongues 241c are designed with corresponding elevations projecting radially inward, via which the radial Contact with the outer conductor section of the connector 100 takes place, since the projections protrude beyond the adjacent radially inwardly facing surface portions of the outer conductor contact tongues 241c.

An exemplary embodiment is shown with reference to FIG. 6, in which the coupler according to the invention and / or the plug according to the invention can be provided in the sense of a compensation device and / or an intermediate connector, for example between an antenna housing and an amplifier arrangement (TMA).

In Figure 6 is schematically indicated that, for example, above an antenna housing 11, in particular the underside IIa of an antenna housing 11 is shown, wherein at a distance from the top 13a of an adjacent housing an electrical / electronic device 13, for example, an amplifier housing (TMA Ge - Housing) is arranged.

Between the two, several cable connections are provided according to the prior art.

Alternatively, it may now be provided, for example, on the underside of the antenna housing, the coupler according to the invention explained with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments, wherein on the corresponding top 13a of the electrical / electronic device to be grown 13, the cooperating conventional plug 200 or the example can be grown on the basis of Figures 4 and 5, compared to the prior art modified coupler 100 and connector 200. This opens up the possibility that a corresponding electrical or electronic device 113, for example in A TMA amplifier can be connected to an antenna solely by inserting the electrical / electronic device 113 with its plug connector or its plug connector combination into the corresponding plug connector or the corresponding plug connector combination on the other device, here on the antenna housing becomes. Temperature-induced axial positional variations between the coupled connectors (which form a coupled connector set) are insignificant in that the signal path is always safely maintained because it is radially displaced between the conductive portions between the cooperating outer conductor portions between the coupled connectors (coupler, plug). takes place and not, as in the prior art, in the axial direction.

It would also be possible in this respect to realize, for example, the one connector as a double connector or as a double coupler, which has a plane of symmetry running transversely to its axial direction in the manner of a transition piece (intermediate connector). Such an intermediate connector, if it were formed in the manner of a symmetrical intermediate connector, could be interposed between two coupler terminals as an interconnector. Conversely, the training would be just as possible if the intermediate connector would be designed as a double coupler, which would then interact with a corresponding counterpart (plug) at its two opposite connecting pieces.

The connectors used in the invention can serve as connectors for cable connections in general, but also as coaxial cable connections in the Cases in which, for example, designed as a coupler or plug connectors are fixedly mounted on a housing of an electrical / electronic device. Thus, a connector according to the invention can also be well integrated in a device, for example in an antenna, an antenna housing, an amplifier, a filter, etc., so that a device equipped with such a connector can easily be connected to a standard or commercially available connector cooperating therewith can be electrically connected. In this case, the plug connector connected to the device can be equipped differently from standardized plug connectors in accordance with the electrical requirements of the device and the signal path provided therewith, that is, in such a way that only the electrical parameters required for the relevant device must be complied with, for example, what is applicable for an operating frequency range to be transmitted, environmental class requirements, number of mating cycles, etc.

The invention has been explained with reference to connectors, in which in each case a pin contact or a female contact is formed as an inner conductor. However, the invention is equally applicable to connectors in which the inner conductor to be coupled have a hermaphroditic contact, which can therefore be referred to as neither pin nor socket contact. However, an inner conductor contacting with a radial contact path is preferred.

In the aforementioned connectors, it is within the

Invention irrelevant whether the connector provided with a female outer conductor contact as inner conductor has a pin contact or a female contact. As well it is irrelevant whether the pin outer conductor contact (that is to say the manner of a hollow cylindrical outer conductor with contact on the outer surface) is equipped with an inner conductor which is sleeve-shaped or pin-shaped. Equally irrelevant is at which of the two connectors a union nut is provided, which cooperates with a corresponding external thread of the other connector.

Claims

Claims;

1. Connector (100, 200), comprising: - an outer conductor (113, 213) and / or a outer conductor housing (115), with an inner conductor (101, 201), preferably with an insulator centering disc (109 , 209) for fixing and holding the associated inner conductor (101, 201), with a on the connection or plug side of the connector (100, 200) located, mechanically acting axial stop, with an electrical outer conductor Kontaktierungsab- cut on the Connector outer conductor (113, 213) and / or the outer conductor housing (115) for making electrical contact with an outer conductor (213, 113) of a further connector (200, 100), and with a high-frequency signal path, via the inner wall of the Outer conductor (113, 213) of the connector (100, 200) to the inner wall of the outer conductor (213, 113) of a further connector to be connected thereto (200, 100) leads, characterized by the following further features: the electrical outer conductor contacting portion of the outer conductor (113, 213) of the connector (100, 200) is formed extending radially away from the axial stop so that the formed on the inner walls of the outer conductor (113, 213) high-frequency signal path between the outer conductor ( 113, 213) of the connector (100, 200) and a further external conductor (213, 113) of another connector (200, 100) to be connected via which the electrical contacting device extending in the radial direction leads, and the mechanically acting axial stop the connection or plug-in side of the plug connector (100, 200) is provided outside the high-frequency signal path predetermined by the radial contacting device.

2. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that on the mechanically acting axial stop an insulator (233) is provided, in particular on the

Connection or insertion on the leading in the direction of insertion end plane (123) on the coupler outer conductor

(113) or at the coupler outer conductor contact portion

(121) and / or at the plug stop limit (217) on the plug outer conductor (213).

3. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the direct high-frequency signal path between the inner walls of the outer conductor to be coupled (113, 213) extends over the inner wall of the radial contacting device, whereas the axial stop on the connection or plug side of the connector (100 , 200) of the on the inner walls of the outer conductor (113, 213) and in Radial direction extending electrical contacting device removed and / or shielded.

4. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 3, character- ized in that the electrical contacting device on the outer conductor (113, 213) from the central axis of the connector radially outwardly or inwardly projecting outer conductor contact portion (121, 241) ,

5. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer conductor contact portion (121, 241) is configured in the form of a radially outwardly or radially inwardly projecting elevation, the adjacent, radially outward or radial inwardly facing surface portions of the outer conductor (113, 213) surmounted.

6. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, character- ized in that the outer conductor contact portion (121, 241) in the end region of the outer conductor (113, 213) on the connection or insertion side of the connector (100, 200) is provided ,

7. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the outer conductor contact portion (121, 241) comprises a plurality of elastic contact tongues (121c, 241c) which are arranged offset in the circumferential direction, and in the coupled state with another Connectors (100, 200) are reversibly deformable.

8. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, da- characterized in that the hollow cylindrical outer conductor contact portion (121, 241) is divided by a plurality of mutually offset in the circumferential direction separating slots (121b) in a plurality of circumferentially offset outer conductor spring tongues (121c, 241c) in a coupled state with a another connector (200, 100) on the contact surface of the outer conductor (213, 113) of the further connector (200, 100) rest under prestress.

9. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at the connection or insertion side of the connector (100) leading in the insertion end plane (123) on the outer conductor contact portion (121) before the leading in the insertion direction of the frontal plane ( 123) on the outer conductor thread (117) of the connector (100) ends.

10. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 9, character- ized in that the outer conductor (113, 213) in

Circumferentially divided into a plurality of outer conductor spring tongues (121c, 241c), wherein at least one or preferably a plurality of circumferentially offset outer conductor support sections (12Id. At least between two spring tongues (141, 241c) and preferably between a plurality of pairs of spring tongues (141, 241c) ) are provided, which project beyond the outer conductor spring tongues (121c, 241c) in the axial insertion direction.

11. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the connector (100, 200) as a connector (100) with an inner conductor-coupler contact or as a connector (200) with an inner ter-pin contact is formed, ie with a radially acting contact.

12. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the connector is designed as a free connector or as a solid connector, in particular in the form of a coupler (100) or plug (200).

13. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the connector (100, 200) as on a housing or on a device or built-in solid connector (100, 200) is formed, the in its electrical properties the device properties are adjusted.

14. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the connector (200) has a socket outer conductor contact.

15. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the connector (100) comprises a hollow cylindrical or hollow cylinder-like pin outer conductor contact, in which the electrical contact takes place on the outer surface of the pin outer conductor contact.

16. Connector set with a connector according to at least one of claims 1 to 15, characterized marked, that the connector (100, 200) with another connector (200, 100) is used to form a coupled connector set or can be used.

17. Connector set according to claim 16, characterized in that the outer conductor contact portion (121) of the one connector (100) in a range between 1% to 99% of the length of the outer conductor contact portion (231) of the other connector (200) extends , So in an area between an annular end face (231) and a preferably annular stop shoulder (217) on the outer conductor (213) of the connector (200).

18. Plug connector set according to claim 17, characterized in that the hollow cylindrical outer conductor (213) of a connector (200) engages in a ring-shaped or hollow cylindrical outer conductor groove (119) in the other connector (100).

19. Plug connector set according to claim 18, characterized in that on the connection side of a connector (200) provided annular end face (231) on the outer conductor (213) on the groove bottom (119a) of the annular outer conductor groove (119) and / or the connection-side end plane ( 113) are held pressed against the outer conductor contact section (121) with the interposition of an insulator (233) on a connection shoulder (217) of the outer conductor (213) of the coupled further connector (200).

20. Plug connector set according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the outer conductor contact portion (121) of a connector (100) in a range between 1% to 50%, in particular in a range between 1% to 20 % or 1% to 10% of the length of the outer conductor contact portion (113) extends.

21. Plug connector set according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the leading on the connection or insertion in the insertion end plane (123) on the outer conductor contact portion (121) of a connector (100) in front of the direction of insertion in the insertion end plane (123 ) on the outer conductor thread (117) of the connector (100) ends.

22. Plug connector set according to one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the connector (100, 200) with an intermediate or transition connector can be coupled or is coupled.