EP3035449A1

EP3035449A1 - Connecting arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP3035449A1
Application number: EP14198150.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mika Petri Pari
Original assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
Priority date: 2014-12-16
Filing date: 2014-12-16
Publication date: 2016-06-22

Abstract

A connecting arrangement and connecting method is disclosed. First connector is connected (502) on the main body of an antenna, the first connector comprising a first outer connector and a first inner connector. The second connector is connected (504) to a second body of the antenna. The second connector comprises a second outer connector and a second inner connector, the inner conductor being connected to the radiator of the antenna. The first outer connector is attached (506) to the second outer connector, the attachment providing a galvanic connection between the first outer connector and the second outer connector and mechanically locking the first connector and the second connector together. The first inner connector is attached (508) to the second inner connector. The attachment provides a capacitive connection between the first inner connector and the second inner connector.

Description

Technical Field

The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the invention relate generally to connecting arrangements that can be employed to interconnect radiofrequency apparatuses or components.

Background

The following description of background art may include insights, discoveries, understandings or disclosures, or associations together with disclosures not known to the relevant art prior to the present invention but provided by the invention. Some of such contributions of the invention may be specifically pointed out below, whereas other such contributions of the invention will be apparent from their context.
Connectors are used in radiofrequency apparatuses to connect apparatuses or components within an apparatus electrically to each other. For example, a typical arrangement in connecting an antenna radiator to the reflector plate or main body of the antenna is to use screws for the mechanical fixing and solder a radio frequency (RF) cable to the reflector
A common problem with prior art connecting solutions is that there are hand soldering joints between different RF parts which may cause electrical variance and passive intermodulation and impedance errors, for example. Current mechanical solutions are quite complex and these structures are not suitable for automated assembly.

Brief description

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector arrangement as claimed in claims 1 and 11 and a connecting method as claimed in claim 12.
One or more examples of implementations are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Brief description of drawings

In the following the invention will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figures 1A and 1B illustrate an example of an arrangement where embodiments of the invention may be applied;
Figures 2A and 2B illustrate examples of arrangements where embodiments of the invention may be applied;
Figures 3A and 3B illustrate examples of the attachment of the first outer connector to the second outer connector;
Figures 4A and 4B illustrate examples of the attachment of the first outer connector to the main part of the antenna and
Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment.

Detailed description of some embodiments

The following embodiments are only examples. Although the specification may refer to "an", "one", or "some" embodiment(s) in several locations, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Furthermore, words "comprising" and "including" should be understood as not limiting the described embodiments to consist of only those features that have been mentioned and such embodiments may also contain also features, structures, units, modules etc. that have not been specifically mentioned.
Figures 1A and 1B illustrate an example of an arrangement where embodiments of the invention may be applied. The figures show an antenna system 100 comprising a main body 104 and a second body 102. In an embodiment, the main body comprises the reflector of the antenna and the second body comprises the radiator of the antenna. In the example of Figures 1A and 1B, the antenna is a dipole antenna and the radiator 102 is a diploe radiator. Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view of the antenna while Figure 1B is an exploded assembly of the antenna.
The arrangement comprises one or more first connectors 106A, 106B, 106C, 106D mounted on the main body 104 of an antenna. Each first connector comprises a first outer connector 108 and a first inner connector 110. The example of Figures 1A and 1B illustrate a co-axial structure where the outer connector surrounds the inner connector. In an embodiment, there is an even number of first connectors 106A, 106B, 106C, 106D.
The arrangement further comprises one or more second connectors 112A, 112B, 112C in the radiator 102 of the antenna. Each second connector comprises a second outer connector 114 and a second inner connector 116. For each first connector there is a matching second connector. In an embodiment, the second inner connector 116 is connected to the radiator with a non-conductive connection.
The first connector 106A, 106B, 106C, 106D mounted on the main body 104 of the antenna is attachable to the second connector 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D in the radiator 102 of the antenna. In an embodiment, the first connector is attachable to the second connector essentially perpendicularly in relation to the main body of an antenna.
In an embodiment, the first outer connector 108 is attachable to the second outer connector 114 in such a manner that the attachment provides a galvanic connection between the first outer connector 108 and the second outer connector 114 and mechanically locks the first connector and the second connector together. The first outer connector may comprise attaching means mechanically locking first connector and the second connector together. In an embodiment, the second outer connector may comprise attaching means mechanically locking first connector and the second connector together.
In an embodiment, the first inner connector 110 is attachable to the second inner connector 116 in such a manner that the attachment provides a capacitive connection between the first inner connector 110 and the second inner connector 116.
In an embodiment, the second inner connector 116 is realised with a capacitive cross coupler. Radio frequency is fed through the first inner conductor 110 to the second inner connector 116 or the capacitive cross coupler. The arrangement may comprise a stub capacitor 118 for grounding.
In an embodiment, air coaxial line is utilised. The air coaxial line has a mechanical locking mechanism for antenna radiator (for example in dipole and patch antennas). This air coax bushing can be installed to different kinds of reflector types or antenna base materials such as aluminium sheet metal, aluminium extrusion, aluminium/magnesium casting or printed card board PCB. The proposed mechanical structure allows automatic assembly in production from one side of reflector. Main RF lines are realised with non-galvanic contacts which provide good electrical performance. The proposed solution is well suited also for active antenna array solutions.
The proposed solution provides a good mechanical implementation of press fit air coax bushings to metallic part. The antenna structure is as firm as possible. The solution may be utilised in a wide variety of applications. The same generic parts for connectors may be utilised in many applications. This enables big volumes in manufacturing which leads to lower unit cost. Antenna radiators do not need other fixing parts such as screws. The structure is poka-joke suitable so all human assembly mistakes can be avoided.
Figure 2A illustrates another example of an arrangement where embodiments of the invention may be applied. The figure show a patch antenna system 200 comprising a radiator 202, a reflector 204 and main body 206.
In this example, the arrangement comprises two first connectors 106A, 106B mounted on the main body 206 of an antenna. The arrangement further comprises two second connectors 112A and 112B mounted on the reflector 204 of the antenna. Each second connector comprises a second outer connector and a second inner connector. For each first connector there is a matching second connector. In this example, the second outer connectors connect the first outer connectors to the reflector. The attachment of the first outer connectors to the second outer connectors provide a galvanic connection between the first outer connector and the second outer connector and mechanically lock the first connector and the second connector together.
The second inner connectors connect the first outer connectors to the radiator 202 of the antenna. The attachment provides a capacitive connection between the first inner connector and the second inner connector.
In general, it may be stated that an antenna comprises a main body and at least one second body. If there is one second body, it may be a radiator. In such a case the reflector typically lies with the main body of the antenna. If there are more than one second body, there may be a separate reflector and a separate radiator.
Figure 2B illustrates another example of an arrangement where embodiments of the invention may be applied. In this example, a cable 210 is used between the second body and the main body of the antenna. Thus, at one end of the cable the second connector is connected to the first connector, and the other end of the cable is connected to the radiator.
Figure 3A illustrates an example of the attachment of the first outer connector 108 to the second outer connector 114. In an embodiment, the first outer connector 108 comprises a set of fingers 300, the finger having a protruding end 302 facing outward from the first outer connector. The second outer connector 114 comprises a grabbing surface 304 on the inner surface of the second outer connector, the grabbing surface locking the finger in place.
There are various ways of realising the attachment. Figure 3A illustrates merely one example.
Figure 3B illustrates another example of the attachment of the first outer connector 108 to the second outer connector 114. In this embodiment, there is a locking groove 310 which mechanically locks the first connector and the second connector together.
Figure 4A illustrates an example of the attachment of the first outer connector 108 to the main part of the antenna. In an embodiment, the arrangement comprises a knurling 400 for attaching the connector to the main body of the antenna by press fit.
Figure 4B illustrates another example of the attachment of the first outer connector 108 to the main part of the antenna. In an embodiment, the arrangement comprises pins 402 for soldering the connector to the main body of the antenna.
Figure 4C illustrates another example of the attachment of the first outer connector 108 to the main part of the antenna. In an embodiment, the arrangement comprises a thread 404 for attaching the connector to the main body of the antenna.
In an embodiment, the places of the male and female parts of connectors are switched compared to above where the male part is in the main body and female part in the second body. Thus, the male part may be in the second body and female part in the main body.
Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment. The flowchart illustrates a connecting method in an antenna, the antenna comprising a main body and at least one second body. The method starts at step 500.
In step 502, first connector is connected on the main body of an antenna. The first connector comprises a first outer connector and a first inner connector.
In step 502, second connector is connected to a second body of the antenna. The second connector comprises a second outer connector and a second inner connector, the inner conductor being connected to the radiator of the antenna.
In step 504, the first outer connector is attached to the second outer connector. The attachment provides a galvanic connection between the first outer connector and the second outer connector and mechanically locks the first connector and the second connector together.
In step 506, the first inner connector is attached to the second inner connector. The attachment provides a capacitive connection between the first inner connector and the second inner connector.
The method ends in step 510.
It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

A connecting arrangement in an antenna comprising a main body and at least one second body, comprising
first connector mounted on the main body of an antenna, the first connector comprising a first outer connector and a first inner connector,
second connector being connected to a second body of the antenna, the second connector comprising a second outer connector and a second inner connector, the inner conductor being connected to the radiator of the antenna;
the first outer connector being attachable to the second outer connector, the attachment providing a galvanic connection between the first outer connector and the second outer connector and mechanically locking the first connector and the second connector together; and
the first inner connector being attachable to the second inner connector, the attachment providing a capacitive connection between the first inner connector and the second inner connector.
The connecting arrangement of claims 1, wherein the connecting arrangement connects radio frequency signal to the radiator.
The connecting arrangement of claim 1 or 2, wherein main body comprises a reflector of the antenna and the second connector is mounted on the radiator of the antenna.
The connecting arrangement of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second body comprises a reflector and the radiator of the antenna, the second outer connector being mounted on the reflector of the antenna and the second inner connector being mounted on the radiator of the antenna.
The connecting arrangement of any preceding claim 1 to 4, the first outer connector comprising attaching means mechanically locking first connector and the second connector together.
The connecting arrangement of any preceding claim 1 to 5, the second outer connector comprising attaching means mechanically locking first connector and the second connector together.
The connecting arrangement of any preceding claim 1 to 6, wherein the arrangement comprises an even number of first and second connectors.
The connecting arrangement of any preceding claim 1 to 7, wherein the first outer connector and the first inner connector are attachable to the second outer connector and the second inner connector essentially perpendicularly in relation to the main body of an antenna.
The connecting arrangement of claim 5, wherein the attaching means comprise a finger in the first outer connector, the finger having a protruding end facing outward from the first outer connector and a grabbing surface on the inner surface of the second outer connector, the grabbing surface locking the finger in place.
The connecting arrangement of claim 5, wherein the attaching means comprise a locking groove locking the first connector and the second connector together.
A connecting method in an antenna comprising
a main body,
at least one second body,
first connector mounted on the main body of an antenna, the first connector comprising a first outer connector and a first inner connector and
second connector being connected to a second body of the antenna, the second connector comprising a second outer connector and a second inner connector, the inner conductor being connected to the radiator of the antenna;
the method comprising;
attaching the first outer connector to the second outer connector, the attachment providing a galvanic connection between the first outer connector and the second outer connector and mechanically locking the first connector and the second connector together; and
attaching the first inner connector to the second inner connector, the attachment providing a capacitive connection between the first inner connector and the second inner connector.
The connecting method of claims 11, further comprising connecting radio frequency signal to the radiator.
The connecting method of claim 11 or 12, wherein main body comprises a reflector of the antenna and the method further comprises mounting the second connector on the radiator of the antenna.
The connecting method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the second body comprises a reflector and the radiator of the antenna, the method comprising:
mounting the second outer connector on the reflector of the antenna and mounting the second inner connector on the radiator of the antenna.
The connecting method of any preceding claim 11 to 14, further comprising:
attaching the first outer connector and the first inner connector to the second outer connector wherein the second inner connector is essentially perpendicularly in relation to the main body of an antenna.
A connecting arrangement in an antenna comprising a main body and at least one second body, comprising
first means for connecting mounted on the main body of an antenna, the first means for connecting comprising a first outer means for connecting and a first inner means for connecting,
second means for connecting being connected to a second body of the antenna, the second means for connecting comprising a second outer means for connecting and a second inner means for connecting , the inner means for connecting being connected to the radiator of the antenna;
the first outer means for connecting being attachable to the second outer means for connecting , the means for attaching providing a galvanic connection between the first outer means for connecting and the second outer means for connecting and mechanically locking the first means for connecting and the second means for connecting together; and
the first inner means for connecting being attachable to the second inner means for connecting, the means for attaching providing a capacitive connection between the first inner means for connecting and the second inner means for connecting.