EP3396791A1 - External conductor arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an outer conductor arrangement for a plug connector comprising an outer conductor main body and an outer conductor ring, wherein the outer conductor main body has a plurality of contact tabs, wherein the outer conductor ring is attached to an interface side end of the outer conductor main body, at least one bulge and has a closed structure, wherein the outer conductor ring is set up to protect the contact tabs from mechanical forces. The present invention further relates to a process for its preparation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an outer conductor arrangement and a manufacturing method for an outer conductor arrangement.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Plug-in connectors are known, for example, from Positronic's "PosiBand" plug with both open entry and closed entry.

A connector with an open inlet is in FIG. 7 shown. Such connectors have an interface-side leading edge, which is not circumferentially closed on. In general, interruptions of the leading edge are formed by contact tabs. Open-entry connectors can better compensate for manufacturing tolerances and reduce the insertion forces required for insertion.

A connector with a closed inlet is in FIG. 8 shown. Such connectors have a closed interface-side leading edge. Contact straps can be surrounded by a housing. Closed-entry connectors prevent the connector from being damaged by mechanical forces, such as a mating attempt with a wrong mating connector. They also lead to significantly increased insertion forces.

Experiments of the prior art show that the optimization of one of the parameters EMC tightness, insertion forces and Stability of a connector in the high frequency range conflict with each other. For example, this is recognizable in existing products of the applicant, Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG. The FIG. 9 shows such a product. In FIG. 9 is an outer conductor 90 of a high-voltage (HV) connector, which is designed for frequencies in the megahertz range shown. The outer conductor comprises a closed inlet 91 and resilient contact tabs 92 with contact points 93 located behind the closed inlet. Frequency-dependent resonances occur at the outer conductor due to capacitances between the contact tabs. Although the aforementioned drawbacks in this frequency range do not yet occur, there is a need to provide an outer conductor which is suitable for a plug in a higher frequency range.

This is a condition to be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the present invention seeks to provide a connector with a closed inlet and reduced insertion forces.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an outer conductor arrangement having the features of patent claim 1 and / or by a method having the features of patent claim 14.

• eine Außenleiteranordnung für einen Steckverbinder aufweisend einen Außenleitergrundkörper und einen Außenleiterring, wobei der Außenleitergrundkörper mehrere Kontaktlaschen aufweist, wobei der Außenleiterring an einem interfaceseitigen Ende des Außenleitergrundkörpers befestigt ist, wenigstens eine Ausbuchtung oder Einbuchtung aufweist und von geschlossener Struktur ist, um einen geschlossenen Eintritt der Außenleiteranordnung zu bilden.; sowie
• ein Herstellungsverfahren für eine Außenleiteranordnung welches die folgenden Schritte aufweist: Herstellen eines Außenleitergrundkörpers mit mehreren Kontaktlaschen und mit wenigstens einer Haltelasche mittels eines Stanz-Biegeverfahrens, in welchem die Haltelasche in dem Stanz-Biegeverfahren derart abgerollt wird, dass zwischen den Kontaktlaschen und der Haltelasche einen Durchmessersprung entsteht; Befestigen eines Außenleiterrings an den Haltelaschen, insbesondere mittels Schweißen oder mittels einer Pressverbindung, derart dass ein Außenleiter mit einem geschlossenen Eintritt gebildet wird.

Accordingly, it is provided:

• an outer conductor arrangement for a connector comprising an outer conductor main body and an outer conductor ring, wherein the outer conductor main body more Contact lugs, wherein the outer conductor ring is attached to an interface-side end of the outer conductor main body, at least one bulge or indentation and is of closed structure, to form a closed entrance of the outer conductor arrangement; such as
• a production method for an outer conductor arrangement which comprises the following steps: producing an outer conductor main body with a plurality of contact tabs and with at least one retaining tab by means of a stamping and bending process, in which the retaining tab is rolled in the stamping and bending process such that a diameter jump between the contact tabs and the retaining tab arises; Attaching an outer conductor ring to the retaining tabs, in particular by means of welding or by means of a press connection, such that an outer conductor is formed with a closed inlet.

The idea underlying the present invention is to arrange ends of contact tabs of an outer conductor under an outer conductor ring such that the contact tabs are flexibly deformable in order to ensure low insertion forces, and at the same time to create a closed entry through an outer conductor ring. In order to ensure sufficient flexibility of the outer conductor ring, this has at least one bulge or indentation, which can deform elastically during insertion.

If a connector according to the invention is produced by means of a manufacturing method according to the invention, this also makes it possible to generate diameter jumps in the outer conductor main body by means of a punch-bending method.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments will become apparent from the other dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer conductor ring is adapted to protect contact straps from mechanical forces. This is necessary if a connector is to be plugged from an oblique direction or to withstand force effects from an oblique direction without damaging the outer conductor when plugged. According to one embodiment of the present invention, this protection of the contact tabs can be ensured by a closed entry of the outer conductor.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer conductor ring is set up to reduce the insertion forces for inserting a connector connected to the outer conductor arrangement. In conjunction with connectors that have a closed inlet, there are usually high insertion forces, which adversely affects the further processing of connectors.

This embodiment of the present invention thus solves the problem of reducing insertion forces while increasing the stability of a connector. However, the optimization of these two properties is contrary in practice, ie a desired increase in stability leads to an unwanted increase in the insertion forces and vice versa.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a retaining tab is formed on at least one contact tab, which serves for fastening the outer conductor ring. In this way, the outer conductor ring can be attached to the outer conductor main body in a particularly simple and secure manner. Alternatively, it is also possible to attach the outer conductor ring to the contact tabs or to another part of the outer conductor. It is advantageous if a main extension direction of the retaining tab in the circumferential direction of the Außenleiterhalterings runs and / or if the main extension direction of the retaining tab is perpendicular to the main extension direction of the contact tabs.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer conductor main body between the retaining tab and the contact tabs on a diameter jump. Diameter jumps in the outer conductor allow the impedance to be adjusted. It is particularly advantageous in the connector according to the invention that this can also be produced by a punching method including the diameter jumps.

If a connector according to the invention is produced by a stamping method, diameter jumps can be generated when the retaining tabs are unrolled.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer conductor main body has two retaining tabs. The retaining tabs can be straight or curved. In particular, the retaining tabs may be U-shaped or part-circular.

According to a preferred embodiment, a protective tab is provided on the outer conductor ring, which protects the contact tabs of the outer conductor main body from mechanical force effects. It can be provided that the protective tab forms a wall which prevents the contact straps from being damaged by entering objects, such as tools. The protective tab may be formed in a simple embodiment as a vertical wall which protrudes from the outer conductor main body, or as a curved tab which covers the front ends of the contact tabs.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the outer conductor ring has a first end and a second end. In this case, the outer conductor ring is bent to its desired shape, so that a biasing force in the outer conductor ring holds the first end and the second end together.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the contact tabs each have a contact point for contacting an outer conductor of a mating connector. In this way, the shielding of the connector is significantly improved. To reduce insertion forces, it is possible to arrange these contact points offset in the axial direction.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the indentation or the bulge of the outer conductor ring is designed to provide a predetermined spring action during insertion. This can be achieved by the width of the bulge or indentation or by the choice of a cheap material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer conductor main body is formed as a stamped part. Stamped parts are in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner produced. In particular, the production of stamped parts can be made highly automated. However, the generation of diameter jumps in punching methods for plug connectors with a closed inlet is only possible in conjunction with other mechanical disadvantages such as high insertion forces or low contact forces.

The above embodiments and developments can, if appropriate, combine with each other as desired. Further possible refinements, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

CONTENT OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1

zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer ersten erfindungsgemäßen Außenleiteranordnung vor der Montage;

Fig. 2

zeigt eine schematische Seitenansicht einer ersten erfindungsgemäßen Außenleiteranordnung vor der Montage;

Fig. 3

zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer ersten erfindungsgemäßen Außenleiteranordnung nach der Montage;

Fig. 4

zeigt eine schematische Schnittsicht einer ersten erfindungsgemäßen Außenleiteranordnung in gestecktem Zustand;

Fig. 5

zeigt eine schematische Schnittsicht einer ersten erfindungsgemäßen Außenleiteranordnung nach der Montage;

Fig. 6

zeigt eine schematische Seitenansicht einer weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Außenleiteranordnung vor der Montage;

Fig. 7

zeigt eine schematische Ansicht des Standes der Technik;

Fig. 8

zeigt eine schematische Ansicht des Standes der Technik;

Fig. 9

zeigt eine schematische Ansicht des Standes der Technik;

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments indicated in the schematic figures of the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

shows a schematic perspective view of a first outer conductor arrangement according to the invention prior to assembly;

Fig. 2

shows a schematic side view of a first outer conductor arrangement according to the invention prior to assembly;

Fig. 3

shows a schematic perspective view of a first outer conductor arrangement according to the invention after assembly;

Fig. 4

shows a schematic sectional view of a first outer conductor arrangement according to the invention in the inserted state;

Fig. 5

shows a schematic sectional view of a first outer conductor arrangement according to the invention after assembly;

Fig. 6

shows a schematic side view of another outer conductor arrangement according to the invention prior to assembly;

Fig. 7

shows a schematic view of the prior art;

Fig. 8

shows a schematic view of the prior art;

Fig. 9

shows a schematic view of the prior art;

The accompanying figures of the drawing are intended to convey a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the stated advantages will become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale to each other.

In the figures of the drawing are the same, functionally identical and same-acting elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - each provided with the same reference numerals.

In the following the figures are described coherently and comprehensively.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an outer conductor arrangement 100 according to the invention in the unassembled state. Outer conductor assembly 100 includes outer conductor body 200 and outer conductor ring 300. Outer conductor assembly 100 is configured to receive one or more inner conductors (103) and one or more insulating members (105) to provide a coaxial, twinaxial or triaxial connector.

The outer conductor main body 200 comprises on the upper side and underside of a plurality of contact tabs 201 and on the right and left sides each have a contact tab 203. The contact tab 203 is slightly larger than the contact tabs 201 and thus stiffer than the contact tabs 201. At the contact tabs 203 are also the U-shaped retaining tabs 207 integrally formed, which in addition to an increased stability of the contact tabs 203 against the contact tabs 201 contribute.

The contact tabs 201 each have a contact point 204 in a front end region. The contact point is formed as a spherical bulge of the contact tabs 201 and contacted in the inserted state, the outer conductor of a mating connector, which is plugged with the connector. This ensures electromagnetic shielding at the top and bottom of the outer conductor arrangement 100 of inner conductors (not shown) guided in the outer conductor main body 200 through the outer conductor main body 200.

The contact tabs 203 also have a contact point 205 at the level of the contact points 204. The contact point 205 is formed centrally on the contact tab 203 and does not extend over the full width of the contact tab 203. In this way it is ensured that the outer conductor arrangement 100 also provides an electromagnetic shielding on the sides of the outer conductor arrangement.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 It can be seen that the outer conductor main body 200 provides a diameter jump between the contact tabs 201, 203 and the U-shaped retaining tabs 207.

The skilled artisan will recognize that the retaining tabs 207 by no means must be U-shaped, but of any contour that replicates the contour of the front of the contact tabs, for example, part-circular. In this case, it can also be provided that a plurality of part-circular retaining tabs are integrally formed on the contact tab 203. Further, the gaps between the opposing U-shaped retaining tabs 207 can be increased or decreased as long as the gap between the opposing U-shaped retaining tabs 207 ensures sufficient space for the recess 303.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the opposing free legs of the Us of the retaining tabs 207 touch or overlap. In this case, the recess 303 will rest on the retaining tabs 207 and be formed significantly flatter or replaced by a bulge.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 the outer conductor ring 300 is not connected to the outer conductor main body 200. The outer conductor ring 300 will be attached to the outer conductor body 200 during the final assembly of the outer conductor assembly 100, for example, by welding or by a press connection.

The outer conductor ring 300 includes the ring 305 which will be attached to the retaining tabs 207. The ring 305 also includes the indentation 303, which is in the assembled state between the two retaining tabs 207.

Furthermore, the outer conductor ring 300 comprises the bent protective tab 301, which protects the ends of the contact tabs 201 from the action of foreign bodies.

FIG. 3 shows the outer conductor assembly 100 in the assembled state. In this case, the outer conductor ring 300 is pressed against the ring 305 with the retaining tabs 207. It can be seen that the ends of the contact tabs 201 are protected by the protruding wall or protective tab 301, in that the protective tab 301 protrudes perpendicularly from the ring 305 and the contact tabs 201 lie directly behind the protective tab 301. The outer conductor arrangement 100 makes two diameter jumps 117 and 115. The diameter jump 115 is located between the contact lugs 201 and the outer conductor ring 300. The diameter jump 117 is located in a rear region of the outer conductor main body. Both diameter jumps 115 and 117 are arranged to control the impedance of the connector and may be provided independently of each other.

FIG. 4 1 shows a longitudinal section of a plug connection of a plug connector 109 with a mating plug connector 110. The plug connector 109 comprises the outer conductor arrangement 100. In the outer conductor arrangement 100 there is an inner conductor socket pair 103, which is electrically insulated from the outer conductor arrangement 100 by the insulating part 105. The mating connector 110 connected to the connector 109 includes an outer conductor 111 and inner conductor 113, which engage in the inner conductor bushings 103.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the outer conductor assembly 100 in the assembled state. In the outer conductor arrangement 100 there is an inner conductor socket pair 103, which is electrically insulated from the outer conductor arrangement 100 by the insulating part 105. FIG. 5 shows a two-pin connector. However, it is understood that single-pole, three-pole or multi-pole plug connectors are also covered by the scope of protection of this application.

The housing 101 of the outer conductor arrangement 100 also has a plug-in coding 107, which prevents a plug connector from being plugged in mirror-inverted with the outer conductor arrangement 100.

FIG. 6 shows a similar outer conductor arrangement 400 as the Figures 1-4 , The outer conductor arrangement 400 differs from the outer conductor arrangement 100 by its geometric shape. In contrast to the outer conductor arrangement 100, the outer conductor arrangement 400 is round rather than oblong-round like the outer conductor arrangement 100.

The outer conductor arrangement 400 comprises two contact tabs 503, each having a central contact point 505. The contact tab 503 is formed in each case a retaining tab 507. The retaining tab 507 is slightly bent and will deform during assembly of the outer conductor ring 600 to a pitch circle. The outer conductor assembly 400 makes a diameter jump between the retaining tab 507 and the contact tab 503.

Between the contact tabs 503 are each two contact tabs 501. The contact tabs 501 have the contact points 504 on. The contact points 504, 505 ensure extensive electromagnetic shielding through the contact tabs of the outer conductor arrangement 100.

The outer conductor ring 600 of the outer conductor arrangement 400 is shown in a compressed state. Similar to the outer conductor ring 300, the outer conductor ring 600 has a recess 603, which in FIG. 5 flattened. It is understood that the outer conductor ring 300 can be deformed or compressed in an analogous manner.

Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but is modifiable in a variety of ways.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

Outer conductor arrangement

101

casing

103

Socket contacts

105

Insulation

107

coding

109

Connectors

110

mating connector

111

outer conductor

113

inner conductor

115

Diameter jump

117

Diameter jump

200

Outer conductor body

201

Contact tabs

203

Contact tab

204

contact point

205

contact point

207

retaining tab

300

Outer conductor ring

301

protect tab

303

indentation

305

ring

400

Outer conductor arrangement

500

Outer conductor body

501

Contact tabs

503

Contact tab

504

contact point

505

contact point

507

retaining tab

600

Outer conductor ring

601

protect tab

603

indentation

605

ring

Claims (14)

Outer conductor arrangement for a plug connector comprising an outer conductor main body and an outer conductor ring, wherein the outer conductor main body has a plurality of contact tabs,
wherein the outer conductor ring is fixed to an interface side end of the outer conductor main body, has at least one protrusion or indentation, and is of closed structure to form a closed entrance of the outer conductor assembly. Outer conductor arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the outer conductor ring is adapted to protect the contact tabs against mechanical forces. Outer conductor arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer conductor ring is adapted to reduce the insertion forces for insertion of a connector connected to the outer conductor arrangement. Outer conductor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one contact tab, a retaining tab is formed on which the outer conductor ring is attached. Outer conductor arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the outer conductor main body between the retaining tab and the contact tabs has a diameter jump. Outer conductor arrangement according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the outer conductor main body has a plurality of retaining tabs, between which an interruption is formed, in particular two retaining tabs. Outer conductor arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the retaining tabs are formed part-circular or U-shaped. Outer conductor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer conductor ring has a protective tab which is adapted to protect the contact tabs of the outer conductor main body against mechanical force. An outer conductor assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer conductor ring has a first end and a second end which are pressed against each other due to a biasing force in the outer conductor ring to form the closed structure. Outer conductor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact tabs in each case has a contact point for contacting an outer conductor of a mating connector to be connected to the connector. Outer conductor arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the contact points are formed offset from each other in the axial direction of the outer conductor main body. Outer conductor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess or bulge of the outer conductor ring is arranged to provide a predetermined spring action during insertion. Outer conductor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer conductor main body is formed as a stamped part. Manufacturing method for an outer conductor arrangement comprising the following steps: - Producing an outer conductor main body with a plurality of contact tabs and with at least one retaining tab by means of a stamping process in which the retaining tab is rolled in the punching process such that a diameter jump arises between the contact tabs and the retaining tab; - Attaching an outer conductor ring to the retaining tabs, so that an outer conductor is formed with a closed inlet.

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