EP3837741B1 - Cable arrangement - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cable assembly.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Cables are connected in a detachable connection via connectors, preferably via plug connectors, to another cable or to a circuit board. Alternatively, the cable can be connected in a non-detachable connection, i.e. in a fixed connection, directly to another cable or a circuit board without using a connector.

In the case of a high-frequency cable, a secure connection with the associated inner conductor-side contact or the outer conductor-side contact of the connector must be realized for both the inner conductor and the outer conductor in the case of a detachable connection. Equivalently, in the case of an inseparable connection to another cable or a circuit board, a secure connection must be established to the inner conductor and outer conductor of the other high-frequency cable or to the contact on the inner conductor side and outer conductor side on the circuit board.

In the cable connector DE 10 2011 056 798 A1 The shielding of the cable is connected to the shielding sleeve of the cable connector via a spring element and the individual inner conductors of the cable are each connected to an inner conductor contact element.

The EP 1 291 981 A2 and the US 3,103,548 A each disclose a shielded connector in which the inner cable conductor is crimped with an inner conductor contact element and the shielding of the cable folded back around a support sleeve is crimped with an outer conductor contact element.

The US 3,103,548 A discloses a cable arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1.

Crimping or pressing has proven successful for the connection on the external conductor side. For this purpose, the outer conductor is freed from the cable jacket over a certain section at the end of the cable and thus stripped of insulation. The outer conductor of the high-frequency cable is thus exposed in this section. The exposed section of the outer conductor is then connected to an electrically conductive outer conductor contact element in a crimping process. In this way, a mechanically stable connection between the outer conductor of the high-frequency cable and the outer conductor contact element and thus a secure electrical contact between the outer conductor and the outer conductor contact element is established via such a conductor crimp.

With regard to high-frequency technology-optimized transmission and contacting, the outer conductor contact element has a coaxiality with the inner conductor equivalent to the outer conductor of the high-frequency cable and is therefore preferably formed in the shape of a sleeve. An external conductor contact element shaped in this way is therefore also referred to as a crimp sleeve.

To improve the compression and to prevent damage to the inner conductor during crimping, the exposed outer conductor is wrapped around a support sleeve that has a certain wall thickness. The crimp sleeve, which is crimped with the outer conductor in the area of the support sleeve, therefore has a larger inner diameter than the inner diameter of the outer conductor in the high-frequency cable. This sudden change in the distance between the inner conductor and the outer conductor of the cable on the one hand and between the inner conductor of the cable and the outer conductor contact element on the other hand disadvantageously leads to a more inductive high-frequency signal path and thus to an undesirable change in the impedance in the signal path. In order to at least approximately achieve a constant impedance not only within the high-frequency cable, but along the entire longitudinal extent of the outer conductor contact element, the crimp sleeve has a radial narrowing. This radial narrowing of the crimp sleeve is, for example, from DE 20 2015 000 751 U1 is realized in the longitudinal direction of the cable following the conductor crimp. The radial narrowing of the crimp sleeve is also called waist crimp. Through the radial narrowing, ie through the waist crimp, the outer conductor contact is guided to the insulator part of the high-frequency cable and thus in the direction of the inner conductor.

Due to manufacturing tolerances of the individual components and the individual assembly steps, a cavity forms between the crimp sleeve and the insulator part of the high-frequency cable in the area between the axial end of the outer conductor of the high-frequency cable and the radial narrowing of the crimp sleeve. This cavity, which is only filled with air and can fluctuate between the individual assembled cables, represents a fault point in the high-frequency signal path. In the area of this cavity, the distance between the outer conductor contact and the inner conductor is increased compared to the distance between the outer conductor and the outer conductor contact to the inner conductor in the rest of the signal path . This defect in the impedance curve of the high-frequency signal path adversely affects the transmission behavior of a high-frequency signal especially in the two- or three-digit gigahertz range.

This is a situation that needs to be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of creating a cable arrangement comprising a cable and an external conductor contact element, which is optimized in its high-frequency transmission behavior.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a cable arrangement with the features of patent claim 1.

• einem Kabel, welches einen Außenleiter, einen elektrischen Innenleiter, ein Isolatorteil und eine Stützhülse aufweist,
• einem Außenleiterkontaktelement und
• einem Füllelement,
• wobei das Isolatorteil zwischen dem Außenleiter und dem elektrischen Innenleiter angeordnet ist,
• wobei die Stützhülse am Außenleiter fixiert ist und der Außenleiter um die Stützhülse herum zurückgeschlagen ist,
• wobei das Außenleiterkontaktelement mit dem zurückgeschlagenen Außenleiter elektrisch verbunden ist und eine Durchmesserveränderung aufweist,
• wobei das Füllelement das Isolatorteil konzentrisch umschließt,
• wobei das Füllelement in einem Bereich zwischen einem axialen Ende des zurückgeschlagenen Außenleiters und der Durchmesseränderung des Außenleiterkontaktelements innerhalb des Außenleiterkontaktelements angeordnet ist,
• wobei das Füllelement elektrisch leitfähig und elastisch ist und eingerichtet ist, einen Lufteinschluss im Bereich zwischen dem axialen Ende des zurückgeschlagenen Außenleiters und der Durchmesserveränderung des Au-ßenleiterkontaktelements innerhalb des Außenleiterkontaktelements zu reduzieren.

Accordingly it is provided:
A cable arrangement with

• a cable which has an outer conductor, an electrical inner conductor, an insulator part and a support sleeve,
• an external conductor contact element and
• a filling element,
• wherein the insulator part is arranged between the outer conductor and the electrical inner conductor,
• wherein the support sleeve is fixed to the outer conductor and the outer conductor is folded back around the support sleeve,
• wherein the external conductor contact element is electrically connected to the folded-back external conductor and has a change in diameter,
• wherein the filling element concentrically encloses the insulator part,
• wherein the filling element is arranged in a region between an axial end of the folded-back outer conductor and the change in diameter of the outer conductor contact element within the outer conductor contact element,
• wherein the filling element is electrically conductive and elastic and is designed to reduce an air inclusion in the area between the axial end of the folded-back outer conductor and the change in diameter of the outer conductor contact element within the outer conductor contact element.

The knowledge/idea underlying the present invention is to replace at least part of the air enclosed in the cavity, which is not electrically conductive, with an electrically conductive filling element. Optimally, the air trapped in the cavity is completely replaced by the electrically conductive filling element. In this way, on the outer conductor side, the area of the change in diameter of the outer conductor contact element, ie the area of the radial narrowing of the outer conductor contact element, in which the air-filled cavity was formed according to the prior art, is filled with electrically conductive material up to the insulator part. The inner diameter on the outer conductor side is thus adapted in the area of the change in diameter of the outer conductor contact element to the inner diameter on the outer conductor side in the remaining areas of the high-frequency cable and the outer conductor contact element. This advantageously achieves a constant impedance curve over the entire high-frequency signal path within the high-frequency cable and the outer conductor contact element and thus allows the use of the high-frequency cable, in particular in the transition to a connector, for high-frequency signals expanded into the two- or three-digit gigahertz range.

The cable is preferably a high-frequency cable for transmitting a high-frequency signal. In the broadest sense, a radio frequency signal is a signal in the frequency range between 3 MHz and 30 THz. A high-frequency cable used in the automotive sector according to the invention is intended for applications in the single-digit to three-digit GHz range. The high-frequency cable is preferably a coaxial cable with an electrical inner conductor, an insulator part coaxially surrounding the electrical inner conductor, an outer conductor coaxially surrounding the insulator part and a cable sheath coaxially surrounding the outer conductor. In addition, the high-frequency cable can also include two electrical inner conductors and a common outer conductor for transmitting a differential high-frequency signal (so-called shielded twisted pair cable). Finally, the high-frequency cable can also be implemented as a shielded star-quad cable, each with two crossed and shielded pairs of electrical inner conductors. In addition, a high-frequency cable is possible with any technically sensible number of shielded pairs of electrical inner conductors, which are arranged either parallel or crossed over one another.

The outer conductor of the cable is made in the form of a metallic wire gender or a metallic foil with a view to low cable weight and easy manufacturability. The electrical inner conductor of the cable can be produced as a core that is surrounded by an insulator part. Instead of an electrical inner conductor and an insulator part, an insulated wire is also possible.

An outer conductor contact element of a cable arrangement is a contact element that realizes the outer conductor-side electrical contact between the outer conductor of the high-frequency cable and an outer conductor contact of a connector, preferably a plug connector. The outer conductor contact element of a cable arrangement is permanently connected to the outer conductor contact of the connector or the plug connector, for example via a welded connection. Alternatively, the outer conductor contact element of the cable arrangement and the outer conductor contact of the connector or the plug connector can be implemented as a single component. In addition to the electrical contact on the external conductor side, the external conductor contact element of the cable arrangement primarily provides electrical shielding in the transition area between the high-frequency cable and the connector or the plug connector. Equivalently, the outer conductor contact element of the cable arrangement can be electrically connected in an inseparable connection to the outer conductor of another cable or to the outer conductor-side contact connection on a circuit board or on a housing.

The outer conductor contact element encloses the exposed electrical inner conductor and the exposed insulator part of the cable and is therefore preferably shaped like a sleeve, particularly with regard to its shielding task. The sleeve-shaped outer conductor contact element preferably has a round cross-sectional profile in order to achieve coaxiality with a single electrical inner conductor of a cable. In addition, other cross-sectional profiles such as a square, rectangular or elliptical cross-sectional profile are also suitable for the outer conductor contact element, particularly in the case of a cable with several electrical inner conductors covered by the invention. The cross-sectional profile used also depends on the crimping process used.

The outer conductor contact element is mechanically and electrically connected to the outer conductor of the cable, preferably via a crimp or press connection. In addition to a crimp connection, a solder connection is also conceivable.

The change in diameter of the external conductor contact element can occur suddenly, i.e. discontinuously. Due to the manufacturing process, the change in diameter of the outer conductor contact element preferably extends over a certain axial extent and has a continuous course, i.e. a smooth or S-shaped course.

The electrically conductive filling element used in the cable arrangement according to the invention is made from a single electrically conductive material or from a composite material with several electrically conductive individual materials. In addition, the electrically conductive filling element can also be made from a composite material with at least one electrically conductive individual material and at least one dielectric individual material. What is crucial here is that the electrically conductive filling element has sufficient electrical conductivity for high-frequency signals in the frequency range mentioned.

The electrically conductive filling element can be a self-contained component without inclusions or a component with inclusions. The filling element can be shaped according to known shapes, for example as an annular shape, or any complex and have a delicate shape. What is crucial here is that the electrically conductive filling element replaces the cavity in the cable arrangement, which was originally filled with air, at least partially by an electrically conductive material of the filling element.

Advantageous refinements and further developments result from the further subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures in the drawing.

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

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrically conductive filling element is arranged adjacent to an axial end of the outer conductor of the cable within the outer conductor contact element. The electrically conductive filling element thus advantageously at least partially fills the area in the axial longitudinal direction of the cable between the axial end of the outer conductor and the change in diameter of the outer conductor contact element within the outer conductor contact element. The distance between the axial end of the outer conductor and the change in diameter of the outer conductor contact element, preferably the distance between the axial end of the outer conductor and an end of the preferably S-shaped course of the change in diameter of the outer conductor contact element facing the connector or the plug connector, is preferably less than 2 mm , especially smaller than 0.5 mm.

The axial longitudinal extent of the filling element is therefore to be designed in the uninstalled state of the filling element in such a way that the filling element in the installed state within the cable arrangement covers the area between the axial end of the outer conductor and preferably an end of the particularly S-shaped course facing the connector or the plug connector the change in diameter of the outer conductor contact element fills it as optimally as possible.

According to the invention, in addition to the outer conductor, the cable has an electrical inner conductor and an insulator part, which is arranged between the outer conductor and the electrical inner conductor. At the end of the cable, at which the cable is connected to a connector or plug connector, the electrical inner conductor of the insulator part and the insulator part of the outer conductor are each exposed.

Since the filling element is arranged adjacent to the axial end of the outer conductor, the filling element is located in the area of the exposed insulator part. According to the invention, the filling element is arranged in a region between the axial end of the outer conductor and the change in diameter of the outer conductor contact element between the outer conductor contact element and the insulator. The filling element concentrically encloses the insulator part of the cable. When installed, the electrically conductive filling element preferably lies against the insulator part within the cable arrangement. In addition, the electrically conductive filling element preferably rests on the external conductor contact element. The electrically conductive filling element thus advantageously also at least partially, preferably completely, fills the area between the outer conductor contact element and the insulator part in a transverse direction to the longitudinal extent of the cable.

The change in diameter of the outer conductor contact element preferably represents a radial narrowing. The radial narrowing of the outer conductor contact element is preferably designed such that the outer conductor contact element rests on the insulator part in the area of the smallest radial narrowing. The area in which a filling element can be arranged is therefore closed at the beginning of the area with the narrowest radial constriction of the outer conductor contact element.

The cable has a support sleeve that encloses the electrical inner conductor. The exposed outer conductor of the cable is folded back around the support sleeve. The inner diameter of the support sleeve is preferably designed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer conductor, so that the support sleeve can be easily applied to the outside of the outer conductor. During the crimping or pressing process, the support sleeve prevents damage to the electrical inner conductor. In addition, the support sleeve enables improved compression of the outer conductor and outer conductor contact element. The outer conductor contact element, which after the crimping or pressing process is electrically connected to the exposed outer conductor in the area of the support sleeve and folded back over the support sleeve, is adapted in terms of its inner diameter to the outer diameter of the folded back outer conductor. The distance between the external conductor contact element in the area of the support sleeve, ie in the non-narrowed diameter region of the external conductor contact element, and the insulator part is preferably less than 1.5 mm, in particular less than 1.0 mm. In addition, the transverse extension of the filling element when not installed is Filling element should therefore be designed in such a way that the filling element, when installed within the cable arrangement, fills the area between the outer conductor contact element and the insulator part as optimally as possible.

Since the outer conductor contact element is preferably crimped with the outer conductor of the cable in the area of the support sleeve, the outer conductor contact element is preferably implemented as a crimp sleeve, particularly in the area of the support sleeve. The preferred crimp type is the B crimp type, which guarantees good mechanical stability of the crimp connection and is easy to manufacture. Alternatively, other types of crimps can also be used. The crimp connection is produced by a pressing force applied to the outer conductor contact element from the radial outside. The pressing force is applied in the area of the support sleeve over the entire circumference of the crimp sleeve, so that the crimp sleeve completely runs around the outer conductor folded back around the support sleeve.

In addition to this conductor crimp, a further crimp is carried out between the external conductor contact element and the cable jacket in order to ensure a more stable attachment of the outer conductor contact element to the cable. This additional crimp is called a sheath crimp or insulation crimp.

The electrically conductive filling element is elastic. In particular, the electrically conductive filling element is elastic over its entire extent. In this way, the filling element can be adapted to cavities that are shaped differently and sized differently due to production. Typically, the elastic filling element is inside when installed The cable arrangement is therefore smaller than when it is not installed. The elasticity of the filling element also enables the cavity to be filled as completely as possible by the filling element.

In a first variant, the electrically conductive and elastic filling element is made from an electrically conductive elastomer. This is preferably an elastomer in which electrically conductive particles, preferably metallic particles, are scattered in a certain density. The size and shape of the individual metallic particles can vary slightly or, ideally, match. The size, arrangement and distribution of the individual metallic particles within the elastomer must be selected so that the electrically conductive and elastic filling element has sufficient electrical conductivity over its entire extent for a high-frequency signal in the frequency range mentioned.

In a second variant, the electrically conductive and elastic filling element has an electrically conductive wire, ie a metallic wire, which is three-dimensionally braided. The three-dimensional braiding of the metallic wire can be completely disordered or in a specific order structure. Typically, the three-dimensionally braided metallic wire is compressed within the filling element with a view to a certain shape and a certain extent when the filling element is not installed. The three-dimensionally braided metallic wire can also be integrated into an elastomer within the filling element.

If the cable only has a single electrical inner conductor, the insulator part and the outer conductor are each arranged coaxially to the single electrical inner conductor. A filling element that is inserted into such a cable arrangement is therefore also preferably arranged coaxially to the single electrical inner conductor. Such a filling element thus has a rotationally symmetrical shape, preferably an annular or a hollow cylindrical shape.

Finally, the invention also includes a connector arrangement with a connector, preferably a plug connector, and a cable arrangement. The outer conductor contact element of the cable arrangement is connected to the outer conductor contact of the connector or the plug connector. Alternatively, the outer conductor contact element of the cable arrangement and the outer conductor contact of the connector or the plug connector can be implemented as a single element. Instead of a plug connector, the connector can also be implemented as a screw connector or using another connection technology.

The above configurations and further developments can be combined with one another in any way, if it makes sense. Further possible refinements, further developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described previously or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. 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.

CONTENTS OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1A

eine Querschnittsdarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Verbinderanordnung mit einem als Stecker realisierten Steckverbinder,

Fig. 1B

eine Querschnittsdarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Verbinderanordnung mit einem als Kuppler realisierten Steckverbinder,

Fig. 2A

eine Draufsicht eines Füllelement,

Fig. 2B

eine Querschnittsdarstellung einer ersten Variante des Füllelements und

Fig. 2C

eine Querschnittsdarstellung einer zweiten Variante des Füllelements

The present invention is explained in more detail below using the exemplary embodiments given in the schematic figures of the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1A

a cross-sectional view of a connector arrangement according to the invention with a connector implemented as a plug,

Fig. 1B

a cross-sectional view of a connector arrangement according to the invention with a plug connector implemented as a coupler,

Fig. 2A

a top view of a filling element,

Fig. 2B

a cross-sectional representation of a first variant of the filling element and

Fig. 2C

a cross-sectional view of a second variant of the filling element

The accompanying figures of the drawing are intended to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in connection with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned arise with regard to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale to one another.

In the figures of the drawing there are identical, functional and identical elements, features and components - if nothing else is stated - each provided with the same reference numerals.

The figures are described in a coherent and comprehensive manner below.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the Fig. 1A Schematically illustrated connector arrangement 10 according to the invention, which is implemented as a plug connector arrangement, comprises a connector 20 and a cable 30 connected thereto. The connector 20 is implemented as a plug connector, which in turn is designed as a plug. At the in Fig. 1A The connector arrangement shown is a coaxial connector arrangement consisting of a coaxial connector and a coaxial cable. Alternatively, non-coaxial connector arrangements consisting of a non-coaxial connector or plug connector and an associated non-coaxial cable are also covered by the invention, as already mentioned above.

The cable 30, designed as a coaxial cable, has an electrical inner conductor 31, an insulator element 32 coaxially surrounding the electrical inner conductor 31, an outer conductor 33 made of a wire mesh or a conductive film coaxially surrounding the insulator element 32 and a cable sheath 34 made of an electrically insulating material surrounding the outer conductor 33 such as plastic.

How out Fig. 1A can be clearly seen, the electrical inner conductor 31 of the cable 30 is stripped at its end facing the connector 20, ie opposite the insulator part 32 exposed. The insulator part 32 is also exposed to the outer conductor 33 at its end facing the connector 20. Finally, the outer conductor 33 is also exposed by the cable jacket 34 at its end facing the connector 20.

The cable end of the cable 30 facing the connector 20 is accommodated in a sleeve-shaped external conductor contact element 35. The inner diameter of the outer conductor contact element 35 essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the cable jacket 34, so that the cable end of the cable 30 including a specific section of the cable jacket 34 can be inserted into an opening in the outer conductor contact element 35 and a subsequent crimping or pressing process between the outer conductor contact element 35 and the cable 30 is possible.

As already mentioned, the crimping or pressing process takes place between the cable 30 and the outer conductor contact element 35 in three different sections of the outer conductor contact element 35:
In a first section of the external conductor contact element 35, which is in Fig. 1A is marked with A, the outer conductor contact element 35 is fixed to the cable jacket 34 by means of an insulation crimp. The outer diameter of the cable jacket 34 is as follows due to the insulation crimping Fig. 1A can be seen, slightly reduced or squeezed in the area of the insulation crimp.

In a second section of the external conductor contact element 35, which is in Fig. 1A marked B, is the exposed shielding braid of the outer conductor 33 around a support sleeve 36 repulsed. In the non-pressed state, the inner diameter of the support sleeve 36 essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the outer conductor 33 in order to enable the cable 23 with its outer conductor 33 to be easily inserted into the bore of the support sleeve 36. After inserting the outer conductor 33 of the cable 23 into the support sleeve 36, the support sleeve 36 is fixed to the outer conductor 33 of the cable 23 by crimping. The length of the outer conductor 33, which can be easily folded back around the fixed support sleeve 36 due to its design as a shielding braid or conductive film, is designed in such a way that it can be folded back over the entire longitudinal extent of the support sleeve 36. Because the outer conductor rests on the support sleeve 36 radially outside the support sleeve 36 along the entire longitudinal extent of the support sleeve 36, the best possible holding force between the outer conductor 33 and the outer conductor contact sleeve 36 can be achieved.

In order to be able to easily insert the cable 30 with its outer conductor 33 folded back around the support sleeve 36 into the opening of the outer conductor contact element 35, the outer diameter of the outer conductor 33 folded back around the support sleeve 36 essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of the outer conductor contact element 35. The support sleeve 36, which is surrounded both radially inside and radially outside by the outer conductor 33, enables a more stable fixation of the outer conductor contact element 35 on the outer conductor 33 of the cable 30 during the crimping or pressing process. In addition, the support sleeve 36 prevents damage to the electrical inner conductor 31 with such a conductor crimp. In particular, the section of the outer conductor 33 located radially inside the support sleeve 36 has a slightly reduced or squeezed shape in the area of the support sleeve 36 due to the conductor crimp Outer diameter on how out Fig. 1A can be recognized.

In a third section of the external conductor contact element 35, which is in Fig. 1A is marked with C and is located between the axial end of the outer conductor 33 and an end of the outer conductor contact element 35 facing the connector 20, there is a so-called waist crimp. With this waist crimp, the outer conductor contact element 35 has a radial narrowing. The outer conductor contact element 35 rests on the exposed insulator part 32 of the cable 30 in the area of its narrowest radial constriction.

Since there is no outer conductor 33 of the cable 30 in the section of the high-frequency signal path between the axial end of the outer conductor 33 and the connector 20, the outer conductor-side high-frequency signal path is formed by the outer conductor contact element 35. Without realizing a radial narrowing of the outer conductor contact element 35, the distance between the outer conductor side and the inner conductor side signal routing and thus the impedance in this section would change compared to the sections of the high-frequency signal path in which an outer conductor 33 of the cable 30 is still present. This impedance mismatch adversely causes reflections of higher-frequency signal components and worsens the transmission characteristics of the high-frequency signal path. Due to the radial narrowing of the outer conductor contact element 35, the inner diameter of the outer conductor contact element 35 is returned to the inner diameter of the outer conductor 33 of the cable 30 in the area of the narrowest radial constriction. In this way, the impedance of the high-frequency signal path is back to the impedance in the area of the narrowest radial constriction of the outer conductor contact element 35 of the high-frequency signal path within the cable 30 and in the area of the outer conductor contact element 35 up to the axial end of the outer conductor 33.

Like also from Fig. 1A can be seen, the external conductor contact element 35 has a section which is in Fig. 1A is marked with D, in which, on the one hand, there is no outer conductor 33 of the cable 30 and, on the other hand, the distance between the outer conductor contact element 35 and the electrical inner conductor 33 does not correspond to the adjusted distance between the signal routing on the outer conductor side and the inner conductor side. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the change in diameter of the outer conductor contact element 35 does not occur abruptly, ie discontinuously, but rather in a continuous transition over a certain axial longitudinal extent. On the other hand, this section D results from manufacturing tolerances of the individual components, for example the outer conductor 33, the support sleeve 36, the outer conductor contact element 35, the connector 20, etc., and the individual assembly steps, for example the conductor crimping and the waist crimping.

The distance between the axial end of the outer conductor 33 and the beginning of the narrowest radial constriction in which the outer conductor contact element 35 rests on the insulator part 33 is typically less than 2 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm. In this area of the high-frequency signal path between the axial end of the outer conductor 33, the outer conductor contact element 35 and the insulator part 33, according to the prior art, a cavity is formed which is filled only with air. Within this range, the high-frequency signal path has a discontinuity in its impedance curve, which affects the transmission characteristics in particular for higher-frequency signal components in the two or three-digit gigahertz range.

To overcome this technical disadvantage, an electrically conductive and elastic filling element 37 is arranged in this area, which is located adjacent to the axial end of the outer conductor 33. Due to the elasticity of the filling element 37, it is possible for the cavity that forms between the axial end of the outer conductor 33, the outer conductor contact element 35 and the insulator part 33 to be filled as far as possible with the filling element 37. In this way, it is also possible for the electrically conductive filling element 37 to fill the area up to the insulator part 33 and thus a substantially constant inner diameter on the outer conductor side from the outer conductor 33 of the cable 30 in section B via the electrically conductive and elastic filling element 37 in section D to for the narrowest radial narrowing of the outer conductor contact element 35 in section C. The high-frequency signal path therefore has essentially no discontinuities in its impedance curve in these sections and enables optimized transmission behavior for high-frequency signals up to the two- and three-digit gigahertz range.

The electrically conductive and elastic filling element 37 encloses the insulator element 33 and thus has a rotationally symmetrical shape, preferably an annular or sleeve-shaped shape Fig. 2A on.

In a first variant, the electrically conductive and elastic filling element 37 is according to Fig. 2B made from an elastomer with integrated electrically conductive particles, preferably metallic particles. The number, the size, The shape and arrangement of the individual electrically conductive particles within the filling element 37 made of elastomer must be chosen so that the electrically conductive and elastic filling element has sufficient electrical conductivity for high-frequency signals up to the two- or three-digit gigahertz range.

In a second variant, the electrically conductive and elastic filling element 37 is according to Fig. 2C Made from an elastomer with an integrated electrically conductive wire that is three-dimensionally braided. The three-dimensional braiding of the electrically conductive wire can be completely disordered or in a specific order structure. Also for the second variant, the length, the diameter, the type of braiding and the density of the electrically conductive and three-dimensionally braided wire must be selected so that the electrically conductive and elastic filling element has sufficient electrical conductivity for high-frequency signals up to the two - or three-digit gigahertz range.

The external conductor contact element 35 is according to Fig. 1A at its end facing the connector 20, at which it has the same diameter as at its end facing the cable 30, is connected to the external conductor contact 21, preferably by means of a welded connection. This welded connection between the external conductor contact element 35 and the external conductor contact 21 of the connector 20 designed as a plug connector can, as in Fig. 1A is shown, realized radially within the outer conductor contact 21, but also radially outside the outer conductor contact 21 of the connector 20. As an alternative to the two-part solution consisting of an external conductor contact element 35 and an external conductor contact 21 of the connector 20 A one-piece solution is also conceivable, in which the outer conductor contact element 35 and the outer conductor contact 21 of the connector 20 together form a single component.

The electrical inner conductor 31 of the cable 30 is connected to the inner conductor contact 23 of the connector 20 in an electrically and mechanically stable manner at the cable-side end of the connector 20, which is implemented as a plug connector, via a crimp connection 22. Instead of a crimp connection between the electrical inner conductor 31 of the cable 30 and the inner conductor contact 23 of the connector 20, a soldered connection is alternatively also conceivable. The inner conductor contact 23 is arranged coaxially to the outer conductor contact 21 within the connector 20 via at least one insulator part 24.

The connector 20, designed as a plug connector, is shown in FIG Fig. 1A The variant shown is implemented as a plug. The inner conductor contact 23 is thus shaped like a pin at the plug-side end of the plug connector within the socket-shaped outer conductor contact 21.

In the in Fig. 1B In the illustrated variant of a connector arrangement 10, the connector 20, which is designed as a plug connector, is implemented as a coupler. At the plug-side end of the connector 20, the inner conductor contact 23 of the connector 23 is thus designed to be socket-shaped. The socket-shaped external conductor contact 21 of the connector 20 designed as a coupler is designed as a spring basket or spring sleeve in order to realize an elasticity on the plug-in side, which forms the necessary elasticity for a plug-in process with a connector 20 designed as a plug.

The remaining elements of the in Fig. 1B illustrated variant of a connector arrangement 10 correspond to those in Fig. 1A illustrated and already described variant of a connector arrangement. A repeated description of these elements is therefore omitted here and the associated description of the Fig. 1A referred.

At this point it should be mentioned again that the cable 30 forms a cable arrangement with the external conductor contact element 35 attached to it. The external conductor contact element 35 does not necessarily have to be connected to a connector 20 in a connector arrangement 10. Alternatively, the external conductor contact element 35 can be firmly connected in an inseparable connection to another cable, preferably a high-frequency cable, at its end facing away from the cable 30. Finally, an inseparable connection, i.e. preferably a soldered connection, of the outer conductor contact element 35 with an outer conductor-side contact connection or ground connection on a circuit board or in a housing is also possible. The electrical inner conductor 31 of the cable 30 is preferably connected via a solder connection to an inner conductor-side contact connection on a circuit board or in a housing.

Although the present invention has been fully described above using preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not limited to this but can be modified in a variety of ways.

Reference symbol list

10

Connector arrangement

20

Interconnects

21

External conductor contact

22

Crimp connection

23

Inner conductor contact

24

insulator part

30

Cable

31

electrical inner conductor

32

insulator part

33

External conductor

34

Cable jacket

35

External conductor contact element

36

Support sleeve

37

Filling element

Claims (8)

1. A cable arrangement comprising a cable (30), which has an outer conductor (33), an electrical inner conductor (31), an insulator part (32) and a support sleeve (36), an outer conductor contact element (35) and a filling element (37),

   wherein the insulator part (32) is arranged between the outer conductor (33) and the electrical inner conductor (31),

   wherein the support sleeve (36) is fixed on the outer conductor (33) and the outer conductor (33) is folded back around the support sleeve (36),

   wherein the outer conductor contact element (35) is electrically connected to the folded-back outer conductor (33) and has a diameter change,
   wherein the filling element (37) concentrically surrounds the insulator part (32),

   wherein the filling element (37) is arranged in a region between an axial end of the folded-back outer conductor (33) and the diameter change of the outer conductor contact element (35) within the outer conductor contact element (35),

   wherein the filling element (37) is electrically conductive, characterized in that the filling element (37) is elastic and is configured to reduce an air inclusion in the region between the axial end of the folded-back outer conductor (33) and the diameter change of the outer conductor contact element (35) within the outer conductor contact element (35).
2. The cable arrangement according to patent claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the filling element (37) is arranged adjacent to an axial end of the outer conductor (33) within the outer conductor contact element (35).
3. The cable arrangement according to patent claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in
   that the diameter change of the outer conductor contact element (35) is a radial narrowing, wherein a region of the radial narrowing abuts against insulator part (32).
4. The cable arrangement according to one of patent claims 1 to 3, characterized in
   that the outer conductor contact element (35) is crimped with the outer conductor (33) in a region of the support sleeve (36) and the outer conductor contact element (35) is designed in particular as a crimp sleeve.
5. The cable arrangement according to patent claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in
   that the filling element (37) is made from an electrically conductive elastomer, preferably an elastomer with integrated electrically conductive particles.
6. The cable arrangement according to patent claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in
   that the filling element (37) has an electrically conductive wire mesh, which is braided in particular three-dimensionally.
7. The cable arrangement according to patent claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in
   that the filling element (37) is shaped in a rotationally symmetrical, preferably annular or sleeve-shaped manner.
8. A connector arrangement (10) comprising
   a connector (20), in particular a plug connector, which has an outer conductor contact (21), and comprising a cable arrangement according to any one of the preceding patent claims, wherein the outer conductor contact element (35) is connected to the outer conductor contact (21).

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