JP2001510934A - Cable connectors adapted to be soldered or welded - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A first conductive portion suitable for connection with another electric element, and a second conductive portion integrally joined to the first conductive portion and suitable for soldering to an outer conductor of a cable. , The second conductive portion comprises two parallel edges between which the outer conductor of the cable is engaged by soldering and at least one third long portion of the second conductive portion With only one edge, integrally formed by at least one free end, the integral formation is with respect to the application of the conductor of the cable to the second conductive part, the third part being the outer conductor of the cable being shaped. To maintain, the cable is selected to be bendable about the outer conductor of the cable by a force acting on at least one free end of the third portion, and after connection by the force, the cable is connected to the second conductive member. Part and third lead It is held between the parts.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electrical connector for connecting a cable having a deformable outer conductor to another electrical element.

[0002] Outer conductors can be used to shield cables from electromagnetic noise, for example, consisting of braided metal or metal films. Preferably, the cable is a coaxial cable and the electrical element is specifically a printed circuit board.
The need to transmit high frequency signals to corresponding processing electronics, such as when using mobile wireless devices, is increasing. The frequency range of interest generally requires the use of coaxial cables, and preferably, the electronic processing of the signals is performed on a module having each element mounted on a printed circuit board. For both space and cost reasons, it is desirable to provide the simplest realizable connection between the coaxial cable and the circuit board, and the connection need not be removable for the intended application. Absent. In many electronics, the connection between the coaxial cable and the circuit board is provided by a suitable plug-in system, but this system is clearly expensive. On the other hand, in the case of such a plug-in system, the impedance values of both the cable and the elements on the circuit board are precisely defined, so as to avoid undesired side effects, such as reflection of transmitted waves. The fact that they are harmonized in the manner described above is taken into account.

[0003] However, various systems that solve all of the above problems are not known. EP 0,462,879 discloses a system in which the shielding and signal conductors of a coaxial cable are separately connected to a circuit board. In this case, the portion to be connected by soldering is suitable for use with only one type of cable cross section.

[0004] EP-A-0,446,488 discloses a system in which a properly terminated cable tip is placed on a bendable metal member adapted to accept cables of different diameters. However, in order to achieve a connection, a crimp or pinch connection method must be realized with the aid of a corresponding tool. This method is often unacceptable because it results in deformation of the cable shielding and insulation of the cable, which alters the impedance value, but which can hardly be controlled with this type of crimp connection. It is particularly dangerous if the impedance value changes. Furthermore, conventional crimping of the connector part requires the contact surface of the connector to be crimped so as to have a symmetrical design.

[0005] WO 93/21669 relates to a system in which conductor parts for first insertion into a circuit board are interconnected. The terminated cable must be inserted into a properly terminated shrink fit hose by suitable gripping means. During the next heat shrinking step, the solder ring previously placed in the hose is shrunk and melted. Therefore, it is advantageous to properly grip the cable by suitable individual devices during the soldering and shrink-fitting operation.

[0006] EP-A-0,750,366 describes the above-mentioned problem of possible impedance variations by realizing a shield of a coaxial cable between two metal parts, which effectively corresponds to the diameter of the shield. About systems that can be avoided. Since the corresponding contact elements are interconnected by bridges which can be removed once the connection with the circuit board is completed, the connection device can be connected to the shielding and signal conductors simultaneously. However, in this case also, the cables must be gripped by a suitable device during the connection operation. Furthermore, the component is only valid for one type of predetermined cable diameter.

[0007] US Pat. No. 3,743,748 discloses a semicircular cross-section structure, which is predetermined at one end and is formed so that a cable shield can be placed on the structure. The invention relates to a connection system with only one metal element, in which the attachment of the signal conductor to the tongue takes place in as far as possible opposing parts. Again, the metal parts are first connected by a bridge that is not removed until the cable is attached to the connector and the entire system is attached to the circuit board. The system is 1
This is effective for cable types only. Furthermore, the cable can be gripped in position by the first metal part. However, this is not sufficient for soldering the shields and welding the signal conductors which are preferably applied.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-171997 describes a system in which the signal conductor is bent and soldered directly to the circuit board, while the cable shield is completely soldered to the contact surface of the connector. This connector incorporates a lug having one or more arms that have been pre-deformed so that the cable can be inserted therein. In addition, the system can be used for cable diameters limited to a very small range.

It is an object of the invention to provide a connection between a cable having a deformable outer conductor and another electrical element, in particular between a coaxial cable and a printed circuit board, the connection being simple and easy. It can be realized at low cost. Furthermore, the connector according to the invention can be realized with a small structure, while ensuring that the impedance values of the individual elements are within acceptable limits.

Another object of the invention is to create a device for the connection that is effective in all cases, ie a device that can be used, in particular, for different cable sections of a coaxial cable. Furthermore, it is desirable to apply soldering between the deformable outer conductor, in particular the electromagnetic shielding of the coaxial cable and the connection system, based on the impedance that is well controllable and the increased functional safety of the connection . It should be realized by automated mechanized means, which requires that the cable can be gripped during the soldering or welding process. In addition, the initial soldering of the coaxial cable to the connection system may require additional soldering, such as soldering the system to a circuit board, without using relatively high-melting solder to solder the shield. It is desirable not to melt again during the proper soldering operation.

The object of the invention is achieved according to the invention by a first connection member comprising a first electrically conductive part adapted to be connected to another electrical element. The second electrically conductive part is directly and mechanically and electrically connected to the same part and is designed so that it can be fixed by soldering or welding to the deformable outer conductor of the cable Is done.

This second conductive part has two substantially parallel edges, between which the deformable conductor of the cable can be arranged for being fixed by soldering. At least one third elongate portion is formed integrally with at least one free end only at one edge of this second conductive portion, and with respect to the application of the deformable outer conductor, The portion is centered on the deformable outer conductor of the cable such that the force acting on at least one free end of the third portion causes the deformable outer conductor of the cable to remain substantially shaped. The cable can be bent and formed such that, after the application of a force, the cable is formed to be held between the second conductive part and the third conductive part.

Although such devices are particularly useful for connecting coaxial cables and coaxial cables to circuit boards, the invention described thereby is generally deformable and, if connection is made, provisionally possible. Even so, it can be applied to all cables having a conductor whose configuration of the deformable conductor is desired not to change. This is, for example, a coaxial cable incorporating two signal conductors or a flexible waveguide to be connected or a multilayer wiring whose cross-sectional shape is to be kept constant. There may be.

What is important is the arrangement and configuration of the designated third part of the connector according to the invention. In contrast to known solutions, the arrangement of the third part at only one edge of the second conductive part is asymmetric. In this way, the cable can be arranged inside in a particularly simple manner. The requirements for bending the third part are less stringent, since the function is limited to gripping the cable. The configuration is to be selected such that the bending can be achieved without substantially changing the cables and other parts of the device. Generally, this is achieved through the use of appropriately thin metal parts and the matching of length and width such that bending can be achieved with relatively small forces. For example, this force may be very small, so that manual bending may be possible. The type of fixing or gripping of the cable according to the invention differs fundamentally from the crimp connection in that the insulation of the outer conductor and the underlying cable does not change substantially in the case of the type of the invention.

Such a system does not have to change the structure of the cable, especially with respect to coaxial cable, and has the added advantage that the impedance value falls within controllable limits. The system also has the advantage of being effective for various cable diameters, making it a universal device for electrically connecting cables having at least one deformable outer conductor. .

A pre-bending of the free end of the third part is preferred, in particular when the connection is made automatically, the bending is simple and easy using either manual or corresponding mechanical devices. In order to be realized in a defined way, it is preferable to reduce the angle of the bend surrounding the cable around the deformable outer conductor.
In this way, the part in question is given a preferred direction so that the bending can be carried out easily and safely in the desired direction.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to devise the third part so that the width of the arm is much smaller than the length given by the distance between one edge and the free end of the second conductive part. It seems to be. In addition, it is often feasible and very advantageous to form not only one but two arms so that two third parts are obtained.

The resulting advantage is that the cable is held in a desirable manner during the mounting operation, not only for longitudinal movement but also for preventing twisting of the cable. This is particularly important when performing cable shielding, ie, soldering the deformable outer conductor of the cable to the second and third portions. As already detailed above, this is because during subsequent soldering operations on the circuit board, for example, any movement of the conductor is prevented by the securing function of the second and third parts,
The advantage is that solders that melt at low temperatures can also be used.

[0019] Even if possible, the second conductive part should be designed between two edges, so that if a deformable outer conductor of the cable is used, it is substantially surface Area contacts will be formed and soldering can be applied along specific areas. This is based on the fact that the second conductive part is formed between the two edges at least approximately in a shape resembling a cylindrical element corresponding to the shape of the deformable outer conductor of the cable. Can be realized by: Second
It is to be taken into account that the conductive part and the third part of this part are configured accordingly and, despite the predetermined cylindrical shape of these parts, the largest possible range of diameter of the deformable outer part Cables with conductors can be attached and secured to the device by soldering. It is usually realized by a cylinder having a larger radius than the deformable conductor of some cables.

It can be seen that the connector according to the invention is particularly advantageous when connecting to so-called sheet or film cables. Such a cable does not have the outer shielding of a coaxial cable realized by a copper mesh, but instead has an outer shielding of a film with a conductive layer, preferably aluminum. In practice,
Such film type cables have proven to be extremely difficult to connect to other components. Additional shielding conductor (drain line) to facilitate it
Some cables have to be secured to the connector by soldering or welding. Such film type cables are not suitable for connection to all connectors. Crimping (squeeze connection) is problematic because the film with the conductive layer is compressed in an uncontrollable manner and the shield (drain) is held in an undefined position inside the cable No reliable connection can be made (see EP 0,446,448).

[0021] Regarding other connectors, there are many problems when connecting to a film type cable. For example, in the case of the connector according to EP 0,750,366, a coaxial cable is not feasible since it has to be carried between two metal parts which completely surround the outer circumference of the cable. . In this case, it is problematic to form a connection by using a shield conductive (drain line). The latter would have to be bent out of the way and secured separately in front of the connector.

On the other hand, the connector according to the invention is particularly suitable for connecting to film-type cables. The third part is provided in such a way that it is always possible to leave a free part of the outer periphery, thereby providing room for a shield line (drain line) which can be fixed to the part of the connector by soldering or welding. It is due to the fact that it is bent. This can also be inferred from the included figures (FIG. 6).

Embodiments of the present invention having one or more arms on only one side of the second conductive portion are described in the prior art, for example, in US Pat. No. 31,743,748 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-1.
It can be inserted even better into conductors as compared to 71997. further,
The electrical connector according to the present invention has no obstruction between the first conductive part and the third part, so if these parts are arranged on different sides of the second conductive part,
It can be made even easier. This is particularly important during production, as attention must be paid to the pitch. The pitch is 2 or 2.54 mm.

The present invention firstly relates to a method for forming a connection between a first connecting member and a deformable conductor of a cable, usually a shield of a coaxial cable. However, in another embodiment,
A second conductor of the cable, for example a signal conductor of a coaxial cable, is also electrically connected. It is realized using a second connection member joined to the first connection member. It is preferably realized by providing a fourth electrically conductive part similar to the first conductor part, to be adapted for connection to other electrical elements, in particular to a circuit board. The fifth part is connected to this fourth electrically conductive part, and the signal conductor of the cable can be connected to the former. A fourth or fourth portion, provided by a sixth portion, which provides a bridge and can be disconnected, such as by cutting or removing, when an electrical connection is provided between the cable and another electrical element, such as a circuit board. 5
Is preferably connected to the first or second conductive portion of the first connection member. The sixth part is the second part, either directly or through an integrally molded arm.
May be attached to the same edge of the conductive portion of the same as the edge where the third portion is also located.
If the third part is configured to have two arms, the sixth part acting as a bridge is preferably fixed between the two arms.

With regard to the second embodiment described herein, reference is made in particular to the patent application EP 0,750,366, in which a number of other possibilities which are common to all are specifically mentioned. In this embodiment, the connection is made of the deformable conductor and the second of the cable.
, Ie, first and second connecting members that are always present and are connected to the bridge.

The object is also fulfilled according to the invention by a method for making a connection, the method comprising the following steps.

The ends of the coaxial cable are terminated in a conventional manner such that the signal conductors, shields and the sheath of the cable are stripped. If a braided copper wire is used as the shielding conductor, the soldering is preferably performed before the removal of the outer insulation, as shown in DE 41 16 165.

The tip of the cable is then placed on the connector and, more specifically, pressed against the portion between the two edges.

Subsequently, a force is applied between the second part and the third part, so that the third part designed as an arm bends, and the force is substantially prevented from deforming the cable. To be restricted.

Thereafter, a permanent connection of the shield to the connector is achieved. In the case of braided copper wire, this means soldering to the second and third parts; in the case of film type cables, this means soldering or welding of the shielding wire (drain wire); Second
Is preferably on the side of the conductive portion. The signal conductor is connected to the second connection member, more specifically, the fifth portion by soldering or welding.

The connector mounted on the cable is therefore connected to the opening in the circuit board provided for this purpose, and more specifically, to the first, which is then soldered to the circuit board.
And retracted using the fourth part.

In effect, the bridge consisting of the sixth part is removed by being cut or removed to provide an electrical isolation between the shield and the signal conductor.

If the connector is to be provided with a casing, the latter is arranged for connection either before (FIGS. 7 to 8) or after introduction into the circuit board.

Therefore, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings.

(Details of Embodiment of the Present Invention) FIG. 1 shows an electric connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention including a first connecting member 2 shown on the lower left.

At the lower tip there is a first conductive part 3 adapted to be connected to an electrical element (not shown), preferably a printed circuit board. This is followed by a second conductive part 4 which is directly connected to the first conductive part 3 and which is bent to form a cylindrical surface 5 therein. This cylindrical surface 5 is defined by two edges 6,7, 2
The two edges 6, 7 are effectively parallel to one another, between which the cable can be arranged by soldering. The first edge 6 is remote from the first conductive part 3,
It is molded integrally with the three arms 8, 9, 11.

The two outer arms 8, 9 each constitute a third part 8, 9. These are separated from each other and independent, so that they form two third parts 8,9. Preferably, it is preformed so that the inside is an extension of the cylindrical surface 5 of the second part 4. The central arm 11 provides a link towards the bridge 10 described below. The second connection member 12 is shown to extend parallel to the first connection member 2, and has a similar configuration to the first conductive portion 3 and a fourth electrically conductive portion 13.
, It is also suitable for connecting to an electric element, preferably a circuit board.

This is followed by a straight section 14 directly joined to the fourth conductive section 13. This fifth conductive part 14 is adapted to be connected to the signal conductor of the cable by soldering or welding. As shown, the two connecting members 2, 12 are connected by a bridge 10 which may have circular apertures 15, 16.

The bridge 10 enhances the stability of the two connecting members before final attachment to the circuit board. The bridge need not be made of a conductive material. But,
It is advantageous to pinch the entire electrical connector 1 from a flat metal plate. Thus, the entire connector 1 can be formed with the aid of normal pressing and bending tools, and the circular apertures 15, 16 in the bridge 10 can be used to transport the product 1 during fabrication. Will be able to. Since this bridge 10 is later removed from the design, it is not important with respect to the actual function of the connector 1 on the circuit board.

FIG. 2 shows in effect the connection between the connector 1 and the coaxial cable 20. The coaxial cable 20 is formed in the usual way, i.e. the signal conductor 21, the insulation 22 between the signal conductor 21 and the shield 23, the shield 23 and finally the cable sheath 24 are continuously and stepwise. Be naked. Thus, the end of the terminated cable is then placed in the opening defined by the second and third portions 4; 8,9.
The arms 8, 9 of the third part are bent on it, and the bending can be done manually in the simplest way, but since it is preferably realized by a simple device, the arms 8, 9 are Without substantially deforming the shield or the underlying insulation 22. Subsequently, the ends of the coaxial cable 20 are sufficiently held by the arms 8 and 9 to provide an electrical connection using the cable 20 and the circuit board. They are realized by an equivalent soldering to the surface 5 containing the arms 8, 9 as far as the shield 23 is concerned, but the signal conductor 21 is
Is soldered, preferably by welding.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first and third conductive portions 3, 13 are inserted into corresponding holes 31, 32 in an electrical element 30, ie a printed circuit board, and are soldered and similar. It is held there and connected to the electrical paths 33,34. next,
The sixth part, the bridge 10, is removed by cutting. Bridge 10
The arm leading to the can be preformed using a suitable impression, so that it can be removed instead of cut.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the connector according to the present invention. 5 shows another electrical element, namely the electrical connector 40 before the actual connection formed on the printed circuit board. The element parts of the second embodiment, denoted by the same reference numbers as the first embodiment, relate to similar elements. The difference with respect to the first embodiment can be seen in that the third part consists of a single arm 8. Furthermore, the fourth conductive part 14 is not straight, but is formed by a crank-shaped part for proper reception of the signal conductor of the coaxial cable.

Each connection formed by the coaxial cable 20 can be inferred from FIG. The shield 23 in this case is held only by a single arm 8. The connection between the cable 20 and the connector 40 is made once again in the manner described above, ie of the shield 23,
This is done by soldering to the first connection member 2 and welding the signal conductor 21 to the second connection member 12 or the crank-shaped part 42. In this case, a crank is required to prevent the cables from being mounted at an angle. However, this does not mean that both connecting members 2, 12 and their individual parts must be geometrically matched in order for the necessary connection between the connector 40 and the cable 20 to be easily formed. It can only be considered as a demonstration example.

FIG. 6 shows the connection of the connector 1 according to the first embodiment using a coaxial cable 50 including a film-type shield 43 and a shield wire 44. When bending, arms 8, 9
Does not extend to the edge 7 of the second conductive part 4 of the first connection member 2 due to the fact that the shield line can be attached by soldering or welding between the tips of the arms 8, 9 and the edge 7. There is room for 44.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the use of a connector according to the invention with a casing 70, 71 composed of two parts. The connection already provided between the connector 1 and the cable 20 according to FIG. 2 is shown in the center, but the two parts 70, 72 of the plastic casing surrounding the connection are shown at the top and at the bottom. . As shown in FIG. 8, the first and second connecting members 2, 12 are connected to the lower portion 7 of the casing.
These members, which can be inserted into the circuit board 30 because they are inserted into the zero, are fixedly guided. The bridge 10 (sixth part) is then removed or cut and the upper part 71 of the casing is installed. FIG. 8 shows the circuit board 30.
Before insertion into the bridge, a complete connection is shown at the top of which the bridge 10 has already been separated.

The connector according to the invention can be made of a suitable connector material, sometimes the contact surface is beryllium copper CuBe, puck or nickel silver CuZn, brass ME 70 (Cu 70%, Zn 30%), copper nickel alloy Or it can be made of similar materials.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a connection of the connector shown in FIG. 1 to a coaxial cable.

FIG. 3 shows connection of a coaxial cable to a circuit board using the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a connection of the connector shown in FIG. 4 to a coaxial cable.

FIG. 6 shows the connection of the connector shown in FIG. 1 to a coaxial cable including a film type shield and a shield line.

FIG. 7 shows the connection according to FIG. 2 with two partial casings.

8 shows a sectional view through the mounting casing shown in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric connector 2 1st connection member 3 1st conductive part 4 2nd conductive part 5 Surface 6,7 edge 8,9 Outer arm 10 Bridge 11 Central arm 12 Second connection member 13 Third connection member 14 Linear portion 15, 16 Aperture 20 Coaxial cable 21 Conductor 22 Insulation 23 Shielding 24 Exterior 30 Electrical element 31, 32 Hole 33, 34 Electrical path 40 Connector 42 Crank-shaped portion 43 Shielding 44 Shielding wire 70 Lower part of casing 71 Upper part of casing part

[Procedural Amendment] Submission of translation of Article 34 Amendment of the Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission Date] January 13, 2000 (2000.1.13)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A first conductive portion adapted to be connected to another electrical element, and integrally joined to said first conductive portion and soldered or welded to a deformable outer conductor of the cable. And a second conductive portion adapted to include a first conductive member, wherein the second conductive portion comprises two substantially parallel edges, between the edges. The deformable outer conductor of the cable is engaged by soldering, and at least one third long portion passes by at least one free end at only one edge of the second conductive portion The one-piece formation and sizing refers to the application of the deformable conductor of the cable to the second conductive part, wherein the third part is substantially the same as the deformable outer conductor of the cable. Typically Being selected to be bendable about the deformable outer conductor of the cable by a force acting on at least one free end of the third portion so as to maintain a shape; An electrical connector, wherein after the connection by the action of the force, the cable is retained between the second conductive portion and the third conductive portion. 2. The cable of claim 3, wherein the at least one free end of the third portion is bent such that the angle of deformation about the deformable outer conductor of the cable is reduced. 2. The electrical connector according to 1. 3. The third part has the shape of an arm, the width of which is equal to the width of the second part.
3. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the length is much less than the length given by the distance between one edge and the free end of the conductive part. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the third portion includes two or more arms, and the arms are formed integrally with the one edge of the second conductive portion and are independent of each other. The electrical connector according to claim 3. 5. The second conductive portion is formed such that substantially surface area contact is established between its two edges when the deformable outer conductor of the cable is used. The electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein soldering is performed along the region. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said second conductive portion and said third portion are designed such that cables of different diameters in a given diameter range can be used. The electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. The cable of claim 1, further comprising a second connection member, joined to the first connection member and adapted to be connected to a second conductor of the cable. The electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims. 8. The fourth connection member adapted to be connected to another electrical element, the second connection member being adapted to be connected to the second conductor of the cable, the second connection member being adapted to be connected to the second conductor of the cable, The electrical connector of claim 7 including a fifth portion joined to the fourth portion. 9. A device according to claim 6, further comprising a sixth portion for connecting said fourth or fifth conductive portion to said first portion of said second conductive portion, wherein an electrical connection between said cable and said electrical element is provided. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the connector is adapted to be disconnected when a connection is established. 10. The electricity of claim 9, wherein the sixth portion is coupled to the same edge of the second conductive portion as the third portion by an integrally formed arm. connector. 11. The cable of claim 1, wherein the cable is a coaxial cable, the deformable outer conductor is a shield of the coaxial cable, and the second conductor of the cable is the signal conductor of the coaxial cable. An electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims. 12. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the other electrical element is a printed circuit board.