TWI612744B - Coaxial cable connector with alignment and compression features - Google Patents

Abstract

A coaxial cable connector for coupling a coaxial cable to an electrical device includes a body, a threaded fitting, and an alignment mechanism that is carried and compressed between the body and the fitting for application to the fitting An axial force to maintain electrical contact between the fitting and the body. The body of the connector includes an outer cylinder formed with an inner compression band, and a compression collar carried on the outer cylinder and formed with an inner compression band. In response to compressing the connector by a compression tool, the inner compression band and the outer compression band are deformed and moved from an uncompressed condition to a compressed condition on the coaxial cable to securely apply the connector To the coaxial cable.

Description

Coaxial cable connector with alignment and compression features

The large system of the present invention relates to electrical devices and, more specifically, to coaxial cable connectors.

Coaxial cables transmit radio frequency ("RF") signals between transmitters and receivers and are used to interconnect televisions, cable boxes, DVD players, satellite receivers, modems, and other electrical components. A typical coaxial cable includes an inner conductor surrounded by a flexible dielectric insulator, a foil layer, a conductive metal tubular sheath or shroud, and a polyvinyl chloride shield. The RF signal is transmitted via the inner conductor. The conductive tubular shield provides grounding and suppresses electrical and magnetic interference to RF signals in the inner conductor.

The coaxial cable must be equipped with a cable connector to be coupled to the electrical device. The connector typically has a connector body, a threaded fitting mounted for rotation on one end of the connector body, extending from an opposite end into the connector body to receive a bore of the coaxial cable, and in electrical communication with the accessory Coupling one of the inner columns in the bore. Typically, the connector is crimped to one of the coaxial cables on the prepared end to connect The connector is fastened to the coaxial cable. However, curling occasionally causes the coaxial cable to be crushed, thereby transmitting a signal that is degraded by leakage, interference, or poor grounding. In addition, although some connectors are so tightly mounted to the connector body that it is extremely difficult to screw the connector onto the cable, other connectors have fittings that are so loosely mounted on the connector body that the fittings are The electrical connection between the inner columns can be interrupted when the fitting is disengaged from the column.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a specific example coaxial cable connector includes an outer cylinder, a compression collar applied to one of the rear ends of the outer cylinder, and a threaded fitting for rotation that is mounted to a front end of the outer cylinder . The outer cylinder has an inner compression band and the compression collar has an outer compression band that surrounds the inner compression band formed in the outer cylinder. The inner compression band and the outer compression band move between an uncompressed position and a compressed position in response to axial compression of the connector. In the compressed condition, the outer compression band abuts the inner compression band to deform the inner compression band radially inward.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a specific example of a coaxial cable connector includes a cylindrical body, a fitting mounted to the body for rotation, and an alignment mechanism carried between the body and the fitting. The alignment mechanism is compressed between the body and the fitting to apply an axial force to the fitting to maintain contact between the fitting and the body. The alignment mechanism includes a quasi-annular leaf spring integrally formed to the body.

1 is a perspective view of a coaxial cable connector constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention, having an accessory, an outer barrel, and a compression collar mounted in a compressed condition applied to the coaxial cable. 2A and 2B are a front view and a side view, respectively, of the coaxial cable connector of FIG. 1; FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the outer tube of the coaxial cable connector of FIG. 1; FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B A cross-sectional view of the coaxial cable connector of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2A in an uncompressed condition and in a compressed condition, respectively; FIGS. 3C and 3D are along line 3 of FIG. 2A -3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the coaxial cable connector of FIG. 1 taken; FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are diagrams taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2A applied to the coaxial cable under uncompressed and compressed conditions, respectively. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial cable connector; and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of FIG. 4B illustrating the coaxial cable connector of FIG. 1 applied to the coaxial cable under compression.

Reference is made to the drawings, in which like reference characters are used throughout the drawings. 1 illustrates a coaxial cable connector 20 that is constructed and configured in accordance with the principles of the present invention as would occur under compression in crimping onto a coaxial cable 21. For purposes of example, a specific example of the connector 20 shown is an F-shaped connector for use with an RG6 coaxial cable, but it should be understood that the following description is also applicable to other types of coaxial cable connectors and other types of cables. . The connector 20 includes: a body 22 having opposite front ends 23 and rear ends 24; a coupling nut Or a threaded fitting 25 mounted on the front end 23 of the body 22 for rotation; and a compression collar 26 mounted to the rear end 24 of the body 22. The connector 20 has rotational symmetry with respect to the longitudinal axis A illustrated in FIG. The coaxial cable 21 includes an inner conductor 30 and extends from the rear end 24 into the connector 20 under the applied condition of the connector 20. The inner conductor 30 extends through the connector 20 and projects beyond the fitting 25.

2A and 2B show the connector 20 in an uncompressed condition that is not applied to the coaxial cable 21 in more detail. The fitting 25 is a sleeve having an opposite front end 31 and a rear end 32, an integrally formed ring portion 33 closest to the front end 31, and an integrally formed nut portion 34 closest to the rear end 32. . Referring also to Figure 3A, the ring portion 33 has a smooth annular outer surface 35 and an opposite threaded inner surface 36 for engagement with electrical components. In short, as an explanation, the phrase "electrical device" as used throughout this description includes a female post to receive a male coaxial cable connector 20 for transmitting RF signals (such as cable television, satellite television, Any electrical device of the Internet data and the like. The nut portion 34 of the fitting 25 has a hexagonal outer surface 40 for receiving a jaw of the tool and an opposite grooved inner surface 41 (shown in Figure 3A) for receiving the gasket and the body 22 of the connector 20. Engage. Referring briefly to FIG. 3A, the interior space 37 extends from the mouth 38 formed at the forward end 31 of the fitting 25 to the opening 39 formed at the rear end 32 into the fitting 25, and by the inner surface 36 and the nut of the ring portion 33, respectively. Inner surface of part 34 Delimitation of 41. The two annular passages 74 and 75 extend from the interior space 37 into the nut portion 34 from a continuous inner surface 41 around the nut portion 34. Referring back to Figure 2B, the nut portion 34 of the fitting 25 is mounted to the front end 23 of the body 22 for rotation about the axis A. The fitting 25 is constructed of a material or combination of materials (such as metal) that is strong, hard, rigid, durable, and highly conductive material.

Still referring to FIG. 2B, the compression collar 26 has: an opposite front end 42 and a rear end 43; an annular side wall 44 extending between the front end 42 and the rear end 43; and an annular outer compression band 45 formed on the side wall 44 The middle portion is generally located intermediate the axis A between the front end 42 and the rear end 43 of the compression collar 26. Referring now to Figure 3A, the compression collar 26 has a smooth annular outer surface 50 and an opposite smooth annular inner surface 51. The interior space 52 bounded by the inner surface 51 extends from the mouth 53 formed at the rear end 43 of the compression collar 26 to the opening 54 formed at the front end 42 into the compression collar 26. The interior space 52 is apertured and sized to receive the coaxial cable 21. The compression collar 26 is friction fit to the rear end 24 of the body 22 of the connector 22 that is closest to the opening 54 to limit relative radial, axial, and rotational movement of the body 22 with the compression collar 26 and along the axis A, respectively. The compression collar 26 is constructed of a material or combination of materials (such as metal, plastic, and the like) that are strong, hard, rigid, and durable in material properties.

With continued reference to FIG. 3A, the body 22 of the connector 20 is an assembly including a cylindrical outer barrel 60 and a cylindrical, coaxial inner column 61 disposed within the outer barrel 60. The inner column 61 is an elongated sleeve that extends along the axis A and has rotational symmetry about the axis A. The inner column 61 has opposite front ends 62 and rear ends 63 and opposite inner surfaces 64 and outer surfaces 65. The outer surface 65 at the rear end 63 of the inner column 61 is formed with two annular ridges 70a and 70b that are directed toward the front end 62 and project radially outward from the axis A. When the term "radial" is used herein, "radial" means aligned along a radius extending from axis A. Moreover, the term "axial" means extending or aligning parallel to the axis A. The ridges 70a and 70b are spaced apart from each other along the rear end 63 of the inner column 61. The ridges 70a and 70b provide clamping of the cable applied to the coaxial cable connector 20.

Referring now to the enlarged view of Fig. 3C, the outer surface 65 of the inner post 61 is formed at the end 62 closest to the front end 62 with a series of outwardly directed flanges 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d and 66e spaced along the inner post 61. Each flange has a similar configuration and projects radially away from the axis A; the flanges 66a and 66d each include a front face directed toward the forward end 62 of the inner post 61 and a rearward end directed toward the rear end 63 of the inner post 61; the flange 66b and Each of 66c includes a rear face that is directed toward the rear end 63 of the inner column 61; and the flange 66e includes a front face that is directed toward the forward end 62 of the inner column 61. Each of the flanges 66a-66e extends a different radial distance from the axis A. The flanges 66a and 66b define an annular groove or passage 71 around the inner post 61 defined between the front face of the flange 66a and the rear face of the flange 66b. The outer cylinder 60 is coupled to the inner column 61 at the passage 71.

Still referring to Figure 3C, the rear end 32 of the fitting 25 and the inner surface 41 of the nut portion 34 at the passage 74, the outer surface 65 of the inner post 61 at the flange 66c, and the flange 66d later cooperates to form a first annular volume 72 between the inner column 61 and the nut portion 34 for receiving the ring seal 73. In addition, the inner surface 41 of the nut portion 34 at the passage 75 cooperates with the front surface of the flange 66d and the outer surface 65 of the inner column 61 at the flange 66e to form a portion between the inner column 61 and the nut portion 34. A two-ring volume 80 for receiving the ring seal 81. The fitting 25 is supported by the ring seals 73 and 81 and carried on the inner column 61, and the ring seals 73 and 81 prevent moisture from being introduced to the connector 20. The inner column 61 is constructed of a material or combination of materials (such as metal) having properties of hardness, rigidity, durability, and high electrical conductivity, and the ring seals 73 and 81 have properties of deformable, resilient, and shape memory materials. Material or material combination construction.

Returning now to Figure 3A, the outer barrel 60 is an elongated cylindrical sleeve that extends along axis A with rotational symmetry about axis A. The outer cylinder 60 has a side wall 150 having opposite front ends 82 and rear ends 83 and opposite inner and outer surfaces 84, 85. The inner surface 84 defines and delimits an inner cable receiving space 90 that is shaped and sized to receive the coaxial cable 21 and in which the rear end 63 of the inner column 61 is disposed. The opening 91 at the rear end 83 of the outer cylinder 60 communicates with the inner space 52 of the compression collar 26 and opens into the inner cable receiving space 90. The front end 82 of the outer cylinder 60 is formed with an annular end edge 92 that projects inwardly. The end edge 92 abuts the passage 71 and is engaged in the passage 71 in a friction fit engagement to fasten the outer cylinder 60 to the inner column 61. End edge 92, together with body front end 23 and fitting 25 rear end 32, defines a circumferential groove 87 that extends from outer surface 85 of outer barrel 60 into connector 20.

The front end 82 of the outer cylinder 60 is integrally formed with the alignment mechanism 93, the pair The aligning mechanism 93 is disposed in the circumferential groove 87 between the outer cylinder 60 and the fitting 25 to apply an axial force between the outer cylinder 60 and the fitting 25 to maintain contact between the fitting 25 and the inner column 61 of the body 22. As seen in Figure 2C, which separately illustrates the outer cylinder 60, the alignment mechanism 93 includes two springs 94 and 95 carried along the outer surface 85 between the end edge 92 of the outer cylinder 60 and the perimeter 85a. Spring 94 is a quasi-annular piece having opposite ends 94a and 94b and a central portion 94c. Spring 95 is a quasi-annular piece having opposite ends 95a and 95b and a central portion 95c. As used herein, "quasi-annular" means the shape of an arc extending across an arc of a circle that is less than a full circle. Springs 94 and 95 are sheets formed from a flat, thin, elongated bouncing material. Springs 94 and 95 are quasi-annular with respect to axis A. The ends 94a and 94b of the spring 94 are secured to the forward end 82 of the outer barrel 60, and the central portion 94c is not constrained by the front end 82, projecting axially away from the outer barrel 60 toward the fitting 25 such that the spring 94 has an arcuate curved shape spanning the radial span. And a convex shape in the axial direction. Spring 94 flexes along axis A in response to axial compression and maintains spring 94 in a compressed condition with central portion 94c closest to front end 82. In the compressed condition of the spring 94, a central portion 94c is disposed between the side of the end edge 92 and the outer surface 85 of the outer cylinder 60 along the perimeter 85a, and the spring 94 applies an axial offset to the fitting 25 forward.

Similarly, the ends 95a and 95b of the spring 95 are secured to the forward end 82 of the outer cylinder 60, and the central portion 95c is not constrained by the front end 82, projecting axially away from the outer cylinder 60 toward the fitting 25 such that the spring 95 has an arc across the radial span. The curved shape and the convex shape in the axial direction. Spring 95 flexes along axis A in response to axial compression and maintains spring 95 in a compressed condition with central portion 95c closest to front end 82. in In the compressed condition of the spring 95, the central portion 95c is disposed between the side of the end edge 92 and the outer surface 84 of the outer barrel 60, and the spring 95 is axially biased forwardly onto the fitting 25. In other embodiments, the alignment mechanism 93 includes a plurality of springs or a disc or an annulus mounted to the post at the forward end 823 of the outer barrel 60. These alternative embodiments of the alignment mechanism 93 have an annular sinusoidal or helical surface shape about one of the axes A, and four forwardly projecting circumferentially spaced apart contact points that abut against the fitting 25.

Referring now to Figure 3C, the nut 34 is mounted for free rotation about the axis A on the inner post 61. To allow for free rotation, the ring seals 73 and 81 just radially separate the nut portion 34 from the inner column 61, creating a gap 86 that allows for slight movement in the radial direction and allows the nut 34 to be in the ring The gaskets 73 and 81 are rotated with low rolling friction. When the nut 34 is carried on the body 22 and screwed onto the electrical device or coupled to the electrical device, the alignment mechanism 93 is maintained in a compressed state, and the force applied by the alignment mechanism 93 is along line B in Figure 3C. The nut 34 is pushed in the forward direction such that the alignment mechanism 93 abuts the nut 34 and the contact surface 101 on the rear end 32 of the nut 34 contacts the rear face of the flange 66c (which is the contact face 102). The forward directed force applied by the alignment mechanism 93 overcomes the spring resistance in the rearward direction caused by compression of the ring seal 73 within the annular volume 72. In this manner, a permanent low friction connection is established that allows the nut 34 to freely rotate on the inner post 61 and maintain the nut 34 in permanent electrical communication with the inner post 61.

The outer cylinder 60 is constructed of a material or combination of materials (such as plastic or the like) having strong, rigid, sized and shaped memory and electrically insulating material characteristics and a low coefficient of friction. The alignment mechanism 93 integrally formed to the outer cylinder 60 also has robust, rigid, sized and shape memory and electrically insulating material properties such that compression of the alignment mechanism 93 causes the alignment mechanism 93 to react in a direction opposite to compression. It is thus preferred to return the alignment mechanism 93 to the original configuration aligned with the axis A and coaxial so that the maintenance fitting 25 is coaxial with the axis A.

With continued reference to FIG. 3C, the springs 94 and 95 are circumferentially offset from each other in the circumferential groove 87 in the diametrical direction. The central portions 94c and 95c are diametrically offset to exert a uniformly distributed force from the opposite side of the body 22 toward the fitting 25. When the fitting 25 is screwed onto the electrical device or coupled to the electrical device, the arcuate and convex shapes of the springs 94 and 95 are responsive to the rearward movement of the fitting 25 to create a reaction force such that the fitting 25 is maintained about the axis A. In the coaxial alignment state, the continuity of the connection between the complete contact faces 101 and 102 around the inner column 61 is thus maintained. The alignment and maintenance of the connections ensure that signals transmitted via the connector 20 do not leak out of the connector 20, ensuring that external RF interference does not leak into the connector 20 and that the connector 20 remains electrically grounded. Additionally, due to the material construction of their structural features and the limited number of interfering sites between the fitting 25 and the alignment mechanism 93, the interaction of the two central portions 94c and 95c with the rear end 32 of the fitting 25 has a low coefficient of friction. In other embodiments of the alignment mechanism 93, the four contact points of the alignment mechanism 93 are evenly spaced to apply a uniform distribution of force to the fitting 25 at the four contact points.

Referring back to FIG. 3A, the rear end 83 of the outer barrel 60 carries a compression collar 26. The side wall 150 of the outer cylinder 60 having a reduced thickness near the rear end 83 defines an inner compression band 152. Referring now to the enlarged view of Fig. 3D, the inner compression band 152 includes a main ridge portion 103, a sub ridge portion 104, and a curved portion 105 formed therebetween. The main ridge portion 103 and the sub ridge portion 104 have vertical ridges that protrude radially outward from the axis A. The main ridge portion 103 is formed closest to the rear end 83, the sub ridge portion 104 is formed in front of the main ridge portion 103, and the curved portion 105 is the flexibility between the main ridge portion 103 and the sub ridge portion 104 of the side wall 150. The thin portion 105 defines a living hinge between the main ridge portion 103 and the sub ridge portion 104. The main ridge portion 103 has an inclined first face 110 (which is an interference surface) directed toward the rear end 83 of the outer cylinder 60, and an inclined second face 111 directed toward the front end 82 of the outer cylinder 60. The secondary ridge portion 104 has an inclined first face 112 (which is an interference surface) directed toward the rear end 83 of the outer cylinder 60, and an inclined second face 113 directed toward the front end 82 of the outer cylinder 60. The V-shaped channel 114 is defined between the second face 111 and the first face 112, respectively. The main ridge portion 103 and the sub ridge portion 104 are carried by the thin-walled ring 115 on the rear end 83 of the outer cylinder 60, opposite to the cable accommodating space 90 of the ridges 70a and 70b on the inner column 61. The thin-walled ring 115 is flexible and deflects radially inward toward the axis A in response to the application of a radially directed force. The annular shoulder 116 disposed on the inside of the ring 115 has a vertical abutment surface 120 that is closest to the outer surface 85 of the outer cylinder 60.

Still referring to FIG. 3D, the sidewall 44 of the compression collar 26 is narrowed at the front end 42 and forms an annular outer compression band 45. The compression collar 26 includes a ring 122 that extends forward from the compression collar and an inclined surface 133 that is disposed closest to the outer compression band 45. Between the outer compression band 45 and the inner surface 51; and an annular vertical shoulder 134 formed at the rear end 43 and the inner surface 51 closest to the compression collar 26. The outer compression band 45 is a narrowed, recessed portion of the side wall 44 that extends into the interior space 52 and has an inner surface 123 and an opposite outer surface 124, a first wall portion 125, and an opposite second The wall portion 126, and the first wall portion 125 and the second wall portion 126 meet a flexible bend 130. The first wall portion 125 and the second wall portion 126 are rigid, and the curved portion 130 is a living hinge that provides flexibility between the first wall portion 125 and the second wall portion 126. The compression space 131 is defined between the first wall portion 125 and the second wall portion 126 of the outer compression band 45. The hinge 122 extends forwardly from the second wall portion 126 and terminates at a terminal edge 132 that is positioned adjacent the abutment surface 120 of the shoulder 116.

Still referring to FIG. 3D, the compression collar 26 fits over the outer barrel 60, tightly surrounding the outer barrel 60, wherein the inner surface 51 of the compression collar 26 engages in a friction fit to directly contact the outer surface 85 of the outer barrel 60 to limit the diameter. Relative movement in direction, axial direction and rotation. The inner compression band 152 of the outer barrel 60 receives and engages the compression band 45 outside the compression collar 26 to limit the radial, axial and rotational relative movement of the compression collar 26, wherein the shoulder 134 is spaced from the rear end 83 of the outer barrel 60, The inclined surface 133 of the compression collar 26 is adjacent to the first surface 110 of the main ridge portion 103, and the inner surface 123 of the outer compression belt 45 along the first wall portion 125 is adjacent to the second surface 111 of the main ridge portion 103, and the curved portion 130 is received. In the channel 114 and against the curved portion 105, the inner surface 123 of the outer compression band 45 along the second wall portion 126 abuts the first face 112 of the secondary ridge portion 104, and the terminal edge 132 of the compression collar 26 is adjacent to the outer tube 60 abutment surface 120, this configuration defines the compression collar 26 outside The fit on the barrel 60.

In operation, the cable connector 20 is adapted to electrically couple the coaxial cable 21 to the electrical device. To do so, the cable connector is fastened to the coaxial cable 21 as shown in Figure 4A. The coaxial cable 21 is prepared to receive the cable connector 20 by peeling a portion of the shield 140 at one end 141 of the coaxial cable 21 to expose the inner conductor 30, the dielectric insulator 143, the foil layer 144, and the flexible shield 145. The dielectric insulator 143 is stripped to expose the inner conductor 30 of a predetermined length and the end of the shroud 145 is turned back to cover a portion of the shroud 140. The end 141 of the coaxial cable 21 is then introduced to the connector 20 to configure the connector 20 in an uncompressed condition, as shown in Figure 4A. Under this condition, the inner post 61 is disposed between the shroud 145 and the foil layer 144 and is in electrical communication with the shroud 145.

Still referring to FIG. 4A, in order to position the connector 20 on the coaxial cable 21 in an uncompressed condition, the coaxial cable 21 is aligned with the axis A and fed into the interior space 52 of the compression collar 26 in the direction indicated by the arrow. The coaxial cable 21 is then passed through the opening 91 and into the cable receiving space 90 bounded by the inner column 61 to ensure alignment of the inner conductor with the axis A. The coaxial cable 21 continues to move forward in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 4A until the coaxial cable 21 encounters the rear end 63 of the inner column 61, where the shield 145 is advanced over the rear end 63 and the ridge 70a is advanced And 70b is placed in contact with the shroud 145, and the portion of the shroud 145 that is turned back on the shroud 140 is in contact with the inner surface 84 of the outer cylinder 60. The foil layer 144 and the dielectric insulator 143 are also advanced forwardly within the inner column 61 against the inner surface 64 of the inner column 61. Coaxial cable 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow Further forward movement advances the coaxial cable to the position illustrated in Figure 4A, wherein the free end of the dielectric insulator 143 is disposed within the nut portion 34 of the fitting 25 and the inner conductor 30 extends through the interior space 37 of the ring portion 33 and protrudes The opening 38 of the fitting 25 is exceeded. In this configuration, the shroud 145 is in electrical communication with the outer surface 65 of the inner column 61. In addition, because the alignment mechanism 93 biases the accessory 25 into permanent electrical communication with the inner post 61, the shield 145 is also in electrical communication with the accessory 25 via the inner post 61 to establish shielding and grounding between the connector 20 and the coaxial cable 21. Continuity. Referring to Figures 3D and 4A, in the uncompressed condition of the connector 20, the outer cylinder 60 has an inner diameter D, the inner surface 84 of the outer cylinder 60 is separated from the ridges 70a and 70b by a distance G, and the connector 20 is from the front end 23 to The length of the rear end 43 is the length L. In a specific example where the connector 20 will be used with an RG6 coaxial cable, the inner diameter D is approximately 8.4 millimeters, the distance G is approximately 1.4 millimeters, and the length L is approximately 19.5 millimeters. Other specific examples such as will be used with other types of cables will have different sizes.

From the uncompressed condition, the connector 20 is moved to the compressed condition illustrated in Figure 4B. The thin-walled inner compression band 152 of the outer cylinder 60 and the thin-walled outer compression band 45 of the compression collar 26 are adapted to be crimped down onto the coaxial cable 21 to provide a secure, undamaged engagement between the connector 20 and the coaxial cable 21. . To compress the connector 20, the connector 20 is placed in a compression tool that clamps the connector 20 and axially along the axis A along the axis A along the arrow lines E and F from the front end 23 and rear. End 43 is compressed. The axial compressive forces along lines E and F respectively stress the thinned sidewalls 150 of the outer cylinder 60 and the thinned sidewalls 44 of the compression collar 26, thereby responding to stress promoting the thinned side Walls 150 and 44 are deformed and curved.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the rear end 24 of the body 22 and the compression collar 26 with the coaxial cable 21 applied thereto. When the compression tool is operated, in response to the applied axial compression force, the rear end 43 of the compression collar 26 is advanced toward the outer cylinder 60 such that the compression collar 26 and the outer cylinder 60 are at the outer compression belt 45 and the inner compression belt 152, respectively. compression. When the abutment surface 120 is advanced toward the compression collar 26, the angled surface 133 of the outer compression band 45 encounters the first face 110 of the main ridge portion 103 of the inner compression band 152. The inclined surface 133 and the first surface 110 are each inclined with respect to the applied force, and are parallel to each other, and the inclined surface 133 and the first surface 110 are slidably passed over each other with the axis A. The rear end 83 of the outer cylinder 60 contacts and abuts the shoulder 134 of the compression collar 26, and as the first face 110 slides over the inclined surface 133, the rear end 83 pivots in the shoulder 134 and the ring 115 deforms inwardly, thereby The inner compression band 152 flexes radially inwardly and the V-shaped channel 114 deforms inwardly. When the V-shaped channel 114 is deformed inward, the outer compression band 45 flexes into the V-shaped channel 114 under sustained compressive forces. The first wall portion 125 and the second wall portion 126 are oriented obliquely inwardly toward the axis A such that the axial compressive force deforms the first wall portion 125 and the second wall portion 126 radially inward toward the axis A and close together. The bend 130 is forced radially inward into the V-shaped channel 114 and abuts the bend 105 to deform the inner compression band 152 radially inwardly. The V-shaped channel 114 engages the buckling compression belt 45 to ensure that the outer compression band 45 flexes radially, and flexes when the main ridge portion 103 and the sub ridge portion 104 respond to pivoting and in response to contact with the outer compression band 45. The outer compression band 45 is further carried radially inwardly from the deformed V-shaped channel 114 toward the ridges 70a and 70b.

Compression continues until the outer compression band 45 is closed, such that the compression space 131 is eliminated and the connector 20 is placed under the compressed condition illustrated in Figures 3B, 4B, and 5. While the process of moving the connector 20 from an uncompressed condition to a compressed condition is presented above and described as a series of sequential steps, it should be understood that the compression of the connector 20 on the coaxial cable 21 is preferably smooth, Implemented in continuous motion, taking less than a second.

In the compressed condition of the connector 20, the inner diameter D of the connector 20 is changed to the inner diameter D', the inner surface of the outer cylinder 60 is now separated from the barb 70 by a distance G', and the length of the body 22 of the connector is now The length L' is as indicated in Figures 4B and 5. The distance G' is less than one half of the distance G, and the inner diameter D' is substantially the inner diameter D minus the distance G', and the length L' is smaller than the length L. In the specific example in which the connector 20 will be used with an RG6 type coaxial cable, the inner diameter D' is approximately 6.7 mm, the distance G' is approximately 0.5 mm, and the length L' is approximately 18.0 mm. Other specific examples such as will be used with other types of cables will have different sizes. As seen in Figure 4B, this significant reduction in diameter causes the shield 140 of the coaxial cable 21 and the shroud 145 to engage and curl between the bend 105 and the ridges 70a and 70b. In addition, a curved portion 105 opposite the ridges 70a and 70b is disposed between the ridges 70a and 70b such that the shield 140 and the shroud 145 are crimped between the curved portion 105 and the ridges 70a and 70b between the ridges 70a and 70b. The axial position prevents the coaxial cable 21 from exiting from the connector 20. The first wall portion 125 and the second wall portion 126 are transversely and generally tangentially oriented with respect to the axis A to support the buckling inner compression band 152 in the flexed configuration and resist by preventing the outwardly directed movement of the inner compression band 152. with The exit of the shaft cable 21 is made.

With continued reference to Figure 5, the rigid material characteristics of the inner post 61 prevent the inner post 61 from being damaged by curling. In addition, since the dielectric insulator 143 and the inner conductor 30 are protected in the inner column 61, and the shield 145 is in contact with the outer surface 65 outside the inner column 61, the continuity of the connection between the shield 145 and the inner column 61 is achieved. It is maintained such that signals transmitted via the connector 20 do not leak out of the connector 20 such that external RF interference does not leak into the connector 20 and the connector 20 remains electrically grounded. The interaction between the shield 145 and the ridges 70a and 70b projecting forwardly and radially outward from the axis A further inhibits the coaxial cable 21 from moving rearwardly out of the connector 20 in a direction opposite to the line F, thereby ensuring the connector. 20 is applied to the coaxial cable 21 in a secure manner.

With the connector 20 under compression, the connector 20 can now be coupled to the electrical device in a conventional and well known manner by screwing the connector 20 onto the threaded post of the selected electrical device. The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> changes and modifications of the specific embodiments described may be made without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Various further changes and modifications of the specific examples selected herein for the purpose of illustration will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

The present invention has been fully described in terms of such clear and concise terms as are understood by those skilled in the art and in the practice of the invention.

Claims (27)

A coaxial cable connector comprising: an outer cylinder including a longitudinal axis, the outer cylinder being formed with an inner compression band; a coaxial compression collar applied to the outer cylinder, the compression collar including an outer compression a belt, wherein: the outer compression belt includes opposite first and second wall portions and a curved portion formed between the first wall portion and the second wall portion; the inner compression band includes the first and the opposite a second ridge portion and a curved portion formed between the first ridge portion and the second ridge portion; in the uncompressed position, the first wall portion and the second wall portion of the outer compression band respectively The first ridge portion of the inner compression band is in contact with the second ridge portion, and the curved portion of the outer compression band is in contact with the curved portion of the inner compression band; and in the compressed position, the outer compression band The first wall portion and the second wall portion are respectively spaced apart from the first ridge portion and the second ridge portion of the inner compression band, and the curved portion of the outer compression band bears radially inwardly Compressing the curved portion of the belt, the outer compression belt is formed around the outer cylinder The internal compression belt; and said inner band and said outer compression with compression response and to move between a compressed position by a non-compressed position in the axial direction of the compression of the coaxial cable connector. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 1, wherein in the compressed position, the outer compression band bears against the inner compression band to deform the inner compression band radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis. The coaxial cable connector of claim 2, wherein the first wall portion and the second wall portion of the outer compression band are radially inward toward the curved portion, respectively Orientation. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 3, wherein: an inner column is carried in the outer cylinder; the inner column has spaced apart first and second ridges; and in the compressed position The curved portion of the inner compression band is disposed between the first ridge and the second ridge toward the inner column. The coaxial cable connector of claim 3, wherein in the compressed position, the first wall portion and the second wall portion of the outer compression band are transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the inner compression band The first ridge portion and the second ridge portion are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis. A coaxial cable connector comprising: a cylindrical body including a longitudinal axis, the body comprising: a coaxial outer cylinder having a side wall delimiting an inner space, the outer cylinder having a front end and an opposite end And an inner compression band formed in the side wall between the front end and the rear end; and a coaxial inner column in the inner space, the coaxial inner column having a front end extending beyond the front end of the outer tube a front end, and a rear end closest to the rear end of the outer cylinder; a coaxial compression collar applied to the rear end of the outer cylinder, the compression collar including a front end, an opposite rear end, and a An outer compression band surrounding the inner compression band formed in the outer cylinder; and the inner compression band and the outer compression band are responsive to axial compression of the coaxial cable connector in an uncompressed position and Moving between compression positions; wherein in response to movement from the uncompressed position to the compressed position, the bend in the outer compression band bears against the bend in the inner compression band to cause the inner compression The belt is deformed radially inward toward the inner column. The coaxial cable connector of claim 6, wherein: the outer compression band comprises opposite first and second wall portions and a curved portion formed between the first wall portion and the second wall portion; The inner compression band includes opposite first and second ridge portions, a curved portion formed between the first ridge portion and the second ridge portion, and formed on the first ridge portion and the second ridge portion An outwardly directed ridge; the first wall portion and the second wall portion of the outer compression band are disposed between the outwardly directed ridges of the inner compression band under compressed and uncompressed conditions. The coaxial cable connector of claim 7, wherein the bending portion in the outer compression band is located in the curved portion of the inner compression band during the movement from the uncompressed condition to the compressed condition And offsetting the curved portion in the inner compression band. The coaxial cable connector of claim 7, wherein in the compressed position, the first wall portion and the second wall portion of the outer compression band are transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the inner compression band The first ridge portion and the second ridge portion are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis. The coaxial cable connector of claim 6, further comprising: an outwardly directed annular shoulder formed in the outer cylinder at an inner side of the rear end of the outer cylinder; an inwardly directed annular shoulder forming In the compression collar, closest to the rear end of the outer cylinder; and in response to movement of the inner compression belt and the outer compression belt from the uncompressed position to the compressed position, the compression collar is directed within Ring shoulder The rear end of the outer cylinder is supported, and the outwardly directed annular shoulder bears against the front end of the compression collar. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 6 wherein the inner column has spaced apart first and second ridges. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein in the compressed position, the curved portion of the inner compression band is disposed between the first ridge and the second ridge toward the inner column. A coaxial cable connector comprising: a cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, the body having opposite front and rear ends; a coaxial fitting mounted to the front end of the body; and an alignment mechanism, wherein the The alignment mechanism includes a spring integrally formed on the body and carried between the body and the fitting; wherein the alignment mechanism is compressed between the body and the fitting to apply an axial direction to the fitting Force to maintain contact between the fitting and the body. The coaxial cable connector of claim 13, wherein: the accessory has a rear end; and the alignment mechanism is carried between the front end of the body and the rear end of the fitting. The coaxial cable connector of claim 14, wherein the alignment mechanism is carried in a circumferential groove formed between the body and the fitting. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 13 wherein the spring is carried along a periphery of one of the bodies. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 13 wherein the spring is a Quasi-annular piece. The coaxial cable connector of claim 17, wherein the sheet comprises: an opposite end integrally formed to the body; and a middle portion substantially between the opposite ends, the middle portion being unaffected by the body Constrained and protruded away from the body axially. The coaxial cable connector of claim 13, wherein the alignment mechanism comprises: a first quasi-annular spring located in a circumferential groove formed between the body and the fitting; a second quasi-annular spring Located in the circumferential groove; and the first spring is offset from the second spring. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 19, wherein the first quasi-annular spring and the second quasi-annular spring are diametrically offset. A coaxial cable connector comprising: a body having a longitudinal axis; a coaxial fitting mounted on the body for rotation; and a spring integrally formed to the body, the bearing being carried Between the body and the fitting for compressing between the body and the fitting; wherein the spring is compressed between the body and the fitting to apply an axial force to the fitting to maintain the fitting and the body Contact between. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 21, wherein the spring is carried in a circumferential groove formed between the body and the fitting. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 21, wherein the spring is carried along a periphery of one of the bodies. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 21, wherein the spring is a quasi-annular blade. The coaxial cable connector of claim 24, wherein the quasi-annular vane includes: an opposite end integrally formed to the body; and a middle portion substantially at the first end and the second end The central portion is not constrained by the body and protrudes axially away from the body. The coaxial cable connector of claim 21, further comprising a second spring carried between the body and the fitting for compressing between the body and the fitting. The coaxial cable connector of claim 26, wherein the first spring and the second spring are circumferentially offset.