TWI625903B - Hardline coaxial connector with a locking ferrule - Google Patents

Abstract

A hardwired coaxial cable connector is disclosed. The coaxial cable connector includes an integrated locking feature formed in one or both of the body and the sleeve. The integrated locking feature is integral with at least one of the body and the sleeve. The integrated locking feature can include a male (as part of the body and integral with the body), and a slit, a flat, a peg or a fin (as part of the sleeve and integral with the sleeve) ). In this way, when the connector is closed, the male, which engages the slit, the flat, the bolt or the fin, acts to lock the sleeve in a stable position, and thereby the cable is secured thereto. In a stable, non-rotatable position in the connector.

Description

Hard wire coaxial connector with locking sleeve [related application]

This application claims the priority of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/795,737, filed on March 12, 2013, file Serial No. 13/795,737. Under the Patent Law, the priority of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 61/731,121, filed on Nov. 29, 2012, the content of U.S. Serial No. 13/795,737 is hereby incorporated by reference. The contents of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 61/731,121 are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present application is related to U.S. Application Serial No. 61/583,385, filed on Jan. 5, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. Application Serial No. 61/728,484, filed on Nov. 20, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure is generally directed to coaxial cable connectors, and in particular to hard wire connectors that include bushings.

Hard-wired coaxial cables usually have a solid center conductor, solid center guide The system is surrounded by plastic or other dielectric material and is contained within an electrically conductive solid outer conductor that may be surrounded by an outer insulating sheath. In an application, each end of the cable can be terminated to a connector for electrically and mechanically engaging the cable conductor to communicate signals transmitted through the cable and the connector for gripping the outer conductor, The cable is physically secured and prevented from falling off during normal operation, and electrical continuity is established.

Historically, connectors have been designed for hard-wired coaxial cables. The cable is grasped in this manner: the connector can be removed from the cable at a later time if desired. Such features are generally known as "recyclability." A common example of such a connector is the use of a compressible sleeve to grasp the outer conductor of the cable. The sleeves are typically actuated by a conical bevel element, known as a compression ring, which is typically moved axially several times by a threaded coupling or cap. Closer together. Rotation of the coupler system can apply a rotational force against the compression ring and transfer to the sleeve through the compression ring. When the bushing is driven close to the periphery of the outer conductor of the cable, the rotational force may then be transferred to the outer conductor of the cable, resulting in undesired rotation or twisting of the outer conductor of the cable relative to the cable center conductor and the connector element. Causes damage to the coaxial structure. In such a connector, it is necessary to try to limit the cable while fastening the connector components, which is difficult for a single installer. Two hands are usually required to operate the required wrench and a third hand is required to limit the cable. In addition, in some connectors, after the connector element has been fully tightened, the cable may rotate within the connector because there is no definitive means to properly prevent the casing from being connected Rotate or slide inside the connector structure.

Previous attempts to provide exact casing in a hard-wired coaxial cable connector Separate crimping elements have been used in the locking structure, resulting in undesired higher costs.

Embodiments disclosed herein include a hardwired coaxial connector that is hard The wire coaxial connector has an integrated locking feature to prevent undesired rotation or twisting of the cable outer conductor relative to the cable center conductor and the connector element, and additionally prevents connection after the connector element has been fully tightened The cable inside the device rotates. The integrated locking feature can include a male (as an integral part of the connector body) and a slit in the sleeve. When the connector is closed and fully tightened to interlock with the cannula, the male can be positioned within the slit.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; The embodiments described below include the following detailed description, the scope of the claims, and the drawings.

It will be appreciated that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and are intended to provide an overview or architecture to understand the nature and features of the claimed scope. The drawings are included to provide a further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments, which are used in conjunction with the description to explain the principles and operation of the various embodiments.

10‧‧‧Connector

11‧‧‧ first half

The second half of 12‧‧

100‧‧‧coupler

101‧‧‧ front end

102‧‧‧ Backend

103‧‧‧Central passage

104‧‧‧Ringed lip

108‧‧‧coupler

109‧‧‧ front end

110‧‧‧ Backend

111‧‧‧Central Channel

112‧‧‧Ringed lip

150‧‧‧Separation holder

158‧‧‧Separation holder

159‧‧‧ front end

160‧‧‧ Backend

200‧‧‧ Subject

201‧‧‧ front end

202‧‧‧Central Channel

204‧‧‧ Backend

208‧‧‧ Subject

209‧‧‧ front end

210‧‧‧ Backend

211‧‧‧Central Channel

250‧‧‧Back hat

252‧‧‧ front end

255‧‧‧Central passage

258‧‧‧Back hat

259‧‧‧ front end

260‧‧‧ backend

261‧‧‧Central Channel

298‧‧‧ Backend

300‧‧‧ sleeves

302‧‧‧ front end

304‧‧‧

306‧‧‧ outside diameter

350‧‧‧ casing

351‧‧‧ front end

352‧‧‧Slit

356, 357‧‧ ‧ ridge

359‧‧‧ raised parts

388‧‧‧ Backend

398‧‧‧ Backend

400‧‧‧ compression ring

401‧‧‧ front end

403‧‧‧ backend

404‧‧‧Central Channel

450‧‧ ‧ sales

451‧‧‧ front end

452‧‧‧ Backend

458‧‧ ‧ sales

459‧‧‧ front end

459‧‧‧Axis

460‧‧‧ backend

550‧‧‧First insulator

558‧‧‧Insulator

559‧‧‧ front end

560‧‧‧ Backend

561‧‧‧Central passage

600‧‧‧second insulator

650‧‧‧ actuator

675‧‧‧Insulator

676‧‧‧ front end

677‧‧‧ backend

678‧‧‧Central passage

708‧‧‧ casing

710‧‧‧ front end

711‧‧‧ backend

713‧‧‧ tapered surface

714, 715‧‧‧ ridge

752‧‧‧slit

753‧‧‧Slits

759‧‧‧ raised ring

805‧‧ ‧ flat

815‧‧‧slit

829‧‧‧ front end

838‧‧‧Compression ring

840‧‧‧ Backend

841‧‧‧Central passage

850‧‧‧

855‧‧‧

860‧‧‧

865‧‧‧ bolt

870‧‧‧

875‧‧‧Fin

880‧‧‧ coaxial cable

881‧‧‧ sheath

882‧‧‧External conductor

883‧‧‧Insulator

884‧‧‧Central conductor

1000‧‧‧Connector

1100‧‧‧ coaxial cable

1101‧‧‧Central conductor

1102‧‧‧ Cable insulation

1103‧‧‧Cable sheath

1200‧‧‧Connector

1300‧‧‧Connector

1400‧‧‧Connector

1500‧‧‧Connector

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial cable connector with separate components to lock the sleeve; Figure 1A is a partial cross-sectional view of the coaxial cable connector of Figure 1, coaxial cable The connector has a coaxial cable inserted therein; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a coaxial cable connector having an integrated locking feature to lock the sleeve; Figure 3 is the second A perspective view of the coaxial cable connector of the figure showing the male body of the body not engaged with the slit in the sleeve; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the coaxial cable connector of Figure 2, showing the male body of the body a slit that is joined to the sleeve; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 2 in a closed position, the connector having a cable mounted therein; and FIG. 6 is an example embodiment of the coaxial connector In perspective view, the coaxial connector has an integrated locking feature to lock the sleeve, the perspective view showing the male body of the body engaging the flat portion of the sleeve; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the coaxial connector, coaxially connected With integrated locking features to lock the sleeve Tube, the perspective view shows the male body of the body engaging the slit in the sleeve; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the coaxial connector with integrated locking features to lock the sleeve, the perspective The figure shows the male body of the body engaged between the bolts extending from the sleeve; and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the coaxial connector with integrated locking features to lock the sleeve, the perspective view It is shown that the male body of the body engages between the radial fins extending from the sleeve.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the embodiments in the claims In fact, many concepts may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the

See Figure 1, illustrating a coaxial cable connector 10, a coaxial cable connector 10 has a separate sleeve element to lock. The connector 10 includes a front half 11 and rear half 12, wherein the front half portion 11 includes a coupler 100, coupler 100 by separator 150 and the holder rotatably connected to body 200, separator 150 may be a fixed C-shaped arcuate ring. The coupler 100 is shown having a front end 101 , a rear end 102 , a central passage 103, and a forward facing annular lip 104 , wherein the body 200 includes a front end 201 , a rear end 204, and a central passage 202 . Regarding the front half 11 , the first insulator 550 is an insulated cylindrical member, the first insulator 550 coaxially positions the front end 451 of the pin 450 within the body 200 , and the holder 500 is a hollow ring, and the holder 500 is crimped to the body 200. The first insulator 550 within the body 200 is gripped and axially. The second insulator 600 is an insulated cylindrical member, the second insulator 600 coaxially positions the rear end 452 of the pin 450 within the body 200 , and the actuator 650 (insulated cylindrical member) can be used to radially insulate the insulator 600 Mainland compression.

The rear half 12 has a rear cap 250 and a cuff 300 , wherein the rear cap 250 has a front end 252 , a rear end 298 and a central passage 255 , and the cuff 300 has a front end 302 , a rear end 398 , an outer diameter 306 and a plurality of males 304 . Further, the rear half 12 includes a sleeve 350, the sleeve 350 having a front 351, rear 388, a plurality of slits 352, 359 and a plurality of protrusion portions 356 and the inner annular ridge 357 and the compression ring 400 has a front 401, rear End 403 and central channel 404 . Partial assembly of the rear half 12 is accomplished by inserting the compression ring 400 and the sleeve 350 into the rear cap 250 , with the rear end 388 of the sleeve 350 inserted into the central passage 404 of the compression ring 400 . After the sleeve 300 is crimped to a predetermined depth within the central passage rear cap screws 255,250 to allow compression in the rear portion of cap screws 250 to ring 400 axially limited movement of the sleeve 350.

Referring now to Figure 1A , the rear half 12 is illustrated as being at least partially mounted to the coaxial cable 880 . The coaxial cable 880 includes a jacket 881 , a spiral outer conductor 882 , an insulator 883, and a center conductor 884 . The sleeve 350 can be positioned on the helical outer conductor 882 by rotationally engaging the inner annular ridges 356 and 357 and the helical outer conductor 882 while the rear half 12 is assembled over the cable 880 . Pushing the rear cap 250 in the direction of the rear end 298 while rotating the rear cap 250 causes the male snap 304 to align and engage the slit 352 at the raised portion 359 of the sleeve 350 , applied from the rear cap 250 The force is applied to the sleeve 350 whereby the sleeve 350 is threaded onto the helical outer conductor 882 of the cable 880 . After the sleeve 350 is threaded onto the helical outer conductor 882 , the rear cap 250 can be pulled forward in the direction of the front end 252 to disengage the male 304 from the slit 352 , allowing the cap 250 to pass from the sleeve 350 to the cable Line 880 rotates independently.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrates the connector 1000, the connector 1000 has a locking feature integrated. The connector 1000 includes a coupler 108 , a split retainer 158 , a body 208 , a rear cap 258 , a pin 458 , an insulator 558 , an insulator 675 , a sleeve 708, and a compression ring 838 . The coupler 108 includes a front end 109 , a rear end 110 , a central passage 111 and a forward facing annular lip 112 , and the coupler 108 can be made of any suitable material (as a non-limiting example, a metal such as brass). And electroplated with a conductive material (for example, nickel-tin). The separation fixture 158 includes a front end 159 , a rear end 160 , and the separation fixture 158 can be made of any suitable material, as a non-limiting example, a metal, such as beryllium copper. The body 208 includes a front end 209 , a rear end 210 , at least one male 304 and a central passage 211 , and the body 208 can be made of any suitable material (as a non-limiting example, a metal, such as brass) and plated with a conductive material (eg, Nickel-tin). At least one male 304 can be a plurality of males 304 and can extend axially toward the sleeve 708 . The rear cap 258 has a front end 259 , a rear end 260 , a central channel 261 , and the rear cap 258 can be made of any suitable material (as a non-limiting example, a metal, such as brass) and plated with a conductive material (eg, nickel) -tin). The pin 458 has a front end 459 , a rear end 460 and a shaft portion 459 . The pin 458 can be made of a metal such as brass and plated with a conductive material (eg, nickel-tin). The insulators 558 and 675 each have a front end 559 , 676 , a rear end 560 , 677 and a central passage 561 , 678 , and the insulators 558 and 675 can be made of a plastic such as acetal. The sleeve 708 has a front end 710 , a rear end 711 , a plurality of slits 752 , a slit portion 753 , a tapered surface 713 , a raised annular portion 759, and a plurality of internal annular ridges 714 and 715 . The sleeve 708 can be made of a metal such as brass and plated with a conductive material (eg, nickel-tin). The compression ring 838 has a front end 829 , a rear end 840, and a central passage 841 . The compression ring 838 can be made of a metal such as brass and plated with a conductive material (eg, nickel-tin).

As seen in FIG. 2, the connector 1000 does not include a cuff 300, the first sleeve 300 as in FIG. 1 and the connector 10 of FIG. 1A included. Thus, connector 1000 does not have separate components to lock sleeve 708 . Instead, the connector 1000 has an integrated locking feature that includes a male snap 304 formed in the body 208 and a slit 752 in the raised annular portion 759 of the sleeve 708 . The male 304 is part of the body 208 , wherein the male 304 is integral with the body 208 .

A perspective view of the connector of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the second graph 1000, which removed the rear cap screws 258 to the sleeve 708 exhibits. Figure 3 shows that the slit 752 in the raised annular portion 759 of the sleeve 708 is not engaged with the male snap 304 , while Figure 4 shows the slit 752 in the raised annular portion 759 of the sleeve 708 . Engaged in the male 304 at the area 1005 . In this regard, the male snap 304 is positioned in the slot 752 in the raised annular portion 759 when the connector 1000 is closed and secured to the coaxial cable inserted therein. In this manner, the at least one male 304 interacts with the at least one slit 752 to lock the sleeve 708 in a stable position and thereby secure the cable in a stable, non-rotatable position in the connector 1000 . As discussed in more detail in Figure 5 .

In this regard, FIG. 5 illustrates that the connector 1000 is mounted on the coaxial cable 1100 . 258 moves in the direction of the distal end 209 may forward the cap screws manipulation rear drive sleeve 708 will engage the tongue 304 with the slit 752, the slit 752 close to the ring-shaped projection portion 759 of the sleeve 708. While the male 304 is engaged with the slit 752 , rotation of the sleeve 708 relative to the body 208 can be prevented, while the rear cap 258 can freely rotate relative to both the body 208 and the sleeve 708 . Moving the rear cap 258 further forward can drive the compression ring 838 further over the sleeve 708 , causing the rear end 788 of the sleeve 708 to close radially inwardly about the cable sheath 1103 and the cable insulator 1102 . The inner contour of the central passage 841 pushes the slit portion 753 radially inward. Forward movement of the sleeve 708 the sleeve 708 can be driven against the rear end of the front end 710 of the insulator 675 677. This in turn may drive a central passage 678 against the tapered portion to the rear end 458 of the pin 460, resulting in the rear end 458 of the pin 460 radially inwardly closed around the central conductor 1101. The rotation of the sleeve 708 relative to the body 208 can be accomplished without moving the rear cap 258 forward and backward and without the use of separate or auxiliary components (e.g., the sleeve 300 of the connector 10 as shown in Figure 1 ). .

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a partially assembled connector 1200 with no rear cap 258 . The connector 1200 has an integrated locking feature that includes at least one male 850 joined to at least one flat portion 805 , at least one flat portion 805 being formed in the raised annular portion 759 of the sleeve 708 . At least one male 850 can be a plural male 850 . At least one male 850 of the plurality of males 850 can extend axially toward the sleeve 708 . At least one flat portion 805 can be a plurality of flat portions 805 . 2 in a manner similar to the connector of FIG. FIG. 5 1000, the tongue portion 850 of the body 208 and integral with the body 208. The male 850 may be larger than the male 204 and the male 850 may have a slightly arched shape. When the connector 1200 is closed and fastened to the coaxial cable inserted therein, the male 850 is positioned in the flat portion 805 . In this manner, the at least one male 850 acts with the at least one flat portion 805 to lock the sleeve 708 in a stable position and thereby secure the cable in a stable, non-rotatable position in the connector 1200 . The other components of the connector 1200 are assembled and interacted in a similar manner as discussed with respect to the connector 1000 of Figure 5 .

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a partially assembled connector 1300 with no rear cap 258 . The connector 1300 has a locking feature integrated, the integration of the locking feature comprises at least one of the tongue 855, the tongue 855 engages at least one alternating in the projection on the annular portion 759 of the sleeve 708 of the slot 815. At least one male 855 can be a plural male 855 . At least one male 855 of the plurality of males 855 can extend axially toward the sleeve 708 . 2 in a manner similar to the connector of FIG. FIG. 5 1000, the tongue portion 855 of the body 208 and integral with the body 208. The male 855 is positioned in the slit 815 when the connector 1300 is closed and fastened to the coaxial cable inserted therein. In this manner, the at least one male 855 acts with the at least one slit 815 to lock the sleeve 708 in a stable position and thereby secure the cable in a stable, non-rotatable position in the connector 1300 . . The other components of the connector 1200 are assembled and interacted in a similar manner as discussed with respect to the connector 1000 of Figure 5 .

Figure 8 is a partially assembled connector 1400 illustrated a perspective view in which no rear cap screws 258. The connector 1400 has a locking feature integrated, the integration of the locking feature comprises at least one of the tongue 860, the tongue 860 engages at least one pin 865 in the radially extending annular boss 759 on the sleeve 708. At least one male 860 can be a plural male 860 . At least one male 860 of the plurality of males 860 can extend axially toward the sleeve 708 . 2 in a manner similar to the connector of FIG. FIG. 5 1000, the tongue portion 860 of the body 208 and integral with the body 208. The plug 865 can extend radially outwardly, and the plug 865 can be part of the sleeve 708 and integral with the sleeve 708 . When the connector 1400 is closed and secured to the coaxial cable inserted therein, at least one male 860 is positioned between adjacent plugs 865 . In this manner, the at least one male 860 acts with the plug 865 to lock the sleeve 708 in a stable position and thereby secure the cable in a stable, non-rotatable position in the connector 1400 . The other components of the connector 1400 are assembled and interacted in a similar manner as discussed with respect to the connector 1000 of Figure 5 .

Figure 9 is a partially assembled connector 1500 illustrated a perspective view in which no rear cap screws 258. The connector 1500 has a locking feature integrated, the integration of the tongue includes a locking feature 870, the tongue portion 870 engages the radial fins 875 on the annular projection portion 759 of the sleeve 708. 2 in a manner similar to the connector of FIG. FIG. 5 1000, the tongue portion 870 of the body 208 and integral with the body 208. The fins 875 can extend radially outward, and the fins 875 can be part of the sleeve 708 and integral with the sleeve 708 . When the connector 1500 is closed and fastened to the coaxial cable inserted therein, the male 870 is positioned between the fins 875 . In this manner, the male 870 acts with the fins 875 to lock the sleeve 708 in a stable position and thereby secure the cable in a stable, non-rotatable position in the connector 1500 . The other components of connector 1500 are assembled and interacted in a similar manner as discussed with connector 1000 of Figure 5 .

Many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; Therefore, it is understood that the scope of the invention and the claims are not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed, and such modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

It is intended that the present embodiments cover such modifications and variations of the embodiments of the embodiments of the invention. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive manner only and are not intended to be limiting the goal of.

Claims (8)

A coaxial cable connector for coupling one end of a coaxial cable to a terminal, the coaxial cable including an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, and a spiral outer portion surrounding the dielectric a conductor and a sheath surrounding the outer conductor, the coaxial cable connector comprising: a body; and a sleeve, wherein the body and the sleeve form an integrated locking feature, and wherein the integrated locking feature is configured When the connector is closed, the sleeve is locked in a stable position, and a cable inserted in the connector is fixed in a stable, non-rotatable position in the connector; The sleeve is positioned on the helical outer conductor by rotationally engaging a plurality of inner annular ridges and the helical outer conductor. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integrated locking feature is integral with at least one of the body and the sleeve. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 1, wherein the integrated locking feature comprises at least one male, the at least one male being part of the body and integral with the body. The coaxial cable connector of claim 3, wherein the at least one male shaft extends axially toward the sleeve. The coaxial cable connector of claim 3, wherein the at least one male Including multiple heroes. The coaxial cable connector of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the integrated locking feature comprises at least one slit formed in a raised annular portion of the sleeve And wherein when the connector is closed, at least one male of the body is adapted to be positioned in the at least one slit. The coaxial cable connector of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the integrated locking feature comprises a plurality of pins formed in the sleeve and extending radially outwardly, and wherein the connection When the device is closed, at least one male of the body is adapted to be positioned between adjacent pins of the plurality of pins. The coaxial cable connector of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the integrated locking feature comprises at least one flat portion formed in a raised annular portion of the sleeve, and Wherein at least one male of the body is adapted to be positioned in the at least one flat portion when the connector is closed.