Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/02—Contact members
  • H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
  • H01R13/24—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted
  • H01R13/2464—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted characterized by the contact point
  • H01R13/2471—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted characterized by the contact point pin shaped
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
  • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
  • H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
  • H01R12/712—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit
  • H01R12/714—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit with contacts abutting directly the printed circuit; Button contacts therefore provided on the printed circuit
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
  • H01R24/38—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
  • H01R24/40—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts specially adapted for high frequency
  • H01R24/50—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts specially adapted for high frequency mounted on a PCB [Printed Circuit Board]
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R2103/00—Two poles

Definitions

• This invention relates to a coaxial connection assembly for interconnection to a circuit board.
• Coaxial interconnection systems typically comprise an inner conductor concentrically surrounded by an outer conductor and separated therefrom by a dielectric. Such interconnection systems permit transmission of high speed electrical signals.
• the concentric arrangement of the outer conductor has a shielding effect that limits the radiation of electro-magnetic noise.
• connection assembly for coupling a coaxial conductor to a circuit board. It would be advantageous for such connection system to be cost-effective, compact and reliable, particularly to ensure effective electrical interconnection to a circuit board.
• an electrical coaxial connection assembly comprising a first coaxial connector having a center conductor and concentrically therearound an outer conductor separated therefrom by a dielectric housing, and a second connector comprising an outer conductor for pluggably mating with the outer conductor of the first connector, the second connector comprising an outer contact mountable on a circuit board for electrical connection to an outer circuit trace thereon, wherein the inner conductor of the first connector is resiliently biasable against an inner circuit trace of the circuit board arranged substantially centrally with respect to the outer conductor of the second connector.
• the inner conductor of the first connector contacts directly on the circuit board. Also, as the inner conductor is resiliently biasable, tolerances in the distance between connectors can be absorbed.
• the outer conductors for example the outer conductor of the second connector may be provided with a plurality of flexible cantilever beam arms arranged concentrically, that absorb a certain tolerance in the radial direction of the connectors.
• the outer conductor of the second connector may be formed of a single piece conductive material directly mounted, for example surface mounted and soldered, or alternatively with compliant pins, to the conductive circuit trace of the circuit board, such that a particularly cost-effective arrangement is achieved.
• the flexible contact arms of the outer conductor may be provided upstanding substantially orthogonally from a circular shaped base with a substantially uninterrupted connection surface, except for a portion allowing passage of the circuit board inner conductive trace therepast.
• the base may serve as an electrical and mechanical connection to a substantially circular circuit pad on the circuit board. A strong mechanical connection, as well as a good electrical connection with reduced electro-magnetic noise emission is thus achieved.
• the outer conductor of the first connector may also be provided as a substantially cylindrically shaped (tubular) conductor for example stamped and formed from sheet metal, having a substantially circular connection surface or contact pad for electrical and mechanical connection against a substantially circular foot print of a circuit trace on a circuit board.
• the foot print could be interrupted to allow passage of the inner conductor from the inside to the outside of the circle.
• the inner conductor may be a substantially cylindrical part slidably movable within the housing in the mating direction of the connectors, a separate stamped and formed spring member abutting thereagainst in order to provide the spring force and additionally electrical connection to a circuit trace on a circuit board.
• Figure 1 is a cross-sectional isometric view of a connection assembly in a fully mated condition
• Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 1 of the connection assembly in an unmated condition
• Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first connector of the connection assembly
• Figure 4 is a view in the direction of arrow 4, Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a view in the direction of arrow 5 of Figure 3;
• Figure 6 is a plan view of a portion of printed circuit board showing the circuit traces for connection to the first connector;
• Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through a second connector of the assembly;
• Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through lines
• Figure 9 is a view in the direction of arrow 9 of Figure 8.
• Figure 10 is a plan view of a portion of a portion of a printed circuit board with circuit traces thereon for connection to the second connector.
• an electrical connection assembly 2 comprises a first coaxial connector 4 and a second connector 6 matable therewith.
• the first coaxial connector 4 is mounted on a first circuit board 8
• the second coaxial connector 6 is mounted on a second circuit board 10.
• the first connector 4 comprises an inner conductor 12, a dielectric housing 14, and an outer conductor 16.
• the inner conductor is a substantially cylindrical part slidably mounted in a cavity 18 of the housing, and having a contact 20 protruding beyond a mating end 22 of the connector housing.
• the inner conductor 12 extends in an axial direction A, which is the direction of coupling of the connectors 4,6, towards a connection end 24 of the connector, the connection end proximate or in abutment with the circuit board 8.
• the mounting end 26 of the inner conductor 12 has an enlargened portion that forms a retention shoulder 28 for abutment against a shoulder 30 of the housing 2 limit the outward extension of the contact 20 beyond the mating face 22.
• An abutment surface 32 of the contact mounting end 26 is in abutment with a spring member 34 that urges the inner contact towards the mating connector.
• the spring member 34 stamped and formed from resilient sheet metal having a retention section 36 for fixing to the housing, and a resilient cantilever beam spring arm 38 extending therefrom for abutment against the inner contact.
• the spring member 34 is also a contact member and has a contact section 40 in the shape of a surface mount contact pad extending from the retention section 36 on an opposed side to the spring arm 38 for surface mount solder connection to a corresponding circuit trace of the circuit board 8.
• the contact member 34 thus interconnects the inner contact 12 electrically to the circuit board. It would also be conceivable to integrally stamp and form an inner contact extending from the contact arm 38 in the axial direction A through the cavity 18 and having an arcuate formed contact portion.
• the retention section 36 comprises a pair of lances 42 for engaging in opposed side walls 44,46 of an axially extending slot 48 in the housing 14, such that the contact member 34 can be assembled by simply pushing it in the axial direction into the housing from the mounting face 24.
• the oblique opposed lances 42 of the retention section 36 extend laterally from either edge of the contact arm 34.
• the outer conductor 16 may also be stamped and formed from sheet metal and have a substantially cylindrical shape extending from proximate the mating face 22 to the mounting face 24, and comprising a substantially circular contact pad 50 extending orthogonally from the cylindrical portion 52.
• the contact pad 50 is for a surface mount solder connection to a conductive circuit trace 54 (see Figure 6) for electrical and mechanical connection thereto.
• the circuit trace 54 forms the outer circuit trace, and there is also an inner circuit trace 56 for solder connection to the inner contact pad 40.
• the outer circuit trace 54 flanks either side of the inner trace 56 and provides some shielding effect thereby.
• the outer contact 50 does not form a full circle as it is interrupted by the portion of housing 54 within which the inner contact arm 34 is received and extends through the outer conductor.
• the outer conductor 52 is, at the mating end, inwardly bent or tapered 60 forming a guide surface for locating the mating connectors and simultaneously retaining the housing firmly within the outer conductor.
• the second connector 6 comprises an outer conductor 61 extending from a mounting end 62 to a mating end 64 in the axial direction A, and comprising a substantially cylindrical shaped wall 66 having a circular contact pad 68 at the mounting end 62.
• the contact pad 68 extends substantially orthogonally (radially) from the wall 66 and is for surface mount electrical and mechanical connection to a circular contact trace 70 on the second circuit board 10.
• the contact pad 68 is interrupted by a recess 72 in order to allow passage of the inner circuit trace 74 on the board 70 therethrough.
• the inner circuit trace forms the inner conductor or contact of the second connector.
• the outer wall 66 is interrupted by slots 76 extending axially from the mating end 64 such that the outer wall is formed into a plurality of cantilever shaped spring arms 78 for resilient contact with the outer conductor 16 of the mating connector 4.
• the outer conductor is provided with inwardly extending protrusions 80 to form the contact surfaces with the complementary connector.
• the protrusions 80 also have a tapered surface 82 for guiding the mating connectors during the initial phase of coupling. Due to the flexibility of the arms 78, a certain amount of radial tolerance between the mating connectors is acceptable.
• the second connector 6 can thus be formed from a single conductive member for a particularly cost-effective arrangement, whereby the center contact 12 of the mating connector abuts directly against a central pad 84 of the inner circuit trace 74 that forms the centre contact of the second connector.
• the inner contact 12 is resiliently axially movable, adjustment for certain tolerances in the position of coupling in the axial direction A can be absorbed.
• the contact end 20 of the inner contact abuts against the circuit trace 84 with a defined and controlled contact force in view of the flexible contact arm 34.
• the latter arrangement also ensures that a particularly compact arrangement both in the height (i.e. in the axial direction A) and also in the radial direction
• connection assembly (i.e. orthogonal to the direction A) of the connection assembly is achieved.
• the latter is achieved by direct contact of the inner contact with the circuit board, and the provision of the second contact 6 as a simple cylindrical part that is mounted directly on the circuit board and contacts directly the mating connector without provision of a housing structure.

Landscapes

• Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
• Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=10809819

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (10)

Families Citing this family (8)

Citations (6)

• 1997
  • 1997-03-25 GB GB9706155A patent/GB9706155D0/en active Pending
• 1998
  • 1998-03-18 AU AU61119/98A patent/AU6111998A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-03-18 JP JP54532598A patent/JP2001518231A/ja active Pending
  • 1998-03-18 CN CN 98803714 patent/CN1104064C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-03-18 WO PCT/IB1998/000381 patent/WO1998043323A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-03-18 DE DE69803920T patent/DE69803920T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-03-18 EP EP98905591A patent/EP0970547B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (6)

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