WO1998054791A1

WO1998054791A1 - Connection element for a high-frequency cable

Info

Publication number: WO1998054791A1
Application number: PCT/CH1998/000209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fridolin Alois Frech
Original assignee: Fridolin Alois Frech
Priority date: 1997-05-27
Filing date: 1998-05-20
Publication date: 1998-12-03
Also published as: AU7203398A; DE59805520D1; CH692435A5; ATE224106T1; EP0985250A1; TW410492B; EP0985250B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection element (10) for the isolated single-conductors (20) of a high-frequency cable (12), which are twisted in pairs. Said element has an even number of contact grooves (18) with a cutting or holing device fitted through the insulation (22) of the inserted single-conductor (20), so as to face the end of the conductor. The contact grooves (18) of the connection element (10) have a catch (30) in a first section (D) of the groove length (L) for the associated unseparated conductor pairs (26). This first section is the conductor pair zone (24). A second section (E) of the groove length (L), the single-conductor zone, has catch elements (32, 24) for the single-conductors (20). After uncovering the twisted conductor pairs (26) and the terminal single-conductors (20), the unseparated conductor pairs (26) are locked in the conductor pair zone (24), and the single-conductors (20) are locked in a contact groove (18). In this way, all locked single-conductors (20) and conductor pairs (26) can be pushed into their contact groove (18) or conductor pair zone (24) with the aid of a sealing cap.

Description

Connection element for HF cables

The invention relates to a connection element for the insulated individual conductors of an RF cable twisted in pairs, which connection element has an even number of contact slots with a cutting or piercing device arranged in the direction of the conductor end due to the insulation of the inserted individual conductor. The invention further relates to a method for fastening the individual conductors of an HF cable in such a connection element and to the use of the connection element.

There are various brands of connection elements for RF cables on the market, for example with 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 or more poles, as the contacts are also called. With these connection elements, incorrect connections are avoided by marking the contact slots with the identification color of the individual conductor to be inserted or its insulation. Numbers, letters, symbols or combinations thereof can also be used for identification.

Known connection elements are standardized and are used, for example, in an HF connector system which comprises a socket insert and a corresponding plug as connector parts with a grounded shield from HF cable to HF cable. Connector systems are used in particular for electrical connections to communication main and peripheral devices, for example ISDN, telephone, terminal and modem, as well as PC, host or data network systems.

Commercially available RF cables comprise one to four pairs of conductors, in particular four pairs, according to the standards applicable today. However, it is definitely in the perspectives of today and tomorrow Developments to combine more pairs of conductors in one RF cable. The individual conductors, suitably insulated copper wires or strands with a diameter of up to about 0.8 mm, are twisted together in pairs. The individual conductors may run in parallel over a maximum length of 12 mm, otherwise signal errors cannot be avoided in the range above approximately 300 MHz.

At RF frequencies up to about 100 MHz, the conductor pairs can be embedded in an RF cable as twisted. A twisted pair of conductors can also be covered with a film that provides mechanical support, for example with a longitudinally running or wrapped polyester film. At higher frequencies, in particular from about 300 MHz, a covering with a metal foil is considered essential in the current state of the art. The wrapping with a metal foil, in particular with an aluminum foil, can in turn be carried out longitudinally or by wrapping, the metal foil also being able to be designed as a composite foil with an inside plastic carrier. The term metal foil here also encompasses suitably designed fabrics, braids, knitted fabrics or spiral windings of metal threads which fulfill the same function.

The individual conductor pairs are surrounded by a peripheral shield and an outer insulation jacket. The peripheral shield of the HF cable ura comprises at least one braid, fabric or knitted fabric made of metal wires, in particular of copper, to which a metal foil, in particular of aluminum, can rest on the inside. HF cables of this type have a defined minimum permissible bending radius, which in the case of a conventional manufacturer is for example four to five times the outer diameter of the cable. If these bending radii are undershot, disruptions or even business interruptions can be expected. An advantageous solution to this problem is shown in EP, AI 0709929, to which express reference is made. Before an HF cable is installed in a connection element, the outer insulating cable sheath in the end area is removed and the peripheral shield is folded over. Any flexible mass is removed in this area. The twisted pairs of conductors are now exposed, for example over a length of 5 to 8 cm. In the outermost end area, for example over a length of 2 to 3 cm, any covering of the conductor pairs is also removed and the free individual conductors in this area are aligned approximately in parallel. The individual conductors are sorted, placed on the assigned contact slot and pushed into them with a special tool, the protruding individual conductor being usually cut off at the same time. This sounds very simple, but it is extremely difficult and tedious to carry out in practice. The individual conductors must be sorted, aligned and pushed into the contact slot in a very narrow assembly space. It is not uncommon for the bulky special tool to damage the insulation of the individual conductors. This can lead to short circuits, which results in a total power failure.

The invention has for its object to provide a connecting element for RF cables of the type mentioned and a method for attaching its individual conductors, which facilitate assembly and significantly reduce the amount of work.

With regard to the device, the object is achieved according to the invention in that the contact slots of the connecting element have a latching arranged in a first part of the slot length, the conductor pair zone, for the associated unseparated conductor pairs and in a second part of the slot length, the single conductor zone - have genes for the individual conductors. Special and further developing embodiments of the device are the subject of dependent claims. In practice, the contact slots of the connection element are expediently parallel, they are delimited laterally by two outer and inner webs. Since unseparated pairs of conductors with twisted insulated individual conductors, enveloped or not, take up more space for locking than individual conductors, in this pair zone, every second inner web is preferably designed to be removable or omitted. This part of the inner webs can, for example, be broken away in one piece or in several sections. This provides enough space for the twisted pair of conductors. The individual conductors are locked in the narrow contact slots formed by all inner webs.

The first part with the conductor pair zone for the non-separated conductor pairs is expediently shorter than the second part with the contact slots for the individual conductors. The conductor pair zone preferably extends over 20 to 50% of the total slot length.

The latches themselves can be designed in a manner known per se, for example as retaining lugs or as a spring clip.

With regard to the method, the object is achieved according to the invention in that after the twisted conductor pairs and the terminal individual conductors have been exposed, the non-separated conductor pairs in the conductor pair zone, the individual conductors are locked in a contact slot, and then, with the aid of a sealing cap, all the locked individual conductors are locked in their contact slot as well as all latched conductor pairs are pushed into their conductor pair zone and held down there. Special and further developing embodiments of the method are the subject of dependent patent claims.

The twisted pairs of conductors are therefore initially locked in a pair of conductor pairs with or without a sheathing. Cell conductors themselves only need to be latched after the unseparated double conductors have been latched. The larger double conductors can be easily pushed into the relevant contact double slot by hand and thus locked in place. The individual conductors are then roughly positioned and can be finally positioned with little effort and also locked by hand. The order can also be reversed, first the individual conductors, then the conductor pairs are locked.

The locking of sheathed conductor pairs together with their sheathing in a conductor pair zone has proven to be particularly advantageous. In addition to the other advantages, the cut back sheathing in the connector free space cannot trigger undesired side effects in an uncontrolled manner, but remains fixed in an orderly manner and envelops the unseparated double conductor as far as possible and stably. This also improves the shielding in the case of a metallic covering, which is expressed in a higher signal quality.

The protruding individual conductors mounted in the connection element can easily be cut off in one work step; no bulky, complicated tools requiring a great deal of effort are required to insert and simultaneously cut off a single conductor.

An advantageous use of connection elements according to the present invention and the method for fastening the individual conductors of an RF cable results in connection with the already mentioned EP, AI 0709929. In RF connector systems with a socket insert and a corresponding connector as connector parts, in The system can be adjusted at an adjustable angle to which system a grounded shield from HF cable to HF cable runs continuously over a large area and with at least one flexible area. Thanks to the continuously large, flexible shielding in the area outside the cable sheath, i.e. in the area of the exposed conductor pairs or individual conductors, the cable can be adjusted at any angle by bending, as mentioned, without the risk of kinking or too tight a bending radius for the RF cable exists. This runs practically straight in every position.

The connection element according to the invention has a particularly advantageous effect in an HF connector system if the contact slots or contact double slots run in the cable direction. Then the twisted cables can be arranged and snapped into place in a time-saving and easy way.

The advantages according to the invention can be summarized as follows:

The assembly of the individual conductors of an HF cable with pairs of conductors twisted as close as possible to the electrical contacts in a connection element is greatly facilitated and the workload is considerably reduced.

No complicated, bulky special tools are necessary.

All protruding individual conductors can be cut off in one operation and with one cut after positioning, which is usually simpler and cheaper than a cutting device integrated in the sealing cap.

The invention is explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments, which are also the subject of dependent patent claims. They show schematically:

1 shows a view of a connecting element locked ladders,

- Fig. 2 is a cut side view of a

Connection element with enveloped. Pair of conductors,

3 shows a variant of FIG. 1 with a closure cap, FIG. 4 shows a variant of FIG. 2 with a twisted, uncovered pair of conductors,

5 shows a cross section through a coated pair of conductors,

6 shows a detail A according to FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 shows the use of a connection element in an HF connector system.

A connecting element 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for an HF cable 12 (FIG. 7) consists of a plastic injection molded part "The parallel two outer webs 14 and seven inner webs 16 form a total of eight longitudinal, continuous contact slots 18 for individual conductors 20 with one Insulation jacket 22.

Starting from the outer webs 14, the first, third, fifth and seventh inner web 16 are removed or not formed in a first region D above a bearing surface 48 (FIG. 2). A pair of conductors 26 with twisted insulated individual conductors 20 can be received and locked in the resulting conductor pair zone 24. In the present case, the latching takes place together with the covering 28.

Over the second part E of the entire slot length L, only individual conductors 20 can be locked with the insulation jacket 22, because in this case the inner webs 16 are continuous and the contact slots 18 are narrow.

On the inside of the outer webs 14 and on both sides of the continuous inner webs 29 29 retaining lugs 30 are formed in the region of the slot opening. A pair of retaining lugs 30 is formed in the conductor pair zone 24, which latches the sheathed conductor pair 26. In the second part E, the single-wire zone, an upper retaining lug 32 and a lower retaining lug 34 are formed per contact slot 18. The inner web 16, which is formed only in the single-conductor zone, has no retaining lugs. An isolated individual conductor 20 is latched between the upper and the lower retaining lug 32, 34.

All holding lugs 30, 32, 34 have a sliding surface 36 against the slot interior 18, 24 and a latching surface 38 against the outside. The latches serve to temporarily hold the inserted conductor pairs 26 and individual conductors 20.

The latched, insulated individual conductors 20 of a pair of conductors 26 each rest on an insulation displacement connection 40, 42, which for design reasons are offset with respect to the longitudinal direction of the individual conductors 20.

With a sealing cap, all the locked individual conductors 20 can be pushed into their insulation displacement connection 40, 42 and all twisted conductor pairs 26 simultaneously into their conductor pair zone 24 until the stop surface 48 is reached. The insulation displacement connections 40, 42 have cut through the insulation jacket 22 and are in direct contact with the relevant individual conductor 20. Puncture pins have an equivalent effect. Now all protruding isolated individual conductors 20 can be cut off in the cutting zone 50 with one cut.

With 44 and 46 fixing lugs for the connecting element 10 are designated.

1 it should also be noted that the viewing direction is different on the left and on the right half. On the left side, one looks in the direction of the conductor pair 26 towards the individual conductors, on the right side in the opposite direction.

3 and 4 correspond essentially to Fig. 1 and 2. Das however, twisted pair of conductors 26 is not encased; in the first part D, the conductor pair zone 24, it is latched as such without separation.

Furthermore, a closure cap 82 with push-in lamellae 84 for simultaneous pushing-in of all latched individual conductors 20 and all latched conductor pairs 26 is shown in FIG. 3 above. In the end or hold-down position, the closure cap 82 engages in hold-down lugs 86.

5 shows a cross section through a pair of conductors 26 with a sheath 28. The individual conductors 20 are designed as strands, not, as is usually the case, as wires.

According to an embodiment that is not shown, the closure flap can additionally include an electrically non-conductive cutting device, e.g. a cutting knife for the simultaneous cutting of the excess lengths of the inserted individual conductors.

The casing 28 is designed to overlap so that it can be removed without problems. The consequence of this is that when it is partially removed in the direction of the conductor end, it dissolves further than intended and the protective effect can no longer or not fully develop. According to an essential advantage of the invention, the sheath 28 can be fixed simultaneously when the pair of conductors 26 is locked.

6 shows a possible structure of the casing 28 in area A. A composite film made of a preferably internal polyester film 52 and an aluminum film 54 form an ideal material.

7 shows a socket insert equipped with a connecting element 10 according to the invention with a shield 58 in accordance with the already mentioned EP, AI 0709929. For simplicity and clarity, they are load-bearing Plastic parts of the socket insert are omitted, they are of the type familiar to the person skilled in the art.

In position M, a shield connection 58 is bent back and the interior of a shielding housing 60 is thereby completely exposed. An RF cable 12 inserted into the shield connection 58 and already fastened with a crimping plate 62 is indicated. A flexibly designed sheet 64 is only bent along its first predetermined bending area 66, while a second predetermined bending area 68 remains unchanged.

In position R of the shield connection 58, the first predetermined bending area 66 of the flexibly designed sheet 64 is bent over such that it is integrated into the contour of the shielding housing 60. The shielding housing 60 is now ready for mounting a housing cover which holds down the flexibly designed sheet 64. In the second predetermined bending area 68, the flexibly designed sheet 64 is bent approximately at a right angle. The HF cable 12 runs at an angle to the direction of insertion.

The second predetermined bending area 68 can also remain stretched, the shield connection 58 being in the position S shown.

Depending on the needs, the bending angle in the second predetermined bending area 68 can vary within wide limits, in particular from an HF cable 12 (position R) running approximately at right angles to the plug-in direction to approximately 180 °, the cable connection to the rear (position S). Depending on the design of the lid housing that is attached and latched, the shield connection 58 on the HF cable 12 can also be unbent beyond the right angle from position R and / or the extended position S can be exceeded. In no position is the RF cable 12 itself significantly bent, the exposed pairs of conductors 26 with their twisted individual conductors 20 (FIG. 5) easily adapt to any change in angle in the predetermined bending areas 66, 68. In the present example, the HF cable 12 comprises four pairs of conductors 26. Outside the shield connection 58, the HF cable 12 is protected with an outer insulation jacket 70. In the area of the shield connection 58, the insulation jacket 70 is completely removed, and the metal braid 72, which is exposed over the entire circumference, is clamped in a contact-locking manner, at most after being flipped over. When the metal braid 72 is folded over, an underlying aluminum foil 74 is exposed. This foil complements the metallic shield and also serves as a moisture barrier in the HF cable 12.

The connecting element 10 according to the invention is mounted in the interior of the shielding housing 12. For reasons of clarity, it is rotated by 90 °, the contact slots preferably run in the direction of the HF cable 12. The connection element 10 has, for more precisely, each pair of conductors 26 for their individual conductors 20 with insulation jacket 22 (FIG. 2), which are not visible here. an insulation displacement connection 42, in which the insulation of the inserted single conductor 20 is cut and the metal contact is produced in the simplest manner when the metal contact is pressed on. Insulation displacement connections of this type are commercially available and are described in more detail, for example, in EP, AI 0088162.

Below the connection element 10 is mounted a printed circuit board 78 which extends into the housing 76 and from which, for the sake of simplicity, electrical conductor wires lead to the contact element 80, from where the electrical signals are transmitted in a manner known per se to the sliding contacts of a plug.

In the area of the housing 76, two contact elements 80 can also be seen, which, when the plug is attached, connect the shielding of the socket insert to that of the plug in an electrically conductive manner.

Claims

claims

Connection element (10) for the twisted-pair, insulated individual conductors (20) of an RF cable (12), which connection element has an even number of contact slots (18) with a cutting or piercing device arranged in the direction of the conductor end through the insulation (22) of the has inserted single conductor (20),

characterized by

that the contact slots (18) of the connection element (10) in pairs have a latching (30) arranged in a first part (D) of the slot length (L), the conductor pair zone (24), for the assigned unseparated conductor pairs (26) and in a second part (E) the slot length (L), the individual conductor zone, have arranged catches (32, 34) for the individual conductors (20).

Connection element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that two outer webs (14) and an odd number of inner webs (16) form parallel contact slots (18), the first, third, fifth .... inner web (16) over the the first part (D) of the slot length (L) for receiving and latching an unseparated pair of conductors (26) is designed to be removable or omitted.

Connection element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first part (D), the conductor pair zone (24), extends over 20 to 50% of the slot length (L).

Connection element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer webs (14) in NEN lying and the inner webs (16) formed on one or both sides retaining lugs (30,32,34) or spring clip with a sliding surface (36) in the direction of the support surface (48) and a latching surface (38) in the direction of the slot opening (29).

5. Connection element (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the retaining lugs (30, 32, 34) only on the outer webs (14) and on both sides of the inner webs (16) extending over the entire length (L) of the contact slots (18) ) are trained.

6. A method for fastening the individual conductors (20) of an HF cable (12) in a connection element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that

After exposing the twisted conductor pairs (26) and the terminal individual conductors (20), the undivided conductor pairs (26) in the conductor pair zone (24), the individual conductors (20) are locked in a contact slot (18) and then simultaneously locked with the help of a sealing cap (82 ) all locked individual conductors (20) are pushed into their contact slot (18) as well as all locked conductor pairs (26) in their conductor pair zone (24) and are held down there.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that covered pairs of conductors (26) are locked together with their sheath (28), and that this is held.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the protruding individual conductors (20) are cut off in one operation and with one cut.

9. Use of a connecting element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5 in RF connector systems with a socket insert and a corresponding connector as connector parts, in which system a grounded shield from RF cable to RF cable (12) throughout a large area and with At least one flexible area (66, 68) runs, the cable end being adjustable at an adjustable angle.

10. Use of the connection element (10) according to claim 9 with contact slots (18) and conductor pair zones (24) running in the cable direction.