WO2014009045A1 - Female f-connector with improved screening - Google Patents

Female f-connector with improved screening Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2014009045A1
WO2014009045A1 PCT/EP2013/060517 EP2013060517W WO2014009045A1 WO 2014009045 A1 WO2014009045 A1 WO 2014009045A1 EP 2013060517 W EP2013060517 W EP 2013060517W WO 2014009045 A1 WO2014009045 A1 WO 2014009045A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
connector
female
male
connectors
electrically conductive
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2013/060517
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Martien Rijssemus
Gerrit BOSKALJON
Jan ARIESEN
Rudi MEYLEMANS
Original Assignee
Technetix B.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Technetix B.V. filed Critical Technetix B.V.
Publication of WO2014009045A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014009045A1/en

Links

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
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
    • H01R13/6581—Shield structure
    • H01R13/6582—Shield structure with resilient means for engaging mating connector
    • H01R13/6583—Shield structure with resilient means for engaging mating connector with separate conductive resilient members between mating shield members
    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
    • H01R9/03—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections
    • H01R9/05—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections for coaxial cables
    • H01R9/0527—Connection to outer conductor by action of a resilient member, e.g. spring

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a female F-connector with improved screening in relation to electromagnetic signals.
  • F-connectors are connectors used with coaxial cables typically in television, cable television and broadband cable networks.
  • the F-connectors are used in male/female pairs, with the male connector using a solid conductive inner wire of a coaxial cable as its pin.
  • the pin is inserted into the female F-connector to establish a connection between the coaxial cable and processing circuitry relating to a device or equipment connected to the female F-connector.
  • the coaxial cables distribute radio frequency signals around a network and are configured to provide very good electrical screening to the inner conductive wire.
  • a high level of screening is needed to ensure no signal leakage from the inner conductor through the coaxial cable casing and to ensure that unwanted signals cannot enter the coaxial cable casing and introduce noise to the wanted signal carried by the inner conductor.
  • connectors must be attached to ends of the coaxial cable to allow it to be connected to complementary connectors on other items of equipment.
  • the coaxial cable and connectors are constructed in such a way to try and keep unwanted signals from out of the signal transmission line.
  • problems still arise with unwanted signal ingress where respective male and female connectors are joined together.
  • a female F-connector comprising an outer electrically conductive threaded portion, typically made of metal, wherein an annular groove is formed in the threaded portion and a resilient electrically conductive ring member is located in the annular groove.
  • the resilience of the ring member ensures that it does not interfere with interconnection of a male and female F- connector, compressing as the male connector is tightened around it and then expanding outwardly to close any gap between the male and female connector. Even if the connected male and female connectors loosen with respect to each other, the ring member will maintain an electrically conductive seal between the male and female connectors and ensure there are no air gaps permitting leakage or ingress of RF (radio frequency) signals.
  • the ring member is a ring spring made from metal.
  • the annular groove is preferably proximal to an open end of the female connector which is capable of receiving a pin from a male connector.
  • Figure 1 shows a cross-section through prior art male and female connectors before they are connected together
  • FIG. 1 shows connected prior art male and female connectors
  • Figure 3 shows a cross-section through loosened prior art male and female connectors
  • Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a female F-connector in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 5 shows a side view of the connector of Figure 4.
  • Figure 6 shows the inventive female F-connector when in use.
  • FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through an end portion of a prior art male F-connector 10 and female F-connector 12.
  • Male connector 10 comprises a metal collar 14 with integral post plate attached to an internally threaded connector ring 16 and has an electrically conductive centre pin 18 formed from an inner conductor of a coaxial cable attached to the male connector.
  • An electrical screening sheath of the coaxial cable, not shown, is connected to the metal collar.
  • Female connector 12 comprises an externally threaded cylindrical metal outer portion 20 within which is nested cylindrical plastics insert 22 defining a cavity within which is secured conductive spring 24 electrically connectable to electrical circuitry or equipment associated with the female connector.
  • inner conductive spring 24 receives pin 18 to establish an electrical connection between the coaxial cable attached to the male connector 10 and any electrical circuitry to which female connector 12 is connected.
  • male and female connectors 10, 12 are tightened with respect to each other so that metal collar 14 adjoins metal portion 20 so forming a closed connection and ensuring there is no electromagnetic signal leakage from or ingress into inner pin 18.
  • metal portion 20 of female connector 12 no longer adjoins metal collar 14 leaving an open gap 26. Electromagnetic signals can now leak to the outside through gap 26 and small gaps between the cooperating threaded portions and also unwanted signals can enter the inner conductor 18 by the same route.
  • a female F-connector 30 in accordance with the invention is shown in Figure 4.
  • an annular groove 33 is formed in the external threaded portion, proximal to an open connector end 34 which receives male pin 18.
  • Electrically conductive ring spring 36 sits within this groove, see Figures 4 and 5, and provides a resilient electrically conductive annular member that can compress when force is exerted on it and restore to its original shape after the force is removed. The resilience of the ring member ensures that it does not interfere with interconnection of a male and female F- connector as it will be compressed and urged inwardly towards a central axis of the female connector as the male connector is tightened around it.
  • ring spring 36 will be made from metal but other electrically conductive materials can be used.
  • resilient ring spring 36 When the connector of the present invention is secured to a prior art male connector, resilient ring spring 36 will deform to allow the two connectors to be screwed together but will expand to ensure there is a complete seal between the internal face of male connector 10 and the external face of female connector 30. This sealed area prevents electromagnetic signals entering or leaving the conjoined connectors and gaining access to inner conductor 18. Where there is a failing connection due to loosening of a male and female connector, the female connector can be substantially loosened until the point where the ring spring no longer adjoins any of the external male thread before any leakage of signal occurs.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

There is provided a female F-connector (30) comprising an inner portion (22) nested within an outer electrically conductive threaded portion (20), wherein an annular groove is formed in the threaded portion and a resilient electrically conductive ring spring (36) is located in the annular groove.

Description

Title: Female F-Connector with Improved Screening Field of the invention
This invention relates to a female F-connector with improved screening in relation to electromagnetic signals.
Background to the invention
F-connectors are connectors used with coaxial cables typically in television, cable television and broadband cable networks. The F-connectors are used in male/female pairs, with the male connector using a solid conductive inner wire of a coaxial cable as its pin. The pin is inserted into the female F-connector to establish a connection between the coaxial cable and processing circuitry relating to a device or equipment connected to the female F-connector.
The coaxial cables distribute radio frequency signals around a network and are configured to provide very good electrical screening to the inner conductive wire. A high level of screening is needed to ensure no signal leakage from the inner conductor through the coaxial cable casing and to ensure that unwanted signals cannot enter the coaxial cable casing and introduce noise to the wanted signal carried by the inner conductor. Whilst the cable itself is well screened, connectors must be attached to ends of the coaxial cable to allow it to be connected to complementary connectors on other items of equipment.
To prevent ingress and other unwanted signals entering the network, the coaxial cable and connectors are constructed in such a way to try and keep unwanted signals from out of the signal transmission line. However, problems still arise with unwanted signal ingress where respective male and female connectors are joined together.
Summary of the invention
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a female F-connector comprising an outer electrically conductive threaded portion, typically made of metal, wherein an annular groove is formed in the threaded portion and a resilient electrically conductive ring member is located in the annular groove. The resilience of the ring member ensures that it does not interfere with interconnection of a male and female F- connector, compressing as the male connector is tightened around it and then expanding outwardly to close any gap between the male and female connector. Even if the connected male and female connectors loosen with respect to each other, the ring member will maintain an electrically conductive seal between the male and female connectors and ensure there are no air gaps permitting leakage or ingress of RF (radio frequency) signals.
Preferably the ring member is a ring spring made from metal.
The annular groove is preferably proximal to an open end of the female connector which is capable of receiving a pin from a male connector. By having the annular groove proximal to the open end of the female connector, the seal will be maintained even where the female connector has become greatly loosened from the male connector.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 shows a cross-section through prior art male and female connectors before they are connected together;
Figure 2 shows connected prior art male and female connectors;
Figure 3 shows a cross-section through loosened prior art male and female connectors;
Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a female F-connector in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 5 shows a side view of the connector of Figure 4; and
Figure 6 shows the inventive female F-connector when in use.
Description
Figure 1 shows a cross-section through an end portion of a prior art male F-connector 10 and female F-connector 12. Male connector 10 comprises a metal collar 14 with integral post plate attached to an internally threaded connector ring 16 and has an electrically conductive centre pin 18 formed from an inner conductor of a coaxial cable attached to the male connector. An electrical screening sheath of the coaxial cable, not shown, is connected to the metal collar. Female connector 12 comprises an externally threaded cylindrical metal outer portion 20 within which is nested cylindrical plastics insert 22 defining a cavity within which is secured conductive spring 24 electrically connectable to electrical circuitry or equipment associated with the female connector.
When the two connectors 10, 12 are screwed together as shown in Figure 2, inner conductive spring 24 receives pin 18 to establish an electrical connection between the coaxial cable attached to the male connector 10 and any electrical circuitry to which female connector 12 is connected. To ensure good electrical screening, male and female connectors 10, 12 are tightened with respect to each other so that metal collar 14 adjoins metal portion 20 so forming a closed connection and ensuring there is no electromagnetic signal leakage from or ingress into inner pin 18. However, if male connector 10 is not fully tightened on female connector 12, perhaps because it was not properly secured originally or it has become loose due to vibration or thermal effects, metal portion 20 of female connector 12 no longer adjoins metal collar 14 leaving an open gap 26. Electromagnetic signals can now leak to the outside through gap 26 and small gaps between the cooperating threaded portions and also unwanted signals can enter the inner conductor 18 by the same route.
To avoid this signal leakage, a female F-connector 30 in accordance with the invention is shown in Figure 4. In the connector according to the invention, an annular groove 33 is formed in the external threaded portion, proximal to an open connector end 34 which receives male pin 18. Electrically conductive ring spring 36 sits within this groove, see Figures 4 and 5, and provides a resilient electrically conductive annular member that can compress when force is exerted on it and restore to its original shape after the force is removed. The resilience of the ring member ensures that it does not interfere with interconnection of a male and female F- connector as it will be compressed and urged inwardly towards a central axis of the female connector as the male connector is tightened around it. The resilience ensures that the ring member expands outwardly to close any gap between the male and female connector. Even if the respective connectors loosen with respect to each other, the ring member will maintain an electrically conductive seal between the male and female connectors preventing leakage or ingress of RF (radio frequency) signals via the co-operating threads. Typically ring spring 36 will be made from metal but other electrically conductive materials can be used.
When the connector of the present invention is secured to a prior art male connector, resilient ring spring 36 will deform to allow the two connectors to be screwed together but will expand to ensure there is a complete seal between the internal face of male connector 10 and the external face of female connector 30. This sealed area prevents electromagnetic signals entering or leaving the conjoined connectors and gaining access to inner conductor 18. Where there is a failing connection due to loosening of a male and female connector, the female connector can be substantially loosened until the point where the ring spring no longer adjoins any of the external male thread before any leakage of signal occurs.

Claims

Claims
1. A female F-connector comprising an outer electrically conductive threaded portion, wherein an annular groove is formed in the threaded portion and a resilient electrically conductive ring member is located in the annular groove.
2. A female F-connector according to claim 1, wherein the ring member is a ring spring made from metal.
3. A female F-connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the annular groove is proximal to an open end of the female connector which is capable of receiving a pin from a male connector.
PCT/EP2013/060517 2012-07-13 2013-05-22 Female f-connector with improved screening WO2014009045A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1212520.9 2012-07-13
GB1212520.9A GB2503935B (en) 2012-07-13 2012-07-13 Female F-connector with improved screening

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014009045A1 true WO2014009045A1 (en) 2014-01-16

Family

ID=46799598

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2013/060517 WO2014009045A1 (en) 2012-07-13 2013-05-22 Female f-connector with improved screening

Country Status (2)

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GB (1) GB2503935B (en)
WO (1) WO2014009045A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2999221B1 (en) * 2012-12-07 2017-05-19 Ene29 S A R L ELECTRIC DEVICE FOR STIMULATING WELLS OF EXTRACTION OF SUBTERRANEAN RESOURCE
GB2563901B (en) * 2017-06-29 2022-08-10 Technetix Bv Coaxial cable connector

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4033654A (en) * 1976-07-29 1977-07-05 Automation Industries, Inc. Electrical connector
GB2135533A (en) * 1983-02-22 1984-08-30 Itt Electrical connector with an electrically shielding seal
GB2479630A (en) * 2010-04-12 2011-10-19 Technetix Group Ltd Cable connector with seal
US20130137299A1 (en) * 2011-11-30 2013-05-30 Perfectvision Manufacturing, Inc. Coaxial connector grounding inserts

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009128134A1 (en) * 2008-04-14 2009-10-22 三菱電機株式会社 Contactor

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4033654A (en) * 1976-07-29 1977-07-05 Automation Industries, Inc. Electrical connector
GB2135533A (en) * 1983-02-22 1984-08-30 Itt Electrical connector with an electrically shielding seal
GB2479630A (en) * 2010-04-12 2011-10-19 Technetix Group Ltd Cable connector with seal
US20130137299A1 (en) * 2011-11-30 2013-05-30 Perfectvision Manufacturing, Inc. Coaxial connector grounding inserts

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2503935A (en) 2014-01-15
GB2503935B (en) 2017-02-15
GB201212520D0 (en) 2012-08-29

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