EP2684259B1 - High frequency coaxial connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a high-frequency coaxial connector, respectively, a coaxial connector part for a high-frequency coaxial connector according to the preamble of the independent claim.

Various high-frequency coaxial connectors for the operative connection of printed circuit boards are known from the prior art.

US4925403 was deposited in 1988 on behalf of Gilbert Engineering Co. US'403 shows a coaxial connector consisting of two connector parts and a transition piece arranged between them. All three connector parts have a comparatively complicated coaxial construction. The connector is constructed so that some lateral offset can be compensated. Due to the structure no compensation is possible in the axial direction. The transition piece is releasably snapped into the first and the second connector part.

EP0793299 was deposited in 1997 on behalf of Otto Dunkel GmbH. EP'299 shows a coaxial connector, which serves for interconnecting interconnects running in parallel printed circuit boards. The connector also includes two connector parts and a transition piece which can be snapped into the connector parts. Compared to the prior art should result in a considerable simplification of the fact that the insulators of the connector parts are designed uniformly.

US5980290 was deposited in 1998 on behalf of the company Radiall SA. US'290 also deals with a coaxial connector. The connector consists of two coaxially constructed connector parts, which are able to compensate for a certain misalignment in the transverse direction. The connector parts have a comparatively complicated, cost-intensive construction.

EP1028490 was deposited in 2000 in the name of Radall SA. EP'490 shows a one-piece coaxial connector which is soldered onto boards to be connected. Although the connector has a simple structure, but can not be solved after assembly.

WO0052788 was deposited in 2000 in the name of the same applicant. WO'788 shows a coaxial connector with two connector parts and a transition piece arranged between them. The coaxial connector can compensate for both radial and axial misalignments. The connector parts and the transition piece are coupled together by snap connections. Spherical surfaces allow the required play.

EP1207592 was deposited in 2001 in the name of Rosenberger. EP'592 shows a coaxial connector with two connector parts and a transition piece also arranged coaxially therebetween. This makes it possible that a certain compensation is possible both in the axial and in the radial direction. The connector has a comparatively complicated construction.

US2002111057 was deposited in 2002 in the name of Harting. US'057 shows in one embodiment a multi-connector with two connector parts, which, however, have no coaxial structure. One of the connector parts has a plurality of sleeves which serve to connect the conductors. The sleeves are movable to some extent in the lateral direction and are supported by an outer housing. The connector is not suitable for transmitting high frequencies.

US2003060069 was deposited in 2002 on behalf of the company Tyco. US'069 shows a coaxial connector for operatively connecting the tracks of two parallel boards. The connector consists only of a connector part with resiliently arranged connecting means, which connect directly to conductor tracks of a circuit board. Due to the punctual connection only little power can be transmitted.

GB 678 392 A British Insulated Callender's Cables Limited, 1951, shows a two-piece electrical connector with multiple contacts. In order to compensate for production-related misalignments of the individual contacts, the individual contacts are surrounded by an elastic sleeve and are held in the interior of the connector by a spherical anchor element, which according to the document clearly limited bends of the contacts to be made possible.

Furthermore, coaxial connectors are known from the following publications, which are suitable for the compensation of certain misalignments: US2004038586A . US2007026698A . US2007251808A . US2006194465A . US2007004276A . CN2879475Y . US2008057782A . US2009149086A or CN101459304A , All connectors have a comparatively complicated structure.

An object of the invention is to show a connector by means of the high-frequency connectors between several scattered points can be easily and inexpensively manufactured on a printed circuit board (PCB) and, for example, a parallel front of a module. Another object of the invention is to show a connector which can compensate for positional inaccuracies.

This object is achieved by the coaxial connector part defined in the independent claims, or the high-frequency coaxial connector.

In one embodiment, a high-frequency coaxial connector consists of a first coaxial connector part and a second connector part operatively connected thereto. The first connector part designed so that it can be integrated in a front panel of a housing (module). Pro first connector part is attached to a corresponding position, a contact pin (second connector part) on a circuit board, for example by soldering. The contact pin can be mounted on a surface of the circuit board or plugged through a hole in the circuit board and then soldered, for example. In one embodiment For example, the first connector has an insulator, a pin-shaped inner conductor and a connection sleeve plugged onto the inner conductor. The connecting sleeve has at the rear end a flange which is held in the mounted state in a groove of the insulator.

The circuit board-side end of the inner conductor pin is designed so that it allows a certain lateral deflection of the contacting socket in a defined area. Advantageously, the inner conductor has a spherical end region at its end on the printed circuit board side, which protrudes into the socket in the mounted state and makes it electrically conductive along an inner surface. Depending on the requirements, differently shaped end areas can be used. For example, can be generated at a deviating from a spherical shape end surface, a restoring force by the resiliently formed connecting sleeve is deformed deformed in a deflection.

Insulator, inner conductor pin and socket can be used as a preassembled module in the front panel, e.g. be attached by pressing. The front panel can serve as an outer conductor of the connector. As a high-frequency shield between the front panel and circuit board is advantageously a conductive EMI gasket (electromagnetic interference) is used. In one embodiment, this shield is recessed into the front panel. The EMI gasket contacts the ground of the PCB. In an operatively connected state, the shield is compressed in the axial direction, depending on the distance between the front and circuit board.

Solutions known from the prior art are generally based on a connector pair having a first and a second connector part, which are operatively connected to one another by a coaxially constructed transition piece. Both the connector parts and the transition piece have a coaxial, often complicated structure and are therefore relatively expensive. Contact other connectors known in the art the circuit board without sufficient RF shielding or have an insufficient tolerance compensation. A connector according to the invention does not have these disadvantages and is limited to a minimum of components.

In one embodiment, the coaxial connector comprises a first coaxial connector part with an outer conductor and an inner conductor held with respect to this by means of an insulator. The inner conductor is arranged in an opening of the insulator and has an end piece which is electrically conductively connected to an electrically conductive configured connecting sleeve. The connection sleeve is mechanically operatively connected to the isolator via first operative connection means. The mechanical operative connection is designed so that the connecting sleeve can be tilted in the lateral direction by an angle α. A length compensation in the axial direction (perpendicular to the opposite printed circuit board) is e.g. by the operative connection with a second, pin-shaped connector part as described below.

The first connector part may have a spherically formed end piece, which cooperates in the assembled state with an inner surface of the connecting sleeve. The operative connection means may consist of a thickening formed on the connecting sleeve and a groove arranged in the interior of the opening of the insulator, in which the thickening engages in the mounted state. The thickening and the groove are advantageously designed so that the connection sleeve in the lateral direction up to a certain tilt angle, respectively. Deflection angle, can be tilted. Good results are achieved if the thickening is arranged above the end piece, since this does not negatively restrict the possible tilt angle. If necessary, the connection sleeve may have slots which make the edge regions elastic, so that the connection sleeve can be snapped.

In one embodiment, the connection sleeve has an inwardly directed projection with a conically shaped guide surface which opens into a connection opening which is suitable for receiving a pin-shaped second connector part. The outer conductor may have a contact surface, which may serve for contacting a conductor track on a printed circuit board. According to the invention, an electrically conductive seal made of deformable material is attached to a board-side end of the outer conductor, which is suitable for contacting a conductor track on a printed circuit board. The connector according to the invention provides a good high-frequency shielding and at the same time makes it possible to compensate for position inaccuracies in the axial and radial directions. In one embodiment of the coaxial connector, which is suitable for bridging a distance of 9 mm between a printed circuit board (PCB) and a device front panel, an axial offset of up to 1 mm and a radial offset of up to 0.5 mm can be compensated. With appropriate design, other areas are possible. The connector according to the invention is particularly suitable for a cost-effective "floating" connection of high-frequency components on a printed circuit board. On the circuit board usually only a simple inner conductor pin must be soldered. The high-frequency shielding can be optimally ensured, even if there are geometric deviations between the elements to be contacted. In one application, a filter is operatively connected directly to a board of a duplexer in a mobile radio base station.

Fig. 1

eine erste Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Koaxialverbinders in einer perspektivischen Darstellung von schräg oben;

Fig. 2

den Koaxialverbinder gemäss Figur 1 in einer Explosionsdarstellung;

Fig. 3

den Koaxialverbinder gemäss Figur 1 in montiertem Zustand;

Fig. 4

den Koaxialverbinder gemäss Figur 1 in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 5

eine Schnittdarstellung durch den Koaxialverbinder entlang der Schnittlinie AA gemäss Figur 4;

Fig. 6

eine zweite Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Koaxialverbinders in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 7

eine Schnittdarstellung durch den Koaxialverbinder entlang der Schnittlinie BB gemäss Figur 6.

With reference to the following figures, embodiments of the invention will be described. Show it

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of an inventive coaxial connector in a perspective view obliquely from above;

Fig. 2

the coaxial connector according to FIG. 1 in an exploded view;

Fig. 3

the coaxial connector according to FIG. 1 in assembled condition;

Fig. 4

the coaxial connector according to FIG. 1 in a side view;

Fig. 5

a sectional view through the coaxial connector along the section line AA according to FIG. 4 ;

Fig. 6

a second embodiment of a coaxial connector according to the invention in a side view;

Fig. 7

a sectional view through the coaxial connector along the section line BB FIG. 6 ,

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an inventive coaxial connector 1 in a perspective view obliquely from above. FIG. 2 shows the same coaxial connector 1 in an exploded view. FIG. 3 shows the coaxial connector 1 in the assembled state. FIG. 4 shows the coaxial connector 1 in a side view and FIG. 5 shows the coaxial connector 1 in a sectional view along the section line AA. FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of an inventive coaxial connector 1 in a side view and FIG. 7 shows the coaxial connector 1 in a sectional view along the section line BB. In the individual embodiments, corresponding regions are provided with the same reference numerals.

In the Figures 1 and 2 the coaxial connector 1 is shown cut away, so that the inner life of the coaxial connector 1 is better visible.

The coaxial connector 1 consists of a first connector part 2 and a second connector part 3. The first connector part 2 is attached to, for example, a housing or is in this integrated. Depending on the field of application, the first connector part 2 can also be designed such that it can be fastened on a printed circuit board.

The first connector part 2 has an inner conductor 4, an outer conductor 5, and an insulator 6. The insulator 6 serves for holding and positioning the inner conductor 4 with respect to the outer conductor 5 (shown partially in section). The inner conductor 4 is pressed from above (z direction) to a stop in the insulator 5. The insulator 5 is pressed in the representation shown from below into the outer conductor 6. Other types of mounting and structures are possible if required. In the embodiment shown according to the Figures 1-5 the outer conductor 6 is part of a housing 18 of a larger device shown only schematically. The outer conductor 6 is formed above. It protrudes through an opening 22 of a shield 21, which is arranged on a circuit board 14. As in FIG. 3 shown, the outer conductor 5 may also be formed as a separate part, which is suitable for example by pressing or soldering for Wirkverbinden with a housing and / or a circuit board.

At the bottom, board-side end of the outer conductor 5 a seal (EMI seal) 7 is attached here. The seal 7 is made of electrically conductive material and forms an electrically conductive operative connection between the outer conductor 6 and printed conductors (not shown in detail) of the board 14. If necessary, the seal 7 may be made of deformable material, which at a comparatively low contact force is a good conductive Compound forms. Another advantage is that the seal allows a shielding of the inner life against external influences. Depending on the field of application, the outer conductor 5 can also be in direct contact with the printed conductors of the printed circuit board 14.

The inner conductor 2 has an end piece 8 with a spherical end surface 9, which in the assembled state engages in a connection sleeve 10 and is electrically conductive therewith in contact. Depending on the field of application, the end surface 9 may also have a different design from a spherical surface, provided that the lateral movement is not adversely affected.

The insulator 6 has an axially continuous opening 11, in which the connecting sleeve 10 is arranged. The opening 11 has an undercut 12 (circumferential groove), in which a arranged at the rear end of the connecting sleeve 10, radially outwardly projecting thickening 13 is snapped. The circumferential groove 12 and the thickening 13 together form the first operative connection means. The undercut 11 is arranged in the embodiment shown above a center 25 of the spherical end face 9, whereby a solid mechanical coupling and a good maximum deflection angle is achieved. Towards the lower end, the opening 11 widens in a funnel shape, so that the connecting sleeve 10 - as in FIG. 5 shown - in the lateral direction by a deflection angle α is deflectable. The opening 11 is configured in the embodiment shown so that it supports the connecting sleeve 10 at maximum deflection laterally. The flange 13 and the undercut 12 are formed so that they do not unintentionally counteract the tilting of the connecting sleeve 10.

The connecting sleeve 10 acts in an operatively connected state (cf. FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 ) with a contact pin 3 (second connector part) together, on a housing 18 opposite the board 14, for example by soldering (variant FIG. 5 ) or insertion and soldering (variant according to Figures 1-3 ) is attached. In the embodiment shown, the connecting sleeve 10 has at the lower end an inwardly directed projection 15, which forms a contact opening 16 in front of which a funnel-shaped guide surface 17 is arranged. The contact pin 3 engages in operatively connected state in the contact surface 16 and forms with this an electrically conductive connection. The guide surface 17 helps the connecting sleeve 10 relative to the contact pin 3 even at a certain to bring lateral offset into the correct position. The connecting sleeve 10 is slidably disposed along the contact pin 3, so that an axial length compensation (z-direction) is possible. The maximum possible axial length compensation is determined inter alia by the length of the contact pin, as well as the configuration of the contact sleeve 10.

Thus, the thickening 13 can be snapped into the circumferential groove 12 at the rear end of the connecting sleeve 10, the connecting sleeve 10 has first slots 23, which ensure that the rear end can be resiliently deformed when snapping. At the front end, the connecting sleeve 10 has second slots 24, which ensure that the front end of the connecting sleeve 10 can be elastically resiliently expanded in the region of the contact opening 16, so that the contact pin 3 can be inserted into this.

The inner conductor 4, the outer conductor 5, and the connecting sleeve 10 are preferably made of metal as turned parts (Décolletage parts).

The non-inventive example according to the FIGS. 6 and 7 has in principle the same structure as the embodiment according to the Figures 1-5 , With regard to the general description, reference is made to the corresponding statements. As in the sectional view according to FIG. 7 can be seen, in the example, two EMI gaskets 7 are present, which operatively connect the outer conductor 5 to the board via an outer conductor sleeve 26. In the example shown, the two EMI seals 7 and the outer conductor sleeve 26 are glued to the circuit board 14 and stick to the release of the first connector part to this. If necessary, others Separations possible. For example, the upper seal 7, as well as the outer conductor sleeve 26 may adhere to the first connector part 1. In a further embodiment, both seals 7 and the outer conductor sleeve 26 when releasing the first connector part 2 from the second connector part 3 on the first connector part 2 adhere. The insulator 6 is fixed by an here annular holder 27 in the outer conductor 5.

Another difference is that the insulator 6 has a shorter configuration. The connecting sleeve 10 is deflectable in the lateral direction by a deflection angle α. It is supported laterally at maximum deflection by the side wall of the funnel-shaped opening 11. The connector 1 shown is designed so that a lateral offset (radial direction xy plane) between the first and the second connector part 2, 3 of up to 0.6 mm and in the axial direction (z-direction) of 1mm can be easily compensated. LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS α Deflection angle (tilt angle) 14 circuit board 1 Koxialverbinder 15 head Start 2 first connector part 16 contact opening 3 second connector part, contact pin 17 baffle 4 inner conductor 18 Housing (device) 5 outer conductor 19 Inner surface (connecting sleeve) 6 insulator 20 contact area 7 Seal (EMI seal) 21 shielding 8th tail 22 opening 9 End face (spherical end face) 23 first slots 10 connecting sleeve 24 second slots 11 opening 25 Center spherical end surface 12 circumferential groove (undercut) 26 Outer conductor sleeve 13 radially projecting thickening 27 annular holder

Claims (10)

1. A coaxial connector part (2) comprising an outer conductor (5) and an inner conductor (4) which is held relative to said outer conductor by means of an insulator (6) and which is arranged in an opening (11) of the insulator (6) and comprises an end piece (8) which is operatively connected in an electrically conductive manner to a connecting sleeve (10), and wherein the connecting sleeve (10) is mechanically operatively connected to the insulator (6) via first operative connecting means (12, 13), so that the connecting sleeve (10) may be tilted by a tilt angle α relative to the inner conductor (4), characterised in that an electrically conductive seal (7) made of deformable material is fastened to an end of the outer conductor (5) on the printed circuit board side which is suitable for contacting a printed conductor on a printed circuit board (14).
2. The coaxial connector part (2) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the end piece (8) is configured to be ball-shaped and in the mounted state cooperates with an inner surface (19) of the connecting sleeve (10) .
3. The coaxial connector part (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first operative connecting means (12, 13) are formed by a thickened area (13) provided on the connecting sleeve (10) and a groove (12) situated in the interior of the opening (11) of the insulator, the thickened area (13) engaging in said groove in the mounted state.
4. The coaxial connector part (2) according to Claim 3, characterised in that the thickened area (13) is further removed in the axial direction (z) from an end of the connector part on the printed circuit board side than a centre of the end piece (8).
5. The coaxial connector part (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the opening (11) in the insulator (6) is configured such that the connecting sleeve (10) is laterally supported by the inner wall of the opening (11) at a maximum tilt angle α.
6. The coaxial connector part (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting sleeve (10) forms an inwardly oriented projection (15) which forms a contact opening (16) and comprises a guide surface (17) which is of conical configuration and which is suitable for receiving a pin-shaped second connector part (3).
7. The coaxial connector part (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer conductor (5) comprises a contact surface which serves for contacting a printed conductor on a printed circuit board.
8. A coaxial connector (1) having a first connector part (2) according to one of the preceding claims and a second connector part (3) which is suitable for being operatively connected to the first connector part.
9. The coaxial connector according to Claim 8, characterised in that the second connector part (3) includes a pin-shaped design.
10. The coaxial connector (1) having a first connector part (2) according to Claim 6 and a second connector part (3) which is suitable for being operatively connected to the first connector part, characterised in that the second connector part (3) includes a pin-shaped design and the second connector part (3) engages in the contact opening (16) and is displaceable relative thereto in the axial direction (z) .

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