Electrical connectors – Including or for use with coaxial cable
Patent
1991-12-16
1996-08-06
Pirlot, David L.
Electrical connectors
Including or for use with coaxial cable
439585, H01R 907
Patent
active
055428614
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Miniature coaxial connectors are often constructed with machined inner and outer contacts. Since the contacts are of a relatively complex shape, machining them can be expensive. Sheet metal parts have not been widely used because it can be difficult to attach them to the cable so as to withstand moderate forces pulling the cable away from the connector. A connector which could be constructed at low cost, but which could be reliably held to a coaxial cable, would be of value.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a low-cost coaxial connector and cable assembly is provided, as well as the connector itself, wherein the connector is reliably secured to the cable. The connector includes inner and outer contacts and an insulator between them. The outer contact is formed of sheet metal rolled to a largely cylindrical shape. A rear portion of the outer contact is mechanically and electrically connected to the cable by first crimping a ferrule around insulation of the cable, preferably around the outer insulation or jacket of the cable. The outer conductor of the cable is placed around the crimped inner ferrule, the rear portion of the outer contact is placed around the cable outer conductor, and an outer ferrule is crimped around the sheet metal outer contact. Where the inner ferrule is crimped to the outer insulator or jacket of the cable, the connection provides a high holding force between the outer contact and the jacket of the cable to withstand substantial forces that tend to pull the cable out of the connector. Although the ferrules are seamless, they can be constructed at low cost from ordinary seamless tubing. This allows the connector contacts, especially the outer contact, to be constructed of rolled sheet metal, which enables contact construction at low cost.
The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional isometric view of a coaxial connector and cable assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 1, with the portion above the central line or axis being shown in section and the portion therebelow being shown in elevation.
FIG. 3 is a view taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the outer contact of the connector of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the insulator of the connector of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a partial sectional side view of the inner contact of the connector of FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a view taken on the line 8--8 of FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an assembly 10 of a coaxial connector 12 and a coaxial cable 14. The cable includes an inner conductor 16, an inner insulation 20 that generally surrounds the inner conductor, an outer conductor 22 that generally surrounds the inner insulation 20, and an outer insulation or jacket 24 that generally surrounds the outer conductor 22. A forward end portion 26 of the cable (with respect to forward direction F) has been stripped to remove a forward portion of the inner insulator 20 and outer conductor 22 a distance rearward of the extreme front end of the cable, and to remove a portion of the jacket 24 at a more rearward location (with respect to rearward direction R).
The connector 12 includes inner and outer contacts 30, 32 and a molded dielectric insulator 34 between them. The inner contact 30 has a forward portion 36 with slots 38 to form a socket to receive a pin contact. The inner conductor has a middle part 40 with tines 42 extending with an outward-rearward directional component to engage a shoulder 44 on the insulator, to retain the inner contact against rearward movement. A rearward portion 46 of the inner contact is designed to be crimped aroun
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Anhalt John W.
Zahlit Wayne A.
ITT Corporation
Pirlot David L.
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