Multiple coaxial cable connector

Details Multiple coaxial cable connector Multiple coaxial cable connector

1998-04-24

2001-01-09

Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

Including or for use with coaxial cable

Having means for interconnecting outer conductors of three...

C439S607070

Reexamination Certificate

active

06171143

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to multiple coaxial cable connectors.
PRIOR ART
Typically when coaxial cables are connected to an item of electrical equipment, the signal path from the coaxial connector to the circuit board (PCB) of the equipment is not coaxial. This non-coaxial manner of termination results in a radiated emissions phenomena known as pigtailed radiation in which the non-coaxial parts of the signal path actually radiate part of the signal. The intentional circuit current flowing through this connection produces a volt drop that acts as an excitation voltage between the equipment PCB/frame ground and the coaxial cable braid. This produces an end driven dipole mode of electromagnetic radiation. Additionally, the penetration of the coaxial cable screen into the equipment enclosure allows spurious signal coupling to the screen which also causes the cable screen to radiate unintentional electromagnetic radiation (probe effect).
Where large numbers of coaxial cables are required, for example in telecommunications multiplexers, individual coaxial connector terminations are impractical and D-type or screened controlled impedance (SCI) style connectors would typically be used to enable cost effective mass termination of the coaxial cables. While the effect of pigtailed coaxial radiation or probe effect EMR on one cable may be small and well below Class B emission limits (Euro-Norm EMC Standard EN55022), aggregation from many cables exacerbates this effect and can produce Class B and even Class A failures or poor margins.
One prior art attempt at reducing this problem is to ground the outer coaxial braids of the cables to the PCB/frame ground at their ingress to a connector. In this arrangement a section of each cable is stripped to expose the braid which is then bunched together and grounded by a metal strap (at entry to the connector) and conductive pathway to the PCB/frame ground. This arrangement however does not provide positive grounding on each cable, particularly as the number of cables bunched together increases.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,265 discloses a multi-socket coaxial assembly in which an electrically conducting moulded shell is employed which includes an integrally moulded connector plate having apertures into which the outer conductors of coaxial cables are inserted making electrical contact. The connector includes a specially cast shell and integrally formed connector panel with a plurality of apertures adapted to receive both coaxial and power cables. This connector arrangement is expensive to produce and time consuming to assemble and is not suitable for large numbers of coaxial cables for which connection is required in a relatively small space.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,500 discloses a multiple coaxial cable leads plug which includes a honeycomb grounding block to engage the outer conductor of each coaxial terminal. This many part connector is both expensive and complex to produce and to assemble during installation of the cables.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cable connector for multiple coaxial cables.
It is a further object of the present invention to reduce electromagnetic radiation emanating from multiple coaxial cable connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cable connector comprising:
a linear socket connector for terminating a plurality of coaxial cables in respective sockets;
a casing component for housing said socket connector;
and a connection element;
wherein said connection element is arranged to contact each coaxial cable to electrically connect each said cable to an outer surface of the casing component whereby to reduce electromagnetic radiation emissions.
In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a cable connector comprising:
a socket connector for receiving a plurality of coaxial cable termination sockets;
a connection element;
a casing component adapted to receive a plurality of coaxial cables;
wherein said socket connector exposes at least a part of each termination socket when fitted, and wherein said connection element is arranged to electrically connect each said exposed part to an outer surface of the casing component.
Screened controlled impedance sockets refers to coaxial cable connectors as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,965 (Myschik) and the corresponding socket connectors which are both well known in the art.
Preferably said socket connector is an SCI connector and said termination sockets are SCI sockets. Preferably said SCI connector comprises a longitudinal recess or cut-away which exposes the outer conductors of said SCI sockets when fitted.
Preferably said SCI connector comprises two longitudinal recesses on opposite sides of said SCI connector, each of which expose the outer conductors of said SCI sockets when fitted. Preferably said recesses are located at different sectional heights on said SCI connector.
Preferably said connection element comprises a plurality of spring fingers each adapted to contact a termination socket. Preferably the spring fingers are comprised of berrillium copper alloy. Alternatively, the connection element may be an electrically conducting strip for example a conductively loaded elastomer strip. As a further alternative the connection element may be integrally formed within the casing component.
Preferably, where said SCI connector comprises two longitudinal recesses, said cable connector comprises two connection elements located to connect each said SCI socket from two sides to said casing component.
Preferably said casing component is comprised of two parts. Preferably said casing components are comprised of metal, alternatively the casing components may be comprised of metallised plastic. As a further alternative, the casing components may comprise a metallised strip secured to a plastic casing, said strip extending from connection with the connection element to the face plate of said casing components. As a still further alternative, the connection element may extend to the face plate.
Preferably, said cable connector comprises a plurality of coaxial cables each terminated with a termination socket.
In a further inventive aspect the present invention provides a method of connecting a plurality of coaxial cables using a cable connector comprising:
a socket connector for receiving a plurality of coaxial cable termination sockets;
a connection element;
a casing component adapted to receive a plurality of coaxial cables;
wherein said socket connector is adapted to expose at least a part of each termination socket when fitted, and wherein said connection element is arranged to electrically connect each said exposed termination socket to an outer surface of the casing component, the method comprising the steps of:
fitting a plurality of coaxial cables each terminated in a termination socket into said socket connector;
securing said casing component to said socket connector such that said connecting element bonds each termination socket to said outer surface;
securing said cable connector to a receiving element.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3825874 (1974-07-01), Peverill
patent: 4340265 (1982-07-01), Ott et al.
patent: 4456317 (1984-06-01), McCleerey
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patent: 4687263 (1987-08-01), Cosmos et al.
patent: 4889500 (1989-12-01), Lazar et al.
patent: 4981447 (1991-01-01), Ichitsubo
patent: 5184965 (1993-02-01), Myschik et al.
patent: 5480327 (1996-01-01), Zola
patent: 5997348 (1999-12-01), Shepherd
patent: 42 36 945 (1994-05-01), None
patent: 0 073 600 (1983-03-01), None
“Shielded Connector Assembly Using Metalized Plastic”, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 30, No. 12, May 1988, pp. 84-85.

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