Device and method for protecting spring-biased conductor elements

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016336676-A1
Application number	US-201615153835-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 13, 2016
Priority date	May 15, 2015
Publication date	Nov 17, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A connector is provided including first and second connector portions each comprising electrically-connecting inner and outer conductors. A insert interposes the spring-biased fingers of an outer conductor basket of one of the connectors to prevent damage to the fingers in an unassembled condition/state, thereby ensuring electrical connectivity of the fingers in an assembled condition/state.

First claim

1 . A connector comprising:
first and second connector portions each having an electrically connecting inner conductor and an electrically connecting outer conductor; and an insert configured to prevent plastic deformation of at least one of the conductors in an unassembled condition to ensure the connectivity of the at least one conductor in an assembled condition.

2 . The connector of claim 1 wherein one of the conductors includes a plurality of outwardly-biased spring fingers projecting axially from an annular base, and
wherein the insert includes an insert ring configured to circumscribe the outwardly-biased spring fingers, the insert ring inhibiting the plastic deformation of the outwardly-biased spring fingers in the unassembled condition.

3 . The connector of claim 1 wherein one of the conductors includes a conductive socket and plurality of outwardly-biasing spring fingers surrounding the conductive socket, the spring fingers projecting axially from an annular base, and
wherein the insert includes a hub configured to circumscribe the conductive socket, an insert ring configured to circumscribe the outwardly-biased spring fingers and at least one radial member projecting from the hub and having a radial dimension selectively sized to prevent at least partial insertion of one of the connectors into the other of the connectors.

4 . The connector of claim 2 wherein the insert ring includes a plurality of spiral springs projecting from a side of the insert ring, the spiral springs configured to collapse and nest in combination with each other and with the insert ring when the first and second connectors engage in an assembled condition.

5 . The connector of claim 2 wherein the each of the spiral springs define an angle within a range of between about five about degrees (5°) to about forty-five degrees (45°).

6 . The connector of claim 3 wherein insert includes a plurality of radial members disposed in the radial area between the inner conductor and the outwardly biased conductor of the inner conductor.

7 . The connector of claim 2 wherein the each of the spiral springs is formed from a low dielectric material.

8 . The connector of claim 2 wherein the spiral springs is formed from the group of: a thermoplastic, thermoset, polyamid, and phenolic materials.

9 . The connector of claim 3 wherein the each of the radial members is formed from a low dielectric material.

10 . The connector of claim 3 wherein the radial members are formed from the group of: a thermoplastic, thermoset, polyamide, and phenolic materials.

11 . The connector of claim 1 wherein the connector includes first and second connector portions each having inner and outer conductors, the outer conductor of at least one of the connector portions comprising a plurality of spring-biased fingers,
wherein the insert comprises an insert ring and a plurality of spiral springs projecting axially from one side of the insert ring, the spiral springs nesting with each other and against the insert ring in response to an axial displacement applied to a side of the insert ring; and
wherein, in an unassembled condition, the insert ring is disposed around the spring-biased fingers to mitigate plastic deformation of the spring-biased fingers in a radially outboard direction, and
wherein, in an assembled condition, the insert collapses such that the spiral springs nest with the insert ring as the insert ring is forced downwardly by the outer conductor sleeve of the second connector portion as the first and second connector portions are coupled.

12 . The connector of claim 11 wherein one of the conductors includes a connector basket having a plurality of outwardly biased spring fingers, each spring finger having a shouldered lip, the shouldered lips collectively defining a first diameter dimension, and wherein the insert ring circumscribes the spring fingers and a defines second diameter dimension, the first diameter dimension of the shouldered lips being greater than the second diameter dimension of the insert ring.

13 . The connector of claim 1 wherein the connector includes first and second connector portions each having inner and outer conductors, the outer conductor of at least one of the connector portions comprising a plurality of spring-biased fingers,
wherein the insert includes a plurality of radial members projecting from an inner ring disposed around the inner conductor of one of the connector portions, the radial members defining a radial gap between an outer peripheral edge of the radial members and the outer conductor of the respective connector portion;
wherein, in an unassembled condition, the insert prevents ingress of an improperly-sized outer conductor sleeve, and
wherein, in an assembled condition, a cylindrical sleeve of the other connector portion slides into the radial gap defined between the radial members and the compliant fingers of the respective connector portion to make electrical contact between the outer conductors of the first and second connectors.

14 . The connector of claim 13 wherein insert includes
a hub disposed over an inner conductor
a ring disposed within a radial gap defined by and between the outwardly biased spring members and the inner conductor basket, and
a plurality of radial members disposed in the radial area between the inner conductor and the outwardly biased conductor of the inner conductor.

15 . The connector of claim 13 wherein the insert includes between two (2) and six (6) radial members.

16 . The connector of claim 13 wherein the hub, ring and plurality of radial members are integrally molded.

17 . The connector of claim 16 wherein the radial members are formed from a low dielectric material.

18 . The connector of claim 17 wherein the radial members is formed from the group of: a thermoplastic, thermoset, polyamide, and phenolic materials.

19 . (canceled)

20 . (canceled)

21 . A connector comprising:
an inner conductor operative to convey electrical signals; an outer conductor circumscribing the inner conductor and producing a conductive basket, the outer conductor configured to electrically and mechanically connect to a prepared end of a coaxial cable; an inhibitor interposing the inner and outer conductors configured to inhibit the inadvertent insertion of a non-mating connector between the inner and outer conductors.

22 . The connector of claim 21 wherein the outer conductor includes a plurality of axially projecting fingers circumscribing the inner conductor.

23 . The connector of claim 21 wherein the inhibitor interposing the inner and outer conductors and the outer conductor define a gap therebetween for accepting a mating connector.

24 . The connector of claim 21 wherein the inhibitor includes an insert configured to prevent plastic deformation of the axially projecting fingers by the non-mating connector.

25 . The connector of claim 24 wherein the insert includes an insert ring configured to circumscribe the axially projecting fingers and inhibiting the plastic deformation of the axially projecting fingers.

26 . The connector of claim 25 wherein the insert ring includes a plurality of spiral springs projecting from a side of the insert ring, the spiral springs configured to collapse and nest in combination with each other and with the insert ring when mating connectors engage in an assembled condition.

Assignees

• John Mezzalingua Ass Llc

Inventors

• Stevens Brandon M
• Wild Werner

Classifications

• H01R2201/02

  for antennas · CPC title

• H01R24/40 Primary

  specially adapted for high frequency · CPC title

• H01R13/6583

  with separate conductive resilient members between mating shield members · CPC title

• H01R13/44 Primary

  Means for preventing access to live contacts {(making use of a switch actuated by engagement of counterpart H01R13/7036)} · CPC title