GB2560547A - Electrical connector - Google Patents
Electrical connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2560547A GB2560547A GB1704099.9A GB201704099A GB2560547A GB 2560547 A GB2560547 A GB 2560547A GB 201704099 A GB201704099 A GB 201704099A GB 2560547 A GB2560547 A GB 2560547A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- sleeve
- longitudinally
- connector
- connector module
- conductor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Granted
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
- 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
- H01R24/50—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 mounted on a PCB [Printed Circuit Board]
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- 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
- H01R9/0515—Connection to a rigid planar substrate, e.g. printed circuit board
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/50—Fixed connections
- H01R12/51—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures
- H01R12/55—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals
- H01R12/57—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals surface mounting terminals
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- 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
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
Landscapes
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
Abstract
An electrical connector module 10, for connection to a circuit board, including: a connector interface 20 for connection with a corresponding interface on a cable; a connector body 30 for mounting on a circuit board; an electrically insulating sleeve 40 mounted in the connector body, defining a longitudinal axis and including a passageway extending longitudinally there through; and a conductor 50 extending through the passageway; wherein the sleeve includes: a first sleeve part 44 extending around a first section of the conductor; a second sleeve part 46 extending around a second section of the conductor spaced longitudinally from the first section of the conductor; and an expansion region 60 provided between the first and second sleeve parts to absorb longitudinal expansion of the first and second sleeve parts during heating of the electrical connector module. The connector may be a coaxial to PCB connector. The first and second sleeve parts may have longitudinally overlapping portions and a flange connected to the connector body.
Description
(54) Title of the Invention: Electrical connector
Abstract Title: Connector including an insulating sleeve having two parts longitudinally separated by an expansion region (57) An electrical connector module 10, for connection to a circuit board, including: a connector interface 20 for connection with a corresponding interface on a cable; a connector body 30 for mounting on a circuit board; an electrically insulating sleeve 40 mounted in the connector body, defining a longitudinal axis and including a passageway extending longitudinally there through; and a conductor 50 extending through the passageway; wherein the sleeve includes: a first sleeve part 44 extending around a first section of the conductor; a second sleeve part 46 extending around a second section of the conductor spaced longitudinally from the first section of the conductor; and an expansion region 60 provided between the first and second sleeve parts to absorb longitudinal expansion of the first and second sleeve parts during heating of the electrical connector module. The connector may be a coaxial to PCB connector. The first and second sleeve parts may have longitudinally overlapping portions and a flange connected to the connector body.
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TITLE: ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to coaxial connectors and particularly but not exclusively to coaxial connectors for use in transmitting high bandwidth video broadcast content over a distribution network.
A variety of different types of RF coaxial cable connectors are used in the field of broadcasting to connect RF coaxial cables transmitting video data to broadcast equipment. Typically, electrical connection is between the RF coaxial cables and printed circuit boards provided within a casing of the broadcast equipment and is achieved by coupling a connector interface provided on the end of the RF coaxial cable to a corresponding connector interface provided on a PCB connector module mounted on a printed circuit board. In the case of high frequency signals (e.g. HD broadcast signals), the impedance of the connector module must be carefully matched with the components it used to connect to preserve signal quality.
Unlike hand and wave solder PCB processing, modem PCB assembly methods such as reflow/reflux techniques require electromechanical components to undergo rapid heating cycles in order to make the solder joints that provide electromechanical attachment of the product to the PCB. Generally materials can be specified that can survive the extreme temperatures and to date manufacturers have assumed that conventional PCB connector modules will be unaffected by exposure to rapid heating cycles.
The present applicant has identified the desire for an improved PCB connector module for use with modem PCB reflow/reflux techniques.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an electrical connector (e.g. RF connector) module for connection to a circuit board, the module comprising: a connector interface (e.g. one part of a plug and socket connector interface, e.g. coaxial connector interface) for connection with a corresponding connector interface (e.g. second part of the plug and socket connector interface, e.g. coaxial connector interface) provided on a cable (e.g. an RF coaxial cable); a (e.g. electrically conductive) connector body supporting the connector interface and configured for mounting on a circuit board; an electrically insulating sleeve mounted in the connector body, the electrically insulating sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and including a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough; and a conductor (e.g. central conductor pin) extending through the passageway of the electrically insulating sleeve; wherein the electrically insulating sleeve includes: a first sleeve part extending around a first section of the conductor; a second sleeve part extending around a second section of the conductor spaced longitudinally from the first section of the conductor; and an expansion region provided between the first and second sleeve parts, the expansion region being configured to absorb longitudinal expansion of the first and second sleeve parts as the electrically insulating sleeve expands during heating of the electrical connector module.
Advantageously, the PCB connector module of the present invention permits the electrically insulating sleeve to be formed from materials (such as polymers) that will undergo temporary volumetric expansion significantly greater than that of the (e.g. metal) housing, whilst avoiding any permanent displacement of critically aligned components within the connector module which may reduce the electrical performance of the device. The mechanism of the invention assures the electrical performance of the connector is maintained after the temperature of the device has returned to normal operational parameters.
In one embodiment, the PCB connector module is a coaxial to PCB connector module (e.g. a triaxial to PCB connector module).
In one embodiment, the expansion region comprises a longitudinal gap (e.g. air gap) between opposed longitudinally-facing surfaces of the first and second sleeve parts, the longitudinal gap being configured to allow spacing between longitudinally facing surfaces of the first and second sleeve parts to reduce as the first and second sleeve parts expand longitudinally during heating.
In one embodiment, the first and second sleeve parts have longitudinally overlapping portions (e.g. longitudinally overlapping radially inner and radially outer portions). In the case of an expansion region formed by a longitudinal gap, the longitudinal gap may comprise a radially outer gap and a radially inner gap longitudinally offset from the outer gap.
In one embodiment, the longitudinally overlapping portions maintain a degree of overlap as the longitudinal gap varies between a predetermined maximum and minimum length.
In one embodiment, the conductor is attached to (e.g. only) one of the first and second sleeve parts (e.g. a leading one of the first and second sleeve parts closest to the connector interface).
In one embodiment, at least one of (e.g. both of) the first and second sleeve parts is attached to the connector body.
In one embodiment, wherein at least one of (e.g. each of) the first and second sleeve parts comprises a substantially cylindrical portion and an end flange connected to the connector body.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic exploded view of a coaxial to PCB connector module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the coaxial to PCB connector module of Figure 1 in an assembled configuration;
Figure 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the assembled coaxial to PCB connector module of Figure 1 along section A-A in a non-thermally-expanded configuration;
Figure 3B is a detailed enlarged fragmentary view of part of Figure 3 A;
Figure 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the assembled coaxial to PCB connector module of Figure 1 in a fully thermally expanded configuration;
Figure 4B is a detailed enlarged fragmentary view of part of Figure 3 A;
Figures 1-4B show a coaxial to PCB connector module 10 for electrically connecting an RF coaxial cable to a PCB (e.g. motherboard).
Connector module 10 comprises: a metal connector interface 20; a metal connector body 30 comprising a front body part 32 supporting connector interface and a rear body part 34 including a pair of conductive legs 36 configured for mounting the connector body to a PCB; an electrically insulating sleeve 40 mounted in the connector body 30, electrically insulating sleeve 40 defining a longitudinal axis and including an elongate longitudinally extending passageway 42; and a central conductor pin 50 (which forms part of the coaxial electrical connector interface) extending through passageway 42.
Electrically insulating sleeve 40 is typically formed from a polymer and includes first and second sleeve parts 44, 46. First sleeve part 44 comprises an elongate first cylindrical part 44A with a first circular end flange 44B at a leading end thereof. Second sleeve part 46 comprises a short second cylindrical part 46A with a second circular end flange 46B at a trailing end thereof.
As illustrated in Figure 3 A (which illustrates connector module 10 in a non-thermallyexpanded configuration at 21 °C), central conductor pin 50 is attached to first sleeve part 44 which in turn is attached (via first circular end flange 44B) to front body part 32 of connector body 30 in a longitudinally fixed position. Second sleeve part is connected in a longitudinally fixed position to front/rear body parts 32/34 of connector body 30.
As shown most clearly in Figure 3B: cylindrical parts 44A, 46A have longitudinally overlapping radially inner and radially outer annular portions 44C, 46C respectively; and first and second sleeve parts 44, 46 are installed in connector body 30 with an expansion region 60 provided therebetween in the form of a longitudinal gap 62 between opposed longitudinallyfacing surfaces 44D, 46D of the first and second sleeve parts 44, 46. As shown, longitudinal gap 62 comprises a radially outer gap 62A and a radially inner gap 62B longitudinally offset from the outer gap 62 A.
As shown in Figures 4A-4B (which illustrates connector module 10 in a fully thermally expanded configuration at 245°C), expansion region 60 is configured to absorb longitudinal expansion of the first and second sleeve parts 44, 46 as the electrically insulating sleeve 40 20 expands during rapid heating cycles applied to connector module 10 during PCB assembly using reflow/reflux techniques. The longitudinally overlapping portions 44C, 46C are of sufficient longitudinal length to maintain a degree of overlap as the longitudinal gap varies between a predetermined maximum and minimum length.
Advantageously, the connector module 10 is configured to avoid any permanent 25 displacement of critically aligned components within the connector module which may reduce the electrical performance of the connector, thereby assuring the intended electrical performance of the connector is maintained after the temperature of the module has returned to normal operational parameters.
Claims (7)
1. An electrical connector module for connection to a circuit board, the module comprising:
a connector interface for connection with a corresponding connector interface provided on a cable;
a connector body supporting the connector interface and configured for mounting on a circuit board;
an electrically insulating sleeve mounted in the connector body, the electrically insulating sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and including a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough;
and a conductor extending through the passageway of the electrically insulating sleeve; wherein the electrically insulating sleeve includes: a first sleeve part extending around a first section of the conductor; a second sleeve part extending around a second section of the conductor spaced longitudinally from the first section of the conductor; and an expansion region provided between the first and second sleeve parts, the expansion region being configured to absorb longitudinal expansion of the first and second sleeve parts as the electrically insulating sleeve expands during heating of the electrical connector module.
2. An electrical connector module according to claim 1, wherein the PCB connector module is a coaxial to PCB connector module.
3. An electrical connector module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the expansion region comprises a longitudinal gap between opposed longitudinally-facing surfaces of the first and second sleeve parts, the longitudinal gap being configured to allow spacing between longitudinally facing surfaces of the first and second sleeve parts to reduce as the first and second sleeve parts expand longitudinally during heating.
4. An electrical connector module according to claim 3, wherein the first and second sleeve parts have longitudinally overlapping portions, the longitudinally overlapping portions being configured to maintain a degree of overlap as the longitudinal gap varies between a predetermined maximum and minimum length.
5. An electrical connector module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the conductor is attached to only one of the first and second sleeve parts.
6. An electrical connector module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each 5 of the first and second sleeve parts is attached to the connector body.
7. An electrical connector module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the each of the first and second sleeve parts comprises a substantially cylindrical portion and an end flange connected to the connector body.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1704099.9 Examiner: Guy Cooper
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1704099.9A GB2560547B (en) | 2017-03-15 | 2017-03-15 | Electrical connector |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1704099.9A GB2560547B (en) | 2017-03-15 | 2017-03-15 | Electrical connector |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201704099D0 GB201704099D0 (en) | 2017-04-26 |
| GB2560547A true GB2560547A (en) | 2018-09-19 |
| GB2560547B GB2560547B (en) | 2021-11-17 |
Family
ID=58605415
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1704099.9A Expired - Fee Related GB2560547B (en) | 2017-03-15 | 2017-03-15 | Electrical connector |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2560547B (en) |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3117320A1 (en) * | 1980-10-15 | 1982-04-29 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | Coaxial angled element |
| WO1997015967A1 (en) * | 1995-10-27 | 1997-05-01 | The Whitaker Corporation | Sealed coaxial feedthrough connector |
| US20040038587A1 (en) * | 2002-08-23 | 2004-02-26 | Yeung Hubert K. | High frequency coaxial connector for microcircuit packaging |
| US20110244720A1 (en) * | 2010-04-02 | 2011-10-06 | Peng Chang Lin | Rf connector |
| US20160006145A1 (en) * | 2012-03-19 | 2016-01-07 | Holland Electronics Llc | Shielded and multishielded coaxial connectors |
-
2017
- 2017-03-15 GB GB1704099.9A patent/GB2560547B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3117320A1 (en) * | 1980-10-15 | 1982-04-29 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | Coaxial angled element |
| WO1997015967A1 (en) * | 1995-10-27 | 1997-05-01 | The Whitaker Corporation | Sealed coaxial feedthrough connector |
| US20040038587A1 (en) * | 2002-08-23 | 2004-02-26 | Yeung Hubert K. | High frequency coaxial connector for microcircuit packaging |
| US20110244720A1 (en) * | 2010-04-02 | 2011-10-06 | Peng Chang Lin | Rf connector |
| US20160006145A1 (en) * | 2012-03-19 | 2016-01-07 | Holland Electronics Llc | Shielded and multishielded coaxial connectors |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201704099D0 (en) | 2017-04-26 |
| GB2560547B (en) | 2021-11-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20250315 |