Connector adapter and connector testing system

Abstract

The application discloses a connector adapter, comprising: a first adapter adapted to be directly electrically connected with a first end of a connector, so that the first end of the connector can be electrically connected to a first cable through the first adapter and to a testing device through the first cable; and a second adapter adapted to be directly electrically connected with a second end of the connector, so that the second end of the connector can be electrically connected to a second cable through the second adapter and to the testing device through the second cable. In the application, each end of the connector can be directly connected with the adapter without being connected with the adapter via a circuit board, so that the influence of the circuit board on the testing data of the connector can be eliminated, the accuracy of the testing data of the connector is improved, and the cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector adapter and a connector testing system including the connector adapter. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, coaxial RF connectors typically include an outer conductor, a center conductor disposed within the outer conductor, and an insulator disposed between the outer conductor and the center conductor. During the design process of a coaxial RF connector, its performance needs to be tested. The two ends of a coaxial RF connector are only suitable for electrical connection to circuit boards or dedicated electronic components and cannot be directly connected to coaxial RF cables. Therefore, in existing technologies, to connect a coaxial RF connector to the corresponding test equipment, both ends of the connector are soldered to a circuit board, and each circuit board has a connector that is electrically connected to the test equipment via a coaxial RF cable. In this way, the coaxial RF connector is electrically connected to the test equipment sequentially through the circuit board, the connector, and the coaxial RF cable.

[0003] However, existing testing methods struggle to completely eliminate the influence of the circuit board on various test items, often resulting in inaccurate test results and data. Furthermore, the coaxial RF connector cannot be removed from the circuit board, preventing its reuse and significantly increasing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector adapter is provided, comprising: a first adapter adapted to be directly electrically connected to a first end of a connector, such that the first end of the connector can be electrically connected to a first cable via the first adapter and electrically connected to a test device via the first cable; and a second adapter adapted to be directly electrically connected to a second end of the connector, such that the second end of the connector can be electrically connected to a second cable via the second adapter and electrically connected to the test device via the second cable.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector is a coaxial radio frequency connector, and the first cable and the second cable are coaxial radio frequency cables.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first adapter includes: a first external adapter conductor, one end of which is adapted to be electrically connected to one end of the external conductor of the connector, and the other end of which is adapted to be electrically connected to the external conductor of the first cable; and a first central adapter conductor disposed in the first external adapter conductor, one end of which is adapted to be electrically connected to one end of the central conductor of the connector, and the other end of which is adapted to be electrically connected to the inner conductor of the first cable.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, one end of the first external adapter conductor is adapted to be threaded onto one end of the external conductor of the connector.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an external thread is formed on the outer wall of one end of the outer conductor of the connector, and an internal thread that mates with the external thread is formed on the inner wall of one end of the first outer adapter conductor.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, one end of the first center adapter conductor is adapted to be inserted into one end of the center conductor of the connector.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one end of the first center adapter conductor is cylindrical, one end of the center conductor of the connector is cylindrical, and one end of the center conductor of the connector is adapted to be inserted into one end of the first center adapter conductor.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first adapter further includes a first insulator disposed between the first outer adapter conductor and the first center adapter conductor for retaining the first center adapter conductor within the first outer adapter conductor.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second adapter includes: a second external adapter conductor, one end of which is adapted to be electrically connected to the other end of the external conductor of the connector, and the other end of which is adapted to be electrically connected to the external conductor of the second cable; and a second central adapter conductor disposed in the second external adapter conductor, one end of which is adapted to be electrically connected to the other end of the central conductor of the connector, and the other end of which is adapted to be electrically connected to the inner conductor of the second cable.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, one end of the second external adapter conductor is adapted to make electrical contact with the other end of the external conductor of the connector.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of electrical contacts are formed on the other end of the outer conductor of the connector, and the end face of one end of the second outer adapter conductor is planar and adapted to simultaneously make electrical contact with the plurality of electrical contacts on the other end of the outer conductor of the connector.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, one end of the second center adapter conductor is adapted to make electrical contact with the other end of the center conductor of the connector.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one end of the second center adapter conductor is disc-shaped, the other end of the center conductor of the connector is column-shaped, and the end face of one end of the second center adapter conductor is planar and adapted to make electrical contact with the other end of the center conductor of the connector.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second adapter further includes a second insulator disposed between the second outer adapter conductor and the second center adapter conductor for retaining the second center adapter conductor within the second outer adapter conductor.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the outer conductor of the connector includes a first outer conductor and a second outer conductor slidably assembled together; a first outer adapter conductor of the first adapter is adapted to be electrically connected to the first outer conductor of the connector; and a second outer adapter conductor of the second adapter is adapted to be electrically connected to the second outer conductor of the connector.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the center conductor of the connector includes a first center conductor and a second center conductor slidably assembled together; a first center adapter conductor of the first adapter is adapted to be electrically connected to the first center conductor of the connector; and a second center adapter conductor of the second adapter is adapted to be electrically connected to the second center conductor of the connector.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the connector further includes an insulator disposed between the outer conductor and the center conductor for retaining the center conductor within the outer conductor.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes an insulating base on which the second outer conductor is fixed; a central through hole is formed on the insulating base, through which the other end of the central conductor of the connector is exposed.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes an external elastic element, which is fitted onto the external conductor; one end of the external elastic element abuts against the insulating base, and the other end abuts against the positioning flange of the first external conductor.

[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes an internal elastic element disposed in the central conductor; one end of the internal elastic element abuts against the first central conductor and the other end abuts against the second central conductor.

[0025] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first adapter is adapted to be detachably electrically connected to a first end of the connector, and the second adapter is adapted to be detachably electrically connected to a second end of the connector, such that the connector is reusable.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector testing system is provided, comprising: the aforementioned first adapter, one end of which is electrically connected to a first end of a connector and the other end of which is electrically connected to a first cable; the aforementioned second adapter, one end of which is electrically connected to a second end of a connector and the other end of which is electrically connected to a second cable; and a testing device electrically connected to the first adapter and the second adapter via the first cable and the second cable, respectively.

[0027] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each end of the connector can be directly connected to the adapter without being connected to the adapter via a circuit board, thereby eliminating the influence of the circuit board on the connector's test data, improving the accuracy of the connector's test data, and reducing costs.

[0028] Furthermore, in some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the adapter and connector are detachably connected, thereby enabling the connector to be reused and reducing the design and development costs of the connector.

[0029] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0031] Figure 2 show Figure 1 The longitudinal sectional view of the connector shown;

[0032] Figure 3 A perspective view of a first adapter and connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0033] Figure 4 show Figure 3 A longitudinal sectional view of the first adapter and connector shown;

[0034] Figure 5A perspective view of a second adapter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0035] Figure 6 show Figure 5 The longitudinal sectional view of the second adapter shown. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0037] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0038] According to a general technical concept of the present invention, a connector adapter is provided, comprising: a first adapter adapted to be directly electrically connected to a first end of a connector, such that the first end of the connector can be electrically connected to a first cable through the first adapter and electrically connected to a test device through the first cable; and a second adapter adapted to be directly electrically connected to a second end of the connector, such that the second end of the connector can be electrically connected to a second cable through the second adapter and electrically connected to the test device through the second cable.

[0039] Figure 1 A perspective view of connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 show Figure 1 The longitudinal sectional view of connector 1 shown. Figure 3 A perspective view showing a first adapter 10 and a connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 show Figure 3 The longitudinal sectional view of the first adapter 10 and connector 1 shown.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector adapter includes a first adapter 10. The first adapter 10 is adapted to connect to the first end of the connector 1 (…). Figure 1 The right end of the connector 1 is directly electrically connected, so that the first end of the connector 1 can be electrically connected to the first cable (not shown) through the first adapter 10 and electrically connected to the test equipment (not shown) through the first cable.

[0041] Figure 5A perspective view of a second adapter 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 6 show Figure 5 The longitudinal sectional view of the second adapter 20 shown.

[0042] like Figure 1-2 and Figure 5-6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the aforementioned connector adapter further includes a second adapter 20. This second adapter 20 is adapted to connect to the second end of the connector 1 (…). Figure 1 The left end of the connector 1 is directly electrically connected, so that the second end of the connector 1 can be electrically connected to the second cable (not shown) through the second adapter 20 and then electrically connected to the test equipment through the second cable.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the aforementioned connector is a coaxial RF connector, and the first cable and the second cable are coaxial RF cables.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first adapter 10 mainly includes a first outer adapter conductor 11 and a first center adapter conductor 12. One end 11a of the first outer adapter conductor 11 is adapted to be electrically connected to one end 111 of the outer conductor 100 of the connector 1, and the other end 11b of the first outer adapter conductor 11 is adapted to be electrically connected to the outer conductor of the first cable. The first center adapter conductor 12 is disposed in the first outer adapter conductor 11, one end 12a of the first center adapter conductor 12 is adapted to be electrically connected to one end 211 of the center conductor 200 of the connector 1, and the other end 12b of the first center adapter conductor 12 is adapted to be electrically connected to the inner conductor of the first cable.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, one end 11a of the first external adapter conductor 11 is adapted to be threaded to one end 111 of the external conductor 100 of the connector 1.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, an external thread is formed on the outer wall of one end 111 of the outer conductor 100 of the connector 1, and an internal thread that mates with the external thread is formed on the inner wall of one end 11a of the first outer adapter conductor 11.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, one end 12a of the first center adapter conductor 12 is adapted to be inserted into one end 211 of the center conductor 200 of the connector 1.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 4As shown in the illustrated embodiment, one end 12a of the first center adapter conductor 12 is cylindrical, and one end 211 of the center conductor 200 of the connector 1 is cylindrical. One end 211 of the center conductor 200 of the connector 1 is adapted to be inserted into one end 12a of the first center adapter conductor 12.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first adapter 10 further includes a first insulator 13. The first insulator 13 is disposed between the first outer adapter conductor 11 and the first center adapter conductor 12, for holding the first center adapter conductor 12 within the first outer adapter conductor 11.

[0050] like Figure 1-2 and Figure 5-6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the second adapter 20 mainly includes a second outer adapter conductor 21 and a second center adapter conductor 22. One end 21a of the second outer adapter conductor 21 is adapted to be electrically connected to the other end 121 of the outer conductor 100 of the connector 1, and the other end 21b of the second outer adapter conductor 21 is adapted to be electrically connected to the outer conductor of the second cable. The second center adapter conductor 22 is disposed in the second outer adapter conductor 21. One end 22a of the second center adapter conductor 22 is adapted to be electrically connected to the other end 221 of the center conductor 200 of the connector 1, and the other end 22b of the second center adapter conductor 22 is adapted to be electrically connected to the inner conductor of the second cable.

[0051] like Figure 1-2 and Figure 5-6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, one end 21a of the second external adapter conductor 21 is adapted to make electrical contact with the other end 121 of the external conductor 100 of the connector 1.

[0052] like Figure 1-2 and Figure 5-6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of electrical contacts are formed on the other end 121 of the outer conductor 100 of the connector 1, and the end face of one end 21a of the second outer adapter conductor 21 is flat and adapted to make simultaneous electrical contact with the plurality of electrical contacts on the other end 121 of the outer conductor 100 of the connector 1.

[0053] like Figure 1-2 and Figure 5-6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, one end 22a of the second center adapter conductor 22 is adapted to make electrical contact with the other end 221 of the center conductor 200 of the connector 1.

[0054] like Figure 1-2 and Figure 5-6As shown in the illustrated embodiment, one end 22a of the second center adapter conductor 22 is disc-shaped, and the other end 221 of the center conductor 200 of the connector 1 is column-shaped. The end face of one end 22a of the second center adapter conductor 22 is flat and adapted to make electrical contact with the other end 221 of the center conductor 200 of the connector 1.

[0055] like Figure 1-2 and Figure 5-6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the second adapter 20 further includes a second insulator 23 disposed between the second outer adapter conductor 21 and the second center adapter conductor 22, for holding the second center adapter conductor 22 within the second outer adapter conductor 21.

[0056] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer conductor 100 of connector 1 includes a first outer conductor 110 and a second outer conductor 120 slidably assembled together; the first outer adapter conductor 11 of the first adapter 10 is adapted to be electrically connected to the first outer conductor 110 of connector 1; and the second outer adapter conductor 21 of the second adapter 20 is adapted to be electrically connected to the second outer conductor 120 of connector 1.

[0057] like Figure 1-2 and Figure 5-6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the center conductor 200 of connector 1 includes a first center conductor 210 and a second center conductor 220 slidably assembled together; the first center adapter conductor 12 of the first adapter 10 is adapted to be electrically connected to the first center conductor 210 of connector 1; and the second center adapter conductor 22 of the second adapter 20 is adapted to be electrically connected to the second center conductor 220 of connector 1.

[0058] like Figures 1 to 2 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, connector 1 further includes an insulator 300 disposed between the outer conductor 100 and the center conductor 200 for retaining the center conductor 200 within the outer conductor 100.

[0059] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 further includes an insulating base 140, on which the second external conductor 120 is fixed; a central through hole 141 is formed on the insulating base 140, through which the other end 221 of the central conductor 100 of the connector 1 is exposed.

[0060] like Figures 1 to 2 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 further includes an external elastic element 130, which is fitted onto the external conductor 100; one end of the external elastic element 130 abuts against the insulating seat 140, and the other end abuts against the positioning flange 112 of the first external conductor 110.

[0061] like Figures 1 to 2 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 further includes an internal elastic element 230, which is disposed in the center conductor 200; one end of the internal elastic element 230 abuts against the first center conductor 210, and the other end abuts against the second center conductor 220.

[0062] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first adapter 10 is adapted to be detachably electrically connected to the first end of the connector 1, and the second adapter 20 is adapted to be detachably electrically connected to the second end of the connector 1. In this way, the connector 1 can be easily separated from the first adapter 10 and the second adapter 20, making the connector 1 reusable.

[0063] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector testing system is also disclosed, which mainly includes the aforementioned first adapter 10, the aforementioned second adapter 20, and testing equipment. One end of the first adapter 10 is electrically connected to a first end of the connector 1, and the other end is electrically connected to a first cable. One end of the second adapter 20 is electrically connected to a second end of the connector 1, and the other end is electrically connected to a second cable. The testing equipment is electrically connected to the first adapter 10 and the second adapter 20 via the first cable and the second cable, respectively.

[0064] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing any conflict in structure or principle.

[0065] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0066] While some embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0067] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple elements. Furthermore, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A connector adapter, characterized by, Comprising: a first adapter (10) adapted to be directly electrically connected with a first end of a connector (1) so that the first end of the connector (1) can be electrically connected to a first cable through the first adapter (10) and to a test device through the first cable, the first adapter (10) comprising: a first outer adapter conductor (11) having one end (11a) adapted to be electrically connected with one end (111) of an outer conductor (100) of the connector (1) and another end (11b) adapted to be electrically connected with an outer conductor of the first cable; and a first center adapter conductor (12) disposed in the first outer adapter conductor (11) having one end (12a) adapted to be electrically connected with one end (211) of a center conductor (200) of the connector (1) and another end (12b) adapted to be electrically connected with an inner conductor of the first cable; wherein the one end (11a) of the first outer adapter conductor (11) is adapted to be threadedly connected to the one end (111) of the outer conductor (100) of the connector (1); wherein an outer thread is formed on an outer wall of the one end (111) of the outer conductor (100) of the connector (1) and an inner thread mating with the outer thread is formed on an inner wall of the one end (11a) of the first outer adapter conductor (11); and a second adapter (20) adapted to be directly electrically connected with a second end of the connector (1) so that the second end of the connector (1) can be electrically connected to a second cable through the second adapter (20) and to the test device through the second cable, the second adapter (20) comprising: a second outer adapter conductor (21) having one end (21a) adapted to be electrically connected with another end (121) of the outer conductor (100) of the connector (1) and another end (21b) adapted to be electrically connected with an outer conductor of the second cable; and a second center adapter conductor (22) disposed in the second outer adapter conductor (21) having one end (22a) adapted to be electrically connected with another end (221) of the center conductor (200) of the connector (1) and another end (22b) adapted to be electrically connected with an inner conductor of the second cable; wherein the one end (21a) of the second outer adapter conductor (21) is adapted to be in electrical contact with the another end (121) of the outer conductor (100) of the connector (1); wherein a plurality of electrical contacts are formed on the another end (121) of the outer conductor (100) of the connector (1) and an end surface of the one end (21a) of the second outer adapter conductor (21) is planar and adapted to be in electrical contact with the plurality of electrical contacts on the another end (121) of the outer conductor (100) of the connector (1) simultaneously; wherein the one end (22a) of the second center adapter conductor (22) is adapted to be in electrical contact with the another end (221) of the center conductor (200) of the connector (1); wherein one end (22a) of the second center adapter conductor (22) is disc-shaped, the other end (221) of the center conductor (200) of the connector (1) is column-shaped, and an end face of the one end (22a) of the second center adapter conductor (22) is planar and adapted to electrically contact the other end (221) of the center conductor (200) of the connector (1); wherein the first adapter (10) further comprises a first insulator (13) disposed between the first outer adapter conductor (11) and the first center adapter conductor (12) for holding the first center adapter conductor (12) in the first outer adapter conductor (11); and wherein the second adapter (20) further comprises a second insulator (23) disposed between the second outer adapter conductor (21) and the second center adapter conductor (22) for holding the second center adapter conductor (22) in the second outer adapter conductor (21).

2. The connector adapter of claim 1, wherein: the connector is a coaxial RF connector, and the first cable and the second cable are coaxial RF cables.

3. The connector adapter of claim 1, wherein: one end (12a) of the first center adapter conductor (12) is adapted to be inserted together with one end (211) of the center conductor (200) of the connector (1).

4. The connector adapter of claim 3, wherein: one end (12a) of the first center adapter conductor (12) is cylindrical, and one end (211) of the center conductor (200) of the connector (1) is column-shaped, and the one end (211) of the center conductor (200) of the connector (1) is adapted to be inserted into the one end (12a) of the first center adapter conductor (12).

5. The connector adapter of claim 1, wherein: the outer conductor (100) of the connector (1) comprises a first outer conductor (110) and a second outer conductor (120) that are slidably assembled together; the first outer adapter conductor (11) of the first adapter (10) is adapted to electrically connect with the first outer conductor (110) of the connector (1); the second outer adapter conductor (21) of the second adapter (20) is adapted to electrically connect with the second outer conductor (120) of the connector (1).

6. The connector adapter of claim 5, wherein: the center conductor (200) of the connector (1) comprises a first center conductor (210) and a second center conductor (220) that are slidably assembled together; the first center adapter conductor (12) of the first adapter (10) is adapted to electrically connect with the first center conductor (210) of the connector (1); the second center adapter conductor (22) of the second adapter (20) is adapted to electrically connect with the second center conductor (220) of the connector (1).

7. The connector adapter of claim 6, wherein: The connector (1) further comprises an insulator (300) arranged between the outer conductor (100) and the center conductor (200) for holding the center conductor (200) in the outer conductor (100).

8. The connector adapter of claim 6, wherein: The connector (1) further comprises an insulating seat (140) on which the second outer conductor (120) is fixed; A center through hole (141) is formed on the insulating seat (140), and the other end (221) of the center conductor (100) of the connector (1) is exposed outside via the center through hole (141).

9. The connector adapter of claim 8, wherein: The connector (1) further comprises an outer elastic element (130) sleeved on the outer conductor (100); One end of the outer elastic element (130) abuts against the insulating seat (140), and the other end abuts against the positioning flange (112) of the first outer conductor (110).

10. The connector adapter of claim 9, wherein: The connector (1) further comprises an inner elastic element (230) arranged in the center conductor (200); One end of the inner elastic element (230) abuts against the first center conductor (210), and the other end abuts against the second center conductor (220).

11. The connector adapter of claim 1, wherein: The first adapter (10) is adapted to be detachably electrically connected to the first end of the connector (1), and the second adapter (20) is adapted to be detachably electrically connected to the second end of the connector (1), so that the connector (1) is reusable.

12. A connector testing system, characterized by, comprising: The connector adapter of any one of claims 1-11, wherein one end of the first adapter (10) is electrically connected to the first end of the connector (1), and the other end is electrically connected to a first cable; wherein one end of the second adapter (20) is electrically connected to the second end of the connector (1), and the other end is electrically connected to a second cable; a test device electrically connected to the first adapter (10) and the second adapter (20) via the first cable and the second cable, respectively.

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