Coaxial connector assemblies

Abstract

A connector assembly (10) includes: a connector housing (16) defining a cavity (18); a cylindrical terminal (20) disposed within the cavity (18); a primary terminal locking feature (22) configured to retain the cylindrical terminal (20) within the cavity (18); and a secondary terminal locking feature (24) configured to retain the cylindrical terminal (20) within the cavity (18). The secondary terminal locking feature (24) has a pair of arms (26) defining a recessed feature (30) that engages the cylindrical terminal (20) when the recessed feature (30) of the pair of arms (26) is wedged between the cylindrical terminal (20) and an inner wall (32) of the cavity (18).

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 055,955 filed on July 24, 2020 and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 365,038 filed on July 1, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Achieving ideal terminal retention in miniaturized coaxial connectors is challenging due to the low-profile geometry required for primary and secondary terminal locking features and terminal position assurance. Due to the circular geometry of the coaxial cavity, overlap of the secondary locking features with the terminal is difficult. Therefore, a coaxial connector that addresses these shortcomings is desirable.

[0004] The subject matter discussed in the Background section should not be considered prior art simply because it is mentioned in the Background section. Similarly, problems mentioned in the Background section or related to the subject matter in the Background section should not be considered to have been previously discovered in the prior art. The subject matter in the Background section merely represents different approaches and may themselves be inventions. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to an electrical connector suitable for use with coaxial cables.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a connector housing defining a cavity, a cylindrical terminal disposed within the cavity, a primary terminal locking feature configured to retain the cylindrical terminal within the cavity, and a secondary terminal locking feature configured to retain the cylindrical terminal within the cavity. The secondary terminal locking feature has a pair of arms defining a recessed feature that engages the cylindrical terminal when the recessed feature is wedged between the cylindrical terminal and an inner wall of the cavity.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment of one or more features of the connector assembly having a front section, the recessed feature wedges between the cylindrical terminal and the inner wall of the cavity when the secondary terminal locking feature moves from the ready position to the operative position.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment of a connector assembly having one or more features of any of the preceding paragraphs, an inner wall of the cavity forms a ramp configured to deflect the pair of arms in an axial direction toward the cylindrical terminal when the secondary terminal locking feature moves from the ready position to the operating position.

[0009] In exemplary embodiments having one or more features of the connector assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, the secondary terminal locking feature is configured to bias the cylindrical terminal toward the forward stop when in the operative position.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments having one or more features of the connector assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, the radius of the recessed feature is substantially equal to an outer radius of the cylindrical terminal.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments having one or more features of the connector assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, the secondary terminal locking feature defines a pre-locking feature configured to secure the secondary terminal locking feature to the connector housing in a ready position.

[0012] In exemplary embodiments having one or more features of the connector assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, the connector housing is configured to contain a male connector or a female connector.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments having one or more features of the connector assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, the connector housing is configured to contain two or four cylindrical terminals.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments having one or more features of the connector assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, the cylindrical terminal is a coaxial terminal.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the connector assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, the cylindrical terminal is a coaxial electrical terminal and is attached to a coaxial cable.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a coaxial electrical connector assembly is provided. The coaxial electrical connector assembly includes a connector housing defining a cavity, a cylindrical coaxial terminal attached to a coaxial cable disposed in the cavity, a primary device for retaining the cylindrical terminal in the cavity, and a secondary device for retaining the cylindrical terminal in the cavity that is movable from a ready position to an operative position, the secondary device having a recessed feature that is wedged between the cylindrical terminal and an inner wall of the cavity when in the operative position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coaxial connector assembly according to some embodiments;

[0019] Figure 2 According to some embodiments Figure 1 A perspective view of a female coaxial connector assembly of the coaxial connector assembly;

[0020] Figure 3According to some embodiments Figure 1 A perspective view of a male coaxial connector assembly of the coaxial connector assembly;

[0021] Figure 4 According to some embodiments Figure 2 A front perspective view of an independent secondary lock of a female coaxial connector assembly;

[0022] Figure 5 According to some embodiments Figure 4 Rear perspective view of the independent secondary lock;

[0023] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in a ready condition according to some embodiments;

[0024] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 An end view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in a ready condition according to some embodiments;

[0025] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A perspective side cross-sectional view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in a ready condition according to some embodiments;

[0026] Figure 9 yes Figure 6 A close-up perspective view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in a ready condition according to some embodiments;

[0027] Figure 10 yes Figure 2 A perspective side cross-sectional view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in an operating condition according to some embodiments;

[0028] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 an end cross-sectional view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in an operating condition according to some embodiments;

[0029] Figure 12 yes Figure 10 A close-up perspective side cross-sectional view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in an operating condition according to some embodiments;

[0030] Figure 13 yes Figure 6 an end cross-sectional view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in a ready condition according to some embodiments;

[0031] Figure 14 yes Figure 10 an end cross-sectional view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in an operating condition according to some embodiments;

[0032] Figure 15 yes Figure 6 A cutaway perspective view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in a ready condition according to some embodiments;

[0033] Figure 16 yes Figure 10 A cutaway perspective view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in an operating condition according to some embodiments;

[0034] Figure 17 yes Figure 10 A cross-sectional side view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in an operating condition according to some embodiments;

[0035] Figure 18 yes Figure 10 A perspective longitudinal cross-sectional view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in an operating condition according to some embodiments;

[0036] Figure 19 yes Figure 10 A close-up perspective longitudinal cross-sectional view of a female coaxial connector assembly having an independent secondary lock in an operating condition according to some embodiments;

[0037] Figure 20 is a perspective view of a coaxial connector assembly according to some embodiments;

[0038] Figure 21 According to some embodiments Figure 20 An exploded perspective view of a coaxial connector assembly;

[0039] Figure 22 is a perspective view of a coaxial connector assembly according to some embodiments;

[0040] Figure 23 According to some embodiments Figure 22 An exploded perspective view of a coaxial connector assembly;

[0041] Figure 24 According to some embodiments Figure 22 an end-on cross-sectional view of a coaxial connector assembly;

[0042] Figure 25 According to some embodiments Figure 22 A close-up end-view cross-sectional view of a coaxial connector assembly;

[0043] Figure 26According to some embodiments Figure 22 a side cross-sectional view of a coaxial connector assembly;

[0044] Figure 27 is a perspective view of a coaxial connector assembly according to some embodiments; and

[0045] Figure 28 According to some embodiments Figure 27 Exploded perspective view of a coaxial connector assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known methods, processes, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

[0047] A coaxial connector assembly provides a solution to overcome the problems described in the background section by clamping the terminal around its circular geometry while strengthening the primary lock feature of the terminal cavity and pushing the terminal toward a forward stop via a wedging action. The coaxial connector assembly includes an integrated secondary lock (ISL) feature that has more overlap with the coaxial terminal and is supported along the lateral axis of the connector by a wedging action. The ISL pushes the coaxial terminal in an axial mating direction to suppress the gap between the flexible primary locking feature in the cavity and the forward stop supported by the angled wedge arrangement in the cavity. The ISL is integrated with a primary lock reinforcement (PLR) feature. When moved to the final working position, the ISL backs up the terminal cavity primary lock. The wedging action of the ISL in the axial mating direction reduces or eliminates the load transferred from the terminal to the primary locking feature in the cavity during contact engagement.

[0048] Figure 1 A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a coaxial connector assembly 10 is shown in FIG. The coaxial connector assembly 10 includes Figure 2 The female coaxial connector assembly 12 shown in FIG. Figure 3 . Each of the male and female coaxial connector assemblies 12, 14 includes a connector housing 16 defining a cavity 18, a cylindrical coaxial terminal 20 disposed within the cavity 18, a primary terminal locking feature 22, and an integrated secondary terminal locking (ISL) feature 24. Figure 4 and 5As shown, the ISL feature 24 has a pair of arms 26 extending from a base 28. The terminal of each arm 26 defines a recessed feature 30 that engages the coaxial terminal 20 when the recessed feature 30 is wedged between the coaxial terminal 20 and the inner wall 32 of the cavity 18. Figure 6-9 The preparation position 34 shown in FIG is moved to Figure 10-12 , the arms 26 and recessed features 30 are wedged between the coaxial terminal 20 and the inner wall 32 of the cavity 18. As used herein, the term "wedging" means that the recessed surface 30 is in compressive contact with the coaxial terminal 20 while the arms 26 are in compressive contact with the inner wall 32 of the cavity 18. The radius of the recessed feature 30 is substantially equal to the outer radius of the coaxial terminal 20. Figure 8 As shown, the ISL feature 24 defines a pre-lock feature 38 in the form of an outwardly directed tab that is configured to secure the ISL feature 24 to the connector housing 16 when the ISL feature 24 is in the ready position 34 .

[0049] As in Figure 13 and 14 As seen in FIG, the inner wall 32 of the cavity 18 forms a ramp that is configured to deflect the pair of arms 26 toward the coaxial terminal 20 when the ISL feature 24 moves from the preparatory position 34 to the operating position 36.

[0050] like Figure 15-17 As shown in FIG, the ISL feature 24 is configured to bias the coaxial terminal 20 toward the front stop 40 in an axial direction along the mating axis of the connector assembly 10 when the ISL feature 24 is in the operating position.

[0051] Figure 18 and 19 It is shown that when the ISL feature 24 is in the operating position 36 , the ISL feature 24 also functions as a retainer for the primary terminal locking feature 22 .

[0052] Figure 20 and 21 Illustratively, both the female coaxial connector assembly 12 and the male coaxial connector assembly 14 include the ISL feature 24 .

[0053] Figure 22-23 Examples of female and male coaxial connector assemblies 42 , 44 having two coaxial terminals 20 are shown. Figure 27 and 28 Examples of female and male coaxial connector assemblies 46 , 48 having four coaxial terminals are shown.

[0054] The examples presented herein are directed to a coaxial electrical connector assembly 10. However, alternative embodiments of the connector assembly are contemplated to connect fiber optic cables, pneumatic tubing, hydraulic tubing, or hybrid assemblies having a combination of any of these types of conductors.

[0055] Thus, a coaxial connector assembly 10 is provided. Compared to the coaxial connector assemblies of the prior art, the coaxial connector assembly 10 provides the benefit of providing a clamping function that cooperates with the wedge to tightly hold the terminal, thereby providing maximum retention force for the coaxial terminal. The ISL feature 24 and the wedge and ramp arrangement in the cavity 18 push the coaxial terminal 20 toward the front stop 40 in the cavity 18 in the axial mating direction, which ensures that the terminal is in the proper position and provides a maximum engagement surface with the mating terminal, suppressing the gap between the coaxial terminal 20 and the front stop 40. The primary lock retainer (PLR) feature integrated with the ISL feature 24 supports and strengthens the primary terminal locking feature 22 in the cavity 18 for increasing the retention force of the terminal. The ISL feature 24 also provides the advantage of improving the signal integrity of the signal conducted by the coaxial connector assembly 10 by reducing deflection.

[0056] While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto, but rather is limited only by the scope set forth in the following claims. For example, the embodiments described above (and / or various aspects thereof) may be used in combination with one another. Furthermore, various modifications may be made to adapt circumstances or materials to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its broad scope. The sizes, types, orientations of the various components, and the number and position of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting, but rather are merely prototype embodiments.

[0057] After reading the above description, many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims and the full range of equivalents encompassed by these claims.

[0058] As used herein, “one or more” includes functions performed by one element, functions performed by more than one element, such as in a distributed fashion, several functions performed by one element, several functions performed by several elements, or any combination of the above.

[0059] It should also be understood that, although in some cases the terms first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements in this article, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments, the first contact can be referred to as the second contact, and similarly, the second contact can be referred to as the first contact. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact.

[0060] The terms used in the description of the various embodiments herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "and / or" as used herein refer to and encompass all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It should also be understood that the term "comprising" as used herein specifically refers to the presence of the stated features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, and / or parts, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts, and / or combinations thereof.

[0061] As used herein, the term “if” is optionally interpreted to mean “when” or “upon or in response to determining or in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if “[the stated condition or event] is detected” is optionally interpreted to mean “upon deciding” or “in response to deciding” or “upon [the condition or event] is detected” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context.

[0062] In addition, although the terms of regulations or orientations may be used herein, these elements should not be limited by these terms. Unless otherwise specified, all regulations or orientations are used to distinguish one element from another and do not imply any arrangement order, operating order, direction or orientation unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. A coaxial electrical connector assembly (10), comprising: a connector housing (16) defining a cavity (18); a cylindrical coaxial terminal (20) disposed within the cavity (18); a primary terminal locking feature (22) configured to retain the cylindrical coaxial terminal (20) within the cavity (18); a secondary terminal locking feature (24) configured to retain the cylindrical coaxial terminal (20) within the cavity (18), the secondary terminal locking feature (24) having a pair of arms (26) defining a recessed feature (30) that engages the cylindrical coaxial terminal (20) when the recessed feature (30) is wedged between the cylindrical coaxial terminal (20) and the inner wall (32) of the cavity (18), wherein the recessed feature (30) is wedged between the cylindrical coaxial terminal (20) and the inner wall (32) of the cavity (18) when the secondary terminal locking feature (24) moves from a ready position (34) to an active position (36), and The inner wall (32) of the cavity (18) forms a ramp configured to deflect the pair of arms (26) in an axial direction toward the cylindrical coaxial terminal (20) when the secondary terminal locking feature (24) moves from the ready position (34) to the operating position (36).

2. The coaxial electrical connector assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The secondary terminal locking feature (24) is configured to bias the cylindrical coaxial terminal (20) toward a forward stop (40) when in the operating position (36).

3. The coaxial electrical connector assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radius of the recessed feature (30) is substantially equal to the outer radius of the cylindrical coaxial terminal (20).

4. The coaxial electrical connector assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The secondary terminal locking feature (24) defines a pre-locking feature (38) configured to secure the secondary terminal locking feature (24) to the connector housing (16) in the ready position (34).

5. The coaxial electrical connector assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector housing (16) is configured to contain a male connector.

6. The coaxial electrical connector assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector housing (16) is configured to contain a female connector.

7. The coaxial electrical connector assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector housing (16) is configured to contain two cylindrical coaxial terminals (20).

8. The coaxial electrical connector assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector housing (16) is configured to contain four cylindrical coaxial terminals (20).

9. The coaxial electrical connector assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylindrical coaxial terminal (20) is attached to a coaxial cable.

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