Positioning adapter for coaxial connector assembly

Abstract

A coaxial connector assembly (100) includes a connector module (102) having a connector body (120) including contact channels (148). The coaxial connector assembly includes coaxial contacts (132) received in corresponding contact channels, the coaxial contacts having a center contact (134), a conductive shell (136) coaxial with the center contact, and an insulator (138a) between the center contact and the conductive shell. The coaxial connector assembly includes a positioning adapter (200) received in a corresponding contact channel, the positioning adapter having an adapter body (202) forming an adapter bore (208) that receives the coaxial contact. The adapter body engages a retention feature (180) to position the coaxial contact relative to the adapter body and engages the connector body to position the coaxial contact in a contact cavity (144). The adapter component enables use of multiple coaxial contact sizes in the same connector module contact channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The topics described and / or illustrated herein generally relate to coaxial connector assemblies. Background Technology

[0002] Coaxial connectors are known to be used for interconnecting various coaxial components, such as coaxial cables, circuit boards, and / or the like. A coaxial connector includes one or more pairs of coaxial contacts. Each pair of coaxial contacts includes a center contact and a conductive housing arranged concentrically with the center contact. Coaxial connectors typically include an array of coaxial contacts. A coaxial connector can be designed to receive a first type of coaxial contact, such as a coaxial contact with a first diameter. Other coaxial connectors can be designed to receive a second type of coaxial contact, such as a coaxial contact with a second diameter. It is desirable to use different types of coaxial contacts within the same coaxial connector. However, redesigning a coaxial connector to arrange coaxial contacts of different diameters within the connector body is expensive.

[0003] A coaxial connector assembly is needed, configured to receive coaxial contacts of different diameters. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one embodiment, a coaxial connector assembly is provided. The coaxial connector assembly includes a connector module having a connector body including contact channels extending through and between a front and rear side of the connector body. The front side faces a mating direction to mate with a mating connector assembly. The coaxial connector assembly includes coaxial contacts received in corresponding contact channels. The coaxial contacts terminate at an end of a coaxial cable. Each coaxial contact has a center contact, a conductive housing coaxial with the center contact, and an insulator between the center contact and the conductive housing. The conductive housing has a retaining feature. The coaxial connector assembly includes positioning adapters received in corresponding contact channels. Each positioning adapter includes an adapter body forming an adapter hole extending between a front and a rear portion of the positioning adapter. The adapter hole receives the corresponding coaxial contact such that the adapter body surrounds the coaxial contact. The adapter body engages the retaining feature to position the coaxial contact relative to the adapter body. The adapter body engages the connector body to position the coaxial contact in a contact cavity relative to the connector body.

[0005] In another embodiment, a coaxial connector assembly is provided. The coaxial connector assembly includes a connector module having a connector body including a first contact channel and a second contact channel extending through a front side and a rear side of the connector body and extending therebetween. The front side faces a mating direction to mate with a mating connector assembly. The coaxial connector assembly includes a first coaxial contact received in a corresponding first contact channel. The first coaxial contact terminates at an end of a first coaxial cable. Each first coaxial contact has a first center contact, a first conductive housing coaxial with the first center contact, and a first insulator between the first center contact and the first conductive housing. The first conductive housing has a retaining feature. The coaxial connector assembly includes a second coaxial contact received in a corresponding second contact channel. The second coaxial contact terminates at an end of a second coaxial cable. Each second coaxial contact has a second center contact, a second conductive housing coaxial with the second center contact, and a second insulator between the second center contact and the second conductive housing. The coaxial connector assembly includes a positioning adapter coupled to the first coaxial contact. The positioning adapter is received in the corresponding first contact channel. Each positioning adapter includes an adapter body forming an adapter hole that extends between a front and a rear portion of the positioning adapter. The adapter hole receives a corresponding first coaxial contact such that the adapter body surrounds the first coaxial contact. The adapter body engages retaining features to position the coaxial contact relative to the adapter body. The adapter body engages a connector body to position the coaxial contact within a contact cavity relative to the connector body. The first contact channel has dimensions equal to those of a second contact channel. The adapter body has a diameter substantially similar to that of the second conductive housing.

[0006] In another embodiment, a coaxial contact assembly is provided. The coaxial contact assembly includes a center contact having a mating end and a cable end. The cable end is configured to terminate a conductor to a coaxial cable. The coaxial contact assembly includes a conductive housing coaxial with the center contact. The conductive housing has a mating end and a cable end. The cable end is configured to terminate a cable shield to the coaxial cable. The conductive housing includes a housing aperture for receiving the center contact. The conductive housing has a retaining feature. The coaxial contact assembly includes an insulator received in the housing aperture between the center contact and the conductive housing. The coaxial contact assembly includes a positioning adapter configured to be received in a contact cavity of a connector module. The positioning adapter includes an adapter body forming an adapter aperture extending between a front and a rear portion of the positioning adapter. The adapter aperture receives the conductive housing such that the adapter body surrounds the exterior of the conductive housing. The adapter body engages the retaining feature to position the conductive housing relative to the adapter body and to position the conductive housing within the contact cavity. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1The illustration shows a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, illustrating a connector assembly in an unfitted state and a mating connector assembly.

[0008] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a part of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the connector assembly.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a second coaxial cable assembly.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a first coaxial cable assembly.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a front perspective view of the positioning adapter according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a front perspective view of the positioning adapter according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 This is an exploded, front perspective view of a coaxial cable assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0015] Figure 9 This is an exploded, partial sectional view of a coaxial cable assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The embodiments described herein include coaxial connector assemblies and communication systems including such coaxial connector assemblies. The communication system may, for example, include a circuit board fixed to the coaxial connector assembly. In some embodiments, the communication system is a backplane (or middleplane) communication system. As used herein, the terms backplane and middleplane are used interchangeably and refer to a system interface for multiple daughter card assemblies (e.g., line cards or switching cards). In other embodiments, the communication system is a circuit board assembly (e.g., a daughter card assembly). One or more embodiments allow the use of different sized coaxial contacts within the coaxial connector assembly. One or more embodiments allow two different sized coaxial contacts to be loaded into the same diameter contact channel in the coaxial connector assembly. One or more embodiments allow the connector module of the connector assembly to float during mating operation. One or more embodiments enable the use of denser grouping of coaxial contacts by allowing rear-mounted coaxial contacts into the connector module. In certain embodiments, the connector module is allowed to float and rear-mounted coaxial contacts are also possible.

[0017] Figure 1 The illustration shows a communication system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment, illustrating a connector assembly 100 in an unfitted state and a mating connector assembly 300. Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a portion of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment, showing connector assembly 100. In the illustrated embodiment, connector assemblies 100, 300 are coaxial connector assemblies and may be referred to hereinafter as coaxial connector assemblies 100, 300. However, the communication system 10 may be provided with other types of connector assemblies, such as pin and socket connector assemblies, fiber optic connector assemblies, etc. Connector assemblies 100, 300 are configured to mate along mating axis 191. For reference, connector assemblies 100, 300 are oriented relative to mutually perpendicular axes 191-193, including mating axis 191, a first transverse axis 192, and a second transverse axis 193.

[0018] In some applications, connector assemblies 100 and 300 may be more generally referred to as circuit board assemblies. Communication system 10 may be configured for radio frequency (RF) applications. In certain embodiments, communication system 10 and / or its components (e.g., connector assemblies 100 and / or 300) are configured to meet military and aerospace applications. For example, components of communication system 10 may be configured to meet one or more industrial or governmental standards, such as MIL-STD-348. To illustrate an example of communication system 10, connector assemblies 100 and 300 may form an interconnect between the analog and digital portions of a radio. Connector assembly 300 may perform analog functions. Connector assembly 300 may be replaced by other connector assemblies configured to perform the same or different operations. Digital functions, including digital signal processing, may be performed by a communication component (not shown) coupled to connector assembly 100. Another communication component may be another daughter card assembly (not shown).

[0019] Communication system 10 and / or its components (e.g., connector assemblies 100 and / or 300) may be configured to meet one or more industry or government standards. By way of example only, embodiments may be configured to meet VME International Trade Association (VITA) standards (e.g., VITA 48, VITA 67, etc.). Communication system 10 and / or its components may operate at speeds up to 50 GHz or higher. In certain embodiments, communication system 10 and / or its components may operate at speeds up to 60 GHz or higher. However, it should be understood that other embodiments may be configured for different standards and may be configured to operate at different speeds. In some configurations, embodiments may be configured to operate in the range from DC to 60.0 GHz.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, connector assembly 300 is a daughter card assembly having connector module 302. In various embodiments, connector module 302 may be mounted to substrate 306, which may be a circuit card, such as a daughter card. Connector assembly 300 includes guide module 308 mounted to substrate 306 near connector module 302. Guide module 308 is used to guide mating with connector assembly 100. In the illustrated embodiment, guide module 308 includes an opening configured to receive alignment pins. The opening may be chamfered or have an inlet. In alternative embodiments, other types of guide features, such as guide posts, may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, connector module 302 is a right-angle connector module having substrate 306 oriented perpendicular to the mating surface of connector module 302. Substrate 306 is oriented perpendicular to substrate of connector assembly 100. However, in alternative embodiments, other orientations are possible. For example, connector module 302 may be a mezzanine connector with substrate 306 parallel to the mating surface and parallel to substrate of connector assembly 100.

[0021] Connector module 302 includes connector body 310 that holds cable assemblies 320. Each cable assembly 320 includes a cable 322 and a contact 324 terminated at the end of the cable 322, and can be routed to a remote location. Alternatively, the cable 322 may terminate to substrate 306, for example, via substrate contacts. In other alternative embodiments, the contact 324 may terminate to substrate 306 instead of having a cable 322. Connector body 310 includes a plurality of contact channels (not shown) that receive corresponding cable assemblies 320. Connector body 310 includes alignment features 318 for aligning connector module 302 with connector assembly 100 during mating. In the illustrated embodiment, alignment feature 318 is an opening. Other types of alignment features may be provided in alternative embodiments. Alignment feature 318 may be arranged to provide keyed mating with connector assembly 100.

[0022] In various embodiments, contact 324 is a coaxial contact; however, in alternative embodiments, other types of contacts may be provided, such as pin contacts, socket contacts, fiber optic contacts (e.g., fiber optic sleeves), etc. In an exemplary embodiment, coaxial contact 324 is an RF contact. Coaxial contact 324 includes an inner contact and an outer contact surrounding the inner contact. The inner contact is configured to terminate to a conductor of a cable. The outer contact is configured to terminate to a shield of cable 332, such as cable braid. In alternative embodiments, other arrangements are possible.

[0023] Connector assembly 100 includes a connector module 102 that holds a coaxial cable assembly 126 configured to mate with a cable assembly 320 of connector assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, connector assembly 100 includes a mounting frame 104 for mounting connector module 102 to a substrate, such as a support wall 106. Support wall 106 may be, for example, a circuit board, panel, or other type of wall. In various embodiments, connector module 102 is floatably held between mounting frame 104 and support wall 106 to allow movement and / or alignment of the coaxial cable assembly. For example, allowing connector module 102 to move in the lateral direction during mating operation.

[0024] Mounting frame 104 includes opposing mating sides 110 and mounting sides 112. Mounting side 112 is configured to be mounted to support wall 106. Mounting frame 104 includes a passage 114 extending through mating side 110 and mounting side 112. The passage 114 is sized and shaped to receive connector module 102. Connector module 102 includes alignment posts 118 extending forward therefrom to engage mating connector assembly 300 during mating operation. Figure 1 Alignment post 118 can be received in alignment opening 318. In the illustrated embodiment, connector assembly 100 includes two alignment posts 118. However, in other embodiments, connector assembly 100 may include only one alignment post 118 or more than two alignment posts 118.

[0025] Connector module 102 includes a connector body 120 having a front side 122 and a rear side 124. A coaxial cable assembly 126 is coupled to the connector body 120. The coaxial cable assembly 126 can extend from the front side 122. The coaxial cable assembly 126 can extend from the rear side 124. In an exemplary embodiment, the coaxial cable assembly 126 includes a cable 128 extending from the rear side 124. Connector module 102 includes a contact array 130 coupled to coaxial contacts 132 of the connector body 120. The coaxial contacts 132 can extend from the front side 122 to mate with coaxial contacts 324. The connector body 120 holds the coaxial contacts 132 in a designated position to engage the corresponding coaxial contacts 324. In a particular embodiment, the spacing (or center-to-center interval) between adjacent coaxial contacts 132 can be between 1.50 mm and 5.00 mm. In certain embodiments, the pitch can be between 2.00 mm and 3.50 mm, or more specifically, between 2.50 and 2.9 mm. However, in other embodiments, the pitch can be larger or smaller.

[0026] Coaxial contact 132 represents a termination terminal of a corresponding coaxial cable assembly 126. Each coaxial contact 132 includes a center contact 134 and a conductive housing 136 coaxially aligned with the center contact 134. The center contact 134 and the conductive housing 136 can be electrically connected to signal and ground paths (not shown) via the cable 128 of the coaxial cable assembly 126. In an alternative embodiment, the coaxial contact 132 is not a component of the coaxial cable and can be configured to terminate to other components, such as a circuit board.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a connector assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the connector assembly 100 includes different types of coaxial cable assemblies 126 within the same connector body 120. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector assembly 100 includes a first coaxial cable assembly 126a having a first coaxial cable 128a and a first coaxial contact 132, and a second coaxial cable assembly 126b having a second coaxial cable 128b and a second coaxial contact 132b. The first coaxial cable 128a is smaller than the second coaxial cable 128b (e.g., having a smaller diameter). The first coaxial contact 132a is smaller than the second coaxial contact 132b (e.g., having a smaller diameter). In the exemplary embodiment, the smaller first coaxial contact 132a is positioned within the connector body 120 using a positioning adapter 200. The positioning adapter 200 can allow the first coaxial cable assembly 126a to have similar dimensions (e.g., shape and size) to the second coaxial cable assembly 126b.

[0028] In various embodiments, the connector body 120 is a multi-piece body. For example, the connector body 120 includes a front portion 140 and a rear portion 142. The front portion 140 and the rear portion 142 are discrete components configured to be secured to each other, and they can be secured to each other using hardware (e.g., screws). The front portion 140 includes a plurality of contact cavities 144, and the rear portion 142 includes a plurality of contact cavities 146. The contact cavities 144, 146 are aligned with each other to form a contact channel 148. Each contact channel 148 is configured to receive a portion of a corresponding coaxial cable assembly 126, such as a corresponding coaxial contact 132.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, connector assembly 100 includes a bias spring 150 associated with cable assembly 126. The bias spring 150 surrounds cable 128. The bias spring 150 biases assembly 126 forward into contact channel 148. The bias spring 150 is held in contact channel 148 by a rear portion 142. For example, the bias spring 150 may engage a rear bulge or rear shoulder 152 of rear portion 142. The bias spring 150 forces coaxial contact 132 forward to engage front bulge or front shoulder 154 of front portion 140. In an exemplary embodiment, bias spring 150 has a spring diameter 156, which may be similar to (e.g., slightly smaller than) contact channel diameter 158. The exterior of bias spring 150 may engage an inner surface of contact channel 148 to position bias spring 150 within contact channel 148. The bias spring 150 can directly engage the second coaxial contact 132b of the second coaxial cable assembly 126b and can also engage the positioning adapter 200 of the first coaxial cable assembly 126a.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a connector assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a second coaxial cable assembly 126b. A second coaxial contact 132b terminates at an end of a second coaxial cable 128b. The coaxial cable 128b includes a center conductor 135b and a cable shield 137b. A center contact 134b terminates at the center conductor 135b. A conductive housing 136b terminates at the cable shield 137b. An insulator 138b provides electrical isolation between the center contact 134b and the conductive housing 136b.

[0031] In various embodiments, the conductive housing 136b is a multi-piece contact having a front contact 160b and a rear contact 162b. The front portion of the rear contact 162b is press-fitted into the front contact 160b. A bias spring 150 engages the rear edge 164b of the rear contact 162b. The mating end 166b of the front contact 160b extends in front of the connector body 120. The shoulder 168b of the front contact 160b engages the front shoulder 154 of the front portion 140 of the connector body 120 to position the coaxial contact 132b relative to the connector body 120. The bias spring 150 holds the coaxial contact 132b in the contact channel 148, for example by forcing the shoulder 168b against the front shoulder 154. When connected to a connector assembly 300 (such as...), Figure 1 When engaged (as shown), the coaxial contact 132b can press backward against the bias spring 150.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive housing 136b has a housing diameter 170. The housing diameter 170 can be similar to a spring diameter 156, such that a bias spring 150 presses against a rear edge 164b. The housing diameter 170 is similar to a contact channel diameter 158. For example, the conductive housing 136b can have a snap-fit ​​engagement in the contact channel 148 to guide and position a center contact 134b (e.g., laterally) within the contact channel 148. The conductive housing 136b can slide within the contact channel 148. In an exemplary embodiment, the engagement end diameter 172 of the engagement end 166b of the front contact 160b is smaller than the housing diameter 170. The engagement end diameter 172 can be similar to the front opening diameter 174 at the front shoulder 154 of the front portion 150. The housing diameter 170 is larger than the front opening diameter 174 to ensure that the coaxial contact 132b is captured in the contact channel 148 via the front shoulder 154.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a connector assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, showing a first coaxial cable assembly 126a. The first coaxial cable assembly 126a uses a positioning adapter 200 to position a first coaxial contact 132a within a contact channel 148. The positioning adapter 200 is used to position the smaller-sized first coaxial contact 132a and the first coaxial cable 128a within the contact channel 148, which is designed to accept a larger-diameter second coaxial cable assembly 126b. The first coaxial contact 132a terminates at the end of the first coaxial cable 128a. The coaxial cable 128a includes a center conductor 135a and a cable shield 137b. The center conductor 135a and the center conductor 135b (as shown in the image) are connected. Figure 4 (As shown) is a conductor with a smaller diameter. The center contact 134a terminates in connection with the center conductor 135a. The conductive housing 136a terminates in connection with the cable shield 137a. The insulator 138a is used to isolate the center contact 134a from the conductive housing 136a.

[0034] In various embodiments, the conductive housing 136a is a multi-piece contact having a front contact 160a and a rear contact 162a. The front end of the rear contact 162a is press-fitted into the front contact 160a. The front contact 160a and the rear contact 162a are loaded into a positioning adapter 200. The mating end 166a of the front contact 160a extends in front of the positioning adapter 200 and the connector body 120. A biasing spring 150 engages the positioning adapter 200 to forwardly bias the first coaxial cable assembly 126a in the contact channel 148. The positioning adapter 200 engages the front shoulder 154 of the front portion 140 of the connector body 120 to position the coaxial contact 132a relative to the connector body 120. When connected to the connector assembly 300 (e.g., ... Figure 1 When engaged (as shown), the coaxial contact 132a can press backward against the bias spring 150.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive housing 136a has a housing diameter 176. The housing diameter 176 is smaller than the housing diameter 170 (e.g., ...). Figure 4 (As shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the housing diameter 176 is smaller than the diameter 174 of the front opening at the front shoulder 154 of the front portion 140. For example, the conductive housing 136a can engage through the front opening of the front portion 140. The positioning adapter 200 is too large relative to the front opening size and is wider than the front opening diameter 174. The positioning adapter 200 engages the front shoulder 154 to capture and position the coaxial contact 132a in the contact channel 148.

[0036] The coaxial contact 132a includes a retaining feature 180 to secure the positioning adapter 200 to the coaxial contact 132a. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining feature 180 includes a circumferential groove 182. In alternative embodiments, other types of retaining features may be used. The positioning adapter 200 engages the retaining feature 180 relative to the coaxial contact 132a to maintain the axial position of the positioning adapter 200. The positioning adapter 200 engages the retaining feature 180 to position the coaxial contact 132a relative to the positioning adapter 200. The positioning adapter 200 engages the connector body 120 to position the coaxial contact 132a in the contact cavity 146 relative to the connector body 120.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a front perspective view of the positioning adapter 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 7 This is a front perspective view of a positioning adapter 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. The positioning adapter 200 includes an adapter body 202 extending between a front portion 204 and a rear portion 206. The adapter body 202 includes an adapter hole 208 that is open at the front portion 204 and open at the rear portion 206. The adapter hole 208 is configured to receive a coaxial contact 132a (e.g., Figure 5 (As shown). The adapter body 202 is configured to surround the coaxial contact 132a. In an exemplary embodiment, the adapter body 202 is made of a plastic material. For example, the adapter body 202 may be a molded part, such as an injection molded part.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the adapter body 202 has a circular cross-section. For example, the adapter body 202 may be generally cylindrical. The adapter body 202 includes a front lip 210 at a front portion 204 and a rear lip 212 at a rear portion 206. The front lip 210 and / or the rear lip 212 may be flanges. The adapter body 202 is stepped inwardly between the front lip 210 and the rear lip 212. The front lip 210 has a front lip diameter, and the rear lip 212 has a rear lip diameter. The adapter body 202 has a first diameter between the front lip 210 and the rear lip 212, which is smaller than the front lip diameter and the rear lip diameter. The front lip 210 is used to position the positioning adapter 200 in the contact channel 148 (e.g., lateral positioning, such as sideways positioning). The rear lip 212 is used to position the positioning adapter 200 in the connector body 120 (e.g., axial positioning, such as front-rear positioning).

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the adapter body 202 includes a longitudinal slot 220 that opens at the rear 206 of the positioning adapter 220. The longitudinal slot 220 allows the adapter body 202 to bend outwards when the coaxial contact 132a is loaded into the adapter hole 208. When bent at the longitudinal slots(s), the adapter body 202 can be snap-fitted to the coaxial contact 132a. In the illustrated embodiment, two longitudinal slots 220 are provided. In an alternative embodiment, the adapter body 202 may be a multi-piece body having a right half and a left half joined together at a seam.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the positioning adapter 200 includes a clamp 230 extending from an inner surface of the adapter body 202 into an adapter hole 208. The clamp 230 is configured to engage a retaining feature 180 of a coaxial contact 132a to secure the positioning adapter 200 to the coaxial contact 132a. For example, the clamp 230 is configured to be received in a circumferential recess 182. The clamp 230 holds the adapter body 202 in an axial position relative to a conductive housing 136a. The clamp 230 may be a rib or protrusion extending from the inner surface of the adapter body 202. In an exemplary embodiment, the clamp 230 includes a forward-facing seating surface 232 and a rearward-facing ramp surface 234. The ramp surface 234 guides the conductive housing 136a into loading into the adapter hole 208. The retaining surface 232 is received in the circumferential recess 182 and engages the front wall of the circumferential recess 182 to hold the adapter body 202 in an axial position relative to the conductive housing 136a.

[0041] Figure 8 This is an exploded, front perspective view of the coaxial cable assembly 126a according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 9This is an exploded, partial cross-sectional view of the coaxial cable assembly 126a according to an exemplary embodiment. During assembly, the coaxial contact 132a is loaded into the adapter hole 208. For example, the front portion of the coaxial contact 132a may be loaded into the rear portion 206 of the adapter body 202.

[0042] A coaxial contact 132a is loaded into an adapter hole 208 to engage a clamp 230 to a retaining feature 180. For example, the clamp 230 may be received in a circumferential recess 182. During loading, a ramp surface 234 engages the coaxial contact 132a to unfold the adapter body 202, for example, at a longitudinal slot 220. As the clamp 230 passes over the circumferential recess 182, the adapter body 202 snaps inward to load the clamp 230 into the circumferential recess 182. A seating surface 232 is configured to engage a front lip or shoulder of the circumferential recess 182 to retain the clamp 230 within the circumferential recess 182. The clamp 230 maintains the axial position of the positioning adapter relative to the coaxial contact 132a.

Claims

1. A coaxial connector assembly (100), comprising: A connector module (102) having a connector body (120) including a contact channel (148) extending through and between a front side (122) and a rear side (124) of the connector body, the front side facing a mating direction to mate with a mating connector assembly, the connector body (120) including a front portion (140) and a rear portion (142) being separate elements, the front portion (140) including a contact cavity (144) and having a front shoulder (154), the rear portion (142) including a contact cavity (146) and having a rear shoulder (152), the contact cavity (144) of the front portion (140) and the contact cavity (146) of the rear portion being aligned with each other to form the contact channel (148). A coaxial contact (132) is received in a corresponding contact channel (148), the coaxial contact being connected to the end wall of a coaxial cable (128), each coaxial contact having a center contact (134), a conductive housing (136) coaxial with the center contact, and an insulator (138a) between the center contact and the conductive housing, the conductive housing having a retaining feature (180). as well as A positioning adapter (200) is received in a corresponding contact channel. Each positioning adapter includes an adapter body (202) formed with an adapter hole (208) extending between a front portion (204) and a rear portion (206) of the positioning adapter. The adapter hole receives a corresponding coaxial contact such that the adapter body surrounds the coaxial contact. The adapter body engages the retaining feature to position the coaxial contact relative to the adapter body. The adapter body engages the connector body to position the coaxial contact within the contact channel (148) relative to the connector body. The adapter body (202) includes a front lip (210) at the front (204) and a rear lip (212) at the rear (206). The adapter body has a first diameter between the front lip and the rear lip. The front lip has a front lip diameter (214) larger than the first diameter, and the rear lip has a rear lip diameter (216) larger than the first diameter. The front lip (210) engages the front shoulder (140) to position the coaxial contact within the contact channel (148). The coaxial connector assembly (100) further includes a spring in a contact cavity (146) located behind the positioning adapter (200) and the coaxial contact (132), the spring engaging the rear shoulder (152) of the rear portion (142), the spring pressing against the rear lip (212) of the positioning adapter to bias the positioning adapter forward.

2. The coaxial connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the positioning adapter (200) engages the retaining feature (180) to retain the axial position of the conductive housing (136) relative to the adapter body (202).

3. The coaxial connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the retaining feature (180) includes a circumferential groove (182) on the exterior of the conductive housing (136), and the positioning adapter (200) includes a clamp (230) received in the circumferential groove to retain the axial position of the conductive housing relative to the adapter body (202).

4. The coaxial connector assembly (100) of claim 3, wherein the clamp (230) comprises: A forward-facing seating surface (232) receives in the circumferential groove (182) to hold the conductive housing (136) relative to the adapter body (202); and a rearward-facing ramp surface (234) to guide the conductive housing into the adapter hole (208).

5. The coaxial connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the adapter body (202) is engagedly connected to the coaxial contact (132).

6. The coaxial connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the spring has a spring diameter (156) and the conductive housing (136) has a housing diameter (170) smaller than the spring diameter.

7. The coaxial connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the adapter body (202) includes a longitudinal groove (220) that opens at the rear of the positioning adapter (200) to allow the adapter body to bend outward when the conductive housing (136) is loaded into the adapter hole (208).

8. The coaxial connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the positioning adapter positions the coaxial contact (132) in a contact cavity (144) having a through diameter greater than the diameter of the conductive housing (136).

Images