Cable braid positioning clip

Abstract

A cable assembly (10) and method for terminating an end of a cable (12). The cable assembly (10) includes a ferrule (30) secured to a cable jacket (14) at an end of the cable (12). The cable (12) also has a braided shield (16) that extends from the end of the cable (12) to a portion of an inner connector (50) positioned in the ferrule (30). A transition region (62) is provided between the end of the cable (12) and the end of the portion of the inner connector (50) positioned in the ferrule (30). A braid retention clip (60) engages the braided shield (60) in the transition region (62) to maintain the relationship of the braided shield (60) to the signal conductors (20, 22) to minimize electrical performance degradation of the cable (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cable braid positioning clip. More specifically, this invention relates to a clip that engages with the braid of a cable to maintain the relationship between the braid and the signal conductor. Background Technology

[0002] There are many electrical and mechanical considerations involved in terminating high-speed cables (such as RF cables, or radio frequency cables) to connectors. A typical high-speed cable consists of an outer sheath, a braided layer (for ground reference), foil, dielectric, and internal signal conductors. Connecting the braided layer for ground reference is always a challenge for both mechanical and electrical performance. Not only is the mechanical connection difficult, but attempting to maintain electrical performance through the braided crimp zone can also be problematic. The crimping process typically involves the use of mechanical components, such as ferrules. When ferrules are crimped onto the braided layer, foil, and internal connector, a transition zone exists at the connector termination. In this zone, the braided layer and foil can "bunch up," leading to electrical performance degradation.

[0003] The problem to be solved is to provide a device or clip that eliminates the "bundling" of the foil and braided layers, thereby maintaining the proper relationship between the braided layers and the signal conductors to minimize the degradation of the cable's electrical performance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This problem is addressed by a cable assembly for terminating cable ends, comprising a collar secured to a cable sheath at the cable end. The sheath has an internal connector, a portion of which is positioned within the collar. An internal receiving portion is positioned within the internal connector. The internal receiving portion mates with a separate signal conductor extending from the cable end. The cable has a separate signal conductor extending from the cable end to the internal receiving portion. The cable also has a braided shield extending from the cable end to the portion of the internal connector positioned within the collar. A transition zone is provided between the cable end and the end of the portion of the internal connector positioned within the collar. The braided layer positioning clamp engages the braided shield in the transition zone to maintain the relationship between the braided shield and the signal conductor, minimizing electrical performance degradation of the cable. Attached Figure Description

[0005] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 This is a side view of the illustrative electrical connector positioned on the illustrative cable.

[0007] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken by line 2-2 shows the contact between the clip of the present invention and the braided layer of the cable in the transition zone.

[0008] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 The enlarged cross-sectional view taken by line 3-3 shows the contact between the clip of the present invention and the braided layer of the cable in the transition zone.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a schematic embodiment of the clip of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0010] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the electrical connector assembly 10 is electrically and mechanically connected to the cable 12. The cable 12 can transmit data between storage devices, switches, routers, printed circuit boards (PCBs), analog-to-digital converters, connectors, and other devices. In various embodiments, the cable 12 can support data transmission rates of 100 Mbps and higher. In some embodiments, the cable 12 can support data transmission rates from approximately 4.25 Gbps to approximately 25 Gbps. The cable 12 can also be used at data transmission rates higher or lower than these exemplary rates. Figure 3 As shown, cable 12 has a cable sheath 14, a braided shield 16, a metallized foil 18, and two center conductors 20, 22. The conductors 20, 22 are spaced apart from each other and extend substantially parallel to each other. The conductors 20, 22 are surrounded by the braided metal shield 16, such as, but not limited to, a braided copper shield. The center conductors 20, 22 may also be surrounded by separate dielectrics 24, 26.

[0011] like Figure 2 As shown, the cable sheath 14 has been removed from the end of cable 12 to expose the braided shield 16 and conductors 20, 22. A crimped ferrule 30 is provided near the end of cable 12.

[0012] The electrical connector assembly 10 has a first metal outer housing 32 and a second metal outer housing 34. The first metal outer housing 32 has a mating connector receiving portion 36 and a second metal outer housing receiving portion 38. The second metal outer housing 34 has a first metal outer housing receiving portion 40 and a conductor receiving portion 42.

[0013] The dielectric receiving portion 50 is positioned within the electrical connector assembly 10. The receiving portion 50 is made of a dielectric material. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the receiving portion 50 has a mating end 52 and a conductor receiving end 54 facing opposite directions. A dielectric rib 56 extends from the conductor receiving end 54 of the dielectric receiving portion 50 in a direction away from the mating end 52. The rib 56 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 58 of the receiving portion 50.

[0014] Rib 56 extends from conductor receiving end 54 into conductor receiving portion 42 of second metal outer housing 34. Rib 56 and second metal outer housing 34 form conductor receiving channel (not shown).

[0015] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, a braided positioning clip or comb 60 is provided near the end of the cable 12. The braided positioning clip 60 is positioned in a transition zone 62 between the end 64 of the cable sheath 14 and the end 66 of the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal outer housing 34. The illustrative braided positioning clip or comb 60 has a C-shape with an inner surface 76. The positioning clip 60 has two curved or arcuate sections 68 and a straight section 70 extending between the arcuate sections 68. Each arcuate section 68 has a free end 72 positioned in a straight line or in the same plane as the free end 72 of the other arcuate section 68, but spaced apart from it. In an alternative embodiment, the free ends 72 may be positioned in different planes such that the free ends 72 are not positioned in a straight line with each other. A slot or opening 74 is provided between the free ends 72.

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the braided layer positioning clip 60 is made of a material with elastic properties. The braided layer positioning clip 60 may be made of metal, plastic, or any other material with the desired properties. When the braided layer positioning clip 60 moves... Figure 2 and Figure 3 When positioned as shown, the curved section 68 and the straight section 70 can elastically deform. With the braided layer positioning clip 60 properly positioned, the curved section 68 and the straight section 70 are allowed to elastically return to their stress-free positions, which will be described more fully.

[0017] Although the braided layer positioning clip 60 is shown as a C-shaped member, it may have other constructions without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the braided layer positioning clip 60 may be made of a deformable material (e.g., deformable by crimping) rather than a material with elastic properties.

[0018] In use, as described above, cable 12 is prepared by removing the cable sheath 14 to expose the braided shield 16 and conductors 20, 22. Before or after preparing cable 12, crimping ferrules 30 are inserted onto the end of the cable and initially positioned away from the end. Once the crimping ferrules 30 are correctly inserted onto the end of cable 12 and cable 12 is properly prepared, the connector assembly 10 moves... Figure 1 and Figure 2The conductors 20 and 22 are positioned as shown. In this position, conductors 20 and 22 are positioned in a conductor receiving channel between rib 56 and conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal outer housing 34. The conductors 20 and 22 in the conductor receiving channel extend substantially parallel to each other and in substantially the same plane. When the second metal outer housing 34 surrounds the conductors 20 and 22, the conductors 20 and 22 are protected from damage, thereby maintaining the integrity of the conductors 20 and 22 and the integrity of the signal path provided therefrom.

[0019] In this position, the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 extend on the outer surface 78 of the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal outer housing 34. The braided layer positioning clip 60 is positioned on the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 in the transition zone 62 to hold the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 in close proximity to the conductors 20, 22.

[0020] The braided layer positioning clip 60 helps to accommodate the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18, and helps to maintain the relationship between the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 and the signal conductors 20, 22, especially in the transition region 62. The inner surface 76 of the braided layer positioning clip 60 is sized to abut against the conductors 20, 22 to accommodate or press the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18. Therefore, when the braided layer positioning clip 60 is inserted onto the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 in the transition region 62, the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 are maintained in close proximity to the internal signal conductors 20, 22, thereby eliminating the bundled state of the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 in the transition region 62. In the illustrated illustrative embodiment, the braided layer positioning clip 60 maintains the relationship between the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 and the conductors 20, 22 by spring action. However, in other illustrative embodiments, the braided positioning clip 60 holds the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 against the conductors 20, 22 by other methods or means. For example, the braided positioning clip 60 may be crimped to properly hold the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 against the conductors 20, 22, or even another crimping process. When the braided positioning clip 60 maintains the relationship between the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 and the internal signal conductors 20, 22, the electrical performance degradation of the cable is minimized, thereby enhancing electrical performance.

[0021] With the braided layer positioning clip 60 correctly positioned, then the crimping collar 30 is moved to... Figure 2As shown in the diagram, the first portion 80 of the crimping ferrule 30 is crimped to the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal outer housing 34 of the connector assembly 10. This positions the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 for mechanical and electrical engagement with the outer surface 78 of the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal outer housing 34, thereby providing a continuous electrical connection between the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 of the cable and the second metal outer housing 24 of the connector assembly 10. The second portion 82 of the crimping ferrule 30 is crimped to the cable sheath 14 of the cable 12 to provide a mechanical connection therebetween. The crimping ferrule 30 secures the electrical connector assembly 10 to the cable 12.

[0022] As described above, the method of terminating a cable into a cable assembly includes: removing the cable sheath at the end of the cable to expose the signal conductor and the braided shield; positioning the signal conductor into a conductive housing; positioning the braided shield to electrically engage with the conductive housing; the housing having an internal connector, a portion of which is positioned in a ferrule; positioning the braided layer positioning clip in a transition zone between the end of the cable and the conductive housing; and maintaining the relationship between the braided shield and the signal conductor in the transition zone to minimize the degradation of the cable's electrical performance.

Claims

1. A cable assembly (10) for terminating an end of a cable (12), the cable assembly (10) comprising: A crimping ring (30) is crimped to a cable sheath (14) at the end of the cable (12); The housing (32, 34) has an internal connector (34), a portion of which is positioned in the crimping ferrule (30); An internal receiving portion (50) is positioned in the internal connector (34), the internal receiving portion (50) engaging with separate signal conductors (20, 22) extending from the end of the cable (12); The cable (12) has separate signal conductors (20, 22) extending from the end of the cable (12) to the internal receiving portion (50) and a braided shield (16) extending from the end of the cable (12) to the portion of the internal connector (34) positioned in the crimping ferrule (30); A transition zone (62) is provided between the end of the cable (12) and the end of the portion (42) of the internal connector (34) located in the crimping ferrule (30); A braided layer positioning clip (60) engages the braided shield (16) in the transition zone (62) to maintain the relationship between the braided shield (16) and the signal conductors (20, 22) so as to minimize the degradation of the electrical performance of the cable (12).

2. The cable assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The braided layer positioning clip (60) has an arc-shaped section (68) and a straight section (70).

3. The cable assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The braided layer positioning clip (60) has two arc-shaped sections (68) and a straight section (70) extending between the arc-shaped sections (68).

4. The cable assembly (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The arc-shaped segment (68) has a free end (72) which is positioned as a straight line but spaced apart from each other.

5. The cable assembly (10) according to claim 4, wherein, A slot (74) is provided between the free ends (72).

6. The cable assembly (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The arc-shaped segment (68) has free ends (72) positioned in different planes.

7. The cable assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The braided layer positioning clip (60) is elastically deformable.

8. The cable assembly (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The braided layer positioning clip (60) has a C-shaped structure.

9. The cable assembly (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The braided layer positioning clip (60) is made of metal.

10. The cable assembly (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The braided layer positioning clip (60) is made of plastic.

11. The cable assembly (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The inner surface (76) of the braided layer positioning clip (60) is sized to abut against the signal conductors (20, 22) to accommodate or press the braided shield (16), thereby allowing the braided layer positioning clip (60) to maintain the braided shield (16) in close proximity to the signal conductors (20, 22).

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