A lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth RF signals

Abstract

The present invention provides a lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth RF signals, comprising an intermediate housing. One end of the intermediate housing is connected to a first RF interface housing, and the other end is connected to a second RF interface housing. A compensation cavity is provided in the middle of the intermediate housing. A contact member is disposed through the compensation cavity, and one end of the contact member is connected to a first RF interface, and the other end is connected to a second RF interface. A gas discharge tube assembly is disposed in the compensation cavity along a direction perpendicular to the contact member. The connector designed by the present invention has the capabilities of being resistant to strong vibration, waterproof, dustproof, salt fog resistant, mildew resistant, and having a high operating temperature range, and can be used in harsh environments for a long time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of lightning protection for radio frequency signals, and particularly to a lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth radio frequency signals. Background Art

[0002] With the advent of the information age, microelectronic devices have been widely used in various fields. Among them, the secondary effects caused by lightning currents have become increasingly prominent, and the endangered range has become larger, resulting in incalculable losses. The most severely affected include electronic and electrical equipment in the fields of communication, radio and television, finance, and medical care.

[0003] A radio frequency lightning protection connector can be installed between the antenna feeder and equipment of the system. The radio frequency lightning protection connector has the functions of transmitting radio frequency signals and suppressing lightning surges. This product has the advantages of simple structure, convenient use, firm reliability, wide operating frequency band, etc. When in use, directly disconnect the plug and socket of the original radio frequency connector and connect the radio frequency lightning protection connector.

[0004] At present, the common principles of radio frequency signal lightning protection include the gas discharge tube principle and the 1 / 4 wavelength principle. The gas discharge tube principle utilizes an internal gas discharge tube. Once the pulse overvoltage reaches the pulse breakdown voltage of the discharge tube and the electric field strength between the electrodes exceeds the breakdown strength of the gas, gap discharge is caused, the gas in the discharge tube is ionized, the discharge tube conducts, and the original open circuit state changes to an approximate short circuit state, thereby realizing the suppression of lightning surges on the transmission line. The radio frequency signal protection bandwidth of the 1 / 4 wavelength principle is relatively narrow, while the radio frequency signal protection bandwidth of the gas discharge tube principle is relatively wide, but generally can achieve DC~3GHz. However, when the radio frequency signal transmission bandwidth reaches DC~5GHz and above, its lightning protection function will cause problems with abnormal transmission of radio frequency signals. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to design a lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth radio frequency signals, which can meet the requirements when the frequency is DC~5GHz and above to ensure the problem of abnormal transmission of radio frequency signals. At the same time, the connector designed by the present invention has the capabilities of high resistance to strong vibration, waterproof, dustproof, salt spray resistant, mildew resistant, wide operating temperature range, etc., and can be used for a long time in harsh environments.

[0006] The technical solution for achieving the object of the invention is as follows: A lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth radio frequency signals, comprising:

[0007] An intermediate housing, one end of the intermediate housing is connected to a first radio frequency interface housing, and the other end is connected to a second radio frequency interface housing. A compensation cavity is provided in the middle of the intermediate housing.

[0008] A contact member is disposed through the compensation cavity, and one end of the contact member is connected to a first RF interface, and the other end is connected to a second RF interface;

[0009] A gas discharge tube assembly is disposed in the compensation cavity along a direction perpendicular to the contact member.

[0010] In an embodiment of the intermediate housing, a first connection groove, a second connection groove, a third connection groove, and a fourth connection groove communicating with the compensation cavity are formed on the intermediate housing.

[0011] The first connection groove and the second connection groove are located on the same axis, and the third connection groove is used for mounting and fixing the gas discharge tube assembly.

[0012] Further, a diode screw is threadedly connected to the third connection groove, and the diode screw contacts the upper electrode of the gas discharge tube assembly, and the lower electrode of the gas discharge tube assembly contacts the gas discharge tube assembly limiting platform machined on the contact member.

[0013] Furthermore, the lightning protection connector includes a crimp terminal, and the crimp terminal is installed on the fourth connection groove through a grounding screw.

[0014] Preferably, a spring washer is provided between the grounding screw and the crimp terminal, and a first sealing member is provided between the third connection groove and the diode screw.

[0015] In another embodiment of the intermediate housing, second sealing members are provided at the joints of the intermediate housing with the first RF interface housing and the second RF interface housing.

[0016] In an embodiment of the contact member, a gas discharge tube assembly limiting platform is machined on the contact member at a position in the compensation cavity and close to the gas discharge tube assembly, and insulating member limiting platforms are machined on both sides of the gas discharge tube assembly limiting platform.

[0017] In an embodiment of the gas discharge tube assembly, the gas discharge tube assembly includes 2 serially connected gas discharge tubes, and the inter-electrode capacitance of the gas discharge tube assembly ≤ 0.6 pF.

[0018] In an improved embodiment of the lightning protection connector, the first RF interface and the second RF interface are both standard RF interfaces of any one of N-type, TNC-type, and SMA-type.

[0019] In an improved embodiment of the lightning protection connector, the intermediate housing, the first RF interface housing, and the second RF interface housing are made of copper alloy nickel plating or ternary alloy.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: In the lightning protection connector designed by the present invention, the gas discharge tube assembly is welded in series with two gas discharge tubes, which can make its inter-electrode capacitance lower than 0.6 pF. At the same time, the gas discharge tube assembly and the compensation cavity inside the intermediate housing compensate and cooperate with each other to ensure that the connector can transmit radio frequency signal bands up to DC~5 GHz, and the voltage standing wave ratio ≤ 1.2, and the insertion loss ≤ 0.15 dB.

[0021] At the same time, the lightning protection connector designed by the present invention realizes the capabilities of the connector such as strong vibration resistance, waterproof, dustproof, salt fog resistant, mildew resistant, and high operating temperature range through spring washers, the first seal, the second seal, the insulating part limiting platform, etc., and can be used for a long time in harsh environments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the lightning protection connector in the specific embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional schematic view of the lightning protection connector in the specific embodiment;

[0025] Figure 3 It is a schematic view of the intermediate housing in the specific embodiment;

[0026] Figure 4 It is a schematic view of the contact in the specific embodiment;

[0027] Figure 5 It is a schematic view of the diode screw in the specific embodiment;

[0028] Among them, 1. Contact; 1-1. Insulating part limiting platform; 1-2. Gas discharge tube assembly limiting platform; 2. Intermediate housing; 3. Gas discharge tube assembly; 2-1. First connection groove; 2-2. Second connection groove; 2-3. Third connection groove; 2-4. Fourth connection groove; 2-5. Compensation cavity; 4. Diode screw; 4-1. Annular groove; 5. First seal; 6. Second seal; 7. Second RF interface; 8. Spring washer; 9. Grounding screw; 10. Crimp terminal; 11. First RF interface; 100. First RF interface housing; 200. Second RF interface housing; 300. Insulating part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments, and the advantages and features of the present invention will become clearer as the description progresses. However, these embodiments are merely exemplary and do not constitute any limitation to the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, modifications or substitutions can be made to the details and forms of the technical solutions of the present invention, but such modifications and substitutions all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0030] This specific embodiment discloses a lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth RF signals. Refer to Figure 1 As shown, the lightning protection connector includes a contact member 1, an intermediate housing 2, a gas discharge tube assembly 3, a first RF interface housing 100, and a second RF interface housing 200.

[0031] Among them, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, one end of the intermediate housing 2 is connected to the first RF interface housing 100, and the other end is connected to the second RF interface housing 200. In this embodiment, an interference connection method is used for the connection between the intermediate housing 2 and the first RF interface housing 100 and the second RF interface housing 200. Of course, it can also be connected by a snap-fit method or a threaded connection method. This embodiment does not limit its connection method.

[0032] Refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a compensation cavity 2-5 is provided in the middle of the intermediate housing 2. The above-mentioned contact member 1 penetrates through the compensation cavity 2-5, and one end of the contact member 1 is connected to a first RF interface 11, and the other end is connected to a second RF interface 7.

[0033] Refer to Figure 2 As shown, the gas discharge tube assembly 3 is arranged in the compensation cavity 2-5 in a direction perpendicular to the contact member 1. More specifically, the upper electrode of the gas discharge tube assembly 3 is fixed on the intermediate housing 2, and the lower electrode is in contact with the contact member 1.

[0034] In one embodiment of the intermediate housing 2, refer to Figure 3 As shown, a first connection groove 2-1, a second connection groove 2-2, a third connection groove 2-3, and a fourth connection groove 2-4 communicating with the compensation cavity 2-5 are provided on the intermediate housing 2. In this embodiment, the first connection groove 2-1 and the second connection groove 2-2 can be holes opened in the radial direction of the compensation cavity 2-5, and the third connection groove 2-3 and the fourth connection groove 2-4 are holes opened in the longitudinal direction of the compensation cavity 2-5.

[0035] More specifically, the first connection groove 2-1 and the second connection groove 2-2 are located on the same axis to enable the contact member 1 to penetrate the compensation cavity 2-5. The third connection groove 2-3 and the fourth connection groove 2-4 may be located on the same axis or on different axes. The third connection groove 2-3 is used to install and fix the gas discharge tube assembly 3.

[0036] Further, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, a diode screw 4 is threadedly connected to the third connection groove 2-3, and the diode screw 4 is in contact with the upper electrode of the gas discharge tube assembly 3. The lower electrode of the gas discharge tube assembly 3 is in contact with the gas discharge tube assembly limiting platform 1-2 machined on the contact member 1. More preferably, as shown in Figure 5 shown, an annular groove 4-1 is machined on the diode screw 4, and a first seal 5 is assembled in the annular groove 4-1. The first seal 5 is selected as an O-ring, such as an O-ring rubber.

[0037] Even further, as shown in Figure 2 shown, the lightning protection connector includes a crimp terminal 10, and the crimp terminal 10 is installed on the fourth connection groove 2-4 through a grounding screw 9.

[0038] Even further, as shown in Figure 2 shown, the grounding screw 9 is in contact with the intermediate housing 2, and a spring washer 8 is provided between the grounding screw 9 and the crimp terminal 10 for fastening. The spring washer 8 is made of stainless steel wire to protect it from salt spray corrosion. At the same time, when in use, the crimp terminal 10 crimps a grounding wire with a cross-sectional area of 4 mm 2 to discharge transient lightning energy.

[0039] In another embodiment of the intermediate housing 2, as shown in Figure 2 shown, second seals 6 are provided at the joints of the intermediate housing 2 with the first RF interface housing 100 and the second RF interface housing 200. The second seals 6 are selected as O-rings, such as O-ring rubbers.

[0040] In one embodiment of the contact member 1, the contact member 1 adopts an integral structure design. As shown in Figure 4, a gas discharge tube assembly limiting platform 1-2 is machined at a position on the contact member 1 within the compensation cavity 2-5 and close to the gas discharge tube assembly 3. Insulating member limiting platforms 1-1 are machined on both sides of the gas discharge tube assembly limiting platform 1-2.

[0041] In one embodiment of the contact member 1, as shown in Figure 2 shown, an insulating member 300 is sleeved between the contact member 1 and the intermediate housing 2, the first RF interface housing 100, and the second RF interface housing 200.

[0042] In an embodiment of the gas discharge tube assembly 3, the above gas discharge tube assembly 3 includes two serially connected gas discharge tubes, and the inter-electrode capacitance of the gas discharge tube assembly 3 is ≤0.6 pF.

[0043] In an improved embodiment of the lightning protection connector, both the first radio frequency interface 11 and the second radio frequency interface 7 are standard radio frequency interfaces of any one of N-type, TNC-type, and SMA-type.

[0044] In an improved embodiment of the lightning protection connector, the intermediate housing 2, the first radio frequency interface housing, and the second radio frequency interface housing are made of high-strength copper alloy (such as nickel-plated copper alloy) or ternary alloy, so that the overall structural strength of the product is high.

[0045] For the lightning protection connector designed by the present invention, two gas discharge tubes are connected in series and welded in the gas discharge tube assembly 3, which can make its inter-electrode capacitance lower than 0.6 pF. At the same time, the gas discharge tube assembly and the compensation cavity inside the intermediate housing compensate and cooperate with each other, ensuring that the connector can transmit radio frequency signals in the frequency band up to DC~5 GHz, and the voltage standing wave ratio is ≤1.2, and the insertion loss is ≤0.15 dB.

[0046] At the same time, for the lightning protection connector designed by the present invention, through spring washers, the first seal, the second seal, the insulating part limiting platform, etc., the connector has the capabilities of being resistant to strong vibration, waterproof, dustproof, salt spray resistant, mildew resistant, and having a high operating temperature range, and can be used in harsh environments for a long time (more than 96 hours) to protect it from salt spray corrosion.

[0047] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0048] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described according to embodiments, not every embodiment only contains an independent technical solution. This narrative manner of the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth radio frequency signals, characterized in that, Comprising: An intermediate housing (2), one end of the intermediate housing (2) is connected to a first RF interface housing, and the other end is connected to a second RF interface housing. A compensation cavity (2-5) is provided in the middle of the intermediate housing (2). Among them, a first connection groove (2-1), a second connection groove (2-2), a third connection groove (2-3), and a fourth connection groove (2-4) communicating with the compensation cavity (2-5) are opened on the intermediate housing (2); the first connection groove (2-1) and the second connection groove (2-2) are on the same axis, and the third connection groove (2-3) is used for installing and fixing a gas discharge tube assembly (3); a diode screw (4) is threadedly connected to the third connection groove (2-3); A contact member (1) penetrates through the compensation cavity (2-5), and one end of the contact member (1) is connected to a first RF interface (11), and the other end is connected to a second RF interface (7); A gas discharge tube assembly (3), the gas discharge tube assembly (3) is arranged in the compensation cavity (2-5) in a direction perpendicular to the contact member (1). The upper electrode of the gas discharge tube assembly (3) contacts the diode screw (4), and the lower electrode of the gas discharge tube assembly (3) contacts the gas discharge tube assembly limiting platform (1-2) processed on the contact member (1). The gas discharge tube assembly (3) includes 2 serially connected gas discharge tubes, and the inter-electrode capacitance of the gas discharge tube assembly (3) ≤ 0.6 pF.

2. The lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth RF signals according to claim 1, wherein: The lightning protection connector includes a crimping terminal (10), and the crimping terminal (10) is installed on the fourth connection groove (2-4) through a grounding screw (9).

3. The lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth RF signals according to claim 2, wherein: A spring washer (8) is provided between the grounding screw (9) and the crimping terminal (10), and a first sealing member (5) is provided between the third connection groove (2-3) and the diode screw (4).

4. The lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth radio frequency signals according to claim 1, wherein: Second sealing members (6) are provided at the joints of the intermediate housing (2) with the first RF interface housing and the second RF interface housing.

5. The lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth RF signals according to claim 1, wherein: A gas discharge tube assembly limiting platform (1-2) is processed on the contact member (1) at a position inside the compensation cavity (2-5) and close to the gas discharge tube assembly (3) side, and insulating member limiting platforms (1-1) are processed on both sides of the gas discharge tube assembly limiting platform (1-2).

6. The lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth RF signals according to claim 1, wherein: Both the first RF interface (11) and the second RF interface (7) are standard RF interfaces of any one of N-type, TNC-type, and SMA-type.

7. The lightning protection connector for high-bandwidth RF signals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intermediate housing (2), the first RF interface housing, and the second RF interface housing are made of copper alloy nickel plating or ternary alloy.

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