Cable braid positioning clamp
By using braided layer positioning clips in the transition zone in the cable assembly, the electrical performance decay caused by the braided layer and foil "bundle" during high-speed cable termination is solved, and better electrical performance and mechanical connection are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510134480.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-12-10
- Filing Date
- 2020-12-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-27
AI Technical Summary
During the termination of the high-speed cable to the connector, the "bundling" of the braided layer and foil causes electrical performance to decline and mechanical connection is difficult.
A cable assembly is designed, including a housing for fixing the ferrule at the end of the cable, in which a portion of the internal connector is positioned in the ferrule, and a braided shield is engaged in the transition zone using a braided layer positioning to maintain its relationship with the signal conductor.
By eliminating the "bundling" of the braided layer and the foil, the appropriate relationship between the braided layer and the signal conductor is maintained, and the electrical performance decay of the cable is significantly reduced and the electrical performance is enhanced.
Smart Images
Figure CN120049235A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of a patent application for an invention named "Cable Braid Positioning Clip" with an international filing date of December 10, 2020, an application number of 202080085699.X. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a cable braid positioning clip. In particular, the present invention relates to a clip that cooperates with the braid of a cable to maintain the relationship between the braid and the signal conductor. Background Art
[0003] During the process of terminating a high-speed cable (such as an RF cable, i.e., a radio frequency cable) to a connector, there are many electrical and mechanical considerations. A typical high-speed cable consists of an outer sheath, a braid (for ground reference), a foil, a dielectric, and an internal signal conductor. Connecting the braid for ground reference has always been a challenge for both mechanical and electrical performance. Not only is the mechanical connection difficult, but it is sometimes also problematic to maintain electrical performance through the braid crimp area. The crimping process typically involves using mechanical components such as ferrules. When a ferrule is crimped onto the braid, the foil, and the internal connector, there is a transition zone at the connector termination. In this area, the braid and the foil may "bunch up", resulting in a decline in electrical performance.
[0004] The problem to be solved is to provide a device or clip that eliminates the "bunching up" of the foil and the braid, thereby maintaining the proper relationship between the braid and the signal conductor to minimize the decline in the electrical performance of the cable. Summary of the Invention
[0005] This problem is solved by a cable assembly for terminating the end of a cable. The cable assembly includes a ferrule fixed to the cable sheath at the end of the cable. The housing has an internal connector, and a part of the internal connector is positioned in the ferrule. An internal receptacle is positioned in the internal connector. The internal receptacle cooperates with a separate signal conductor extending from the end of the cable. The cable has a separate signal conductor extending from the end of the cable to the internal receptacle. The cable also has a braided shield that extends from the end of the cable to the part of the internal connector positioned in the ferrule. A transition zone is provided between the end of the cable and the end of the part of the internal connector positioned in the ferrule. A braid positioning clip engages the braided shield in the transition zone to maintain the relationship between the braided shield and the signal conductor to minimize the decline in the electrical performance of the cable.
[0006] This problem is also solved by a method of terminating a cable to a cable assembly, the method comprising: removing a cable jacket at an end of the cable to expose a signal conductor and a braided shield; positioning the signal conductor into a conductive housing; positioning the braided shield to be electrically engaged with the conductive housing; positioning a braid layer positioning clip in a transition region 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 region to minimize degradation of the electrical performance of the cable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008] Figure 1 is a side view of an illustrative electrical connector positioned on an illustrative cable.
[0009] Figure 2 is a Figure 1 cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in
[0010] Figure 3 is a Figure 1 magnified cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in
[0011] Figure 4 showing the clip of the present invention in contact with the braid of the cable in the transition region. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, an electrical connector assembly 10 is electrically and mechanically connected to a cable 12. The cable 12 can transfer 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 transfer rates of 100 Mbps and higher. In some embodiments, the cable 12 can support data transfer rates of from about 4.25 Gbps to about 25 Gbps. The cable 12 can also be used at data transfer rates higher or lower than these exemplary rates. As Figure 3 shown, the cable 12 has a cable jacket 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 a braided metal shield 16, such as but not limited to a braided copper shield. The center conductors 20, 22 can also be surrounded by separate dielectrics 24, 26.
[0013] As Figure 2As shown, the end of cable 12 has had the cable sheath 14 removed to expose the braided shield 16 and conductors 20, 22. A crimp ferrule 30 is provided near the end of cable 12.
[0014] 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.
[0015] A dielectric housing portion 50 is positioned within the electrical connector assembly 10. The housing portion 50 is made of a dielectric material. As Figure 2 shown, the housing portion 50 has a mating end 52 and an opposite-facing conductor receiving end 54. Dielectric ribs 56 extend from the conductor receiving end 54 of the dielectric housing portion 50 in a direction away from the mating end 52. The ribs 56 extend in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 58 of the housing portion 50.
[0016] The ribs 56 extend from the conductor receiving end 54 into the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal outer housing 34. The ribs 56 and the second metal outer housing 34 form a conductor receiving channel (not shown).
[0017] As Figures 2 to 4 shown, a braid positioning clip or comb 60 is provided near the end of cable 12. The braid positioning clip 60 is positioned within a transition zone 62 between an end 64 of the cable sheath 14 and an end 66 of the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal outer housing 34. The illustrative braid positioning clip or comb 60 has a C-shape with an inner surface 76. The 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 that is positioned in line or in the same plane as, but spaced from, the free end 72 of the other arcuate section 68. In an alternative embodiment, the free ends 72 may be positioned in different planes such that the free ends 72 are not positioned in line with each other. A slot or opening 74 is provided between the free ends 72.
[0018] In the illustrative embodiment shown, the braid positioning clip 60 is made of a material having elastic properties. The braid positioning clip 60 may be made of metal, plastic, or any other material having the desired characteristics. When the braid positioning clip 60 is moved to the Figure 2 and Figure 3 position shown, the arcuate sections 68 and the straight section 70 may be elastically deformed. With the braid positioning clip 60 properly positioned, the arcuate sections 68 and the straight section 70 are allowed to elastically return to their stress-free position, which will be described more fully.
[0019] Although the braid positioning clip 60 is shown as a C-shaped member, the braid positioning clip 60 may have other configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the braid positioning clip 60 may be made of a deformable (e.g., deformable by crimping) material rather than a material having elastic properties.
[0020] In use, as described above, the cable 12 is prepared to remove the cable sheath 14 to expose the braided shield 16 and the conductors 20, 22. Before or after preparing the cable 12, the crimp ferrule 30 is inserted onto the end of the cable and initially positioned away from the end of the cable. With the crimp ferrule 30 properly inserted onto the end of the cable 12 and the cable 12 properly prepared, the connector assembly 10 is moved to Figure 1 and Figure 2 the shown position. In this position, the conductors 20, 22 are positioned in the conductor receiving channels between the ribs 56 and the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal outer housing 34. The conductors 20, 22 in the conductor receiving channels extend substantially parallel to each other and in substantially the same plane. When the second metal outer housing 34 surrounds the conductors 20, 22, the conductors 20, 22 are protected from damage, thereby maintaining the integrity of the conductors 20, 22 and the integrity of the signal path provided thereby.
[0021] In this position, the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 extend over the outer surface 78 of the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal outer housing 34. The braid positioning clip 60 is positioned over the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 in the transition region 62 to hold the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 in close proximity to the conductors 20, 22.
[0022] The braid layer locator 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, particularly in the transition region 62. The inner surface 76 of the braid layer locator clip 60 is sized to receive or compress the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 against the conductors 20, 22. Thus, when the braid layer locator 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 bunching of the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 in the transition region 62. In the illustrated illustrative embodiment, the braid layer locator clip 60 maintains the relationship between the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 and the conductors 20, 22 via spring action. However, in other illustrative embodiments, the braid layer locator 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 braid layer locator 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 braid layer locator 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 the electrical performance.
[0023] With the braid layer locator clip 60 properly positioned, the crimp ferrule 30 is then moved to Figure 2 the position shown. The first portion 80 of the crimp ferrule 30 is crimped to the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metallic outer housing 34 of the connector assembly 10. This places the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 in mechanical and electrical engagement with the outer surface 78 of the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metallic 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 metallic outer housing 24 of the connector assembly 10. The second portion 82 of the crimp ferrule 30 is crimped to the cable jacket 14 of the cable 12 to provide a mechanical connection therebetween. The crimp ferrule 30 secures the electrical connector assembly 10 to the cable 12.
[0024] As described above, the method of terminating a cable to a cable assembly includes: removing the cable jacket at the end of the cable to expose the signal conductors and the braided shield; positioning the signal conductors into a conductive housing; positioning the braided shield to be in electrical engagement with the conductive housing; the housing having an internal connector, a portion of the internal connector being positioned within a ferrule; positioning a braid layer locator clip in the transition region between the end of the cable and the conductive housing; and maintaining the relationship between the braided shield and the signal conductors in the transition region to minimize electrical performance degradation of the cable.
Claims
1. A method of terminating a cable to a cable assembly, the method comprising: removing a cable jacket at an end of the cable to expose a signal conductor and a braided shield; positioning the signal conductor into a conductive housing; positioning the braided shield to be electrically engaged with the conductive housing; positioning a braid positioning clip in a transition zone between the end of the cable and the conductive housing; maintaining the relationship between the braided shield and the signal conductor in the transition zone to minimize electrical performance degradation of the cable.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the braid positioning clip has an arcuate section and a straight section.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the braid positioning clip has two arcuate sections and a straight section extending between the arcuate sections.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, the arcuate sections have free ends that are positioned in a straight line but spaced apart from each other.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, a slot is provided between the free ends.
6. The method according to claim 3, wherein, the arcuate sections have free ends positioned in different planes.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the braid positioning clip is elastically deformable.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the braid positioning clip has a C-shaped configuration.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the braid positioning clip is made of metal.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the braid positioning clip is made of plastic.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the inner surface of the braid positioning clip is sized to receive or compress the braided shield against the signal conductor, thereby allowing the braid positioning clip to maintain the braided shield adjacent to the internal signal conductor.