Connector subassembly, connector, ferrule, and method of joining connector subassembly to cable

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector subassembly or connector (1) adapted to be electrically connected to a cable (2) comprising at least one insulated wire, a metal braid (23) surrounding the at least one insulated wire, and an outer sheath (20) made of an electrically insulating material surrounding the metal braid, the insulated wire includes a core (21) and an electrically insulating sheath (24). The subassembly includes a ferrule that is first crimped to a metal braid of the cable in a configuration that permits rearward axial abutment with an outer sheath of the cable.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical and / or data transmission connections.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a connector in which each central contact is connected to and preferably crimped to the stripped end of a cable wire.

[0003] The present invention is particularly applicable to data transmission connections using cables that include one, a pair, or multiple pairs of shielded or unshielded transmission wires.

[0004] The present invention is more generally applicable to any type of connection for transmitting electrical signals and / or data and / or radio frequency (RF) signals, including coaxial connectors having a single central conductor.

[0005] One advantageous application is vehicle connections. Background Art

[0006] In the field of connections for transmitting electrical signals and / or data and / or radio frequency (RF) signals, it is known that RF connectors include an electrical insulating block in which one or more central contacts are received and, where appropriate, pre-installed, and each of said central contacts is crimped or adapted to be crimped onto the stripped end of a cable wire.

[0007] In Figure 1 a coaxial connector subassembly 1 of this type is shown.

[0008] Subassembly 1 includes a one-piece metal body 10 forming an electromagnetic shield, which is produced by cutting and rolling.

[0009] This shield 10 holds an electrical insulating block therein, into which the central contacts are inserted, and said central contacts include a crimping end portion that extends towards the rear of the insulating block and projects in this way.

[0010] This end portion of the central contact is crimped around the stripped end of the core 21 of a coaxial cable 2, which may include a metal braid 23 for electromagnetic shielding around the insulated conductor.

[0011] An electrical insulating sheath 24 may directly surround the core 21 of the wire.

[0012] In addition to crimping the central contacts, it is also known to connect the connector to another part, for example its metal braid 23, by crimping an external body forming the electrical ground of the connector around another part of the cable.

[0013] The crimping force directly affects the mechanical retention force between the connector and the cable.

[0014] However, crimping causes corresponding deformations in one or more components of the cable and / or the connector. Such deformations may have an adverse effect on the electrical performance of the assembly formed and composed of the connector crimped onto the cable.

[0015] Therefore, it is generally necessary to find a compromise between sufficient mechanical retention force and good electrical performance (e.g., the characteristic impedance of the transmission line formed by the connector).

[0016] This compromise may be difficult or even impossible to achieve, especially in applications where the signal is at high frequency.

[0017] To improve this situation, it has been proposed to insert a sleeve, also known as ferrule 16, between the crimping portion of the outer ground body of the connector and the portion of the cable around which the sleeve is adapted to be arranged, as Figure 1 shown.

[0018] Thus, the ferrule is first crimped onto the stripped portion of the outer sheath of the cable, particularly onto the metallic braid, and then at least one crimping portion of the outer ground body of the connector is further crimped onto the ferrule.

[0019] The main drawback of known solutions involving the insertion of a crimping ferrule is that in fact they require a very high crimping force.

[0020] Specifically, crimping the ferrule too tightly onto the cable causes the cable to deform and thus results in a degradation of the performance in terms of impedance and / or signal transmission, especially at high frequencies. Conversely, in order to maintain the performance in terms of signal transmission, crimping the ferrule too loosely poses the risk of the ferrule sliding on the metallic braid when inserted into the outer ground body.

[0021] Furthermore, in situations where the cable is subject to mechanical stress, crimping the outer ground body onto the ferrule may also not prevent the risk of translational and / or rotational slip between the ferrule and the crimped area of the outer body. The firm attachment of the cable to the connector and the electrical continuity between the conductive parts of both the cable and the connector are also called into question.

[0022] Patent US10468786B2 discloses a connector with a crimp ferrule, and the connector has several major drawbacks. The ferrule (reference numeral 200) first requires the production of locking protrusions (reference numeral 240). In addition, the components must be correctly assembled: the alignment of the locking tongue (reference numeral 440) of the outer ground body with the protrusion 240 requires high angular accuracy. Finally, the crimp jaws for crimping must have a specific shape, and their area must not physically interfere with the protrusions. This makes it impossible to uniformly press the ferrule to crimp the ferrule. This also complicates the angular positioning of the crimp jaws relative to the ferrule 200 because it must not crush the protrusion 240.

[0023] Therefore, there is a need to further improve such a connector, which includes a ferrule for crimping to a cable in the outer ground body of the connector, particularly in order to prevent axial and / or rotational movement of the ferrule relative to the cable and the ground body. The obtained connector needs to be reliable and easy to manufacture, and does not affect the electrical performance of transmitting signals through the connector and the cable connected to the connector, especially in transmitting RF signals.

[0024] The present invention aims to meet these needs in part or in whole. Summary of the Invention

[0025] To this end, the subject matter of the present invention according to one of its aspects is a connector sub-assembly adapted to be electrically connected to a cable, the cable including at least one insulated wire, a metallic braid surrounding the at least one insulated wire, and an outer sheath made of an electrically insulating material surrounding the metallic braid, the insulated wire including a core and an electrical insulation sheath;

[0026] The sub-assembly extends along a longitudinal axis (X) and includes:

[0027] At least one central contact adapted to connect and preferably crimp to the stripped end of the cable wire,

[0028] An electrical insulating block including at least one cavity into which one or more central contacts are adapted to be inserted,

[0029] A conductor including:

[0030] A front portion defining a recess for receiving and holding the electrical insulating block, and a rear portion including at least one crimping region internally provided with at least one protrusion,

[0031] A ferrule adapted to be crimped around the stripped end of a metallic braid of an outer cable sheath, the ferrule including at least one through-opening configured to receive one or more protrusions when the rear portion of a shield is crimped thereto so as to form an axial abutment between the ferrule and the shield, the ferrule further configured to axially abut against the end of the outer cable sheath prior to crimping the rear portion of the shield to the ferrule when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metallic braid.

[0032] Advantageously, the shield is a one-piece body.

[0033] Also advantageously, the through-opening of the ferrule is configured to form a rotational abutment between the ferrule and the shield.

[0034] According to a first embodiment, the overall shape of the ferrule is a hollow partial cylinder having: a cylindrical solid-wall front portion; a central portion located in an extension of the front portion only around a part of the outer circumference of the cylinder, thereby forming an offset surface, and the central portion including at least one through-opening; and a solid-wall rear portion located in an extension of the central portion only around a part of the outer circumference of the cylinder and adapted to effect an axial abutment of the ferrule with the end of the outer cable sheath when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metallic braid.

[0035] According to a second embodiment, the overall shape of the ferrule is a hollow cylinder having: a cylindrical solid-wall front portion; a cylindrical central portion located in an extension of the front portion, the cylindrical central portion including at least one through-opening; and a cylindrical solid-wall rear portion located in an extension of the central portion and adapted to effect an axial abutment of the ferrule with the end of the outer cable sheath when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metallic braid.

[0036] According to this second embodiment and according to an advantageous variant of the embodiment:

[0037] The ferrule includes two or three through-openings angularly distributed around the outer circumference of the cylinder;

[0038] The rear portion of the shield includes two or three protrusions angularly distributed and each protrusion configured to be received in a through-opening.

[0039] Preferably, the ferrule is rolled up on itself so as to be crimped around the end of the metallic braid.

[0040] According to an advantageous variant of the embodiment, the rear part of the shield includes two crimping areas, one of the crimping areas being provided with at least a protrusion inside, and the other crimping area being provided with at least one barb at the rear and inside, the barb being configured to hook the outer sheath of the cable when the rear part of the shield is crimped.

[0041] Preferably, one or more protrusions and, where appropriate, one or more barbs are formed by stamping the rear part of the shield.

[0042] Also preferably, the shield and the ferrule are made by cutting and rolling.

[0043] According to another advantageous embodiment, the subassembly includes: two central contacts, the rear parts of the central contacts being adapted to be crimped around the conductive cores of the wires, the conductive cores being stripped of insulation at their ends; an insulating block including two cavities parallel to each other, each of the two central contacts being inserted into one of the two cavities; and a protrusion longitudinally protruding at the rear and configured to guide each of the two central contacts, each central contact being crimped to the conductive core of a stripped wire during insertion. Thus, the rear protrusion of the insulating block makes it easier to insert into the central contacts that have been respectively crimped to a wire.

[0044] The invention also relates to a connector, which includes:

[0045] At least one subassembly as described above,

[0046] A housing in which the subassembly is received and fixed.

[0047] The invention also relates to a ferrule having a generally hollow cylindrical shape, which is adapted to be crimped around the stripped end of the metal braid of an outer cable sheath, the ferrule having: a cylindrical solid wall front part; a cylindrical central part located on an extension of the front part and including at least one through opening; and a cylindrical solid wall rear part located in an extension of the central part and adapted to achieve axial abutment between the ferrule and the end of the outer cable sheath when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid.

[0048] The present invention also relates to a ferrule having a generally hollow and partially cylindrical shape, which is adapted to be crimped around the stripped end of the metal braid of an outer cable sheath, the ferrule having: a front portion with a solid cylindrical wall; a central portion which is located in an extension of the front portion only around a part of the outer circumference of the cylinder so as to form an offset surface and includes at least one through-opening; and a rear portion with a solid wall which is located in an extension of the central portion only around a part of the outer circumference of the cylinder and is adapted to effect axial abutment of the ferrule with the end of the outer cable sheath when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid.

[0049] Finally, the present invention relates to a method for connecting a connector subassembly as described above to a cable, the cable comprising: at least one insulated electric wire including a conductive core and an electrically insulating sheath; a metal braid surrounding at least one insulated electric wire; and an outer sheath made of an electrically insulating material surrounding the metal braid, the method comprising the following steps:

[0050] i. Mounting an electrically insulating block in its recess, i.e., providing said recess in the shield for this purpose;

[0051] ii. Crimping a ferrule onto the metal braid, wherein the rear of the ferrule abuts axially against the front end of the outer sheath of the cable and folding the front end of the braid onto the ferrule;

[0052] iii. Stripping the ends of one or more wires of the cable to expose their conductive cores and crimping one or more central contacts onto one or more wires of the cable;

[0053] iv. Inserting one or more central contacts with wires, preferably guided by projections at the rear of the insulating block, into their receiving cavities, i.e., providing said receiving cavities in the insulating block for this purpose, and inserting the ferrule crimped onto the cable into the rear crimping portion of the earthing body;

[0054] v. Crimping the crimping area of the rear portion of the shield onto the braid and the ferrule such that each projection is received in the through-opening of the ferrule to prevent translation of the ferrule relative to the earthing body and preferably to prevent rotation of the ferrule relative to the earthing body;

[0055] vi. Crimping the crimping area of the rear portion of the shield onto the outer sheath of the cable such that each barb hooks into the sheath, i.e., penetrates into the sheath, to prevent translation of the sheath of the cable relative to the earthing body and preferably to prevent rotation of the sheath of the cable relative to the earthing body,

[0056] Step ii can be carried out before step i,

[0057] Steps v and vi can be carried out simultaneously or in succession.

[0058] Thus, the invention generally includes a connector subassembly having an electrically insulating block and an outer shield housing a ferrule, the electrically insulating block housing one or more central contacts to be crimped to the wires of a cable.

[0059] In a configuration allowing axial abutment behind the outer sheath of the cable, the ferrule is first crimped to the metallic braid of the cable. In other words, the axial abutment is formed between the rear end of the ferrule and the front end of the outer sheath of the cable.

[0060] Once the sheath has been crimped to the braid and the front end of the braid has been folded down onto the outside of the ferrule, one or more crimping areas of the rear part of the shield are at least crimped to the ferrule.

[0061] During a later crimping process, each protrusion arranged inside the crimping area is received in a through-opening of the ferrule provided therefor.

[0062] In the case of pushing / pulling or twisting the cable, the protrusion may abut against the front edge or the rear edge or the lateral edge of the opening axially and / or radially.

[0063] In the context of the present invention, the through-opening may comprise a through-window, i.e., an opening directly through the ferrule material and surrounded by the ferrule material, or the through-opening may comprise a space without material resulting from the removal of material.

[0064] Compared with the solutions of the prior art, the retention of the cable in the connector is improved due to the limited retraction distance of the braid and the increased mechanical tolerances, and the axial slip of the ferrule in the ground body is reduced.

[0065] Therefore, compared with the connectors of the prior art, the present invention has various advantages, among which are worth mentioning:

[0066] Optimal pre-positioning of the ferrule during insertion of the ferrule into the ground body before the ground body is crimped to the ferrule;

[0067] The ability to limit the axial and / or rotational slip of the ferrule relative to the cable and the ground body;

[0068] Increased retention force achieved by crimping;

[0069] Absence or at least limitation of the risk of breakage of the metallic braid of the cable;

[0070] No impact on the electrical performance in terms of signal transmission, especially RF signals, through the connector and the cable connected to the connector.

[0071] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent by reading the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention given by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0072] Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional side view showing an example of a coaxial connector according to the prior art, in which the central contact of the coaxial connector is crimped to a cable wire.

[0073] Figure 2 Is an exploded perspective view of a coaxial connector subassembly with a central contact and a cable according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a configuration before the cable has been crimped to the ferrule and the central contact.

[0074] Figure 3 Same as Figure 2 except that the overall coaxial connector and the housing are shown in the figure.

[0075] Figure 4 Is a perspective view of an outer ground body according to the present invention, in which the rear part thereof is shown in a form before being crimped.

[0076] Figure 5 Is Figure 4 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rear part of the outer ground body shown.

[0077] Figure 6 Is a perspective view of a blank for producing a crimp ferrule according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Figure 7 Is Figure 6 A perspective view of the ferrule shown in a form in which it has been crimped to the metal braid of the cable.

[0079] Figure 8 Is Figure 7 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ferrule shown.

[0080] Figure 9 Is a partial cross-sectional side view of the rear part of the outer ground body of a connector with a cable according to the first embodiment, with the ferrule in a form in which it is crimped around the braid of the cable, and the rear part of the outer ground body not yet crimped around the ferrule.

[0081] Figure 10 Same as Figure 9 except that the rear part of the outer ground body is in a form in which it is crimped around the ferrule and in this case the cable is pulled backward.

[0082] Figure 10A Is Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of

[0083] Figure 11 is the same as, but differs in that the cable is being twisted. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of

[0084] Figure 11A is Figure 11 a cross-sectional view of

[0085] Figure 12 is the same as, but differs in that the cable is being pulled forward. Figure 10 is a perspective view of a coaxial connector subassembly with a central contact and a cable in a configuration prior to having crimped the cable to the ferrule and the central contact, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a blank for producing a crimp ferrule in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the ferrule shown in

[0088] Figure 15 the form in which it has been crimped to the cable's metal braid. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the ferrule shown in

[0089] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the ferrule shown in Figure 15 including only two through openings.

[0090] Figure 17 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the rear portion of the outer ground conductor of a connector with a cable, in accordance with a second embodiment, the ferrule being in the form in which it is crimped around the cable's braid, and the rear portion of the outer ground conductor not yet being crimped around the ferrule.

[0091] Figure 18 is the same as, but differs in that the rear portion of the outer ground conductor is in the form in which it is crimped around the ferrule. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of

[0092] Figure 18A is Figure 18 a cross-sectional view of

[0093] Figure 19 is an exploded view of a connector subassembly with a central contact and a cable in a configuration in which two central contacts are crimped to the cable wires, the ferrule being in the form in which it is not crimped to the cable's metal braid, in accordance with the present invention.

[0094] Figure 20 is Figure 19Partial cross-sectional side view of the rear portion of the outer ground body of the connector with a cable of the sub-component shown, the ferrule being in its form crimped around the braid of the cable, while the rear portion of the outer ground body has not yet been crimped around the ferrule.

[0095] Figure 21 Same as Figure 20 except that the rear portion of the outer ground body is in its form crimped around the ferrule. Detailed Description

[0096] In this patent application, the terms "front" and "rear" should be understood with respect to the connection face of the connector sub-component according to the present invention. Thus, the front portion of the connector part refers to the face closest to the complementary connector intended to be connected to the connector. Thus, the front face of the electrical insulating block of the connector is the face intended to come into contact with the face of the complementary connector, and the front portion of the central contact is the portion intended to be coupled to the central contact of the complementary connector.

[0097] For the sake of clarity, the same reference numerals have been used to designate the given elements of the prior art sub-component and of the sub-component according to the present invention.

[0098] has been described in detail in the preamble Figure 1 . Therefore, it will not be discussed further below.

[0099] Figure 2 and Figure 3 show a sub-component 1 of a coaxial connector according to the present invention and a coaxial connector 4 incorporating such a sub-component.

[0100] The connector sub-component 1 extends along a longitudinal axis L and is pre-mounted, since the connector sub-component includes an electrical insulating block 11 pre-mounted in a metal body, which is specifically a one-piece body 10 for forming an electromagnetic shielding body.

[0101] The sub-component 1 is connected to and mounted on a coaxial cable 2 by means of an insulated wire.

[0102] The cable 2 includes: an outer sheath 20, which is made of an electrically insulating material; and an electrical conductor 21, which is insulated from the outside by the outer sheath 20.

[0103] The cable 2 also includes a metal braid 23 for electromagnetic shielding, which surrounds the insulated conductor.

[0104] An electrically insulating sheath 24 is interposed between the core 21 of the insulated conductor and the metal braid 23.

[0105] The one-piece metal body 10 for forming the electromagnetic shielding body is produced by cutting and rolling and the one-piece metal body ensures electrical ground continuity and impedance matching.

[0106] The metal body 10 can particularly include a metal jacket 1000 and, where appropriate, a protective tube 1010 assembled at least partly around the jacket 1000.

[0107] The metal jacket 1000 consists of three parts: a front part 100, an intermediate part 101, and a rear part 102, as Figures 2 to 4 shown.

[0108] The front part 100 delimits a recess internally, in which an electrical insulation block 11 is held.

[0109] A central contact 12 is inserted into a cavity 111 of the electrical insulation block 11 provided therefor. The central contact includes a crimping end 14 that extends rearward, in particular projects, towards the rear of the insulation block 11. A single central contact 12 can be formed from a one-piece metal blank, and the one-piece metal blank is preferably produced from a continuous strip 18 using cutting and rolling techniques.

[0110] The end 14 of the central contact 12 is crimped around the stripped end of the core 21 of the wire of the coaxial cable 2.

[0111] In the illustrated embodiment, the central contact 12 is of the male type.

[0112] The intermediate part 101 of the shield 10 is narrowed. This narrowed part 101 enables it to match the impedance of both the rear part of the subassembly 1 and the front part containing the insulation block 11, where the cable 2 is crimped, preferably below the shielding braid, and the central contact 12 is inserted into the insulation block.

[0113] The rear part 102 of the shield 10 includes two crimping areas 103, 104, one crimping area being in the rearward extension of the other.

[0114] The crimping area 103 includes one or more inwardly projecting protrusions 105 internally.

[0115] The crimping area 104 includes one or more inwardly projecting barbs 106 internally. The protrusions 105 and the barbs 106 can be produced preferably simultaneously by stamping and can have the same shape and / or the same dimensions where appropriate. The protrusions 105 and the barbs 106 can be in any form that allows mechanical abutment to be achieved.

[0116] The subassembly 1 further includes a crimping ferrule 16, which includes a through-opening 160 therein.

[0117] As Figure 2As shown, the ferrule 6 can be formed from a one-piece metal blank, which is preferably produced from a continuous strip 17 using cutting and rolling techniques.

[0118] In its crimped configuration as Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the ferrule 16 is generally hollow and partially cylindrical in shape, and the ferrule has: a cylindrical solid-wall front portion 161; a central portion 162, which is located in the extension of the front portion only around a part of the outer circumference of the cylinder and includes a through-opening 160; and a solid-wall rear portion 163, which is located in the extension of the central portion only around a part of the outer circumference of the cylinder.

[0119] This rear portion 163 is adapted to effect axial abutment of the ferrule with the end of the outer cable sheath via its rear face 164.

[0120] The rear face 164 may optionally include a fastener that remains after the ferrule is cut from the continuous strip 17. The fastener has a thickness ranging from 0 mm to 0.3 mm starting from the rear face 164.

[0121] The rear face 165 of the cylindrical front portion 161 is a face that is longitudinally offset forward from the rear face 164 of the rear portion 163. This offset face 165 enables the formation of a recess for the through-opening 160, thus facilitating the angular orientation of the ferrule in the rear portion of the body and thus limiting the risk of interference between the protrusion of the earthing body and the ferrule during connection and crimping.

[0122] The subassembly 1 already described is received and fastened in the recess 40 of a suitable housing 4, as Figure 3 shown, wherein the central contact 12 has been crimped to the stripped end of the wire 21 of the cable 2 via its crimping portion 14.

[0123] To assemble the subassembly 1 already described to the cable 2, the following steps are carried out.

[0124] It should be noted that the outer sheath 20 of the cable 2 is previously stripped to expose the metal braid 23 at a predetermined distance.

[0125] The connection steps are as follows:

[0126] i. Install the electrical insulation block 11 in its recess, i.e., a recess provided for this purpose in the metal jacket 1000, and, where appropriate, assemble the protective tube 1010 with the metal jacket.

[0127] ii. Press the ferrule 16 onto the metal braid 23, wherein the rear 164 of the rear portion 163 of the ferrule 16 abuts axially against B1 on the front end of the outer sheath 20 of the cable 2 ( Figure 9 ). Turn the front end of the braid onto the outside of the ferrule;

[0128] iii. Strip the ends of one or more wires 21 of the cable 2 to expose their conductive cores and press the central contact 12 onto one or more wires 21 of the cable 2;

[0129] iv. Insert the central contact 12 with the wires into its receiving cavity 111, i.e., provide the receiving cavity in the insulating block 11 for this purpose, and insert the ferrule 16 pressed onto the cable into the rear crimping portion of the earthing body;

[0130] v. Press the crimping area 103 of the rear portion 102 of the shield onto the braid and the ferrule 16 such that each projection 105 is received in the through-opening 160 of the ferrule ( Figure 10 ), so as to prevent the ferrule from translating and rotating relative to the earthing body;

[0131] vi. Press the crimping area 104 of the rear portion 102 of the shield onto the outer sheath 20 of the cable 2 such that each barb 106 hooks onto the sheath 20, i.e., penetrates into the sheath 20 ( Figure 10 ), so as to prevent the sheath of the cable from translating and rotating relative to the earthing body,

[0132] Step ii can be carried out before step i,

[0133] Steps v and vi can be carried out simultaneously or successively.

[0134] Step ii enables a satisfactory crimp to be achieved while preventing the ferrule 16 from abutting against the end of the outer sheath of the cable in the backward direction. This abutment enables the correct positioning of the ferrule relative to the earthing body to be maintained before the rear portion of the earthing body is crimped onto the braid and the ferrule.

[0135] Even in the case where the cable is subjected to mechanical stress, the crimp of the obtained assembly is superior to that of the prior art solutions.

[0136] Thus, as Figure 10 shown by the arrow T therein, if the cable 2 is pulled in the backward direction, the front edge of the through-opening 160 and / or the rear edge of the front portion 161 will form an axial abutment B2 with the front face of the projection 105. In other words, by means of this axial abutment B2, the retraction distance of the cable 2 is limited and the retention force of the cable is increased.

[0137] If the cable 2 is twisted, as Figure 11As shown by arrow R, the lateral edges of the through-opening 160 and / or the lateral edges of the central portion 162 will come into radial abutment with the lateral faces of the projections 105. In other words, through this radial abutment, the rotational slip of the ferrule 16 in the earthing body 10 is restricted and the mechanical tolerance of the strands of the braid 23 is improved because even if the cable 2 undergoes severe torsion, complete breakage of the strands can be avoided.

[0138] If the cable 2 is pushed in the forward direction, as Figure 12 shown by arrow P in, the rear of the projection 105 will form an axial abutment B3 with the rear edge of the through-opening 160 defined in the rear portion 163.

[0139] In other words, through this axial abutment B3, the translational axial slip of the ferrule in the earthing body 10 is restricted.

[0140] Therefore, this configuration makes it possible to prevent the forces acting on the cable from being transmitted to the connector and the junction thereof with the complementary connector.

[0141] In other words, the obtained assembly makes it possible to restrict the relative translational and / or rotational movement between the ferrule 16 and the earthing body 10, thereby reducing the risk of breakage of the braid and the connection between the cable and the connector.

[0142] Figures 13 to 18A A second embodiment is shown, in which only the ferrule 16 has a structure different from the above structure.

[0143] In Figures 13 to 18A , the overall shape of the ferrule 16 is a hollow partial cylinder, which has: a solid cylindrical wall front portion 161; a cylindrical central portion 162, which is located in the extension of the front portion and includes a through-opening 160; and a solid wall cylindrical rear portion 163, which is located in the extension of the central portion.

[0144] As Figure 15 shown, the ferrule 16 preferably includes three through-openings 160, which are angularly distributed at approximately 120° to each other, and each through-opening is adapted to receive a projection 105.

[0145] Alternatively, as Figure 16 shown, the ferrule 16 may include only two through-openings, and the angular distribution is based on the position of the projection 105 on the earthing body. The reduction in the number of openings allows for a greater tolerance in the angular position of the ferrule around the axis X in the earthing body.

[0146] The rear portion 163, which always extends around the cylindrical outer periphery of the ferrule 16, makes it possible to optimize the area of abutment between the ferrule and the front end portion of the cable sheath 20.

[0147] Other variant solutions and improvements can also be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0148] Although in the illustrated example, the coaxial connector subassembly is configured to have a single central contact 12 inserted into a housing cavity 111, the present invention can be implemented in cases where two central contacts are to be inserted into two cavities extending parallel to each other or in cases where more than two central contacts are to be inserted into the same electrical insulating block.

[0149] In Figures 19 to 21 such a connector subassembly 1' is shown, in which two central contacts 12, 13 and a ferrule 16 are crimped around the stripped end of the metal braid 23 of the outer sheath 20 of the cable 2.

[0150] The rear portions 14, 15 of the contacts 12, 13 are crimped around the stripped conductive cores 21, 22 of the wires of the cable 2 at their ends.

[0151] Each of the two contacts 12, 13 is inserted into one of two cavities extending parallel to each other in the insulating block 11.

[0152] As Figure 19 shown, the insulating block 11 includes a protrusion 110 that longitudinally protrudes at the rear and is configured to guide each of the two central contacts 12, 13 as it is inserted. Thus, this rear protrusion 110 makes it easier to insert the central contacts 12, 13 that have been respectively crimped to the wires.

[0153] In Figure 20 it, the assembly formed by the electrical insulating block 11 and the contacts 12 and 13 crimped to the cores 21 and 22 of the cable 2 is within the recess of the ground body 10 in the inserted position. The braid 23 has been folded back over the crimped ferrule 16. In other words, the braid 23 first passes through the interior of the crimped ferrule 16 and then passes over the outside of the crimped ferrule 16.

[0154] In Figure 21 it, the crimping regions 103, 104 of the ground body 10 have been crimped to the braid 23 and the ferrule 16 on the one hand and to the outer sheath 20 of the cable 2 on the other hand. After the crimping region 103 has been crimped, the protrusion 105 is located in the through-opening 160, which can be a window in the ferrule or a recess. In addition, after the region 104 has been crimped, the barb 106 will penetrate into the sheath 20.

[0155] In the case of embodiments having two central contacts, the cable includes two insulated wires, each insulated wire including a conductive core 21 surrounded by an electrical insulation sheath 24, and the two insulated wires are surrounded by a metallic braid 23. The metallic braid may be surrounded by an outer insulation sheath.

[0156] The shape and / or size of the projections 105 may be different from those of the projections shown, and in fact the projections may take any form. The projections may take, for example, the form of a right-angled parallelogram or a curved projection, and so on.

Claims

1. A connector sub - assembly or connector (1) adapted to be electrically connected to a cable (2), the cable comprising at least one insulated wire, a metallic braid (23) surrounding the at least one insulated wire, and an outer sheath (20) made of an electrically insulating material surrounding the metallic braid, the insulated wire comprising a core (21) and an electrical insulation sheath (24); The sub - assembly extends along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprises: At least one central contact (12, 13) adapted to be connected and preferably crimped to the stripped end of the cable wire (21); An electrical insulation block (11) comprising at least one cavity (111) into which the one or more central contacts are adapted to be inserted; A conductor (10) forming a shield, the conductor comprising: A front part (100) defining a recess for receiving and holding the electrical insulation block; A rear part (102) comprising at least one crimping area (103) internally provided with at least one protrusion (105); A ferrule (16) adapted to be crimped around the stripped end of the metallic braid of the outer cable sheath, the ferrule comprising at least one through - opening (160) configured to receive one or more protrusions when crimping the rear part of the shield so as to form an axial abutment between the ferrule and the shield, the ferrule also being configured to allow the ferrule to axially abut against the end of the outer cable sheath before crimping the rear part of the shield onto the ferrule when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metallic braid.

2. The subassembly according to claim 1, wherein, The shield (10) is a one - piece body.

3. The subassembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The through - opening (160) of the ferrule (16) is configured to form a rotational abutment between the ferrule and the shield.

4. The sub-component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The overall shape of the ferrule is a hollow partial cylinder, the ferrule having: a front part (161) with a cylindrical solid wall; a central part (162) located in the extension of the front part only around a part of the outer circumference of the cylinder, thereby forming a bias surface (165), and the central part comprising at least one through - opening; and a rear part (163) with a solid wall located in the extension of the central part only around a part of the outer circumference of the cylinder and adapted to achieve axial abutment of the ferrule against the end of the outer cable sheath when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metallic braid.

5. The sub-assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The overall shape of the ferrule is a hollow cylinder, and the ferrule has: a cylindrical solid-wall front portion (161); a cylindrical central portion (162) that is located in an extension of the front portion and includes the at least one through-opening; and a cylindrical solid-wall rear portion (163) that is located in an extension of the central portion and is adapted to effect axial abutment of the ferrule with the end of the outer cable sheath when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid.

6. The subassembly according to claim 5, wherein: the ferrule includes two or three through-openings that are angularly distributed around the outer circumference of the cylinder; the rear portion of the shield includes two or three protrusions that are angularly distributed and each protrusion is configured to be received in a through-opening.

7. The sub-component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The ferrule is rolled up on itself so as to be crimped around the end of the metal braid.

8. The sub-component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The rear portion of the shield includes two crimping regions, one of the crimping regions being provided with at least the protrusion on the inside, and the other of the crimping regions being provided with at least one barb on the inside, rearward, the barb being configured to hook the outer sheath of the cable when the rear portion of the shield is crimped.

9. The sub-component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The one or more protrusions and, where appropriate, the one or more barbs are formed by stamping the rear portion of the shield.

10. The sub-component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The shield and the ferrule are made by cutting and rolling.

11. A connector (3), the connector including: the subassembly according to any one of the preceding claims, a housing (4) in which the subassembly is received and fixed.

12. A ferrule of generally hollow cylindrical shape, the ferrule being adapted to be crimped around the stripped end of a metal braid of an outer cable sheath, the ferrule having: a cylindrical solid-wall front portion (161); a cylindrical central portion (162) that is located on an extension of the front portion and includes at least one through-opening; and a cylindrical solid-wall rear portion (163) that is located in an extension of the central portion and is adapted to effect axial abutment of the ferrule with the end of the outer cable sheath when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid.

13. A ferrule of generally hollow partial-cylindrical shape, the ferrule being adapted to be crimped around the stripped end of a metal braid of an outer cable sheath, the ferrule having: a cylindrical solid-wall front portion; a central portion that is located in an extension of the front portion only around a part of the outer circumference of the cylinder so as to form an offset surface (165) and includes at least one through-opening; and a solid-wall rear portion that is located in an extension of the central portion only around a part of the outer circumference of the cylinder and is adapted to effect axial abutment of the ferrule with the end of the outer cable sheath when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid.

14. A method for connecting a connector sub - assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to a cable (2), said cable comprising: At least one insulated electric wire, said insulated electric wire comprising a conductive core (21) and an electrically insulating sheath (24); A metal braid (23), said metal braid surrounding said at least one insulated electric wire; and an outer sheath (20) made of an electrically insulating material, said outer sheath surrounding said metal braid, the method comprising the following steps: i. Install the electrically insulating block (11) in its recess, i.e., provide said recess in the shielding body (10) for this purpose; ii. Crimp the ferrule (16) onto the metal braid (23), wherein the rear (164) of the ferrule (16) abuts axially against the front end of the outer sheath (20) of the cable (2), and fold the front end of the braid onto the ferrule; iii. Strip the ends of one or more wires of the cable (2) to expose their conductive cores (21) and crimp the one or more central contacts (12, 13) onto the one or more wires (21) of the cable; iv. Insert one or more central contacts (12, 13) with wires into their receiving cavities (111), i.e., provide said receiving cavities in the insulating block (11) for this purpose, and insert the ferrule (16) crimped onto the cable into the rear crimping portion of the earthing body; v. Crimp the crimping area (103) of the rear part (102) of the shielding body onto the braid and the ferrule (16) such that each projection (105) is received in the through-opening (160) of the ferrule to prevent translation of the ferrule relative to the earthing body and preferably to prevent rotation of the ferrule relative to the earthing body; vi. Crimp the crimping area (104) of the rear part (102) of the shielding body onto the outer sheath (20) of the cable (2) such that each barb (106) hooks into the sheath (20), i.e., penetrates into the sheath, to prevent translation of the sheath of the cable relative to the earthing body and preferably to prevent rotation of the sheath of the cable relative to the earthing body, Said step ii can be carried out before said step i.

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