A high-low frequency mixed loading adapter for realizing signal switching

Abstract

This invention relates to a high-low frequency mixed-assembly adapter for signal switching, belonging to the field of connector technology. The high-low frequency mixed-assembly adapter includes a housing component and an insulator component and contacts disposed within the housing component. The insulator component includes a first insulator and a second insulator for mounting the contacts. The contacts include high-frequency contacts and low-frequency contacts. The low-frequency contacts on the first and second insulators are connected one-to-one by wires, and the high-frequency contacts on the first and second insulators are connected by a rigid-flexible plate adapter to achieve high-frequency signal switching. The insulator component also includes a straight sleeve between the first and second insulators, which is formed by two joined semi-cylinders. This invention eliminates the need for cable signal switching, allowing for selection of a suitable switching method based on the type and characteristics of the contacts, thus solving the problem of difficult signal switching in confined spaces while simultaneously supporting both high- and low-frequency signal switching.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of electrical connector technology, and specifically relates to a high-low frequency mixed adapter for signal conversion. Background Technology

[0002] When equipment needs to be mounted on an aircraft via a pylon, the pylon must connect to an interface on the aircraft fuselage. Different aircraft models have different interface standards on the fuselage; for example, some interfaces are pin-type, while others are socket-type, and their specifications vary. However, the interfaces on the pylon are generally standard. This necessitates the use of adapters to connect the pylon to different aircraft models and to achieve signal conversion between the pylon and the fuselage interface.

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown, an adapter typically includes two connectors and a cable for connecting these two connectors. The cable is connected to the contacts of the two connectors by soldering or crimping, forming a complete signal switching channel. These two connectors are generally a plug connector and a socket connector.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned cable-based switching solutions have significant limitations in practical applications.

[0005] First, in order to meet the transmission characteristics of high-frequency signals (such as minimum bending radius requirements), the cable itself needs to have a certain physical length to accommodate bending deformation. Under high-frequency conditions, if the cable is forcibly bent to a radius smaller than its minimum bending radius, it will cause deformation of the internal dielectric layer and a sudden change in characteristic impedance, thereby causing signal reflection (increased return loss) and energy attenuation, and in severe cases, even signal interruption.

[0006] Secondly, common RF cables are quite rigid, making them difficult to install in confined spaces (such as mounting brackets). Furthermore, during assembly, the cables are prone to interfering with surrounding components within the mounting bracket, not only occupying valuable bracket space but also potentially causing damage to the connectors due to stress.

[0007] Therefore, in view of the problems that existing cable adapter solutions are difficult to wire in confined spaces and are easily damaged, there is an urgent need to develop a new type of adapter that does not require cables, has a compact structure, and can simultaneously take into account the transmission characteristics of high and low frequency signals, so as to solve the problem of signal conversion difficulties in confined spaces in the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a high-low frequency mixed-mode adapter for signal switching, solving the problem of signal switching difficulties in confined spaces in existing adapters.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: a high-low frequency mixed-assembly adapter for signal switching, comprising a housing component and an insulator component and contacts disposed within the housing component. The insulator component includes a first insulator and a second insulator for mounting the contacts. The contacts include high-frequency contacts and low-frequency contacts. The low-frequency contacts on the first and second insulators are connected one-to-one by wires, and the high-frequency contacts on the first and second insulators are connected by a rigid-flexible plate adapter to achieve high-frequency signal switching.

[0010] The insulator component further includes a straight sleeve located between the first insulator and the second insulator. The straight sleeve is formed by two semi-cylinders joined together. The straight sleeve has a thin-walled structure and its inner wall is provided with reinforcing ribs. The reinforcing ribs are located at the middle position along the length of the straight sleeve. The sleeve wall is provided with at least two glue-filling holes, the positions of which correspond to the positions of the reinforcing ribs, and the diameter of the glue-filling holes is not greater than the width of the reinforcing ribs.

[0011] Its beneficial effects are: Compared with the adapters of the prior art, the present invention integrates the insulators and contacts of two connectors connected by cables into a housing, so that signals can be transferred without cables. Instead, the appropriate transfer method can be selected according to the type and characteristics of the contacts, thus taking into account both high and low frequency signal transfer and solving the problem of difficult signal transfer in a confined space.

[0012] The straight sleeve allows two insulators to be connected together and installed as a single unit within the housing component, simplifying component assembly and ensuring that the holes on the two insulators are always aligned. After the contacts on the first and second insulators are connected, the presence of the keyway fit prevents insertion through just one end of the straight sleeve. Therefore, the straight sleeve is designed in two halves, which can fit together on the outside of the insulator component for easier assembly.

[0013] The reinforcing ribs prevent deformation after the straight sleeve is cut, ensuring the shape of the semi-cylinder and allowing the two semi-cylinders to be joined together to form a straight sleeve that can connect with the two insulators.

[0014] The glue-filling hole allows glue to be poured into the straight sleeve, fixing the semi-cylinder, the first insulator, and the second insulator into a whole with a certain strength.

[0015] Furthermore, the rigid-flex plate adapter includes a rigid plate and a flexible plate. The tail end of the high-frequency contact is fixedly connected to the rigid plate, and both ends of the flexible plate are connected to the two rigid plates. The high-frequency contacts on the two rigid plates achieve signal switching through the conductive layer in the flexible plate.

[0016] Its beneficial effects are: it clarifies the specific structure of the rigid-flexible plate adapter, and the flexible plate has a small bending radius, which can well adapt to the small distance between high-frequency contact components.

[0017] Furthermore, two high-frequency contacts are provided on each of the first and second insulators, and the two high-frequency contacts on the first insulator and the two high-frequency contacts on the second insulator are cross-connected through a rigid-flexible plate adapter.

[0018] Its beneficial effect is that the rigid-flexible plate adapter enables cross-connection of high-frequency contacts, while cables, due to their high rigidity and requirements for bending radius, are difficult to cross-connect of high-frequency contacts.

[0019] Furthermore, the contact also includes a radio frequency (RF) contact, which is an integral structure with one end mounted on a first insulator and the other end mounted on a second insulator.

[0020] Its advantages are that only one RF contact needs to be set up and placed in the center of the connector, so setting it as an integrated structure can eliminate the need for a corresponding signal conversion structure.

[0021] Furthermore, the straight sleeve and the first insulator and the second insulator are circumferentially positioned by a keyway fit structure.

[0022] Its beneficial effect is that the keyway mating structure can structurally ensure the alignment of the holes on the first and second insulators.

[0023] Furthermore, the keyway mating structure includes a positioning key and a keyway, wherein the positioning key is disposed on the first insulator and the second insulator, and the keyway is disposed at both ends of the straight sleeve; or, the keyway is disposed on the first insulator and the second insulator, and the positioning key is disposed at both ends of the straight sleeve.

[0024] Its beneficial effect is that the keyway mating structure can be set in different ways, and technicians can implement it flexibly according to their needs.

[0025] Furthermore, the housing component includes a housing and a connector nut, the connector nut being fitted onto the housing for threaded connection with a mating connector.

[0026] Its beneficial effect is that the setting of the connector nut can achieve a reliable connection between the adapter and the mating device.

[0027] Furthermore, an anti-loosening mechanism is provided between the connector nut and the housing.

[0028] Its beneficial effect is that the anti-loosening mechanism can prevent the connector nut from loosening.

[0029] Furthermore, the anti-loosening mechanism is a steel ball locking anti-loosening mechanism.

[0030] Its beneficial effects are: the steel ball locking anti-loosening mechanism has a simple and effective structure, which makes the two torques of screwing in and screwing out of the connector nut reach a torque difference, thereby achieving the purpose of preventing loosening.

[0031] Furthermore, the inner wall of the housing is provided with a positioning surface and a locking nut. After the insulator component is installed into the housing, one end of it abuts against the positioning surface, and the end face of the other end is pressed by the locking nut.

[0032] Its beneficial effects are: the positioning surface and the locking nut can axially position the insulator component within the housing, making assembly and disassembly convenient.

[0033] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention integrates the insulators and contacts of the two connectors of the adapter in the prior art into a housing component to form an integral structure, thereby reducing the overall size of the adapter solution and making it easier to deploy and use in confined spaces. The external housing component adopts an integral design of metal material, which improves the strength and vibration resistance of the overall adapter solution. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of plug connectors and socket connectors in the prior art that realize signal conversion through cables;

[0035] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the high- and low-frequency mixed adapter in this invention.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the high-low frequency mixed adapter in this invention;

[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the housing component of the high-low frequency mixed adapter in this invention;

[0038] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the anti-loosening mechanism of the high-low frequency mixed adapter in this invention.

[0039] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the insulating component of the high-low frequency mixed adapter in this invention;

[0040] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the insulating component of the high-low frequency mixed adapter in this invention;

[0041] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the glue filling inside the straight sleeve of the high-low frequency mixed adapter in this invention;

[0042] Figure 9This is a schematic diagram of the adapter component of the high-low frequency mixed adapter in this invention;

[0043] Markings in the diagram: 100, plug connector; 200, socket connector; 300, cable.

[0044] 1. Connector nut; 2. Housing; 3. First insulator; 4. Straight sleeve; 41. Reinforcing rib; 42. Potting hole; 5. RF contact; 6. Second insulator; 7. Locking nut; 8. Rigid-flexible plate adapter; 81. Rigid plate; 82. Flexible plate; 9. Anti-loosening mechanism; 10. Spline housing; 11. Steel ball; 12. Spring; 13. Racket groove; 14. Nut; 15. Locating key; 16. Keyway; 17. High-frequency contact; 171. First high-frequency contact; 172. Second high-frequency contact; 173. Third high-frequency contact; 174. Fourth high-frequency contact; 18. Low-frequency contact; 19. Adhesive level. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments, but this should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

[0046] The high-low frequency mixed adapter of the present invention includes a housing component, an insulator component, and contacts. The contacts include radio frequency contacts, low frequency contacts, and high frequency contacts. The insulator component enables the conduction and switching between the contacts. Both the insulator component and the contacts are disposed inside the housing component.

[0047] The more specific structure of the high-low frequency hybrid adapter is as follows: Figure 2 , 3 As shown: the housing component will Figure 1 The housings of the plug connector 100 and the socket connector 200 are integrated into a single assembly. The housing component includes a connector nut 1 and a housing 2. The connector nut 1 is connected to one end of the housing 2 via an anti-loosening mechanism 9, used to connect with and lock the mating connector to ensure a reliable connection. The insulator component includes a straight sleeve 4 and a first insulator 3 and a second insulator 6 connected to both ends of the straight sleeve 4. Figure 1 The insulators of the plug connector 100 and the socket connector 200 are integrated into a single assembly and housed within the housing 2. Therefore, the first insulator 3 corresponds to the insulator in the plug connector 100, and the second insulator 6 corresponds to the insulator in the socket connector 200. Figure 7As shown, both the first insulator 3 and the second insulator 6 are provided with low-frequency contacts 18 and high-frequency contacts 17. The low-frequency contacts 18 on the two insulators are connected by thin wires to realize signal transfer, and the high-frequency contacts 17 on the two insulators are connected by rigid-flexible plate adapters 8 to realize signal transfer in a small space. The radio frequency contact 5 is an integral structure with its two ends connected to the first insulator 3 and the second insulator 6 respectively, so no additional adapter is required.

[0048] Furthermore, such as Figure 2-4 As shown, the inner wall of the housing 2 is provided with a positioning surface and a locking nut 7. After the insulator component is installed into the housing 2, one end of it abuts against the positioning surface to limit the installation depth, and the end face of the other end is pressed by the locking nut 7, thereby realizing the axial positioning of the insulator component in the housing 2.

[0049] The aforementioned anti-loosening mechanism employs a steel ball locking mechanism, which aims to achieve a torque difference between the screwing in and out torques of the connector nut 1, thereby preventing loosening. This mechanism is a conventional structure in this field, and will be discussed below in conjunction with... Figure 5 A simple explanation of its principle follows. The anti-loosening mechanism 9 consists of a splined housing 10, a spring 12, a steel ball 11, and a nut 14. Multiple mounting grooves are provided along the circumference of the outer surface of the splined housing 10 for mounting the spring 12 and the steel ball 11. The nut 14 has evenly distributed ratchet grooves 13 on its inner circumference. The two surfaces of the ratchet grooves 13 have different angles with the horizontal plane in the circumferential direction, resulting in the following effects: when the nut 14 is threadedly connected to the adapter connector, the steel ball 11 easily slides into the ratchet groove 13; when the nut 14 is threadedly separated from the adapter connector, the steel ball 11 is less likely to come out of the ratchet groove 13. In this embodiment, the connector nut 1 is the nut 14 of the anti-loosening mechanism 9, and the housing 2 is the splined housing 10 of the anti-loosening mechanism 9. The connector nut 1 is used to connect with the adapter socket, ensuring reliable connection after the adapter is plugged into the corresponding socket.

[0050] In this embodiment, the structure of the insulator component and its connection method are as follows: Figure 6 , 7As shown. The first insulator 3 and the second insulator 6 are respectively connected to the two ends of the straight sleeve 4, and the inner wall of the straight sleeve 4 is fitted onto the outer circular surfaces of the first insulator 3 and the second insulator 6. The end face of the straight sleeve 4 abuts against the stop surface of the corresponding outer circular surface of the insulator, achieving axial positioning. Furthermore, the straight sleeve 4, the first insulator 3, and the second insulator 6 are circumferentially positioned by a keyway fit, ensuring that the holes on the two insulators for installing the contact parts correspond one-to-one. In this embodiment, the first insulator 3 and the second insulator 6 are provided with positioning keys 15, and the end face of the straight sleeve 4 is provided with a keyway 16, forming a keyway fit structure. In other embodiments, the positioning key 15 can also be provided on the straight sleeve 4, and the keyway 16 can be provided on the first insulator 3 and the second insulator 6.

[0051] Furthermore, the straight sleeve 4 is formed by two semi-cylinders joined together. After the first insulator 3 and the second insulator 6 are connected, the two semi-cylinders are then joined together and installed between the two insulators.

[0052] Specifically, the straight sleeve 4 has a thin-walled structure and is cut into two semi-cylinders. To avoid deformation of the semi-cylinders after cutting, which would make it difficult to assemble the combined straight sleeve 4 with the first insulator 3 and the second insulator 6, a circumferentially extending reinforcing rib 41 is provided on the inner wall of the straight sleeve 4. The reinforcing rib 41 is annular and has a certain width, which can enhance the circumferential strength of the straight sleeve 4 and maintain the shape of the semi-cylinders after cutting. Thus, the combined straight sleeve 4 can be assembled with the first insulator 3 and the second insulator 6.

[0053] Furthermore, after the first insulator 3 and the second insulator 6 are installed with the straight sleeve 4, they need to be connected to prevent the insulators and the straight sleeve 4 from separating. Typically, screws and threaded holes are used for this connection, but this method requires space and increases the number of parts and production costs. In this invention, glue is used to achieve the fixed connection between the parts. Therefore, two or more glue-filling holes 42 are provided on the wall of the straight sleeve 4. Glue is poured into the straight sleeve 4 through the glue-filling holes 42. After the glue cures, the two semi-cylinders, the first insulator 3, and the second insulator 6 are fixed together. The multiple glue-filling holes 42 are evenly spaced along the circumference of the straight sleeve 4.

[0054] The following is combined Figure 8 The potting process is explained below. When potting the assembled insulating components, first pot the adhesive to one end of the insulating component, and after it has cured, then pot the adhesive to the other end. The specific process is as follows:

[0055] (1) such as Figure 8As shown in (a), the insulating component is erected so that all the potting holes 42 are at the same height to prevent the glue from flowing out of other potting holes 42 during the potting process. The glue is poured in from one of the potting holes 42, and the remaining potting holes 42 are used for venting to ensure that the glue is poured in smoothly. The potting height is not higher than the lower edge of the potting hole 42. When the glue liquid level 19 is close to the lower edge of the potting hole 42, the potting is stopped and the glue is allowed to cure to complete the first potting.

[0056] (2) For example Figure 8 As shown in (b), rotate the insulator component 180° and repeat the above process to perform the second gluing. Stop the gluing when the glue level 19 is close to the lower edge of the gluing hole 42. After the glue has cured, the gluing of both ends of the insulator component is completed.

[0057] By applying glue, not only can the two semi-cylinders, the first insulator 3 and the second insulator 6 be fixedly connected together, but the solder joints or connection points at the tail end of the contact parts can also be protected and the sealing and moisture-proof functions can be achieved.

[0058] Furthermore, the distribution positions of the glue-filling holes 42 correspond to the positions of the reinforcing ribs 41, and the diameter of the glue-filling holes 42 is not greater than the width of the reinforcing ribs 41, so as to ensure that the reinforcing ribs 41 are continuous in the circumferential direction, thereby ensuring the constraint effect of the reinforcing ribs 41 on the semi-cylindrical shape. The width of the reinforcing rib 41 refers to the dimension of the reinforcing rib 41 in the axial direction of the straight sleeve 4.

[0059] In this embodiment, the reinforcing rib 41 is a ring structure. In other embodiments, the reinforcing rib 41 can also be arranged in an arc shape with intervals, and the arc shape has a certain length, thereby playing a good reinforcing role. In this case, the glue-filling hole 42 can be arranged between adjacent reinforcing ribs 41.

[0060] As mentioned earlier, the insulator component includes three types of contacts: an integrally structured radio frequency (RF) contact 5, a high-frequency contact 17, and a low-frequency contact 18. These three contacts employ different signal transfer methods within the insulator component. Since the RF contact 5 is an integral structure, it does not require transfer. The low-frequency contact 18 can be transferred via a thin wire; this thin wire is flexible and can be arranged between two insulators. Figure 7 The fine wires are not shown; high-frequency contact 17 requires cross-connection, such as... Figure 9As shown, a first high-frequency contact 171 and a second high-frequency contact 172 are provided on the first insulator 3, and a third high-frequency contact 173 and a fourth high-frequency contact 174 are provided on the second insulator 6. The first high-frequency contact 171 and the third high-frequency contact 173 correspond to each other, and the second high-frequency contact 172 and the fourth high-frequency contact 174 correspond to each other. During the transition, a cross connection is required, that is, the first high-frequency contact 171 and the fourth high-frequency contact 174 are connected, and the second high-frequency contact 172 and the third high-frequency contact 173 are connected. Due to the small distance between the high-frequency contacts 17, the bending radius of the wires is insufficient, making it impossible to connect them with wires. Therefore, a rigid-flexible plate adapter 8 is used to transition the four high-frequency contacts 17. Specifically, as shown... Figure 9 As shown, the tail end of the high-frequency contact 17 is welded to the rigid plate 81 of the rigid-flexible plate adapter 8 and sealed with cured potting compound. The left and right rigid plates 81 are connected by a flexible plate 82. The flexible plate 82 is very thin and has a small bending radius, which can accommodate the small distance between the high-frequency contacts 17 in the insulating component. The flexible plate 82 has two mutually insulating conductive layers, one layer for connecting the first high-frequency contact 171 and the fourth high-frequency contact 174, and the other layer for connecting the second high-frequency contact 172 and the third high-frequency contact 173.

[0061] In this embodiment, the high-frequency contact 17 adopts a 1553B contact. In other embodiments, the high-frequency contact 17 may also adopt other types of contact.

[0062] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the specific implementation of the present invention with reference to the above embodiments. Any modifications or equivalent substitutions that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are within the protection scope of the pending claims.

Claims

1. A high-low frequency mixed-mode adapter for signal switching, comprising a housing component and an insulator component and contacts disposed within the housing component, characterized in that, The insulator component includes a first insulator (3) and a second insulator (6) for mounting contacts; the contacts include high-frequency contacts (17) and low-frequency contacts (18), the low-frequency contacts (18) on the first insulator (3) and the second insulator (6) are connected one-to-one by wires, and the high-frequency contacts (17) on the first insulator (3) and the second insulator (6) are connected by a rigid-flexible plate adapter (8) to realize high-frequency signal conversion; The rigid-flexible plate adapter (8) includes a rigid plate (81) and a flexible plate (82). The tail end of the high-frequency contact (17) is fixedly connected to the rigid plate (81). The two ends of the flexible plate (82) are connected to the two rigid plates (81). The high-frequency contact (17) on the two rigid plates (81) realizes signal transfer through the conductive layer in the flexible plate (82). The insulator component also includes a straight sleeve (4) located between the first insulator (3) and the second insulator (6). The straight sleeve (4) is formed by two semi-cylinders joined together. The straight sleeve (4) has a thin-walled structure and its inner wall is provided with reinforcing ribs (41) extending in the circumferential direction. The reinforcing ribs (41) are located at the middle position in the length direction of the straight sleeve (4). At least two glue-filling holes (42) are provided on the cylinder wall of the straight sleeve (4). The position of the glue-filling holes (42) corresponds to the position of the reinforcing ribs (41), and the diameter of the glue-filling holes (42) is not greater than the width of the reinforcing ribs (41). A first high-frequency contact (171) and a second high-frequency contact (172) are provided on the first insulator (3), and a third high-frequency contact (173) and a fourth high-frequency contact (174) are provided on the second insulator (6). The first high-frequency contact (171) and the third high-frequency contact (173) correspond to each other, and the second high-frequency contact (172) and the fourth high-frequency contact (174) correspond to each other. The flexible plate (82) has two conductive layers that are mutually insulated and isolated. One layer is used to connect the first high-frequency contact (171) and the fourth high-frequency contact (174), and the other layer is used to connect the second high-frequency contact (172) and the third high-frequency contact (173) to achieve cross-connection of the high-frequency contacts.

2. The high-low frequency mixed adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact also includes a radio frequency contact (5), which is an integral structure with one end mounted on the first insulator (3) and the other end mounted on the second insulator (6).

3. The high-low frequency mixed adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The straight sleeve (4), the first insulator (3), and the second insulator (6) are positioned circumferentially by a keyway mating structure.

4. The high-low frequency mixed adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The keyway mating structure includes a positioning key (15) and a keyway (16). The positioning key (15) is disposed on the first insulator (3) and the second insulator (6), and the keyway (16) is disposed at both ends of the straight sleeve (4); or, the keyway (16) is disposed on the first insulator (3) and the second insulator (6), and the positioning key (15) is disposed at both ends of the straight sleeve (4).

5. The high-low frequency mixed adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing component includes a housing (2) and a connector nut (1), the connector nut (1) being fitted onto the housing (2) for threaded connection with a compatible connector.

6. The high-low frequency mixed adapter according to claim 5, characterized in that, An anti-loosening mechanism (9) is also provided between the connector nut (1) and the housing (2).

7. The high-low frequency mixed adapter according to claim 6, characterized in that, The anti-loosening mechanism (9) is a steel ball locking anti-loosening mechanism.

8. The high-low frequency mixed adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the housing (2) is provided with a positioning surface and a locking nut (7). After the insulator component is installed in the housing (2), one end of it abuts against the positioning surface, and the end face of the other end is pressed by the locking nut (7).

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