Electrical Cable Braid Locating Clip

Abstract

To provide a cable assembly and a method for terminating the end of a cable, providing a device or a clip that eliminates "bundling" of a foil and braid and maintains the proper relationship between the braid and a signal conductor, and minimizes degradation of the electrical performance of the cable.SOLUTION: A cable assembly 10 includes a ferrule 30 secured to a cable jacket 14 at an end of a cable 12. The cable 12 also has a braided shield 16 that extends from the end of the cable 12 to a portion of an inner connector 50 positioned in the ferrule 30. A transition region 62 is provided between the end of the cable 12 and the end of the portion of the inner connector 50 positioned in the ferrule 30. A braid positioning clip 60 engages the braided shield 16 at the transition region 62 to maintain the relationship between the braided shield 16 and the signal conductors and minimize degradation of the electrical performance of the cable 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a braid locating clip for an electrical cable. In particular, the present invention relates to a braid locating clip for an electrical cable. The present invention relates to a clip that cooperates with the cable braid to maintain the braided relationship with the signal conductor. [Background technology]

[0002] In the process of terminating high-speed cables, such as radio frequency (RF) cables, to connectors There are many electrical and mechanical considerations for high speed cables. It consists of a ground reference, a braid (for the ground reference), a foil, a dielectric, and an inner signal conductor. Splicing compatible braids has always been a challenge with regard to both mechanical and electrical performance. Not only is the mechanical connection difficult, but maintaining electrical performance through the braid crimp area is also a challenge. Problems can arise when using mechanical parts such as ferrules. When the ferrule is crimped onto the braid, foil, and inner connector, the connector There is a transition area where the braid and foil get "bunched" up. , electrical performance may be degraded. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The problem to be solved is to eliminate the "bunching" up of the foil and braid, This maintains the proper relationship between the braid and the signal conductors, minimizing degradation of the cable's electrical performance. The purpose of this invention is to provide a restraining device or clip. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The problem is a cable assembly for terminating the end of a cable, The cable is secured to the cable jacket at the end of the cable by a cable assembly that includes a ferrule. The outer shell has an internal connector, and a part of the internal connector is positioned in the ferrule. The inner housing is positioned on the inner connector. The cable cooperates with individual signal conductors extending from the end of the cable. The cable has individual signal conductors extending from the end of the cable to the inner housing. The cable also has a braided shield that extends over a portion of the inner connector positioned in the ferrule. A transition area is provided between the end of the connector and the end of the portion of the inner connector positioned in the ferrule. It is being used. The braid positioning clip engages the braided shield at the transition area to secure the braided shield to the braided shield. Maintains contact with signal conductors, minimizing degradation of the cable's electrical performance.

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

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary electrical connector positioned on an exemplary cable. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the clip of the present invention contacting the braid of the cable at the transition region. [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the clip of the present invention contacting the braid of the cable at the transition region. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a clip of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the electrical connector assembly 10 provides electrical and The cable 12 is connected to a storage device, a switch, a router, a print circuit, and the like. Data is transferred between the PCB, analog-to-digital converters, connectors, and other devices. In various embodiments, the cable 12 can transmit data at speeds of 100 Mbps or greater. In some embodiments, the cable can support data rates up to The 12-pin connector supports data transfer speeds of approximately 4.25Gbps to approximately 25Gbps. Cable 12 may also be used with data transfer rates above or below these exemplary rates. As shown in FIG. 3, the cable 12 includes a cable jacket 14 and , 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 essentially parallel to each other. , surrounded by a braided metal shield 16, such as, but not limited to, a braided copper shield. The center conductors 20, 22 may be surrounded by respective dielectric layers 24, 26.

[0008] As shown in FIG. 2, the end of the cable 12 is braided by removing the cable jacket 14. The shield 16 and conductors 20, 22 are exposed. A crimp ferrule 30 secures the cable 12.

[0009] The electrical connector assembly 10 includes a first metal shell 32 and a second metal shell 34. The first metal shell 32 has a mating connector receiving portion 36 and a second metal shell receiving portion 38. The second metal shell 34 has a first metal shell receiving portion 40 and a conductor receiving portion 42.

[0010] A dielectric housing 50 is positioned in the electrical connector assembly 10. The housing 50 is made of a dielectric material. As shown in FIG. The dielectric rib 56 is formed on the dielectric hub 52 and has a mating end 52 and an opposite conductor receiving end 54. Extending from the conductor receiving end 54 of the housing 50 in a direction away from the mating end 52. 56 extends in a direction essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis 58 of the housing 50 .

[0011] Ribs 56 extend from the conductor receiving end 54 into the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal shell 34. The ribs 56 and the second metal shell 34 form conductor-receiving passages (not shown).

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, a braid positioning clip or comb 60 is provided to secure the cable 12 to the The braid positioning clip 60 is located adjacent to the end of the cable jacket 14. and an end 66 of the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal shell 34. The exemplary braid positioning clip or comb 60 has an inner surface 76. The positioning clip 60 has two curved or arcuate portions 68 and an arcuate portion 69. 8 and a straight portion 70 extending between the arcuate portions 68. Each of the arcuate portions 68 has a free end 72. The end 72 is positioned in line with or flush with the free end 72 of the other arcuate portion 68, In an alternative embodiment, the free ends 72 are spaced apart from one another. The slots or openings 7 may be positioned in different planes so that they are not positioned in the same plane. 4 is provided between the free ends 72.

[0013] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the braided positioning clip 60 is made of a material having elastic properties. The braided positioning clip 60 may be made of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. The arcuate portions 68 and the straight portions 70 may be formed from any other material having the properties described above. As the assembly positioning clip 60 moves to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it elastically deforms. As will be more fully described, once the braid positioning clip 60 is properly positioned, In this state, the arcuate portion 68 and the straight portion 70 will resiliently return to their unstressed positions. This can be done.

[0014] Although the braid positioning clip 60 is shown as a C-shaped member, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention. Braid positioning clip 60 may have other configurations without the need for a braid positioning clip. The positioning clip 60 is not made of a material with elastic properties and can be deformed, for example, by crimping. The substrate may be made of a material suitable for use as a substrate.

[0015] In use, the cable 12 is braided by removing the cable jacket 14 as previously described. The cable 12 is prepared to expose the shield 16 and conductors 20, 22. Before or after the cable is inserted, a crimp ferrule 30 is placed on the end of the cable, initially The crimp ferrule 30 is properly seated on the end of the cable 12. With the cable 12 properly prepared, the connector assembly 10 is shown in FIGS. 2. In this position, the conductors 20, 22 are connected to the rib 56 and the second metal shell 3. The conductor receiving portion 42 is positioned in the conductor receiving passage between the conductor receiving portion 42 of the conductor receiving passage. The conductors 20, 22 extend generally parallel to one another and generally coplanar. A second metal shell 34 surrounds the conductors. Since the bodies 20, 22 are surrounded, the conductors 20, 22 are protected and damage to the conductors 20, 22 is prevented. thereby maintaining the integrity of conductors 20, 22 and the signal path provided thereby. Hold.

[0016] In this position, the braided shield 16 and metallized foil 18 are positioned over the conductor receiving portion of the second metal shell 34. The braided positioning clip 60 extends over the outer surface 78 of the portion 42 at the transition region 62. Positioned over the braided shield 16 and metallized foil 18, The foil 18 is held in close proximity to the conductors 20,22.

[0017] The braid positioning clip 60 secures the braided shield 16 and the gold foil, particularly in the transition region 62. This helps to contain and maintain the relationship between the metallized foil 18 and the signal conductors 20, 22. The inner surface 76 of the braided shield 16 and metalized foil 18 are attached to the conductors 20, 22. As a result, the braided positioning clip 6 0 is attached to the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 at the transition region 62, The paired shield 16 and metallized foil 18 are maintained in close proximity to the inner signal conductors 20, 22, which This allows the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 to be bundled together at the transition region 62. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the braided positioning clip 60 , the relationship between the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 and the conductors 20, 22 is maintained by spring action. Maintain. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the braided positioning clip 60 may be configured in other ways. The braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 are attached to the conductors 20, 22 by any method or means. For example, the braid positioning clip 60 may hold the braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 18 conductors 20, 22, or may be crimped to hold them in place against the conductors 20, 22, or may be further pressurized. The braid positioning clip 60 is attached to the braided shield 16 and the metallized Maintaining the relationship between the foil 18 and the internal signal conductors 20, 22 reduces the degradation of the cable's electrical performance. is minimized, thereby improving electrical performance.

[0018] With the braid positioning clip 60 properly positioned, the crimp ferrule 30 is then 2. The first portion 80 of the crimp ferrule 30 is inserted into the connector assembly. The braid is crimped onto the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal shell 34 of the braid assembly 10. The shield 16 and metallized foil 18 are attached to the outer surface 78 of the conductor receiving portion 42 of the second metal shell 34. The braided shield 16 and the metallized foil 1 of the cable are arranged in mechanical and electrical engagement. 8 and the second metal shell 34 of the connector assembly 10. The second portion 82 of the crimp ferrule 30 is crimped onto the cable jacket 14 of the cable 12. The crimp ferrule 30 is attached to the electrical connector assembly to provide a mechanical connection therebetween. The bridge 10 is fixed to the cable 12 .

[0019] As previously mentioned, the method of terminating a cable to a cable assembly depends on the end of the cable. Remove the cable jacket to expose the signal conductors and braided shield, and Positioning the signal conductor within the conductive shell and electrically engaging the braided shield to the conductive shell. and positioning the outer shell by the inner connector, wherein the outer shell has an inner connector and a portion of the inner connector is The cable ferrule is positioned, and the braid positioning clip is positioned and positioning the braided sheath in a transition region between the end of the braided sheath and the conductive outer shell. Maintaining the relationship between the wires and the signal conductors to minimize degradation of the electrical performance of the cable Includes:

Claims

1. 1. A method of terminating a cable to a cable assembly, comprising: removing a cable jacket from an end of the cable to expose a signal conductor and a braided shield; positioning the signal conductor within a conductive shell; positioning the braided shield in electrical contact with the conductive outer shell; positioning a braid positioning clip at a transition area between the end of the cable and the conductive shell; maintaining a relationship between the braided shield and the signal conductors in the transition region to minimize degradation of electrical performance of the cable.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the braid positioning clip has an arcuate portion and a straight portion.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the braid positioning clip has two arcuate portions and a straight portion extending between the arcuate portions.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the arcuate portions have free ends, the free ends being positioned in line but spaced apart from one another.

5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein a slot is provided between said free ends.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the arcuate portions have free ends, the free ends being positioned in different planes.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the braid positioning clip is elastically deformable.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the braid positioning clip is in a C-shaped configuration.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the braid positioning clip is formed from metal.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the braid positioning clip is formed from plastic.

11. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the braid positioning clip is dimensioned to confine or compress the braided shield against the signal conductors, such that the braid positioning clip can maintain the braided shield in close proximity to the signal conductors.

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