Inter-board radio frequency connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of connectors, and in particular relates to an inter-board radio frequency connector and a connector assembly. The inter-board radio frequency connector comprises an insulator and contacts distributed on the insulator. The contacts comprise a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact which form a radio frequency transmission channel together with the insulator. Each contact is provided with an elastic arm, and an elastic contact end is provided at an end portion of the elastic arm. Compared with the prior art, the invention has the following beneficial effects: the first contact, serving as an inner conductor, and the second contact, serving as an outer conductor, are both inserted into the same insulator, resulting in a simple structure, easy assembly, convenient maintenance, and low cost, and facilitating integration and miniaturization; in addition, the contacts are each provided with an elastic arm to make elastic contact with a corresponding printed circuit board, thereby enabling floating movement in both vertical and horizontal directions.

Description

Inter-board radio frequency connector and connector assembly Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, in particular to an inter-board radio frequency connector and a connector assembly. Background Art

[0002] In 5G, antennas and remote radio units (RRUs) are merged into active antenna units (AAUs), significantly increasing channel capacity and necessitating the use of numerous inter-board RF connectors. Typically, a large number of different connectors, such as power and low-frequency connectors, are located between the upper and lower printed circuit boards. While the spacing between the two printed circuit boards is uniform, to accommodate the varying lengths of these connectors, the inter-board RF connectors require a certain amount of vertical and horizontal float.

[0003] Existing inter-board RF connectors are mainly traditional inter-board three-piece structures and pogo pin RF connectors, which are used to solve the problem that the connector has certain floating requirements in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0004] In response to the floating requirements of connectors, the traditional three-piece structure between boards (including socket I2, adapter 3, and socket II4) has always been a popular solution. By changing the contact and mating length of the connector (socket I2, socket II4) and the adapter, the length of the connector after mating is changed, thereby meeting the changes in the spacing size of the two printed circuit boards with the changes in the lengths of other different connectors (i.e., unevenness error), as shown in Figure 1.

[0005] With the update and iteration of main boards, antenna boards, filters and the application of small elastic connectors, pogo pin RF connectors based on spring pins have emerged. The inner conductor is floated by the spring pin 6, and the outer conductor 7 is floated by the spring clip 8 (or conductive rubber pad), thereby adapting to the change in the spacing between the two printed circuit boards.

[0006] Disadvantages of existing technology:

[0007] ① The basic components of the high-frequency contact in the inter-board RF connector include an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and an insulating support between the inner conductor and the outer conductor (air can also be used as an insulating medium), which is used to transmit high-frequency signals. The insulator of each RF transmission channel exists separately and is combined with the inner conductor before integration, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

[0008] ② The existing inter-board RF connectors are large in size and difficult to install, which is not conducive to the miniaturization and integration of equipment and is not convenient for maintenance.

[0009] ③ The existing inter-board RF connector has a complex structure, low processing efficiency, complicated procedures and high cost.

[0010] Summary of the Invention

[0011] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an inter-board radio frequency connector and a connector assembly.

[0012] The objective of the present invention is achieved by adopting the following technical solution: According to the present invention, an inter-board radio frequency connector includes an insulator and contacts distributed on the insulator, the contacts including a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact that form a radio frequency transmission channel with the insulator, and the contacts are provided with elastic arms, and the ends of the elastic arms are provided with elastic contact ends.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are that the first contact piece serving as the inner conductor and the second contact piece serving as the outer conductor are both inserted on the same insulator, with a simple structure, easy assembly, simple maintenance, low cost, and easy integration and miniaturization. At the same time, the contact piece has a spring arm, which elastically contacts the corresponding printed circuit board, thereby achieving floating in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0014] Furthermore, the projections of the elastic contact ends of the first, second and third contact pieces on the end surface of the insulator are distributed in an isosceles triangle, and the elastic contact end of the first contact piece is equidistant from the elastic contact ends of the second and third contact pieces.

[0015] The elastic contact ends of the three contact pieces are distributed in an isosceles triangle. After being matched with the printed circuit board, the three contact pieces elastically abut against the printed circuit board, providing a more uniform, stable and gentle force to the printed circuit board.

[0016] Furthermore, the insulator is provided with an insertion hole for inserting the contact piece, and an avoidance hole corresponding to the insertion hole for accommodating the deformation of the elastic arm.

[0017] The insertion hole is used to limit the contact, and the avoidance hole can be set according to the deformation range of the contact spring arm to ensure reliable floating.

[0018] Furthermore, the contact piece is provided with a welding end.

[0019] A welding end is provided on the contact piece, which can fix one end of the connector to the printed circuit board, and the connector and the printed circuit board can float in the vertical and horizontal directions by relying on the floating of one side of the connector.

[0020] Furthermore, the elastic arm is an elastic cantilever structure, and the movable portion of the elastic arm is located outside or inside the insulator.

[0021] Furthermore, the elastic arm is an annular elastic arm, and the portion of the annular elastic arm that tilts outward from the insulator is an elastic contact end.

[0022] The spring arm deforms under pressure to adapt to the change in the distance between the two printed circuit boards.

[0023] Furthermore, it includes at least two RF transmission channels, the first contacts in at least two RF transmission channels are arranged in a row on the insulator, the second contacts and third contacts in at least two RF transmission channels are arranged in a row on the insulator, and two adjacent RF transmission channels share the second contact or the third contact.

[0024] Adjacent RF transmission channels share contacts, reducing the number of contacts and achieving integration and miniaturization.

[0025] Furthermore, the projections of the second contact and the third contact in the row where the first contact is located do not intersect with the first contact.

[0026] Furthermore, an outer shielding frame is provided on the outer side of the insulator.

[0027] While electromagnetic shielding is achieved through the second contact piece, an outer shielding frame is provided outside the insulator to achieve better shielding.

[0028] A connector assembly comprises the inter-board radio frequency connector and a printed circuit board abutting against the elastic contact end.

[0029] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present invention, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the following preferred embodiments are specifically cited and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional three-piece structure of an inter-board RF connector;

[0031] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an existing pogo pin radio frequency connector;

[0032] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a single RF transmission channel of an embodiment 1 of an inter-board RF connector according to the present invention;

[0033] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the contact member in FIG3 ;

[0034] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a single RF transmission channel of a second embodiment of an inter-board RF connector according to the present invention;

[0035] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the contact member in FIG5 ;

[0036] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the embodiment shown in FIG5 and the printed circuit board;

[0037] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of two RF transmission channels of a second embodiment of an inter-board RF connector according to the present invention;

[0038] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of an inter-board radio frequency connector according to the present invention;

[0039] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the contact element in FIG9 .

[0040] [Figure markings] 1-printed circuit board I, 2-socket I, 3-adapter, 4-socket II, 5-printed circuit board II, 6-spring pin, 7-outer conductor, 8-spring clip, 9-insulator, 901-insertion hole, 902-avoidance hole, 10-first contact piece, 1001-elastic arm, 1002-elastic contact end, 1003-welding end, 1004-connecting arm, 11-second contact piece, 12-third contact piece, 13-common contact piece, 14-first channel, 15-second channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] Embodiment 1 of an inter-board radio frequency connector of the present invention is shown in Figures 3 and 4. This embodiment provides a single radio frequency transmission channel, including an insulator 9 and three elastic sheet-type contacts inserted on the insulator 9. The insulator 9 is provided with three insertion holes 901 that penetrate the insulator 9. The three insertion holes 901 have the same insertion direction and are distributed in the shape of an "isosceles triangle" on the insulator 9. The three elastic sheet-type contacts are respectively inserted into the corresponding insertion holes 901. The insulator 9 is also provided with avoidance holes 902 that correspond one-to-one with the insertion holes 901. After the contact is inserted into the insertion hole 901, when the elastic structure on the contact undergoes elastic deformation, the avoidance holes 902 provide space to accommodate the deformation of the elastic structure of the contact. The avoidance holes 902 can be blind holes or through holes and can be connected or disconnected with the insertion hole 901. As long as it can ensure that the insulator can avoid the elastic structure when the elastic structure on the contact undergoes deformation.

[0043] The three elastic sheet-type contacts are the first contact 10, the second contact 11, and the third contact 12. They have the same structure, and one of them is used as an example for illustration. The first contact 10 includes a connecting arm 1004. One end of the connecting arm 1004 is provided with an elastic arm 1001, which serves as an elastic structure. The elastic arm 1001 is an elastic cantilever structure, and the elastic arm 1001 is bent toward one side relative to the connecting arm 1004. The end of the elastic arm 1001 is provided with an elastic contact end 1002, which is bent so that the elastic contact end 1002 protrudes from the elastic arm 1001. The other end of the connecting arm 1004 is bent to provide a welding end 1003. The welding end 1003 is bent toward the same side of the connecting arm 1004 as the elastic arm 1001, or toward different sides.

[0044] After the first contact 10 is inserted into the corresponding insertion hole 901 of the insulator 9, the connecting arm 1004 is inserted and limited in the insertion hole 901, and the welding end 1003 is located outside the insertion hole 901. The fixed end of the connection between the elastic arm 1001 and the connecting arm 1004 is located at the opening in the insertion hole 901, or outside the insertion hole. The movable portion of the elastic arm 1001 extends outward from the insertion hole 901 and to the outer space of the corresponding avoidance hole 902. The elastic contact end 1002 at the end of the elastic arm 1001 protrudes toward the side away from the insulator. The elastic contact end 1002 is used to elastically abut against the printed circuit board, ensuring a stable electrical connection between the connector and the printed circuit board. The elastic arm 1001 can undergo elastic deformation to adapt to the spacing between the connector and the printed circuit board based on the matching end faces of the connector and the printed circuit board and the spacing between the printed circuit boards.

[0045] The first contact piece 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 901 located at the vertex of the isosceles triangle. In the natural state, the elastic arm 1001 of the first contact piece extends obliquely toward the base of the isosceles triangle, and the distance between the elastic arm 1001 and the end face of the insulator 9 gradually increases from the fixed end to the movable end. Correspondingly, the cross-section of the avoidance hole 902 corresponding to the first contact piece 10 is a rectangle, and the length direction of the cross-section of the avoidance hole 902 is the direction extending from the corresponding insertion hole 901 to the base of the isosceles triangle. The second and third contact members 11, 12 are respectively inserted into the other two insertion holes, with their corresponding spring arms 1001 extending obliquely toward the vertex of the isosceles triangle. The distance between the spring arms 1001 of the second and third contact members 11, 12 and the end face of the insulator 9 gradually increases from the fixed end to the movable end. Accordingly, the cross-section of the avoidance holes 902 corresponding to the second and third contact members 11, 12 is rectangular, with the length of the avoidance hole cross-section extending from the insertion hole 901 toward the vertex of the isosceles triangle. The length directions of the cross-sections of the avoidance holes 902 corresponding to the three contact members are mutually parallel, and the cross-sections of the avoidance holes 902 of the three contact members can also extend in the same direction. The first contact member 10 is spaced equidistant from the second contact member 11 and the second contact member 12. The projections of the elastic contact ends 1002 of the three contact members on the end face of the insulator 9 also form an isosceles triangle. The elastic contact end of the first contact member 10 is spaced equidistant from the elastic contact ends of the second contact member and the third contact member. When the elastic contact ends of the three contact members abut against the printed circuit board and are deformed, the elastic contact end of the first contact member 10 remains spaced equidistant from the elastic contact ends of the second contact member and the third contact member.

[0046] The first contact 10 serves as the inner conductor for RF signal transmission, the second contact 11 is the ground conductor (outer conductor), and the third contact 12 serves as support, forming a "stable triangle." When mated with a printed circuit board (PCB), the three contacts elastically abut the PCB, providing a more uniform, stable, and gentle force. The insulator 9, acting as the signal transmission medium, and the three contacts together form a single RF transmission channel, often referred to as a three-core RF connector.

[0047] The inter-board RF connector is installed between two parallel printed circuit boards. After the contacts are installed on the insulator 9, the insulator 1 is installed between the parallel printed circuit boards I1 and II5. To ensure a certain floating range for the inter-board RF connector, the contacts require a spring arm 1001 of a certain length. As the spring arm 1001 swings, the length of the contacts in the direction of insertion changes, adapting to changes in the spacing between printed circuit board I1 and the connector. Because the spring arm 1001 of the contact is elastic, it ensures that the contacts are firmly in contact with printed circuit board I1, achieving a floating connection in the vertical direction. During the floating process, the spring arm 1001 swings, and the elastic contact ends 1002 of each contact slide within the corresponding area on the surface of printed circuit board I1. As long as the elastic contact ends 1002 contact the corresponding areas on printed circuit board I1, a stable electrical connection can be achieved, achieving a floating connection in the horizontal direction. The welding end 1003 is welded on the printed board II 5 , and only needs to realize the floating of the inter-board RF connector and the printed board I 1 to adapt to the change of the distance between the inter-board RF connector and the printed board.

[0048] Embodiment 2 of an inter-board radio frequency connector of the present invention, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, is improved on the basis of embodiment 1. The difference between the contact piece in embodiment 2 and the contact piece in embodiment 1 is that the connecting arm 1004 of the contact piece in embodiment 2 is shorter than the connecting arm 1004 in embodiment 1, so that the transmission distance from the contact piece to the printed circuit board is shortened, and the signal loss is reduced. In a natural state, the contact piece connecting arm 1004 and the elastic arm 1001 in embodiment 2 are on the same straight line, or the angle between the two is small, ensuring that the contact piece can be inserted into the insertion hole from either side of the insulator insertion hole. One end of the contact piece in embodiment 2 (i.e., one end of the elastic arm) is bent to form an elastic contact end 1002, and the other end is bent to form a welding end 1003, and the welding end 1003 and the elastic contact end 1002 are bent to the same side or to different sides.

[0049] After the contact member of the second embodiment is inserted into the insertion hole of the insulator 9, the contact member's connecting arm 1004 is restrained within the insertion hole. In its natural state, the fixed end and movable portion of the elastic arm 1001 of the contact member are both located within the insertion hole 901. The elastic contact end 1002 at the end of the elastic arm 1001 is located outside the insertion hole 901, with the bent protruding portion of the elastic contact end 1002 facing outward. When the elastic arm 1001 of the second embodiment undergoes elastic deformation, the movable portion of the elastic arm 1001 can swing within the insertion hole 901 and the avoidance hole 902, while the elastic contact end 1002 swings outside the insertion hole and the avoidance hole. Since the elastic arm 1001 is located in the insertion hole 901, compared with the contact piece in Example 1, only the elastic contact end 1002 is exposed outside the insertion hole of the insulator 9. The path of the impedance mismatch area at the air end where the elastic contact end 1002 of the insulator is located becomes shorter. Most of the contact piece is located in the insulator and a small part is located in the air. The impedance of the RF transmission channel is mainly determined by the insulator, which ensures impedance stability and is conducive to impedance matching.

[0050] In the second embodiment, the length of the soldering end 1003 and the elastic contact end 1002 bent and extended to one side of the contact piece is shorter and similar in length. The elastic arm and the connecting arm are basically in the same straight line and can be inserted "straight up and straight down" into the insertion hole. In contrast, in the first embodiment, the soldering ends and the elastic arms at both ends of the contact piece are different in length. During insertion, the contact piece can only be inserted from one side of the insulator to ensure that it is inserted into place. Therefore, during assembly, it is necessary to first determine the orientation before assembly can be achieved. The contact piece in the second embodiment can be inserted from either side of the insulator, and the same printed circuit board can be set on either side of the insulator without distinguishing the orientation, ensuring that the process layout of the printed circuit board is consistent or similar, thereby improving assembly efficiency.

[0051] The connector in Example 2 is installed between two parallel printed circuit boards, as shown in Figure 7. After the contacts are inserted into the insulator 9, the insulator 1 is positioned between the parallel printed circuit boards I1 and II5. To ensure a certain floating range between the inter-board RF connector and the printed circuit boards, the contacts require spring arms 1001 of a certain length. As spring arms 1001 swing, the elastic contact ends 1002 of the contacts can adapt to changes in the distance between printed circuit board I1 and the connector. Due to the elasticity of the spring arms 1001, the contacts maintain a secure contact with printed circuit board I1, achieving a vertical floating connection. During the floating process, the spring arms 1001 swing, and the elastic contact ends 1002 of each contact slide over corresponding areas on the surface of printed circuit board I1. As long as the elastic contact ends 1002 contact the corresponding areas on printed circuit board I1, a stable electrical connection is achieved, achieving a horizontal floating connection. The welding end 1003 is welded on the printed board II 5 , and only needs to realize the floating of the inter-board RF connector and the printed board I 1 to adapt to the change of the distance between the inter-board RF connector and the printed board.

[0052] When multiple RF transmission channels need to be integrated on the connector, as shown in Figure 8, two RF transmission channels are used as an example for explanation. Five contacts are inserted on the insulator 9 to form two RF transmission channels, namely the first channel 14 and the second channel 15. Any RF transmission channel is the same as the RF transmission channel of Example 1 or Example 2. The connector can be called a 5-core RF connector. In order to reduce the number of contacts, the two RF transmission channels can share the third contact 12 for support as a common contact 13 to ensure the integrity of a single RF transmission channel. The common contact 13 is located in the middle of the two RF transmission channels. The common contact 13 and the two second contacts serving as grounding conductors are arranged in a row on the insulator 9, and the two first contacts 10 are arranged in a row. The two rows of contacts are parallel to each other.

[0053] When a connector has multiple RF transmission channels, the channels are arranged in a row on the insulator. The first contacts 10, which serve as inner conductors, are arranged in a row on the insulator and are referred to as the inner conductor row. The second or third contacts, which serve as supports or outer conductors, are arranged in a row and are referred to as the outer conductor row. The contact located in the middle of the outer conductor rows of two adjacent RF transmission channels is a shared contact.

[0054] A single RF transmission channel can be integrated into multiple RF transmission channels by adding contacts. In particular, when the contacts are arranged, the three contacts of the same RF transmission channel form an isosceles triangle. In the same RF transmission channel, the projections of the second and third contacts on the inner conductor row where the first contact is located do not intersect with the first contact, or the projection of the first contact on the outer conductor row falls between the second and third contacts. Multiple RF channels can share the contacts used for support, improving integration efficiency. Multiple RF transmission channels only require one insulator with a certain dielectric constant to ensure that the impedance of the RF transmission channel is stable and consistent.

[0055] In other embodiments, both ends of the contact member may be elastic contact ends that are in elastic contact with the printed circuit board, and correspondingly, both ends of the insulator are provided with avoidance holes.

[0056] In other embodiments, the inter-board RF connector is shown in Figures 9 and 10. Based on the first embodiment, the elastic arm 1001 of the contact is bent, and the end of the elastic arm 1001 is connected to form an annular elastic arm. The annular elastic arm is bent into a waist shape. In a natural state, one end of the annular elastic arm is tilted, and the tilted portion of the elastic arm 1001 is the elastic contact end 1002. The annular elastic arm swings left and right at the top of the connecting wall 1004. In order to accommodate the annular elastic arm, avoidance holes are provided on both sides of the insertion hole. In other embodiments, the shape of the elastic arm's spring piece may not be restricted, as long as the elastic arm can be elastically deformed to achieve floating between the connector and the printed circuit board in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0057] In other embodiments, an outer shielding frame may be added outside the insulator to wrap the four surfaces of the insulator (except the surface where the insulator mates with the printed circuit board) to achieve better electromagnetic shielding.

[0058] In other embodiments, the spacing between the first contact member, the second contact member, and the third contact member can be adjusted as needed, so that the spacing between the first contact member, the second contact member, and the third contact member can be unequal. For example, the spacing between the third contact member serving as a support and the first contact member can be greater than the spacing between the second contact member and the first contact member.

[0059] In other embodiments, the inter-board RF connector can be set between two printed circuit boards that are perpendicular to each other or have other angles. Correspondingly, the bending angle of the contact is adjusted according to the angle between the two printed circuit boards, and the insertion hole on the insulator is adjusted according to the bending angle of the contact. For example, the connector of the contact is bent 90 degrees and inserted into the insertion hole with a 90-degree angle on the insulator.

[0060] In other embodiments, the elastic arm may be completely disposed outside the insulator. When the elastic arm undergoes elastic deformation, it is completely outside the insulator. Therefore, the avoidance hole may not be provided.

[0061] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and alterations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An inter-board radio frequency connector, comprising an insulator (9) and contact members distributed on the insulator (9), characterized in that: The contact pieces comprise a first contact piece (10), a second contact piece (11), and a third contact piece (12) which form a radio frequency transmission channel with an insulator (9); an elastic arm (1001) is provided on the contact piece, and an elastic contact end (1002) is provided at the end of the elastic arm (1001).

2. The inter-board radio frequency connector according to claim 1, wherein: The projections of the elastic contact ends of the first contact piece (10), the second contact piece (11), and the third contact piece (12) on the end surface of the insulator are distributed in an isosceles triangle, and the elastic contact end of the first contact piece (10) is equidistant from the elastic contact ends of the second contact piece (11), and the third contact piece (12).

3. The inter-board radio frequency connector according to claim 1, wherein: The insulator (9) is provided with an insertion hole (901) for inserting a contact piece, and an avoidance hole (902) corresponding to the insertion hole (901) for accommodating deformation of the elastic arm (1001).

4. The inter-board radio frequency connector according to claim 1, wherein: The contact piece is provided with a welding end (1003).

5. The inter-board radio frequency connector according to claim 1, wherein: The elastic arm (1001) is an elastic cantilever structure, and the movable part of the elastic arm is located outside or inside the insulator.

6. The inter-board radio frequency connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic arm (1001) is an annular elastic arm, and the portion of the annular elastic arm that tilts outward from the insulator is an elastic contact end (1002).

7. The inter-board radio frequency connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The invention comprises at least two radio frequency transmission channels, wherein the first contact members (10) in the at least two radio frequency transmission channels are arranged in a row on an insulator (9), and the second contact members (11) and the third contact members (12) in the at least two radio frequency transmission channels are arranged in a row on the insulator, and two adjacent radio frequency transmission channels share the second contact member (11) or the third contact member (12).

8. The inter-board radio frequency connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The projections of the second contact piece (11) and the third contact piece (12) on the row where the first contact piece (10) is located do not intersect with the first contact piece (10).

9. The inter-board radio frequency connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: An outer shielding frame is arranged on the outer side of the insulator.

10. A connector assembly, characterized in that: The invention comprises the inter-board radio frequency connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and a printed circuit board abutting against the elastic contact end.

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