Floating radio frequency connector

Abstract

A floating radio frequency connector, relating to the field of connecting devices. The floating radio frequency connector comprises a fixed insulator, a floating insulator, and an inner conductor structure. The inner conductor structure comprises a fixed inner conductor fixedly arranged in the fixed insulator and a floating inner conductor fixedly arranged in the floating insulator. One end of the floating inner conductor is provided with a mating structure, and one end of the fixed inner conductor is provided with a solder tail. One of the floating inner conductor and the fixed inner conductor is provided with a circular mating hole, and the other one is provided with a ball head structure that is fitted into the mating hole and in close contact with the hole wall of the mating hole. The ball head structure is utilized to conduct electricity between the floating inner conductor and the fixed inner conductor, thereby ensuring a reliable electrical connection, and avoiding detachment of the solder tail caused by the acting force being transmitted to the solder tail when the floating inner conductor deflects.

Description

A floating radio frequency connector Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of connection devices, and in particular relates to a floating radio frequency connector. Background Technology

[0002] Radio frequency (RF) connectors are used to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals. They are commonly used to connect substrates or RF modules, such as in automotive camera modules where substrates are connected via RF connectors. Due to installation errors, RF connectors are prone to axial and radial misalignment, which can cause them to malfunction or even fail.

[0003] Chinese utility model patent CN220107066U discloses a floating RF connector that solves the aforementioned problems using a floating structure. The floating RF connector includes a fixed outer conductor, a floating outer conductor, a floating insulator, a floating inner conductor, and a fixed insulator. The lower end of the floating outer conductor has a floating head that elastically and constantly abuts against the inner wall of the fixed outer conductor. The upper end of the fixed outer conductor has a constricted structure to prevent axial disengagement of the floating outer conductor. The upper end of the floating outer conductor is guided and aligned with the beveled mating end on the adapter connector, allowing for angular deflection of the floating outer conductor and facilitating quick plugging and unplugging of the connector. The bottom of the floating inner conductor is bent and extended to form a flexible terminal solder foot. The portion between the main body of the floating inner conductor and the terminal solder foot is a deformable part, allowing the main body of the floating inner conductor to deflect with the floating insulator, eliminating connector installation errors and facilitating accurate connector connection.

[0004] However, in the aforementioned floating RF connector, the floating outer conductor and floating insulator cause the upper part of the floating inner conductor to also wobble during the yaw process, but the terminal solder pins of the floating inner conductor do not wobble. Therefore, the floating inner conductor will deform at the deformation site. Moreover, the floating inner conductor has poor elasticity in the direction normal to the terminal solder pin bending direction and within the normal 45° range, thus failing to achieve the desired free yaw. When the adapter connector deviates in these directions, the floating inner conductor will undergo plastic deformation, which may lead to fatigue fracture over time. In addition, during the yaw process of the upper part of the floating inner conductor, the floating inner conductor will transmit the force to the terminal solder pins and the surface mount solder joints on the substrate, causing large stress at the surface mount solder joints. This can cause deformation of the sensor on the substrate, affecting the normal operation of the sensor. In severe cases, the terminal solder pins may even peel off from the substrate, leading to connector failure.

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a floating radio frequency connector to solve the technical problems of fatigue fracture caused by plastic deformation in certain directions when the upper part of the floating inner conductor of the existing floating radio frequency connector swings, and the technical problems of the floating inner conductor swinging and transferring the force to the terminal solder pin, causing the terminal solder pin to peel off.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the floating RF connector provided by this utility model is as follows: A floating RF connector includes a fixed insulator, a floating insulator, and an inner conductor structure. The inner conductor structure includes a fixed inner conductor fixedly disposed on the fixed insulator and a floating inner conductor fixedly disposed on the floating insulator. The end of the floating inner conductor away from the fixed inner conductor is provided with a mating structure for inserting and engaging with the inner conductor of an adapter connector. The fixed inner conductor is provided with solder feet for soldering and fixing to a substrate. One of the floating inner conductor and the fixed inner conductor is provided with a circular mating hole, and the other is provided with a ball head structure assembled in the mating hole. The ball head structure is in close contact with the hole wall of the mating hole. One of the ball head structure and the hole wall of the mating hole is provided with a slot for dividing it into at least two halves so that it can expand and contract radially.

[0007] As a further improvement, the fixed inner conductor includes a cylinder, with the welding foot located at one end of the cylinder along its axial direction, and the central hole of the cylinder forming a mating hole.

[0008] As a further improvement, the fixed inner conductor and the fixed insulator are integrally cast.

[0009] As a further improvement, an axial through-hole is provided on the fixed insulator, and the cylinder is interference-fitted into the assembly hole. The end of the fixed insulator away from the floating insulator is provided with a channel for the welding foot to extend radially out of the fixed outer conductor.

[0010] As a further improvement, the floating insulator is provided with a mounting hole for mounting the floating inner conductor through the axial direction. The mounting hole includes a small diameter section and a large diameter section, and a stepped structure is formed between the small diameter section and the large diameter section. The floating inner conductor is fixedly connected to the small diameter section of the mounting hole, and the floating inner conductor is provided with a stop protrusion for axial stop engagement with the stepped structure.

[0011] As a further improvement, the floating inner conductor is a cylindrical structure formed by rolling a sheet metal, with the stop protrusion located at the joint of the floating inner conductor.

[0012] As a further improvement, the ball head structure is located on the floating inner conductor, which includes a main body and a connecting part. The mating structure is located at one axial end of the main body, the connecting part is located at the other axial end of the main body, and the ball head structure is located at the end of the connecting part away from the main body. The slot is provided on the ball head structure and extends axially to the connecting part.

[0013] As a further improvement, the floating insulator is provided with a mounting hole for installing the floating inner conductor through the axial direction. The mounting hole includes a small diameter section and a large diameter section, and a stepped structure is formed between the small diameter section and the large diameter section. The main body of the floating inner conductor is fixedly connected to the small diameter section of the mounting hole. A stop protrusion is provided at the connection position between the main body and the connecting part for axial stop engagement with the stepped structure.

[0014] As a further improvement, the stop protrusion is formed by folding outwards the portion between two adjacent halves of the connecting part.

[0015] As a further improvement, the radial dimension of the connecting part is smaller than the radial dimension of the main body.

[0016] The beneficial effects are as follows: The floating RF connector provided by this utility model is an improvement on the prior art. The inner conductor structure of this floating RF connector consists of a separate floating inner conductor and a fixed inner conductor. One of the floating and fixed inner conductors is electrically connected via a ball joint structure that is interference-fitted into the mating hole of the other, thus ensuring a good conductive connection between the floating and fixed inner conductors regardless of the direction of the floating inner conductor's sway. Furthermore, during the swaying process of the floating inner conductor, the aforementioned electrical connection structure does not transmit force, thereby preventing the solder joints from peeling off from the substrate due to excessive stress. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 1 of the floating RF connector in this utility model; Figure 2 is an exploded view of Embodiment 1 of the floating RF connector in this utility model; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Embodiment 1 of the floating RF connector in this utility model; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixed outer conductor in Embodiment 1 of the floating RF connector in this utility model; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixed insulator in Embodiment 1 of the floating RF connector in this utility model; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the floating outer conductor in Embodiment 1 of the floating RF connector in this utility model; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the floating insulator in Embodiment 1 of the floating RF connector in this utility model; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the floating inner conductor in Embodiment 1 of the floating RF connector in this utility model; Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixed inner conductor in Embodiment 1 of the floating RF connector in this utility model; Figure 10 is a state diagram of Embodiment 1 of the floating RF connector in this utility model when mated with the adapter connector; Figure 11 is a state diagram of Embodiment 1 of the floating RF connector in this utility model when the floating inner conductor is aligned.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Fixed outer conductor; 11. Outer conductor solder foot; 12. Narrowing structure; 13. Inner convex structure; 14. Groove; 2. Fixed insulator; 21. Protrusion; 22. Recess; 23. Assembly hole; 24. Channel; 3. Floating outer conductor; 31. Spring arm contact finger; 4. Floating insulator; 41. Mounting hole; 42. Stepped structure; 43. Spherical surface; 5. Fixed inner conductor; 51. Cylinder; 52. Solder foot; 53. Mating hole; 6. Floating inner conductor; 61. Main body; 62. Mating structure; 63. Connecting part; 64. Ball head structure; 65. Stopping protrusion; 7. Adaptive connector; 71. Pin. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0020] To address the problems in the prior art, the basic concept of this utility model is to divide the inner conductor structure into a floating inner conductor and a fixed inner conductor, and to achieve a conductive connection between the two using a ball-head structure.

[0021] Specific embodiment 1 of the floating radio frequency connector provided by this utility model: A floating radio frequency connector, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, includes a fixed outer conductor 1, a fixed insulator 2, a floating outer conductor 3, a floating insulator 4 and an inner conductor structure. The inner conductor structure includes a fixed inner conductor 5 and a floating inner conductor 6 that are separately arranged.

[0022] Referring to Figure 4, the fixed outer conductor 1 is a cylindrical structure with an outer conductor solder foot 52 for soldering to the substrate at one axial end and a constricted structure 12 at the other axial end. The fixed insulator 2 is disposed inside the fixed outer conductor 1. Referring to Figure 5, the fixed insulator 2 has two protruding structures on its circumferential side, and the fixed insulator 2 is forcibly fixed inside the fixed outer conductor 1 by the two protruding structures. The fixed insulator 2 has a radially protruding protrusion 21. The end of the fixed outer conductor 1 connected to the substrate has a slot 14 for the protrusion 21 to extend out. The fixed insulator 2 also has a groove-shaped recess 22. The bottom surface of the recess 22 forms a platform perpendicular to the axial direction and facing away from the substrate. The fixed outer conductor 1 has an inwardly protruding inner protrusion structure 13 that is axially blocked and fitted with the bottom surface of the recess 22. The inner protrusion structure 13 is a spring arm formed on the fixed outer conductor 1. The protrusions 21 and recesses 22 on the fixed insulator 2 enable the fixed outer conductor 1 to press the fixed insulator 2 onto the substrate along the axial direction, ensuring the stability of the fixed insulator 2.

[0023] Referring to Figure 6, multiple slots are formed at both ends of the floating outer conductor 3 along its axial direction, creating multiple spring-loaded contact fingers 31. These spring-loaded contact fingers 31 are bent to expand both ends of the floating outer conductor 3, forming ball heads. One ball head of the floating outer conductor 3 is located within the fixed outer conductor 1. Each spring-loaded contact finger 31 of this ball head is in constant contact with the inner wall of the fixed outer conductor 1. This ball head can rotate within the fixed outer conductor 1, allowing the floating outer conductor 3 to deflect relative to the fixed outer conductor 1, thus causing a radial float. The ball head of the floating outer conductor 3 within the fixed outer conductor 1 has a certain amount of axial movement within the fixed outer conductor 1, also causing an axial float in the fixed outer conductor 1. The constriction structure 12 of the fixed outer conductor 1 prevents the floating outer conductor 3 from axially disengaging; therefore, the constriction structure 12 also constitutes an axial limiting structure. The other ball head of the floating outer conductor 3 can mate with the adapter connector 7, guiding the deflection of the floating outer conductor 3 during insertion.

[0024] The floating insulator 4 is located inside the floating outer conductor 3, as shown in Figure 7. The circumferential side of the floating insulator 4 is also provided with a protruding structure, which is used to forcibly fix it inside the floating outer conductor 3. The end of the floating insulator 4 facing the fixed insulator 2 is provided with a spherical surface 43, so that after this end of the floating insulator 4 abuts against the axial end face of the fixed insulator 2, it can still swing smoothly.

[0025] Referring to Figure 7 and in conjunction with Figure 3, a mounting hole 41 is provided through the floating insulator 4 along its axial direction, and the floating inner conductor 6 is fixedly installed in the mounting hole 41. Referring to Figure 8, the floating inner conductor 6 includes a main body 61 and a connecting part 63. One axial end of the main body 61 is provided with a mating structure 62 for inserting and engaging with the inner conductor of the adapter connector 7. Specifically, the mating structure 62 is a socket that engages with the pin 71 on the adapter connector 7. In other embodiments, the adapter connector 7 may be provided with a socket, in which case the mating structure 62 is the pin 71.

[0026] The connecting portion 63 is located at the end of the main body 61 away from the mating structure 62. A ball-head structure 64 is provided at the end of the connecting portion 63 away from the main body 61. The ball-head structure 64 has a slot for dividing itself into two halves. The slot extends to the position where the connecting portion 63 connects to the main body 61, thus dividing the connecting portion 63 into two halves as well. After being divided into two halves, each halves of the connecting portion 63 forms an elastic cantilever structure, allowing each halves of the ball-head structure 64 to expand or contract radially.

[0027] Referring to Figure 3, the mounting hole 41 is a stepped hole with a large diameter section and a small diameter section. The large diameter section is located at the end of the small diameter section near the fixed insulator 2, and a stepped structure 42 is formed between the large diameter section and the small diameter section. The main body 61 of the floating inner conductor 6 is located in the small diameter section. A protruding structure is provided on the main body 61, and the main body 61 is forcibly fixed in the small diameter section of the mounting hole 41 through the protruding structure.

[0028] The floating inner conductor 6 is provided with a stop protrusion 65 for axially stopping and cooperating with the stepped structure 42. In this embodiment, the floating inner conductor 6 is a cylindrical structure formed by rolling a sheet metal. The stop protrusion 65 is formed by folding the protruding part of the rolling joint of the cylindrical structure outward. Moreover, in this embodiment, stop protrusions 65 are provided on both sides of the joint.

[0029] The axial stop engagement between the stop protrusion 65 and the stepped structure 42 facilitates the positioning of the floating inner conductor 6 during assembly and prevents it from being pulled out radially during use. The stop protrusion 65 is located at the joint, allowing the floating inner conductor 6 to be easily formed from sheet metal using a stamping process.

[0030] Since there is a stop protrusion 65 between the connection points of each petal of the connecting part 63 and the main body part 61, there is a large gap. In this embodiment, each petal of the connecting part 63 bends inward from the root to shorten the distance between the petals of the connecting part 63, so that the radial dimension of the connecting part 63 is smaller than the radial dimension of the main body part 61, thus avoiding the ball head structure 64 from being too large.

[0031] Referring to Figure 9 and in conjunction with Figure 3, the fixed inner conductor 5 is fixedly connected to the fixed insulator 2 by integral casting. The fixed inner conductor 5 includes a cylindrical body 51 and a solder foot 52 located at the end of the cylindrical body 51 axially away from the floating inner conductor 6. The cylindrical body 51 passes through the fixed insulator 2 axially, and the solder foot 52 extends radially from the end of the fixed insulator 2 away from the floating insulator 4 and the fixed outer conductor 1. During the casting of the fixed insulator 2, an assembly hole 23 is formed at the position of the cylindrical body 51. The fixed insulator 2 has a channel 24 for the solder foot 52 to extend out, which corresponds to the protrusion 21 on the fixed insulator 2, thus eliminating the need to drill a hole in the fixed outer conductor 1. Since the fixed inner conductor 5 is small, it is fixedly connected to the fixed insulator 2 first, which facilitates the welding of the fixed inner conductor 5 to the substrate.

[0032] The ball-shaped structure 64 of the floating inner conductor 6 is assembled in the central hole of the cylinder 51 and forms a constant abutment with the hole wall. The central hole of the cylinder 51 constitutes a mating hole 53. The mating hole 53 can be a through hole or a blind hole.

[0033] During use, refer to Figures 10 and 11. If there is a deviation in the position of the adapter connector 7, after the adapter connector 7 contacts the ball head of the floating outer conductor 3, the floating outer conductor 3 will automatically swing until the socket on the contact body is aligned with the pin 71 on the adapter connector 7, ensuring a smooth conductive connection.

[0034] During the oscillation of the floating outer conductor 3, floating insulator 4, and floating inner conductor 6, regardless of the direction of oscillation, the ball head structure 64 of the floating inner conductor 6 can always maintain stable contact and conduction with the cylinder 51 of the fixed inner conductor 5, without any disconnection problem, and has a long service life; moreover, there is no force transmitted between the floating inner conductor 6 and the fixed inner conductor 5, so no matter which direction the floating inner conductor 6 oscillates, there will be no stress at the connection position between the solder foot 52 and the substrate, ensuring the reliability of the connection between the solder foot 52 and the substrate.

[0035] Specific embodiment 2 of the floating radio frequency connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1, but differs from embodiment 1 in that the connecting part and ball head structure in this embodiment are located on the fixed inner conductor, while the mating hole is located on the floating inner conductor.

[0036] Specifically, the connecting part is connected to the end of the cylinder away from the welding foot, the inner hole of the main body of the floating inner conductor forms a mating hole, and the ball head is interference-fitted into the inner hole of the main body of the floating inner conductor.

[0037] In this embodiment, the stop protrusion can be formed by creating a U-shaped groove on the sidewall of the floating inner conductor and then folding the portion enclosed by the U-shaped groove outward. In other embodiments, the stop protrusion can also be formed by stamping a bulge.

[0038] The principle of this embodiment is similar to that of Embodiment 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0039] Specific embodiment 3 of the floating radio frequency connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1, but differs from embodiment 1 in that the fixed insulator and the fixed inner conductor are separate structures in this embodiment. An assembly hole is provided through the fixed insulator along the axial direction. The cylinder is interference-fitted into the assembly hole. To improve the assembly strength, a protruding structure can be provided on the cylinder.

[0040] Specific Embodiment 4 of the floating RF connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on Embodiment 1, but differs from Embodiment 1 in that the slot on the ball joint structure does not extend to the connecting part, and the opening on the ball joint structure only extends to the connection position between the ball joint structure and the connecting part. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the connecting part is equal to the outer diameter of the main body, therefore the ball joint structure is larger than that of Embodiment 1.

[0041] Specific embodiment 5 of the floating radio frequency connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1, but differs from embodiment 1 in that the floating inner conductor is integrally cast into the floating insulator in this embodiment, and the stop protrusion is no longer required on the floating inner conductor in this embodiment.

[0042] Specific embodiment 6 of the floating radio frequency connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1, but differs from embodiment 1 in that the stop protrusion in this embodiment is located at the connection position between the main body and the connecting part, and the stop protrusion is formed by the part between two adjacent lobes of the connecting part folding outward.

[0043] Specific embodiment 7 of the floating radio frequency connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the ball head structure no longer has a slot. The ball head structure is an integral structure, while the upper end of the cylinder that fixes the inner conductor has a slot, thereby dividing the upper end of the cylinder into two halves. After the ball head structure is installed into the cylinder, the upper end of the cylinder is elastically opened by the ball head structure, thereby ensuring that the ball head structure is in close contact with the hole wall of the mating hole of the cylinder.

[0044] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit this utility model. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still make modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments without creative effort, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A floating radio frequency connector comprising a fixed dielectric (2), a floating dielectric (4) and an inner conductor structure, characterized in that, The inner conductor structure comprises a fixed inner conductor (5) fixedly arranged on the fixed insulator (2) and a floating inner conductor (6) fixedly arranged on the floating insulator (4), the floating inner conductor (6) is provided with a matching structure (62) at one end away from the fixed inner conductor (5) for plug matching with the inner conductor of the adapter connector (7), the fixed inner conductor (5) is provided with a welding leg (52) for welding fixation with the substrate, one of the floating inner conductor (6) and the fixed inner conductor (5) is provided with a circular matching hole (53), the other is provided with a ball head structure (64) fitted in the matching hole (53), the ball head structure (64) is in close contact with the hole wall of the matching hole (53), and one of the ball head structure (64) and the hole wall of the matching hole (53) is provided with a slot for dividing it into at least two petals to enable it to expand and contract radially.

2. The floating radio frequency connector of claim 1, wherein, The fixed inner conductor (5) comprises a cylinder (51), and the welding leg (52) is located at one end of the cylinder (51) in the axial direction, and the central hole of the cylinder (51) constitutes the matching hole (53).

3. The floating radio frequency connector of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The fixed inner conductor (5) is integrally cast with the fixed insulator (2).

4. The floating radio frequency connector of claim 2, wherein, The fixed insulator (2) is provided with a fitting hole (23) penetrating in the axial direction, the cylinder (51) is fitted in the fitting hole (23) in an interference fit, and the end of the fixed insulator (2) away from the floating insulator (4) is provided with a passage (24) for the welding leg (52) to extend radially out of the fixed outer conductor (1).

5. The floating radio frequency connector of claim 1 or 2 or 4, wherein, The floating insulator (4) is provided with a mounting hole (41) penetrating in the axial direction for mounting the floating inner conductor (6), the mounting hole (41) comprises a small-diameter section and a large-diameter section, a step structure (42) is formed between the small-diameter section and the large-diameter section, the floating inner conductor (6) is fixedly connected with the small-diameter section of the mounting hole (41), and the floating inner conductor (6) is provided with a stop protrusion (65) for axial stop matching with the step structure (42).

6. The floating radio frequency connector of claim 5, wherein, The floating inner conductor (6) is a cylindrical structure formed by rolling a plate material, and the stop protrusion (65) is located at the rolling joint of the floating inner conductor (6).

7. The floating radio frequency connector of claims 1 or 2 or 4, wherein, The ball head structure (64) is located on the floating inner conductor (6), the floating inner conductor (6) comprises a main body part (61) and a connecting part (63), the matching structure (62) is located at one end of the main body part (61) in the axial direction, the connecting part (63) is located at the other end of the main body part (61) in the axial direction, the ball head structure (64) is located at one end of the connecting part (63) away from the main body part (61), and the slot is arranged on the ball head structure and extends to the connecting part (63) in the axial direction.

8. The floating radio frequency connector of claim 7, wherein, The floating insulator (4) is provided with a mounting hole (41) penetrating in the longitudinal direction for mounting the floating inner conductor (6), the mounting hole (41) comprises a small diameter section and a large diameter section, a step structure (42) is formed between the small diameter section and the large diameter section, the main body part (61) of the floating inner conductor (6) is fixedly connected with the small diameter section of the mounting hole (41), and the connecting position of the main body part (61) and the connecting part (63) is provided with a stop protrusion (65) for axial stop matching with the step structure.

9. The floating radio frequency connector of claim 8, wherein, The stop protrusion (65) is formed by outwardly folding the part between the adjacent two petals of the connecting part (63).

10. The floating radio frequency connector of claim 7, wherein, The radial dimension of the connecting portion (63) is smaller than the radial dimension of the main body portion (61). The radial dimension of the connecting portion (63) is smaller than the radial dimension of the main body portion (61).

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