Coaxial Cable Testing Connector Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coaxial cable testing methods require expensive and difficult-to-install connectors, necessitating specialized skills and tools, which are not cost-effective or user-friendly for temporary testing applications.
Innovation Solution
A coaxial cable testing assembly featuring a conductive fixture with an insulative body, RF connector pin, inner contact, and outer contact, allowing for easy and temporary connection to coaxial cables using flexible prongs that deflect to contact the inner and outer conductors, enabling frictional engagement and isolation, facilitating quick and inexpensive testing without specialized tools or skills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard RF connectors are used for coaxial cable testing, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but installation becomes difficult and time-consuming requiring specialized skills and tools
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components: a fixture with contact elements and a cable interface section. This segmentation allows the connector to be installed by simply inserting the cable into the fixture without requiring specialized tools or skills, while still providing reliable electrical connection through the contact elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture acts as an intermediary device between the test equipment and the coaxial cable. It provides a simplified interface that eliminates the need for complex connector installation while ensuring reliable electrical connection through its contact elements that engage with the cable conductors.
2Reliability
If permanent connectors are installed on coaxial cables, then stable electrical connection is achieved, but removal becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with dynamic characteristics allowing easy insertion and removal. The contact elements are positioned to engage with the cable conductors when inserted, providing stable connection during testing, but can be easily removed by simply pulling the connector off the cable without requiring tools or specialized skills.
3Measurement precision
If specialized connectors are used for cable testing, then testing accuracy is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is designed as a cost-effective, disposable or reusable testing aid that provides sufficient electrical connection for accurate cable testing without the high cost of permanent specialized connectors. The simple construction using basic conductive and insulative materials significantly reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining testing accuracy.
4Reliability
If complex connector installation procedures are followed, then connection reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is designed to be self-installing by simply inserting the cable into the receiving area. The contact elements automatically engage with the cable conductors without requiring complex installation procedures, specialized tools, or trained personnel, thereby maintaining connection reliability while significantly improving testing throughput and productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective temporary connection for coaxial cable testing, allowing for comprehensive analysis using standard techniques like TDR or DTF, without the need for permanent connectors or specialized skills, and can be reused multiple times.
Implementation Method 1
The inner contact includes flexible prongs that deflect and electrically contact the inner conductor of the end of the coaxial cable
Implementation Method 2
the fixture frictionally engages the coaxial cable, when the end of the coaxial cable is inserted into the receiving area
Implementation Method 3
the body electrically isolates the RF connector pin from the fixture
Data Source
AI summary
A coaxial cable testing assembly includes an electrically conductive fixture including first and second sections, and an electrically conductive radio frequency (RF) connector pin carried by an electrically insulative body carried by the second section. The pin extends away from the receiving area from a connection end of the pin proximate to the receiving area and through and beyond the body to a connector end of the pin. An inner contact is electrically connected to the pin at the connection end. An outer contact is electrically connected to the fixture. The inner and outer contacts electrically contact coaxial inner and outer conductors, respectively, of the end of the coaxial cable, the body electrically isolates the RF connector pin from the fixture, and the fixture frictionally engages the coaxial cable, when the end of the coaxial cable is inserted into the receiving area.