Coaxial Cable Connector With Integral RFI Shielding and Biasing Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coaxial cable connectors face issues with radio frequency interference (RFI) ingress due to loose connections and mechanical clearances, leading to poor signal transfer and performance in CATV systems, especially when not fully tightened, as existing solutions struggle to maintain electrical continuity and RFI shielding in connectors with moving parts.
Innovation Solution
The coaxial cable connector design incorporates a monolithic contacting portion integrated with the coupler, post, or body, along with a biasing ring that maintains electrical continuity and provides RFI shielding, ensuring a stable ground path regardless of the connector's tightness to the terminal, using materials like brass and conductive coatings, and a flexible design to accommodate relative movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connector is designed with moving parts and mechanical clearances to accommodate installation and relative movement, then the ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but the electrical continuity and RFI shielding are compromised due to loose connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the contacting portion by making it flexible rather than rigid. The contacting portion is formed from a flexible conductive material that can deform elastically to maintain continuous electrical contact between the coupler, post, and body, even when mechanical clearances exist due to loose connections or relative movements during installation and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability through the flexible contacting portion that automatically adjusts its position and contact pressure. As the connector is tightened or loosened, or as relative movements occur between components, the flexible contacting portion dynamically deforms to maintain continuous electrical connection, resolving the contradiction between mechanical flexibility and electrical continuity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the connector allows relative movement between components during tightening and loosening, then the adaptability is improved, but RFI signals can ingress through the mechanical clearances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the contacting portion to flexible conductive material that maintains continuous electrical connection regardless of the degree of tightening. This flexible contact eliminates gaps and mechanical clearances that would otherwise allow RFI signals to ingress, while still accommodating the full range of motion from loose to tight connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of mechanical clearances and loose connections into a benefit by using the flexibility of the contacting portion. The same mechanical movements that could create RFI ingress paths are instead utilized to demonstrate the robustness of the flexible contact, which maintains electrical continuity and RFI shielding across all positions.
3Reliability
If a separate continuity member is used to maintain electrical contact, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of the contacting portion directly into one of the existing connector components (coupler, post, or body) rather than using a separate continuity member. This integration eliminates additional parts and assembly steps while maintaining the reliability of electrical continuity through the flexible conductive material that is monolithically formed with the host component.
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
This solution effectively prevents RFI ingress and maintains signal integrity by establishing a consistent electrical path and ground connection, even when the connector is not fully tightened, thereby enhancing the reliability and performance of coaxial cable connections.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible contacting portion, integral to one of the coupler, the post, and the body... The biasing ring biases the contacting portion such that the electrical continuity is maintained
Implementation Method 2
using materials like brass and conductive coatings... establish electrical continuity between at least two of the coupler, the body and the post
Data Source
AI summary
A coaxial cable connector having an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric, and a jacket surrounding the outer conductor and used for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to an equipment connection port. The coaxial cable includes a coupler, a body, a post, and a biasing ring. The coupler is adapted to couple the coaxial cable connector to the equipment connection port. At least one of the coupler, the post, and the body has an integral, monolithic contacting portion to establish electrical continuity between at least two of the coupler, the body and the post. The biasing ring biases the contacting portion such that the electrical continuity is maintained regardless of the tightness of the coupling of the connector to the terminal.