Coaxial Connector Integral RFI Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coaxial cable connectors face challenges in providing effective radio frequency interference (RFI) shielding and maintaining electrical continuity due to mechanical clearances and improper installation, leading to signal degradation and noise issues.
Innovation Solution
The coaxial cable connector design incorporates integral circuitous paths and a contacting portion that maintains electrical continuity and ground path without a separate continuity member, using a coupler, post, and body to establish RF shielding, even when the connector is not fully tightened, by creating a Faraday cage-like effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional F connector design is used with separate continuity members, then the connector structure is simpler, but RF shielding effectiveness deteriorates due to mechanical clearances and loose connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the continuity member, grounding path, and RF shielding functions into an integral part of the connector body. The conductive housing serves multiple purposes: it provides structural support, establishes electrical continuity, creates the grounding path, and forms the RF shielding enclosure, eliminating the need for separate continuity members and reducing mechanical clearance issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the inner conductor is surrounded by the dielectric, which is surrounded by the outer conductor, which is surrounded by the conductive housing. This nested arrangement creates multiple concentric shielding layers that work together to block RF interference while maintaining signal integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the connector is not fully tightened to the equipment port, then ease of installation is improved, but electrical continuity and ground path reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-formed grounding path and continuity structure within the connector housing that is established during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that electrical continuity is already in place before installation, so the connector maintains reliable grounding and shielding even when not fully tightened to the equipment port.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the connector with built-in mechanical compliance and tolerance compensation features that accommodate installation variations. The conductive housing and internal structures are designed to maintain electrical contact and shielding effectiveness despite variations in tightening torque or installation depth, cushioning against the harmful effects of improper installation.
3Reliability
If mechanical clearances are reduced to improve RF shielding, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the design parameters by using a conductive housing with sufficient thickness and conductivity to provide effective RF shielding without requiring extremely tight mechanical clearances. The housing dimensions and material properties are optimized to achieve shielding effectiveness while maintaining reasonable manufacturing tolerances for mass production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction with the conductive housing potentially incorporating conductive coatings, platings, or composite materials that enhance RF shielding properties. This allows the housing to provide effective shielding with moderate wall thickness and without requiring extremely precise mechanical clearances between components.
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 design effectively attenuates spurious RF signals by at least 50 dB up to 1000 MHz, maintaining signal integrity and reducing transfer impedance to 0.24 ohms, regardless of the connector's tightness to the equipment port, thus preventing RFI ingress and egress.
Implementation Method 1
The coupler and post or retainer provide at least one circuitous path resulting in RF shielding such that spurious RF signals are attenuated... creating a Faraday cage-like effect
Implementation Method 2
A first circuitous path is established by the step, the flange, the contacting portion and the shoulder... RF signals external to the coaxial cable connector are attenuated by at least about 50 dB
Data Source
AI summary
A coaxial cable connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to a terminal and providing RF shielding is disclosed. The coaxial cable connector has a coupler, body, post and/or retainer with an integral contacting portion that is monolithic with at least a portion of the post or retainer to establish electrical continuity. In this way, electrical continuity is established through the coupler, the post, and/or the retainer of the coaxial cable connector other than by the use of a component unattached from the coupler, the post, the body, and the retainer to provide RF shielding such that the integrity of an electrical signal transmitted through coaxial cable connector is maintained regardless of the tightness of the coupling of the connector to the terminal. When assembled the coupler and post or retainer provide at least one circuitous path resulting in RF shielding such that spurious RF signals are attenuated.