Coaxial Cable Connector Retaining Ring and Sealing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coaxial cable connectors face challenges in easy installation, secure attachment, and effective sealing against debris and moisture, while maintaining good electrical contact under varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A coaxial cable connector design featuring a back nut with a sealing ring and retaining ring for secure attachment, an electrically conductive compressible coil spring for stable clamping, and a stair-stepped ramp for enhanced friction and contact, allowing for easy installation without a torque wrench and accommodating both corrugated and smooth outer conductors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional back nut design is used for securing connectors to coaxial cables, then the connector can be attached to the cable, but it lacks effective sealing against debris and moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is nested within the back nut structure, with the sealing ring's outer diameter fitting within the back nut's inner diameter. The retaining ring is also nested within the back nut, positioned rearwardly of the sealing ring. This nesting approach provides sealing functionality without adding external complexity to the connector assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is positioned at a specific location within the back nut where sealing is most critical - at the interface between the back nut and coaxial cable. The retaining ring is positioned rearwardly of the sealing ring to provide mechanical retention. This localized placement of sealing and retaining functions addresses the sealing need without requiring the entire back nut structure to be redesigned.
2Reliability
If a retaining ring with fingers is used to secure the back nut to the coaxial cable, then secure attachment is achieved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring's fingers are designed to radially inwardly engage with the coaxial cable jacket when the back nut is tightened, automatically securing the assembly without requiring additional fastening steps. The interference fit locking arrangement between the back nut and retaining ring allows the retaining ring to be retained in the back nut simply by the interference fit, without requiring separate retention mechanisms.
3Reliability
If an electrically conductive compressible coil spring is used for clamping, then stable electrical contact is maintained under thermal changes, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically conductive compressible coil spring utilizes material compliance and elastic properties to maintain constant clamping force on the outer conductor across varying temperatures. The spring's compressibility allows it to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the coaxial cable components, maintaining stable electrical contact without requiring active control mechanisms.
4Reliability
If a stair-stepped ramp design is used for enhanced friction and contact, then better mechanical engagement is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp surface is segmented into multiple stepped levels rather than a continuous smooth surface. Each step provides a distinct contact point with the outer conductor, increasing friction and mechanical engagement. This segmentation approach achieves improved engagement while allowing for relatively simple manufacturing using standard machining or molding processes.
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
The connector provides secure mechanical and electrical connections, maintains clamping force through thermal changes, and seals against moisture and debris, reducing signal distortion and allowing for versatile use across different coaxial cable types.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conductive compressible coil spring for stable clamping
Implementation Method 2
a back nut with a sealing ring and retaining ring for secure attachment
Implementation Method 3
a stair-stepped ramp for enhanced friction and contact
Data Source
AI summary
A coaxial cable connector includes a back nut to be secured onto the coaxial cable and a connector housing to be coupled to the back nut. A center contact is to be coupled to the inner conductor. At least one insulator member is within the connector housing for carrying the center contact. Furthermore, a sealing ring is carried within the back nut. Also, a retaining ring is carried within the back nut rearwardly of the sealing ring and has a ring base and a plurality of fingers extending forwardly therefrom so that the sealing ring overlaps the plurality of fingers and urges the plurality of fingers radially inwardly onto the coaxial cable to thereby secure the back nut onto the coaxial cable.