Coaxial Cable Connector Axially Movable Shell Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coaxial cable connectors face challenges in securely attaching coaxial cables to equipment ports while ensuring environmental sealing and maintaining manufacturing cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The coaxial cable connector design features an axially movable shell with a gripping member that radially displaces inwardly to secure the cable and outwardly upon compression, utilizing a forwardly angled surface to position the gripping member between the shell and the cable, and can be manufactured as a one-piece stamped component for cost savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional F-connector design is used to attach coaxial cable, then the connection can be established, but the environmental sealing at the junction may be insufficient and manufacturing costs are higher
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is designed to be axially movable relative to the body, transitioning between uncompressed and compressed positions. This dynamic movement allows the gripping member to radially displace and press against the coaxial cable during compression, creating an effective environmental seal at the junction without requiring additional sealing components
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping member is integrated as a single component that combines both cable securing function and environmental sealing function. By merging these two functions into one element, the design achieves reliable sealing while reducing part count and manufacturing complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If the shell is made as a one-piece stamped component, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the complexity of achieving proper gripping member displacement may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is designed with a distinct forwardly angled surface that is functionally separated from other portions of the shell. This segmentation allows the angled surface to specifically interact with the gripping member and induce radial displacement, while the rest of the shell maintains structural integrity. The one-piece stamped construction achieves this functional segmentation through geometric design rather than physical separation into multiple parts
Solution Approach 2:
The forwardly angled surface of the shell is specifically designed with a particular orientation and geometry that changes the displacement parameters of the gripping member. As the shell moves axially during compression, the angled surface converts axial motion into radial displacement of the gripping member, achieving the required deformation through geometric parameter design rather than complex mechanisms
3Strength
If the gripping member is positioned to secure the cable, then mechanical connection is achieved, but the rear portion of the gripping member may move radially inwardly upon compression
Solution Approach 1:
The shell structure provides a counteracting geometric constraint through its forwardly angled surface that opposes the inward radial movement of the gripping member's rear portion. As the shell compresses axially, the angled surface applies a radial outward component force on the gripping member, counterbalancing the inward radial movement that would otherwise occur, thereby maintaining stable positioning
Data Source
AI summary
A coaxial connector having an axially moveable shell in opposition to a separate and distinct body component wherein the moveable shell contains a gripping member capable of having the front portion displaced radially inwardly by the body so that the gripping member is positioned within the connector body and between the connector body and the coaxial cable and secures the cable to the connector and environmentally seals the junction while at the same time the shell contains a structure to move a rear portion of the gripping member radially outwardly upon compression. In some embodiments disclosed herein the shell contains a structure to prevent a rear portion of the gripping member from moving radially inwardly upon compression. Other connector shell embodiments may be made from a one-piece stamping instead of a machined component and thereby deliver a manufacturing cost savings.