Coaxial RF Connector Spring Contact Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coaxial RF connectors face challenges with precise alignment and high force requirements for connection, leading to misalignment and potential damage during testing, especially when connecting devices with varying mechanical tolerances, and require efficient low-force connection and disconnection methods for test equipment.
Innovation Solution
A coaxial RF connector design featuring a contact spring with radially directed fingers and a spring holder, allowing for low-force connection and disconnection with improved alignment and intermodulation characteristics, utilizing a capacitive contact to reduce current loop area and enhance bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If high contact forces are applied to normal coaxial RF connectors to provide low passive intermodulation, then low passive intermodulation is achieved, but connection and disconnection become time-consuming and require significant axial force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical screw-based locking system with a spring-loaded contact mechanism. The spring element (45) provides continuous radial contact force against the outer conductor (120) of the compatible connector, eliminating the need for threaded locking nuts while maintaining low passive intermodulation through consistent contact pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded contact mechanism automatically maintains optimal contact force through the elastic properties of the spring element. The spring self-adjusts to accommodate minor dimensional variations and wear, providing consistent low PIM performance without requiring manual intervention for adjustment or locking.
2Reliability
If precise alignment is required for coaxial connectors to avoid misalignment and damage, then connection reliability is improved, but mechanical tolerances of mass-produced devices cause alignment problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the contact force parameter from fixed (screw torque) to variable (spring force), allowing the contact mechanism to adapt to dimensional variations. The spring element's elastic properties enable it to compensate for tolerance stack-ups in the outer conductor alignment, maintaining reliable electrical contact despite manufacturing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The static, rigid screw-based connection is replaced with a dynamic spring-loaded system that can adapt to misalignment. The spring element can deflect radially to accommodate slight positional variations in the outer conductor, providing continuous contact force even when perfect alignment is not achieved.
3Stability of the object's composition
If locking nuts are tightened with high torque to maintain connector connection, then connection stability is achieved, but the process becomes too time-consuming for test setups
Solution Approach 1:
The time-consuming multi-step screw tightening process is replaced with a single-action spring-loaded contact mechanism. The connector is secured simply by pushing the test connector against the compatible connector, allowing the spring element to automatically engage and maintain stable connection without requiring torque application or multiple adjustment steps.
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 design enables easy mounting, high durability with numerous mating cycles, and maintains high return loss across a broad frequency range with low passive intermodulation, ensuring reliable and efficient connections without significant axial force application.
Implementation Method 1
an approximately circularly shaped spring which is dimensioned to radially contact the outer conductor of the compatible coaxial connector and assert or apply an approximately radially-directed contact force to said outer conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A coaxial RF test connector comprises an inner conductor and an outer conductor arranged coaxially with respect to a center axis. The outer conductor includes a groove dimensioned to hold a circularly shaped contact spring. The contact spring includes a base portion and a plurality of arc-shaped contact fingers extending from the base with gaps between the individual contact fingers. The base has a radius larger than that at which the contact fingers are bent. The contact fingers have first contact section for contacting the outer conductor of a compatible coaxial connector in a direction radial to the center axis, and a second contact section for capacitively coupling to a sidewall of the groove.