Coaxial Connector Torque Washer Vibration Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Screw-on F-type coaxial connectors tend to loosen or separate due to vibration and thermal cycling, leading to signal loss and electrical performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A coaxial connector design featuring a conductive insert with an annular flange and a coupling nut that includes a locking member and a torque washer made of fiber-reinforced rubber, which compresses to maintain tension between the male and female connectors, preventing separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standardized male F-type connector with a short hex nut fastener is used, then ease of operation (manual tightening/loosening) is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to loosening and separation from vibration and thermal cycling
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into functional segments: a coupling nut for engagement, a locking member for vibration resistance, and a torque washer for maintaining tension. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to solve the overall problem of connector reliability under vibration and thermal cycling conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member and torque washer are pre-configured in the coupling nut to automatically engage and maintain tension when the connector is assembled. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the anti-loosening mechanism is already in place before vibration or thermal cycling occurs, preventing loosening rather than reacting to it afterward.
2Ease of operation
If a short hex nut fastener is used, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to maintain tension force deteriorates under vibration and thermal cycling
Solution Approach 1:
The torque washer acts as an intermediary element between the locking member and the connector body. It distributes and maintains the tension force uniformly across the contact surfaces, preventing localized stress concentration that would lead to loosening under vibration and thermal cycling, while still allowing manual tightening with finger-grasped hex nut.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling nut assembly combines multiple materials with complementary properties: the locking member provides structural rigidity for maintaining tension, the torque washer (likely a compliant material) provides friction and tension distribution, and the hex nut provides mechanical engagement. This composite structure maintains tension force effectively while remaining manually operable.
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 solution effectively prevents the loosening and separation of male and female F-type connectors, ensuring stable electrical connections by maintaining a consistent tension force against vibration and thermal cycling.
Implementation Method 1
a torque washer formed from fiber-reinforced rubber and disposed between the flange of the conductive insert and the locking member. When the coupling nut engages a corresponding female coaxial connector, the locking member and the torque washer are compressed against the flange of the insert. The compressed locking member and the compressed torque washer each maintain a tension force between the male and female connectors
Data Source
AI summary
A male coaxial connector of the present invention comprises a conductive insert and a coupling nut. The conductive insert has a front end with an annular flange. The coupling nut includes an inner surface defining a bore, wherein the bore at least partially surrounds the conductive insert and is configured to receive a provided female coaxial connector. The coupling nut further includes a locking member extending from its inner surface. The male connector further comprises a torque washer formed from fiber-reinforced rubber and disposed between the flange of the conductive insert and the locking member. When the coupling nut engages a female coaxial connector, the locking member and the torque washer are compressed against the flange of the insert. The compressed locking member and the compressed torque washer each maintain a tension force between the male and female connectors to help prevent separation of the male and female connectors. The male coaxial connector can be configured to be coupled to an end of the coaxial cable by, for example, crimping or compression.