Coaxial Cable Connector Ferrule Locking With Axial Catching Portions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable connector assemblies face challenges in achieving high longitudinal mounting position accuracy for the ferrule, which is required to prevent the shielded cable from falling out, while also ensuring the ferrule does not interfere with the crimping process.

Innovation Solution

The cable connector assembly features a coaxial connector with multiple catching portions formed at different axial positions on the outer terminal, allowing the ferrule to be positioned with lower accuracy and effectively preventing pullout by catching on these portions when a force is applied.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ferrule is designed to prevent pullout by catching on the outer terminal, then the falling-out preventive role is achieved, but the longitudinal mounting position accuracy requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefalling-out preventionVSAvoidlongitudinal mounting position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The outer terminal is divided into multiple catching portions positioned at different longitudinal locations. This segmentation allows the ferrule to catch on any one of these portions, providing multiple opportunities for successful engagement and reducing the precision required for ferrule positioning while maintaining reliable pullout prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catching portions are designed with specific geometric parameters (protrusion shape, orientation, and spacing) that enable them to engage with the ferrule over a range of positions. By optimizing these parameters, the system tolerates greater variation in ferrule mounting position while still achieving effective catching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the ferrule position is restricted to ensure high accuracy, then the inner terminal positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner terminal positioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catching portions on the outer terminal automatically engage with the ferrule during assembly without requiring additional positioning mechanisms or adjustments. The ferrule's own structure interacts with the catching portions to achieve proper positioning, eliminating the need for complex external positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple catching portions are provided in advance at different positions to compensate for potential positioning variations. This redundant design ensures that even if the ferrule is positioned with some error, at least one catching portion will be available to prevent pullout, cushioning against the effects of positioning inaccuracies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If a single catching portion is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of pullout prevention decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpullout prevention reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outer terminal incorporates multiple catching portions at different longitudinal positions instead of a single catching portion. This segmentation provides multiple engagement points, increasing the probability that the ferrule will successfully catch on at least one portion and preventing pullout even if some portions are missed during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple catching portions serve as a backup system, providing redundant protection against pullout. If the ferrule misses one catching portion due to positioning variation, other portions are available to prevent pullout, cushioning against assembly errors without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4054025B1Cable connector assembly
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 TE CONNECTIVITY JAPAN GK
  • EP4054025B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(B)
  • EP4054025B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4054025B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cable connector assembly in which the precision of mounting position of a ferrule is relaxed in the front-back direction, while the ferrule is configured to assume the function of preventing a cable from being pulled off. This cable connector assembly is provided with a coaxial connector 20, a shielded cable 30, and a ferrule 40. The coaxial connector 20 includes an internal terminal 21, an insulating housing 22, and an external terminal 23. Meanwhile, the shielded cable 30 includes an internal conductor 31, an insulating layer 32, and an external conductor 33. The ferrule 40 is disposed within the external terminal 23 so as to be crimped onto the external terminal 23. The external terminal 23 has a plurality of locking parts 232 which are formed at mutually different positions in the axial direction on the shielded cable 30 and which are locked in the ferrule 40 so as to inhibit the shielded cable 30 from being pulled off.