Float Adapter for RF Connector Axial Radial Float
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RF connectors lack flexibility in axial and radial float, and their density is limited by their design, making them less suitable for high-density applications and more expensive to produce as they increase in size to accommodate more connections.
Innovation Solution
A float adapter with a conductive shell and insulator that provides axial and radial float, featuring a lead-in tip with a tapered outer surface and a reduced diameter middle portion, allowing for modular add-on float capability between connectors, enabling both high and low float configurations without changing the gender of the connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional RF connector designs are used, then connector size increases to accommodate more connections, but connector density decreases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator is received within the conductive shell, creating a nested structure where the inner contact is received in the inner bore of the insulator. This nesting arrangement allows multiple connection points to be compactly organized within a smaller overall connector volume, thereby increasing connector density while accommodating the required number of connections
2Quantity of substance
If conventional RF connector designs are used, then connector size increases to accommodate more connections, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct segments: the conductive shell, the insulator with reduced diameter middle portion, and the inner contact. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using optimized processes and then assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while supporting multiple connections
3Reliability
If conventional RF connectors are used, then axial and radial float is limited, but connector flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator features a reduced diameter middle portion that changes the geometric parameters of the connector structure. This parameter change creates clearance space between the insulator and conductive shell, enabling axial and radial float movement while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the inner contact
4Productivity
If connector profile is reduced for high density applications, then alignment precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator acts as an intermediary component between the conductive shell and the inner contact. Its reduced diameter middle portion provides a transition zone that enables precise alignment of the inner contact within the shell while maintaining a compact overall profile suitable for high density applications
Data Source
AI summary
A float adapter for an electrical connector that includes a conductive shell and an insulator received in the conductive shell. The insulator includes an engagement end, an interface end that is opposite the engagement end, and a reduced diameter middle portion therebetween. The insulator includes an inner bore that extends through the engagement end, the interface end, and the reduced diameter middle portion. The interface end has a lead-in tip portion that extends outside of the first end of the conductive shell. The lead-in tip portion has a tapered outer surface that terminates in an end face surface and a shoulder remote from the end face surface that defines an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the conductive shell. An inner contact is received in the inner bore of the insulator. The inner contact has socket openings at either end.