Ganged Coaxial Connector Assembly for Replaceable Individual Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ganged coaxial connector assemblies face challenges with alignment consistency and the need to replace individual faulty cables without replacing the entire assembly, as existing solutions often require scrapping the entire assembly when one cable becomes inoperable.
Innovation Solution
The proposed ganged connector assembly features a shell with cavities and rear bodies that include locking features such as tabs and retainer rings with gaps and recesses, allowing for axial, radial, and angular float, enabling secure connection and easy removal of individual connectors and cables without disturbing the rest of the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ganged coaxial connector assemblies are designed with secure interconnection for all connectors, then reliability of connection is improved, but ease of replacing individual cables deteriorates (entire assembly must be replaced)
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into independent modular units, each with its own locking mechanism. The retainer ring with selective locking features allows individual connectors to be locked or unlocked independently, enabling replacement of single cables without affecting other connectors in the ganged assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static all-or-nothing locking system to a dynamic selective locking system. The retainer ring can be rotated to engage or disengage locking features with specific connectors on demand, providing flexibility in maintaining connection reliability while enabling individual cable replacement when needed.
2Ease of operation
If blind mate connectors are used to accommodate misalignment, then ease of operation is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates floating capability that allows positional parameters (alignment, orientation) to vary within acceptable ranges. The spring-loaded or resilient mounting structures enable connectors to self-adjust their position, maintaining electrical contact while accommodating manufacturing tolerances and installation variations.
Solution Approach 2:
A floating mounting structure or resilient element acts as an intermediary between the rigid connector bodies and the mounting surface. This intermediary absorbs alignment errors and misalignments through elastic deformation or controlled movement, enabling blind mate operation without compromising connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A ganged connector assembly includes: a plurality of coaxial connectors, each of the coaxial connectors connected with a respective coaxial cable extending rearwardly therefrom, each of the coaxial connectors including an inner contact and an outer body that is electrically separated from the inner contact; a shell having a plurality of cavities; and a plurality of rear bodies, each of the rear bodies encircling a respective outer body, each of the rear bodies mounted in a respective cavity of the shell. Each of the rear bodies includes a first locking feature. A second locking feature is located in each of the cavities and is fixed relative to the shell. The first and second locking features are configured such that rotation of a first of the plurality of rear bodies relative to the shell moves the first rear body between locked and unlocked positions, wherein in the locked position a respective first connector and respective first cable are secured with the shell within a respective cavity, and in the unlocked position the first connector and first cable can be removed from the shell without removing the remaining connectors and cables.