Guarded Micro-Coaxial Cable Assembly for Narrow Gap Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coaxial cables face issues when passing through narrow spaces between windows/doors, such as damage from deformation and impedance changes, which affect signal quality and integrity, especially for RF signals and DC current transmission.
Innovation Solution
A guarded coaxial cable assembly featuring a micro-coaxial cable and adjacent rails that can deform to fit through confined spaces while maintaining signal quality, allowing multiple 90-degree bends and protecting against impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a 7 mm coaxial cable is used to transmit RF signals, then signal loss is reduced over long distances, but the cable cannot pass through the narrow 3 mm gap between window/door and frame
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two segments: a thin micro-coaxial cable (3 mm or smaller) that passes through the narrow gap, and a larger 7 mm coaxial cable that connects to the satellite receiver. The micro-cable acts as an extension that bridges the gap between the satellite dish and the building interior, allowing the larger cable to remain outside where space is not constrained.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-coaxial cable serves as an intermediary element that transfers RF signals from the satellite dish through the narrow window/door gap to the larger coaxial cable inside the building. This intermediary cable resolves the contradiction by being thin enough to pass through the gap while maintaining signal quality, then connecting to the larger cable for long-distance transmission.
2Ease of operation
If a 7 mm coaxial cable is forced through the 3 mm gap, then the cable can be installed, but the cable becomes deformed and damaged from compression and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The cable system is segmented into a flexible micro-coaxial cable for the constrained passage and a protected larger cable for the interior connection. The micro-cable is specifically designed to be thin and flexible to navigate the narrow gap without deformation, while the larger cable remains protected inside the building.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable diameter parameter is changed for the specific section that passes through the gap. The micro-coaxial cable has a reduced diameter (3 mm or smaller) compared to the standard 7 mm cable, allowing it to pass through the narrow gap without deformation. This parameter change maintains reliability while enabling installation.
3Ease of operation
If the cable is deformed to fit through the gap, then installation is possible, but impedance changes occur causing standing waves and signal reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-coaxial cable is manufactured with specific parameter adjustments to maintain consistent 75 ohm impedance despite the reduced diameter. The conductor size, dielectric material, and shielding configuration are optimized to preserve impedance characteristics, preventing standing waves and signal reflection while allowing the cable to fit through the narrow gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-coaxial cable uses composite construction with carefully selected materials for the conductor, dielectric, and shielding layers. This composite structure maintains precise impedance control while accommodating the reduced diameter required for passing through the 3 mm gap, ensuring signal integrity is preserved.
4Length of moving object
If a smaller 3 mm coaxial cable is used to pass through the gap, then the cable fits through the gap, but signal loss increases and impedance matching deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the cable transmission path into a micro-coaxial section for gap penetration and a standard 7 mm coaxial section for signal transmission. The micro-cable section is minimized in length to only what is necessary to pass through the gap, while the majority of the transmission path uses the larger 7 mm cable with superior signal transmission characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-coaxial cable serves as a short intermediary connection that bridges the gap between the satellite dish and building interior. By limiting its length to only what is necessary for gap penetration, signal loss in this section is minimized, while the connected 7 mm cable handles the bulk of the signal transmission with lower loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A guarded coaxial cable assembly includes a micro-coaxial cable and a metal rail for protecting the micro-coaxial cable from harmful compression.