Guide Ring Connector Assembly for Blind-Mating Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blind-mating of matching connectors in base station antennas requires high manufacturing precision and mounting precision due to minor deviations, leading to increased costs when multiple pairs need to be simultaneously connected.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a guide ring that is radially and elastically supported, featuring a tapered inner surface and a flexible ring, allowing increased deviations during mating, such as angular, radial, and axial deviations, facilitated by a housing made of plastic material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blind-mating of matching connectors is performed with high manufacturing precision and mounting precision to meet minor deviation requirements, then connector mating reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide ring performs preliminary alignment action before the connectors make full contact. The tapered inner surface of the guide ring guides the matching connector port into proper alignment during the approach phase, establishing correct positioning before the connectors mate, thereby reducing the need for high manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The guide ring acts as an intermediary element between the two matching connectors. It mediates the alignment process by providing a tapered guiding surface that the matching connector port follows during approach, enabling blind-mating to succeed despite deviations in manufacturing or mounting
2Reliability
If multiple pairs of matching connectors are simultaneously blind-mated with high precision requirements, then mating success rate is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is segmented from the connector body and implemented separately through the guide ring assembly. This segmentation allows each connector pair to have its own independent guide ring, enabling simultaneous blind-mating of multiple connector pairs without increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The guide ring serves as an intermediary alignment mechanism that simplifies the blind-mating process for multiple connector pairs. By providing preliminary guidance for each connector pair independently, it enables simultaneous mating operations with reduced complexity compared to requiring high-precision alignment for all connectors
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 connector assembly enables blind mating with increased tolerance for manufacturing and mounting errors, reducing costs by allowing for more flexible alignment of connectors.
Implementation Method 1
the guide ring is radially and elastically supported
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a connector assembly and a base station antenna comprising such connector assembly. The connector assembly comprises a connector (1), where the connector has a port (11). The connector assembly further comprises a guide ring (2), where the guide ring is installed in front of the port of the connector and is radially and elastically supported. The guide ring has an inner surface (21) that tapers towards the port of the connector on part of the axial length, and is used to guide the port of the matching connector in the port of the connector. The connector assembly allows increased deviation when matching connectors are mated.