High-Frequency Test Connector Ground Contact With Axial Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-frequency test connector devices face issues with inhomogeneous transmission and damping properties at frequencies above 1 GHz due to dimensional tolerances and complex, costly production processes, leading to limited test cycles and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
The high-frequency test connector device employs axially front-side tolerance compensation using electrically conducting spring means, such as spring pins or a contact leg module, to ensure reliable ground contact across a wide frequency range, eliminating the need for complex jacket-side springs and reducing wear, thereby improving transmission and damping properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a jacket-side annular spring is used to establish ground contact, then reliable ground contact is achieved, but production complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring function from the jacket-side annular spring and relocates it to axially front-side spring means. This separation allows the spring function to be performed by simpler, more manufacturable components while maintaining ground contact reliability and reducing production complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces axially front-side spring means as an intermediary element between the ground contact portion and the connection partner. These spring means mediate the ground contact establishment, providing the necessary elastic force while being simpler to manufacture than jacket-side annular springs.
2Reliability
If a jacket-side annular spring is used to establish ground contact, then ground contact is established, but wear increases and test lifetime is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wear-prone jacket-side annular spring and replaces it with axially front-side spring means that have better wear characteristics. This extraction allows the use of materials and designs optimized for durability in the spring means, thereby extending test lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs spring means that are designed to be more durable and replaceable, effectively treating them as consumable components with extended service life. This approach allows for cost-effective replacement rather than designing for indefinite service life, which is more practical for high-wear applications.
3Ease of manufacture
If dimensional tolerances are not compensated, then production is simpler, but transmission properties become inhomogeneous at high frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary tolerance compensation through axially front-side tolerance compensation means that pre-adjust for dimensional variations before high-frequency signals are transmitted. This preliminary action ensures homogeneous transmission properties without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach to tolerance compensation by using axially front-side spring means that can elastically adapt to dimensional variations. This parameter change from rigid to elastic compensation allows for simpler production while maintaining transmission homogeneity.
4Manufacturing precision
If complex production steps are used to achieve accurate isolator positioning, then connection quality improves, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses axially front-side tolerance compensation means to preliminarily correct for isolator positioning inaccuracies before the connection is made. This preliminary correction allows the use of simpler, more cost-effective production processes while still achieving the required connection quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tolerance compensation means as an intermediary element that mediates between the isolator positioning and the connection quality. This intermediary compensates for positioning inaccuracies, allowing cheaper production methods to achieve the same quality outcomes.
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
This solution provides a cost-efficient, automated device with a long service life and homogeneous high-frequency transmission properties, capable of handling frequencies between 2 GHz and 6 GHz, with improved connection quality and reduced production complexity.
Implementation Method 1
electrically conducting spring means for establishing ground contact... in a spring-loaded manner
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a high-frequency test connector device (12; 12′) having an adapter housing including a sleeve-like ground contact section (10; 10′) axially at one end, (18) at the other end, and centrally an insulated inner contact (20), wherein the ground contact section has an electrically conducting spring member (26; 26′, 28; 42, 44; 44′, 46) for ground contact, associated such that for engaging over the sleeve section (14) of the contacting partner (16), the latter with an end face (30), to form a contact and resiliently along the movement or connecting longitudinal axis, can engage on the spring member (26) formed in a sleeve base of the ground contact section (10), or wherein, for engaging in the sleeve section (14′) of the connecting partner (16′), the spring member (26′) projects from an end face end section of the ground contact section (10′), to form a contact and resiliently along the longitudinal axis, can engage on a ground-conducting inner section (40) of the connecting partner.