Shielded Coaxial Connector with Waveguide Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coaxial cable connectors are inadequately shielded, leading to unwanted RF ingress and egress, which affects cable television and satellite television signal distribution systems, particularly when connectors are left open, and current solutions are either expensive or unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A shielded coaxial connector design incorporating a hollow metallic body with a midbody waveguide and a disconnect switch mechanism that operates as a single pole, single throw switch, effectively blocking stray RF signals when the connector is open and allowing signal transmission when closed, using suitable waveguide dimensions and materials to restrict RF frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional connector shielding is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but RF ingress protection is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple shielding segments: an outer conductor providing first level shielding, and an inner conductor with waveguide providing second level shielding. This segmentation allows each component to address specific frequency ranges of RF ingress, achieving comprehensive protection without requiring a completely redesigned connector structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure is nested within the connector body, and the inner conductor is nested within the waveguide. This nested configuration allows multiple shielding functions to be integrated within the existing connector form factor, providing enhanced RF protection without significantly increasing overall device complexity or size.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multi-braid coaxial cables are used, then RF ingress protection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding function is extracted from the cable assembly and relocated to the connector itself. By implementing the waveguide and dual-conductor shielding within the connector, the system achieves enhanced RF protection without requiring expensive multi-braid coaxial cables, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide acts as an intermediary structure between the outer and inner conductors, providing an additional shielding layer that blocks RF ingress at the connector interface. This intermediary element enables effective RF protection using standard coaxial cables rather than requiring expensive specialized cables.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If connector shielding is enhanced, then RF ingress protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner conductor serves multiple functions: it acts as the signal transmission conductor and simultaneously functions as a shielding element through its waveguide structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate shielding components, thereby enhancing RF protection while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding function is merged with the conductor structure itself. The waveguide is integrated into the inner conductor design, combining signal transmission and RF shielding functions into a single component. This merging approach provides enhanced protection without adding separate complex shielding mechanisms.
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 solution effectively reduces RF signal ingress and egress across various frequency bands while maintaining a suitable impedance match, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and preventing distortion in CATV systems, and is more cost-effective and reliable than existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a midbody waveguide; the waveguide aperture having a maximum diameter dimension not exceeding 3.0 mm; wherein the disconnect switch and the waveguide interoperate to shield the stationary center conductor from stray radio frequency signals
Implementation Method 2
a moveable center conductor which is biased by a biasing force means, the center conductors operable as a single pole, single throw disconnect switch via movement of one of the center conductors through an aperture in the waveguide
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A
AI summary
A shielded coaxial connector with a moveable center conductor and a stationary center conductor, the center conductors forming a disconnect switch that interoperates with a waveguide to shield one of the center conductors from radio frequency signals such as radio frequency signals carried by the other center conductor.