KR20230146837A - Coaxial connector - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a coaxial connector that couples to a relative connector. The coaxial connector comprises: a terminal electrically connected to a coaxial cable; and a housing having a cylindrical sleeve of an insulating body formed so as to surround an outer-side curved surface of the terminal. At least one part of an inner side of the cylindrical sleeve contacts at least one part of the outer-side curved surface of the terminal. Therefore, the present invention is capable of preventing plastic deformation of the terminal of an electric connector.

Description

Coaxial connector{COAXIAL CONNECTOR}

The present invention relates to coaxial connectors.

A coaxial connector is a connector used to connect coaxial cables to each other or to connect one coaxial cable to another structure on the other side. Although the structure may be somewhat different depending on the application field and/or purpose, an example of a coaxial cable is a transmission cable with a structure in which a tubular conductor surrounds a central insulated copper wire (core).

Depending on need, coaxial cable can transmit both analog and digital signals. The frequency of the transmitted signal may also be in various ranges, for example, a radio frequency (RF) signal may be transmitted. In addition, depending on the type, the coaxial cable can perform well even if buried under the sea or in the ground, can be connected to a terminal in a vehicle, or can be used in smaller electronic devices such as smartphones, etc. There are many sizes and uses of coaxial cables. There may be branches.

To connect these coaxial cables to each other or to connect one coaxial cable to another structure on the other side, a coaxial connector is used as described above.

Although it is not limited thereto, for example, there are cases where a male connector is used on the cable side and a female connector is used on the device side. Of course, both sides could be cable.

Here, one of the two connectors is a plug connector and the other is a socket connector. Socket connectors are also called receptacle connectors. The plug connector and the socket connector may be coupled to each other to form an electrical connector assembly.

In accordance with the trend toward miniaturization of electronic devices, connectors are becoming smaller and shorter. However, there are some limitations in miniaturizing and lowering the profile of the connector by reducing the pitch or making the components smaller.

On the other hand, as connectors become smaller, securing their durability has become more difficult than before. This is because the member is small, so it is easy to break or deform even with a smaller force than before.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to prevent plastic deformation of terminals of electrical connectors.

Additionally, in insert molding, the flowability of the resin is improved.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

According to the present invention, as a coaxial connector coupled to a mating connector,

A terminal electrically connected to the coaxial cable; and

A housing having a cylindrical sleeve of insulating material formed to surround the outer curved surface of the terminal.

Includes,

A coaxial connector is provided, wherein at least a portion of the inner side of the cylindrical sleeve is in contact with at least a portion of an outer curved surface of the terminal.

Preferably, at least one rib is formed on the inside of the cylindrical sleeve, extending along the longitudinal direction of the coaxial connector and protruding toward the inner center of the cylindrical sleeve, and the at least one rib is formed on an outer curved surface of the terminal. touches at least part of

Preferably, the housing:

A main concave groove formed at a first position that is spaced apart in a direction radiating from the outer curved surface of the cylindrical sleeve.

has,

When the coaxial connector is coupled with the mating connector, the main protrusion of the mating connector is guided by the main concave groove of the coaxial connector.

Preferably, the housing:

A fatigue portion is spaced apart in a radial direction from the outer curved surface of the cylindrical sleeve and is formed at a second position opposite to the first position with the terminal interposed therebetween.

has,

When the coaxial connector is coupled with the mating connector, after the main protrusion of the mating connector begins to be guided by the main concave groove of the coaxial connector, the pivot portion is engaged with the lock portion of the mating connector.

Preferably, the housing:

At least one sub-recessed groove formed at a predetermined distance from the main recessed groove in the width direction of the coaxial connector

has,

The at least one sub-concave groove is

When the coaxial connector is coupled with the mating connector, at least one sub-protrusion of the mating connector is guided by the at least one sub-recessed groove of the coaxial connector.

Preferably, the cylindrical sleeve has a protrusion prevention portion extending from a longitudinal end of the coaxial connector toward the inner center of the cylindrical sleeve,

The protrusion prevention portion prevents the terminal from protruding out of the housing in the longitudinal direction of the coaxial connector.

According to the present invention, by applying the terminal protection structure to the tip of the terminal when the terminal is inserted into the housing, it has the effect of preventing the terminal from protruding, preventing the other object from being inserted at an angle, and preventing the terminal from moving.

Additionally, by forming ribs inside the terminal protection structure, prevention of terminal movement is maximized.

Additionally, by applying a misassembly (misconnection) prevention guide, misconnection with the mating connector is prevented and workability is improved.

The effects according to the present invention are not limited to the contents exemplified above, and further various effects are included in the present specification.

Figure 1 shows a connector with a FAKRA structure according to a comparative example.
Figure 2 shows an example of a coaxial connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows the housing (H) in Figure 2 removed.
Figure 4 is a view showing the housing (H) of Figure 2 cut away.
FIG. 5 shows that, for convenience of explanation, the terminal T in FIG. 2 has been removed and the right half of the terminal protection structure H-PR has been removed.
FIG. 6 shows only the housing (H) with the terminal (T) and cable (C) removed from FIG. 2.
Figure 7 is a diagram showing the process of coupling the housing (H) of the coaxial connector 10 and the housing (CH) of the mating connector 20 of this embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a view showing only the housing (CH) of the mating connector 20 with the coaxial connector 10 removed from FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing that the housing (CH) of the mating connector 20 and the coaxial connector 10 are coupled.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments only serve to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and that common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains is not limited. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Figure 1 shows a connector with a FAKRA structure according to a comparative example.

Plastic housings for coaxial connectors of this type shown in Figure 1 are also known as FAKRA housings and are used in data transmission cables in the field of vehicle technology. Such data transmission cables are, for example, coaxial cables or similar cables based on electrical conductors. The mechanical dimensions of this type of FAKRA housing in the interface region, i.e. the axial area of the housing that cooperates with the complementary plug to establish a mechanical connection between the two plastic housings, are specified in accordance with DIN (German Industrial Standard, October 2004 edition). (hereinafter referred to as “DIN”) in accordance with standard 72594-1. This DIN standard 72594-1 describes “Road vehicles - 50 Ohm radio frequency interface (50Ω-RFI) - part 1: Dimensions and electrical requirements. The "requirements" section specifies plugs and couplers for interfaces with an impedance of 50Ω (50Ω-RFI) for radio frequency applications for road vehicles and guarantees communication inside and outside the vehicle. This section specifies size and electrical requirements and characteristics and ensures their interchangeability. All major vehicle manufacturers utilize these standards in their manufacturing. The content of these standards is set by the Automotive Standards Association (FAKRA).

Of course, although it is a connector mainly used in vehicles, its use is not limited to this.

Figures 1 (a) and (b) show almost the same structure, but the angle is slightly different.

In the FAKRA connector of the comparative example shown in Figure 1, a terminal (PT) and a coaxial cable (PC) are connected, and in particular, the 'terminal (PT)' and the 'connection portion between the terminal (PT) and the coaxial cable (PC)' are housed. (PH) surrounds it. However, in the comparative example shown in FIG. 1, it can be seen that there is a space between the outer surface of the terminal and the inner wall of the housing, and a terminal protection structure (described later in FIG. 2, etc.) is not specifically provided between them.

Figure 2 shows an example of a coaxial connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The coaxial connector 10 of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 has a terminal (T), a coaxial cable (C), and a housing (H) that covers the connection portion of the terminal (T) and the cable (C). However, unlike the comparative example of FIG. 1, the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 has a terminal protection structure (H-PR) that directly surrounds the terminal (T). The terminal protection structure (H-PR) is formed integrally with the housing (H).

The housing (H) is preferably made of plastic, for example, LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer). Additionally, the housing H may be formed of an insulator containing resin, epoxy, etc., but is not limited thereto.

In the comparative example of Figure 1, although the housing (PH) was located around the terminal (PT), the outer curved surface of the terminal (PT) (in particular, the end portion of the terminal (PT) opposite to the part connected to the cable (PC) ), rather than being directly in contact with the housing (PH), it surrounds it at some distance.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment of FIG. 2, at least a portion of the sleeve-shaped terminal protection structure (H-PR), which is a part of the housing (H), directly attaches to the terminal (T) (i.e., at least a portion of it is on the outer curved surface of the terminal (T). (while touching) is wrapped around it.

Figure 3 shows the housing (H) in Figure 2 removed.

If the housing (H) is removed in Figure 2, the combination of the terminal (T) and the coaxial cable (C) can be confirmed.

A coaxial cable (C) has, for example, a four-layer structure: (i) an innermost central conductor, (ii) a dielectric insulator surrounding the central conductor, (iii) an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric insulator, and (iv) an outer insulator surrounding the outer conductor. It may be to have. Of course, this is an example and not limited thereto.

The structures (ii) to (iv) above are peeled off from one end of the cable (C), and a structure surrounding the central conductor of (i) is formed, and this surrounding structure is called a terminal (T).

Figure 4 is a view showing the housing (H) of Figure 2 cut away.

In the comparative example of FIG. 1, there is no terminal protection structure (H-PR) corresponding to at least the length of the arrow portion of FIG. 4. On the other hand, in the present embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 4, a sleeve-shaped terminal protection structure (H-PR) exists. In particular, in Figure 4, the right half of the housing is cut away and not shown, so it can be seen that the outer curved surface of the terminal T in Figure 3 is exposed.

According to FIG. 4, by applying the terminal protection structure (H-PR) to the tip of the terminal (i.e., -Y direction) with the terminal inserted into the housing (H),

(i) prevent the terminal (T) from protruding,

(ii) prevent oblique insertion of the counterpart;

(iii) It has the effect of preventing movement of the terminal.

To explain (i) above, first, the mere presence of the terminal protection structure (H-PR), which is a cylindrical sleeve, prevents the terminal (T) from protruding in the -Y direction by contacting at least a portion of the terminal (T). do. In other words, without the terminal protection structure (H-PR), if the terminal (T) and the housing (H) are assembled with only fitting force, the terminal and cable may undesirably protrude in the -Y direction when other external forces are applied. Otherwise, it may go in the +Y direction. In particular, there may be more cases of protruding in the -Y direction. However, according to the present invention, the terminal protection structure (H-PR) exerts a fixing force on the terminal (T), so concerns about such protrusion are reduced.

In particular, if the protrusion prevention portion (H-PR-F) is additionally formed, the force causing the terminal (T) to protrude in the -Y direction is more reliably prevented. That is, the effect (i) above occurs only by the fixing force of the terminal protection structure (H-PR), or more preferably by the additional fixing force of the protrusion prevention portion (H-PR-F).

Hereinafter, (ii) above will be explained.

Looking at the comparative example of FIG. 1, it can be seen that although the terminal PT is present in (b), the housing PH is formed at a considerable distance outside the terminal PT in the radial direction. In the configuration of the comparative example of FIG. 1, there is a possibility that the mating connector (not shown) does not enter exactly in the +Y direction but enters somewhat obliquely (i.e., inclined insertion). This is because the terminal (PT) and the housing (PH) are spaced significantly apart in the radial direction. In this case, when unwanted oblique insertion is performed, a large unwanted force is applied to the coaxial connector 10, and the coaxial connector 10 or the counterpart connector may be damaged or suffer some damage even if not immediately damaged. It can happen.

However, when the terminal protection structure (H-PR) as shown in FIG. 4 is present, it is difficult to make oblique insertion and it is easy to induce accurate entry in the +Y direction.

Hereinafter, (iii) above will be explained.

This can be seen as similar to the effect of (i) above, and more strictly, (i) is an effect that focuses on preventing the terminal (T) and connector (C) from protruding in the -Y direction. However, (iii) above means that the flow is reduced in any direction, front, rear, left and right. That is, due to the presence of the terminal protection structure (H-PR), movement of the terminal (T) not only in the Y-axis direction but also in the X-axis and/or Z-axis direction is prevented.

In addition, by forming a rib (H-PR-R) inside the terminal protection structure (H-PR), prevention of terminal movement is maximized, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 5. For reference, since the assembly shown in Figure 2 is often made by inserting the terminal (T) of Figure 3 into the housing (H), the entire inner surface of the terminal protection structure (H-PR) is the entire outer curved surface of the terminal (T). It may not be easy (although not excluded) to bring the surfaces into contact with each other, and it may also be difficult in manufacturing to ensure that all surfaces are in exact contact with each other. Therefore, it is desirable to have ribs (H-PR-R) shown in Figure 5.

FIG. 5 shows that, for convenience of explanation, the terminal T in FIG. 2 has been removed and the right half of the terminal protection structure H-PR has been removed.

That is, in Figure 5, somewhat differently from Figure 4, the entire housing (H) is not cut in half, but for convenience of explanation, the outer part of the housing (H) is left intact and the terminal protection structure (H-PR) on the inner side is left intact. The right half of the bay has been removed and shown.

In Figure 5, looking at the inner curved surface of the sleeve-shaped terminal protection structure (H-PR), it can be seen that a rib (H-PR-R) is formed.

This rib (H-PR-R) is formed on the inner curved surface of the terminal protection structure (H-PR) and contacts the outer curved surface of the terminal fitted inside the terminal protection structure (H-PR). Through this configuration of the terminal protection structure (H-PR) and rib (H-PR-R), the terminal (T) can be firmly fixed to the housing (H), and the mating connector (described later) is connected to the present embodiment. When combined with the housing (H) and the terminal (T), the position of the terminal (T) can be prevented from moving unintentionally.

On the other hand, assuming the comparative example of FIG. 1, there is no structure that directly contacts and protects the outer curved surface of the terminal PT, so when the mating connector is coupled to the coaxial connector of the comparative example of FIG. 1, the terminal PT There is a possibility of undesired movement up, down, left, and right, which is a disadvantage that does not appear in the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, etc.

FIG. 6 shows only the housing (H) with the terminal (T) and cable (C) removed from FIG. 2.

That is, FIG. 6 differs from FIG. 5 only in whether or not the terminal protection structure (H-PR) is cut, but other points are the same.

In Figure 6, a fatigue area (H-L) exists at the top of the housing (H). This fatigue lock portion (H-L) is a portion coupled to the lock portion (CH-L) of the housing (CH) of the mating connector, which will be described later.

And, it can be seen that a main concave groove (H-M) and a plurality of sub concave grooves (H-S) exist in the lower part of the housing (H) in FIG. 6. The main concave groove (H-M) is a part to be coupled to the main protrusion of the counterpart connector, and the sub concave groove (H-S) is a part to be coupled to the sub protrusion of the counterpart connector. The counterpart connector will be described later.

In other words, the main concave groove (H-M) and/or sub concave groove (H-S) shown in FIG. 6 can be viewed as a 'misassembly (misconnection) prevention guide', and through this structure, the coaxial connector 10 and the counterpart connector (20 in FIGS. 7 and 8) is prevented and workability is improved.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing the process of coupling the housing (H) of the coaxial connector 10 and the housing (CH) of the mating connector 20 of this embodiment.

The coaxial connector 10 and the mating connector 20 in FIG. 7 only show their housings (H, CH), and the illustration of each terminal is omitted for convenience.

When the mating connector 20 approaches and is inserted into the coaxial connector 10, the inner curved surface of the cylindrical portion of the mating connector 20 covers the outer curved surface of the terminal protection structure (H-PR) of the coaxial connector 10. You can see that it is combined.

At this time, a main protrusion (CH-M) and a sub protrusion (CH-S) are formed below the cylindrical part of the mating connector 20, and a lock part (CH-L) is formed on the opposite side (above the cylindrical part). Able to know. It is decided for convenience whether it is above or below, and the location may be somewhat different.

In FIG. 7, the main protrusion (CH-M) and/or sub protrusion (CH-S) of the mating connector 20 are in the main concave groove (H-M) and/or sub concave groove (H-S) of the coaxial connector 10. It begins to be guided and combined. However, it can be seen that at the beginning of the coupling shown in FIG. 7, the lock portion (CH-L) is not yet coupled to the fatigue lock portion (H-L). That is, the main protrusion (CH-M) and the lock portion (CH-L) have different positions in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction), so the main protrusion (CH-M) is coupled first and then the lock portion (CH-L) ) are designed to be combined.

This relationship makes combination easier. For example, if the position of the lock portion (CH-L) at the top of the mating connector 20 and the position of the main protrusion (CH-M) are the same (i.e., the housing (CH) of the mating connector 20 in FIG. 7 (if both are located on the far right side of ), the two binding sites must be positioned almost simultaneously, so binding may not be easy. However, if there is a slight positional difference in the Y-axis direction as in the case of FIG. 7, smoother coupling can be achieved because the lock portion (CH-L) is coupled while being stably guided first by the main protrusion (CH-M). there is.

FIG. 8 is a view showing only the housing (CH) of the mating connector 20 with the coaxial connector 10 removed from FIG. 7.

As explained in FIG. 7, the terminal portion of the mating connector 20 is omitted, and only the housing CH is shown.

In FIG. 8, somewhat differently from the illustration in FIG. 7, the main protrusion (CH-M) may protrude further in the +Y direction than the sub protrusion (CH-S).

That is, in the illustration of FIG. 7, the +Y direction end points of the main protrusion (CH-M) and the sub protrusion (CH-S) are the same, but in the illustration of FIG. 8, the main protrusion (CH-M) is the same as the sub protrusion (CH-S). You can see that it extends further in the +Y direction than ). In the case of Figure 7 and the case of Figure 8, both are possible, but as described above, it is preferable that the end of the main protrusion (CH-M) is located further in the +Y direction than the end of the lock part (CH-L).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing that the housing (CH) of the mating connector 20 and the coaxial connector 10 are coupled.

Originally, the housing (CH) of the mating connector 20 should surround the terminal (not shown) of the mating connector 20, but for convenience of explanation, the mating connector 20 and the coaxial connector 10 are combined. The terminal of (20) is not shown.

That is, in FIG. 9, the housing CH of the mating connector 20 shown in FIG. 8 can be viewed as being coupled to the coaxial connector 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

For reference, Figure 7 shows the process during coupling (before complete coupling), and Figure 9 shows the process after coupling, which is somewhat different.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be manufactured in various different forms, and can be manufactured in various different forms by those skilled in the art. It will be understood by those who understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical spirit or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

PH: (comparative courtesy) housing
PT: (comparative courtesy) terminal
PC: (comparative courtesy) cable
10: coaxial connector
H: Housing
T: terminal
C: cable
H-PR: Terminal protection structure (cylindrical sleeve)
HL: fatigue area
H-PR-R: rib
H-PR-F: Anti-protrusion part
HM: Main concave groove
HS: Sub concave groove
20: Mating connector
CH: Housing (of mating connector)
CH-M: Main protrusion
CH-S: Sub protrusion

Claims (6)

A coaxial connector that combines with a mating connector,
A terminal electrically connected to the coaxial cable; and
A housing having a cylindrical sleeve of insulating material formed to surround the outer curved surface of the terminal.
Including a coaxial connector. According to paragraph 1,
At least one rib is formed on the inside of the cylindrical sleeve, extending along the longitudinal direction of the coaxial connector and protruding toward the inner center of the cylindrical sleeve, and the at least one rib is formed on at least a portion of the outer curved surface of the terminal. Adjacent, coaxial connector. According to paragraph 1,
The housing is,
A main concave groove formed at a first position that is spaced apart in a direction radiating from the outer curved surface of the cylindrical sleeve.
has,
A coaxial connector, wherein when the coaxial connector is coupled with the mating connector, the main protrusion of the mating connector is guided by the main concave groove of the coaxial connector. According to paragraph 3,
The housing is,
A fatigue portion is spaced apart in a radial direction from the outer curved surface of the cylindrical sleeve and is formed at a second position opposite to the first position with the terminal interposed therebetween.
has,
In engaging the coaxial connector with the mating connector, after the main protrusion of the mating connector begins to be guided by the main concave groove of the coaxial connector, the pivot portion is engaged with the lock portion of the mating connector. . According to clause 3 or 4,
The housing is,
At least one sub-recessed groove formed at a predetermined distance from the main recessed groove in the width direction of the coaxial connector
has,
The at least one sub-concave groove is
A coaxial connector, wherein when the coaxial connector engages with the mating connector, at least one sub-protrusion of the mating connector is guided by the at least one sub-recessed groove of the coaxial connector. According to paragraph 1,
The cylindrical sleeve has a protrusion prevention portion extending from a longitudinal end of the coaxial connector toward the inner center of the cylindrical sleeve,
A coaxial connector that prevents the terminal from protruding out of the housing in the longitudinal direction of the coaxial connector by the protrusion prevention unit.

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