Transitional RF connector

• US 4,125,308 A
• Filed: 05/26/1977
• Issued: 11/14/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EMC Technology Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: EMC Technology Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Schilling, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US05/800,861
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 339/17 LC, 339/177 R, 339/177 E, 333/84 M, 333/97
• US Class Current: 439/63
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/085 Coaxial-line/strip-line transitions
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/56 Means for preventing chafing or fracture of flexible leads at outlet from coupling part
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/44 comprising impedance matching means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/50 mounted on a PCB [Printed Circuit Board]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/54 Intermediate parts, e.g. adapters, splitters or elbows
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/00 Rotary current collectors, distributors or interrupters

Abstract

A stress-free transitional RF connector assembly is provided which electrically connects a planar conductor in a planar electric circuit with a cable or component having a conventional RF connector at one end thereof. The assembly includes a connector body one end of which is arranged to mate with the cable or component connector, and the other end of which is formed to accommodate the planar circuit. A conductive pin held in the connector body and extending to a fixed connection which may be made to the planar conductor is provided therebetween with a joint which permits rotation and axial movement relatively between the resulting two pin parts while maintaining electrical contact.

Claims

1. An improved RF connector assembly for separably connecting an electrical cable to a planar circuit having a planar conductor, of the type which includes:

(a) a first connector part which is fixedly attachable to said cable; and

(b) a second connector part which includes a metallic body, a dielectric bead having a body end and a conductor end, and a conductive pin having first and second ends, said second connector part being detachably connectable to said first connector part, said metallic body including means for fixedly mounting said second connector part onto said planar circuit, said body end of said dielectric bead being fixedly held within said metallic body, said conductive pin being fixedly held at said first end within said dielectric bead and being of such a length between said ends that said second end abuts said planar conductor when said second connector part is fixedly mounted onto said planar circuit, said second end being formed for fixed connection to said planar conductor, and the length of said dielectric bead between said body and conductor ends being such that said conductor end is adjacent said planar conductor when said second connector part is so fixedly mounted;

wherein the improvement comprises;

a detachably connectable and electrically conductive joint in said conductive pin between said first and second ends, said joint including a first side and a second side, said first side defining a cylindrical cavity, and said second side including a mating cylindrical portion, both sides being located within said dielectric bead, said second side being so dimensioned relative to said cylindrical cavity as to achieve a tight sliding and rotating fit therewith, whereby said second end of said conductive pin is movable relative to said first end both axially and rotatably to thereby substantially prevent mechanical stress from passing down said conductive pin from said dielectric bead fixedly held within said metallic body to said fixed connection to said planar conductor.

2. An improved RF connector assembly for separably connecting a coaxial transmission line to a planar circuit having a planar conductor, of the type which includes:

(a) a first coaxial connector having a central conductor, said connector being fixedly attachable to said transmission line; and

(b) a second coaxial connector which includes a metallic body having first and second ends, a dielectric bead having a body end and a conductor end, and a conductive pin having system and circuit ends, said metallic body being detachably connectable at said first end to said first coaxial connector, said metallic body including at said second end means for fixedly mounting said second coaxial connector onto said planar circuit, said body end of said dielectric bead being fixedly held coaxially within said metallic body, a portion of said conductive pin being supported coaxially within and restrained from axial movement relative to said dielectric bead, said system end of said conductive pin being within said first end of said metallic body, said system end being detachably connectable to said central conductor of said first coaxial connector when said metallic body is detachably connected to said first coaxial connector, said circuit end of said conductive pin being formed for fixed connection to said planar conductor, the length of said conductive pin between said system and circuit ends being such that said circuit end abuts said planar conductor when said second coaxial connector is fixedly mounted onto said planar circuit, and the length of said dielectric bead between said body and conductor ends being such that said conductor end is adjacent said planar conductor when said second coaxial connector is so fixedly mounted;

wherein the improvement comprises;

said conductive pin including a connector pin part which includes said portion supported within said dielectric bead, a transition pin part which includes said circuit end abutting said planar conductor, a portion of said transition pin part located within said dielectric bead, and means for detachably connecting said parts which maintains electrical conduction between said parts while allowing movement between said parts axially and rotatably, to thereby substantially prevent mechanical stress from passing down said conductive pin from said dielectric bead fixedly held within said metallic body to said fixed connection to said planar conductor.

3. The improved RF connector assembly of claim 2, wherein said means for detachably connecting said parts comprises said connector pin part having an axial cylindrical cavity, and said transition pin part including an axial mating cylindrical member, said transisiton pin part being so dimensioned relative to said cylindrical cavity as to achieve a tight sliding and rotating fit therewith.

4. The improved RF connector assembly of claim 3, wherein said axial cylindrical cavity is defined by a plurality of fingers.

5. The improved RF connector assembly of claim 3, wherein said transition pin part includes a tapered end to facilitate entry into said axial cylindrical cavity.

6. The improved RF connector assembly of claim 3, wherein said transition pin part and said connector pin part are so located as to define an axial gap therebetween.