Self-terminating coaxial connector
First Claim
1. An electrical connector having a center contact, a conductive housing, and an impedance switchably connected between the center contact and the conductive housing, the connector comprising:
- an actuator which is cooperable with a mating connector;
a switch contact being engagable with the actuator, surrounding the center contact and being partially insulated therefrom;
a coil spring surrounding the center contact, electrically contacting the switch contact at a first end and biasing the switch contact toward a switch point on the center contact; and
,an impedance, having an inner contact and an outer contact, the impedance surrounding the center contact, and being electrically insulated therefrom, the inner contact being in electrical contact with a second end of the coil spring and the outer contact being in electrical contact with the housing;
whereby the switch contact is biased toward the center contact to close a circuit from the housing through the impedance to the center contact when the connector is in an unmated condition; and
the actuator is cooperable with a mating connector to urge the switch contact away from the switch point of the center contact opening the circuit when the connector is in a mated condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coaxial connector 2 is provided having a central insulator 6 which surrounds the signal contact, an impedance element 18 such as a resistor disposed around the outside of the central insulator 6 which is in contact with the outer conductive housing 4 on one end and a spring 10 on the other end. The spring 10 extends around and along the outside of the central insulator 6 and is in contact with a switch contact 14 which is also disposed around the central insulator. The switch contact 18 is biased towards, and is normally in contact with the center conductor 12. The switch is actuated by an actuator 16 which is placed around the center conductor 12 and is movable in cooperation with the mating connector 90 to open or separate the switch contact 14 from the center conductor 12.
178 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An electrical connector having a center contact, a conductive housing, and an impedance switchably connected between the center contact and the conductive housing, the connector comprising:
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an actuator which is cooperable with a mating connector; a switch contact being engagable with the actuator, surrounding the center contact and being partially insulated therefrom; a coil spring surrounding the center contact, electrically contacting the switch contact at a first end and biasing the switch contact toward a switch point on the center contact; and
,an impedance, having an inner contact and an outer contact, the impedance surrounding the center contact, and being electrically insulated therefrom, the inner contact being in electrical contact with a second end of the coil spring and the outer contact being in electrical contact with the housing; whereby the switch contact is biased toward the center contact to close a circuit from the housing through the impedance to the center contact when the connector is in an unmated condition; and
the actuator is cooperable with a mating connector to urge the switch contact away from the switch point of the center contact opening the circuit when the connector is in a mated condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An electrical connector having a center contact, a conductive housing, and an impedance element which is switchably electrically connected between the conductive housing and the center contacts, the electrical connector comprising:
a switch being normally closed and actuatable by an unmating action with a complementary connector such that upon unmating from the complementary connector, a circuit is completed from the center contact through the impedance element to the conductive housing, said circuit being spaced from and surrounding the center contact in a coaxial orientation through the electrical connector from the center contact to the conductive housing. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
Specification