Solderless connector for a coaxial microcable

• US 6,361,364 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Holland Electronics LLC (Amphenol Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Michael Holland, Shen Chia Wong
• Inventors: Holland, Michael, Wong, Shen Chia
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D.
• Application Number:
  US09/798,104
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 439/578, 439/582, 439/583, 439/584, 439/585, 439/827
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/22 End pieces terminating in a spring clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48185 adapted for axial insertion of a wire end
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables

Abstract

The invention describes a method of electrically and mechanically connecting the center conductor of a micro-coaxial RF cable to a coaxial cable connector or bulkhead without the use of traditional soldering or precision tools. The device is essentially a solderless, crimpless connector. The invention allows a cable installer to connect a micro-coaxial cable having a central conductor as small #30 AWG (0.25 mm) to a coaxial cable connector under field conditions. The invention employs a two-stage, spring loaded center pin holding device and a method for using the device to facilitate easy field installation while maintaining mechanical and electrical reliability.

Claims

1. A microcoaxial cable connector adapted for attachment to a microcoaxial cable having an outer jacket, a dielectric layer underlying the outer jacket and a central conductor having a stripped portion, the microcoaxial cable connector comprising:

(a) a connector pin comprising an elongate, electrically conductive member having a leading end and a trailing end with a cylindrical recess therewithin; and

(b) a locking pin comprising an elongate electrically conductive member having a leading end adapted to fit within and lockingly engage said cylindrical recess in said connector pin, and a trailing end adapted to movably receive the stripped portion of the central conductor therewithin and lockingly engage the stripped portion of the central conductor of the microcoaxial cable when the leading end of the locking pin lockingly engages the cylindrical recess in said connector pin.

2. A locking pin for use with a microcoaxial cable connector, the microcoaxial cable connector being adapted for attachment to a microcoaxial cable having a central conductor, a portion of the central conductor being stripped, the microcoaxial cable connector having a center pin comprising a cylindrical, electrically conductive member having a cylindrical recess in one end thereof dimensioned to receive the stripped portion of the central conductor therewithin, said center pin being operable for establishing electrical connection between the central conductor and an electrically conductive receptacle in a mating fixture, the locking pin comprising an elongate, electrically conductive member having a conical leading end with a spring barb projecting outwardly from an outer surface thereof, said leading end and said spring barb being dimensioned to fit snugly within the cylindrical recess in the center pin, and a trailing end having a cylindrical locking pin recess therein with a spring barb projecting inwardly from an inner cylindrical surface of said locking pin recess, said locking pin recess being dimensioned to receive and movably contain the stripped portion of the central conductor therewithin, and wherein said trailing end of said locking pin defines an annulus that abuts a dielectric layer of the microcoaxial cable adjacent to the stripped portion of the central conductor when the stripped portion of the central conductor is fully advanced into said cylindrical locking pin recess within said trailing end of said locking pin, said full advancement of said locking pin into said cylindrical locking pin recess urging said spring barb into locking engagement with said central conductor.