Coaxial right-angle PCB to cable

A connector assembly includes housing for storing components of the connector assembly. The connector assembly further includes a cable including a cable center conductor, wherein the cable center conductor is configured as a signal conductor. The connector assembly also includes a first dielectric and an alignment dielectric. Each of the first dielectric and the alignment dielectric includes a path to guide the cable center conductor through an angle to a printed circuit board as the cable is axially inserted into the housing.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to coaxial connectors and connector assemblies.

Some microwave frequency connectors have right angle housings and metallic center contacts that are designed to be soldered directly to a printed circuit board (PCB). The metallic center contacts are generally surrounded by a plastic insulator and a metallic housing. Socket contacts in these connector assemblies are a key component in the transmission of electrical signal. The components in these connectors may be coupled by various methods, including a push-on design. These types of connectors may use a cable interconnect to transmit the signal to the PCB. However, these types of interconnections usually perform poorly above 10 GHz due to a right-angle transition to the PCB.

There are also right-angle cable connectors that also include right angle housing and a metallic center contact that engages with a cable. The metallic center contact in the cable connector is also generally surrounded by a plastic insulator and a metallic housing. The connector components also may be coupled by various methods including a push-on design. The cable in the right-angle housing may be engaged, for example, by soldering a metallic access contact to a center conductor of the cable and then inserting the metallic access contact and cable subassembly into the right-angle housing. The metallic access center contact may thereafter be mated with a socket center contact within the right-angle housing. Another method to engage the cable is to simply insert the prepared cable into the right housing where the center conductor of the cable directly engages the socket center contact in the right housing. In both cases the cable may be soldered to the housing. These types of design perform well between 10 to 30 GHz, depending on the specification of the cable.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed to connector assemblies configured to operate at high frequencies, including frequencies up to 65 GHz, with low insertion and return losses. The connector assemblies may include a metallic housing, a first dielectric, and an alignment dielectric. The dielectrics are configured to guide a cable center conductor, functioning as a signal conductor, through an angle from 0° to 90° transition to a printed circuit board (PCB). The number of components in these connector assemblies makes the connector assemblies cost effective. The connector assemblies also have a very low a profile and may be used in compact PCB assemblies.

Some embodiments are directed to a connector assembly comprising housing for storing components of the connector assembly. The connector assembly further includes a cable including a cable center conductor, wherein the cable center conductor is configured as a signal conductor. The connector assembly also includes a first dielectric and an alignment dielectric, wherein each of the first dielectric and the alignment dielectric includes a path to guide the cable center conductor through an angle to a printed circuit board, as the cable is axially inserted into the housing.

In some embodiments, the housing includes multiple ports for several signals. Accordingly, some embodiments are directed to a connector assembly comprising housing including multiple ports, wherein the housing is configured to store components of the connector assembly. The connector assembly also includes a cable including a cable center conductor, wherein the cable center conductor is configured as a signal conductor. The connector assembly further includes a first dielectric and an alignment dielectric, wherein each of the first dielectric and the alignment dielectric includes a path to guide the cable center conductor through an angle to a printed circuit board, as the cable is axially inserted into the housing.

Some embodiment are also directed to a method including inserting a cable forward into a housing of a connector assembly; looping an alignment tool around a cable center conductor of the cable; pushing the cable into the housing until the cable center conductor bottoms in the housing; pulling the cable center conductor downward in a path in the housing, bending at an intersection of a dielectric stop as the cable is continually inserted into the housing; and bending the cable center conductor to a ninety degree orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are directed to connector assemblies configured to operate at high frequencies, including frequencies up to 65 GHz, with low insertion and return losses.FIG.1Ashows a front view a connector assembly100used in accordance with some embodiments. Connector assembly100includes a first dielectric having halves102and102′, each of which are configured to guide a cable center conductor through an angle from 0° to 90° transition to a printed circuit board (PCB). The cable center conductor functions as the signal conductor.

FIG.1Bshows a sectional view of connector assembly100in accordance with some embodiments. Connector assembly100includes a right angle metallic housing101, one of the dielectric sections shown inFIG.1A, in this case dielectric102, an additional alignment dielectric103, and one or more optional alignment members104. Housing101is configured to store components of connector assembly100. Each of dielectric halves102and102′ and alignment dielectric103is configured to guide a cable inserted into housing101into position. Alignment members104are configured to orient the halves of the first dielectric when the first dielectric is inserted into housing101.FIG.1Balso illustrates a path105, through the first dielectric and alignment dielectric103, that a center conductor of the cable will follow upon insertion into housing101.

FIG.2Ashows another front view of connector assembly100in accordance with some embodiments.FIG.2Ashows that a cable204and a cable center conductor210are inserted into the housing.

FIG.2Bshows a sectional view of connector assembly100ofFIG.2Ain accordance with some embodiments. InFIG.2B, cable center conductor210may follow path105as cable204is inserted into housing101. Cable center conductor210is configured with compliant properties that allow it to readily follow path105when cable204is axially advanced into housing101.

FIG.2Cshows a further front view of connector assembly100in accordance with some embodiments. InFIG.2C, cable204is mounted to a PCB1500.

FIG.2Dshows a sectional view of connector assembly100ofFIG.2Cin accordance with some embodiments. Connection member211, for example, solder may be used to connect cable center conductor210to PCB1500.

FIG.3Ashows a front view of another connector assembly in accordance with some embodiments. Connector assembly300includes a first dielectric including halves302and302′ and an orientation member305. Dielectric halves302and302′ are configured to guide a cable center conductor through a housing of connector assembly300to the PCB. Orientation member305is configured to ensure the orientation of dielectrics sections302and302′ when the first dielectric is inserted into the housing.

FIG.3Bshows a sectional view of connector assembly300in accordance with some embodiments. Connector assembly300includes a right angle metallic housing301, a section of the first dielectric (in this case dielectric half302), an alignment dielectric303, and multiple optional alignment members304. Dielectric section302is configured to guide a cable inserted into housing301into position. Orientation member305is configured to ensure that dielectric half302is properly oriented when inserted into the housing301. Alignment members304are also configured to ensure that a cable path306in dielectric section302remains in the proper orientation. In some embodiments, alignment members304are configured to maintain proper alignment of dielectric section302with path306in the alignment dielectric303. Orientation member305is also further configured to ensure that dielectric sections302and302′ maintain the proper orientation to path306in the alignment dielectric303. A cable center conductor follows path306upon insertion into housing301.

FIG.4Ashows another front view of connector assembly300in accordance with some embodiments.FIG.4Ashows that a cable204and a cable center conductor210are inserted into the housing of connector assembly300.

FIG.4Bshows a sectional view of connector assembly300ofFIG.4Ain accordance with some embodiments.FIG.4Bshows the path306cable center conductor210will follow as cable204is inserted into housing,301. Cable center conductor210is configured with compliant properties that allow it to readily follow path306when cable204is axially advanced into housing301.

FIG.5A-1shows a dielectric1000used in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG.5A-2shows a sectional view of halves102and102′ of the dielectric1000used in accordance with some embodiments. Although the dielectrics sections102and102′ shown inFIG.5A-2-5C-2are referenced as dielectrics102and102′, the descriptions forFIG.5A-2-5C-2may be applicable to other dielectrics used in accordance with other embodiments.

Each of sections102and102′ of dielectric1000includes a center conductor path105and105′. An alignment feature, such as a post107in a first dielectric section (for example, section102) corresponds with an alignment feature, such as a socket104in a second dielectric section (for example, section102′) to align and retain dielectrics sections102and102′ when mated, for example, by means of a press-fit alignment.

FIG.5B-1shows a front view of dielectric halves102and102′ in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG.5B-2shows a bottom view of dielectric halves102and102′ in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG.5C-1shows a sectional view illustrating the alignment features of dielectric halves102and102′ in accordance with some embodiments. The first dielectric section, for example, section102, includes post107that is configured to mate with socket104in the second dielectric section, for example, section102′. When mated, post107and socket104are configured to align the mated dielectrics section102and102′.

FIG.5C-2further illustrates the sectional view ofFIG.5C-1in accordance with some embodiments. Each of the dielectric sections are shown to include multiple alignment features, i.e., dielectric section102includes multiple posts107that are configured to mate with corresponding sockets104in dielectric section102′.

FIG.5D-1shows a dielectric3000used in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG.5D-2shows a sectional view of halves302and302′ of dielectric3000used in accordance with some embodiments. Although the dielectrics sections shown inFIGS.5D-2and5F-2are referenced as dielectrics302and302′, the descriptions forFIG.5D-2-5F-2may be applicable to other dielectrics used in accordance with other embodiments.

Each section302and302′ of dielectric3000includes a center conductor path305and305′. A post307in dielectric section302corresponds with a socket304in dielectric section302′ to align and retain dielectric sections302and302′ when they are mated, for example, by means of a press-fit alignment. Dielectric section302includes an alignment mechanism310that corresponds with and alignment mechanism311of dielectric section302′. Together alignment mechanism310and alignment mechanism311are configured to align sections302and302′ of dielectric3000in the metallic housing shown, for example, inFIG.3B.

FIG.5E-1shows a front view of dielectric halves302and302′ in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG.5E-2shows a bottom view of dielectric halves302and302′ in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG.5F-1shows a sectional view illustrating the alignment features of dielectric halves302and302′ in accordance with some embodiments. Dielectric section302includes post307that is configured to mate with socket304in dielectric section302′. When mated, post307and socket304are configured to align the mated dielectrics sections302and302′.

FIG.5F-2further illustrates the sectional view ofFIG.5F-1in accordance with some embodiments. Each of the dielectric sections are shown to include multiple alignment features, i.e., dielectric section302includes multiple posts307that are configured to mate with corresponding sockets304in dielectric section302′.

FIGS.6A-6Ishow sectional views that demonstrate how a cable is installed in accordance with some embodiments.FIG.6Ashows that cable604is inserted into metallic housing601and a dielectric stop602is inserted over the cable center conductor605. Dielectric stop602is configured to help prevent the cable dielectric from extruding after heat is applied to solder cable604to metallic housing601. An alignment tool603is configured to hook around cable center conductor605to guide cable center conductor605around a 90° section of metallic housing601.FIG.6Ashows cable604inserted forward into housing601and alignment tool603being looped around cable center conductor605.

FIG.6Bshows cable604being pushed further into metallic housing601until cable center conductor605bottoms in housing601.FIG.6Cshows cable604being pushed into metallic housing601while alignment tool603pulls cable center conductor605downward, bending at the intersection of dielectric stop602. Dielectric stop602is thus used as an edge.FIG.6Dshows cable center conductor605continually being bent as cable604is inserted forward into metallic housing601.FIG.6Eshows alignment tool603being re-positioned to the tip of cable center conductor605.FIG.6Fshows cable center conductor605being bent to a final position.FIG.6Gshows the final position of cable center conductor605, i.e., a right-angle bend of cable center conductor605using dielectric stop602as an edge.FIG.6Hshows the final position of the cable604and dielectric stop602bottomed in housing601.FIG.6Ishows a metallic bushing606and dielectric607pressed into metallic housing601. Dielectric607is an alignment dielectric pressed into the metallic bushing606to maintain the position of cable center conductor605in a 90° angle.

FIG.7Ashows a front view of another embodiment of a connector assembly700used in accordance with some embodiments. Connector assembly700includes a metallic housing with multiple ports705, each of which includes dielectric halves102and102′ that are configured to guide a cable into a desired position.

FIG.7Bshows a sectional view of connector assembly700in accordance with some embodiments. Metallic housing701may be a right angle metallic housing that is configured to house dielectrics halves102and102′ and an alignment dielectric103, all of which are used to guide a cable into position. Metallic housing701may also include one or more alignment members104that are configured to orient the dielectrics102,102′ and103, when inserted into the housing701. Metallic housing701also includes a path105for the cable center conductor to follow during insertion.

FIG.8Ashows another front view of connector assembly700in accordance with some embodiments.FIG.8Ashows that cable center conductor210is inserted into and protruding from the housing.

FIG.8Bshows a sectional view of connector assembly700ofFIG.8Ain accordance with some embodiments.FIG.8Bshows the path105cable center conductor210will follow as cable204is inserted into housing701.

FIG.8Cshows another front view of connector assembly700in accordance with some embodiments. InFIG.8C, cable204is mounted to a PCB1500.

FIG.8Dshows a sectional view of connector assembly700ofFIG.8Cin accordance with some embodiments. Connection member211, for example, solder may be used to connect cable center conductor210to PCB1500.

FIG.9Ashows a front view of another connector assembly in accordance with some embodiments. Connector assembly900includes a housing with multiple ports905, each of which includes halves302and302′ of a first dielectric and a dielectric alignment member906. Dielectric halves302and302′ are configured to guide a cable center conductor through the housing to the PCB. Dielectric alignment members906are configured to ensure proper orientation of dielectric sections302and302′ in housing901.

FIG.9Bshows a sectional view of connector assembly900in accordance with some embodiments. Housing901may be a right angle metallic housing that houses dielectric half302, an alignment dielectric103, and multiple optional alignment members304. Dielectric section302is configured to guide a cable inserted into housing901into position. Alignment members304are also configured to ensure that a cable path306in dielectrics302and302′ remain in the proper orientation. In some embodiments, alignment members304are configured to keep dielectric sections302and302′ properly aligned with path306in the dielectric103. Dielectric alignment member906also ensures that dielectric sections302and302′ maintain the proper orientation to path306on the additional dielectric103. A center conductor of the cable follows path306upon insertion into housing901.

FIG.10Ashows another front view of connector assembly900in accordance with some embodiments.FIG.10Ashows that a cable204and a cable center conductor210are inserted into the housing with multiple ports905.

FIG.10Bshows a sectional view of connector assembly900ofFIG.10Ain accordance with some embodiments.FIG.10Bshows the path306cable center conductor210will follow as cable204is inserted into housing901.

FIGS.10C and10Dshow embodiments with the cable204mounted to the printed circuit board1500. A mating member211solders cable center conductor210to PCB1500.

Due to the number of components in the connector assemblies, the connector assemblies are cost effective. The connector assemblies also have a very low a profile and may be used in compact PCB assemblies.

FIG.11is a flow diagram of a method used in accordance with some embodiments. At1110, a cable is inserted forward into a housing of a connector assembly. At1120, an alignment tool is looped around a cable center conductor of the cable. At1130, the cable is pushed into the housing until the cable center conductor bottoms in the housing. At1140, the cable center conductor is pulled downward in a path in the housing, bending at an intersection of a dielectric stop as the cable is continually inserted into the housing. At1150, the cable center conductor is bent to a ninety-degree orientation.