Mixed coaxial connector

Abstract: An electrical connector (202) is for terminating both signal and coaxial cable. To maintain the same interface pattern, the signal pins (300) for the coaxial cable include contact portions (302) with angled connection sections (304) and ground contacts (310) for contacting the shielding braid of a cable are laterally offset. The housing (204) includes channels (207) to arrange the coaxial cables with respect to the signal contact termination portions (304) and the ground contact termination portions (314).

Description: The present invention relates to an electrical connector including coaxial and signal contacts. In the field of coaxial connectors, a solid core wire typically is positioned concentrically of a first portion of surrounding insulation, a shielding braid surrounds the first portion of insulation, and a second portion of insulation surrounds the shielding braid. Normally, such a cable is terminated by stripping a portion of the outer insulation to a position exposing a length of the shielding braid. The inner insulation is then stripped to expose a portion of the inner conductor. The shielding braid can be interconnected to an outer shield member by a crimp section, by a compression fit outer shield housing, or by soldering the shielding braid to the outer shield member. This interconnection is quite labor intensive and time consuming and, thus, very expensive to make. Furthermore, it typically requires assembly under controlled circumstances, not in a field installation. US-A-4533199 describes an electrical connector for terminating a plurality of coaxial cables. The connector comprises a base member mounting a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts, each of which has an insulation displacement connecting section and a pin portion. The pin portions project from the base member for insertion into contact holes in a printed circuit board. Each pair of contacts is located on the base member in an axial sense with respect to the axis of a cable and the connecting section of a first one of each pair is adapted to contact the cable shielding whilst the connecting section of the second contact is adapted to contact the signal conductor of the cable. In the circumstances, it is necessary to provide an interconnection for signal conductors and coaxial cables on a centerline spacing which is already a standardized interface. However, this is difficult as the width of the coaxial cable alone does not allow such a pitch. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector which can terminate an array of coaxial and standard signal cables for the purposes of connection to a complementary connector. The invention consists in an electrical connector for electrical connection to signal and coaxial cables, comprising signal contacts for electrical connection to the coaxial cable signal conductors, and ground contacts for electrical connection to the shielding of the coaxial cables, characterized in that the signal contacts for the coaxial cable signal conductors include contact portions and connecting sections angled with respect to the contact portions, and the ground contacts are laterally offset from the contact portions of said signal contacts, whereby the signal contacts for the coaxial signal conductors, signal contacts for the signal cables and the ground contacts are on a centerline spacing of a standardized interface. To terminate the coaxial cables in such an array, the coaxial nature of the cable is desirably maintained along its length as long as possible. This may be achieved by having ground contacts with connecting sections in the form of insulation severing portions which extend upwardly from a position adjacent to a middle row of contacts of the connector up to a position aligned with the upper row of contacts such that, when the connector is used to terminate a coaxial cable, the signal conductor is connected to the upper signal contact and the shielding is terminated to the lower ground contact. The ground contacts may include insulation piercing means profiled to pierce through the insulation of the coaxial cable to make contact with the shielding. The connector of the invention can provide signal contacts and ground contacts in an array which is profiled as a standard connector configuration. Some of the contacts in a top row and some of the contacts in a middle row are connected to the coaxial cable so that the top contacts are provided as the signal contacts and the middle row of contacts are provided as the ground contacts. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a rear isometric view of the connector assembly including the shield; Figure 2 is a front isometric view of the inner housing assembly; Figure 3 is a rear isometric view of the housing of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an upper plan view of the housing of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a rear plan view of the housing of Figures 2 and 4; Figure 6 is a rear isometric view of an insert for placing over the front face of the inner housing shown in Figure 3; Figure 7 is a front isometric view of the insert shown in Figure 6; Figures 8-12 show various views of the signal contacts; Figures 13 and 14 show isometric views of the ground contacts; Figure 15 shows a front isometric view of the connector housing including the front insert positioned in place; Figure 16 is a rear isometric view of the assembly of Figure 3; Figure 17 is a view similar to that of Figure 16 showing a coaxial cable positioned above the associated signal and ground contacts; Figure 18 shows the connector of Figure 1, positioned within shield members; Figure 19 shows the finished connector with an overmoulded insert over the entirety of the connector with the cable in place; Figure 20 is an alternate embodiment of the above described invention where the cable channels for the coaxial cable are provided in a separated stuffer cap; Figure 21 is an exploded view of the connector shown in Figure 20 without the terminals in place; Figure 22 is an isometric view of the stuffer cap shown in Figures 20 and 21 as shown from underneath; and Figure 23 shows the assembly of the stuffer cap in the connector housing without the cables in place. As shown in Figure 1, the electrical connector of the present invention, which is shown as item 2, includes a rear housing portion 4, a front shield member 6 which forms an interface to a complementary connector, and an inner terminal retaining insert shown at 8. As shown in Figures 2-5, the housing member 4 is shown as including a front flange 10 forming an internal peripheral surface 12, the peripheral surface 12 extending rearwardly to an inner wall from which extend terminal retaining pillar portions 16. These pillar portions are for retaining and positioning the standard terminal pin portions. However three pillar portions designated at 18 are for positioning three of the ground pins which are associated with the coaxial cable as will be described in greater detail. As shown best in Figure 3, a rear extending ledge portion 20 is shown for terminating coaxial conductors and their respective ground pins. The ledge portion has an upper opening at 22 providing for access into the housing in a transverse direction for mounting the contacts. As the coaxial cable is wider than standard cable typically used in this type of connector, as shown in Figure 4, the area for terminating the coaxial conductors is spread out over an enlarged distance, and then curved into position such that the spacing of the pins is the same as the standard connector, such as an AMPLIMITE HD-22 connector. As shown in Figure 3, upper channels are formed at 25, 26 and 27, and as shown in Figure 4, channel 25 is formed between surfaces 28 and 30, channel 26 is formed between surfaces 32 and 34 and channel 27 is formed between surfaces 36 and 38. It should be appreciated that the inner surfaces 30-36 are formed by upstanding wall portions at 40 and 42. The channels 25, 26 and 27 are further formed with lower support surfaces or floors, 44, 46 and 48 respectively. Each of the channels 25, 26 and 27 extends forwardly towards a front mating end 50 of the connector housing 4 and extends to a wall 52 as best shown in Figure 4. The wall includes three semi-circular support surfaces 54 as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The inner surfaces 28 and 30 include opposed slots 56, the surfaces 32 and 34 include slots at 58 and the surfaces 36 and 38 include slots at 60. As best shown in Figures 3 and 5, three lower channel portions 65, 66 and 67 are axially aligned with channels 25, 26 an 27 respectively. As best shown in Figure 5, channels 65, 66 and 67 extend forwardly into respective openings at 70 which extend through the pillar portions 18 as shown in Figure 2. With respect now to Figures 6 and 7 a terminal retaining insert is shown generally at 80 and includes a front plate portion 82 having a plurality of apertures at 84. It should be appreciated that each of the apertures 84 are aligned with the various pillar portions 16 and 18 and with the various semi-circular support surfaces 54. As shown in Figure 6, a rear plate portion 86 has a smaller periphery than the front plate portion 82 thereby forming a peripheral rebate at 88 which is profiled to be received within the peripheral surface 12, which is shown in Figure 2. A retaining member is also shown at 90 which extends beyond the rear portion 86 and includes three semi-circular portions 94 which are complementary with semi-circular portions 54 as will be described in greater detail herein. A plurality of terminals are also included, the signal pins being shown in Figures 8-12 whereas the ground pins are shown in Figures 13 and 14. As shown in Figure 12, the signal pins 100 are comprised of a forward pin contact portion 102 and a connecting section in the form of a rear wire insulation displacement slot section 104. As best shown in Figures 8 and 10, the pin portions are shown skewed relative to their respective insulation displacement slot sections, and thus it should be appreciated that the terminals 100 can be placed in respective passageways 25, 26 and 27 with side edges 106 of the slots 104 positioned within the respective slots 56, 58 and 60 with the circular support surfaces 108 being positioned on the semi-circular portions 54 within the housing 4. A ground contact pin is shown in Figures 13 and 14 as item 110 and generally includes a forward contact pin portion 112 and a connecting section in the form of a rear insulation severing portion 114. It should be appreciated that the portions 114 are relatively high and extend vertically upwardly from the center line of the pin portion 112. With respect now to Figures 16 and 17, the assembly of the connector will be shown in greater detail. As described above, the three terminals 100 are positioned in their respective passageways 25, 26 and 27 with the retaining member 80 snapped into position as shown in either of Figures 15 and 16. The ground pins 110 can also be positioned within their respective slots 65, 66 and 67 (Figure 5) which positions the insulation severing plates 114 in alignment with the upper slot portion 25-27. To terminate the coaxial cable 120, the central insulated conductor 122 can be positioned adjacent to the insulation displacement slot portion 104 while the rear insulatea cable 124 can be positioned above the plate portions 114. Upon termination of the cable 120 into the respective slots 25, 26, 27 the signal conductor 122 is terminated to one of the signal pins 102 whereas the shield 125 of the cable 120 is terminated to the pin portion 112 via the insulation severing plates 114. Thus, as shown in Figure 15 at the front face of the connector, the signal pin portions 102 extend outwardly of the retaining plate 80 along the upper row, while the ground pin portions 112 extend through the retaining plate 80 in the middle row thereof. With respect now to Figure 18 a shielded cable is shown at 130 having an shielding braid 132. The shielded cable 130 would include three coaxial cables 120 and 9 signal conductors for terminating to standard pins and for placement in the pillars 16 (Figure 2). The forward outer shield member 6 includes a rear wall portion 135 which can be folded over the flange portion 10 of the housing 4 thereby maintaining the housing 4 and the retainer plate 80 in position. A lower shield member 140 and an upper shield member 142 are placed around the connector member 2 of Figure 1 with the shielding braid 132 being dressed over the outer insulation 134 and positioned in a rear opening 145 of the lower shielding shell 140. The upper shielding shell 142 includes a complementary opening at 146, such that when the upper shield member 142 is rotated into a latched position relative to the lower shield member 140 the entire connector member is shielded. A rear ferrule member 150 is then crimped over the shielding braid 132 to maintain it in constant ground contact with the shell members 140 and 142. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a housing is overmoulded the assembly shown in Figure 18 to include an insulative member shown at 160 with the connector shield portion 6 extending out the forward end thereof and the cable member 130 extending out the rearward end thereof. Thumb screws as shown at 162 would be used to retain the connector to a complementary electrical connector. Alternatively the invention could be designed as shown in Figures 20-23 where the connector 202 is shown comprising a housing 204 and a separated stuffer cap 205. Similarly signal contacts 300 are positioned in apertures 225 with spacer walls 226 positioned therebetween to guide and support the electrical terminals 300, as shown in Figures 20 and 21. Also similarly, ground contacts 310 are positioned in channels 265 which are in communication with apertures 266 to allow the pins 312 of the ground contacts 310 to project through the front thereof as shown in Figure 20. The insulation severing is accomplished by slotted plate members 314 having upper cutting edges. As shown in Figure 22, walls 240, of the stuffer cap 205, are provided which serve the same function as walls 40 and 42 as shown in Figure 4, that is to align the wires into a curved or arcuate path. Openings 206 of the stuffer cap allow the entry of the coaxial cables into the channels 207 defined by the walls 240. Slots 208 on the top side of the stuffer cap allow the entry of the IDC portion of the terminal 300 as shown in Figure 23 whereas apertures 209 allow the entry of the IDC portions of terminals 310 as also shown in Figure 23. Apertures 210 on the lower side of the stuffer cap 205 as shown in Figures 21 and 22 allow the passage of the upstanding terminal portions 314 to extend upwardly through the stuffer cap for termination thereof.

Claims: An electrical connector (2,202) for electrical connection to signal and coaxial cables, comprising signal contacts (100,300) for electrical connection to the coaxial cable signal conductors, and ground contacts (110,310) for electrical connection to the shielding of the coaxial cables (120), characterized in that the signal contacts (100,300) for the coaxial cable signal conductors include contact portions (102,302) and connecting sections (104, 304) angled with respect to the contact portions, and the ground contacts (110,310) are laterally offset from the contact portions (102,302) of said signal contacts (100,300), whereby the signal contacts (100,300) for the coaxial signal conductors, signal contacts for the signal cables and the ground contacts are on a centerline spacing of a standardized interface. An electrical connector according to claim 1, including a housing (4,204) having channels (25-27; 207) for arranging the coaxial cables in arcuate paths so as to align the coaxial cables with the signal contact connecting sections (104,304) and with connecting sections (114,314) of the ground contacts (110,310). An electrical connector according to claim 2 wherein the channels (25-27) are defined by upstanding intermediate walls (40,42) located on a platform (20) of the housing. An electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2, including a stuffer member (205) for holding the coaxial cables during engagement with the connecting sections. An electrical connector according to claims 2 and 4, wherein the channels (207) are provided in the stuffer member which has rear apertures (206) for receiving the coaxial cables and which positions the cables in juxtaposition with the connecting sections (304,314) of the signal (300) and ground (312) contacts. An electrical connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the signal contact connecting sections are insulation displacement contacts (104,304). An electrical connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting section of each ground contact (110, 310) includes insulation piercing means (114,314) profiled to pierce through the insulation of the coaxial cable (120) to make contact with the shielding braid. An electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein the ground contact connecting sections (114,314) are upstanding to a position where the signal (104,304) and ground (114,314) connecting sections are in the same longitudinal plane, whereby the coaxial cables (120) can be mass terminated to the signal and ground contacts. An electrical connector according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each connecting section of the ground contacts comprises parallel plates (114, 314) spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the shielding of the coaxial cable (120). An electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein the plates (114,314) include insulation piercing prongs to pierce through the insulation of the coaxial cable (120). An electrical connector according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the plates (114,314) extend substantially parallel to a plane along an axial length of the cable (120). An electrical connector according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the plates (314) are slotted at least partially along their length. An electrical connector according to any preceding claim wherein the signal (100,300) and ground (110,310) contacts are arranged in parallel rows, with the signal contacts (100,300) disposed above the ground contacts (110,310).

Inventors: KAMINSKI CHRISTOPHER, MILBURN PAUL, KAMINSKI, CHRISTOPHER, MILBURN, PAUL
Applicants: WHITAKER CORP, THE WHITAKER CORPORATION
Application year: 1993
Main classification: H01R23
IPC codes: H01R9, H01R4