Abstract:
An electrical connector that comprises a body including an interface part adapted to engage a mating connector and a mounting part adapted to mount to a surface of a printed circuit board. An internal bore extends through the interface and mounting parts. A fixed interface contact is provided in the internal bore at the interface part. The fixed interface contact is configured to engage a corresponding contact of the mating connector. An actuating contact is received in the internal bore and is axially moveably within the internal bore between first and second positions. First and second stationary contacts are supported by the mounting part. Each of the first and second stationary contacts have a first contact end received in the internal bore of the body and a second exposed end that extends outside of the body for connection to the printed circuit board. The first and second stationary contacts define first and second electrical paths, respectively, wherein movement of the actuating contact between the first and second positions switches the electrical path between the first and second electrical paths, respectively.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a coaxial connector that is mounted to a printed circuit board. In particular, the present invention relates to a coaxial connector that provides a switching function and a fixed interface that is compliant with industry standards. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional RF connectors often handle cables transmitting data at frequencies up to 11 GHz. For example, type N, TNC, QN, 7/16 connectors are used in the telecommunications industry particularly because of their ability to handle higher powers required for signal transmission in wireless telecommunications systems. In particular, type N, TNC, QN, 7/16 connectors are often used in base stations for cellular telephones for connections with power amplifiers and transceivers, among other things. 
     Type N, TNC, QN, 7/16 connectors are configured to mate easily. To comply with interface standards (such as IEC, CECC, DIN or “QLF®” standards), the connectors are required to have certain specified dimensions. It is often uncertain whether the interface of switching connectors meets the type N, TNC, QN, or 7/16 standard unless it is engaged with it mating connector. Accordingly, there is a need for an RF connector that meets industry standards, such as the type N, TNC, QN, or 7/16 standards, without having to mate the RF connector with its mating connector. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is an electrical connector that comprises a body including an interface part adapted to engage a mating connector and a mounting part adapted to mount to a surface of a printed circuit board. An internal bore extends through the interface and mounting parts. A fixed interface contact is provided in the internal bore at the interface part. The fixed interface contact is configured to engage a corresponding contact of the mating connector. An actuating contact is received in the internal bore and is axially moveably within the internal bore between first and second positions. First and second stationary contacts are supported by the mounting part. Each of the first and second stationary contacts have a first contact end received in the internal bore of the body and a second exposed end that extends outside of the body for connection to the printed circuit board. The first and second stationary contacts define first and second electrical paths, respectively, wherein movement of the actuating contact between the first and second positions switches the electrical path between the first and second electrical paths, respectively. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is an electrical connector that comprises a body including an interface part adapted to engage a mating connector and a mounting part adapted to mount to a surface of a printed circuit board. An internal bore extends through the interface and mounting parts. A fixed interface contact is provided in the internal bore at the interface part. The fixed interface contact is configured to engage a corresponding contact of the mating connector. An actuating subassembly is received in the internal bore and is axially moveably within the internal bore between first and second positions. The actuating subassembly includes an actuating contact, an insulator coupled to the actuating contact, and a plunger contact coupled to an end of the insulator. First and second stationary contacts are supported by the mounting part. Each of the first and second stationary contacts have a first contact end received in the internal bore of the body and a second exposed end extending outside of the body for connection to the printed circuit board. The plunger contact contacts the first stationary contact when the actuating contact is in the first position thereby defining a first electrical path. The actuating contact contacts the second stationary contact and the plunger contact is spaced from the first stationary contact when the actuating contact is in the second position thereby defining a second electrical path, wherein movement of the actuating subassembly between the first and second positions switches the electrical path between the first and second electrical paths, respectively. 
     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a coaxial connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a end view of the coaxial connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly, showing the coaxial connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention mated with a mating connector; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a fixed contact of the coaxial connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the fixed contact illustrated in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of an actuating contact of the coaxial connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6B  is a side elevational view of the actuating contact illustrated in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of an insulator of the coaxial connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the insulator illustrated in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a plunger contact of the coaxial connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view of the plunger contact illustrated in  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a stationary contact of the coaxial connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a stationary contact of the coaxial connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a coaxial connector  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention mounts to a printed circuit board and accepts a mating connector  400  ( FIG. 4 ). The coaxial connector  100  provides a switching function and also provides a fixed mating interface, thereby meeting industry interface standards even when the connector is unmated. For example, the coaxial connector  100  meets the standards of RF connectors, such as type N, TNC, QN, and 7/16 connectors, and the like. 
     The coaxial connector  100  generally includes a conductive body  110  with an interface part  120  for interfacing with the mating connector  400  and a mounting part  130  for mounting to the printed circuit board. Extending through the body  110  is an internal bore  300  supporting the interface and switching components of the connector.  FIG. 3  shows the connector  100  in an unmated position and particularly its actuating subassembly  310  in a first position establishing a first electrical path.  FIG. 4  shows the connector  100  in a mated position receiving the mating connector  400  and particularly the actuating subassembly  310  in a second positioned establishing a second different electrical path. Wings  210  of the mounting part  130  extend outwardly from the connector&#39;s body  110 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , the interface part  120  of the connector  100  generally includes a mating interface  302  and a fixed interface contact  304  received in the internal bore  300 . The mating interface  302  includes an access opening  306  adapted to receive the mating end  410  ( FIG. 4 ) of the mating connector  400 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 A and  5 B, the fixed interface contact  304  may include an interface end  502  and an opposite tail end  504 . An inner bore  506  extends through the fixed contact  304  that receives the actuating subassembly  310 . The interface end  502  is located near the mating interface  302  and is adapted to receive a pin  420  ( FIG. 4 ) of the mating connector  400 . The interface end  502  has a generally cylindrical shape with longitudinal slots  508 , as best seen in  FIG. 5A . The opposite tail end  504  is located near the mounting part  130  of the connector  100  and includes a sloped portion  510  with an outer tine  512  for grabbing a fixed insulator  312  ( FIG. 3 ) fixed in the internal bore  300 . A central shoulder  520  of the fixed contact  304  is located between the interface end  502  and the tail end  504  and defines an outer recessed area  522  that receives the insulator  312 . The insulator  312  is sandwiched between the shoulder  520  and a step  320  of the connector&#39;s internal bore  300 , as best seen in  FIG. 3 . Tines  322  extend inwardly from the inner surface of the connector&#39;s body  110  into the internal bore  300  that grab the fixed insulator  312 . The contact  304  is held in position by an interference fit and the tine features. Because the insulator  312  is fixed in place in the internal bore  300 , the fixed contact  304  extending through the insulator  312  is also fixed in place. 
     The actuating subassembly  310  slidably and axially moves within the connector&#39;s internal bore  300 , and particularly within the fixed contact  304 , as the connector  100  is mated and unmated with the mating connector  400 . The mating and unmating of the connector provides the switching function between first and second stationary contacts  360  and  370  of the connector  100  as the actuating subassembly  310  moves between its first and second positions. The actuating subassembly  310  may include an actuating contact  330 , an insulator  340 , and a plunger contact  350 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the actuating contact  330  has an elongated cylindrical body  600  sized to fit in the inner bore  506  of the fixed contact  304 . A contact end  602  includes an abutment surface  604  ( FIG. 6B ) for contact with the pin  420  of the mating connector  400 . Opposite the contact end  602  is a pin end  610  that is adapted to engage the second stationary contact  370 . Between the contact end  602  and the pin end  610  is a recessed area  620  that receives a spring  336 . The spring  336  biases the actuating subassembly  310  in the first position, as seen in  FIG. 3 , when the connector  100  is unmated. A groove  612  may be provided near the pin end  610  of the actuating contact  330  for engaging a corresponding portion of the insulator  340 . 
     The insulator  340  receives and is coupled to the actuating contact  330 , as seen in  FIG. 3 . As seen in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the insulator  340  has a cylindrical body  700 . An inner bore  710  extends through the body  700  for accepting the actuating contact  330 . A first end portion  720  of the inner bore  710  is sized to accommodate the tail end  504  of the fixed contact  304  in addition to the actuating contact  330 , as seen in  FIG. 3 . A middle portion  730  of the inner bore  710  includes a stepped-in portion  732  that snaps into the groove  612  of the actuating contact  330 . A second end portion  740  opposite the first end portion  720  includes a seat  750  that supports the plunger contact  350 , as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     Between the middle portion  730  and the second end portion  740 , the insulator  340  is hollow to provide a switching area  760  ( FIG. 7B ). The switching area  760  includes an access slot  770  that receives the first stationary contact  360 , as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The slot  770  includes opposite ends  772  and  774 , as seen in  FIG. 7A . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the plunger contact  350  may include a plurality of resilient fingers  800  extending from a base  810 . The fingers  800  are configured to extend through the seat  750  of the insulator  340  and include ribs  820  at their terminal ends that snap onto the seat  750 . The base  810  includes a central opening  830  adapted to slidably receive the second stationary contact  370 . Wings  840  of the base  810  contact the first stationary contact  360  when the connector  100  is in the unmated position. 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , the mounting part  130  of the connector&#39;s body  110  supports the first and second stationary contacts  360  and  370  via fixed insulators  380  and  390  such that the first and second stationary contacts  360  and  370  are substantially perpendicular to one another. 
     As seen in  FIG. 9 , the first stationary contact  360  may include first and second portions  900  and  910 . The first portion  900  is exposed and extends outside of the connector&#39;s body for contact with the printed circuit board. The second portion  910  extends through the fixed insulator  380  and may include a radial rib  912  for engaging the fixed insulator  380 . The first portion  900  of the first stationary contact  360  has a larger diameter than the second portion  910 , thereby defining a shoulder  920  and a recessed area  922 . The recessed area  922  of the stationary contact  360  accepts the insulator  380  with the insulator  380  abutting the contact&#39;s shoulder  920 , as seen in  FIG. 3 . A terminal end  930  of the second portion  910  of the stationary contact  360  extends into the connector&#39;s internal bore  300  through the access slot  770  and into the switching area  760  of the actuating subassembly&#39;s insulator  340 , as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . When the connector  100  is unmated, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the stationary contact&#39;s second portion  910  extends through the slot  770  near its first end  772 . When the connector  100  is mated with mating connector  400 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , the stationary contact&#39;s second portion  910  extends through the slot&#39;s second end  774 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 10 , the second stationary contact  370  may include an exposed end portion  1010  that steps down to a middle portion  1020  that may include an outwardly extending tine  1022  for engaging the fixed insulator  390 . The second stationary contact  370  also includes a receiving end  1030  opposite the exposed end  1010  configured to receive the pin end  610  of the actuating contact  330 . The exposed end portion  1010  has a larger diameter than the receiving end  1030  to define a shoulder  1040  and a recess  1042 . The second stationary contact  370  extends through the fixed insulator  390  until the insulator  390  abuts the contact&#39;s shoulder  1040  allowing the insulator  390  to rest in the recess  1042 . The receiving end  1030  of the second stationary contact  370  extends into the connector&#39;s internal bore  300 , through the plunger contact  350  and into the switching area  760  of the actuating subassembly&#39;s insulator  340 . 
     In use, the wings  210  of the connector&#39;s body  110  are configured to rest on the surface of the printed circuit board allowing the exposed ends  900  and  1010  of the first and second stationary contacts  360  and  370  to contact the printed circuit board, such as by soldering. When mounted on the board, the remaining potion  220  of the connector&#39;s body  110  sits in an opening or slot (not shown) of the printed circuit board. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate the unmated and mated positions of the connector  100 , respectively, and particularly show the movement of the actuating subassembly  310  to switch from the first electrical path defined through the first stationary contact  360  to the second electrical path defined through the second stationary contact  370 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , when the connector  100  is in the unmated position, the actuating subassembly  310  is positioned away from the second stationary contact  370  such that its insulator  340  abuts the fixed insulator  312  and the plunger contact  350  abuts the terminal end  930  of the first stationary contact  360  defining the first electrical path. The seat  750  abuts the plunger contact  350  and because the seat  750  is part of the insulator  340 , the subassembly is held in place with the pin end  610  of the actuating contact  330  not making contact with the receiving end  1030  of the second stationary contact  370 . In this first position, the terminal end  930  of the first stationary contact  360  extends through the access slot  770  near its first end  772  and into the switching area  760 . Also in this position, the pin end  610  of the actuating contact  330  of the actuating subassembly  310  is spaced from and thus not in contact with the second stationary contact  370 . 
     When the mating connector  400  is plugged into the connector  100 , as seen in  FIG. 4 , the actuating contact  330  of the actuating subassembly  310  moves axially into contact with the second stationary contact  370  thereby creating the second electrical path. In particular, the pin  420  of the mating connector  400  abuts the abutment surface  604  of the contact end  602  of the actuating contact  330  and forces the actuating subassembly  310  to axially move against the bias of the spring  336 . As the actuating subassembly  310  moves axially, the plunger contact  350  separates from the terminal end  930  of the first stationary contact  360  in the switching area  760  to break electrical contact. The terminal end  930  now extends through the slot  770  near its second end  774 . The pin end  610  of the actuating contact  330  then slides into the receiving end  1030  of the second stationary contact  370  establishing an electrical connection and switching the electrical path from the first stationary contact  360  to the second stationary contact  370 . Upon removal of the mating connector  400  from the connector  100 , the spring forces the actuating subassembly  310  back to its original unmated position. 
     While a particular embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.