Abstract:
A radio-frequency connector consisting of a socket member and a plug member electrically connectable to the socket member is disclosed. The socket member or plug member has an impedance element mounted therein such that the impedance element is electrically connected to the metal casing and metal center pin of the socket member or plug member that carries the impedance element when the plug member is disconnected from the socket member, causing the impedance element to provide a terminal effect to insolate external electromagnetic noises; the impedance element is separated from the metal casing and metal center pin of the socket member or plug member that carries impedance element when the plug member is connected to the socket member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to RF connectors and more particularly, to a socket or plug type of RF connector that has an impedance element mounted therein to eliminate electromagnetic disturbance. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In communication technology, electromagnetic disturbance can jam sensitive equipment, burn out electric circuits, prompt explosions, interrupts, obstructs, or otherwise degrades or limits the effective performance of electronics or electrical equipment. Electromagnetic disturbance can be any object, artificial or natural, that carries rapidly changing electrical currents, or induced unintentionally, as a result of spurious emissions and responses, intermodulation products, and the like. Radiation leak from a transmission medium is mainly resulted from the use of high-frequency energy and signal modulation. Using a proper shield can reduce electromagnetic disturbance. 
         [0005]    In a communication equipment, a RF connector must be used to connect a signal-carrying coaxial cable to a circuit board in the equipment, or to another coaxial cable. A RF connector consists of a socket member and a plug member. After removal of the socket member from the plug member, the socket member may be interfered by external electromagnetic noises. This electromagnetic interference must be eliminated. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a RF connector, which effectively eliminates electromagnetic interference. 
         [0007]    To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a RF connector comprises a socket member and a plug member electrically connectable to the socket member. The socket member or plug member has an impedance element mounted therein such that the impedance element is electrically connected to the metal casing and metal center pin of the socket member or plug member that carries the impedance element when the plug member is disconnected from the socket member, causing the impedance element to provide a terminal effect to insolate external electromagnetic noises; the impedance element is separated from the metal casing and metal center pin of the socket member or plug member that carries impedance element when the plug member is connected to the socket member. 
         [0008]    Further, the impedance element can have a rod-shaped or strip-shaped configuration. 
         [0009]    Further, the socket member can be an F-type connector, end board F-type connector, F-type coaxial cable connector, MCX-type connector, N-type connector, SMA-type connector, end board SMA-type connector, PAL-type connector, or end board PAL-type connector. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an F-type socket member for RF connector in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an elevational assembly view of the F-type socket member shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the F-type socket member shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  corresponds to  FIG. 3 , showing an F-type plug member connected thereto. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of an alternate form of the F-type socket member in accordance with the present invention, showing the front insulation member formed integral with the internal insulation member. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  corresponds to  FIG. 5 , showing an F-type plug member connected thereto. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of another alternate form of the F-type socket member for installation in a board member in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  corresponds to  FIG. 7 , showing an F-type plug member connected thereto. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of still another alternate form of the F-type socket member for installation in a coaxial cable in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  corresponds to  FIG. 9 , showing an F-type plug member connected thereto. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of a MCX-type socket member for RF connector in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  corresponds to  FIG. 11 , showing a MCX-type plug member connected thereto. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of an N-type socket member for RF connector in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  corresponds to  FIG. 13 , showing an N-type plug member connected thereto. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view of a SMA-type socket member for RF connector in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  corresponds to  FIG. 15 , showing a SMA-type plug member connected thereto. 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a sectional view of a PAL-type socket member for RF connector in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  corresponds to  FIG. 17 , showing a PAL-type plug member connected thereto. 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  is a sectional view of a plug member for RF connector in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 20  corresponds to  FIG. 19 , showing a matching socket member connected thereto. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an F-type socket member  1  for RF connector in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising a metal casing  11 , an internal insulation member  12 , a metal center pin  13 , a front insulation member  14 , an impedance element  15 , a metal contact sleeve  16  and an elastic member  17 . 
         [0031]    The metal casing  11  is a hollow cylindrical member, having a front opening  111  and a rear opening  112 . The front opening  111  is adapted for receiving a plug member  2  (see  FIG. 4 ). The metal casing  11  has outer threads  113  extending around the periphery thereof and a nut  114  located on the middle part around the periphery. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the internal insulation member  12  is mounted inside the metal casing  11 . The metal center pin  13  is axially mounted in the metal casing  11  at the center and inserted through the internal insulation member  12 . The front end of the center pin  13  is electrically connected to the metal center pin  21  of the inserted plug member  2 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0033]    The front insulation member  14  is movably mounted in the front opening  111  of the metal casing  11  and sleeved onto the metal center pin  13 . Insertion of the plug member  2  into the F-type socket member  1  causes the front insulation member  14  to be moved axially. 
         [0034]    The impedance element  15  is mounted in the metal casing  11 , having a first end  151  and an opposing second end  152 . The metal contact sleeve  16  is electrically conductively sleeved onto the metal center pin  13  and movable with the front insulation member  14 . Further, the elastic member  17  can be a spring member adapted for returning the front insulation member  14  after the front insulation member  14  having been moved. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , before insertion of the plug member  2  into the F-type socket member  1  (see  FIG. 3 ), the first end  151  and second end  152  of the impedance element  15  are respectively electrically kept in contact with the metal casing  11  and the metal contact sleeve  16 . Thus, the impedance element  15  provides a terminal effect to isolate external electromagnetic noises. Upon insertion of the plug member  2  into the F-type socket member  1  (see  FIG. 4 ), the front insulation member  14  and the metal contact sleeve  16  are forced to displace, thereby disconnecting the first end  151  or second end  152  of the impedance element  15  from the metal casing  11  or the metal contact sleeve  16 , and therefore the terminal effect of the impedance element  15  is disappeared. 
         [0036]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the internal insulation member  12  is mounted in the front opening  111  of the metal casing  11 . Further, a rear insulation member  18  is mounted in the rear opening  112  of the metal casing  11 . Thus, the metal center pin  13  is supported between the front insulation member  12  and the rear insulation member  18 . Further, the impedance element  15  is rod-shaped. 
         [0037]    The metal center pin  13  has a collar  131  extending around the periphery and stopped against one end of the elastic member  17 . The elastic member  17  has its other end stopped against an expanded end face  161  at one end of the metal contact sleeve  16 . Further, the two distal ends of the metal center pin  13  are respectively mounted with a respective clamping member  132  for securing the metal center pin  21  of the inserted plug member  2  positively. 
         [0038]    The front opening  111  of the metal casing  11  is blocked by a copper ring  19 . Further, the front insulation member  14  has a front extension portion  141  inserted through the copper ring  19  to the outside. The impedance element  15  is eccentrically embedded in the internal insulation member  12  with the first end  151  and second end  152  thereof respectively electrically kept in contact with the copper ring  19  and the expanded end face  161  of the metal contact sleeve  16 . 
         [0039]    According to this embodiment, the front insulation member  14  is inserted through the center of the internal insulation member  12 . Upon insertion of the plug member  2 , the front insulation member  14  is forced to move the expanded end face  161  of the metal contact sleeve  16  against the elastic member  17 , separating the second end  152  of the impedance element  15  from the expanded end face  161  of the metal contact sleeve  16 . 
         [0040]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the impedance element  15  is a flat member; the front insulation member  14  and the internal insulation member  12  are integrally made in a single piece. Upon insertion of the plug member  2  (see  FIG. 6 ), the front insulation member  14  is forced to move the expanded end face  161  of the metal contact sleeve  16  and the internal insulation member  12  against the elastic member  17 , separating the first end  151  of the impedance element  15  from the copper ring  19 . 
         [0041]    The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is substantially similar to that shown in  FIG. 6  with the exception that the rear end of the metal casing  11  is connected to a board member connection device  101 ; the metal center pin  13  has its rear end curved for installation in a circuit board  102 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , when a matching plug member  2  is inserted, the front insulation member  14  is forced to move the first end  151  of the impedance element  15  from the copper ring  19 . 
         [0042]    The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  is substantially similar to that shown in  FIG. 6  with the exception that the rear end of the metal casing  11  is terminating in a coaxial cable guide portion  103  for receiving a coaxial cable; the metal center pin  13  has its rear end terminating in a retaining portion  133  for securing a coaxial cable (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 10 , when a matching plug member  2  is inserted, the front insulation member  14  is forced to move the first end  151  of the impedance element  15  from the copper ring  19 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate a MCX-type socket member  3  for RF connector in accordance with the present invention. According to this embodiment, a metal T-type element  315  is perpendicularly inserted into the inside of the metal casing  31  of the MCX-type socket member  3 . The impedance element  35  is horizontally embedded in the front insulation member  34 , having the first end  351  thereof electrically connected to the metal T-type element  315 , and therefore the impedance element  35  is electrically connected to the metal casing  31 . The second end  352  of the impedance element  35  extends out of the front insulation member  34  and kept in contact with the expanded end face  361  of the metal contact sleeve  36 . 
         [0044]    The internal insulation member  32  is mounted in the rear opening  312  of the metal casing  31 . The elastic member  37  is sleeved onto the metal center pin  33  and set between the internal insulation member  32  and the expanded end face  361  of the metal contact sleeve  36 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , when inserting a plug member  2  into the MCX-type socket member  3 , the front insulation member  34  is moved on the metal center pin  33  to push the expanded end face  361  of the metal contact sleeve  36  against the elastic member  37 , causing separation of the first end  351  of the impedance element  35  from the metal T-type element  315 , and therefore the impedance element  35  is disconnected from the metal casing  31 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate an N-type socket member  4  for RF connector in accordance with the present invention. According to this embodiment, the metal casing  41  has threads  413  extending around the periphery, a grooved nut  414  located on the middle part around the periphery, and a locating groove  415  extending around the periphery at a suitable location. 
         [0047]    The impedance element  45  is perpendicularly embedded in the metal casing  41 , having the first end  451  thereof electrically connected to the metal casing  41 . The front insulation member  44  has a cut  441  extended from the periphery toward the center for accommodating the second end  452  of the impedance element  45 , and a through hole  442  extended from the cut  441  at right angles. The metal contact sleeve  46  has the expanded end face  461  thereof kept in contact with the inner side of the front insulation member  44 , and a protruding strip  462  extended from the expanded end face  461  and engaged into the through hole  442  and kept in contact with the second end  452  of the impedance element  45 . 
         [0048]    The internal insulation member  42  is mounted in the rear opening  412  of the metal casing  41 . The elastic member  47  is set between the internal insulation member  42  and the expanded end face  461  of the metal contact sleeve  46 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , when inserting a plug member  2  into the N-type socket member  4 , the front insulation member  44  is forced to push the expanded end face  461  of the metal contact sleeve  46  against the elastic member  47 , causing separation of the second end  452  of the impedance element  45  from the protruding strip  462  of the metal contact sleeve  46 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate a SMA-type socket member  5  for RF connector in accordance with the present invention. According to this embodiment, a board member connection device  501  is connected to the rear side of the metal casing  51  and stopped at the rear side of the nut  514  that is located on the periphery of the metal casing  51 . The metal casing  51  has an inside annular flange  515  extending around the inside wall of the front opening  511  for stopping the front insulation member  54 . The metal center pin  53  is angled. The internal insulation member  52  is mounted in the rear open side of the board member connection device  501 . 
         [0051]    The front insulation member  54  has a front extension  541  inserted through the inside annular flange  515  of the metal casing  51 . The impedance element  55  is horizontally mounted in the front insulation member  54  at an eccentric location, having the first end  551  thereof electrically connected to the inside annular flange  515  of the metal casing  51 . The metal contact sleeve  56  has its expanded end face  561  stopped against the inner side of the front insulation member  54 . The expanded end face  561  of the metal contact sleeve  56  is kept in contact with the second end  552  of the impedance element  55 . The elastic member  57  is sleeved onto the horizontal segment of the angled metal center pin  53  and stopped against the expanded end face  561  of the metal contact sleeve  56 . 
         [0052]    The front end  531  of the metal center pin  53  is shaped like an axially split clamp. When a plug member  2  is inserted into the SMA-type socket member  5 , the pointed front end of the metal center pin  21  of the plug member  2  is engaged into the axially split clamp-shaped front end  531  of the metal center pin  53 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , and at this time the front insulation member  54  is moved to push the expanded end face  561  of the metal contact sleeve  56  against the elastic member  57 , thereby disengaging the first end  551  of the impedance element  55  from the inside annular flange  515  of the metal casing  51 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate a PAL-type socket member  6  for RF connector in accordance with the present invention. According to this embodiment, a board member connection device  601  is connected to the rear side of the metal casing  61 . The board member connection device  601  has a rear insulation member  68  mounted therein. Further, a copper ring  69  is mounted in the front opening  611  near the rear side for stopping the internal insulation member  62 . The metal center pin  63  is angled. The front end of the horizontal segment of the metal center pin  63  is shaped like an axially split clamp. The rear end of the metal center pin  63  is set between the rear insulation member  68  and the internal insulation member  62 . Thus, the PAL-type socket member  6  can be installed in a circuit board  602  conveniently. 
         [0054]    The front insulation member  64  is a T-shaped member having a front extension portion  641  suspending in front of the copper ring  69  at a distance. The impedance element  65  is horizontally inserted through the internal insulation member  62  at an eccentric location, having the first end  651  thereof electrically connected to the copper ring  69 . The metal contact sleeve  66  has the expanded end face  661  thereof kept in contact with the inner side of the front insulation member  64 . The expanded end face  661  is also kept in contact with the second end  652  of the impedance element  65 . The elastic member  67  is set between the rear insulation member  68  and the expanded end face  661  of the metal contact sleeve  66 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , when inserting a plug member  2  into the PAL-type socket member  6 , the front insulation member  64  is forced to push the expanded end face  661  of the metal contact sleeve  66  against the elastic member  67 , causing separation of the second end  652  of the impedance element  65  from the expanded end face  661  of the metal contact sleeve  66 . 
         [0056]    Further, the invention can also be applied to a plug member for RF connector. As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the plug member  8  comprises a metal casing  81 , an internal insulation member  82 , a metal center pin  83 , a front insulation member  84 , an impedance element  85 , a metal contact sleeve  86  and an elastic member  87 . 
         [0057]    The metal casing  81  is a hollow cylindrical member, having a front opening  811  and a rear opening  812 . The front end of the metal casing  81  is inserted into a socket member  9 . The internal insulation member  82  is mounted in the metal casing  81 . The metal center pin  83  is axially mounted in the metal casing  81  at the center and inserted through the internal insulation member  82 , having the pointed front end  831  thereof inserted into the metal center pin  91  of the socket member  9  and electrically connected thereto, as shown in  FIG. 20 . 
         [0058]    The front insulation member  84  is axially movably mounted in the front opening  811  of the metal casing  81  and sleeved onto the metal center pin  83 . When inserting the plug member  8  into the socket member  9 , the front insulation member  84  is moved axially. The impedance element  85  is mounted in the metal casing  81 , having a first end  851  and an opposing second end  852 . The metal contact sleeve  86  is electrically conductively sleeved onto the metal center pin  83  and movable with the front insulation member  84 . The elastic member  87  is adapted for returning the front insulation member  84  after the front insulation member  84  having been moved. 
         [0059]    Before insertion of the plug member  8  into the socket member  9 , the first end  851  and second end  852  of the impedance element  85  are respectively electrically kept in contact with the metal casing  81  and the metal contact sleeve  86 . Thus, the impedance element  85  provides a terminal effect to isolate external electromagnetic noises. 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , when inserting the plug member  8  into the socket member  9 , the front insulation member  84  and the metal contact sleeve  86  are forced to displace, thereby disconnecting the first end  851  or second end  852  of the impedance element  85  from the metal casing  81  or the metal contact sleeve  86 , and therefore the terminal effect of the impedance element  85  is disappeared.  FIG. 20  shows the first end  851  of the impedance element  85  disconnected from the metal casing  81 . 
         [0061]    Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.