Patent Publication Number: US-2023143493-A1

Title: Coaxial connector with a movable terminal assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a coaxial connector which has a movable terminal assembly and an elastic member keeping the terminal assembly in a suitable position in a radial direction thereof. 
     Description of Related Arts 
     In current coaxial connector, a terminal is steadily mounted on a printed circuit or other elements for insertion by a plug pin of a complementary connector, which needs the terminal to have elastic contacting portions not only for elastic contact but also for accurate guidance of the plug pin. Therefore, the coaxial connector has to be accurately assembled. 
     Therefore, there is a need for improving the coaxial connector. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A coaxial connector comprises: a case having an inserting opening; a terminal assembly received in the case and defining a mating opening facing the inserting opening of the case; and an elastic member disposed between the case and the terminal assembly; wherein the elastic member provides elastic forces in a radial direction of the terminal assembly to keep the terminal assembly in a first position in a free state of the terminal assembly, and the elastic member shifts the terminal assembly to a second position different from the first position in the radial direction in a mated state of the terminal assembly when the coaxial connector is mated with a complementary connector. 
     A coaxial connector comprises: a case comprising a top wall defining an inserting opening, a sidewall and a bottom commonly defining a receiving cavity, the bottom wall being made from conductive material and adapted for being non-moveably and electrically mounted on a printed circuit board; a terminal assembly moveably received in the receiving cavity and electrically connected with the bottom wall of the case; and an elastic member disposed in the receiving cavity; wherein the elastic member elastically presses against the terminal assembly to urge the terminal assembly to shift in a radial direction of the coaxial connector. 
     A coaxial connector comprises: a case comprising a top wall defining an inserting opening, a sidewall and a bottom wall commonly defining a receiving cavity, the bottom wall being made from conductive material and adapted for being non-moveably and electrically mounted on a printed circuit board; a terminal assembly received in the receiving cavity and electrically connected with the bottom wall of the case; and an elastic member disposed in the receiving cavity; wherein the elastic member elastically presses against the terminal assembly and pushes the terminal assembly to shift to a position as determined by an inserted complementary connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a coaxial connector of a first embodiment of this present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is an another perspective view of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded perspective view of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is an another exploded perspective view of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of part of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-section view of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  1    taken along broken lines  6 - 6 ; 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-section view of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  1    taken along broken lines  7 - 7 , wherein the terminal assemble is in a first position; 
         FIG.  8    is similar to  FIG.  7   , showing the terminal assembly is in a second position; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a coaxial connector of a second embodiment of this present invention; 
         FIG.  10    is another perspective view of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    is an exploded perspective view of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  12    is another exploded perspective view of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  13    is an exploded perspective view of part of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  14    is an another exploded perspective view of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  13   ; 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of part of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  16    is a cross-section view of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  9    taken along broken lines  16 - 16 , wherein the terminal assembly is in a first position; 
         FIG.  17    is similar to  FIG.  16   , wherein the terminal assembly is in a second position; 
         FIG.  18    is a partly exploded perspective view of a coaxial connector of a third embodiment of this present invention; 
         FIG.  19    is a further exploded perspective view of the coaxial connector of  FIG.  18   ; 
         FIG.  20    is a cross-section view of the coaxial connector showing the terminal assembly is in a first position; and 
         FIG.  21    is a cross-section view of the coaxial connector showing the terminal assembly is in a second position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawing figures to describe the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  to  8   , a coaxial connector  100  of a first embodiment of this present invention includes a metallic case  1 , and a terminal assembly  2  and an elastic member  3  commonly received within the case  1 . As best shown in  FIGS.  7 - 8   , the elastic member  3  provides radial elastic forces to keep the terminal assembly  2  in a first position in a free state with no complementary connector inserting into the coaxial connector  100 . The elastic member  3  is deformed and pushes the terminal assembly  2  to shift to a second position b along a radial direction in a mated state when the coaxial connector is inserted with the complementary connector, like a plug pin (not shown). The terminal assembly  2  has a radial offset when the coaxial connector is mated with the plug pin. 
     The case  1  includes a top wall  11 , a sidewall  12  like a tube in this embodiment and a bottom wall  13  commonly defining a receiving cavity  14  thereamong for receiving the terminal assembly  2  and the elastic member  3 . The top wall  11  defines an inserting opening  110  and the terminal assembly  2  defines a mating opening  201  facing the inserting opening  110 , the plug pin go across the inserting opening  110  and the mating opening  201 . The bottom wall  13  defines a detecting opening  130  in a center thereof, for detecting the coaxial connector  100  in a normal stature or not. 
     The elastic member  3  prefers to be made from metal material, such as copper alloy and in a tube shape. The elastic member  3  includes a tube base  31  and a plurality of elastic arms  301  arranged along an inside of the tube base  31 , the plurality of elastic arm  302  offer elastic forces against the terminal assembly  2  and keep the terminal assembly  2  in the first position a. When the terminal assembly  2  is urged by external force and shift, the plurality of elastic arms  301  are deformed and urged the terminal assembly  2  move radially to the second position b, the position can be any positions which are radially offset from the first position a. In this embodiment, in the free state of the coaxial connector  100 , the elastic arms  301  are arranged in a ring shape and press inward against a periphery of the terminal assembly  2  in a radial direction, that is, the elastic offer elastic force against the terminal assembly  2  to keep the terminal assembly  2  in the first position a. Alternatively, the elastic arms  301  press against an inside of the terminal assembly  2 . 
     The terminal assembly  2  includes a tube terminal in a tube shape, which includes a tube base  22 , a plurality of contacting portions  23  bending inwards from a top edge of the tube base  22 , and a bottom ring  21  folded outwards from a bottom edge of the tube base  22 . The contacting portions  23  are distinct from each other and slant downward and centrally, thereby defining the mating opening  201 . The elastic arms  301  press against the outer periphery of the tube base  22  along the radial direction thereof. Preferably, the tube base  22  defines several slit  221  from the top edge of the tube base  22 , but the slits  221  do not go through the bottom ring  21 , thereby separating the tube base  22  into three portions and increasing a flexibility of the tube base  22 . Three contacting portions  23  extend from the three portions of sidewalls  22  respectively, thereby increasing the elastic force of the contacting portions  23 . 
     In this embodiment, the bottom wall  13  of the case  1  is made from metallic plate and adapted for being soldered with a printed board (not shown). The bottom wall  13  is preferably made from copper alloy. The bottom ring  21  is electrically connecting with the bottom wall  13 . The top wall  11  and the sidewall  12  are integral and also made from metallic material. The bottom wall  13  is fitly assembled underneath and with the sidewall  12 . The sidewall  12  defines a bottom ring  121  with a plurality of coves  121 , the bottom wall  13  defines a plurality of retaining tabs  131  bending upwards. The retaining tabs  131  are inserting into and fitly retained with the coves  121 . The retaining tab  131  includes a first portion  1311  going through the cove  121  and a second portion  1312  extending transversely and locking with an upper face  1212  of the bottom ring  121 . Please notes, the top wall  11  and the sidewall  12  alternate other material, like plastic material. 
     The elastic member  3  includes a tube base  31  in a tube shape and the elastic arms  302  bending from the tube base  31 , the tube base  13  ring around the terminal assembly  2 . The plurality of elastic arms  301  includes first elastic arms  3011  extending upwards front a bottom edge of the tube base  31  and second elastic arms  3012  extending downwards from an upper edge of the tube base  31 . The first elastic arms and the second elastic arms extend in opposite directions, thereby offering opposite forces to steadily keep the terminal assembly  2 . Preferably, the first and second elastic arms  3011 ,  3012  alternate one by one. The tube base  31  further defines several slits therein, at least two first slits  311  open downwards and construe a first portion  313  from which the first elastic arm  3011  bends, at least two second slits  312  open upwards and construe a second portion  314  from which the second elastic arm  3012  bend. The first portion  313  and the first elastic arms  3011  shapes in V shape to increase elastic performance and deform performance of the elastic arms. Similarly, the second portion  314  and the second elastic arms  3012  shapes in inverted V shape to increase elastic performance and deform performance of the elastic arms. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9  to  17    illustrating a coaxial connector  100 ′ of a second embodiment of this present invention, the terminal assembly  2 ′ of the coaxial connector  100 ′ further includes an insulating tube  4 ′ retaining and covering the terminal assembly  2 ′. The elastic member  3 ′ is set around the insulating tube  4 ′ and press against the insulating tube  4 ′ in the radial direction to keep the terminal assembly  2 ′. The elastic member  3 ′ is same to that of the first embodiment. In the free state, the elastic arms  301 ′ press against the outer periphery of the tube  4 ′ to keep the terminal assembly  2 ′ in a first position a′. When the terminal assembly  2 ′ is urged to move, the elastic arms  301 ′ are deformed and push the terminal assembly  2 ′ shift to a second position b′ in the radial direction. The elastic member  4 ′ drive the terminal assembly  2 ′ to be radial offset. 
     The insulating tube  4 ′ defines a receiving cavity  41 ′ running through an upper end and a lower end thereof. The terminal assembly  2 ′ includes several terminal units  20 ′ distinct from each other, and each includes a retaining portion  202 ′ retained in the tube base  40 ′ of the plastic tube  4 ′, elastic contacting portion  203 ′ protruding in the receiving cavity  41 ′ and elastic connecting portion  204 ′ extending downward out of the lower end of the plastic tube  4 ′. The plurality of contacting portions  203 ′ construes a mating opening  201 ′. The contacting portions  203 ′ extend upwards from the upper edge of the retaining portions  202 ′, the connecting portions  204 ′ extend downwards from the lower edge of the retaining portions and extend in a horizontal direction. Preferably, the top wall  11 ′ and the sidewall  13 ′ are made from plastic material and integrated. The bottom wall  13 ′ is made from a metal plate, like copper alloy, for being soldered with a printed circuit. The sidewall  12 ′ defines a plurality of bosses  121 ′ at a lower portion of the periphery thereof, to lock with holes  1311 ′ defined on retaining tabs  131  bending from the bottom walls  13 ′. The insulating tube  4 ′ with the terminal assembly  2 ′, and the elastic member  4 ′ are received in the receiving cavity  14 ′ defined by the top wall  11 ′ and sidewall  12 ′ and the bottom walls  13 ′. The connecting portions  204 ′ are electrically connecting with the bottom wall  13 ′. Alternatively, the connecting portions can touch the printed circuit board to establish an electric path. 
     In this second embodiment, the upper face  42 ′ of the insulating tube  4 ′ is located below the top wall  11 ′, a raised portion  43 ′ protrude from the upper face  42 ′ of the insulating tube  4 ′, which has a small diameter than that of the opening  110 ′. The receiving cavity  41 ′ goes through the raised portion  43 ′. That means the raised portion  43 ′ is in a ring shape and defines an inside  431 ′ in an up wide and down narrow form. The sidewall  40 ′ of the insulating tube  4 ′ defines retaining slots  401 ′ and the retaining portions  202 ′ are received and retained in the retaining slot  401 ′. The connecting portion  204 ′ includes a horizontal portion  2041 ′ extending outwards and horizontally from the lower edge of the retaining portion and an arc portion  2042 ′ extending from one side edge of the horizontal portion for pressing against the bottom wall  13 ′. The arc portion of each terminal unit  20 ′ directs clockwise or counterclockwise, all the arc portions substantially construe a ring shape, that is, the heads and the ends of adjacent arc portions  2042 ′ are near to each other. The sidewall  40 ′ of the insulating tube  4 ′ defines limiting bumps  402 ′ at the lower end thereof, the horizontal portions are retained between every two limiting bumps  402 ′, and the arc portions  2042 ′ are located down outsides of the limiting bumps  402 ′, thereby increase the steady of the connecting portion during the connecting portions shift relative to the bottom wall  13 ′. 
       FIGS.  18  to  21    illustrate a coaxial connector of a third embodiment of this present invention, which is similar to the second embodiment. The insulating tube  4 ″ has no raised portions at the upper face  42 ′ thereof, and the inside  421 ′. The elastic member  3 ″ is a type of tower shape coil spring. The diameters of the coil spring gradually become smaller from lower to upper end. The coil spring has a smallest coil  31 ′ and a largest coil  32 , the smallest coil  31 ″ is set on the insulating tubes  4 ″, and lower coils are larger than the insulating tube  4 ″ so as to separate from the tube. The largest coil  32 ′ is seated on the bottom wall  13 ′ and limited by an inside of the sidewall of the case  1 ″. In a free state, the terminal assembly  2  is kept in the first position a″ by the coil spring. The coil spring push the terminal assembly  2  shift to the second position b″ during the terminal assembly and/or the insulating tube  4 ″ is urged to move. Please notes, the contacting portions can select to be non-elastic. 
     Understandingly, the bottom wall of the case is non-movably mounted on the circuit board and the terminal assembly is kept mechanically and electrically connected with the metallic bottom wall of the case, while the terminal assembly can shift slightly, especially in the radial direction and the elastic member push the terminal assembly return to a suitable position. Therefore, when the complementary connector is inserted with the terminal assembly, the terminal assembly can adjust by itself, decreasing an accurate position requirement of the terminal assembly compared to the circuit board. 
     However, the disclosure is illustrative only, changes may be made in detail, especially in matter of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention.