Patent Publication Number: US-2022216624-A1

Title: Ganged coaxial connector assembly

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/133,888, filed Jan. 5, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in full. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electrical cable connectors and, more particularly, to ganged connector assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Coaxial cables are commonly utilized in RF communications systems. Coaxial cable connectors may be applied to terminate coaxial cables, for example, in communication systems requiting a high level of precision and reliability. 
     Connector interfaces provide a connect/disconnect functionality between a cable terminated with a connector bearing the desired connector interface and a corresponding connector with a mating connector interface mounted on an apparatus or a further cable. Some coaxial connector interfaces utilize a retainer (often provided as a threaded coupling nut) that draws the connector interface pair into secure electro-mechanical engagement as the coupling nut, rotatably retained upon one connector, is threaded upon the other connector. 
     Alternatively, connection interfaces may be also provided with a blind mate characteristic to enable push-on interconnection, wherein physical access to the connector bodies is restricted and/or the interconnected portions are linked in a manner where precise alignment is difficult or not cost-effective (such as the connection between an antenna and a transceiver that are coupled together via a rail system or the like). To accommodate misalignment, a blind mate connector may be provided with lateral and/or longitudinal spring action, or “float,” to accommodate a limited degree of insertion misalignment. Blind mated connectors may be particularly suitable for use in “ganged” connector arrangements, in which multiple connectors (for example, four connectors) are attached to each other and are mated to mating connectors simultaneously. 
     Examples of ganged coaxial connectors is discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019/0312394 to Paynter, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in full. This publication identifies solutions for two different issues that can arise with ganged blind mate connectors: “float” and secure interconnection. Ganged connectors are shown therein with a common shell. Each individual “male” connector is sized to be able to “float” axially, angularly and radially relative to the shell. Also, each individual “male” connector engages a respective helical spring that also engages the shell. Although each connector can move relative to the shell to adjust during mating, compression in the spring can provide sufficient force that, once the male connector is mated, the male connector is maintained in position relative to the shell. The ganged male connectors are secured to the mating “female” connectors via a pivoting latch that captures a pin on gang of male connectors. 
     It may be desirable to develop additional concepts and solutions for ganged coaxial connectors. 
     SUMMARY 
     As a first aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a mated connector assembly. The mated connector assembly comprises: a first connector assembly, comprising a plurality of first coaxial connectors mounted on a substrate, each of the first coaxial connectors connected with a respective first coaxial cable, and further comprising a latch pivotally mounted to the substrate, the latch having an arm with a free end; and a second connector assembly, comprising a plurality of second coaxial connectors and a shell, each of the second coaxial connectors connected with a respective second coaxial cable, the shell defining a plurality of electrically isolated second cavities, each of the second coaxial connectors being located in a respective second cavity and mounted therein to float radially and axially relative to each of the other second coaxial connectors. A slot is present in the shell, the slot providing access to one of the second cavities from outside the shell. In a mated condition each of the first coaxial connectors is mated with a respective second coaxial connector. The latch is pivotable between an unlatched position, in which the free end of the arm is absent from the slot, and a latched position, in which the free end of the arm of the latch extends through the slot and engages a second coaxial connector. The first and second connector assemblies are secured in the mated condition by the latch when the latch is in the latched position. 
     As a second aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a mated connector assembly comprising: a first connector assembly, comprising a plurality of first coaxial connectors mounted on a substrate, each of the first coaxial connectors connected with a respective first coaxial cable, and further comprising a latch pivotally mounted to the substrate the latch having first and second arms, each with a free end; and a second connector assembly, comprising a plurality of second coaxial connectors and a shell, each of the second coaxial connectors connected with a respective second coaxial cable, the shell defining a plurality of electrically isolated second cavities, each of the second coaxial connectors being located in a respective second cavity and mounted therein to float radially and axially relative to each of the other second coaxial connectors. First and second slots are present in the shell, each of the first and second slots providing access to a respective one of the second cavities from outside the shell. In a mated condition each of the first coaxial connectors is mated with a respective second coaxial connector. The latch is pivotable between an unlatched position, in which the free ends of the first and second aims are absent from the first and second slots, and a latched position, in which the free end of the first arm of the latch extends through the first slot and engages a first of the second coaxial connectors, and the free end of the second arm of the latch extends through the second slot and engages a second of the second coaxial connectors. The first and second connector assemblies are secured in the mated condition by the latch when the latch is in the latched position. 
     As a third aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a mated connector assembly comprising: a first connector assembly, comprising a plurality of first coaxial connectors mounted on a substrate, each of the first coaxial connectors connected with a respective first coaxial cable, and further comprising first and second latches pivotally mounted to the substrate, each of the first and second latches having first and second arms, each with a free end; and a second connector assembly, comprising a plurality of second coaxial connectors and a shell, each of the second coaxial connectors connected with a respective second coaxial cable, the shell defining a plurality of electrically isolated second cavities, each of the second coaxial connectors being located in a respective second cavity and mounted therein to float radially and axially relative to each of the other second coaxial connectors. First, second, third and fourth slots are present in the shell, each of the first, second, third and fourth slots providing access to a respective one of the second cavities from outside the shell. In a mated condition each of the first coaxial connectors is mated with a respective second coaxial connector. The first latch is pivotable between an unlatched position, in which the free ends of the first and second anus are absent from the first and second slots, and a latched position, in which the free end of the first arm of the latch extends through the first slot and engages a first of the second coaxial connectors, and the free end of the second arm of the latch extends through the second slot and engages a second of the second coaxial connectors. The second latch is pivotable between an unlatched position, in which the free ends of the first and second arms are absent from the third and fourth slots, and a latched position, in which the free end of the first arm of the second latch extends through the third slot and engages a third of the second coaxial connectors, and the free end of the second aim of the second latch extends through the fourth slot and. engages a fourth of the second coaxial connectors. The first and second connector assemblies are secured in the mated condition by the first and second latches when the first and second latches are in the latched position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior assembly of mated ganged connectors. 
         FIG. 2  is an end perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  mated with a mating assembly and the latch engaged to secure the assemblies together. 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the springs employed to provide the individual connectors the ability to “float” relative to the housing. 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of an alternative version of the assembly of  FIG. 1  showing springs that provide the ability of the connectors to float. 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of ganged connector assembly according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the assembly of  FIG. 6 , with the housing removed and the latches engaged with the connectors. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the latch of the assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a greatly enlarged partial side view of one of the latches of  FIG. 6  prior to engagement with a connector. 
         FIG. 10  is a partial side perspective view of the latches of the assembly of  FIG. 6  in an engaged condition. 
         FIG. 11  is a greatly enlarged partial side perspective view of one of the latches of the assembly of  FIG. 6  in an engaged condition. 
         FIG. 12  is a greatly enlarged partial end perspective view of one of the latches of the assembly of  FIG. 6  in an engaged condition. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a latch for the assembly of  FIG. 6  according to alternative embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a side perspective view of mated ganged assemblies utilizing the latch of  FIG. 13   
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments that are pictured and described herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It will also be appreciated that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any way and/or combination to provide many additional embodiments. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms that are used in this disclosure have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the below description is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in this disclosure, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that when an element (e.g., a device, circuit, etc.) is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     As noted above, an issue that can arise with ganged connector assemblies is the alignment of individual mating connectors. Proper mating of the individual “male” connectors with the individual “female” connectors is needed to ensure that sound electrical contact is made. Quality of electrical contact can become more vital at high performance levels, as poor or inconsistent contact can produce unpredictable passive intermodulation (PIM) performance. PIM is an undesirable effect that can manifest itself in poor connections. As such, it is important in designing mating connectors that the contact/engagement between them be predictable. 
     A ganged connector assembly can introduce inconsistency in connector mating simply due to variables such as component tolerances. Thus, the ability of the mating connectors in a ganged assembly to float relative to the housing in which they are mounted, and to do so in a manner that maintains reliable and predictable contact between mating connectors, can be very desirable. Float can involve axial (i.e., in the direction of mating), radial (i.e., movement normal to the axial direction), and angular (“tilting” movement relative to the axial direction) components, so any float mechanisms or solution should permit movement in these three modes. 
     An example of an assembly with provisions for axial, radial and angular is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The paired assembly of connectors  1200  shown therein includes an equipment connector assembly  1205  with five connectors  1210  and a cable connector assembly  1240  with five connectors  1250  connected to five cables  1242 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 and 4 , the connectors  1210  and  1250  are arranged in a cruciform pattern, with one of the connectors  1210 ,  1250  surrounded by four other connectors  1210 ,  1250  separated from each other by 90 degrees. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the assemblies  1205 ,  1240  can be secured with a latch  885  that is pivotally mounted to the assembly  1205  and engages a pin  888  on the assembly  1240 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , it can be seen that the connectors  1250  of the cable-connector assembly  1240  reside in a shell  1260 . Each of the connectors  1250  includes an outer connector body  1252  and an inner contact  1254  that mate with, respectively, an outer connector body  1212  and an inner contact  1214  of a mating connector  1210  of the equipment connector assembly  1205 .  FIG. 4  also illustrates that each outer connector body  1252  is encircled by a helical spring  1258  that extends between a shoulder  1262  in the shell  1260  and a flange  1270  on the outer connector body  1252 . The spring  1258  remains in compression. A shoulder  1256  of the outer connector body  1252  is positioned to engage a second shoulder  1264  of the shell  1260  and provide a forward limit on the forward movement of the outer connector body  1252 . There is also space radially outward of the outer connector body  1252  between it and the shell  1260 . Thus, the connector  1250  has the ability to float axially, radially, and angularly relative to the shell  1260 , which can enable each of the connectors  1250  to adjust its position individually as needed to mate with the connectors  1210  of assembly  1205 . The compressed spring  1258  provides sufficient force on the shell  1260  and the connector  1250  to maintain the connector  1250  in position relative to the shell  1260  once the connector  1250  has adjusted its position during mating. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of a ganged connector assembly  1700 . The assembly  1700  is similar to the assembly  1200 , with an equipment connector assembly  1705  having connectors  1710  mating with a cable connector assembly  1740  with connectors  1750  in a shell  1760 . Springs  1780  provide the capacity for axial and radial adjustment of the outer connector body  1756  relative to the shell  1760  as discussed above. In this embodiment, the outer connector body  1756  has a radially-outward flange  1784  located forwardly of the flange  1782 . (which captures the forward end of the spring  1780 ). The flange  1784  has a trepan groove  1786  in its forward surface (a projection  1785  is located radially outward of the groove  1785 ). Also, at the rear end of the outer connector body  1756 , there is greater clearance gap C between the outer connector body  1756  and the shell  1760  than in the assembly  1200  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The outer connector body  1716  of the connector  1710  has a beveled outer edge  1719  at its forward end  1718 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , during initial mating of the connectors  1710 ,  1750 , the inner contact  1754  of the connector  1750  engages the inner contact  1712  of the connector  1710 , which provides a first “centering” action of the connector  1750 . This action also causes the spring  1780  to “bottom out.” As mating continues, the spring  1780  opens slightly, which causes the beveled outer edge  1719  of the outer connector body  1716  to contact the projection  1785 . This interaction provides a second “centering” action to mating, which enables the clearance gap C between the rear portion of the outer connector body  1756  and the shell  1760  to be greater than in other embodiments. 
     Additional embodiments are disclosed and described in U.S Patent Publication No. 2019/0312394 to Paynter, supra. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-12 , another assembly of mated ganged connectors, designated broadly at  100 , is shown therein. As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the assembly  100  includes an equipment connector assembly  105  that is similar to the assemblies  1205 ,  1705  discussed above, and a cable-connector assembly  140  that is similar to the assemblies  1240 ,  1740  discussed above. However, rather than employing springs  1258 ,  1780  to assist with providing float capability to the connectors  150  of the cable-connector assembly  140 , and a separate latch to secure the assemblies  105 ,  140  in a mated condition, the assembly  100  relies on two latches  185  to both secure the assemblies  105 ,  140  and to assist with float capability. The mechanism by which the latch functions is discussed below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , each of the latches  185  has two pairs of arms  186 ,  187 . Each pair of arms  186 ,  187  generally forms a “V” shaped member  188 . The members  188  are spanned by a cross-member  189  that extends between the vertices of the members  188 . A handle  190  extends from and generally parallel to the cross-member  189 . An extension  191  extends from and generally perpendicular to the handle  190 . A leverage slot  192  (for accepting a screwdriver or other leverage device) is present in the handle  190 . Each arm  187  includes a recess  193  in its lower end near its free end. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , each of the aims  186  has a hole  181  that receives a pin  182  fixed to the plate  120  of the assembly  105 . The pin  182  and the hole  181  define a pivot axis A. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the shell  160  of the cable-connector assembly  140  includes four slots  162 , one of which is present in each corner. Each of the slots  162  extends between the exterior of the shell  160  into a respective cavity  164  in which a respective connector  150  is positioned. Specifically, the slots  162  lead to flanges  157  that extend radially outwardly from the connector body  152 . 
     As can be envisioned by reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cable-connector assembly  140  can be mated with the equipment connector assembly  105  in the usual manner, with each connector  110  of the equipment connector assembly  105  mating with a respective connector  150  of the cable-connector assembly  140 . Such mating is performed with the latches  185  pivoted above the pivot axes A sufficiently that they do not interfere with the incoming cable-connector assembly  140 . The assemblies  105 ,  140  can be secured by pivoting the latches  185  about the axes A so that the arms  187  are inserted into respective slots  162 . As the arms  187  continue to advance into the cavities  164 , they engage the flanges  157  of the connectors  150  (see  FIG. 9 ). Further advancement eventually causes each flange  157  to be received in a respective recess  193  (see  FIGS. 10-12 ). Capture of the flange  157  within the recess  193  “locks” the latch  185  in place, at which point the assemblies  105 ,  140  are secured together. 
     Notably, when the aims  187  engage the flanges  157  within the recesses  193 , they exert a predominantly axially-directed force on the connector body  152  toward the equipment connector assembly  105  (i.e., toward the mating connector, or in the same direction as the helical springs  1258 ,  1758  in the assemblies  1240 ,  1740 ). The arms  187  (and the reminder of the latches  185 ) have some flexibility, so they act in the same manner as the aforementioned springs: they bias the connectors  150  toward the connectors  110 , but the flexibility in the latches  185  allows the connectors  150  to float axially, radially and angularly within their cavities  158  for proper mating. 
     The material of the latches  185  may be selected so that, in combination with the geometry of the latches  185 , when the latches  185  are engaged with the flanges  157  of the connector bodies  152 , they exert a predetermined axial force on the connector bodies  152 . In some embodiments, the force is between 10 and 13.5 ft-lbs. Exemplary materials include spring steel. 
     As can be understood from the foregoing discussion and the figures, the latches  185  can serve the dual purpose of securing the assemblies  105 ,  140  together in a mated condition while providing a biasing force that can facilitate the capability of the connectors  150  to float axially, radially and angularly. 
     It is noted that, in the illustrated embodiment, the latches  185  do not engage the center connector  150 . In some embodiments, the center connector  150  is employed for calibration purposes, and therefore the mating of the center connector  150  may not require the degree of float that the remaining connectors  150  require. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , another embodiment of an assembly, designated broadly at  200 , is shown therein. The assembly  200  is similar to the assembly  100  with the exception of the configuration of the latches  285 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , each latch  285  has two additional arms  297  that are generally parallel and aligned with the aims  187 . The shell  260  of the cable-connector assembly  240  has two additional slots  263  on each side, each of which receives one of the arms  297 . Thus, when the latches  285  are pivoted into place, each connector  150  is contacted on one side by an arm  287  and on the opposite side by an arm  297 . This configuration may enable the latches  285  to provide a biasing force to the connectors  150  in a more balanced manner. 
     Those of skill in this art will recognize that the assembly may take other forms. For example, the coaxial connectors may be configured differently and/or have different interfaces (e.g., DIN,  4 . 3 / 10 ,  2 . 2 / 5 , NEX10, etc.). The connectors maybe different in number and/or arrangement. The shell is shown herein as being generally square in footprint, but may take another form (e.g., rectangular, circular, oval, etc.). Other variations are also contemplated. 
     Moreover, the latches  185 ,  285  may be configured differently in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments only one latch may be employed, with the understanding that a single arm may engage two different coaxial connectors. In other embodiments, latches may be configured such that each coaxial connector engages a different latch (e.g., there may be four different latches for four coaxial connectors). 
     The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.