Patent Description:
Connectors for coaxial cables, such as TV outlets, also referred to as TV sockets, are well known in the art. Such connectors are connected to an incoming cable TV signal by the coaxial cable. A coaxial cable is a type of cable that has an inner conductor surrounded by a tubular insulating layer, again surrounded by tubular conducting shield. The term coaxial indicates that the inner conductor and the outer shield share a geometric axis. For the electrical performance of a high bandwidth TV transmission line, it is very important that the coaxial cable is correctly mounted to the connector. More specific, the conducting shield of the coaxial cable has to make a low-ohmic contact with the housing of the connector, in order to have sufficient EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) performance. If the EMC performance, more specific the screening effectiveness, is not sufficient, the connector may emit a strong electromagnetic field that can disturb the operation other apparatuses in the neighbourhood of the connector. The other way around, if the EMC performance or screening effectiveness is not sufficient, the TV signal might be disturbed by electromagnetic radiation present in the neighbourhood, such as e.g. wifi signals, radio frequency signals, radiation from a microwave oven, etc, which may result in poor image quality.

<CIT> describes a connector for coaxial cables comprising a housing <NUM> consisting of a first part <NUM> and a second part <NUM>, which are connected together by means of a swivel element <NUM> (see <FIG>). The swivel element <NUM> comprises two pins <NUM>, two recesses <NUM> and two screws <NUM> for fixing the pins <NUM> in the recesses <NUM>. The first part <NUM> and the second part <NUM> of the housing <NUM> define an inner zone <NUM> for receiving a coaxial cable <NUM> in a channel <NUM>.

A disadvantage of the connector of <CIT> is that the whole second part <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is rotating. This means it forms quite a big lever, by which the force that can be exerted on the coaxial cable <NUM> that is inserted in the channel <NUM> is limited. Thus, when a coaxial cable with a larger diameter than the diameter of the channel <NUM> is inserted, there may be a chance that the connector cannot be completely closed because the force that can be exerted is not high enough.

Hence, a connector as described in <CIT> is only suitable for coaxial cables with one particular diameter who fit in the channel <NUM>, and is thus not suitable for being used for different types of coaxial cables with different diameters.

<CIT> describes an on-wall information socket with an openable lid which is formed to circle a hole on the top surface of an upper cover. The lid has a pivot portion pivotally connecting with the upper cover, and can be opened by pivoting about the pivot portion before a bolt is locked onto a stud on a lower base. The openable lid renders it more convenient to assemble the cables which are embedded in the wall to the connecting seats of the socket. The width of the lid is preferably able to allow revealing the cables, in order to render more convenient of maintenance of the connecting lines of the connecting seat.

<CIT> describes a box for telecommunication equipment, particularly to be used for distribution equipment in distribution systems of television signals and sound broadcasting in common telecommunications infrastructures in buildings. The box is constituted by a rectangular flattened box one of whose side walls having inlets for cables. Inside the box, electronic circuits are housed. The flat rectangular box consists of an upper part and a lower part wherein the upper part comprises rotating elements. The inner part of the upper part and the lower part are shaped so as to define receiving units for the cables.

An electric or electronic device comprising a connector according to the invention is described in claim <NUM>. Other aspects of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

An advantage of a connector according to embodiments of the invention is, because of the orientation of the rotating element, it forms a short lever which can exert a high power to the coaxial cable when the coaxial cable is inserted and the rotating element is closed.

Further, also because of the orientation of the rotating element with respect to the longitudinal direction of the back housing, it is an advantage of a connector according to embodiments of the invention that additional features, such as for example adjustable fixing means for an inner conductor of the coaxial cable, can be provided at or in the back housing, and that such features will not hamper or hinder the opening and closing of the rotating element or the other way around, that the rotating element does not hamper or hinder the working of the additional features.

The cavities in the back housing and in the rotating element may have a shape of a half circle or half oval, such that when the rotating element is in the closed position, the receiving chamber has the shape of a circle or an oval. According to embodiments of the invention, the cavities in the back housing and the rotating element may comprise at least one rim.

According to embodiments of the invention, the rotating part may be oriented such that its longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the receiving chamber. The connector may furthermore comprise a locking screw for fixedly connecting the rotating part to the back housing.

According to embodiments of the invention, the connector may furthermore comprise a screw provided on the back housing and extending through the back housing for fixedly connecting an inner conductor of a coaxial cable to the connector.

In a second aspect, the invention provides an electric or electronic device comprising a connector for a coaxial cable according to embodiments of the invention. The device may comprise a plastic adapter into which the connector fits and may furthermore comprise a metal frame into which the plastic adapter can be snapped.

According to embodiments of the invention, the device may furthermore comprise an additional electrical or electronical function, such as for example an RJ45 outlet, a HDMI socket, an USB socket, a SAT socket, an FM socket, a line-in, a loudspeaker connection or the like.

It has to be noted that same reference signs in the different figures refer to same, similar or analogous elements.

In the description different embodiments will be used to describe the invention. Therefore reference will be made to different drawings. It has to be understood that these drawings are intended to be non-limiting, the invention is only limited by the claims. The drawings are thus for illustrative purposes, the size of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity purposes.

The term "comprising" is not to be interpreted as limiting the invention in any way. The term "comprising", used in the claims, is not intended to be restricted to what means is described thereafter; it does not exclude other elements, parts or steps.

The term "connected" as used in the claims and in the description has not to be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections, unless otherwise specified. Thus, part A being connected to part B is not limited to part A being in direct contact to part B, but also includes indirect contact between part A and part B, in other words also includes the case where intermediate parts are present in between part A and part B.

Not all embodiments of the invention comprise all features of the invention. In the following description and claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a connector for a coaxial cable comprising a front housing, a back housing, and a rotating element hingedly connected to the back housing. The back housing and the rotating element both comprise a cavity for defining a receiving chamber for receiving a coaxial cable. The connector furthermore comprises two pins on the rotating element and two slots on the back housing for receiving the two pins of the rotating element, the two pins being held in the two slots by means of one hinge screw. According to the invention, a plane of rotation of the rotating element is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the receiving chamber.

An advantage of a connector according to embodiments of the invention is, because of the orientation of the rotating element, it forms a short lever which can exert a high power to the coaxial cable when the coaxial cable is inserted and the rotating element is closed. Hence, coaxial cables with different diameters can fit into the connector according to embodiments of the invention. Thus, the connector according to embodiments of the invention can be used for different cables because it is independent on the cable diameter, which is a big advantage over some existing prior art connectors.

Further, also because the orientation of the rotating element with respect to the longitudinal direction of the back housing, it is an advantage of a connector according to embodiments of the invention that additional features, such as for example adjustable fixing means for an inner conductor of the coaxial cable, can be provided at or in the back housing, and that such features will not hamper or hinder the opening and closing of the rotating element or the other way around, that the rotating element does not hamper or hinder the working of the additional features.

The present invention will hereinafter be described by means of different embodiments. It has to be understood that these embodiments are only for the ease of understanding the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an exploded view of a connector <NUM> for a coaxial cable according to an embodiment of the invention. The connector <NUM> comprises a front housing <NUM>. The front housing <NUM> defines the interface where a plug has to be connected to the connector <NUM>. Further, a PCB with necessary electronics and a central pin of the connector <NUM> are herein positioned. The connector <NUM> furthermore comprises a back housing <NUM>, which is connected to the front housing <NUM> by a press-fit connection. Optionally, a back-up screw (not illustrated) may be provided in a back-up screw hole <NUM> in the back housing <NUM> for securing the press-fit connection during transport and/or handling, to make sure that the front housing <NUM> and the back housing <NUM> stay together at all times. The connector <NUM> furthermore comprises a rotating element <NUM> hingedly connected to the back housing <NUM>. The rotating element <NUM> is illustrated in detail in <FIG>. It comprises two pins <NUM> who fit into two slots <NUM> in the back housing <NUM>. The two pins <NUM> on the rotating element <NUM> are held in the two slots <NUM> in the back housing <NUM> by means of one hinge screw <NUM> which is located in between the two slots <NUM> and the two pins <NUM>. Therefore, the rotating element <NUM> comprises a hinge screw opening <NUM>. Correspondingly, a hinge screw receiving opening <NUM> is provided on the back housing <NUM> (see <FIG>). Preferably, the hinge screw <NUM> is mounted and fixed in its position during the manufacturing process of the connector <NUM>, for example with glue, such that it cannot be removed anymore.

The back housing <NUM> and the rotating element <NUM> both comprise a cavity <NUM>, <NUM> for defining a receiving chamber <NUM>, <NUM> for receiving a coaxial cable. The cavities <NUM>, <NUM> may have the shape of a half circle and are complementary to each other such that, when the rotating element <NUM> is fixed to the back housing <NUM>, they form a substantially circular shaped receiving chamber <NUM>, <NUM> for receiving the coaxial cable. Hence, when the coaxial cable is inserted, the cavities encircle the cable, thereby forming the receiving chamber <NUM>, <NUM>. According to other embodiments, the receiving chamber <NUM>, <NUM> may also be oval shaped.

According to embodiments of the invention, the cavities <NUM>, <NUM> may have at least one rim <NUM>. This can best be seen in <FIG> which respectively show the back housing <NUM> and the rotating element <NUM>. During compression of the coaxial cable by the rotating element (see further), the at least one rim <NUM> on the back housing <NUM> and the at least one rim <NUM> on the rotating element <NUM> provide a pattern of local indentations in the coaxial cable. This pattern of local indentations in the cable makes sure that the coaxial cable will stay in the correct position when a force is exerted on the coaxial cable, e.g. by positioning the connector <NUM> in a plastic adapter and metal frame (see further). Therefore, once the rotating element <NUM> is closed and fixed to the back housing <NUM>, the receiving chamber <NUM>, <NUM> serves as a strain relief for the coaxial cable. Because the rims <NUM> make indentations in the coaxial cable, these rims <NUM> help to fix the coaxial cable in the receiving chamber <NUM>, <NUM> even when the coaxial cable has a diameter which is higher than or equal to the diameter of the receiving chamber <NUM>, <NUM>.

The receiving chamber formed by the cavities <NUM>, <NUM> may have a longitudinal axis ARC that is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the back housing <NUM>, and in general that is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the connector <NUM>. The rotating element <NUM> may be oriented such that its longitudinal axis ARE is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ARC of the receiving chamber <NUM>, <NUM>. Or, as can be seen from <FIG>, the rotating element <NUM> may be oriented such that its longitudinal axis ARE is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ACC of a coaxial cable <NUM> that is inserted in the connector <NUM>, or in other words, that its longitudinal axis ARE is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ARC of the receiving chamber. According to the invention, the rotating element <NUM> is able to rotate in a plane PRE that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ARC of the receiving chamber <NUM>, <NUM> (see also <FIG>). Because of this, a connector <NUM> according to embodiments of the invention has the advantage of forming only a short lever which can exert a high power to the coaxial cable when the coaxial cable is inserted and the rotating element is closed. Hence, coaxial cables with different diameters can fit into the connector according to embodiments of the invention. Thus, a connector <NUM> according to embodiments of the invention can be used for different cables because it is independent on the cable diameter, which is a big advantage over some existing prior art connectors.

The connector <NUM> furthermore comprises a locking screw <NUM> for fixing the rotating element <NUM> in a closed position to the back housing <NUM>. Therefore, a locking screw opening <NUM> is provided in the rotating element <NUM> and a locking screw receiving opening <NUM> is provided in the back housing <NUM>. When the rotating element is in the closed and fixed position (as illustrated in <FIG>), the EMC performance or screening effectiveness of the connector <NUM> is guaranteed for the following reasons. First, at this closed and fixed position, the low-ohmic electrical contact between the conducting shield of the coaxial cable <NUM> and the back housing <NUM> is optimal. Secondly, in the closed and fixed position the gap between the rotating element <NUM> and the back housing <NUM> is minimized and optimal, hereby forming a Faraday's cage. This ensures sufficient EMC performance or screening effectiveness. The locking screw <NUM> is mounted such that it cannot accidently fall out of the connector <NUM> during transport and/or handling of the connector <NUM>. Therefore, during manufacturing of the connector <NUM>, the locking screw <NUM> is provided in the locking screw hole <NUM> on the rotating element <NUM>. In the locking screw hole <NUM> an edge is provided through which the locking screw <NUM> is screwed, but once it has passed the edge, it cannot be taken back out of the locking screw hole <NUM> without screwing.

<FIG> illustrate the fitting and fixing of a coaxial cable <NUM> in a connector <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention. <FIG> shows the rotating element <NUM> in the open position. In that position the coaxial cable <NUM> can be placed in the receiving chamber <NUM>, <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. During rotation of the rotating element <NUM> the locking screw <NUM> is guided towards the locking screw receiving opening <NUM> in the back housing <NUM> such that it can be fixed to that back housing <NUM> (see <FIG>). The locking screw <NUM> is guided towards the correct position for the start of locking (by screwing) by an oblique plane <NUM> that acts as a slide. Because of this oblique plane <NUM> the locking screw <NUM> smoothly fits into the locking screw receiving opening <NUM> in the back housing <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> may furthermore comprise an adjustable fixing means <NUM> for fixing the inner conductor of the coaxial cable in the connector <NUM>. In the example given in the drawings, this adjustable fixing means may be a screw <NUM> provided in a hole <NUM> in the back housing <NUM>. This is also an advantage of a conductor according to embodiments of the invention, that the connector <NUM> comprises space for providing such adjustable fixing means. This adjustable fixing means makes sure that the inner conductor of the coaxial cable can be fixed very well in the connector <NUM> so that, even when a coaxial cable is used with a diameter smaller than the receiving chamber <NUM>, <NUM> of the connector <NUM>, the coaxial cable can still be fixed very well and will be difficult to remove from the connector <NUM> when handling it or pulling the cable.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides an electric or electronic device <NUM> comprising a connector for a coaxial cable according to any of the embodiments described above. An example is illustrated in <FIG> schematically illustrates an exploded view of an electric or electronic device according to embodiments of the invention. The device <NUM> comprises a connector <NUM> for a coaxial cable according to any of the above embodiments. The device <NUM> comprises a plastic adapter <NUM> into which the connector <NUM> fits. The plastic adapter <NUM> can be snapped into a metal frame <NUM>. The metal frame <NUM> with the plastic adapter <NUM> and the connector <NUM> can be provided in a mounting box in the wall. A front plate <NUM> can then be provided over the metal frame <NUM> for finishing.

An advantage of the invention is that the device <NUM> can furthermore comprise an additional electrical or electronical functional (<NUM>), such as for example an RJ45 outlet, a HDMI socket, an USB socket, an SAT socket, an FM socket, a line-in, a loudspeaker connection or the like.

Claim 1:
An electric or electronic device (<NUM>) comprising a connector (<NUM>) for a coaxial cable (<NUM>), wherein the connector (<NUM>) comprises:
- a front housing (<NUM>), a back housing (<NUM>), and a rotating element (<NUM>) hingedly connected to the back housing (<NUM>), the back housing (<NUM>) and the rotating element (<NUM>) both comprising a cavity (<NUM>, <NUM>) for defining a receiving chamber for receiving a coaxial cable (<NUM>) to make a low-ohmic contact with the housing of the connector, and
- two pins (<NUM>) on the rotating element (<NUM>) and two slots (<NUM>) on the back housing (<NUM>) for receiving the two pins (<NUM>) of the rotating element (<NUM>), wherein the two pins (<NUM>) are held in the two slots (<NUM>) by means of one hinge screw (<NUM>);
characterized in that the rotating element (<NUM>) is oriented such that its longitudinal axis (ARE) is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (ARC) of the receiving chamber and in that a plane of rotation (PRE) of the rotating element (<NUM>) is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (ARC) of the receiving chamber.