Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a ganged coaxial connector assembly. A pair of shells holds a plurality of mating connector pairs. The electrical contact system of each connector pair has a seal between each connector and its counter connector. Sealing is established each time, when the connectors of a connector pair are mated. This requires comparatively high plugging and unplugging forces which multiply with the number of connectors in a shell to very high total forces for plugging or unplugging a shell. To apply the high forces and to hold the connectors in predetermined axial positions, in embodiments with more than four connectors, the connectors are spring loaded. The space holding the springs and the space surrounding the connectors is not sealed, such that water may penetrate therein. When this water freezes, the spring does no more work, such that the sealing between the connectors may be affected. Further, freezing water expands and may damage the connector assembly. The locking mechanism comprising a latch and locking pin is outside of the connector and may freeze too. It is difficult to remove ice from the small parts like the locking pins without damaging them. Finally, it may no more be possible to disconnect the coaxial connector assembly.

<CIT> discloses a radio frequency connector according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a multi coaxial RF connector system having improved robustness, which is easy to connect and disconnect with lower forces and can be manufactured for reduced costs. Further, the connector system should be usable under freezing conditions.

Solutions of the problem are described in the independent claim <NUM>. The dependent claims relate to further improvements of the invention.

A RF multi connector system includes a RF multi plug connector and a RF multi socket connector matching to the RF multi connector.

The multi connector and the multi counter connector hold a plurality of individual connectors, which may be coaxial RF (radio frequency) connectors. These coaxial connectors may be plug connectors, socket connectors, or hermaphroditic connectors. The multi plug connector comprises a housing for holding the individual RF connectors at predetermined positions. The multi socket connector comprises a further housing matching to the multi plug connector and which further comprises a plurality of positions for holding individual RF connectors. The connector holding positions of the multi socket connector match to the connector holding positions of the multi plug connector, such that the multi plug connector and the multi socket connector can be mated. The individual RF connectors at the multi plug connector and the multi socket connector are selected such that matching connector pairs exist. For example, an individual RF socket connector may be at a certain position at the multi plug connector, whereas an individual RF plug connector is at the corresponding position of the multi socket connector. There may be any order of plug and socket connectors and hermaphroditic connectors within the multi plug connector and the multi socket connector, as long as they match together. In addition, there may be other connectors, for example for grounding or for signal transmission.

The multi plug connector comprises a connector support protrusion which may have a shape matching to a connector support recess of a multi socket connector. The connector support protrusion may completely fit into the connector support recess, when the connectors are mated. The connector support protrusion may have cylindrical shape and may further have a circular, elliptical, rectangular or squared cross section. The multi plug connector and the multi socket connector may have a cylindrical shape with a locking mechanism at its center. All individual RF connectors may be arranged in a circle. Groups of RF connectors may be arranged in different circles. Basically, connectors may be arranged in one or in a plurality of circles around the center. In another embodiment, a plurality of the first connectors and a plurality of second connectors is arranged in a row or in a plurality of rows.

For higher frequencies, the dimension of the individual RF connectors decrease in size, and the structure of these connectors gets more and more delicate. Therefore, a straight insertion of the connectors when connecting the multi plug connector to the multi socket connector is necessary. Tilting or jamming of the connectors must be avoided under any circumstances. The centralized locking mechanisms together with the circular arrangement of the individual RF connectors results in a comparatively symmetric shape of the connector. The closing force is applied by the central locking mechanism, and therefore an even force distribution to the circularly arranged individual connectors is ensured. Furthermore, positioning and guiding grooves and notches may be provided in the multi plug connector and the multi socket connector. These grooves and notches further provide a straight guidance when connecting the multi plug connector with the multi socket connector.

To compensate for minor mechanical tolerances, the individual RF connectors may be fixed to their positions of the multi socket connector and the individual RF connectors at the multi plug connector may be mounted tiltable and/or movable in a radial direction thereto. This movability may only be within a comparatively small range which may be less than <NUM>, less than <NUM>, or less than <NUM>. An axial mobility is not required and may not be desired.

The central locking mechanism may comprise a threaded key and slot lock which is a combination of a thread and a key and slot connection. This will allow to engage the thread at a certain position and to generate a comparatively large distance of movement with a small angle of rotation. The locking mechanism may comprise a lock rotor at the multi plug connector and the lock stator at the multi socket connector. The rotor is rotatable and may be operated by a locking knob which may cover a larger section of the top surface of the multi plug connector or even all the top surface thereof. The lock stator may be fixed to the multi socket connector.

There may be a plurality of positioning notch/groove pairs which improve guidance when mating the connectors and may make multi plug connector/multi socket connector pairs unique, such that individual connectors cannot be combined with other connectors having notches and/or grooves at other position.

At least one first coaxial RF connector includes a first sealing between a shaft of the at least one first coaxial RF connector and the plug connector housing. Further, at least one second coaxial RF connector includes a second sealing between a shaft of the at least one second coaxial RF connector and the socket connector housing. Also, at least one housing seal is provided between the plug connector housing and the socket connector housing. There may be further housing seals like a rotor seal to seal further openings into the housing, if for example a rotor is penetrating the housing. Here, the interior of the connector housing including the connectors is sealed against dust, debris, humidity, and water from the outside. Therefore, no water may penetrate into the contact systems of the connectors. Further, no water may penetrate into the surrounding of the connectors, such that the connector may be operated (connected and disconnected) even at freezing temperatures, as no ice may block internal parts of the connector.

In an embodiment, there may be a combined seal for sealing the shafts of all of the at least one first coaxial RF connectors and the plug connector housing. The combined seal may also provide a seal of the rotor against the housing. Therefore, the combined seal is a combination of first sealing and second sealing.

Also, a solid locking knob on top of the connector can easily be cleaned from ice and be operated with thick globes. There are no small parts outside the connector, which may be blocked by ice. The whole locking mechanism is embedded into the housing, such that it cannot freeze. In an embodiment, a key and slot locking mechanism may be provided to hold first coaxial RF connectors in the plug connector housing and/or second coaxial RF connectors in the socket connector housing. The mechanism may include a locking key at the connector and a locking slot at the housing. Such a locking mechanism simplifies insertion and/or exchange of the connectors into the housing.

In another embodiment, a locking mechanism using a slotted ring which may have a chamfered edge and is compressed for insertion of the connector, may be provided. When the connector is in place, the ring expands into a groove which is in the housing and locks the connector into the housing.

Further, a coaxial RF connector may be held by a nut on a thread on the shaft of the coaxial RF connector in the socket connector housing or the plug connector housing.

The embodiments of key and slot, slotted ring and nut do not need a spring for axially moving the connector.

The housings of the multi connector and the multi counter connector may comprise metal and/or a dielectric material like a plastic or polymer material or the connectors may be coated with such a material at all contact surfaces which may enter into contact with the other connector. The connector housings may exclusively comprise of a dielectric material or multiple dielectric material. They may not comprise any metal or low impedance electrically conductive material. The only electrical connection between the multi connector and the multi counter connector may be by the coaxial RF connectors. This may improve passive inter-modulation characteristics even if used in the close proximity of a radiating antenna.

The first and second coaxial RF connectors may be any combination of plug and socket connectors. In an embodiment, the RF multi connector system comprises only coaxial RF connectors, but there may be at least one or a low number of other connectors, for example power or signal connectors including optical connectors.

The abbreviation RF for radio frequency is used also for microwave.

In general, the features of the multi plug connector may be exchanged with the multi socket connector.

In <FIG>, a perspective view of an embodiment of the RF multi connector system <NUM> is shown. It comprises a multi plug connector <NUM> and a multi socket connector <NUM>. The multi plug connector <NUM> comprises a plug connector housing <NUM> with a locking knob <NUM> which may be rotated to lock or unlock the multi plug connector <NUM>, as indicated by arrow <NUM>. There may be a cord grip <NUM> to hold first cables for RF signals. The locking knob is partially cut to show part of the locking mechanism comprising a lock rotor <NUM>. There may further be a lock, which may include a rotor arm <NUM> which interacts with a rotor notch <NUM> to hold the rotor in certain positions, which may be at least a locked position of the connector and an unlocked position. The lock may be part of the locking knob (<NUM>) or of the lock rotor (<NUM>). The socket connector comprises a socket connector housing <NUM> further comprises a mounting flange <NUM> having at least one flange screw-hole <NUM> for mounting the flange to a housing or an antenna or any other part.

In <FIG>, a side view of an embodiment of a RF multi connector system <NUM> is shown. The connector system has a center axis <NUM>. Here again, the multi plug connector <NUM> is connected and locked with the multi socket connector <NUM>. This Figure shows the individual RF connectors in more details. In the plug connector housing <NUM> of the multi plug connector <NUM>, at least one first coaxial RF connector <NUM> is provided. This connector is attached to a first cable <NUM>. The cord grip <NUM> prevents any mechanical force and at least pulling force by the first cable <NUM> to the first coaxial RF connectors <NUM>. The first coaxial RF connectors <NUM> may be held within the housing either by a screw connection or a key and slot connection, which would provide easy exchangeability.

At the multi socket connector <NUM>, at least one of the second connectors <NUM> is provided. These second connectors match to corresponding first connectors at the multi plug connector. The second connectors <NUM> are attached to second cables <NUM> for coupling RF signals thereto. A cord grip <NUM> at the multi socket connector avoids pulling force directly to the connector.

At least one first coaxial RF connector <NUM> includes a first sealing <NUM> between a shaft <NUM> of the at least one first coaxial RF connector and the plug connector housing. Further, at least one second coaxial RF connector <NUM> includes a second sealing <NUM> between a shaft <NUM> of the at least one second coaxial RF connector and the socket connector housing. Also, at least one housing seal <NUM> is provided provided between the plug connector housing and the socket connector housing. There may be further housing seals like a rotor seal <NUM> to seal further openings into the housing, if for example a rotor is penetrating the housing.

There is a housing seal, which may be a sealing ring <NUM> between the multi plug connector <NUM> and the multi socket connector <NUM> or at least between the plug connector housing <NUM> and the socket connector housing <NUM> to seal the connectors against dust, debris, humidity, and water from the outside. A lock rotor <NUM> may lock the multi plug connector <NUM> and the multi socket connector <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a detail of <FIG>. Here, the lock rotor <NUM> is shown in more detail. Furthermore, the connector support protrusion <NUM> is shown in a state mated with the connector support recess <NUM>. This figure further shows a second coaxial RF connector <NUM> which is held by a nut <NUM> on a thread on the shaft <NUM> of a second coaxial RF connector <NUM> in the socket connector housing <NUM>.

In <FIG>, further details of an embodiment are shown in a sectional view. Here, an embodiment of internal cabling within the housing <NUM> of the multi plug connector <NUM> is shown. Multiple first connectors <NUM> are attached to multiple first cables <NUM> which are guided through the cord grip <NUM>. The housing <NUM> comprises an upper shell <NUM> and a lower shell <NUM> which allows for easy assembly or disassembly of the housing. The first connectors <NUM> may be held by a snap-in mechanism within the lower shell <NUM> of the housing. An orientation groove <NUM> may be provided to indicate the correct direction of inserting the multi plug connector into the multi socket connector.

In <FIG>, an embodiment of the multi plug connector is shown in a partially disassembled state. Here, the upper shell <NUM> is separated from the lower shell <NUM>. It may be assembled to the lower shell <NUM> by a movement into direction <NUM>. The upper shell and the lower shell together form cord grip <NUM>, such that the individual first cables <NUM> may be easily inserted into the lower shell <NUM>. The cord grip <NUM> is secured when the upper shell <NUM> is attached to the lower shell <NUM>. The upper shell <NUM> may be locked by snapping hocks <NUM> to the lower shell. The multi plug connector <NUM> may provide at least one or a plurality of positioning grooves <NUM> which allow a precise positioning of the connectors and guide the connectors through the insertion process of the multi plug connector into the multi socket connector.

In <FIG>, a bottom view of an embodiment of the multi plug connector <NUM> is shown. Here, the first coaxial RF connectors <NUM> can be seen from their connecting interface side. They are placed in connector recesses <NUM> of the connector support protrusion <NUM>. The first coaxial RF connectors <NUM> may be placed in such a depth, that they do not protrude from the front surface of support protrusion <NUM>. Therefore, they are protected from mechanical damage, when the connectors are not mated.

The connector support protrusion <NUM> has a shape matching to a connector support recess <NUM> of multi socket connector <NUM> which will be shown in one of the next figures. The connector support protrusion <NUM> may completely fit into the connector support recess <NUM>, when the connectors are mated. The connector support protrusion <NUM> may have cylindrical shape and may further have a circular, elliptical, rectangular or squared cross section. There may be at least one positioning groove <NUM> which may interact with at least one positioning notch <NUM> of multi socket connector <NUM>. There may be a plurality of such positioning notch/groove pairs which improve guidance when mating the connectors and may make multi plug connector/multi socket connector pairs unique, such that individual connectors cannot be combined with other connectors having notches and/or grooves at other position. In general, there may also be notches at the multi plug connector and grooves at the multi socket connector or vice versa. Furthermore, the lock rotor <NUM> is shown from its bottom side.

In <FIG>, a top view on the interface of the multi socket connector <NUM> is shown. Here, second connectors <NUM> may be seen from their interface side. The second coaxial RF connectors <NUM> may be placed in such a depth, that they do not protrude from the front surface of connector support recess <NUM> and/or the mounting flange <NUM>. Therefore, they are protected from mechanical damage, when the connectors are not mated.

This Figure also shows three positioning notches <NUM> which may interface with the positioning grooves <NUM> of the multi plug connector. Furthermore, the lock stator <NUM> is shown.

In <FIG>, embodiments of the lock rotor <NUM> and the lock stator <NUM> are shown in more detail. The lock rotor <NUM> may have a seal grove <NUM> for a rotor seal <NUM> and a support section <NUM> configured to support a rotor spring <NUM> shown in more detail in the next figure. This rotor spring is shown there as a disc spring, but may also be an elastic sealing ring. This rotor spring may provide a tension between the connector housings, when in a locked state. The rotor center axis <NUM> may be the center axis of the multi plug connector <NUM> and the multi socket connector <NUM>. The lock rotor <NUM> may be held by the multi plug connector <NUM> and it may have an outer thread <NUM> which interfaces with an inner thread <NUM> of the lock stator <NUM>. In another embodiment, the multi socket connector <NUM> may include a lock rotor <NUM> which may comprise an outer thread <NUM> matching to an inner thread <NUM> of the multi plug connector <NUM>. The outer thread <NUM> may be a combination of a thread and a key and slot lock. It may comprise only segments of a thread separated by grooves <NUM>. At the top end opposing the thread, a locking knob <NUM> may be attached. There may also be a hex end for a hex nut, or any other end adapted for any tool, which may be a special tool to avoid unauthorized operation.

<FIG> shows an exemplary curve of the locking distance versus rotation angle of the locking movement of lock rotor <NUM>. At angles between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees the movement between the connector housings is linear to a total distance of about <NUM>. With further rotation, there is no movement. This ensures in combination with a tensioning by the spring <NUM> a smooth and secure locking. Beyond the <NUM> degrees position, which may be close to a <NUM> degrees position, the lock <NUM>, <NUM> may engage and block any unintentional rotation.

<FIG> shows an embodiment including a pair of mated coaxial RF connectors in a detailed sectional view. A first coaxial RF connector <NUM> is mated to a second coaxial RF connector <NUM>. The first coaxial RF connector <NUM> comprises a first center conductor <NUM> which may have a male contact and a first outer conductor <NUM> which may be a solid tube. The second coaxial RF connector <NUM> comprises a second center conductor <NUM> which may have a female contact configured to contact the first center conductor <NUM> and a second outer conductor <NUM> which may be a slotted tube configured to contact the first outer conductor <NUM>. The second coaxial RF connector <NUM> further comprises a second outer sheath <NUM> surrounding and protecting the slotted outer conductor. Male and female configurations of the inner and outer conductors may be exchanged.

The first coaxial RF connector <NUM> may comprise a first outer insulation <NUM> surrounding the first outer conductor <NUM>. The first outer insulation <NUM> may center the first outer conductor <NUM> within the second outer sheath <NUM> and at the same time provides a galvanic insulation such that there is only one DC and low frequency current path of the outer conductors between the second outer conductor <NUM> and the first outer conductor <NUM>.

This figure further indicates the distance <NUM> between the highest extension at front surface of multi socket connector <NUM> and the second outer sheath <NUM>. So, the second coaxial RF connector <NUM> is set back within connector support recess <NUM> which provides a mechanical protection. Further, the distance <NUM> between the first coaxial RF connector <NUM> and the end of the connector support protrusion <NUM> is indicated. Also here, the first coaxial RF connector <NUM> is set back which provides a mechanical protection.

<FIG> shows an embodiment including a key and slot locking mechanism configured to hold first coaxial RF connectors <NUM> in the plug connector housing <NUM>. The mechanism comprises a locking key <NUM> at the connector and a locking slot <NUM> at the connector support protrusion <NUM>. For tensioning a connector sealing ring <NUM> is provided. In addition or alternatively, the second coaxial RF connectors may have a key and slot locking mechanism. Such a locking mechanism simplifies insertion and/or exchange of the connectors into the housing. It further provides a precise positioning of the connectors within the housing.

<FIG> shows an embodiment with a different locking mechanism using a slotted ring <NUM> which may have a chamfered edge and is compressed for insertion of the connector. When the connector <NUM> is in place, the ring expands into a groove <NUM> which is in the plug connector housing <NUM> and locks the connector <NUM> into the housing. This figure further shows a sectional view of a first coaxial RF connector <NUM> including a first center conductor <NUM> and a first outer conductor <NUM>. In addition or alternatively, the second coaxial RF connectors may have a slotted ring mechanism. The slotted ring mechanism most simplifies assembly, as the connector may only be snapped into the housing.

<FIG> shows a circular multi-row arrangement of coaxial RF connectors.

<FIG> shows a rectangular arrangement of coaxial RF connectors. These circular and rectangular embodiments basically show alternatives to the connector arrangements of <FIG> and <FIG>. Basically, any number of coaxial RF connectors may be provided.

<FIG> shows a further embodiment of a RF multi connector system <NUM> with combined seal <NUM>, which combines the function of first sealing <NUM> and further sealing.

The combined seal may seal the shafts of all first coaxial RF connectors <NUM> against the plug connector housing. The combined seal may further seal the rotor against the housing.

<FIG> shows a section of the previous figure. Here, different sections of the combined seal <NUM> are shown in more detail. A center seal section <NUM> may provide a seal of the rotor. Multiple connector seal sections <NUM> seal the shafts of all first coaxial RF connectors <NUM>. The outer seal section <NUM> contacts the housing and therefore provides a seal against the housing.

<FIG> shows a rear view a RF multi connector system <NUM> with a view on the combines seal <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a top view of the combined seal with a center seal section <NUM>, multiple connector seal sections <NUM>, and an outer seal section <NUM>. The center seal section <NUM> may include a protruding ring on a first side of the combined seal, located at the center of the combined seal. The connector seal sections <NUM> may be aranged around the center seal section. They may be arranged on a circle around a center axis of the combined seal. They may include multiple protrusions for accommodating the connectors. The protrusions may be oriented in or against an opposite direction to the center seal section. The outer seal section <NUM> may be a ring shaped lip at the outer rim of the combined seal. It may also be on a protrusion. The combined seal may only include the connector seal sections <NUM> and the outer seal section <NUM> if the center seal section <NUM> is not required.

Claim 1:
RF multi connector system (<NUM>) comprising a multi plug connector (<NUM>) and a multi socket connector (<NUM>),
the multi plug connector (<NUM>) comprises a plug connector housing (<NUM>), the plug connector housing (<NUM>) further comprising a connector support protrusion (<NUM>) having a plurality of connector recesses (<NUM>), the plurality of connector recesses (<NUM>) each holding a first coaxial RF connector (<NUM>), each first RF connector comprising an center conductor (<NUM>) and an outer conductor (<NUM>);
the multi socket connector (<NUM>) comprises a socket connector housing (<NUM>), the socket connector housing (<NUM>) further comprising a connector support recess (<NUM>), the connector support recess (<NUM>) holding a plurality of second coaxial RF connectors (<NUM>),
wherein the multi plug connector (<NUM>) matches to the multi socket connector (<NUM>) such that the connector support protrusion (<NUM>) fits into the connector support recess (<NUM>), and the plurality of first coaxial RF connectors (<NUM>) matches to the plurality of second coaxial RF connectors (<NUM>), each second RF connector comprising an center conductor (<NUM>) and an outer conductor (<NUM>);
at least one housing seal (<NUM>) is provided between the plug connector housing (<NUM>) and the socket connector housing (<NUM>);
characterized in, that at least one of the plurality of first coaxial RF connectors (<NUM>) comprises a first sealing (<NUM>) between a shaft (<NUM>) of the at least one of the plurality of first coaxial RF connectors and the plug connector housing (<NUM>), at least one of the plurality of second coaxial RF connectors (<NUM>) comprises a second sealing (<NUM>) between a shaft (<NUM>) of the at least one of the plurality of second coaxial RF connectors and the socket connector housing (<NUM>).