Patent Description:
In the prior art, a RF coaxial connector for connecting a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) to a PCB has a lower end welded onto a lower PCB and an upper end in electrical contact with an upper PCB. The RF coaxial connector comprises a contact ring served as an upper outer conductor. The contact ring is configured to electrically contact the upper PCB under a pressure from an external spring element. The RF coaxial connector comprises a shell served as a lower outer conductor. The shell is welded onto the lower PCB to be electrically connected with the lower PCB. The contact ring and the shell are clamped together by an elastic sheet. A lower half part of a center conductor of the RF coaxial connector is welded onto the lower PCB to be electrically connected with the lower PCB. An upper half part of the center conductor is configured to electrically contact the upper PCB under a pressure from an interior spring element. An insulator is provided between the center conductor and the shell to ensure a relative position between the center conductor and the shell.

In the prior art, the center conductor has a pogo pin structure. However, a contact force between the center conductor and the PCB is completely provided by the small interior spring element in the center conductor, which leads to insufficient contact force between the center conductor and the PCB and adversely affects the performance of the entire RF coaxial connector, especially the high-frequency performance and the Passive Inter-Modulation (PIM) performance of the RF coaxial connector.

In addition, the manufacturing cost of the center conductor with the pogo pin structure is higher, and in order to ensure that the interior spring element in the center conductor has enough elastic deformation in an axial direction, an axial length of the center conductor is usually increased, which is not advantageous for decreasing the length size of the RF coaxial connector.

<CIT> relates to a board mating connector in which a signal contact part and a ground contact part are interlocked. The board mating connector comprises: a signal contact part of which one side is in contact with a signal electrode of a board to be electrically connected to the signal electrode; a ground contact part of which one side is in contact with a ground electrode of the board to be electrically connected to the ground electrode; and a dielectric part positioned between the signal contact part and the ground contact part. The ground contact unit includes a ground portion and another ground portion which is relatively moved in contact with the ground portion so as to be coupled to and interlocked with a connection portion through the dielectric unit.

<CIT> discloses a connector having a cylindrical connector element fixed, by an end, with a printed circuit board, and a cylindrical connector element in contact, by an end, with a another printed circuit board. Annular bearings are radially in offset towards the exterior and the interior of central contact bodies, a tubular external body and a movable contact body and delimits volumes in which compression coil springs are mounted, respectively. An electromagnetic reinforcing bush is disposed in one volume around the bearing.

<CIT> relates to a low profile electrical connector that includes a center contact assembly having an integral housing and a spring loaded plunger contact therein; and a shield assembly coaxial with the center contact assembly. The shield assembly includes a slotted shield base to be coupled stationary to a circuit board, and a contact ring reciprocally mounted to the shield base for relative movement thereto.

The present disclosure has been made to overcome or alleviate at least one aspect of the above mentioned and other problems and disadvantages.

According to the invention there is provided a connector, comprising: outer conductors including a first outer conductor and a second outer conductor which are assembled together in such a way that they are slidably movable with respect to each other; a center conductor arranged within the outer conductors; an insulation seat, to which the first outer conductor is fixed; and an elastic element, one end of which abuts against the first outer conductor or the insulation seat, wherein the center conductor is also fixed to the insulation seat, so that the first outer conductor and the center conductor are both in electrical contact with a first electrical component under a pressing force from the elastic element characterized in that an elastic structure is formed on one end of the first center conductor, the elastic structure is configured as an S-shaped elastic structure, the elastic structure is elastically deformable in an axial direction of the connector, and the first center conductor contact part is formed on a top end of the elastic structure, so that the first center conductor contact part is allowed to be moved in an axial direction of the connector.

According to the invention the center conductor is a first center conductor, wherein the connector comprises a second center conductor arranged within the outer conductors, and wherein the first center conductor and the second center conductor are assembled together in such a way that they are slidably movable with respect to each other.

According to the invention the first outer conductor comprises a first outer conductor contact part which is exposed from a surface of the insulation seat and adapted to electrically contact with the first electrical component; the first center conductor comprises a first center conductor contact part which is exposed from the surface of the insulation seat and adapted to electrically contact with the first electrical component.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a central through hole is formed in the insulation seat, and the elastic structure of the first center conductor passes through the central through hole of the insulation seat.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first outer conductor comprises an annular base, and the first outer conductor contact part is configured as an annular boss formed on the annular base.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulation seat is molded onto the first outer conductor and the first center conductor.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second outer conductor comprises a cylindrical body at one end thereof, and the first outer conductor is slidably inserted into the cylindrical body of the second outer conductor, and is in electrical contact with the second outer conductor in a slidable way.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first outer conductor is formed with a plurality of elastic arms respectively provided with bulges, and the bulges on the elastic arms are adapted to be in electrical contact with an inner wall of the second outer conductor in a slidable way.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an annular stop lip is formed on an inner side of an end opening of the cylindrical body and protrudes inwardly, and the stop lip is configured to stop the bulges on the elastic arms of the first outer conductor from sliding outward, so as to prevent the first outer conductor from being detached from the second outer conductor.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first center conductor comprises a cylindrical part, the second center conductor comprises a rod part, and the rod part of the second center conductor is slidably inserted into the cylindrical part of the first center conductor and is in electrical contact with the first center conductor (<NUM>) in a slidable way.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of elastic contact arms are formed on the cylindrical part of the first center conductor, and the elastic contact arms of the first center conductor are configured for electrically contacting with an outer wall of the rod part of the second center conductor in a slidable way.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulation seat is provided between the first outer conductor and the first center conductor.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first outer conductor is formed with a first positioning flange extending outwardly, the second outer conductor is formed with a second positioning flange extending outwardly, and two ends of the elastic element respectively abut against the first positioning flange and the second positioning flange.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first outer conductor and the first center conductor are arranged within the insulation seat.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulation seat is formed with a first positioning flange extending outwardly, the second outer conductor is formed with a second positioning flange extending outwardly, and two ends of the elastic element respectively abut against the first positioning flange and the second positioning flange.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector further comprises an insulating support arranged between the second outer conductor and the second center conductor and configured for holding the second center conductor within the second outer conductor.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a base end of the second outer conductor is adapted to be welded, inserted into or threaded to a second electrical component; or, a base end of the second center conductor is adapted to be welded, inserted into or threaded to the second electrical component.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector is a radio frequency coaxial connector adapted to be electrically connected between the first electrical component and a second electrical component.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first electrical component is a circuit board, and the second electrical component is a circuit board or a filter.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first outer conductor is a single conductive component formed by stamping a single sheet of metal plate.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first center conductor is a single conductive component formed by stamping a single sheet of metal plate.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second center conductor is a single conductive component formed by stamping a single sheet of metal plate.

As described in various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, both the first outer conductor and the first center conductor are fixed to the insulation seat. Thereby, the first outer conductor and the first center conductor are both in electrical contact with the first electrical component under the pushing or pressing of the elastic element, which can not only improve the high frequency performance and passive intermodulation performance of the connector, but also simplify the structure of the connector, reduce the axial length of the connector and save the cost of the connector.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and may help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawings.

According to a general concept of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector, comprising: outer conductors including a first outer conductor and a second outer conductor which are assembled together in such a way that they are slidably movable with respect to each other; center conductors provided within the outer conductor, and including a first center conductor and a second center conductor which are assembled together in such a way that they are slidably movable with respect to each other; an insulation seat, to which the first outer conductor is fixed; and an elastic element, one end of which abuts against the first outer conductor or the insulation seat, the first center conductor is also fixed to the insulation seat, so that both the first outer conductor and the first center conductor can be in electrical contact with a first electrical component under a pushing or pressing force from the elastic element.

<FIG> is an illustrative view of a connector <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, where a first electrical component <NUM> and a second electrical component <NUM> are shown; and <FIG> is a cross sectional view of the connector <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the connector mainly comprises outer conductors <NUM>, <NUM>, center conductor <NUM>, <NUM>, an insulation seat <NUM>, and an elastic element <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the outer conductors (<NUM>, <NUM>) include a first outer conductor <NUM> and a second outer conductor <NUM> which are assembled together in such a way that they are slidably movable with respect to each other. The center conductors (<NUM>, <NUM>) are provided within the outer conductors (<NUM>, <NUM>) and include a first center conductor <NUM> and a second center conductor <NUM> which are assembled together in such a way that they are slidably movable with respect to each other. The first outer conductor <NUM> is fixed to the insulation seat <NUM>. One end (upper end in <FIG>) of the elastic element <NUM> abuts against the first outer conductor <NUM> or the insulation seat <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the first center conductor <NUM> is also fixed to the insulation seat <NUM>, so that both the first outer conductor <NUM> and the first center conductor <NUM> can be in electrical contact with a first electrical component <NUM> under a pushing or pressing force from the elastic element <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustrative perspective view of the insulation seat <NUM> of the connector <NUM> shown in <FIG>; and <FIG> is an illustrative perspective view of the first outer conductor <NUM> of the connector <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the first outer conductor <NUM> comprises a first outer conductor contact part 111a which is exposed from a surface of the insulation seat <NUM> and adapted to electrically contact with the first electrical component <NUM>. The first center conductor <NUM> comprises a first center conductor contact part 211a which is exposed from the surface of the insulation seat <NUM> and adapted to electrically contact with the first electrical component <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the first outer conductor <NUM> comprises an annular base <NUM>, and the first outer conductor contact part 111a is configured as an annular boss formed on the annular base <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustrative perspective view of the first center conductor <NUM> of the connector shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment, an elastic structure <NUM> is formed on one end (upper end in <FIG>) of the first center conductor <NUM>. The elastic structure <NUM> is capable of being elastically deformed in an axial direction of the connector <NUM>. The first center conductor contact part 211a is formed on a top end of the elastic structure <NUM>, so that the first center conductor contact part 211a is movable in the axial direction of the connector.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment, the elastic structure <NUM> may be elastically deformed in the axial direction of the connector, so that the position of the first center conductor contact part 211a may be adjusted in the axial direction of the connector. In this way, even if ends (e.g. top ends) of the first center conductor contact part 211a and the first outer conductor contact part 111a are not in the same plane in a non-contact state or in an initial state, the end of first center conductor contact part 211a may be adjusted to be in the same plane as the end of the first outer conductor contact part 111a, thereby ensuring that the first center conductor contact part 211a and the first outer conductor contact part 111a are in electrical contact with the first electrical component <NUM> at the same time.

In addition, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment, the elastic structure <NUM> on the first center conductor <NUM> may also apply an auxiliary contact pressure to the first center conductor contact part 211a to ensure reliable electrical contact between the first center conductor contact part 211a and the first electrical component <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the elastic structure <NUM> may be configured as a curved elastic structure. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment, the elastic structure <NUM> is configured as an S-shaped elastic structure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment illustrated, and the elastic structure <NUM> may also have any other shape as long as it may be elastically deformed in the axial direction.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment, a central through hole <NUM> is formed in the insulation seat <NUM>, and the elastic structure <NUM> of the first center conductor <NUM> passes through the central through hole <NUM> of the insulation seat <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment, the insulation seat <NUM> is molded onto the first outer conductor <NUM> and the first center conductor <NUM>. In this way, the first outer conductor <NUM> and the first center conductor <NUM> are fixed to the insulation seat <NUM> at the same time. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the first outer conductor <NUM> and the first center conductor <NUM> may also be assembled onto a pre-formed insulation seat <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustrative perspective view of the second outer conductor <NUM> of the connector shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the second outer conductor <NUM> comprises a cylindrical body <NUM> at one end thereof. The first outer conductor <NUM> is slidably inserted into the cylindrical body <NUM> of the second outer conductor <NUM>, and is in electrical contact with the second outer conductor <NUM> in a slidable way.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, a plurality of elastic arms <NUM> are formed on the first outer conductor <NUM>. A bulge 112a is formed on each elastic arms <NUM>, and the bulges 112a on the elastic arms <NUM> are adapted to be electrical contact with the inner wall of the second outer conductor <NUM> in a slidable way.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, an annular stop lip 122a is formed on an inner side of an end opening of the cylindrical body <NUM> and protrude inwardly, and the stop lip 122a is adapted to block or stop the bulges 112a on the elastic arms <NUM> of the first outer conductor <NUM> from sliding outward, so as to prevent the first outer conductor <NUM> from being detached from the second outer conductor <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustrative perspective view of the second center conductor <NUM> of the connector shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment, the first center conductor <NUM> comprises a cylindrical part <NUM>. The second center conductor <NUM> comprises a rod part <NUM>. The rod part <NUM> of the second center conductor <NUM> is slidably inserted into the cylindrical part <NUM> of the first center conductor <NUM>, and is in contact with the first center conductor <NUM> in a slidably way.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment, a plurality of elastic contact arms <NUM> are formed on the cylindrical part <NUM> of the first center conductor <NUM>, and the elastic contact arms <NUM> of the first center conductor <NUM> are adapted to be in electrical contact with an outer wall of the rod part <NUM> of the second center conductor <NUM> in a slidable way.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, in another embodiment, the first center conductor <NUM> and the second center conductor <NUM> may be connected by an elastic component, such as a spring. In yet another embodiment, the first center conductor <NUM> and the second center conductor <NUM> may be formed into an integrated metal component by stamping a single metal piece, and an elastic part, such as a curved elastic sheet, may be formed between the first center conductor <NUM> and the second center conductor <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the insulation seat <NUM> is provided between the first outer conductor <NUM> and the first center conductor <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the first outer conductor <NUM> is formed with a first positioning flange 110a extending outwardly, and the second outer conductor <NUM> is formed with a second positioning flange 120a extending outwardly. The elastic element <NUM> is located outside of the outer conductors <NUM> and <NUM>. Two ends of the elastic element <NUM> are supported on or abut against the first positioning flange 110a and the second positioning flange 120a respectively.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the connector further comprises an insulating support <NUM> arranged between the second outer conductor <NUM> and the second center conductor <NUM> and configured for holding the second center conductor <NUM> within the second outer conductor <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, a base end <NUM> of the second outer conductor <NUM> is adapted to be welded, inserted into or threaded to a second electrical component <NUM>. A base end <NUM> of the second center conductor <NUM> is adapted to be welded, inserted into or threaded to the second electrical component <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the connector is a radio frequency coaxial connector adapted to be electrically connected between the first electrical component <NUM> and the second electrical component <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the first electrical component <NUM> may be a circuit board, and the second electrical component <NUM> may be a circuit board or a filter.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the first outer conductor <NUM>, the first center conductor <NUM> and the second center conductor <NUM> may be machined pieces made by machining.

<FIG> is an illustrative view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The connector shown in <FIG> is basically same as the connector shown in <FIG>. Therefore, only the differences of the connector shown in <FIG> from the connector shown in <FIG> will be described hereinafter. As for the same or similar features, reference may be made to the above-described embodiments shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the first outer conductor <NUM> and the first center conductor <NUM> are arranged inside the insulation seat <NUM>. The insulation seat <NUM> is formed with a first positioning flange 140a extending outwardly, and the second outer conductor <NUM> is formed with a second positioning flange 120a extending outwardly. Two ends of the elastic element <NUM> are supported on or abut against the first positioning flange 140a and the second positioning flange 120a respectively.

As shown in <FIG>, in exemplary embodiments, the first outer conductor <NUM> is a single conductive component formed by stamping a single sheet of metal plate, the first center conductor <NUM> is a single conductive component formed by stamping a single sheet of metal plate, and/or the second center conductor <NUM> is a single conductive component formed by stamping a single sheet of metal plate.

Claim 1:
A connector, comprising:
outer conductors (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a first outer conductor (<NUM>) and a second outer conductor (<NUM>) which are assembled together in such a way that they are slidably movable with respect to each other;
a center conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged within the outer conductors (<NUM>, <NUM>);
an insulation seat (<NUM>), to which the first outer conductor (<NUM>) is fixed; and
an elastic element (<NUM>), one end of which abuts against the first outer conductor (<NUM>) or the insulation seat (<NUM>),
wherein the center conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>) is also fixed to the insulation seat (<NUM>), so that the first outer conductor (<NUM>) and the center conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>) are both in electrical contact with a first electrical component (<NUM>) under a pressing force from the elastic element (<NUM>)
wherein the center conductor is a first center conductor (<NUM>), wherein the connector comprises a second center conductor (<NUM>) arranged within the outer conductors (<NUM>, <NUM>), and wherein the first center conductor (<NUM>) and the second center conductor (<NUM>) are assembled together in such a way that they are slidably movable with respect to each other,
wherein the first outer conductor (<NUM>) comprises a first outer conductor contact part (111a) which is exposed from a surface of the insulation seat (<NUM>) and adapted to electrically contact with the first electrical component (<NUM>); and wherein the first center conductor (<NUM>) comprises a first center conductor contact part (211a) which is exposed from the surface of the insulation seat (<NUM>) and
adapted to electrically contact with the first electrical component (<NUM>),
characterized in that an elastic structure (<NUM>) is formed on one end of the first center conductor (<NUM>), the elastic structure (<NUM>) is configured as an S-shaped elastic structure;
the elastic structure (<NUM>) is elastically deformable in an axial direction of the connector; and
the first center conductor contact part (211a) is formed on a top end of the elastic structure (<NUM>), so that the first center conductor contact part (211a) is allowed to be moved in an axial direction of the connector.