Patent Description:
Some microwave frequency connectors have right angle housings and metallic center contacts that are designed to be soldered directly to a printed circuit board (PCB). The metallic center contacts are generally surrounded by a plastic insulator and a metallic housing. Socket contacts in these connector assemblies are a key component in the transmission of electrical signal. The components in these connectors may be coupled by various methods, including a push-on design. These types of connectors may use a cable interconnect to transmit the signal to the PCB. However, these types of interconnections usually perform poorly above <NUM> due to a right-angle transition to the PCB.

There are also right-angle cable connectors that also include right angle housing and a metallic center contact that engages with a cable. The metallic center contact in the cable connector is also generally surrounded by a plastic insulator and a metallic housing. The connector components also may be coupled by various methods including a push-on design. The cable in the right-angle housing may be engaged, for example, by soldering a metallic access contact to a center conductor of the cable and then inserting the metallic access contact and cable subassembly into the right-angle housing. The metallic access center contact may thereafter be mated with a socket center contact within the right-angle housing. Another method to engage the cable is to simply insert the prepared cable into the right housing where the center conductor of the cable directly engages the socket center contact in the right housing. In both cases the cable may be soldered to the housing. These types of design perform well between <NUM> to <NUM>, depending on the specification of the cable. <CIT> describes a right-angled coaxial cable connector.

A connector according to the invention is disclosed in independent claim <NUM>.

Embodiments are directed to connector assemblies configured to operate at high frequencies, including frequencies up to <NUM>, with low insertion and return losses. The connector assemblies may include a metallic housing, a first dielectric, and an alignment dielectric. The dielectrics are configured to guide a cable center conductor, functioning as a signal conductor, through an angle from <NUM>° to <NUM>° transition to a printed circuit board (PCB). The number of components in these connector assemblies makes the connector assemblies cost effective. The connector assemblies also have a very low a profile and may be used in compact PCB assemblies.

Some embodiments are directed to a connector assembly comprising housing for storing components of the connector assembly. The connector assembly further includes a cable including a cable center conductor, wherein the cable center conductor is configured as a signal conductor. The connector assembly also includes a first dielectric and an alignment dielectric, wherein each of the first dielectric and the alignment dielectric includes a path to guide the cable center conductor through an angle to a printed circuit board, as the cable is axially inserted into the housing.

In some embodiments, the housing includes multiple ports for several signals. Accordingly, some embodiments are directed to a connector assembly comprising housing including multiple ports, wherein the housing is configured to store components of the connector assembly. The connector assembly also includes a cable including a cable center conductor, wherein the cable center conductor is configured as a signal conductor. The connector assembly further includes a first dielectric and an alignment dielectric, wherein each of the first dielectric and the alignment dielectric includes a path to guide the cable center conductor through an angle to a printed circuit board, as the cable is axially inserted into the housing.

Some embodiment are also directed to a method including inserting a cable forward into a housing of a connector assembly; looping an alignment tool around a cable center conductor of the cable; pushing the cable into the housing until the cable center conductor bottoms in the housing; pulling the cable center conductor downward in a path in the housing, bending at an intersection of a dielectric stop as the cable is continually inserted into the housing; and bending the cable center conductor to a ninety degree orientation.

Embodiments are directed to connector assemblies configured to operate at high frequencies, including frequencies up to <NUM>, with low insertion and return losses. <FIG> shows a front view a connector assembly <NUM> used in accordance with some embodiments. Connector assembly <NUM> includes a first dielectric having halves <NUM> and <NUM>', each of which are configured to guide a cable center conductor through an angle from <NUM>° to <NUM>° transition to a printed circuit board (PCB). The cable center conductor functions as the signal conductor.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of connector assembly <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. Connector assembly <NUM> includes a right angle metallic housing <NUM>, one of the dielectric sections shown in <FIG>, in this case dielectric <NUM>, an additional alignment dielectric <NUM>, and one or more optional alignment members <NUM>. Housing <NUM> is configured to store components of connector assembly <NUM>. Each of dielectric halves <NUM> and <NUM>' and alignment dielectric <NUM> is configured to guide a cable inserted into housing <NUM> into position. Alignment members <NUM> are configured to orient the halves of the first dielectric when the first dielectric is inserted into housing <NUM>. <FIG> also illustrates a path <NUM>, through the first dielectric and alignment dielectric <NUM>, that a center conductor of the cable will follow upon insertion into housing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another front view of connector assembly <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> shows that a cable <NUM> and a cable center conductor <NUM> are inserted into the housing.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of connector assembly <NUM> of <FIG> in accordance with some embodiments. In <FIG>, cable center conductor <NUM> may follow path <NUM> as cable <NUM> is inserted into housing <NUM>. Cable center conductor <NUM> is configured with compliant properties that allow it to readily follow path <NUM> when cable <NUM> is axially advanced into housing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a further front view of connector assembly <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. In <FIG>, cable <NUM> is mounted to a PCB <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of connector assembly <NUM> of <FIG> in accordance with some embodiments. Connection member <NUM>, for example, solder may be used to connect cable center conductor <NUM> to PCB <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a front view of another connector assembly in accordance with some embodiments. Connector assembly <NUM> includes a first dielectric including halves <NUM> and <NUM>' and an orientation member <NUM>. Dielectric halves <NUM> and <NUM>' are configured to guide a cable center conductor through a housing of connector assembly <NUM> to the PCB. Orientation member <NUM> is configured to ensure the orientation of dielectrics sections <NUM> and <NUM>' when the first dielectric is inserted into the housing.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of connector assembly <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. Connector assembly <NUM> includes a right angle metallic housing <NUM>, a section of the first dielectric (in this case dielectric half <NUM>), an alignment dielectric <NUM>, and multiple optional alignment members <NUM>. Dielectric section <NUM> is configured to guide a cable inserted into housing <NUM> into position. Orientation member <NUM> is configured to ensure that dielectric half <NUM> is properly oriented when inserted into the housing <NUM>. Alignment members <NUM> are also configured to ensure that a cable path <NUM> in dielectric section <NUM> remains in the proper orientation. In some embodiments, alignment members <NUM> are configured to maintain proper alignment of dielectric section <NUM> with path <NUM> in the alignment dielectric <NUM>. Orientation member <NUM> is also further configured to ensure that dielectric sections <NUM> and <NUM>' maintain the proper orientation to path <NUM> in the alignment dielectric <NUM>. A cable center conductor follows path <NUM> upon insertion into housing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another front view of connector assembly <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> shows that a cable <NUM> and a cable center conductor <NUM> are inserted into the housing of connector assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of connector assembly <NUM> of <FIG> in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> shows the path <NUM> cable center conductor <NUM> will follow as cable <NUM> is inserted into housing, <NUM>. Cable center conductor <NUM> is configured with compliant properties that allow it to readily follow path <NUM> when cable <NUM> is axially advanced into housing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a dielectric <NUM> used in accordance with some embodiments.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of halves <NUM> and <NUM>' of the dielectric <NUM> used in accordance with some embodiments. Although the dielectrics sections <NUM> and <NUM>' shown in <FIG> are referenced as dielectrics <NUM> and <NUM>', the descriptions for <FIG> may be applicable to other dielectrics used in accordance with other embodiments.

Each of sections <NUM> and <NUM>' of dielectric <NUM> includes a center conductor path <NUM> and <NUM>'. An alignment feature, such as a post <NUM> in a first dielectric section (for example, section <NUM>) corresponds with an alignment feature, such as a socket <NUM> in a second dielectric section (for example, section <NUM>') to align and retain dielectrics sections <NUM> and <NUM>' when mated, for example, by means of a press-fit alignment.

<FIG> shows a front view of dielectric halves <NUM> and <NUM>' in accordance with some embodiments.

<FIG> shows a bottom view of dielectric halves <NUM> and <NUM>' in accordance with some embodiments.

<FIG> shows a sectional view illustrating the alignment features of dielectric halves <NUM> and <NUM>' in accordance with some embodiments. The first dielectric section, for example, section <NUM>, includes post <NUM> that is configured to mate with socket <NUM> in the second dielectric section, for example, section <NUM>'. When mated, post <NUM> and socket <NUM> are configured to align the mated dielectrics section <NUM> and <NUM>'.

<FIG> further illustrates the sectional view of <FIG> in accordance with some embodiments. Each of the dielectric sections are shown to include multiple alignment features, i.e., dielectric section <NUM> includes multiple posts <NUM> that are configured to mate with corresponding sockets <NUM> in dielectric section <NUM>'.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of halves <NUM> and <NUM>' of dielectric <NUM> used in accordance with some embodiments. Although the dielectrics sections shown in <FIG> are referenced as dielectrics <NUM> and <NUM>', the descriptions for <FIG> may be applicable to other dielectrics used in accordance with other embodiments.

Each section <NUM> and <NUM>' of dielectric <NUM> includes a center conductor path <NUM> and <NUM>'. A post <NUM> in dielectric section <NUM> corresponds with a socket <NUM> in dielectric section <NUM>' to align and retain dielectric sections <NUM> and <NUM>' when they are mated, for example, by means of a press-fit alignment. Dielectric section <NUM> includes an alignment mechanism <NUM> that corresponds with and alignment mechanism <NUM> of dielectric section <NUM>'. Together alignment mechanism <NUM> and alignment mechanism <NUM> are configured to align sections <NUM> and <NUM>' of dielectric <NUM> in the metallic housing shown, for example, in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a sectional view illustrating the alignment features of dielectric halves <NUM> and <NUM>' in accordance with some embodiments. Dielectric section <NUM> includes post <NUM> that is configured to mate with socket <NUM> in dielectric section <NUM>'. When mated, post <NUM> and socket <NUM> are configured to align the mated dielectrics sections <NUM> and <NUM>'.

<FIG> show sectional views that demonstrate how a cable is installed in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> shows that cable <NUM> is inserted into metallic housing <NUM> and a dielectric stop <NUM> is inserted over the cable center conductor <NUM>. Dielectric stop <NUM> is configured to help prevent the cable dielectric from extruding after heat is applied to solder cable <NUM> to metallic housing <NUM>. An alignment tool <NUM> is configured to hook around cable center conductor <NUM> to guide cable center conductor <NUM> around a <NUM>° section of metallic housing <NUM>. <FIG> shows cable <NUM> inserted forward into housing <NUM> and alignment tool <NUM> being looped around cable center conductor <NUM>.

<FIG> shows cable <NUM> being pushed further into metallic housing <NUM> until cable center conductor <NUM> bottoms in housing <NUM>. <FIG> shows cable <NUM> being pushed into metallic housing <NUM> while alignment tool <NUM> pulls cable center conductor <NUM> downward, bending at the intersection of dielectric stop <NUM>. Dielectric stop <NUM> is thus used as an edge. <FIG> shows cable center conductor <NUM> continually being bent as cable <NUM> is inserted forward into metallic housing <NUM>. <FIG> shows alignment tool <NUM> being re-positioned to the tip of cable center conductor <NUM>. <FIG> shows cable center conductor <NUM> being bent to a final position. <FIG> shows the final position of cable center conductor <NUM>, i.e., a right-angle bend of cable center conductor <NUM> using dielectric stop <NUM> as an edge. <FIG> shows the final position of the cable <NUM> and dielectric stop <NUM> bottomed in housing <NUM>. <FIG> shows a metallic bushing <NUM> and dielectric <NUM> pressed into metallic housing <NUM>. Dielectric <NUM> is an alignment dielectric pressed into the metallic bushing <NUM> to maintain the position of cable center conductor <NUM> in a <NUM>° angle.

<FIG> shows a front view of another embodiment of a connector assembly <NUM> used in accordance with some embodiments. Connector assembly <NUM> includes a metallic housing with multiple ports <NUM>, each of which includes dielectric halves <NUM> and <NUM>' that are configured to guide a cable into a desired position.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of connector assembly <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. Metallic housing <NUM> may be a right angle metallic housing that is configured to house dielectrics halves <NUM> and <NUM>' and an alignment dielectric <NUM>, all of which are used to guide a cable into position. Metallic housing <NUM> may also include one or more alignment members <NUM> that are configured to orient the dielectrics <NUM>, <NUM>' and <NUM>, when inserted into the housing <NUM>. Metallic housing <NUM> also includes a path <NUM> for the cable center conductor to follow during insertion.

<FIG> shows another front view of connector assembly <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> shows that cable center conductor <NUM> is inserted into and protruding from the housing.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of connector assembly <NUM> of <FIG> in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> shows the path <NUM> cable center conductor <NUM> will follow as cable <NUM> is inserted into housing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another front view of connector assembly <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. In <FIG>, cable <NUM> is mounted to a PCB <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a front view of another connector assembly in accordance with some embodiments. Connector assembly <NUM> includes a housing with multiple ports <NUM>, each of which includes halves <NUM> and <NUM>' of a first dielectric and a dielectric alignment member <NUM>. Dielectric halves <NUM> and <NUM>' are configured to guide a cable center conductor through the housing to the PCB. Dielectric alignment members <NUM> are configured to ensure proper orientation of dielectric sections <NUM> and <NUM>' in housing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of connector assembly <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. Housing <NUM> may be a right angle metallic housing that houses dielectric half <NUM>, an alignment dielectric <NUM>, and multiple optional alignment members <NUM>. Dielectric section <NUM> is configured to guide a cable inserted into housing <NUM> into position. Alignment members <NUM> are also configured to ensure that a cable path <NUM> in dielectrics <NUM> and <NUM>' remain in the proper orientation. In some embodiments, alignment members <NUM> are configured to keep dielectric sections <NUM> and <NUM>' properly aligned with path <NUM> in the dielectric <NUM>. Dielectric alignment member <NUM> also ensures that dielectric sections <NUM> and <NUM>' maintain the proper orientation to path <NUM> on the additional dielectric <NUM>. A center conductor of the cable follows path <NUM> upon insertion into housing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another front view of connector assembly <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. <FIG> shows that a cable <NUM> and a cable center conductor <NUM> are inserted into the housing with multiple ports <NUM>.

<FIG> show embodiments with the cable <NUM> mounted to the printed circuit board <NUM>. A mating member <NUM> solders cable center conductor <NUM> to PCB <NUM>.

Due to the number of components in the connector assemblies, the connector assemblies are cost effective. The connector assemblies also have a very low a profile and may be used in compact PCB assemblies.

<FIG> is a flow diagram of a method used in accordance with some embodiments. At <NUM>, a cable is inserted forward into a housing of a connector assembly. At <NUM>, an alignment tool is looped around a cable center conductor of the cable. At <NUM>, the cable is pushed into the housing until the cable center conductor bottoms in the housing. At <NUM>, the cable center conductor is pulled downward in a path in the housing, bending at an intersection of a dielectric stop as the cable is continually inserted into the housing. At <NUM>, the cable center conductor is bent to a ninety-degree orientation.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "has", "having," "includes", "including," "contains", "containing" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises. a", "includes. a", "contains. a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms "substantially", "essentially", "approximately", "about" or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within <NUM>%, in another embodiment within <NUM>%, in another embodiment within <NUM>% and in another embodiment within <NUM>%. The term "coupled" as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

Claim 1:
A connector assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for storing components of the connector assembly;
a cable (<NUM>) including a cable center conductor (<NUM>), wherein the cable center conductor is configured as a signal conductor; and
a first dielectric (<NUM>) and an alignment dielectric (<NUM>, <NUM>), and
characterized in that each of the first dielectric and the alignment dielectric includes a path to guide the cable center conductor through an angle to a printed circuit board, as the cable is axially inserted into the housing,
wherein the connector assembly further comprises an orientation member (<NUM>) configured to ensure orientation of the first dielectric (<NUM>) when the first dielectric (<NUM>) is inserted into the housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).