Coaxial connector with axial and radial contact between outer conductors
An assembly of mated coaxial connectors includes: a first connector with a first central conductor extension and a first outer conductor extension having a free end portion; and a second connector with a second central conductor extension and a second outer conductor extension having an outer body and an inner body with a gap therebetween. The first central conductor extension engages the second central conductor extension. The free end portion of the first outer conductor extension fits within the gap of the second outer conductor extension, such that the inner body applies radially outward pressure to the first outer conductor extension. At least one of the first outer conductor extension and the second outer conductor extension includes a flex member that deflects during axial engagement of the first and second connectors to apply axial pressure to the other of the first outer conductor extension and the second outer conductor extension.
1. An assembly of mated coaxial connectors, comprising:
a first connector having a first central conductor extension and a first outer conductor extension, the first outer conductor extension having a free end portion;
a second connector having a second central conductor extension and a second outer conductor extension, the second outer conductor extension having an outer body and an inner body with a gap therebetween;
wherein the first central conductor extension engages the second central conductor extension to establish a first electrical connection;
wherein the free end portion of the first outer conductor extension fits within the gap of the second outer conductor extension, such that the inner body applies radially outward pressure to the first outer conductor extension to establish a second electrical connection; and
wherein the first outer conductor extension is attached to a flex member that deflects during axial engagement of the first and second connectors, the flex member comprising a flex section that extends radially inwardly, an axially-extending body attached to the flex section with a free end portion, and a stop at the free end of the body that engages the inner body of the second outer conductor extension, the flex member configured to apply axial pressure to the other of the first outer conductor extension and the second outer conductor extension to augment the second electrical connection.
2. The assembly defined in claim 1 , wherein the second outer conductor extension also includes a flex member that deflects during axial engagement.
3. The assembly defined in claim 2 , wherein the outer body of the second outer conductor extension does not axially engage the first outer conductor extension.
4. The assembly defined in claim 2 , wherein the inner body of the second outer conductor extension includes a plurality of axially-extending fingers, the fingers applying radial and axial pressure to the first outer conductor extension.
5. The assembly defined in claim 4 , wherein the inner body of the second outer conductor extension comprises a radially-extending flex section on which the plurality of axially-extending fingers are mounted, and wherein the flex section serves as the flex member of the second outer conductor extension.
6. An assembly of mated coaxial connectors, comprising:
a first connector having a first central conductor extension and a first outer conductor extension, the first outer conductor extension having a free end portion;
a second connector having a second central conductor extension and a second outer conductor extension, the second outer conductor extension having an outer body and an inner body with a gap therebetween; and
wherein the first central conductor extension engages the second central conductor extension to establish a first electrical connection;
wherein the free end portion of the first outer conductor extension fits within the gap of the second outer conductor extension, such that the inner body applies radially outward pressure to the first outer conductor extension to establish a second electrical connection;
wherein the second outer conductor extension includes a flex member that deflects axially during axial engagement of the first and second connectors to apply axial pressure to the other of the first outer conductor extension and the second outer conductor extension to augment the second electrical connection; and
the first outer conductor extension and also includes a flex member that deflects axially during axial engagement of the connectors.
7. The assembly defined in claim 6 , wherein the flex member of the first outer conductor extension comprises a projection that extends radially inwardly from the free end portion of the first outer conductor extension.
8. The assembly defined in claim 6 , wherein the inner body of the second outer conductor extension includes a plurality of axially-extending fingers, the fingers applying radial and axial pressure to the first outer conductor extension.
9. The assembly defined in claim 8 , wherein the flex member of the second outer conductor extension comprises a radially-extending flex section on which the plurality of axially-extending fingers are mounted.
10. The assembly defined in claim 6 , wherein the flex member of the first outer conductor extension is attached to the first outer conductor extension and comprises a flex section that extends radially inwardly, an axially-extending body attached to the flex section with a free end, and a stop at the free end of the body that engages the inner body of the second outer conductor extension.
11. An assembly of mated coaxial connectors, comprising:
a first connector having a first central conductor extension and a first outer conductor extension, the first outer conductor extension having a free end portion;
a second connector having a second central conductor extension and a second outer conductor extension, the second outer conductor extension having an outer body and an inner body with a gap therebetween;
wherein the first central conductor extension engages the second central conductor extension to establish a first electrical connection;
wherein the free end portion of the first outer conductor extension fits within the gap of the second outer conductor extension, such that the inner body applies radially outward pressure to the first outer conductor extension to establish a second electrical connection; and
wherein engagement of the first outer conductor extension and the inner body of the second outer conductor extension induces deflection in at least one of the first outer conductor extension and the inner body to create axial and radial pressure between the first outer conductor extension and the inner body;
wherein the inner body of the second outer conductor extension includes a plurality of axially-extending fingers, the fingers applying radial and axial pressure to the first outer conductor extension; and
wherein the inner body of the second outer conductor extension comprises a radially-extending flex section on which the plurality of axially-extending fingers are mounted, and wherein the flex section deflects in the axial direction upon engagement.
12. The assembly defined in claim 11 , wherein the first outer conductor extension also includes a flex member that deflects during axial engagement.
13. The assembly defined in claim 12 , wherein the outer body of the second outer conductor extension does not axially engage the first outer conductor extension.
14. The assembly defined in claim 12 , wherein the flex member of the first outer conductor extension comprises a projection that extends radially inwardly from the free end portion of the first outer conductor extension.
15. The assembly defined in claim 11 , further comprising a coupling nut that engages the first outer conductor extension, wherein the coupling nut engages the outer body of the second outer conductor extension but does not engage a free end of the outer body of the second outer conductor extension.