Coaxial cable connector

#The present invention relates to coaxial cable connectors and, more particularly, to a coaxial connector having an improved crimp section.

#Coaxial cable connectors are commonly used to terminate coaxial cables. These connectors typically include a conductive outer shell comprising a mating section, a signal pin and a cylindrical sleeve that receives and mechanically secures a stripped end of a coaxial cable. The coaxial cable has a center conductor for transmitting a signal. The center conductor is surrounded by a dielectric. An outer ground or shield conductor in the form of a pliant wire braid encircles the dielectric. The outer conductor is encased in a protective jacket.

#To secure the coaxial cable in the connector, a stripped end of the coaxial cable is inserted into a receiving end of the cylindrical sleeve. The exposed center conductor is electrically connected to the signal pin contained within the connector. As the coaxial cable is inserted into the cylindrical sleeve, an inner tubular member, that may comprise raised barbs, is forced between the dielectric and the outer conductor of the coaxial cable. The outer conductor is received in a space between the cylindrical sleeve and the inner tubular member and may be folded back over the end of the protective jacket. This method and arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,934 issued to Jacobsen et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,076 issued to Down. A conventional crimping tool is then used to apply a crimp to the outside of the cylindrical sleeve securing the outer conductor jacket of the coaxial cable between the inner tubular member and the cylindrical sleeve.

#The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

#FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the coaxial connector.

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial connector before cable insertion and crimping.

#FIG. 1 shows a coaxial cable connector 10 having an electrically conductive outer shell 12 comprising a mating section 12a and a cylindrical sleeve 12b. The mating section 12a has a centrally located signal pin 15 surrounded by a dielectric 18. An retaining ring 17 is positioned between the outer shell 12 and the dielectric 18. The mating section 12a may optionally comprise a fastener (not shown) that surrounds the conductive outer shell 12, such as an internally threaded nut, designed to secure a complimentary receptacle to the mating section 12a of the end connector 10. The cylindrical sleeve 12b has a cable receiving end 34 and an annular projection 11. The cylindrical sleeve 12b receives a coaxial cable 20 for termination within the connector 10. The coaxial cable 20, shown in FIG. 1, has a center conductor 21 for transmitting a signal. The center conductor 21 is a solid or stranded wire that is centrally located within a dielectric 22. An outer conductor 23 or shield surrounds the dielectric 22. The outer conductor 23 generally comprises a pliant wire braid that may be woven over a foil sheath. The outer conductor 23, encircling the cylindrical dielectric 22, is encased within a protective jacket 24.

#Each of the major components will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the conductive outer shell 12 has a mating end 32 and a cable receiving end 34 disposed opposite the mating end 32. An outer surface 36 extends from the mating end 32 to the cable receiving end 34. The conductive outer shell 12 consists mainly of a mating section 12a and a cylindrical sleeve 12b. Within the mating section 12a, the outer surface 36 is contoured to have raised portions 40 and recessed portions 42 disposed therebetween. Moving rearward from the mating section 12a, an annular ridge 44 is disposed about the outer surface 36 rearward of the raised portion 40.

#The cylindrical sleeve 12b is disposed between the annular ridge 44 and the cable receiving end 34. The cylindrical sleeve 12b consists of a generally tubular section having a cylindrical sleeve inner surface 54 and a cylindrical sleeve outer surface 56. An annular projection 11 is disposed around the cylindrical sleeve outer surface 56 at the cable receiving end 34. It should be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art that while the annular projection 11 is shown here as having a generally rectangular cross section it could have other geometrical configurations either on the outer surface 56 or the inner surface 54 that may have a similar function as will be described in greater detail below. Also, it should be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art that while the outer surface 36 has been described with a certain contour, that contour may be varied depending on size constraints and securing requirements of a particular application.