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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
A mobile phone coaxial connector assembly comprises a switching
coaxial connector for connection to an external antenna, and a second
coaxial connector for connection to an internal antenna. The switching
connector and internal antenna connector are provided with a common
dielectric housing such that the connectors form a single assembly.
The internal antenna connector comprises a resiliently mounted center
contact having a large dome-shaped contact surface for positional
tolerance absorption.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
We claim:
1. A coaxial connector assembly for a mobile communication device,
such as a phone, comprising: a first coaxial connector for pluggably
mating with a complementary coaxial antenna connector, the first
coaxial connector having a center contact that is matable with a
center conductor of the complementary coaxial antenna connector;
a second coaxial connector integrally formed with the first coaxial
connector for connection to an internal antenna of the mobile communication
device; and, a switch that is actuated by the center contact of
the first connector to disconnect the internal antenna from circuitry
of the mobile phone when the complementary coaxial antenna connector
is mated thereto; the second coaxial connector having a resiliently
movable center contact that is slidably mounted within a cavity
of a dielectric housing portion to allow movement in an axial direction
that is orthogonal to a PCB upon which the coaxial connector assembly
is to be mounted where the resiliency is provided to the movable
center contact of the second coaxial connector by a separate spring
arm that engages the center contact of the second coaxial connector,
where the spring arm is stamped and formed from sheet metal and
includes a second contact leg that is a portion of the switch.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second coaxial connector
comprises a center contact that is resiliently movable in an axial
direction that is orthogonal to a PCB on which the coaxial connector
assembly is to be mounted.
3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the internal antenna connector
center contact is slideably mounted in a cavity of a dielectric
housing portion, whereby resiliency is provided by a separate spring
arm engaging the center contact.
4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the spring arm is stamped and
formed from sheet metal.
5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the spring arm is integrally
formed with a second contact leg having a portion of the switch.
6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the internal antenna connector
center contact has a large dome-shaped contact surface for abutment
against the internal antenna.
7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first connector has a dielectric
housing portion and the second connector has a dielectric housing
portion, the housing portions integrally formed in a common dielectric
housing to which contacts are securely mounted.
8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first coaxial connector
comprises a center contact mounted slidably in an axial direction
corresponding to that of the center contact of the second coaxial
connector, the center contact of the first coaxial connector having
a contact surface projecting beyond a mating face of a dielectric
housing portion for abutment against the complementary coaxial antenna
connector.
9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the first connector center contact
engages a spring arm that comprises a portion of the switch.
10. A coaxial connector assembly for a mobile phone, comprising
an internal antenna coaxial connector for connection to an internal
antenna, the connector having a dielectric housing portion concentrically
surrounding a pin-shaped center contact slideably mounted in an
axial direction within a cavity of the housing portion for absorbing
positional tolerances of the antenna in the axial direction, the
assembly further comprising a spring member engaging a connection
end of the center contact such that a contact surface of the center
contact is biased axially away from a mating face of the dielectric
housing portion, wherein the contact surface has a large dome-shape
having a diameter substantially greater than the portion of pin-shaped
center contact positioned within the cavity of the housing portion
in order to absorb tolerances in positioning an antenna in a radial
direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction.
11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the spring member is a spring
arm stamped and formed from sheet metal and engages a connection
end of the center contact opposed to the contact surface.
12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the spring member is integrally
formed with a second contact leg comprising a portion of switch
for disconnecting the internal antenna.
13. A coaxial connector assembly for a mobile communication device,
such as a phone, comprising: a first coaxial connector for pluggably
mating with a complementary coaxial antenna connector, the first
coaxial connector having a center contact that is matable with a
center conductor of the complementary coaxial antenna connector;
a second coaxial connector integrally formed with the first coaxial
connector for connection to an internal antenna of the mobile communication
device; and a switch that is actuated by the center contact of the
first coaxial connector to disconnect the internal antenna from
circuitry of the mobile phone when the complementary coaxial antenna
connector is mated thereto, characterized in that the second coaxial
connector includes an internal antenna center contact that has a
large dome-shaped contact surface for abutment against the internal
antenna.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a coaxial connector for interconnecting
the antenna of a mobile phone to circuitry thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Mobile phones comprise their own antennas but when the phone is
positioned on a support in a automobile for example, the phone connects
to the automobile antenna. The connection of the mobile phone to
the automobile antenna requires a switch to disconnect the phone
from its antenna. The connector for connection to the external antenna
is typically a coaxial type of connector having an inner conductor
concentrically surrounded by a ground conductor.
An example of a coaxial switching connector assembly is shown in
European application 685 911 A1. The switch function is accomplished
by provision of a spring loaded bush mounted concentrically around
a coaxial center pin conductor and biased against a conductor pad.
Disconnection between the center pin and conductor pad occurs during
plugging of the complementary connector which depresses the concentric
bush member. One of the problems of the latter design and other
coaxial connectors, is that they are not adapted to absorb relatively
large tolerances in position of the mating parts. This is particularly
important in applications such as cell phones, where in comparison
to the connector size, the positioning of the cell phone in its
support (cradle) may vary significantly. Another problem arises
from the frequent plugging and unplugging and relatively large shocks
and forces to which contacts are subject.
It would be desirable to provide a coaxial connector interface
that supports high mechanical solicitation and a large number of
connection cycles in a compact and cost-effective manner.
In conventional designs it is typical to interconnect, via circuit
traces on the cell phone PCB, the center conductor that is switched
by the external antenna connector, to an antenna mounted in the
phone. The connection between the antenna and PCB requires a further
connection device. One of the problems of conventional interconnections
between the antenna and the coaxial switching connector is the relatively
poor electrical performance and the plurality of components that
increase manufacturing and assembly costs. Tolerances in the positioning
of the antenna relative to the printed circuit board may be fairly
large. It would be advantageous to provide a connection system to
the antenna that allows for large positional tolerances without
diminishing the electrical performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to improve the interconnection
between antennas and a mobile phone.
Objects of this invention have been achieved by providing the connector
according to claim 1. Disclosed herein is a coaxial connector assembly
comprising a first coaxial connector for mating pluggably with a
complementary coaxial external antenna connector, the first connector
comprising an inner contact matable with a center conductor of the
complementary connector, the inner contact comprising a switch for
disconnecting an internal antenna from circuitry of the mobile phone
when the complementary connector is plugged with the first connector,
wherein the assembly further comprises a second coaxial internal
antenna connector integrally formed with the first connector for
connection to the internal antenna.
The second coaxial connector may comprise an inner conductor resiliently
biasable against the antenna. A spring element for resiliently biasing
the inner contact may be integrally formed with a portion of the
switch. The spring element and portion of switch may be stamped
and formed from sheet metal for a particularly cost-effective and
reliable design. The assembly may comprise a dielectric housing
formed of an integral part, for example by moulding, to which the
inner and outer contacts of the assembly are securely fastened.
A single assembly that can be easily handled and connected to a
printed circuit board, and that allows interconnection of an internal
or an external antenna via the switching coaxial connector is thus
provided. A particularly cost-effective and reliable antenna connection
is thus achieved. The second coaxial connector for the internal
antenna may comprise a center contact mounted concentrically within
a portion of housing, the center conductor slideably movable in
an axial direction substantially perpendicular to a circuit board
when the connector is mounted thereon. The second coaxial connector
center contact may have an enlargened dome-shaped contact portion
for adjusting to positional tolerances of the internal antenna with
respect to the connector. The center contact may be machined from
solid metal.
The first coaxial connector may comprise a pin-shaped center contact
slideable in an axial direction substantially orthogonal to a printed
circuit board on which the connector is mounted, the center contact
having a contact portion protruding beyond a mating face of the
dielectric housing for resilient abutment against the center contact
of the pluggable complementary connector. Resilient biasing of the
center pin contact may be effected by a stamped and formed spring
arm having a portion of the switch thereon.
Objects to this invention have been achieved by providing the connector
assembly according to claim 10. Disclosed here is a coaxial connector
assembly for a mobile phone, comprising an internal antenna coaxial
connector for connection to an internal antenna, the connector having
a dielectric housing portion concentrically surrounding a pin-shaped
center contact slideably mounted in an axial direction (A) within
a cavity of the housing portion for absorbing positional tolerances
of the antenna in the axial direction, the assembly further comprising
a spring member engaging a connection end of the center contact
such that a contact surface of the center contact is biased axially
away from a mating face of the dielectric housing portion, wherein
the contact surface has a large dome-shape having a diameter substantially
greater than the portion of pin-shaped center contact positioned
within the cavity of the housing portion in order to absorb tolerances
in positioning an antenna in a radial direction (R) substantially
orthogonal to the axial direction (A).
Further advantageous aspects of this invention are set forth in
the claims, or will be apparent from the following description and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an assembly according
to this invention mounted on a printed circuit board;
FIG. 2 is a view in the direction of arrow 2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view in the direction of arrow 3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial top view of the layout of circuit traces on
the printed circuit board, for connection to the connector assembly;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through lines 5--5 of FIG. 3 showing
an internal antenna connected to the connector assembly; and
FIG. 6 is view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the internal antenna
in a different position due to positional tolerances.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a coaxial connection assembly 2 for connecting
an internal 70 or external antenna to a mobile phone, is mountable
on a circuit board (PCB) 1 of the mobile phone. The assembly 2 comprises
a first coaxial connector 4 (or switching connector) and a second
coaxial connector 6 (or internal antenna connector) that are formed
together in a single assembly. The assembly 2 has a common dielectric
housing 8 (see FIG. 5) to which conductive contacts of the connectors
4, 6 are securely mounted.
Referring mainly to FIGS. 5 and 2, the switching connector 4 comprises
a dielectric housing portion 10, which is part of the housing 8,
within which is axially slideably mounted a center contact 12, and
mounted concentrically therearound is an outer contact 14. The connector
4 has a mating section 16 and a connection section 18. The connection
section 18 comprises a first contact leg 19 and a second contact
leg 20 mounted from a connection side 22 of the housing 8 into a
recess 23 extending from the mounting or connection face 22. The
contact legs 19, 20 are stamped and formed from sheet metal and
have retention members in the form of V-shaped barbs 24 that engage
opposing walls of vertical grooves 26 in the housing, for securing
the contacts 19, 20 within the recess 23.
The first contact leg 19 comprises a PCB connection portion in
the form of a surface mount tab 28 for solder surface mount on the
printed circuit board 1, in particular to a circuit trace 31 (see
FIG. 4) thereon. The contact leg 19 further comprises a spring member
in the form of a cantilever beam spring arm 30 extending from the
mounting portion 24 to a free end 32. Proximate the free end 32
is a contact portion in the form of a protrusion 34 that biases
against a complementary contact portion 36 of the second contact
leg 20. The spring arm 30 extends across a connection end 38 of
the center contact 12. The connection portion 38 is enlargened with
respect to the body 39 of the pin-shaped center contact such that
the connection end 38 provides an abutment 40 limiting upward biasing
of the center contact 12 beyond a mating face 42 of the housing
portion 10. The center pin contact 12 is depressed towards the printed
circuit board when a complementary coaxial connector is plugged
to the connector 4, thereby abutting a protruding contact surface
44 of the center pin contact 12. The complementary plugging connector
is for example interconnected to a external antenna such as the
antenna of an automobile whereby the switch contacts 34, 36 are
open thereby disconnecting the internal antenna 70. The outer contact
14 of the connector 4 has a large funnel-shaped mating portion 46
having a mating end 48 protruding well beyond the pin contact surface
44 for guiding and adjusting tolerances during plugging of the complementary
external antenna connector to the switching connector. The outer
contact 14 is connected to circuit trace portions 50 (see FIG. 4)
by extensions 52 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) integrally extending axially
from the concentric portion 51 surrounding the dielectric portion
10, the extensions 52 provided with contact pads 53 for surface
mount solder connection to the circuit traces 50.
The antenna connector 6 comprises a dielectric housing portion
56 forming part of the housing 8 and concentrically surrounding
a center contact 58, the housing portion 56 concentrically surrounded
by an outer contact 60. The center contact 58 extends from a connection
end 62 to a contact end 64, and is axially slideable in an axially
extending cavity 66 of the housing portion 56. The contact end 64
has an enlargened head 67 with a domed contact surface 68 against
which an antenna 70 abuts. The large domed contact surface 68 enables
the antenna 70 to be positioned significant tolerances with respect
to the connector. As the antenna 70 is mounted to a housing of a
cell phone, it is advantageous to allow for substantial tolerance
in positioning between the housing and PCB mounted in the housing,
in view of increasing reliability and reducing manufacturing costs.
The center contact 58 is spring mounted such that relatively large
tolerances in the axial direction (A) are absorbed, (the axial direction
is defined as substantially perpendicular to PCB 1 on which the
connector is mountable), as can be seen by comparing FIGS. 5 and
6. Thus, large tolerances in the radial direction R (substantially
parallel to the plane of the PCB 1) and large tolerances in the
axial direction A can be absorbed.
The resiliency of the second coaxial connector center contact is
provided by a spring arm 72 abutting against the connection end
62 of the center contact 58. The spring arm 72 is integrally stamped
and formed with the second contact leg 28 which is mounted in the
housing recess 23. The spring arm 72 is in the form of a cantilever
beam where the contact against the connection end 62 is proximate
a free end 74 of the arm. The spring arm 72 also effects the electrical
interconnection between the center contact 58 and the second contact
leg 20 through the switch to the PCB center contact circuit trace
31. The center contact 58 comprises a retention shoulder 76 engageable
with a shoulder 78 in the cavity 66 for retaining the center contact
in an upwardmost position protruding beyond a mating face 80 of
the dielectric housing portion 56.
The outer contact 60 of the second coaxial connector 6 is interconnected
to the PCB by provision of a contact pad 82 soldered against a complementary
semi-circular circuit trace 84 (see FIG. 4) that is interconnected
to the outer contact circuit traces 50. The connectors 4,6 are mechanically
held together by the common dielectric housing 8 such that a single
connector assembly can be handled and assembled to a circuit board
thereby reducing assembly costs. In addition, the secure and accurate
positioning of the connector 4, 6 with respect to each other enable
reliable interconnection of an internal antenna 70 or an external
antenna to the circuit board 1 in a particularly cost-effective
manner. Furthermore, the internal antenna connector 6 absorbs large
misalignments between the internal antenna 70 and the printed circuit
board by way of the enlargened dome-shaped contact surface 68 and
the axially slideable center contact 58 resiliently mounted against
the spring arm 72. The contact legs 19, 20 can be simply assembled
into the common housing 8 by insertion into the recess 23 in a single
insertion assembly.
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