(86) International application number: PCT/US97/17055

Transkript

1 (19) Europäisches Patentamt European Patent Office Office européen des brevets *EP B1* (11) EP B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION (4) Date of publication and mention of the grant of the patent: Bulletin 2002/03 (21) Application number: (22) Date of filing: (1) Int Cl. 7 : H01R 13/646, H01Q 1/24, H01R 9/0 (86) International application number: PCT/US97/170 (87) International publication number: WO 98/13903 ( Gazette 1998/13) (4) SHIELDED ANTENNA CONNECTOR ABGESCHIRMTER ANTENNENSTECKVERBINDER CONNECTEUR D ANTENNE BLINDE (84) Designated Contracting States: DE DK FI FR GB IT SE (30) Priority: US (43) Date of publication of application: Bulletin 1999/28 (73) Proprietor: ERICSSON INC. Research Triangle Park, NC (US) (72) Inventor: PHELPS, Craig Raleigh, NC (US) (74) Representative: O Connell, David Christopher Haseltine Lake & Co., Imperial House, 1-19 Kingsway London WC2B 6UD (GB) (6) References cited: EP-A US-A EP B1 Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). Printed by Jouve, 7001 PARIS (FR)

2 1 EP B1 2 Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to antenna connectors, and more particularly, to shielded antenna connectors providing a shield ground and RF connector for interconnections between an antenna and a printed circuit board. Description of Related Art [0002] In the design of cellular telephones, the antenna connector is an essential component. However, the connector happens to be one of the more sensitive areas of the cellular telephone and yields many complex design challenges. Since all transmitted and received signals that the cellular telephone uses must pass through the antenna connection, it is important that the connector function with a minimum of interference. [0003] Presently existing connectors for use with retractable antennas only include an RF connection point for the antenna and provide no ground line or ground shield. When a ground line is required for testing and matching circuitry, an additional coaxial connector must be added to the printed circuit board to provide the necessary test ground. This of course adds to the cost and complexity of the board. An antenna connector incorporating both the ground and RF feed line would be preferred. [0004] U.S. Patent No.,278,70 appears to describe an antenna connector and RF switch assembly for a portable radio. The assembly is used for selectively connecting the radio circuit to the antenna. In the assembly, a switchable conductive center contact portion selectively engages either the antenna or the external signal supply. A molded dielectric insulator portion separates the switchable conductive center contact portion from a metallic housing and is directly connected to the antenna bushing. [000] Early attempts to produce antenna connectors incorporating both ground and RF feed lines, resulted in the ground line acting as a second antenna that received interference signals that disabled the RF feed line. Thus, the connector must be properly shielded in order to avoid this problem. Retractable or telescopic antenna connectors also must provide the ability for a retractable antenna to collapse or pass through the connector. Thus, an RF antenna design providing an RF feed point, proper ground shielding, and capabilities for use with retractable antennas is needed within the cellular telephone industry. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other problems with an improved RF antenna connector. The antenna connector includes a metal housing defining a pair of chambers within its interior. The housing acts as a ground shield and surrounds an antenna inserted into a first of these interior chambers. A formed metal contact provides a connection between the RF feed point of the antenna and an RF connector of an associated printed circuit board. The formed metal contact is stapled to an insulating connector that slides within the second interior chamber of the metal housing. Once the connector is inserted within the housing, the metal contact is positioned to engage the RF feed point of an antenna inserted within the first chamber and the RF feed point of a printed circuit board. The metal contact is also positioned such that it is substantially surrounded and shielded by the housing to limit interference from external sources. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the top side of the antenna connector; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the bottom side of the antenna connector; FIGURE 3 is a perspective view illustrating an antenna inserted within the antenna connector; FIGURE 4 illustrates the interconnection between the antenna connector and a printed circuit board; and FIGURE is a perspective view illustrating connection of the antenna connector within the housing of a cellular telephone. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] Referring now to the Drawings, and more particularly, to FIGURES 1 and 2, there is illustrated the antenna connector of the present invention. The connector consists of the connector housing, insulated connector insert 1 and the shaped metal contact 20. [0009] The connector housing consist of a barrel 2 having a substantially circular cross section for receiving an antenna 27 (FIGURE 3) which is inserted into an antenna chamber 30 within the barrel 2 of housing. The connector housing is preferably cast from a metal such as zinc. The surface of the housing is plated with nickel to prevent oxidation and promote conductivity. The walls of the antenna chamber 30 may threadedly engage the antenna 27 or the antenna can be snapped or soldered into the chamber. The barrel 2 contacts the ground point of an antenna 27 when the antenna is inserted within antenna chamber 30. The barrel 2 of the housing is further configured to ena- 2

3 3 EP B ble the antenna 27 inserted within the antenna chamber 30 to retract and extend through the housing. [00] The connector flange 3 extends perpendicularly from the barrel 2 and defines a chamber 40 for receiving the insulated connector insert 1. The chamber 40 defines a pair of opposed slots 4 for engaging the insulated connector insert 1. The base 0 of the connector flange 3 defines an opening through which a portion of the shaped metal contact 20 extends to enable connection with a printed circuit board. The base 0 of connector flange 3 contacts the ground plane of a printed circuit board (PCB) such that the entire housing. acts as a ground shield. The connection between the PCB ground plane and the base 0 of the housing is maintained by a conductive foam 0 which compresses between the board and housing as shown in FIGURE 4. [0011] The insulated connector insert 1 consists of a central body 60 having guide rails 6 extending from the sides thereof. The guide rails 6 engage the opposed slots 4 of the connector flange 3 such that the insulated connector insert 1 may be secured within the antenna housing. The insulated connector insert 1 is molded from plastic, for example, poly-carbonate, and is shaped to receive the shaped metal contact 20 over the central body 60 such that the contact engages the RF feed points of the antenna and a printed circuit board. [0012] The formed metal contact 20 is snapped around the central body 60. The formed metal contact 20 includes an antenna portion 80, base portion 8, and PCB portion 90. The antenna portion 80 angles upward from the insulated connector insert 1 in a v-shape to provide a secure contact with the feed point of an inserted antenna 27. The PCB portion 90 extends slightly outward from the base 0 of the connector flange 3 such that the contact 20 maintains galvanic contact with the PCB RF feed point. The formed metal contact 20 is stapled, soldered or otherwise connected to the insulated connector insert 1 via base portion 8. [0013] Insertion of the combined connector insert 1 and formed metal contact 20 assembly within the chamber 40 positions the formed metal contact 20 such that it is substantially surrounded by the housing of the antenna connector. The housing acts as a ground shield for the antenna connector when it is connected with the ground plane of a PCB. Thus, the RF contact between the antenna and the PCB is shielded from external interference by the barrel 2 of the housing. [0014] The antenna connector is heat staked into a plastic housing of a cellular telephone unit as shown in FIGURE. When the connector is positioned in this manner the PCB portion 90 of the formed metal contact 20 will engage the RF feed of a printed circuit board. Then a PCB board is snapped into place in the telephone housing. [001] Although a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims. Claims 1. An antenna connector including means (20) for contacting an RF feed point of an antenna (27), the antenna connector characterized by: a metal housing () defining a first interior chamber (30) for receiving an antenna and a second interior chamber (40), the housing acting as a ground shield for the antenna within the first interior chamber; and an insulated insert (1) connected to the means for contacting, the insulated insert configured for insertion into the second interior chamber of the housing such that the means for contacting engages the RF feed point of the antenna within the first chamber. 2. The antenna connector of Claim 1 wherein the housing () substantially surrounds the means (20) for contacting and acts as a ground shield therefore. 3. The antenna connector of Claim 1 wherein the means for contacting further defines means (90) for connecting with an RF feed of a printed circuit board. 4. The antenna connector of Claim 1 wherein the housing further enables extension and retraction of a retractable antenna within the first ihterior chamber (30).. The antenna connector of Claim 1 wherein the first interior chamber (30) threadedly engages the antenna. 6. The antenna connector of Claim 1 wherein the means for contacting comprises a formed metal contact (20). 7. The antenna connection of Claim 6 wherein the insulated insert comprises a plastic connector (60) inserted within the formed metal contact (20). 8. An antenna connector including a formed metal contact (20) for engaging an RF feed point of an antenna (27) and an RF connector of a printed circuit board, the antenna connector characterized 3

4 EP B1 6 by: Patentansprüche a metal housing () defining a first interior chamber (30) for receiving the antenna and a second interior chamber (40), the housing acting as a ground shield for the antenna within the first interior chamber when connected to a ground plane of the printed circuit board; and an insulated connector (1) inserted within the formed metal contact, the connector configured for insertion into the second interior chamber such that the formed metal contact engages the RF feed point of the antenna and is substantially surrounded by the housing to limit interference to the formed metal contact. 9. The antenna connector of Claim 8 wherein the housing () further enables extension and retraction of a retractable antenna within the first interior chamber.. The antenna connector of Claim 8 wherein the first interior chamber (30) threadedly engages the antenna. 11. The antenna connector of Claim 8 wherein the housing () comprises a cast metal conductor. 12. The antenna connector of Claim 11 wherein the metal housing () is plated to prevent oxidation and promote conductivity. 13. An antenna connector including an RF feed connector (20) for contacting an RF feed point of an antenna (27) engaging the antenna connector and a ground connector for engaging a ground plane of a printed circuit board, the antenna characterized by: Antennenverbinder, ein Mittel (20) zum Kontaktieren eines Hochfrequenzspeisepunktes einer Antenne (27) einschließend, gekennzeichnet durch ein eine erste Innenkammer (30) zum Aufnehmen einer Antenne und eine zweite Innenkammer (40) definierendes Metallgehäuse (), das als Masseschirmung für die Antenne in der ersten Innenkammer dient; und einen mit dem Mittel zum Kontaktieren verbundenen isolierten Einsatz (1), konfiguriert zum derartigen Einfügen in die zweite Innenkammer, dass das Mittel zum Kontaktieren mit dem Hochfrequenzspeisepunkt der Antenne in der ersten Kammer in Eingriff kommt. 2. Antennenverbinder nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Gehäuse () im wesentlichen das Mittel (20) zum Kontaktieren umfängt und als Masseschirmung hiervon dient. 3. Antennenverbinder nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Mittel zum Kontaktieren ausserdem ein Mittel zum Verbinden mit einem Hochfrequenzspeisepunkt einer Leiterplatte definiert. 4. Antennenverbinder nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Gehäuse ausserdem das Ausziehen und Einschieben einer einschiebbaren Antenne innerhalb der ersten Innenkammer (30) ermöglicht.. Antennenverbinder nach Anspruch 1, wobei die erste Innenkammer (30) mit der Antenne gewindeartig in Eingriff ist. a metal housing () substantially surrounding the RF feed connector and integral with the ground connector such that the housing forms a ground shield for the RF feed connector and the contacted RF feed point; and an insulated insert (1) connected to the RF feed connector, the insulated insert configured for insertion into the housing. 14. The antenna connector of Claim 13 wherein the metal housing () further comprises means for receiving a retractable antenna. 1. The antenna connector of Claim 13, further including means for insulating the RF feed connector (20) from the ground shield Antennenverbinder nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Mittel zum Kontaktieren einen geformten Metallkontakt (20) umfasst. 7. Antennenverbinder nach Anspruch 6, wobei der isolierte Einsatz einen in den geformten Metallkontakt (20) eingesetzten Plastikverbinder (60) enthält. 8. Antennenverbinder, einen geformten Metallkontakt (20) zum in Eingriff kommen mit einem Hochfrequenzspeisepunkt einer Antenne (27) und einen Hochfrequenzverbinder einer Leiterplatte einschließend, gekennzeichnet durch ein eine erste Innenkammer (30) zum Aufnehmen einer Antenne und eine zweite Innenkammer (40) definierendes Metallgehäuse (), das als Masseschirmung für die Antenne in der 4

5 7 EP B1 8 ersten Innenkammer dient, wenn mit einer Masseplatte der Leiterplatte verbunden; und einen in den geformten Metallkontakt (20) eingesetzten isolierenden Verbinder (1), konfiguriert zum derartigen Einfügen in die zweite Innenkammer, dass der geformte Metallkontakt mit dem Hochfrequenzspeisepunkt der Antenne in Eingriff kommt und von dem Gehäuse im wesentlichen umfangen ist, um Interferenz zu dem geformten Metallkontakt zu begrenzen. 9. Antennenverbinder nach Anspruch 8, wobei das Gehäuse ausserdem das Herausziehen und das Einschieben einer einschiebbaren Antenne innerhalb der ersten Innenkammer ermöglicht.. Antennenverbinder nach Anspruch 8, wobei die erste Innenkammer (30) mit der Antenne gewindeartig in Eingriff ist Revendications 1. Connecteur d'antenne comprenant des moyens (20) destinés à venir en contact avec un point d'alimentation RF d'une antenne (27), le connecteur d'antenne étant caractérisé par : un boîtier en métal () définissant une première chambre intérieure (30) pour recevoir une antenne et une seconde chambre intérieure (40), le boîtier agissant comme un blindage de masse pour l'antenne à l'intérieur de la première chambre intérieure ; et un insert isolé (1) connecté aux moyens de contact, l'insert isolé étant configuré pour l'insertion dans la seconde chambre intérieure du boîtier, de façon que les moyens de contact viennent en contact avec le point d'alimentation RF de l'antenne à l'intérieur de la première chambre. 11. Antennenverbinder nach Anspruch 8, wobei das Gehäuse einen Metallgussleiter umfasst. 12. Antennenverbinder nach Anspruch 11, wobei das Metallgehäuse metallbeschichtet ist, um Oxidation zu verhindern und Leitfähigkeit zu unterstützen. 13. Antennenverbinder, einen Hochfrequenzspeiseverbinder (20) zum Kontaktieren eines Hochfrequenzspeisepunktes einer mit dem Antennenverbinder in Eingriff stehenden Antenne (27) und einen Masseverbinder zum in Eingriff stehen mit einer Masseplatte einer Leiterplatte enthaltend, gekennzeichnet durch ein den Hochfrequenzspeiseverbinder im wesentlichen umfangendes Metallgehäuse (), das mit dem Masseverbinder derart eine Einheit bildet, dass das Gehäuse eine Masseschirmung für den Hochfrequenzspeiseverbinder und den kontaktierten Hochfrequenzspeisepunkt bildet; und einen mit dem Hochfrequenzspeiseverbinder verbundenen isolierten Einsatz (1), konfiguriert zum Einfügen in das Gehäuse. 14. Antennenverbinder nach Anspruch 13, wobei das Metallgehäuse () ausserdem Mittel zum Aufnehmen einer einschiebbaren Antenne umfasst. 1. Antennenverbinder nach Anspruch 13, ausserdem Mittel zum Isolieren des Hochfrequenzspeiseverbinders (20) von der Masseschirmung enthaltend Connecteur d'antenne selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le boîtier () entoure pratiquement les moyens de contact (20) et agit comme un blindage de masse pour ceux-ci. 3. Connecteur d'antenne selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les moyens de contact définissent en outre des moyens (90) pour la connexion à une source d'alimentation RF d'une carte de circuit imprimé. 4. Connecteur d'antenne selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le boîtier permet en outre d'étendre et de rétracter une antenne rétractable à l'intérieur de la première chambre intérieure (30).. Connecteur d'antenne selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la première chambre intérieure (30) est accouplée à l'antenne par vissage. 6. Connecteur d'antenne selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les moyens de contact comprennent un contact en métal (20) mis en forme. 7. Connecteur d'antenne selon la revendication 6, dans lequel l'insert isolé comprend un connecteur en matière plastique (60) inséré à l'intérieur du contact en métal (20) mis en forme. 8. Connecteur d'antenne comprenant un contact en métal (20) mis en forme pour venir en contact avec un point d'alimentation RF d'une antenne (27) et avec un connecteur RF d'une carte de circuit imprimé, le connecteur d'antenne étant caractérisé par : un boîtier en métal () définissant une premiè-

6 9 EP B1 re chambre intérieure (30) pour recevoir l'antenne et une seconde chambre intérieure (40), le boîtier agissant comme un blindage de masse pour l'antenne à l'intérieur de la première chambre intérieure, lorsqu'il est connecté à un plan de masse de la carte de circuit imprimé; et un connecteur isolé (1) inséré à l'intérieur du contact en métal mis en forme, le connecteur étant configuré pour l'insertion dans la seconde chambre intérieure, de façon que le contact en métal mis en forme vienne en contact avec le point d'alimentation RF de l'antenne et soit pratiquement entouré par le boîtier, pour limiter le brouillage atteignant le contact en métal mis en forme. 1 comprenant en outre des moyens pour isoler le connecteur d'alimentation RF (20) vis-à-vis du blindage de masse. 9. Connecteur d'antenne selon la revendication 8, dans lequel le boîtier () permet en outre d'étendre et de rétracter une antenne rétractable à l'intérieur de la première chambre intérieure. 20. Connecteur d'antenne selon la revendication 8, dans lequel la première chambre intérieure (30) est accouplée à l'antenne par vissage. 11. Connecteur d'antenne selon la revendication 8, dans lequel le boîtier () comprend un conducteur en métal moulé Connecteur d'antenne selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le boîtier en métal () est revêtu pour empêcher l'oxydation et favoriser la conductivité Connecteur d'antenne comprenant un connecteur d'alimentation RF (20) pour venir en contact avec un point d'alimentation RF d'une antenne (27) qui est accouplée au connecteur d'antenne, et un connecteur de masse pour venir en contact avec un plan de masse d'une carte de circuit imprimé, l'antenne étant caractérisée par : 3 40 un boîtier en métal () entourant pratiquement le connecteur d'alimentation RF et formé en une seule pièce avec le connecteur de masse, de façon que le boîtier forme un blindage de masse pour le connecteur d'alimentation RF et le point d'alimentation RF avec lequel un contact est établi; et un insert isolé (1) connecté au connecteur d'alimentation RF, l'insert isolé étant configuré pour l'insertion dans le boîtier Connecteur d'antenne selon la revendication 13, dans lequel le boîtier en métal () comprend en outre des moyens pour recevoir une antenne rétractable. 1. Connecteur d'antenne selon la revendication 13, 6

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