As shown in FIG. 1, the coaxial cable 8 includes a center conductor 81, an insulating layer 82, a shielding layer (not shown), a braided layer 83, and a plastic jacket 84 sequentially from the inside to the outside. The material of the center conductor 81 is selected from copper, iron, silver, nickel, gold, copper-gold alloy, copper-tin alloy, copper-nickel alloy or other polymer, non-metallic conductors with good conductivity and so on. The braided layer 83 is selected from a metal layer containing aluminum, a metal layer containing copper and a conductive layer containing conductive materials, such as an aluminum foil coating layer or a copper foil coating layer. The braided layer 83 is electrical shielded so that the interference effect can be decreased. The form of the braid layer 83 includes different covering forms such as two-layer weaving (Standard), three-layer weaving (Tri-shield) and four-layer weaving (Quad).

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a coaxial cable connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the coaxial cable connector according to FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows a partially sectioned perspective view of the coaxial cable connector according to FIG. 3. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the coaxial cable connector, as shown in a partially attached position relative to an external interface port. Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the present invention provides a coaxial cable connector that is suitable for mounting on an external port 71 of an electronic device 7 (as shown in FIG. 5). The external port 71 includes an axially extending external thread surface 711 and a radially extending end surface 713. The coaxial cable connector includes a torque sleeve 1, a post 2, an end sleeve 3, a first sealing element 4, and a second sealing element 5. The torque sleeve 1, the post 2 and the end sleeve 3 accommodate the coaxial cable coaxially. The material of the post 2 can be one of metal materials such as copper, iron, silver, nickel, gold, copper-gold alloy, copper-tin alloy, copper-nickel alloy, or a combination of polymers with good conductivity, non-metallic conductors, etc. The material of the torque sleeve 1 and end sleeve 3 can be non-metal (such as plastic) or metal as required.

The torque sleeve 1 includes a first end 11, a second end 12, an internal thread 13, a second engagement portion 14, an opening 15, and an annular recess 16. The internal thread 13 is formed on the first end 11. The second engagement portion 14 is formed on the inner surface of the second end 12. The annular recess 16 is located between the opening 15 and the internal thread 13 and is used for accommodating the first sealing element 4. Preferably, the torque sleeve 1 further includes an annular torsion portion 17 forming on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and an exposed surface 18 spaced apart from the annular torsion portion 17. The annular torsion portion 17 is for the user to hold and facilitate to apply force to rotate the torsion sleeve 1 itself. In the radial direction, the outer diameter of the annular torsion portion 17 of the torsion sleeve 1 is larger than the outer diameter of the exposed surface 18, and the appearance of the annular torsion portion 17 can be any shape, such as hexagonal, square, or annular. In this embodiment, the length of the torque sleeve 1 in the axial direction is longer than the overall length of the post 2.

The post 2 is coaxially sleeved in the torque sleeve 1. The post 2 includes a head portion 21 and a body portion 22. In this embodiment, the head portion 21 and the body portion 22 are two-piece components and are detachably connected to each other. In another embodiment, an annular element (not shown) could also be provided between the head portion 21 and the body portion 22. The head portion 21 of the post 2 is an electrical conductor and is used for direct contact with the external thread surface 711 of the electronic device 7. The head portion 21 of the post 2 has a surrounding wall 211 and a plurality of hollows 213. The surrounding wall 211 of the post 2 has two side edges 214 and an arcuated portion 215 connecting the side edges 214. In the free state, the minimum inner diameter of the arcuated portion 215 is smaller than the outer diameter of the thread portion of the external port 71 of the electronic device 7. In this embodiment, the hollows 213 are formed on the surrounding wall 211 and extend in the axial direction, and each hollow 213 is closed in the surrounding wall 211. In some embodiments, the head portion of the post may have a slot connected to opposite side edges of the surrounding wall, so that the head portion of the post is C-shaped as viewed from the front side.

The body portion 22 of the post 2 has a small diameter shaft portion 23, a large diameter shaft portion 24, and a connecting portion 25. Both ends of the connecting portion 25 are respectively connected to the small diameter shaft portion 23 and the large diameter shaft portion 24. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 25 and the large diameter shaft portion 24 are arranged at an angle, and the connecting portion 25 cooperates with the large diameter shaft portion 24 to define an accommodating space 26. The head portion 21 of the post 2 is disposed in the accommodating space 26. In addition, the small diameter shaft portion 23 of the post 2 has an abutting surface 231 facing the opening 15 of the torque sleeve 1, and the abutting surface 231 is used for abutting against the end surface 713 of the external port 71 of the electronic device 7. The large diameter shaft portion 24 of the post 2 has a first plane 241, and the connecting portion 25 has a second plane 251. The first plane 241 cooperates with the second plane 251 to form a notch 252, and the notch 252 is used for accommodating the second sealing element 5. The opposite sides of the second sealing element 5 are in pressing contact with the second plane 251 of the torque sleeve 1 and the post 2 respectively.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a post of the coaxial cable connector according to various embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the large diameter shaft portion 24 of the post 2 has a protrusion 242 at the end opposite to the connecting portion 25. The protrusion 242, the large diameter shaft portion 24 and the connecting portion 25 cooperate to define the accommodating space 26. The protrusion 242 is used to prevent the head portion 21 of the post 2 from moving out of the accommodating space 26.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 5, the end sleeve 3 is sleeved on the second end 12 of the torque sleeve 1, and the inner surface of the end sleeve 3 is stepped. The end sleeve 3 includes a first annular surface 31, a second annular surface 32, an inner groove 33, a stop portion 34, and a first engagement portion 35. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the first annular surface 31 is larger than the inner diameter of the second annular surface 32, and the inner groove 33 is formed on the inner surface of the end sleeve 3 and located on the second annular surface 32. The stop portion 34 extends toward the first end 11 of the torque sleeve 1. The first engagement portion 35 is formed on the outer surface of the end sleeve 3, and the first engagement portion 35 is fitted into the second engagement portion 14 of the torque sleeve 1, thereby preventing the end sleeve 3 from moving axially in the torque sleeve 1. The shapes of the first engagement portion 35 of the end sleeve 3 and the second engagement portion 14 of the torque sleeve 1 are respectively a convex portion and a concave portion with matching shapes. In some embodiments, the first engagement portion 35 of the end sleeve 3 is a concave portion, and the second engagement portion 14 of the torque sleeve 1 is a convex portion.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, to assemble the coaxial cable connector of the present invention, for example, the head portion 21 of the post 2 could be placed in the accommodating space 26 first and the second sealing element 5 is arranged in the notch 252 of the body portion 22. Afterward, the post 2 could be installed from the second end 12 to the first end 11 of the torque sleeve 1. The first engagement portion 35 of the end sleeve 3 is then plugged into the second end 12 of the second engagement portion 14. The assembly is completed by the first sealing element 4 in the annular recess 16 of the second engagement portion 14.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the coaxial cable connector of the present invention, as shown in a partially attached position relative to an external interface port. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the coaxial cable connector of the present invention, as shown in a fully engaged position relative to the external interface port. Referring to FIGS. 5 to 6, when the post 2 is subjected to an external force in the axial direction, the torque sleeve 1 is movable relative to the post 2 between a partially attached position (as shown in FIG. 5) and a fully engaged position (as shown in FIG. 6). In the partially attached position, the end sleeve 3 disposed at the second end 12 of the torque sleeve 1 defines a surrounding space 36 for the coaxial cable to pass through. A rear segment 232 of the small diameter shaft portion 23 of the post 2 and the inner groove 33 of the end sleeve 3 do not surround each other, and there is a first distance in the radial direction between the rear segment 232 of the post 2 and the end sleeve 3. In the fully engaged position, the body portion 22 of the post 2 abuts against the stop portion 34 of the end sleeve 3, the rear segment 232 of the post 2 and the inner groove 33 of the end sleeve 3 surround each other, and there is a second distance in the radial direction between the rear segment 232 of post 2 and the end sleeve 3, and the second distance is smaller than the first distance.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 6, the advantages of the present invention are described below through the steps of installing the coaxial cable connector on the external port 71 of the electronic device 7:

It should be noted that the coaxial cable is omitted in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the related structure of the coaxial cable can be viewed in FIG. 1. First, install the coaxial cable in the coaxial cable connector of the present invention, wherein the center conductor of the coaxial cable to pass through the body portion 22 and the head portion 21 of the post 2 to the center channel in the external port 71. The body portion 22 of the post 2 accommodates the coaxial cable's center conductor, insulating layer and shielding layer. The body portion 22 of the post 2 and the torque sleeve 1 together surround a space that accommodates the braided layer and the plastic jacket of the coaxial cable.

Next, the coaxial cable connector of the present invention is initially connected to the external port 71 of the electronic device 7. When the body portion 22 of the post 2 abuts against the end surface 713 of the external port 71, the head portion 21 of the post 2 is in direct contact with the external thread surface 711 of the external port 71. Even though the coaxial cable connector of the present invention is partially installed on the external surface 711 of the electronic device 7, the head portion 21 of the post 2 and the external thread surface 711 of the electronic device 7 have already been touched, so the conduction effect of electrical connection can be established at the beginning of the process. When the user rotates the torque sleeve 1 to gradually move the internal thread 13 relatives to the external thread surface 711 of the threaded portion of the electronic device 7 from the partially attached position to the fully engaged position, the post 2 gradually moves away from the first end 11 of the torque sleeve 1. The post 2 is pushed by one end of the threaded portion of the external port 71 until it abuts against the stop portion 34 of the end sleeve 3, and the rear segment 232 of the post 2 gradually penetrates the surrounding space 36 defined by the end sleeve 3, thereby reducing the surrounding space 36 to compress the coaxial cable without using special professional compression tools, thereby preventing the coaxial cable from separating from the coaxial cable connector of the present invention. It should be noted that the inner surface of the torque sleeve 1 not only has the internal thread 13, but also has an annular torsion portion 17 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The annular torsion portion 17 provides a large area of contact with the user's finger. The torque sleeve 1 is rotated by the user by applying force to the annular torsion portion 17. By rotating the torque sleeve 1 relative to the external thread surface 711 of the external port 71, the end surface 713 of the external thread abuts the head portion 21 of the post 2, thereby allowing the post 2 to move axially relative to the torque sleeve 1.

The present invention can continuously provide a conductive effect from the start of installation to the end of the installation. The head portion 21 of the post 2 has been substantially mounted to the external port 71. Once the torque sleeve 1 has gradually moved to the fully engaged position, the rear segment 232 of the post 2 and the end sleeve 3 are matched to clamp the coaxial cable. The inner groove 33 of the end sleeve 3 is used to accommodate the part of the coaxial cable being squeezed and deformed so that the coaxial cable can strengthen the tensile strength between the end sleeve 3 and the post 2.

The advantages of the coaxial cable connector of the present invention can be summarized as follows:

- (1) The coaxial cable connector of the present invention and the electronic device maintain electrical continuity through the head portion of the post in electrically contact with the external thread surface of the external port, during any process of initial installation or complete installation. It provides appropriate shielding to prevent noise and other forms of telecommunication interference, ensuring signal transmission quality.
- (2) Unlike traditional coaxial cable connectors, the coaxial cable connector of the present invention does not require a professional compression tool. By rotating the torque sleeve and moving relative to the post, the surrounding space for accommodating the coaxial cable can be reduced, effectively preventing the coaxial cable from detaching.
- (3) The torque sleeve has a greater axial length than the post's overall length, and the annular torsion portion offers the user with a larger contact area to perform rotations more conveniently.
- (4) Components of the coaxial cable connector of the present invention are compact and simple in structure and can reduce costs effectively.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of a coaxial cable connector according to an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the coaxial cable connector. FIG. 10 shows a partially sectioned perspective view of the coaxial cable connector. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the coaxial cable connector, illustrating a torque sleeve is selectively deposited in a partially attached position relative to a post. FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the coaxial cable connector, illustrating the torque sleeve is selectively deposited in a fully engaged position relative to the post. Referring to FIGS. 8 to 12, a second embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of the present invention is similar to the first embodiment, with the following main differences:

The head portion 21 of the post 2 defines an elastic collet 216 and has a rear end 217 opposite to the elastic collet 216. The inner diameter of the rear end 217 of the post 2 is smaller than the inner diameter of the elastic collet 216. The head portion 21 of the post 2 also has an outer groove 218 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end 217. The elastic collet 216 has a surrounding wall 211 and a plurality of slots 212 formed in the surrounding wall 211 and all extend axially from an open end toward the rear end 217 of the post 2, so that the head portion 21 is formed a plurality of elastic pieces 219 circumferentially spaced apart from each other, thereby forming an elastic collet 216. Preferably, the inner diameter of the elastic collet 216 is tapered toward the first end 11 of the torque sleeve 1 in the axial direction. In some embodiments, the inner diameter can also be uniformly extended axially, as long as the elastic collet directly contact the external thread surface 711 of the external port 71, which can achieve the same purpose and effect of maintaining electrical continuity.

In some embodiments, the body portion 22 of the post 2 is tightly sleeved on the rear end 217 of the head portion 21. The post 2 further includes an annular element 27 and a rubber ring 28. The annular element 27 is tightly sleeved in the head portion 21, and the rubber ring 28 is sleeved between the annular element 27 and the head portion 21. The second sealing element 5 is disposed in the outer groove 218, and the opposite sides of the second sealing element 5 are in pressing contact with the head portion 21 of the post 2 and the end sleeve 3 respectively. In some embodiments, the annular element 27 and the body portion 22 or the annular element 27 and the head portion 21 can both be designed as an integral molding.

The end sleeve 3 is sleeved on the second end 12 of the torque sleeve 1. The end sleeve 3 includes a fixed portion 37 and a compression portion 38 arranged oppositely, and a stop portion 34 disposed between the fixed portion 37 and the compression portion 38. When the torque sleeve 1 is in the partially attached position relative to the post 2 (as shown in FIG. 11), the elastic collet 216 of the post 2 is in an uncompressed state. When the torque sleeve 1 is in the fully engaged position relative to the post 2 (as shown in FIG. 12), the elastic collet 216 of the post 2 is in a compressed state. The elastic collet 216 is compressed and radially deformed by the compression portion 38 of the end sleeve 3, so that the head post 21 of the post 2 is in close contact with the external thread surface of the external port of the electronic device.

To assemble the second embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of the present invention, for example, first, mount the head portion 21, the body portion 22 and the annular element 27 together, and then mount the second sealing element 5 on the head portion 21 of the outer groove 218. In the following step, the rubber ring 28 is sleeved between the annular element 27 and the elastic collet 216 defined by the head portion 21. Within the torque sleeve 1, the post 2, moved from the second end 12 of the torque sleeve 1 to the first end 11, is installed. Then the first engagement portion 35 of the end sleeve 3 is then inserted into the second engagement portion 14 of the second end 12 of the torque sleeve 1. The assembly is completed by installing the first sealing element 4 in the annular recess 16 of the torque sleeve 1.

Using the second embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of the present invention, the same effect and purpose can also be achieved as with the first embodiment of the coaxial cable connector. The elastic collet 216 of the post 2 is radially deformed by being pushed by the inner peripheral surface of the compression portion 38 of the end sleeve 3 as the torque sleeve 1 moves from the partially attached position to the fully engaged position. It provides a compressive force in a radial direction toward the axis, resulting in a tight fit between the post 2 and the threaded portion of the electronic device.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded perspective view of a coaxial cable connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of the coaxial cable connector according to FIG. 13. FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the third embodiment of the coaxial cable connector, illustrating a torque sleeve is selectively deposited in a partially attached position relative to the post. FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the third embodiment of the coaxial cable connector, illustrating a torque sleeve is selectively deposited in a fully engaged position relative to a post. Referring to FIGS. 13 to 16, a third embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of the present invention is similar to the second embodiment, with the following main differences:

The post 2 includes a head portion 20, an annular element 27, and a body portion 22. The head portion 20 has a front end 201 and a tail end 202. The body portion 22 has a front segment 221 and a rear segment 232, and the front section 221 is arranged opposite the rear section 232. The annular element 27 is tightly fitted on the front segment 221 of the body portion 22, and both the annular element 27 and the body portion 22 are integrally and slidably mounted on the head portion 20. In this embodiment, the annular element 27 moves back and forth at the tail end 202 of the head portion 20. In other design applications, the annular element 27 can also move back and forth throughout the entire head portion 20, rather than being restricted to movement only at the tail end 202. In some embodiments, the annular element 27 and the body portion 22 are integrally formed and can be slidably disposed on the head portion 20.

To assemble the third embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of the present invention, for example, the annular element 27 and the body portion 22 can be first assembled together, and then the first sealing element 4 and the second sealing element 5 are respectively disposed in the inner groove 271 and the outer groove 272 of the annular element 27, and then placed in the head portion 20; then the above combination of semi-finished products is moved from the second end 12 of the torque sleeve 1 to the first end 11, and finally the end sleeve 3 is inserted into the second end 12 of the torque sleeve 1 to complete the assembly.

After assembly, in the third embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of the present invention, when the post 2 is subjected to external forces in the axial direction, the torque sleeve 1 can move relative to both the annular element 27 and the body portion 22 of the post 2 between a partially attached position (as shown in FIG. 15) and a fully engaged position (as shown in FIG. 16). In the partially attached position, the annular element 27 is located at the front half 2021 of the tail end 202 of the head portion 20, and the rear segment 232 of the body portion 22 of the post 2 and the inner groove 33 of the end sleeve 3 do not surround each other. In the fully engaged position, the annular element 27 of the post 2 is located at the rear half 2022 of the tail end 202 of the head portion 20 and abuts against the stop portion 34 of the end sleeve 3. The rear segment 232 of the body portion 22 of the post 2 and the inner groove 33 of the end sleeve 3 are surrounded by each other, that is, the rear segment 232 of the body portion 22 of the post 2 penetrates into the surrounding space 36 to reduce the surrounding space 36.

In this embodiment, the appearance of the annular element 27 is circular (as shown in FIG. 13), it can also be a non-circular polygon, such as a hexagon (as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18), or one or more convex points formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular element 27. An electrical conduction effect can be generated no matter what the shape of the annular element 27 as long as it contacts the elastic head portion 20 and can slide relatively.

Thus, the third embodiment can also achieve the same effect and purpose as the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 shows an exploded perspective view of a coaxial cable connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the coaxial cable connector, illustrating a torque sleeve is selectively deposited in a partially attached position relative to the post. FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the coaxial cable connector, illustrating a torque sleeve is selectively deposited in a fully engaged position relative to a post. Referring to FIGS. 19 to 21, a fourth embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of the present invention is similar to the third embodiment, with the following main differences:

The head portion 20 of the post 2 has a front end 201, a tail end 202, and at least one first guiding portion 203 formed at the tail end 202. The annular element 27 of the post 2 has at least one second guiding portion 273, and the at least one second guiding portion 273 and the at least one first guiding portion 203 are shaped to be matched. For example, the at least one first guiding portion 203 is a groove, the at least one second guiding portion 273 is a convex block, and the at least one second guiding portion 273 of the annular element 27 is slidably disposed on the at least one first guiding portion 203 of the head portion 20. It is worth mentioning that the first guiding portion 203 is also available as convex block, while the second guiding portion 273 can be matched with groove. The quantity of the first guiding portion 203 and the second guiding portion 273 can also be multiple, without being limited to one.

Thus, the fourth embodiment can also achieve the same effect and purpose as the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 shows an exploded perspective view of a coaxial cable connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the coaxial cable connector, illustrating a torque sleeve is selectively deposited in a partially attached position relative to the post. FIG. 24 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the coaxial cable connector, illustrating a torque sleeve is selectively deposited in a fully engaged position relative to a post. FIG.