JP4288967B2 - Coaxial connector with switch and communication device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coaxial connector with a switch and a communication device, and more particularly, to a coaxial connector with a switch capable of switching a signal path incorporated in a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone and a communication device including the connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[Patent Literature]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-245907
Conventionally, some communication devices such as mobile phones use a surface mount type coaxial connector with a switch having a function of switching a signal path. As this type of switch-equipped coaxial connector, the present applicant has already proposed the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-245907.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 9, this coaxial connector with a switch is obtained by attaching a movable terminal 92 made of a conductive thin plate, a fixed terminal 93, and an external terminal 94 to an insulating case 91, and a contact portion located at the tip of the movable terminal 92. 92a contacts the contact part 93a of the fixed terminal 93 by the elastic restoring force of the thin plate itself to form a normally closed contact.
[0005]
Then, when the probe 80 for measuring characteristics is attached, the center contact 81 enters the insulating case 91, the movable terminal 92 is pressed and displaced downward (see the dotted line in FIG. 9), and the contact portion 92a. Is dissociated from the contact portion 93a, and the signal path is switched from the fixed terminal 93 to the center contact 81. At the same time, the external conductor 82 of the probe 80 contacts the external terminal 94.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional coaxial connector 90 with a switch shown in FIG. 9, the contact portions 92a and 93a are point contacts with each other, and are contacted and separated without sliding. If foreign matter adheres to 93a or an insulating film such as an oxide film is formed on the surfaces of the contact portions 92a and 93a, there is a possibility that electrical contact will not be made when contacted again, resulting in a problem in contact reliability. It was.
[0007]
Further, the coupling portion 95 of the coaxial connector 90 with the probe 80 is in an open state, and foreign matter is liable to enter, which has been a cause of impairing contact reliability.
[0008]
Further, in the conventional coaxial connector 90, since the terminals 92, 93, and 94 are formed from a metal plate by pressing or cutting, it takes time for processing, and the number of parts is large, and assembly is complicated. The production cost was increased.
[0009]
Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a coaxial connector with a switch having good contact reliability between a movable terminal and a fixed terminal, and a communication device including the connector.
[0010]
In addition to the first object, a second object of the present invention is to provide a coaxial connector with a switch which prevents intrusion of foreign matter and a communication device including the connector.
[0011]
In addition to the first or second object, a third object of the present invention is to provide a coaxial connector with a switch that can reduce the number of parts and assembly man-hours and can be manufactured at low cost, and a communication device including the connector. There is.
[0012]
[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the first invention
(A) In a coaxial connector with a switch for switching a signal path based on attachment and detachment of a probe having a center contact and an outer conductor,
(B) an insulating substrate;
(C) a probe contact surface in electrical contact with the outer conductor of the probe, and an external terminal attached to the insulating substrate;
(D) first and second fixed terminals provided on the surface of the insulating substrate;
(E) It has an eight-letter shape, has first and second contact portions at the tip of the skirt portion, and has a third contact portion at the top, and the first and second when the probe is detached. The contact portion contacts the first and second fixed terminals, and when the probe is mounted, the center contact is displaced by being pressed against the third contact portion, so that the first contact portion contacts the first fixed terminal. A movable terminal in which the second contact portion is disengaged from the second fixed terminal while maintaining contact;
(F) an insulating elastic body comprising a central insulating elastic body and a side insulating elastic body, and holding the movable terminal;
(G) When the probe is not attached, the side insulating elastic body presses the external terminal and the movable terminal, thereby fixing the first and second contact portions of the movable terminal to the first and second fixed portions. Elastically press the terminal,
(H) At the time of mounting the probe, the central insulating elastic body is deformed by the entrance of the central contact, and the first contact portion is slid while maintaining contact on the first fixed terminal, and the second After the contact portion is slid on the second fixed terminal, the contact portion enters between the second contact portion and the second fixed terminal, so that the first contact direction is substantially opposite to the direction in which the center contact enters . Displacing the contact portion of 2 to release the contact with the second fixed terminal,
It is characterized by.
[0013]
In the coaxial connector with a switch having the above-described configuration, the first and second contact portions of the movable terminal are accompanied by a sliding operation when contacting and separating from the first and second fixed terminals. The effect of wiping off is achieved, and contact failure is eliminated even if foreign matter adheres to the contact portion or an insulating film is formed.
[0014]
In the coaxial connector with a switch according to the present invention, the insulating elastic body can be made of an elastomer. Then, if the movable terminal is made of a conductive plate material having spring properties and is sandwiched between the central insulating elastic body and the side insulating elastic body, it is possible to effectively utilize the elasticity of the movable terminal and the insulating elastic body to make contact. It is possible to reliably perform the contact / separation operation of the part.
[0015]
The insulating elastic body preferably closes the opening of the external terminal. Intrusion of foreign matter from the opening can be prevented.
[0016]
The first and second fixed terminals may be made of a single spring metal material, but are preferably film-like fixed terminal electrodes formed on the surface of the insulating substrate. If the fixed terminal is formed as a film electrode on the surface of the insulating substrate, the number of parts is reduced and the number of assembling steps is also reduced, so that it can be manufactured at low cost. Further, the membrane electrode is extremely thin, which contributes to a reduction in the height of the connector.
[0017]
This type of fixed terminal electrode can be easily formed on an insulating substrate by a conventionally known thick film forming method. For example, a conductive paste may be applied on an insulating substrate, printed or transferred, and then baked, heat cured, or UV cured. Further, the fixed terminal electrode is preferably plated. Good soldering when mounted on a circuit board. If the conductive paste is screen-printed and baked on the insulating substrate, the fixed terminal electrode can be formed efficiently and inexpensively.
[0018]
Furthermore, the coaxial connector with a switch according to the present invention includes a plurality of pairs of first and second contacts corresponding to the first and second contact portions of the plurality of movable terminals, the plurality of movable terminals being held by the insulating elastic body. You may comprise in what is called an array shape provided with the 2nd fixed terminal.
[0019]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus including the switch-equipped coaxial connector according to the first aspect of the present invention. By improving the contact reliability of the coaxial connector, the communication apparatus has good reliability. Can do.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a coaxial connector with a switch and a communication device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021]
(Refer 1st Embodiment and FIGS. 1-4)
The coaxial connector 1 with a switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention functions as an insulating substrate 10, an external terminal (ground terminal) 15, and a switching element for switching signal paths, as shown in FIGS. The movable terminal 20 includes an insulating elastic body 25 that holds the movable terminal 20, and fixed terminal electrodes 31 and 32.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the probe 40 connected to the coaxial connector 1 for measuring characteristics is provided with an external conductor 43 around the center contact 41 via an insulating material 42.
[0023]
The insulating substrate 10 is made of alumina, for example, and concave portions 11a and 11b are formed on both side surfaces. As will be described below with reference to FIG. 5, the recesses 11a and 11b are obtained by dividing the slit 11 formed in the mother substrate 10 ′.
[0024]
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 with diagonal lines, the fixed terminal electrodes 31 and 32 are formed in a film shape on the insulating substrate 10 from the front surface to the back surface through the side surfaces (recesses 11a and 11b). Yes. The film-like fixed terminal electrodes 31 and 32 can be formed by a conventionally known thick film forming method (coating, printing, transfer, etc.).
[0025]
For example, when a conductive paste mainly composed of silver or copper is applied, printed or transferred onto the insulating substrate 10 and then baked, the electrodes 31 and 32 having a thickness of 50 μm or less can be obtained. Alternatively, the electrodes 31 and 32 may be formed by thermally curing or UV curing a conductive paste printed, applied, or transferred onto the insulating substrate 10. Further, the fixed terminal electrodes 31 and 32 are plated. The plating treatment can be formed in a plurality of layers including the base plating. The process of forming the fixed terminal electrodes 31 and 32 will be described later.
[0026]
The external terminal 15 is formed by forming a conductive thin plate material into a cylindrical shape by drawing or the like, and is provided with a cylindrical portion 16 and leg portions 17, 17. The substrate 10 is provided with the leg portions 17, 17 on the upper surface of the insulating substrate 10. It is attached so as to sandwich. The external terminal 15 functions as a ground terminal, and the upper edge portion of the cylindrical portion 16 has a probe contact surface 16a that is in electrical contact with the distal end portion of the external conductor 43 when the probe 40 is mounted (see FIG. 4). It is said that.
[0027]
The movable terminal 20 is made of a conductive thin plate having a spring property (for example, a copper plate plated with gold), and has a substantially eight-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. It has the part 21a and the 2nd contact part 21b, and the top part is made into the 3rd contact part 21c.
[0028]
The insulating elastic body 25 is made of an elastomer (for example, high-hardness silicon rubber), and is divided into a central elastomer 26 and side elastomers 27 and 28, and each is extruded. The movable terminal 20 is sandwiched between both side surfaces of the central elastomer 26 and the opposing surfaces of the side elastomers 27, 28, and by bonding the joining surfaces of the elastomers 26, 27, 28, insulating elasticity The body 25 and the movable terminal 20 are integrated.
[0029]
The insulating elastic body 25 and the movable terminal 20 integrated as described above are placed on the insulating substrate 10, and the step portions 27 a and 28 a of the elastomers 27 and 28 are pressed by the flange portions 18 and 18 of the external terminal 15. As a result, the insulating substrate 10 is fixed. At this time, the upper portion of the insulating elastic body 25 is elastically deformed to close the opening of the cylindrical portion 16 of the external terminal 15. In addition, the contact portion 21 c of the movable terminal 20 is exposed at the center of the opening of the cylindrical portion 16.
[0030]
The state in which the movable terminal 20 and the insulating elastic body 25 are attached to the insulating substrate 10 is as shown in FIG. 3, and the contact portion 21 a is elastically pressed by the side elastomer 27 and is in pressure contact with the fixed terminal electrode 31. . Further, the contact portion 21 b is elastically pressed by the protruding piece 28 b of the side elastomer 28 and presses against the fixed terminal electrode 32.
[0031]
By the way, one protruding piece 26a of the central elastomer 26 is formed relatively thick, and the other protruding piece 26b is formed relatively thin. A cavity 28 c is formed above the protruding piece 28 b of the side elastomer 28.
[0032]
Next, the operation of the coaxial connector with switch 1 having the above configuration will be described. When the probe 40 is not attached, the movable terminal 20 and the insulating elastic body 25 are in the state shown in FIG. 3 as described above, and the contact portion 21a of the movable terminal 20 elastically contacts the fixed terminal electrode 31 and contacts. The part 21 b is in elastic contact with the fixed terminal electrode 32. In this case, the fixed terminal electrodes 31 and 32 communicate as a signal path via the movable terminal 20.
[0033]
On the other hand, when the probe 40 is mounted, as shown in FIG. 4, the center contact 41 enters the cylindrical portion 16 of the external terminal 15, and the tip of the center contact 41 presses the contact portion 21c of the movable terminal 20, While the contact portion 21c is displaced downward, the insulating elastic body 25 is also displaced downward.
[0034]
Specifically, the contact portion 21a of the movable terminal 20 is in the direction of arrow A while maintaining contact on the fixed terminal electrode 31 as the lower portions of the elastomers 26 and 27 are deformed outward (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4). Slide. The contact portion 21b slides in the direction of arrow B on the fixed terminal electrode 32 as the protrusion 26b of the elastomer 26 and the protrusion 28b of the elastomer 28 are deformed outward (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 4). In addition, as the protruding piece 28b is deformed toward the cavity 28c and the protruding piece 26b enters between the contact portion 21b and the fixed terminal electrode 32, the protruding direction of the center contact 41 is displaced in the opposite direction. The contact portion 21b is dissociated from the fixed terminal electrode 32. That is, the signal path is switched from the fixed terminal electrode 31 to the center contact 41.
[0035]
Regarding the contact portion 21a, the elastomer 27 is not formed with a hollow portion, and the protrusion 26a of the elastomer 26 is formed to be relatively thick, so that the elastomers 26, 27 are deformed when the probe 40 is mounted. However, the contact portion 21a slides on the fixed terminal electrode 31 and the contact pressure increases, but the protruding piece 26a does not enter between the contact portion 21a and the fixed terminal electrode 31, and the contact portion 21a. And the fixed terminal electrode 31 are maintained in contact with each other.
[0036]
In the coaxial connector 1 with a switch having the above configuration and operation, the contact portions 21a and 21b of the movable terminal 20 are accompanied by a sliding operation when contacting and separating from the fixed terminal electrodes 31 and 32. In other words, it is possible to prevent a contact failure from occurring even if a portion is wiped off and foreign matter adheres to the contact portion or an insulating film is formed.
[0037]
In addition, since the upper portion of the insulating elastic body 25 closes the opening of the cylindrical portion 16 of the external terminal 15, entry of foreign matter from the opening is effectively prevented.
[0038]
(Fixed terminal electrode formation method, see FIG. 5)
Next, an example of a method for forming the fixed terminal electrodes 31 and 32 on the insulating substrate 10 will be described.
[0039]
The insulating substrate 10 is divided from the mother substrate 10 ′ shown in FIG. 5 by dividing lines X and Y indicated by alternate long and short dashed lines, and is cut one unit at a time. Various methods such as cutting with a dicer or the like, cutting and breaking and cutting can be employed.
[0040]
The fixed terminal electrodes 31 and 32 are formed at the stage of the mother substrate 10 ′. That is, the slit 11 is formed on the dividing line X in the mother substrate 10 ′. A screen mask is overlaid on the surface of the mother substrate 10 ', and the conductive paste is screen-printed at a predetermined position, and the conductive paste is screen-printed at a predetermined position on the back surface in the same procedure. At this time, a part of the conductive paste enters the slit 11 and adheres to the side surface. Thereafter, the fixed terminal electrodes 31 and 32 are formed by baking. The electrodes 31 and 32 may be plated. Note that various methods other than screen printing can be adopted as a method of applying the conductive paste to the mother substrate 10 ′.
As described above, if the fixed terminals are formed on the insulating substrate 10 as the film-like electrodes 31 and 32, the metal terminal parts are reduced by one point, the number of assembling steps is reduced, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. . Further, the fixed terminal electrodes 31 and 32 are extremely thin as compared with the metal terminal, which contributes to a reduction in the height of the connector 1. In particular, if the fixed terminal electrodes 31 and 32 are formed at the stage of the mother substrate 10 ′, the insulating substrate 10 with electrodes can be mass-produced by so-called batch processing, and the production efficiency is improved.
[0042]
The fixed terminal may be attached to the insulating substrate 10 by press-molding a conductive metal plate as in the prior art. In this case, the cost is higher than that of the film electrode, but the surface hardness is higher than that of the film electrode, which is advantageous in terms of contact reliability.
[0043]
(Refer to the second embodiment, FIGS. 6 and 7)
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the coaxial connector 2 with a switch according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an insulating substrate 10, an external terminal 15, and an insulating elastic body 25 that are formed in a long shape, and have insulating elasticity. A plurality of movable terminals 20 are provided at a predetermined interval on the body 25, and a plurality of pairs of fixed terminal electrodes 31, 32 corresponding to contact portions 21a, 21b (not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) of the movable terminal 20 on the insulating substrate 10. Is provided. 6 and 7, the same parts and portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
[0044]
That is, the second embodiment is configured in an array having a plurality of signal paths, and the cross-sectional shape of each signal path is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The operations of the movable terminal 20 and the insulating elastic body 25 based on the attachment / detachment of are the same as in the first embodiment.
[0045]
(See embodiment of communication device, FIG. 8)
Next, a communication apparatus which is another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 shows a high-frequency circuit 120 of a cellular phone. The high-frequency circuit 120 includes an antenna element 122, a duplexer 123, a changeover switch 125, a transmission-side isolator 131, a transmission-side amplifier 132, and a band-pass filter for transmission-side stages. 133, a transmission side mixer 134, a reception side amplifier 135, a reception side interstage band pass filter 136, a reception side mixer 137, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 138, and a local band pass filter 139.
[0046]
Here, the switch-equipped coaxial connector 1 or 2 can be used as the changeover switch 125. Thus, for example, when checking the electrical characteristics of the high-frequency circuit 120 in the assembly process of a mobile phone at a set manufacturer, if the probe 40 connected to the measuring instrument is attached to the coaxial connector 1 or 2 with a switch as described above. The signal path from the high frequency circuit 120 to the antenna element 122 can be switched to the measuring instrument side.
[0047]
(Other embodiments)
The coaxial connector with a switch and the communication device according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist.
[0048]
For example, the detailed structure of the insulating substrate, the external terminal, the movable terminal, and the fixed terminal, which are components of the coaxial connector with a switch, is arbitrary. In particular, the insulating substrate may have a case shape. Further, the coaxial connector with a switch can be incorporated in various communication devices other than the cellular phone.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the coaxial connector with a switch according to the present invention, the contact part of the movable terminal slides on the fixed terminal based on the attachment / detachment of the probe. The film is removed, and the contact reliability is improved.
[0050]
In addition, the communication device according to the present invention includes a coaxial connector with a switch having the above-described effects, whereby a communication device with improved reliability can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a coaxial connector with a switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the coaxial connector with a switch.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the coaxial connector with switch when the probe is not attached.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the coaxial connector with switch when the probe is mounted.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a mother substrate in a state where fixed terminal electrodes are formed.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a coaxial connector with a switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an exploded perspective view showing the coaxial connector with a switch shown in FIG. 6. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a high-frequency circuit of a communication device (mobile phone) according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional coaxial connector with a switch when a probe is not attached.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 ... Coaxial connector 10 with switch ... Insulating substrate 15 ... External terminal 16a ... Probe contact surface 20 ... Movable terminals 21a, 21b, 21c ... Contact part 25 ... Insulating elastic bodies 26, 27, 28 ... Elastomers 31, 32 ... Fixed terminal electrode 40 ... probe 41 ... center contact 43 ... outer conductor 120 ... high frequency circuit 125 ... switch (coaxial connector with switch)

Claims (8)

In the coaxial connector with a switch that switches the signal path based on the attachment and detachment of the probe having the center contact and the outer conductor,
An insulating substrate;
A probe contact surface that is in electrical contact with the external conductor of the probe, and an external terminal attached to the insulating substrate;
First and second fixed terminals provided on the surface of the insulating substrate;
It has an eight-shaped shape, has first and second contact portions at the tip of the skirt portion, and has a third contact portion at the top, and the first and second contact portions when the probe is detached. Is in contact with the first and second fixed terminals, and when the probe is mounted, the center contact is displaced by being pressed against the third contact portion, so that the first contact portion maintains contact with the first fixed terminal. While the second contact portion disengages from the second fixed terminal,
An insulating elastic body made of a central insulating elastic body and a side insulating elastic body and holding the movable terminal;
When the probe is not attached, the side insulating elastic body presses against the external terminal and the movable terminal, thereby elasticating the first and second contact portions of the movable terminal to the first and second fixed terminals. Pressure contact,
When the probe is mounted, the central insulating elastic body is deformed by the entrance of the center contact, and the first contact portion is slid while maintaining contact on the first fixed terminal, and the second contact portion is moved. After sliding on the second fixed terminal , the second contact is made in a direction almost opposite to the entry direction of the center contact by entering between the second contact portion and the second fixed terminal . Releasing the contact with the second fixed terminal by displacing the part ,
A coaxial connector with a switch.   The coaxial connector with a switch according to claim 1, wherein the insulating elastic body is made of an elastomer. 3. The coaxial connector with a switch according to claim 1, wherein the movable terminal is made of a conductive plate material having a spring property, and is sandwiched between a central insulating elastic body and a side insulating elastic body. .   4. The coaxial connector with a switch according to claim 1, wherein the insulating elastic body closes an opening of the external terminal. 5.   5. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the first and second fixed terminals are film-like fixed terminal electrodes formed on the surface of the insulating substrate. With coaxial connector.   6. The coaxial connector with a switch according to claim 5, wherein the fixed terminal electrode is obtained by screen-printing and baking a conductive paste on an insulating substrate.   A plurality of movable terminals are held on the insulating elastic body, and a plurality of pairs of first and second fixed terminals corresponding to the first and second contact portions of the plurality of movable terminals are provided on the insulating substrate. The coaxial connector with a switch according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, or claim 6.   A communication apparatus comprising the switch-equipped coaxial connector according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, or claim 7.

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