Connector assembly and structure having the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector assembly and a structure having the same, the connector assembly being configured to be connected to a flexible board, in which: the flexible board extends along a horizontal plane, is formed with two through holes, and has an upper surface on which a signal line is formed, the signal line extending in a front-rear direction, and is located between the two through holes; the connector assembly comprises a coaxial connector, a fixed component and two fixed components. The coaxial connector is configured to be attached to the front end of the coaxial cable; an insulating member insulating the external terminal and the center terminal from each other; the external terminal is provided with an end face and two protruding parts. The central terminal is provided with a contact part; the fixed component is provided with a pressed part; the fixed member is located below the flexible plate in a connected state in which the connector assembly is connected to the flexible plate; the fixing member is fixed to the protruding portion of the external terminal while pressing the pressed portion against a lower surface of a portion of the flexible plate where the signal line is formed, thereby causing the contact portion of the center terminal to press against and contact the signal line of the flexible plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly including a coaxial connector configured to be attached to a coaxial cable. Background Art

[0002] For example, a coaxial connector configured to be attached to a coaxial cable is disclosed in JP2009-064588A (Patent Document 1), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] refer to Fig. 20 Patent document 1 discloses a coaxial connector 90 fixed to a housing 94. The housing 94 is provided with a board (circuit board) 96 located therein. Fig. 20 It can be seen that the board 96 is a rigid circuit board 96 that hardly bends. The circuit board 96 is formed with a transmission line (signal line) 98. The coaxial connector 90 includes a terminal portion (center terminal) 92. The center terminal 92 is electrically connected to the signal line 98 of the circuit board 96. The electrical connection as described above is usually performed by soldering the center terminal 92 to the signal line 98.

[0004] It is necessary to connect the coaxial connector 90 to a thin, easily bendable flexible board rather than a circuit board that hardly bends. However, the flexible board in some cases is made of a material with low heat resistance. In these cases, it is difficult to solder the center terminal of the coaxial connector to the signal line of the flexible board. In addition, when the center terminal tries to press against the signal line instead of soldering, the flexible board may bend, so that sufficient contact pressure cannot be obtained. Therefore, the contact reliability between the center terminal and the signal line may be reduced. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration in which a coaxial connector is connected to a flexible board and which enables high contact reliability between a center terminal of the coaxial connector and a signal line of the flexible board.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a connector assembly configured to be connected to a flexible board. The flexible board extends along a horizontal plane, and the flexible board is formed with two through holes, each through hole passes through the flexible board in an up-down direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and the flexible board has an upper surface formed with a signal line, and the signal line extends in a front-to-back direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, and is located between the two through holes in a transverse direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction. The connector assembly includes a coaxial connector, a fixed member, and two fixing members. The coaxial connector is configured to be attached to the front end of a coaxial cable. The coaxial connector includes an external terminal, a center terminal, and an insulating member. The insulating member insulates the external terminal and the center terminal from each other. The external terminal has an end face and two protrusions. The two protrusions are separated from each other in a transverse direction and protrude forward from the end face. The center terminal has a contact portion. The contact portion is located between the two protrusions in a transverse direction and extends forward beyond the end face. The fixed member has a pressed portion. In a connection state where the connector assembly is connected to the flexible board, the fixed member is located below the flexible board. In the connected state, the two fixing members pass through the two through holes of the flexible board respectively and are fixed to the two protrusions of the external terminal, while the pressed portion of the fixed member is pressed against the lower surface of the portion of the flexible board where the signal line is formed, so that the contact portion of the central terminal is pressed against and contacts the signal line of the flexible board.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention provides a structure having a connector assembly and a flexible board. The flexible board is located between the protrusion and the fixed member in the up-down direction. The signal line of the flexible board is pressed from below by the fixed member and pressed against the contact portion of the center terminal.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the center terminal of the coaxial connector can be pressed against and connected to the signal line of the flexible board without welding. When the center terminal is connected to the signal line, the fixing member presses the fixed member against the flexible board. The fixed member thus pressed reduces the bending of a portion of the flexible board between the center terminal and the signal line, thereby improving the contact reliability between the center terminal and the signal line. Therefore, one aspect of the present invention provides a configuration in which the coaxial connector is connected to the flexible board, and which enables high contact reliability between the center terminal and the signal line.

[0009] A better appreciation of the objectives of the present invention and a more complete understanding of its configuration may be had by studying the following description of the preferred embodiment and referring to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 A perspective view showing a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector assembly is in a pre-connection state in which the connector assembly has not yet been connected to a flexible board;

[0011] Figure 2To show Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector assembly of , wherein the connector assembly is in a connected state in which the connector assembly is connected to a flexible board;

[0012] Figure 3 To show Figure 2 A top view of a connector assembly;

[0013] Figure 4 To show Figure 2 A side view of a connector assembly, wherein the outlines of the hidden fixing holes, the hidden through holes and the hidden threaded holes are shown with dotted lines;

[0014] Figure 5 To show Figure 2 A front view of a connector assembly, wherein the outlines of the hidden fixing holes, the hidden through holes and the hidden threaded holes are shown with dotted lines;

[0015] Figure 6 Taken along line VI-VI Figure 5 a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly of FIG. 1 , wherein the coaxial cable and the mating connector portion are shown in dashed lines, a portion of the connector assembly enclosed by dashed lines is enlarged and shown, and in the enlarged view, the outline of the center terminal in a pre-connected state is shown in dashed lines;

[0016] Figure 7 To show Figure 1 A perspective view of a variation of a flexible board;

[0017] Figure 8 To show Figure 1 A perspective view of a variant of the connector assembly, wherein the connector assembly is in a pre-connected state;

[0018] Fig. 9 To show Figure 8 A stereoscopic view of a connector assembly, wherein the connector assembly is in a connected state;

[0019] Fig.10 To show Fig. 9 A front view of a connector assembly, wherein the outlines of the hidden fixing holes, the hidden through holes and the hidden threaded holes are shown with dotted lines;

[0020] Fig.11 To show the section taken along line XI-XI Fig.10 A cross-sectional view of a connector assembly of , wherein a portion of the connector assembly enclosed by a dashed line is enlarged and shown;

[0021] Fig.12 To show Fig.10 A front view of a portion of the connector assembly surrounded by a two-dot chain line A, wherein a hidden portion of the pressed portion of the fixed member is shown by a dotted line;

[0022] Fig.13 To show Figure 1 A perspective view of another variant of the connector assembly, wherein the connector assembly is in a connected state;

[0023] Fig.14 To show Fig.13 A front view of a portion of a connector assembly, wherein the portion shown corresponds to Fig.12 , and the hidden part of the pressed portion of the fixed member is shown by a dotted line;

[0024] Fig.15 To show Figure 1 A perspective view of yet another variant of the connector assembly, wherein the connector assembly is in a pre-connected state;

[0025] Fig.16 To show Fig.15 A stereoscopic view of a connector assembly, wherein the connector assembly is in a connected state;

[0026] Fig.17 To show Fig.16 A side view of a connector assembly of , wherein the outlines of the hidden through hole and the hidden crimp hole are shown with dotted lines;

[0027] Fig.18 To show Fig.16 A front view of a connector assembly, wherein the outlines of the hidden through holes and the hidden crimp holes are shown with dotted lines;

[0028] Fig.19 To show the XIX-XIX line Fig.18 A cross-sectional view of a connector assembly;

[0029] Fig. 20 1 is a perspective view showing the coaxial connector, housing, and plate of Patent Document 1.

[0030] Although the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and their detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, their purpose is to cover all modifications, equivalents and substitutes falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] refer to Figure 1 The structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a connector assembly 12 and a flexible board 16. The flexible board 16 extends along a horizontal plane. Figure 2As shown, the connector assembly 12 is configured to be connected to the flexible board 16. In detail, the connector assembly 12 is configured to be connected to the rear end of the flexible board 16 in the front-rear direction parallel to the horizontal plane. Figure 2 The connector assembly 12 is in a connected state in which the connector assembly 12 is connected to the flexible board 16. Figure 1 The connector assembly 12 is in a pre-connection state in which the connector assembly 12 has not yet been connected to the flexible board 16.

[0032] The horizontal plane of the present embodiment is the XY plane. The front-to-back direction of the present embodiment is the X direction. In the present embodiment, "forward" refers to the positive X direction, and "backward" refers to the negative X direction. Words such as "horizontal plane" and "front-to-back direction" do not indicate an absolute positional relationship relative to the ground, but merely indicate a relative positional relationship under the definition that the flexible board 16 extends in the horizontal plane when it is not bent at all, and the connector assembly 12 is located in front of the flexible board 16.

[0033] refer to Figure 1 , the flexible board 16 includes a base 70. The base 70 is formed of a thin film-like insulator having a thickness of about 0.1 mm. The flexible board 16 shown includes only the base 70, except for various conductive patterns formed on the base 70. The flexible board 16 includes an inflexible member such as a reinforcing plate configured to reinforce the base 70. The flexible board 16 thus formed is easily bent when subjected to force. The easily bendable flexible board 16 can be flexibly arranged in a narrow space of a device (not shown).

[0034] The flexible board 16 of this embodiment is thin as a whole and is easy to bend. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the front part of the flexible board 16, which is not shown, can be reinforced by a reinforcing plate. Only the rear end shown of the flexible board 16 (which is configured to be connected to the connector assembly 12) can be formed only by a thin and easy to bend substrate 70 and various conductive patterns.

[0035] The flexible board 16 has an upper surface 70U and a lower surface 70L in the up-down direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The upper surface 70U and the lower surface 70L are respectively located at the upper end and the lower end of the base 70. The up-down direction of this embodiment is the Z direction. In this embodiment, "upward" refers to the positive Z direction, and "downward" refers to the negative Z direction.

[0036] The flexible plate 16 is formed with two through holes 72. Each through hole 72 passes through the flexible plate 16 in the up-down direction. Each through hole 72 has a circular shape in a horizontal plane. The through holes 72 formed in this way are used when the connector assembly 12 is screwed to the flexible plate 16, as described later. The two through holes 72 are separated from each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the up-to-down direction, and are located at the same position as each other in the front-to-back direction. The transverse direction of the present embodiment is the Y direction.

[0037] The through holes 72 of the present embodiment are formed as described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the shape of each through hole 72 is not specifically limited. In addition, the number of through holes 72 may be three or more. In this example, the two through holes 72 may be separated from each other in the lateral direction and may be located at the same position as each other in the front-rear direction.

[0038] The upper surface 70U of the flexible board 16 is formed with a signal line 74, which is a conductive pattern. The signal line 74 extends in the front-to-rear direction and is located between the two through holes 72 in the lateral direction. The lower surface 70L of the flexible board 16 is formed with a ground layer (not shown), which is a conductive pattern and covers the entire lower surface 70L.

[0039] refer to Figure 2 , a signal line 74 of an example is connected to an antenna formed at a front end portion not shown of the flexible board 16. In this example, the connector component 12 in a connected state transmits a signal to the antenna via the signal line 74. The signal transmitted in this way is sent outward from the antenna. On the other hand, the signal received by the antenna is transmitted to the connector component 12 via the signal line 74. For example, the structure 10 of the present embodiment is used as described above. In other words, the structure 10 of the present embodiment is an antenna device. However, the use of the structure 10 of the present invention is not specifically limited. The structure 10 of the present invention can be any electronic device having a flexible board 16.

[0040] The flexible board 16 of the present embodiment has the aforementioned configuration. However, the configuration of the flexible board 16 may be modified according to the purpose of the structure 10. For example, a ground layer (not shown) may be partially formed on the lower surface 70L.

[0041] refer to Figure 1 The connector assembly 12 of the present embodiment includes a coaxial connector 20, a fixed member 40 made of metal, and two fixing members (screws) 60 each made of metal. The connector assembly 12 of the present embodiment includes only the aforementioned members. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in addition to the aforementioned members, the connector assembly 12 may also include other members.

[0042] Hereinafter, the coaxial connector 20 , the fixed member 40 , and the fixing member 60 of the present embodiment will be described in this order.

[0043] refer to Figure 6 The coaxial connector 20 of the present embodiment is configured to be attached to the front end of the coaxial cable 80. The coaxial connector 20 of the present embodiment is a so-called subminiature A-type (SMA) connector. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but can be applied to various coaxial connectors 20.

[0044] The coaxial cable 80 shown by the dotted line is a typical coaxial cable, and includes a core wire 82 made of a conductor, an inner insulator 84 made of an insulator and covering the core wire 82, a cover 86 made of a conductor and covering the inner insulator 84, and a sheath 88 made of an insulator and covering the cover 86. The number of core wires 82 of the present embodiment is one. The configuration of the coaxial cable 80 is not specifically limited, provided that the number of core wires 82 is one. For example, the cover 86 may be a braid formed of thin metal wires, or may be made of metal foil. For example, the coaxial cable 80 may be connected to the rear end of the coaxial connector 20 via a mating connector 89 attached to the coaxial cable 80.

[0045] refer to Figure 6 Together with Figure 1 The coaxial connector 20 of the present embodiment includes a center terminal 21 made of a conductor, an insulating member 22 made of an insulator, and an external terminal 24 made of a conductor. The coaxial connector 20 of the present embodiment includes only the aforementioned members. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in addition to the aforementioned members, the coaxial connector 20 may also include other members.

[0046] like Figure 6 As shown, the center terminal 21 of the present embodiment extends in the front-to-back direction and has a main body 212, a contact portion 214 and a connecting portion 218. The main body 212 is the middle portion of the center terminal 21 in the front-to-back direction. The contact portion 214 extends forward from the main body 212. The connecting portion 218 has a socket shape and extends backward from the main body 212. When the coaxial connector 20 is attached to the coaxial cable 80, the center terminal 21 is electrically connected to the core wire 82 of the coaxial cable 80. In detail, the connecting portion 218 of the center terminal 21 is configured to be electrically connected to the core wire 82. The center terminal 21 and the core wire 82 connected to each other transmit signals to each other.

[0047] The center terminal 21 of the present embodiment has the aforementioned configuration. However, the configuration of the center terminal 21 may be modified as required, provided that the center terminal 21 has the contact portion 214 extending in the front-rear direction.

[0048] The insulating member 22 of the present embodiment includes a front insulating member 222 and a rear insulating member 224. The front insulating member 222 is combined with the rear insulating member 224 and is located in front of the rear insulating member 224. The insulating member 22 of the present embodiment is composed of the aforementioned two members. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the front insulating member 222 and the rear insulating member 224 may be members formed integrally with each other.

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 6As shown, the external terminal 24 of the present embodiment includes a front conductive member 242 and a rear conductive member 244. The front conductive member 242 is combined with the rear conductive member 244 and is located in front of the rear conductive member 244. The front conductive member 242 contacts the rear conductive member 244. The external terminal 24 of the present embodiment is composed of the aforementioned two members. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the front conductive member 242 and the rear conductive member 244 can be members formed integrally with each other.

[0050] refer to Figure 6 When the coaxial connector 20 is attached to the coaxial cable 80, the external terminal 24 is electrically connected to the cover 86 of the coaxial cable 80. In detail, the rear conductive member 244 of the external terminal 24 is configured to be electrically connected to the cover 86. The external terminal 24 and the cover 86 connected to each other have the same ground potential as each other.

[0051] The insulating member 22 surrounds the main body 212 and the connecting portion 218 of the center terminal 21 except the front end portion of the main body 212 in a vertical plane (YZ plane) perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The external terminal 24 surrounds the front end portion of the main body 212 in the YZ plane, with a distance formed therebetween, and surrounds the insulating member 22 in the YZ plane. The insulating member 22 arranged in this way is located between the center terminal 21 and the external terminal 24 in the YZ plane. In other words, the insulating member 22 insulates the external terminal 24 and the center terminal 21 from each other. The center terminal 21, the insulating member 22 and the external terminal 24 of the present embodiment are arranged as described above. However, the arrangement of the center terminal 21, the insulating member 22 and the external terminal 24 is not specifically limited, provided that the external terminal 24 and the center terminal 21 are insulated from each other by the insulating member 22.

[0052] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the external terminal 24 has an end face 26 and two protrusions 27. The end face 26 of the present embodiment is the front surface of the front conductive member 242, and is a flat circular surface parallel to the YZ plane. The two protrusions 27 are separated from each other in the lateral direction and protrude forward from the end face 26. The two protrusions 27 of the present embodiment have a mirror-symmetrical shape relative to a predetermined plane (XZ plane). The two protrusions 27 arranged in this way are located at the same position as each other in the up and down direction. Each of the two protrusions 27 has a rectangular flat plate shape parallel to the horizontal plane, and has an upper surface 27U and a lower surface 27L. Each of the upper surface 27U and the lower surface 27L is a flat surface parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0053] like Figure 1 and Figure 5As shown, the external terminal 24 of the present embodiment is formed with a center hole 29. The center hole 29 has a circular shape in the YZ plane. The center hole 29 is located at the center of the end face 26 in the YZ plane and is open forward. Two protrusions 27 are located on opposite sides of the end face 26, respectively, with the center hole 29 located therebetween. The center terminal 21 is located at the center of the center hole 29 in the YZ plane. The body 212 of the center terminal 21 has a circular shape in the YZ plane. The contact portion 214 of the center terminal 21 has a circular shape, which is smaller than the body 212 in the YZ plane.

[0054] refer to Figure 6 The center hole 29 extends from the end surface 26 to the front end of the front insulating member 222 in the front-to-back direction. The front end of the main body 212 of the center terminal 21 is located in the center hole 29. The contact portion 214 of the center terminal 21 is located in front of the end surface 26. Figure 3 The contact portion 214 is located between the two protrusions 27 in the lateral direction and extends forward beyond the end surface 26 .

[0055] The end surface 26, the protrusion 27 and the contact portion 214 of the present embodiment have the above configuration and are arranged as described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the configuration and arrangement of the end surface 26, the protrusion 27 and the contact portion 214 may be modified as required.

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown, each protrusion 27 of the present embodiment is formed with a threaded hole 28. Each threaded hole 28 of the present embodiment passes through the protrusion 27 in the up-down direction. The threaded holes 28 are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the through holes 72 of the flexible plate 16 in the horizontal plane. The two threaded holes 28 arranged in this way are separated from each other in the lateral direction and are located at the same positions as each other in the front-back direction. The number of the threaded holes 28 of the present embodiment is two. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each protrusion 27 may be formed with two or more threaded holes 28. Each threaded hole 28 may be a hole with a top.

[0057] The fixed member 40 of the present embodiment has a rectangular flat plate shape parallel to the horizontal plane. In the horizontal plane, the fixed member 40 has long sides each extending in the lateral direction and short sides each extending in the front-rear direction. The fixed member 40 has an upper surface 40U and a lower surface 40L. Each of the upper surface 40U and the lower surface 40L of the present embodiment is a flat surface parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0058] The fixed member 40 has a pressed portion 42. As described later, the pressed portion 42 is a portion configured to be pressed against the flexible board 16 in the connected state (see Figure 5 ). According to the present embodiment, the middle portion of the upper surface 40U in the lateral direction mainly serves as the pressed portion 42 .

[0059] The fixed member 40 of the present embodiment is formed with two fixing holes 45. Each fixing hole 45 passes through the fixed member 40 in the up-down direction. Each fixing hole 45 has a circular shape in the horizontal plane. The fixing holes 45 are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the through holes 72 of the flexible plate 16 in the horizontal plane. The two fixing holes 45 thus arranged are separated from each other in the lateral direction and are located at the same position as each other in the front-rear direction.

[0060] The fixed member 40 of the present embodiment has the above-described configuration. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the shape of each fixing hole 45 is not specifically limited. In addition, the number of the fixing holes 45 may be three or more.

[0061] The two fixing members 60 of the present embodiment have the same shape as each other. More specifically, each fixing member 60 of the present embodiment is a screw 60. Therefore, each fixing member 60 is formed with a thread (not shown). The fixing members 60 are arranged so that they correspond to the through holes 72 of the flexible plate 16, respectively. Therefore, the number of the fixing members 60 of the present embodiment is two. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the connector assembly 12 may be provided with three or more fixing members 60 having different shapes from each other.

[0062] refer to Figure 1 , the connector assembly 12 of the present embodiment is configured to be connected to the flexible board 16 by the connection method described below. The connection method described below is only an example and can be modified as needed.

[0063] First, the coaxial connector 20, the flexible board 16, and the fixed member 40 are arranged in this order from top to bottom, and the threaded hole 28 of the coaxial connector 20, the through hole 72 of the flexible board 16, and the fixing hole 45 of the fixed member 40 are arranged at the same position as each other in the horizontal plane. Then, each fixing member 60 passes through the fixing hole 45 and the through hole 72 and is screwed into the threaded hole 28.

[0064] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 Due to the above-mentioned threaded connection, the flexible board 16 is sandwiched and held between the lower surfaces 27L of the two protrusions 27 of the coaxial connector 20 and the upper surface 40U of the fixed member 40 in the up-down direction. Figure 3 The connector assembly 12 arranged in this way is in Figures 2 to 6 In the connection state shown, the contact portion 214 of the center terminal 21 is located directly above the signal line 74 of the flexible board 16 .

[0065] refer to Figure 5, in the connected state, the fixed member 40 is located below the flexible board 16. In the connected state, the head of each fixing member 60 is pressed against the lower surface 40L of the fixed member 40, which is parallel to the horizontal plane and presses the fixed member 40 upward. The upper surface 40U of the fixed member 40 pressed in this way extends parallel to the horizontal plane, and presses the flexible board 16 against the lower surface 27L of the protrusion 27 parallel to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the flexible board 16 is sandwiched and held between the protrusion 27 and the fixed member 40, while maintaining the posture that the flexible board 16 extends parallel to the horizontal plane. The flexible board 16 sandwiched in this way has a contact area located below the contact portion 214 of the center terminal 21. The pressed portion 42 of the fixed member 40 presses against the contact area of ​​the flexible board 16 and supports the contact area from below. The contact area of ​​the flexible board 16 supported in this way does not bend even when a force is applied thereto from above.

[0066] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 In the connected state, the contact portion 214 of the center terminal 21 contacts the signal line 74 of the flexible board 16. Figure 6 For example, after the coaxial connector 20 is assembled, the contact portion 214 of the center terminal 21 of the present embodiment is bent downward. Figure 1 In the pre-connected state shown, the contact portion 214 extends forward and downward. In the pre-connected state, the lower end of the contact portion 214 is located below the lower surface 27L of the protrusion 27. The contact portion 214 formed in this way is adjacent to the signal line 74 of the flexible board 16 and is Figure 6 The contact portion 214 is elastically deformed in the connection state shown. The contact portion 214 is pressed from above against the signal line 74 which is supported and not bent by the restoring force generated by the elastic deformation.

[0067] To summarize the above description, in the connected state, the two fixing members 60 are respectively fixed to the two protrusions 27 of the external terminal 24 through the two through holes 72 of the flexible board 16, and at the same time, the pressed portion 42 of the fixed member 40 is pressed against the lower surface 70L of the portion of the flexible board 16 where the signal line 74 is formed, so that the contact portion 214 of the center terminal 21 is pressed against and contacts the signal line 74 of the flexible board 16.

[0068] As can be seen from the above mechanism, according to the present embodiment, the center terminal 21 of the coaxial connector 20 can be pressed against and connected to the signal line 74 of the flexible board 16 without welding. When the center terminal 21 is connected to the signal line 74, the fixing member 60 presses the fixed member 40 against the flexible board 16. The fixed member 40 thus pressed reduces the bending of the portion of the flexible board 16 located between the center terminal 21 and the signal line 74, thereby improving the contact reliability between the center terminal 21 and the signal line 74. Therefore, the present embodiment provides a configuration in which the coaxial connector 20 is connected to the flexible board 16, and it is possible to have high contact reliability between the center terminal 21 and the signal line 74.

[0069] According to the present embodiment, the pressed portion 42 of the fixed member 40 is located between the two fixing holes 45 in the lateral direction. In addition, as described above, in the connected state, each fixing member 60 passes through the fixing hole 45 of the fixed member 40 and the through hole 72 of the flexible board 16, and is screwed into the threaded hole 28. According to this connection method, the pressed portion 42 can be stably pressed against the flexible board 16 in a simple manner. Therefore, the contact reliability between the center terminal 21 and the signal line 74 can be further improved. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the connection method of the connector assembly 12 can be modified as needed.

[0070] refer to Figure 4 In the connected state, the external terminal 24 is grounded to the ground layer (not shown) of the lower surface 70L of the flexible board 16 via the protrusion 27, the fixing member 60 and the fixed member 40. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, referring to Figure 7 Together with Figure 1 , a flexible board 16X may be used instead of the flexible board 16 .

[0071] The flexible board 16X according to the modified example includes two planes 76X, each of which is a conductive pattern and is not provided on the flexible board 16. Two through holes 72 pass through the planes 76X respectively. Each plane 76X is formed with a plurality of through holes 77X. Each through hole 77X passes through the base 70 and the plane 76X in the up-down direction, so that each plane 76X is electrically connected to the ground layer (not shown) of the lower surface 70L. Figure 7 Together with Figure 4 , by using the flexible board 16X, the external terminal 24 in the connected state can be grounded to the ground layer of the flexible board 16X via the protrusion 27 and the plane 76X.

[0072] refer to Figure 5The connector assembly 12 and the flexible board 16 connected thereto form a structure 10. The flexible board 16 of the structure 10 is located between the protrusion 27 of the external terminal 24 and the fixed member 40 in the up-down direction. The signal line 74 of the flexible board 16 is pressed from below by the fixed member 40 and pressed against the contact portion 214 of the center terminal 21.

[0073] In addition to the various modifications already described, the structure 10 of the present embodiment can be variously modified. Hereinafter, three modifications of the structure 10 will be described, focusing on the differences from the structure 10.

[0074] Will Figure 8 and Figure 1 In comparison, the structure 10A according to the first modification includes a connector component 12A different from the connector component 12 and a flexible board 16A different from the flexible board 16. Fig. 9 and Figure 2 In comparison, similar to the connector assembly 12 , the connector assembly 12A is configured to be connected to the flexible board 16A.

[0075] Will Figure 8 and Figure 1 By comparison, the flexible board 16A has a configuration similar to the flexible board 16. For example, the flexible board 16A extends along a horizontal plane (XY plane). The flexible board 16A is formed with two through holes 72. Each through hole 72 passes through the flexible board 16A in the up-down direction (Z direction). The flexible board 16A has an upper surface 70U formed with a signal line 74. The signal line 74 extends in the front-back direction (X direction) and is located between the two through holes 72 in the lateral direction (Y direction).

[0076] The flexible board 16A is formed with two slits 78A which are not formed in the flexible board 16. Each slit 78A is a cut that passes through the flexible board 16A in the up-down direction. The two slits 78A are separated from each other in the lateral direction. Each slit 78A extends forward from the rear edge of the flexible board 16A. The signal line 74 is located between the two slits 78A in the lateral direction and extends in the front-rear direction.

[0077] The flexible board 16A has a bendable portion 79A. The bendable portion 79A is a portion of the flexible board 16A, which is located between the two slits 78A in the lateral direction. The bendable portion 79A arranged in this way is easy to bend. The bendable portion 79A extends forward from the rear edge of the flexible board 16A. The signal line 74 is located in the middle of the bendable portion 79A in the lateral direction.

[0078] The connector assembly 12A includes a coaxial connector 20A different from the coaxial connector 20, a fixed member 40A different from the fixed member 40, and two fixing members 60 that are the same as the connector assembly 12. Therefore, each fixing member 60 is a screw 60.

[0079] The coaxial connector 20A includes a center terminal 21A different from the center terminal 21. The coaxial connector 20A has the same configuration as the coaxial connector 20 except for the center terminal 21A. The center terminal 21A has a contact portion 214A different from the contact portion 214. The center terminal 21A has the same configuration as the center terminal 21 except for the contact portion 214A.

[0080] refer to Fig.11 Together with Figure 6 , the coaxial connector 20A is configured to be attached to the front end of the coaxial cable 80. Fig.11 The coaxial connector 20A includes an external terminal 24, a center terminal 21A, and an insulating member 22. The insulating member 22 insulates the external terminal 24 and the center terminal 21A from each other. Figure 8 As shown, the external terminal 24 has an end face 26 and two protrusions 27. The two protrusions 27 are separated from each other in the lateral direction and protrude forward from the end face 26. Each protrusion 27 is formed with a threaded hole 28. The contact portion 214A of the center terminal 21A is located between the two protrusions 27 in the lateral direction and extends forward beyond the end face 26.

[0081] refer to Fig.10 and Fig.12 , the contact portion 214A of the center terminal 21A has a fan-shaped shape in the YZ plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In the aforementioned features, the shape of the contact portion 214A is similar to the contact portion 214 of the center terminal 21 (see Figure 5 ) is different. In detail, the upper portion of the contact portion 214A has an arc shape protruding upward, and the lower portion of the contact portion 214A has a triangular shape protruding downward. The contact portion 214A thus formed has a lower end protruding downward. Fig.11 In the pre-connection state where the connector assembly 12A has not yet been connected to the flexible board 16A, the lower end of the contact portion 214A is located slightly above the lower surface 27L of the protrusion 27, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 shown.

[0082] refer to Figure 8, the fixed member 40A is a single metal plate with a bend. The fixed member 40A has a joint 41A, a pressed portion 42A and two side portions 44A. In addition, the fixed member 40A has an upper surface 40U and a lower surface 40L. Each side portion 44A has a rectangular flat plate shape parallel to the horizontal plane. The upper surface 40U and the lower surface 40L of each side portion 44A formed in this way are flat surfaces parallel to the horizontal plane. The two side portions 44A are respectively located on opposite sides of the fixed member 40A in the transverse direction. The joint 41A combines the two side portions 44A together in the transverse direction.

[0083] According to this modification, the middle part of the upper surface 40U of the joint 41A in the lateral direction is used as the pressed portion 42A. The pressed portion 42A protrudes upward. More specifically, the pressed portion 42A has an arc shape protruding upward in the YZ plane. The pressed portion 42A has an upper end located above the upper surface 40U of the side portion 44A.

[0084] Will Figure 8 and Figure 1 In comparison, each side portion 44A is formed with a fixing hole 45A. Therefore, the fixed member 40A is formed with two fixing holes 45A. The size of each fixing hole 45A in the up-down direction is smaller than the size of the fixing hole 45. The fixing hole 45A has a similar configuration to the fixing hole 45, and is arranged similarly to the fixing hole 45 except for this difference. For example, each fixing hole 45A passes through the fixed member 40A in the up-down direction. The fixing holes 45A are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the through holes 72 of the flexible plate 16A in the horizontal plane.

[0085] refer to Fig.10 and Fig.11 Together with Fig.12 , the connector assembly 12A is configured to be connected to the connector assembly 12 (see Figure 2 ) or by threaded connection with screw 60 to connect to the flexible board 16A.

[0086] In the connection state where the connector assembly 12A is connected to the flexible board 16A, the fixed member 40A is located below the flexible board 16A. In the connection state, the two fixing members 60 are respectively fixed to the two protrusions 27 of the external terminal 24 through the two through holes 72 of the flexible board 16A, while the pressed portion 42A of the fixed member 40A is pressed against the lower surface 70L of the portion of the flexible board 16A where the signal line 74 is formed, so that the contact portion 214A of the center terminal 21A is pressed against and contacts the signal line 74 of the flexible board 16A.

[0087] refer to Fig.12 Together with Figure 8, in the connected state, the upper end of the pressed portion 42A of this modification is pressed against the lower surface 70L of the portion of the bendable portion 79A of the flexible board 16A on which the signal line 74 is formed. When an upward force is applied from the pressed portion 42A to the bendable portion 79A, the bendable portion 79A bends so as to protrude upward. Therefore, the signal line 74 formed on the bendable portion 79A moves upward. At the same time, the pressed portion 42A is elastically deformed downward. The signal line 74 that moves upward is pressed against the contact portion 214A of the center terminal 21A of the coaxial connector 20A. Similar to the previously described embodiment, this modification provides a configuration in which the coaxial connector 20A is connected to the flexible board 16A, and which enables high contact reliability between the center terminal 21A and the signal line 74.

[0088] According to this variation, the downwardly protruding lower end of the fan-shaped contact portion 214A of the center terminal 21A presses against the upwardly moving signal line 74. Therefore, the contact reliability between the center terminal 21A and the signal line 74 can be improved without bending the contact portion 214A downward. In addition, during the process of combining the front conductive member 242 with the rear conductive member 244, even if the front conductive member 242 of the external terminal 24 is rotated beyond the designed position on the YZ plane within a predetermined angle range, the fan-shaped contact portion 214A can reliably contact the signal line 74. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in Figure 8 In the pre-connected state shown, the contact portion 214A may extend forwardly and downwardly.

[0089] refer to Fig.10 According to the present modification, the pressed portion 42A of the fixed member 40A is located between the two fixing holes 45A in the lateral direction, similar to the previously described embodiment. Similar to the previously described embodiment, in the connected state, each fixing member 60 passes through the fixing hole 45A of the fixed member 40A and the through hole 72 of the flexible plate 16A, and is screwed into the threaded hole 28 of the protrusion 27. According to this connection method, the pressed portion 42A can be stably pressed against the flexible plate 16A in a simple manner.

[0090] The connector assembly 12A forms a structure 10A together with the flexible board 16A connected thereto. The flexible board 16A of the structure 10A is located between the protrusion 27 of the external terminal 24 and the fixed member 40A in the up-down direction. The pressed portion 42A of the fixed member 40A protruding upward is pressed against a portion of the flexible board 16A corresponding to the signal line 74 in the front-back direction. Therefore, the signal line 74 of the flexible board 16A is pressed from below by the fixed member 40A and pressed against the contact portion 214A of the center terminal 21A.

[0091] According to the present modification, the size of the fixed member 40A in the up-down direction can be reduced. Therefore, according to the present modification, the contact reliability between the center terminal 21A and the signal line 74 can be improved while reducing the height of the structure 10A.

[0092] refer to Figure 1 Together with Figure 8 , the structure 10 of the previously described embodiment may also include a flexible plate 16A, in place of the flexible plate 16. However, unless the fixed member 40 is provided with a portion such as the pressed portion 42A protruding upward of the fixed member 40A, a specific effect cannot be obtained. In other words, in an example in which a bendable portion 79A such as the flexible plate 16A is provided, it is preferred to provide a pressed portion 42A protruding upward. In an example in which a pressed portion 42A protruding upward is provided, it is preferred to provide a bendable portion 79A.

[0093] Will Fig.13 and 14 and Fig. 9 and 12 By comparison, the structure 10B according to the second variant includes a connector assembly 12B different from the connector assembly 12A and a flexible board 16A the same as the structure 10A. The connector assembly 12B includes a coaxial connector 20B different from the coaxial connector 20A, and includes a fixed member 40A and two fixing members 60 the same as the connector assembly 12A. The coaxial connector 20B includes a center terminal 21B different from the center terminal 21A of the coaxial connector 20A. Except for the center terminal 21B, the coaxial connector 20B has the same configuration as the coaxial connector 20A. The center terminal 21B has a contact portion 214B different from the contact portion 214A of the center terminal 21A. Except for the contact portion 214B, the center terminal 21B has the same configuration as the center terminal 21A.

[0094] refer to Fig.13 and 14 , the contact portion 214B has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-to-back direction. The contact portion 214B thus formed has a circular shape in the YZ plane perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The connector component 12B according to the present modification is configured to be connected to the connector component 12A (see Fig. 9 ) The same connection method is connected to the flexible board 16A. Similar to the first modification, this modification provides a configuration in which the coaxial connector 20B is connected to the flexible board 16A and which enables high contact reliability between the center terminal 21B and the signal line 74.

[0095] According to this modification, the contact reliability between the center terminal 21B and the signal line 74 can be improved without bending the contact portion 214B downward, similar to the first modification. In addition, during the combination of the front conductive member 242 and the rear conductive member 244, even if the front conductive member 242 of the external terminal 24 is rotated beyond the designed position in the YZ plane, the cylindrical contact portion 214B can reliably contact the signal line 74. As described above, by providing the contact portion 214B in a simple cylindrical shape, the structure 10B can be easily manufactured and the height can be reduced.

[0096] Will Fig.15 and Figure 1 By comparison, the structure 10C according to the third modification includes a connector component 12C different from the connector component 12 and a flexible board 16 similar to the structure 10. Fig.16 and Figure 2 In comparison, similar to the connector assembly 12 , the connector assembly 12C is configured to be connected to the flexible board 16 .

[0097] Will Fig.15 and Figure 1 In comparison, the connector assembly 12C includes a coaxial connector 20C different from the coaxial connector 20 and a connecting member 40C that is not provided to the connector assembly 12. The connecting member 40C is a single metal plate having a bent portion. The connecting member 40C according to this modification has a predetermined portion serving as a fixed member 41C and two portions other than a predetermined portion serving as a fixing member 46C. The connector assembly 12C thus formed includes a coaxial connector 20C different from the coaxial connector 20, a fixed member 41C different from the fixed member 40, and two fixing members 46C different from the fixing member 60. Each of the fixed member 41C and the fixing member 46C of this modification is a part of the connecting member 40C. In other words, the fixed member 41C and the two fixing members 46C are formed integrally with each other.

[0098] The coaxial connector 20C includes an external terminal 24C that is different from the external terminal 24. The coaxial connector 20C has the same configuration as the coaxial connector 20 except for the external terminal 24C. The external terminal 24C has a front conductive member 242C that is different from the front conductive member 242. The external terminal 24C has the same configuration as the external terminal 24 except for the front conductive member 242C. The front conductive member 242C has a protrusion 27C that is different from the protrusion 27. The front conductive member 242C has the same configuration as the front conductive member 242 except for the protrusion 27C.

[0099] refer to Fig.19 Together with Figure 6 , the coaxial connector 20C is configured to be attached to the front end of the coaxial cable 80. Fig.19 The coaxial connector 20C includes an external terminal 24C, a center terminal 21, and an insulating member 22. The insulating member 22 insulates the external terminal 24C and the center terminal 21 from each other. Fig.15 As shown, the external terminal 24C has an end surface 26 and two protrusions 27C. The two protrusions 27C are separated from each other in the lateral direction and protrude forward from the end surface 26.

[0100] Each protrusion 27C is formed with a crimping hole 28C. The coaxial connector 20C is formed with a crimping hole 28C instead of a threaded hole 28. Except for this difference, the coaxial connector 20C has the same configuration as the coaxial connector 20. Each crimping hole 28C of this variant passes through the protrusion 27C in the up and down direction. The crimping holes 28C are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the through holes 72 of the flexible board 16 in the horizontal plane. The two crimping holes 28C arranged in this way are separated from each other in the lateral direction and are located at the same positions as each other in the front-to-back direction. In addition, the number of crimping holes 28C of this variant is two. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each protrusion 27C may be formed with two or more crimping holes 28C. Each crimping hole 28C may be a hole with a top.

[0101] The center terminal 21 has a contact portion 214. The contact portion 214 is located between the two protrusions 27C in the lateral direction and extends forward beyond the end surface 26. In detail, the contact portion 214 extends forward and downward in a pre-connection state in which the connector assembly 12C is not yet connected to the flexible board 16, as shown in FIG. Fig.15 shown.

[0102] The connecting member 40C has a coupling portion (fixed member) 41C, a pressed portion 42C, two arc-shaped portions 43C, and two crimping portions (fixing members) 46C. According to this modification, the coupling portion 41C is used as the fixed member 41C, and each crimping portion 46C is used as the fixing member 46C. In other words, the fixed member 41C of this modification is the coupling portion 41C, and each fixing member 46C of this modification is the crimping portion 46C.

[0103] The two crimping parts 46C are respectively located on opposite sides of the connecting member 40C in the transverse direction. The joint part 41C connects the two crimping parts 46C together in the transverse direction. In detail, each crimping part 46C is connected to the joint part 41C via an arc-shaped part 43C. Each arc-shaped part 43C has an arc shape protruding downward in the YZ plane.

[0104] The joint 41C extends along the horizontal plane and has an upper surface 40U and a lower surface 40L, which are flat surfaces parallel to the horizontal plane. According to this modification, the middle part of the upper surface 40U of the joint 41C in the lateral direction is mainly used as the pressed portion 42C. In other words, the fixed member 41C has a pressed portion 42C.

[0105] Each crimping portion 46C extends upward beyond the coupling portion 41C. Each crimping portion 46C is formed with a hole portion 48C. Each hole portion 48C extends in the up-down direction and passes through the crimping portion 46C in the lateral direction. Each crimping portion 46C formed with the hole portion 48C is elastically deformed so that when subjected to a force in the front-to-back direction, it is partially compressed in the front-to-back direction. Each elastically deformed crimping portion 46C generates a force outward in the front-to-back direction due to its restoring force.

[0106] Will Fig.17 and Figure 4 In comparison, the connector assembly 12C is configured to be connected to the flexible board 16 not by using the connection method of the connector assembly 12 in which the screw 60 is screwed, but by using another connection method in which the crimping portion 46C is crimped.

[0107] Specifically, when the connector assembly 12C is connected to the flexible board 16, each crimping portion 46C passes through the through hole 72 of the flexible board 16 and is inserted into the crimping hole 28C of the coaxial connector 20C. The dimension of each crimping hole 28C in the front-to-back direction is smaller than another dimension of the crimping portion 46C in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, each crimping portion 46C is inserted into the crimping hole 28C while being compressed in the front-to-back direction. The crimping portion 46C accommodated in each crimping hole 28C is pressed against the inner wall surface of the crimping hole 28C by its restoring force. Therefore, the connecting member 40C is fixed to the coaxial connector 20C, and the connector assembly 12C is connected to the flexible board 16.

[0108] refer to Fig.18 , in the connection state where the connector assembly 12C is connected to the flexible board 16, the fixed member 41C of the connecting member 40C is located below the flexible board 16. In the connection state, the two fixing members 46C of the connecting member 40C are respectively fixed to the two protrusions 27C of the external terminal 24C through the two through holes 72 of the flexible board 16, and at the same time, the pressed portion 42C of the fixed member 41C is pressed against the lower surface 70L of the portion of the flexible board 16 where the signal line 74 is formed, so that the contact portion 214 of the center terminal 21 is pressed against and contacts the signal line 74 of the flexible board 16.

[0109] Similar to the previously described embodiment, the present modification provides a configuration in which a coaxial connector 20C is connected to the flexible board 16 and which enables high contact reliability between the center terminal 21 and the signal line 74 .

[0110] According to the present modification, in the connected state, each crimping portion 46C passes through the through hole 72 of the flexible plate 16 and is crimped into the crimping hole 28C. The crimping method can be easily performed in a short time compared to the screwing method.

[0111] In the process of crimping the crimping portion 46C to the crimping hole 28C, when the two arc-shaped portions 43C are pressed upward, the arc-shaped portion 43C is elastically deformed, so that the pressed portion 42C is subjected to an upward force. According to this mechanism, the contact reliability between the center terminal 21 and the signal line 74 can be further improved. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the arc-shaped portion 43C can be set as needed.

[0112] The connector assembly 12C forms a structure 10C together with the flexible board 16 connected thereto. The flexible board 16 of the structure 10C is located between the protrusion 27C of the external terminal 24C and the fixed member 41C in the up-down direction. The signal line 74 of the flexible board 16 is pressed from below by the fixed member 41C and pressed against the contact portion 214 of the center terminal 21.

[0113] refer to Fig.15 Together with Figure 8 , the structure 10C may include the flexible plate 16A instead of the flexible plate 16. However, unless the fixed member 41C is provided with a portion such as the pressed portion 42A of the fixed member 40A protruding upward, a specific effect cannot be obtained.

[0114] Although the embodiment and various modifications are described above, the previously described embodiment and modifications may be further variously modified and may be combined together variously.

Claims

1. A connector assembly configured to be connected to a flexible board, wherein: The flexible board extends along a horizontal plane, the flexible board is formed with two through holes, each of the through holes passes through the flexible board in an up-down direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the flexible board has an upper surface formed with a signal line, the signal line extends in a front-to-rear direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, and is located between the two through holes in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-to-rear direction; The connector assembly comprises a coaxial connector, a fixed member and two fixing members; The coaxial connector is configured to be attached to a front end of a coaxial cable; The coaxial connector includes an outer terminal, a center terminal and an insulating member; The insulating member insulates the outer terminal and the center terminal from each other; The external terminal has an end surface and two protrusions; The two protrusions are separated from each other in the transverse direction and protrude forward from the end surface; The central terminal has a contact portion; The contact portion is located between the two protrusions in the transverse direction and extends forward beyond the end surface; The fixed member has a pressed portion; In a connected state where the connector assembly is connected to the flexible board, the fixed member is located below the flexible board; and In the connected state, the two fixing members are respectively fixed to the two protrusions of the external terminal through the two through holes of the flexible board, and at the same time, the pressed portion of the fixed member is pressed against the lower surface of the portion of the flexible board where the signal line is formed, so that the contact portion of the central terminal is pressed against and contacts the signal line of the flexible board.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The fixed component is formed with two fixing holes; Each of the fixing holes passes through the fixed member in the up-down direction; The pressed portion is located between the two fixing holes in the transverse direction; Each of the fixing members is a screw; Each of the protrusions is formed with a threaded hole; and In the connected state, each of the fixing members passes through the fixing hole of the fixed member and the through hole of the flexible plate and is screwed into the threaded hole.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The fixed member and the two fixing members are formed integrally with each other; Each of the fixing members is a crimping portion; Each of the protrusions is formed with a crimping hole; and In the connected state, each of the fixing members passes through the through hole of the flexible board and is crimped into the crimping hole.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The pressed portion protrudes upward.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The contact portion of the center terminal has a fan-shaped shape in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: In a pre-connection state in which the connector assembly has not yet been connected to the flexible board, the contact portion of the center terminal extends forward and downward.

7. A structure comprising a connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a flexible board, wherein: The flexible plate is located between the protrusion and the fixed member in the up-down direction; and The signal line of the flexible board is pressed from below by the fixed member and pressed against the contact portion of the center terminal.

8. The structure according to claim 7, wherein: The flexible plate is formed with two slits; The two slits are separated from each other in the transverse direction; Each of the slits extends forward from a rear end of the flexible plate; The signal line is located between the two slits in the transverse direction and extends in the front-to-rear direction; and The pressed portion of the fixed member is pressed against a portion of the flexible board corresponding to the signal line in the front-rear direction.

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