Coaxial electric connector and electric connector assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a coaxial electric connector and a connector assembly which can well avoid large size in the connecting direction of the connector. The elastic body (70) can apply an elastic force to the front pressing part (56) and the rear pressing part (61A) to bring the coupling member (50) to a neutral position between an advanced position and a retracted position, the coupling member (50) has an intermediate protrusion (51) protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the coupling member (50), and a front space (53) is formed between the front space (53) and the outer peripheral surface of the case member (10) in front of the intermediate protrusion (51). A rear space (55) is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the housing member (10) and the rear of the intermediate protrusion (51), the movement of the ball member (80) in the front-rear direction is restricted by the inner peripheral edge of the hole (11), the ball member (80) can move in the radial direction of the connector (1), and the ball member (80) can be locked to a locking portion (152A-1) provided to a mating connector (2) by a portion protruding radially inward from the hole (11).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a coaxial electric connector and an electric connector assembly having the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] In Patent Literature 1, a coaxial electric connector having an axis extending in a front-rear direction and being fittedly connected to an object connector in the direction of the axis is disclosed. Here, the direction in which the coaxial electric connector is fittedly connected to the object connector is "front", and the direction in which the coaxial electric connector is pulled out from the object connector is "rear". The coaxial electric connector is fittedly connected to the object connector by being inserted into the object connector.

[0003] The coaxial electric connector of Patent Literature 1 has a tubular member, an external contact and an insulating spacer held to an inner peripheral surface of the tubular member, and a male contact held to the insulating spacer. An inner sleeve, a compression spring, and a fixed cylinder portion are inserted outside the tubular member, and an outer sleeve is inserted outside these members. In addition, an accepting cylinder portion is inserted into a front end portion of the outer sleeve.

[0004] A plurality of ball housing holes are formed in the front end portion of the tubular member in the circumferential direction, and an engaging ball is housed in each ball housing hole. The ball housing hole is formed so as to pass through the tubular member in the radial direction and extend in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the engaging ball is movable in the radial direction and the front-rear direction. In addition, a part of the engaging ball protrudes from the ball housing hole toward the radial inner side.

[0005] When the connecting operation of the coaxial electric connector with respect to the object connector is started, the rear end portion of the object connector abuts against the protruding portion of the engaging ball (see Patent Literature 1, paragraph to ). Then, the engaging ball is pushed by the rear end portion of the object connector through the protruding portion thereof, and moves in the ball housing hole in the rear direction while compressing the compression spring (see Patent Literature 1, paragraph to ). Figure 3 Figure 4

[0006] Then, the engaging ball is pushed by the outer peripheral surface of the object connector to move toward the radial outer side (see Patent Literature 1, paragraph to ), and is pushed by the inner sleeve in the ball housing hole in the front direction by the elastic force of the compression spring (see Patent Literature 1, paragraph to ). Then, the engaging ball is pushed by the inner peripheral surface of the outer sleeve to move toward the radial inner side, and becomes a state of being supported by the inner peripheral surface and being engaged with the engaging recess portion of the object connector with the part protruding from the ball housing hole (see Patent Literature 1, paragraph to ). In this way, the connectors become in a fittedly connected state. Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 6

[0007] ​​​​​In addition, when the coaxial electric connector is pulled rearward at the time of connector extraction, the outer sleeve moves rearward, forming a space on the radially outer side with respect to the engagement ball. At this time, the engagement ball is moved radially outward by a force having a component from the edge of the engagement recess of the object connector toward the radially outer side (see Patent Document 1). Figure 7 As a result, the engagement state of the engagement ball with the engagement recess is released, and thus the coaxial electric connector can be extracted from the object connector by directly pulling it rearward (see Patent Document 1). Figure 8

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-228212

[0009] In the coaxial electric connector of Patent Document 1, as described above, at the time of insertion and extraction of the connectors to and from each other, the engagement ball moves not only in the radial direction but also in the front-rear direction (connector connection direction) within the ball housing hole. Therefore, in the coaxial electric connector, the ball housing hole is formed in the front-rear direction with a size corresponding to the movement distance of the engagement ball. In this way, the ball housing hole is made into a shape extending in the front-rear direction, which can possibly lead to a large size in the front-rear direction of the coaxial electric connector. SUMMARY

[0010] The present application was achieved in view of the above-described circumstances, and aims to provide a coaxial electric connector and a connector assembly in which a large size in the connector connection direction can be favorably avoided.

[0011] (1) A coaxial electric connector according to the present application is a coaxial electric connector having an axis extending in a front-rear direction and being fitted and connected to an object connector in a front direction, and includes: a housing member that is a cylinder extending in the front-rear direction and that is formed with at least one hole portion that penetrates in a radial direction; an outer conductor, a dielectric, and a center conductor that are provided in the housing member; a coupling member that is externally inserted into the housing member and that is relatively movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the housing member between a forward position and a rearward position; and a ball member that is housed in the hole portion.

[0012] ​In the coaxial electric connector described above, in the present application, characterized by having: an elastic body housed in a housing space formed between an outer peripheral surface of the shell member and an inner peripheral surface of the coupling member at a position different from the ball member in the front-rear direction and capable of stretching and contracting in the front-rear direction; a front support portion provided to the shell member and capable of supporting the elastic body from the front, and a rear support portion provided to the shell member and capable of supporting the elastic body from the rear; and a front pressing portion provided to the coupling member and capable of pressing the elastic body from the front, and a rear pressing portion provided to the coupling member and capable of pressing the elastic body from the rear, the elastic body being capable of exerting an elastic force on the front pressing portion and the rear pressing portion to bring the coupling member to a neutral position between a forward position and a rearward position, the coupling member having a protruding portion protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the coupling member, a front space being formed between the protruding portion and the outer peripheral surface of the shell member in the front direction, and a rear space being formed between the protruding portion and the outer peripheral surface of the shell member in the rear direction, the ball member being configured to have its movement in the front-rear direction restricted by the inner edge or the inner surface of the hole portion and to be movable in the radial direction, and to be capable of being caught in a catching portion provided to the object connector by a portion protruding from the hole portion toward the radial inner side, the protruding portion being located in a position corresponding to the ball member in the front-rear direction when the coupling member is in the neutral position, restricting the movement of the ball member toward the radial outer side, the rear space being located in a position corresponding to the ball member in the front-rear direction when the coupling member is in the forward position, allowing the movement of the ball member toward the radial outer side, and the front space being located in a position corresponding to the ball member in the front-rear direction when the coupling member is in the rearward position, allowing the movement of the ball member toward the radial outer side.

[0013] In the present application, when connecting the coaxial electric connector to the object connector, the coaxial electric connector is moved forward to be fitted to the object connector in a state where the coupling member of the coaxial electric connector is pinched by fingers or the like. When the fitting operation starts, first, the rear end portion of the object connector comes into abutment with a portion of the ball member (a portion protruding from the hole portion toward the radial inner side) from the front. At this time, the coupling member is in the neutral position, so the movement of the ball member in the front-rear direction is restricted by the inner edge or the inner surface of the hole portion, and the movement toward the radial outer side is restricted by the protruding portion of the coupling member. Therefore, in a state where the rear end portion of the object connector is in abutment with the ball member, the coupling member is relatively moved forward with respect to the shell member and brought to the forward position. At this time, the elastic body is supported from the front by the front support portion and pressed from the rear by the rear pressing portion, so it is in a compressed state.

[0014] When the coupling member is brought to the advanced position, the rear space formed between the coupling member and the housing member is located in the front-rear direction at a position corresponding to the ball member. Therefore, the movement of the ball member toward the radially outer side is allowed by the rear space. Then, the ball member is pushed by the rear end portion of the object connector to move toward the radially outer side, whereby the coaxial electric connector can be advanced. When the coaxial electric connector is further advanced and reaches the regular fitting position, the ball member is located in the front-rear direction at a position corresponding to the locking portion of the object connector. As a result, the ball member moves toward the radially inner side, a part of which protrudes from the hole portion. Then, the protruding portion of the ball member is locked with the locking portion in the front-rear direction.

[0015] Next, when the finger is taken away from the coupling member, the compressed state of the elastic body is released, and therefore the coupling member is moved toward the rear by the elastic force of the elastic body and returns to the neutral position. When the coupling member returns to the neutral position, the movement of the ball member toward the radially outer side is restricted by the protrusion of the coupling member. As a result, the locked state of the protruding portion of the ball member and the locking portion is maintained, and the fitting connection operation of the connectors with each other is completed.

[0016] In addition, when the coaxial electric connector is pulled out from the object connector, the coaxial electric connector is pulled toward the rear in a state where the coupling member of the coaxial electric connector is pinched by a finger or the like. In the fitted connection state, as described above, the protruding portion of the ball member and the locking portion are in the locked state. Therefore, when the pulling-out operation is started, first, the coupling member is relatively moved toward the rear with respect to the housing member and is brought to the retreated position. When the coupling member is brought to the retreated position, the front space formed between the coupling member and the housing member is located in the front-rear direction at a position corresponding to the ball member, allowing the movement of the ball member toward the radially outer side. Then, when the ball member moves toward the radially outer side based on the force of pulling the coaxial electric connector toward the rear, the locked state of the ball member and the locking portion is released, and the coaxial electric connector can be further moved toward the rear. Therefore, the coaxial electric connector is pulled out from the object connector by directly pulling the coaxial electric connector toward the rear.

[0017] Thus, in the present application, in the fitting connection operation and the pulling-out operation of the connectors with each other, the ball member does not move in the front-rear direction but only moves in the radial direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the hole portion in a shape extending long in the front-rear direction as in the past to allow the movement of the ball member in the front-rear direction, and thus the enlargement of the housing member and even the coaxial electric connector in the front-rear direction can be well avoided compared to the past.

[0018] (2) In the invention of (1), the rear surface of the front support portion and the front pressing portion can be located at the same position in the front-rear direction when the coupling member is in the neutral position, and the respective rear surfaces can contact the elastic body from the front side. The front surface of the rear support portion and the rear pressing portion can be located at the same position in the front-rear direction when the coupling member is in the neutral position, and the respective front surfaces can contact the elastic body from the rear side.

[0019] In this structure, when the coupling member is in the neutral position, the rear surfaces of both the front support portion and the front pressing portion contact the elastic body from the front side, and the front surfaces of both the rear support portion and the rear pressing portion contact the elastic body from the rear side. Therefore, the elastic body is supported from the front and rear sides with a sufficiently large contact area, and thus the coupling member can be maintained in the neutral position favorably.

[0020] (3) In the invention of (1) or (2), the housing member can have an abutting portion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the housing member within the range of the accommodation space in the front-rear direction. The abutting portion can abut on the rear portion of the elastic body pressed by the rear pressing portion from the front side when the coupling member is in the advanced position, and can abut on the front portion of the elastic body pressed by the front pressing portion from the rear side when the coupling member is in the retreated position.

[0021] In this way, the abutting portion abuts on the rear portion of the elastic body in the advanced position and abuts on the front portion of the elastic body in the retreated position, and thus the compression amount of the elastic body in the front-rear direction and the movement amount of the coupling member can be limited to a predetermined range. As a result, the operation range of the connector in the front-rear direction at the time of plugging can be reduced.

[0022] (4) In any one of the inventions of (1) to (3), the rear pressing portion can be provided in a member that is inserted into the housing member and mounted to the coupling member from the rear side.

[0023] (5) In any one of the inventions of (1) to (4), the front end of the housing member can be located at the same position as the front end of the coupling member or a position that is rearward of the front end when the coupling member is in the neutral position. With this structure, when the coupling member is in the neutral position, the front end of the housing member is located within the range of the coupling member in the front-rear direction, and thus the front-rear direction of the coaxial electrical connector can be prevented from being enlarged more favorably.

[0024] (6) The electrical connector assembly according to the present invention is characterized by including any one of the coaxial electrical connectors of (1) to (5) and an object connector that is fitted to the coaxial electrical connector.

[0025] In this invention, a coaxial electrical connector and connector assembly are provided that can effectively avoid large-scale expansion in the connector connection direction. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly according to the embodiment, viewed from the oblique front and showing the state of the connectors before they are mated and connected to each other.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly according to the embodiment, viewed from a rear oblique angle, showing the state of the connectors before they are mated and connected to each other.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector assembly of the embodiment, showing the state of the connectors before they are mated and connected to each other.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector assembly of the embodiment, showing the state of the connectors mating and connecting with each other.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector assembly of the embodiment, showing the state of the connectors mating and connecting with each other.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector assembly of the embodiment, showing the state of the connectors mating and connecting with each other.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector assembly of the embodiment, showing the state of the connectors mating and connecting with each other.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector assembly of the embodiment, showing the mating connection state of the connectors with each other.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector assembly of the embodiment, showing the state of the connectors being pulled out of each other.

[0035] Figure 10 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector assembly of the embodiment, showing the state of the connectors being pulled out of each other.

[0036] Figure 11 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector assembly of the embodiment, showing the state of the connectors being pulled out of each other.

[0037] Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view at a face including an axis of a coaxial electrical connector according to a modification of the embodiment.

[0038] Reference Signs List

[0039] 1…connector; 2…subject connector; 10…housing member; 10G…accommodation space; 11…hole portion; 14…front support portion; 15…rear support portion; 16…abutment portion; 20…outer conductor; 30…dielectric; 40…center conductor; 50…coupling member; 51…intermediate protrusion (protrusion); 53…front space; 55…rear space; 56…front pressing portion; 60…rear pressing member; 61A…rear pressing portion; 70…elastic body; 80…ball member; 152A-1…locking portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described based on the drawings.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the electrical connector assembly of the present embodiment has a coaxial electrical connector 1 (hereinafter referred to as “connector 1”) and a subject-side coaxial electrical connector, i.e., a subject connector 2, which is to be fittingly connected with the connector 1. The connector 1 is to be fittingly connected with the subject connector 2 in a front-rear direction (X-axis direction) as a fitting direction, toward a front direction (X1 direction). In the present embodiment, the connector 1 is connected with a front end side portion of a cable (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction. In addition, the subject connector 2 is threadedly fixed and mounted to a housing (not shown) of an electronic device. Furthermore, Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction are one example of the radial direction of the connector 1.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1-3 , the connector 1 has a connector main body 1A, a cable mounting portion 1B for mounting a cable to the connector main body 1A, and a sandwiching ring 130 (refer to Figure 3 ) and a sandwiching washer 140 (refer to Figure 3 ) interposed between the connector main body 1A and the cable mounting portion 1B. The connector main body 1A, the cable mounting portion 1B, the sandwiching ring 130, and the sandwiching washer 140 have the same axis extending in the front-rear direction, and are disposed concentrically on the axis.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3 , the connector main body 1A has a housing member 10, an outer conductor 20, a dielectric 30, a center conductor 40, a coupling member 50, a rear pressing member 60, an elastic body 70, and a ball member 80.

[0044] The shell member 10 is a member made of metal in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 3 The shell member 10 has a frontward cylinder portion 10A forming a front portion, an intermediate cylinder portion 10B forming an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction, and a rearward cylinder portion 10C forming a rear portion. The intermediate cylinder portion 10B is formed with a larger outer diameter than the frontward cylinder portion 10A. Further, the rearward cylinder portion 10C is formed with a larger outer diameter than the frontward cylinder portion 10A and the intermediate cylinder portion 10B. A threaded groove (not shown) for mounting the cable mounting portion IB is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the rear portion of the rearward cylinder portion 10C.

[0045] The front portion of the frontward cylinder portion 10A, specifically, a portion located further forward than the positioning portion 13 described later, forms an outer fitting portion 10A-1 for fitting with the object connector 2. A plurality of hole portions 11 penetrating the outer fitting portion 10A-1 in the radial direction are formed in the outer fitting portion 10A-1. The hole portions 11 are formed at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction of the frontward cylinder portion 10A at equal intervals. Each hole portion 11 accommodates a ball member 80. The hole portion 11 forms a substantially conical frustum-shaped space that narrows as it goes toward the radial inside, and the inner surface of the hole portion 11 is substantially conical.

[0046] The inner space of the shell member 10 has three spaces communicating with each other in the front-rear direction, specifically, a front inner space 10D, an intermediate inner space 10E, and a rear inner space 10F. The front inner space 10D is formed in the range from the front end position of the frontward cylinder portion 10A to the intermediate position of the intermediate cylinder portion 10B in the front-rear direction. In the front inner space 10D, the space of the inner space of the outer fitting portion 10A-1 is formed as an acceptance space 10D-1 for accepting a portion of the object connector 2 from the front. The intermediate inner space 10E is located rearward of the front inner space 10D and is formed in the range of a portion of the intermediate cylinder portion 10B in the front-rear direction. The rear inner space 10F is located rearward of the intermediate inner space 10E and is formed in the range from the rear end position of the intermediate inner space 10E to the rear end position of the rearward cylinder portion 10C in the front-rear direction.

[0047] The intermediate inner space 10E is formed larger in the radial direction than the front inner space 10D. The rear inner space 10F is formed larger in the radial direction than the front inner space 10D and the intermediate inner space 10E. A step portion 12 is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the shell member 10 at the boundary position of the front inner space 10D and the intermediate inner space 10E, in other words, at the rear end position of the front inner space 10D. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the shell member 10 is formed conical in the range corresponding to the front portion of the rear inner space 10F, inclined toward the radial outside as it goes toward the rear.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3As shown, the front internal space 10D houses the outer conductor 20, the dielectric 30, and the center conductor 40. The middle internal space 10E houses the clamping ring 130 and the clamping washer 140. The rear internal space 10F houses a portion of the cable mounting section 1B.

[0049] The front cylindrical portion 10A is provided with a positioning portion 13, which protrudes from the inner circumferential surface at a midpoint in the front-rear direction and extends throughout the entire circumferential direction. The positioning portion 13 positions the outer conductor 20 and the dielectric 30 in the front-rear direction by abutting against them. A small protrusion 13A is formed at the rear of the positioning portion 13, protruding radially inward compared to other portions.

[0050] A front support portion 14, a rear support portion 15, and an abutment portion 16 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the housing component 10. The front support portion 14 is the portion that can support the elastic body 70 from the front, and the rear support portion 15 is the portion that can support the elastic body 70 from the rear. As will be described later, the abutment portion 16 is the portion that can abut against the elastic body 70 from the front or rear in a state of maximum compression as the connecting member 50 moves in the front-rear direction (see, for example, [reference]). Figure 5 and Figure 9 wait).

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, the front support portion 14 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the housing member 10 within the range of the positioning portion 13 in the front-rear direction and extends throughout the entire circumference. The rear support portion 15 is formed at the front end of the intermediate cylindrical portion 10B, which is located rearward than the front support portion 14 and the abutment portion 16, and is formed in a stepped shape at the boundary with the front cylindrical portion 10A. The abutment portion 16 is located between the front support portion 14 and the rear support portion 15 in the front-rear direction, protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the housing member 10, and extends throughout the entire circumference. In this embodiment, the abutment portion 16 is positioned at the center between the front support portion 14 and the rear support portion 15 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the front support portion 14 and the abutment portion 16 is equal to the distance between the rear support portion 15 and the abutment portion 16.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, the outer conductor 20 is a generally cylindrical metal component extending in the front-rear direction and housed in the front interior space 10D of the housing component 10. The outer conductor 20 has a rear portion 21 that is radially thick-walled and a front portion 22 that extends forward from the rear portion 21 and is radially thinner than the rear portion 21. The rear portion 21 is located within the area of ​​the positioning portion 13 of the housing component 10 in the front-rear direction, and its rear surface contacts the front surface of the small protrusion 13A from the front. The front portion 22 is located within the receiving space 10D-1 of the housing component 10 in the front-rear direction.

[0053] likeFigure 3 As shown, the dielectric 30 is a generally cylindrical component made of an electrically insulating material such as resin that extends in the front-rear direction, and is housed in the front interior space 10D of the housing member 10 while being held by the housing member 10 and the outer conductor 20. The dielectric 30 has a rear portion 31 located behind the positioning portion 13 of the housing member 10, and a front portion 32 extending forward from the rear portion 31. The front portion 32 is formed to be smaller than the rear portion 31 in the radial direction.

[0054] The rear portion 31 is pressed and held by the inner peripheral surface of the housing member 10. The front portion 32 is pressed and held by the inner peripheral surface of the small protrusion 13A of the housing member 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer conductor 20. The dielectric 30 contacts the positioning portion 13 and the outer conductor 20 from the rear by a plurality of stepped portions formed on the outer peripheral surface, thereby being positioned in the front-rear direction. The rear end face of the rear portion 31 is located at the same position as the rear end of the front internal space 10D in the front-rear direction. A portion of the front portion 32 extends and protrudes into the receiving space 10D-1, forming an inner fitting portion 32A for mating with the object connector 2. The internal space of the inner fitting portion 32A is formed to be larger in the radial direction than the internal space of other portions in the dielectric 30, and forms a portion of the receiving space 10D-1.

[0055] The center conductor 40 is a metal component extending in the front-to-back direction and is housed within the internal space of the dielectric 30 while being held by the dielectric 30. The center conductor 40 has: a connecting portion 41 provided at the rear end, a pin-shaped male contact portion 42 provided at the front end, and a connecting portion 43 provided at the middle position to connect the connecting portion 41 and the contact portion 42. The connecting portion 41 is hollow, while the contact portion 42 and the connecting portion 43 are solid.

[0056] The connecting portion 41 connects to the core wire (not shown) of the cable inserted from the rear. The contact portion 42 is housed in a state that extends and protrudes into the internal space of the inner fitting portion 32A of the dielectric 30, and is able to contact the target center conductor 170 provided in the target connector 2 (see reference). Figure 8 The connecting portion 41 and the linking portion 43 are pressed and held by the inner peripheral surface of the dielectric 30. Furthermore, the center conductor 40 is positioned in the front-rear direction by contacting the step portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the linking portion 43 with the step portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the dielectric 30 from the rear. The rear end of the connecting portion 41 is located at the same position in the front-rear direction as the rear end of the front internal space 10D.

[0057] The connecting member 50 is a generally cylindrical metal component extending in the front-rear direction, inserted into and disposed within the housing member 10. The connecting member 50 can be in the forward position (refer to...) Figures 5-7 ) and backward position (refer to) Figures 9-11The connecting member 50 moves relative to the housing member 10 in the front-to-back direction. The connecting member 50 is in a neutral position when not subjected to external force (see reference). Figure 3 and Figure 8 ).

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, when the connecting member 50 is in the neutral position, the front end of the connecting member 50 is located at the same position as the front end of the housing member 10 in the front-rear direction. That is, the front end of the housing member 10 is located within the range of the connecting member 50 in the front-rear direction, thus better preventing the connector 1 from becoming too large in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the front end of the connecting member 50 and the front end of the housing member 10 are located at the same position, but in addition, when the connecting member is in the neutral position, the front end of the housing member may also be located at a position further rearward than the front end of the connecting member.

[0059] The connecting member 50 has a central protrusion 51, a front protrusion 52, and a rear protrusion 54 formed at its front portion, which are protrusions from the inner circumferential surface and extend throughout the entire circumferential direction. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the intermediate protrusion 51 protrudes in a manner that its dimensions decrease in the front-to-back direction as it moves toward the radially inward side, and has a generally trapezoidal shape with a cross-section perpendicular to the circumferential direction. The front surface of the intermediate protrusion 51 forms an inclined surface that slopes rearward as it moves toward the radially inward side. The rear surface of the intermediate protrusion 51 forms an inclined surface that slopes forward as it moves toward the radially inward side.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, the front protrusion 52 is located in front of and separate from the intermediate protrusion 51, forming part of the front end of the connecting member 50. Furthermore, the front protrusion 52 protrudes radially inward by a slightly larger amount than the intermediate protrusion 51, and its protruding top surface is located radially at approximately the same position as the outer peripheral surface of the housing member 10. Figure 3 As shown, the front protrusion 52 protrudes in such a way that its size decreases in the front-to-back direction as it moves toward the radially inward side, and has a generally trapezoidal shape in cross-section perpendicular to the circumferential direction. The front surface of the front protrusion 52 forms a surface perpendicular to the front-to-back direction, and the rear surface of the front protrusion 52 forms an inclined surface that slopes forward as it moves toward the radially inward side.

[0061] In addition, a front space 53 is formed between the middle protrusion 51 and the front protrusion 52 in the front-rear direction and between the inner peripheral surface of the connecting member 50 in the radial direction and the outer peripheral surface of the shell member 10.

[0062] like Figure 3As shown, the rear protrusion 54 is located behind and separate from the intermediate protrusion 51. The rear protrusion 54 protrudes radially inward by a slightly larger amount than the intermediate protrusion 51, and its top surface is located radially at approximately the same position as the outer peripheral surface of the shell member 10. Figure 3 As shown, the rear protrusion 54 protrudes in such a way that its size decreases in the front-rear direction as it moves toward the radially inward direction, and its cross-section, which is perpendicular to the circumferential direction, is approximately trapezoidal in shape. The front surface of the rear protrusion 54 forms an inclined surface that slopes rearward as it moves toward the radially inward direction, and the rear surface of the rear protrusion 54 forms a surface that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0063] Furthermore, a rear space 55 is formed between the intermediate protrusion 51 and the rear protrusion 54 in the front-rear direction and between the inner peripheral surface of the connecting member 50 in the radial direction and the outer peripheral surface of the shell member 10.

[0064] The connecting member 50 has a stepped front pressing portion 56 formed on its inner circumferential surface at the boundary between the front and rear portions. The inner circumferential surface of the rear portion is located radially outward compared to the inner circumferential surface of the front portion. In other words, in the connecting member 50, the internal space of the rear portion is radially larger than the internal space of the front portion. Figure 3 As shown, when the connecting member 50 is in the neutral position, the rear surface of the front pressing portion 56 is positioned in the same direction as the rear surface of the front support portion 14 of the housing member 10. At this time, the rear surfaces of the front pressing portion 56 and the front support portion 14 contact the elastomer 70 from the front and support the elastomer 70. Furthermore, when the connecting member 50 is in the retracted position, the front pressing portion 56 is positioned further rearward than the front support portion 14 and presses the elastomer 70 from the front (see reference). Figures 9-11 ).

[0065] like Figure 3 As shown, the rear end of the connecting member 50 protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the other parts of the connecting member 50, and is formed to be thicker radially than the other parts.

[0066] The rear pressing member 60 is a metal component that is inserted externally into the housing member 10 and internally inserted into and mounted on the rear end of the connecting member 50. The rear pressing member 60 has a cylindrical portion 61 extending in the front-rear direction and a protruding portion 62 extending radially outward from the rear end of the cylindrical portion 61. The portion of the cylindrical portion 61, excluding the rear end, is pressed into the rear end of the connecting member 50, and is located radially between the rear end of the connecting member 50 and the housing member 10. Thus, the rear pressing member 60 mounted on the connecting member 50 can move together with the connecting member 50 in the front-rear direction. That is, the rear pressing member 60 can also move relative to the housing member 10 in the front-rear direction.

[0067] The front end portion of the cylindrical portion 61 forms a rear pressing portion 61A capable of pressing the elastic body 70 from the rear. As shown in Figure 3 the coupling member 50 is located at the neutral position, the front surface of the rear pressing portion 61A is located at the same position as the front surface of the rear support portion 15 of the case member 10 in the front-rear direction. At this time, the front surface of the rear pressing portion 61A and the front surface of the rear support portion 15 contact the elastic body 70 from the rear and support the elastic body 70. In addition, when the coupling member 50 is located at the advanced position, the rear pressing portion 61A is located at a position further forward than the rear support portion 15 and presses the elastic body 70 from the rear (see Figures 5-7 ).

[0068] In the present embodiment, as described above, when the coupling member 50 is located at the neutral position, the rear surfaces of both the front support portion 14 and the front pressing portion 56 contact the elastic body 70 from the front, and the front surfaces of both the rear support portion 15 and the rear pressing portion 61A contact the elastic body 70 from the rear. Therefore, the elastic body 70 is supported from the front and the rear with a sufficiently large contact area, and thus the coupling member 50 can be maintained well at the neutral position.

[0069] As shown in Figure 3 , a housing space 10G in which the elastic body 70 is housed is formed between the rear portion of the coupling member 50 in the radial direction and the rear portion of the front cylindrical portion 10A of the case member 10. The housing space 10G is formed between the front support portion 14 and the front pressing portion 56 and the rear support portion 15 and the rear pressing portion 61A in the front-rear direction in a state in which the coupling member 50 is located at the neutral position.

[0070] The elastic body 70 has a spring member 71 capable of stretching and contracting in the front-rear direction, a front ring 72 provided in front of the spring member 71, and a rear ring 73 provided behind the spring member 71. The spring member 71 is composed of, for example, a coil spring having an axis extending in the front-rear direction. The outer diameter of the spring member 71 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the rear portion of the coupling member 50. In addition, the inner diameter of the spring member 71 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the abutment portion 16 of the case member 10. Therefore, the spring member 71 does not interfere with the abutment portion 16 in the front-rear direction, and thus can stretch and contract smoothly.

[0071] The front ring 72 and the rear ring 73 are composed of, for example, C-shaped rings made of a metal plate. The outer diameter of the front ring 72 and the rear ring 73 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the rear portion of the coupling member 50. In addition, the inner diameter of the front ring 72 and the rear ring 73 is slightly larger than the outer circumferential surface of the case member 10 and smaller than the inner diameter of the spring member 71. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3As shown, when the coupling member 50 is in the neutral position, the front surface of the front ring 72 is supported from the front by the rear surface of the front support portion 14 and the rear surface of the front pressing portion 56, and the rear surface of the rear ring 73 is supported from the rear by the front surface of the rear support portion 15 and the front surface of the rear pressing portion 61A.

[0072] The ball member 80 is composed of, for example, a spherical body made of metal, and is housed in the hole portion 11 of the housing member 10. The outer diameter of the ball member 80 is larger than the inner diameter of the opening portion on the radially inner side of the hole portion 11, i.e., the opening portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 10, and is smaller than the inner diameter of the opening portion on the radially outer side of the hole portion 11, i.e., the opening portion formed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing member 10. The outer diameter of the ball member 80 is larger than the opening portion on the radially inner side of the hole portion 11, and thus becomes a state of being caught at the inner circumferential edge (inner edge) of the opening portion from the radially outer side and a part thereof protruding from the opening portion toward the radially inner side. At this time, the movement of the ball member 80 in the front-rear direction and in the circumferential direction of the housing member 10 is restricted by the inner circumferential edge of the opening portion. The part of the ball member 80 protruding from the opening portion toward the radially inner side is located in the receiving space 10D-1 of the housing member 10. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, a gap is formed between the ball member 80 and the inner surface of the hole portion 11. Figure 3

[0073] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, a gap is formed between the ball member 80 and the inner surface of the hole portion 11. Figure 3 As shown, when the coupling member 50 is in the neutral position, the ball member 80 is supported from the radially outer side by the protruding top surface of the intermediate protrusion 51 of the coupling member 50, and the movement toward the radially outer side is restricted. In addition, for the ball member 80, when the coupling member 50 is in the advanced position, the movement toward the radially outer side is allowed by the rear space 55 of the coupling member 50 (see Figures 5-7 ), and when the coupling member 50 is in the retreated position, the movement toward the radially outer side is allowed by the front space 53 of the coupling member 50 (see Figures 9-11 ).

[0074] The connector body 1A of this structure first assembles the members other than the center conductor 40 to each other in the following gist. Further, the center conductor 40 is attached to the dielectric 30 after being connected to the front end side portion of the cable as described later.

[0075] First, the dielectric 30 is attached by being inserted from the rear and pressed into the housing member 10. Next, the outer conductor 20 is externally inserted into the front portion 32 of the dielectric 30, and the rear portion 21 of the outer conductor 20 is inserted from the front between the inner circumferential surface of the positioning portion 13 of the housing member 10 and the outer circumferential surface of the front portion 32 of the dielectric 30. The rear portion 21 of the outer conductor 20 is held by being pressed by the inner circumferential surface of the positioning portion 13.

[0076] ​Next, the rear pressing member 60 is externally inserted into the housing member 10 from the front, and is arranged in the range of the middle cylindrical portion 10B in the front-rear direction. Next, the spring member 71 is externally inserted into the housing member 10 from the front, and is arranged between the front support portion 14 and the rear support portion 15 in the front-rear direction. Further, the front ring 72 as a C-shaped ring is attached to the housing member 10 from the radially outer side at a position between the front support portion 14 and the spring member 71 in the front-rear direction. Further, the rear ring 73 as a C-shaped ring is attached to the housing member 10 from the radially outer side at a position between the rear support portion 15 and the spring member 71 in the front-rear direction.

[0077] Next, the ball member 80 is accommodated in each hole portion 11 of the housing member 10 from the radially outer side of the housing member 10. Next, the coupling member 50 is externally inserted into and attached to the housing member 10 from the front. Further, the cylindrical portion 61 of the rear pressing member 60 is inserted from the rear into a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the middle cylindrical portion 10B of the housing member 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the coupling member 50, and is pressed into the holding cylindrical portion 61 at the rear end portion of the coupling member 50. In this way, the assembly of the connector main body 1A (excluding the center conductor 40) is completed.

[0078] In the state where the assembly of the connector main body 1A (excluding the center conductor 40) is completed, the front support portion 14 of the housing member 10 and the front pressing portion 56 of the coupling member 50 support the front ring 72 from the front, and the rear support portion 15 of the housing member 10 and the rear pressing portion 61A of the rear pressing member 60 support the rear ring 73 from the rear. Thus, a state is achieved in which the front support portion 14 and the front pressing portion 56 support the spring member 71 from the front via the front ring 72, and the rear support portion 15 and the rear pressing portion 61A support the spring member 71 from the rear via the rear ring 73. The spring member 71 maintains the coupling member 50 in the neutral position in the front-rear direction by the reaction force (elastic force) against the support force from the front and the rear. Figure 3 That is, the spring member 71 exerts an elastic force on the front pressing portion 56 and the rear pressing portion 61A to bring the coupling member 50 to the neutral position.

[0079] Further, the coupling member 50 is located in the neutral position, and thus, as shown in Figure 3 the middle protrusion portion 51 of the coupling member 50 supports the ball member 80 from the radially outer side of the housing member 10, and restricts the movement of the ball member 80 toward the radially outer side. Further, a state is achieved in which the inner peripheral edge of the opening portion of the hole portion 11 formed in the inner peripheral surface of the housing member 10 restricts the movement of the ball member 80 in the front-rear direction and the circumferential direction of the housing member 10.

[0080] As shown in Figure 3As shown, the cable mounting portion 1B has a clamp 90, a rubber ring 100, a washer 110, and a fastener 120. The clamp 90, the rubber ring 100, the washer 110, and the fastener 120 are adjacently arranged in this order from the front, and are housed in the rear inside space 10F of the housing member 10 except for the rear of the fastener 120. The inside spaces of the clamp 90, the rubber ring 100, the washer 110, and the fastener 120 are communicated in the front-rear direction, and the front end side portion (not shown) of the cable can be inserted from the rear.

[0081] The clamp 90 is a metal member in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The front portion of the clamp 90 has a tapered outer peripheral surface along the inner peripheral surface of the front portion of the rear cylindrical portion 10C. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface is inclined so that the outer diameter becomes smaller as it goes forward. The inner peripheral surface of the clamp 90 is formed with a stepped portion 91 at the boundary position between the front portion and the rear portion. As a result, the inside space of the rear portion of the clamp 90 is formed to have a larger diameter than the inside space of the front portion. The clamp 90 is arranged so that its front surface contacts the rear surface of the sandwiching ring 130.

[0082] The rubber ring 100 is a rubber member in a ring shape, and is arranged so that its front surface contacts the rear surface of the clamp 90. The inner diameter of the rubber ring 100 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the rear portion of the clamp 90. The washer 110 is a metal member in a circular ring plate shape, and is arranged so that its front surface contacts the rear surface of the rubber ring 100. The inner diameter of the washer 110 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the rear portion of the clamp 90.

[0083] The fastener 120 is a metal member in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. A screw thread (not shown) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the front portion of the fastener 120. The fastener 120 is screwed to the housing member 10 by the screw thread and a screw thread groove (not shown) of the inner peripheral surface of the housing member 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the fastener 120 is arranged so that its front surface contacts the rear surface of the washer 110 in the state of being screwed to the housing member 10. Figure 3

[0084] Figure 3 As shown, the sandwiching ring 130 and the sandwiching washer 140 are housed in the intermediate inside space 10E of the housing member 10. The sandwiching ring 130 is a metal member in a circular ring shape, and is formed to have an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the housing member 10 at the position of the intermediate inside space 10E, so that the outer peripheral surface contacts the inner peripheral surface of the housing member 10. In addition, the front surface of the sandwiching ring 130 contacts the rear surface of the stepped portion 12 of the housing member 10 and the rear surface of the dielectric 30.

[0085] The sandwiching washer 140 is a rubber member in a circular ring shape. As shown in FIG. 2, the sandwiching washer 140 is arranged so that its front surface contacts the rear surface of the sandwiching ring 130. Figure 3 ​​As shown, the clamping washer 140 is formed with an outer diameter approximately the same as the inner diameter of the clamping ring 130. Furthermore, it is formed with approximately the same dimensions as the clamping ring 130 in the front-to-back direction and is housed within the internal space of the clamping ring 130. The front surface of the clamping washer 140 contacts the rear surface of the dielectric 30. Additionally, the inner diameter of the clamping washer 140 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the connection portion 41 of the center conductor 40. The internal space of the connection portion 41 and the internal space of the cable mounting portion 1B are connected via the internal space of the clamping washer 140.

[0086] The cable mounting part 1B is inserted from the front into the front end portion of the cable in the order of fastener 120, washer 110, rubber ring 100, and clamp 90, thereby mounting it to the front end portion. At this time, the cable sheath (not shown) is held radially by the inner circumferential surfaces of the rear part of clamp 90, rubber ring 100, washer 110, and front part of fastener 120. In addition, the shielding layer (not shown) exposed from the cable sheath is held radially by the inner circumferential surface of the front part of clamp 90. Furthermore, the cable is positioned in the front-rear direction by the front end of the cable sheath abutting against the stepped portion 91 of clamp 90 from the rear.

[0087] The front end portion of the cable with the cable mounting part 1B is connected to the connector body 1A according to the following procedure. First, the exposed core wire of the front end portion of the cable is inserted into the internal space of the connection part 41 of the center conductor 40, and connected to the connection part 41 by welding, crimping, or the like. Next, the clamping ring 130 is inserted from the rear and housed in the middle internal space 10E of the housing member 10. Next, the clamping washer 140 is inserted from the rear and housed in the internal space of the clamping ring 130. Next, the front end portion of the cable connected to the center conductor 40, together with the cable mounting part 1B, is inserted from the rear into the connector body 1A (excluding the center conductor 40), and the front thread of the fastener 120 is screwed in and installed on the rear of the housing member 10. At this time, the center conductor 40 is inserted from the rear and the dielectric 30 is pressed in.

[0088] With the cable mounting part 1B installed on the connector body 1A, the front surface of the clamp 90 contacts the clamping ring 130. Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface and front surface of the clamping ring 130 contact the housing member 10. Therefore, the cable's shielding layer becomes electrically conductive with the housing member 10 via the clamp 90 and the clamping ring 130.

[0089] like Figure 3 As shown, the object connector 2 includes: an object outer conductor 150, an object dielectric 160, an object center conductor 170, and an anti-detachment ring 180. The object outer conductor 150, the object dielectric 160, the object center conductor 170, and the anti-detachment ring 180 have the same axis extending in the front-rear direction and are arranged to be concentric on this axis.

[0090] The object outer conductor 150 is a metal-made member having a plate-shaped base portion 151 extending at right angles to the front-rear direction, and a substantially cylindrical cylindrical portion 152 extending rearward (X2 direction) from the rear surface of the base portion 151.

[0091] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the base portion 151 is a plate-shaped portion having a substantially quadrangular shape in an outer shape when viewed in the front-rear direction. One mounting hole portion 151A as a threaded hole penetrating the base portion 151 in the front-rear direction is formed at each corner portion of the base portion 151. In the present embodiment, a threaded member (not shown) is screwed from the rear with the mounting hole portion 151A and a threaded hole (not shown) provided in a housing of an electronic device corresponding to the mounting hole portion 151A, whereby the object connector 2 is mounted to the housing.

[0092] The rear portion of the cylindrical portion 152, that is, the portion located further rearward than the positioning protrusion 152B to be described later, forms an object outer fitting portion 152A for fitting with the connector 1. The inner space of the object outer fitting portion 152A is formed as an object-side receiving space 153 for receiving a portion of the connector 1 from the rear.

[0093] An annular groove-shaped locking portion 152A-1 that is sunk from the outer peripheral surface at a position close to the rear end and extends along the entire circumferential direction is formed in the object outer fitting portion 152A. As shown in Figure 3 , the inner surface of the front side (X1 side) of the locking portion 152A-1 forms an inclined surface that inclines forward as it goes toward the radially inner side of the object outer fitting portion 152A. The inner surface of the rear side (X2 side) of the locking portion 152A-1 forms an inclined surface that inclines rearward as it goes toward the radially inner side of the object outer fitting portion 152A. In the fitted connection state of the connectors with each other, the locking portion 152A-1 can receive a portion of the ball member 80 of the connector 1 and lock with the portion in the front-rear direction (see Figure 8 ).

[0094] As shown in Figure 3 , in the cylindrical portion 152, a positioning protrusion 152B that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface and extends along the entire circumferential direction is formed at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction, specifically at a boundary position between the front portion and the rear portion. The positioning protrusion 152B is a portion that positions the object dielectric 160 in the front-rear direction. In addition, as shown in Figure 3 , a stepped portion 152C is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 152 at a position close to the front end. As a result, in the cylindrical portion 152, the inner space of the front end portion (the portion further forward than the stepped portion 152C) is larger in the radial direction than the inner space of the other portions.

[0095] The object dielectric 160 is a member made of an electrically insulating material such as resin, which is substantially cylindrical in shape extending in the front-rear direction, and has an intermediate cylindrical portion 161 forming an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction, an object inner fitting portion 162 extending rearward from the intermediate cylindrical portion 161, and an extension protruding portion 163 extending forward from the intermediate cylindrical portion 161. The intermediate cylindrical portion 161 is housed in the internal space of the front portion of the cylindrical portion 152. As shown in Fig. 6, the rear end portion of the intermediate cylindrical portion 161 has a smaller diameter than the other portions, and a step portion 161A is formed at the boundary between the above rear end portion and the above other portions. Figure 3

[0096] The object inner fitting portion 162 has a smaller diameter than the intermediate cylindrical portion 161. The object inner fitting portion 162 is a portion for fitting with the connector 1, and is housed in the internal space of the object outer fitting portion 152A, i.e., the object-side receiving space 153. The extension protruding portion 163 extends forward beyond the front surface of the base portion 151, and is located outside the object outer conductor 150.

[0097] The object center conductor 170 is a member made of metal extending in the front-rear direction, and is held by the object dielectric 160. The object center conductor 170 has an object connecting portion 171 provided on the front end side, an object contact portion 172 provided on the rear end side, and an object linking portion 173 provided at an intermediate position and linking the object connecting portion 171 and the object contact portion 172. The object connecting portion 171 extends forward beyond the front surface of the object dielectric 160, and is located outside the object dielectric 160. The object contact portion 172 is housed in the internal space of the object inner fitting portion 162, and the object linking portion 173 is housed in the internal spaces of the intermediate cylindrical portion 161 and the extension protruding portion 163.

[0098] The object connecting portion 171 is formed in a solid shape, and can be connected to a corresponding circuit portion (not shown) provided in an electronic device. The object contact portion 172 is a female contact portion in a hollow shape, and can receive and contact the contact portion 42 of the center conductor 40 provided in the connector 1 from the rear side (see Fig. 6). Figure 8 The object linking portion 173 is formed in a solid shape, and is pressed into the intermediate cylindrical portion 161 and the extension protruding portion 163 of the object dielectric 160. As a result, the object center conductor 170 is held by the object dielectric 160.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 6, the object outer conductor 150 and the object dielectric 160 have an end recess 2A in the shape of an annular groove open toward the front, which is formed by the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the cylindrical portion 152 and the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the intermediate cylindrical portion 161 being radially sunk. Figure 3

[0100] ​​The object connector 2 of this structure is assembled according to the following procedure. First, the object dielectric 160 is inserted from the front into the inner space of the object outer conductor 150. Next, the anti-escape ring 180 is externally inserted from the rear into the object dielectric 160, and is pressed into the rear end recess 2A from the rear. At this time, the anti-escape ring 180 abuts against the inner surface of the end recess 2A from the front, i.e., the step portion 152C of the object outer conductor 150 and the step portion 161A of the object dielectric 160. As a result, the step portion 161A is locked to the anti-escape ring 180 from the rear, preventing the object dielectric 160 from escaping from the object outer conductor 150. Next, the object center conductor 170 is pressed into and held to the object dielectric 160 from the front. In this way, the assembly of the object connector 2 is completed.

[0101] Next, the fitting connection operation of the connector 1 and the object connector 2 will be described. In addition, regarding the movement of the ball member 80 during the fitting connection, mainly the ball member 80 located on the upper side in the Figure 3 will be described.

[0102] First, the front end side portion of the cable (not shown) is connected to the connector 1, and the object connector 2 is mounted to the housing of the electronic device by screwing. Next, as shown in Figures 1-3 , the connector 1 is located behind the object connector 2. Specifically, the connector 1 is located on the same axis as the object connector 2 so that the receiving space 10D-1 of the connector 1 opposes the object side receiving space 153 of the object connector 2.

[0103] Next, the connector 1 is moved toward the front while pinching the coupling member 50 with the fingers so as to be fitted to the object connector 2. At this time, the object outer fitting portion 152A and the object inner fitting portion 162 of the object connector 2 are received in the receiving space 10D-1 of the connector 1 from the front. In addition, the inner fitting portion 32A of the connector 1 enters the object side receiving space 153 of the object connector 2 from the rear.

[0104] When the fitting connection operation starts, first, as shown in Figure 4 , the rear end portion of the object outer fitting portion 152A of the object connector 2 abuts against a part of the ball member 80 of the connector 1, specifically, the portion protruding into the receiving space 10D-1 from the hole portion 11, from the front. At this time, the coupling member 50 is located at the neutral position, so the movement of the ball member 80 in the front-rear direction and the circumferential direction of the housing member 10 is restricted by the inner periphery of the hole portion 11, and the movement toward the radially outer side is restricted by the intermediate protrusion 51 of the coupling member 50. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5As shown, while maintaining the rear end of the outer fitting portion 152A abutting against the ball member 80 from the front, the connecting member 50 and the rear pressing member 60 move forward relative to the shell member 10, and the connecting member 50 is brought to the forward position. At this time, in the elastic body 70, the front ring 72 is supported from the front by the front support portion 14 of the shell member 10, and the rear ring 73 is pressed from the rear by the rear pressing portion 61A of the rear pressing member 60, so the spring member 71 is in a state of maximum compression.

[0105] When the connecting part 50 is in the forward position, such as Figure 5 As shown, the abutting portion 16 of the connecting member 50 is positioned such that its rear surface contacts the front surface of the rear ring 73 of the elastomer 70, and abuts against the rear ring 73 from the front. Therefore, the compression amount of the spring member 71 in the front-rear direction, and even the forward movement amount of the connecting member 50, can be limited to a predetermined range. As a result, the front-rear operating range of the connector 1 during connector mating connection can be reduced.

[0106] When the connecting part 50 is brought to the forward position, such as Figure 5 As shown, the rear space 55 of the connecting member 50 is located in the front-rear direction at a position corresponding to the ball member 80. Specifically, the rear space 55 is positioned in the front-rear direction in a manner that includes the ball member 80. Therefore, movement of the ball member 80 toward the radially outward is permitted by the rear space 55. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, the ball component 80 located on the lower side moves downward due to its own weight and becomes part of the ball component 80 protruding into the rear space 55. At this time, the ball component 80 does not protrude radially inward.

[0107] Next, as Figure 6 As shown, the ball component 80 is pushed radially outward by the rear end of the object outer fitting portion 152A of the object connector 2, thereby allowing the connector 1 to advance. At this time, the ball component 80 is supported radially inward by the rear end of the object outer fitting portion 152A, and therefore does not protrude radially inward from the hole portion 11. On the other hand, a portion of the ball component 80 protrudes radially outward from the hole portion 11 and is located within the rear space 55. Furthermore, at this time, as... Figure 6 As shown, the contact portion 42 of connector 1 begins to enter into the object contact portion 172 of object connector 2.

[0108] When connector 1 advances further and reaches the proper mating position, as Figure 7As shown, the locking portion 152A-1 of the object connector 2 is positioned corresponding to the ball component 80 in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the locking portion 152A-1 is in a state where it communicates with the hole portion 11 in the radial direction. As a result, the ball component 80 moves radially inward due to its own weight, and a portion of it protrudes from the hole portion 11. Furthermore, the protruding portion of the ball component 80 is received in the locking portion 152A-1 and is locked relative to the inner surface of the locking portion 152A-1 in the front-rear direction.

[0109] Additionally, in proper mating positions, such as Figure 7 As shown, the contact portion 42 of connector 1 enters the inner part of the object contact portion 172 of the object connector 2, and contacts the object contact portion 172 with radial contact pressure. As a result, the center conductor 40 and the object center conductor 170 are electrically connected. Furthermore, the object outer fitting portion 152A of the object outer conductor 150 of the object connector 2 enters the inner part of the receiving space 10D-1 of connector 1, and contacts the outer fitting portion 10A-1 of the shell member 10 and the front portion 22 of the outer conductor 20 with radial contact pressure. As a result, the shell member 10 and the outer conductor 20 are electrically connected to the object outer conductor 150.

[0110] Next, when the finger is removed from the connecting part 50, the spring part 71 of the elastomer 70 is released from its maximally compressed state, thus... Figure 8 As shown, the connecting member 50 and the rear pressing member 60 move rearward using the elastic force (restoring force) of the spring member 71, and the connecting member 50 returns to the neutral position. This movement of the connecting member 50 and the rear pressing member 60 is a relative movement relative to the housing member 10. When the connecting member 50 returns to the neutral position, the radially outward movement of the ball member 80 is restricted by the central protrusion 51 of the connecting member 50. As a result, the protruding portion of the ball member 80 (the portion protruding radially inward from the hole 11) is maintained in a locked state with the locking portion 152A-1, preventing accidental detachment of the connectors. Thus, the mating connection of the connectors is completed.

[0111] Next, the removal operation of the connectors will be explained. When removing connector 1 from the target connector 2, connector 1 is pulled backward while the connecting member 50 of connector 1 is held by fingers. In the mating connection state, as described above, the protruding portion of ball member 80 and the locking portion 152A-1 are locked. Therefore, when the removal operation begins, firstly, the connecting member 50 and the rear pressing member 60 move backward relative to the housing member 10, and the connecting member 50 is brought to the retracted position. As a result, as Figure 9As shown, the front space 53 is positioned at a position corresponding to the ball member 80 in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the front space 53 is positioned so as to contain the ball member 80 in the front-rear direction. Thus, the movement of the ball member 80 toward the radially outer side is allowed by the front space 53.

[0112] Further, when the coupling member 50 is brought to the retreated position, in the elastic body 70, the rear ring 73 is supported from the rear by the rear support portion 15 of the housing member 10, and the front ring 72 is pressed from the front by the front pressing portion 56 of the coupling member 50, and thus the spring member 71 becomes a state of being maximally compressed.

[0113] In the coupling member 50 being positioned at the retreated position, as shown in FIG. 6, the abutting portion 16 of the coupling member 50 becomes a state of contacting the rear surface of the front ring 72 of the elastic body 70 with the front surface, and abuts on the front ring 72 from the rear. Thus, it is possible to limit the compression amount of the spring member 71 in the front-rear direction, and even the movement amount of the coupling member 50 toward the rear, to a prescribed range. As a result, it is possible to reduce the operation range of the connector 1 in the front-rear direction at the time of unplugging. Figure 9

[0114] In the present embodiment, the inner surface of the rear side in the locking portion 152A-1 is formed as an inclined surface that inclines toward the front as toward the radially inner side. Thus, when the connector 1 is pulled toward the rear, the protruding portion of the ball member 80 receives a force toward the front and the radially outer side from the above-mentioned inner surface of the rear side (inclined surface). Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the ball member 80 moves toward the radially outer side by the force toward the above-mentioned radially outer side. As a result, the locked state of the ball member 80 with the locking portion 152A-1 is released, and the connector 1 can further move toward the rear. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the connector 1 is unplugged from the object connector 2 by directly pulling the connector 1 toward the rear, and the unplugging operation is completed. Figure 10 Figure 11

[0115] Thus, in the present embodiment, in the plugging and unplugging operations of the connectors to each other, the ball member 80 does not move in the front-rear direction with respect to the housing member 10, but only moves in the radial direction. Thus, it is not necessary to form the hole portion in a shape that extends long in the front-rear direction as in the past to allow the ball member to move in the front-rear direction, and thus it is possible to well avoid the enlargement of the housing member, and even the connector, in the front-rear direction as compared to the past.

[0116] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the front protrusion portion 52 and the rear protrusion portion 54 are provided to the coupling member 50, but as a modification, the front protrusion portion 52 and the rear protrusion portion 54 can be omitted. Thus, in this modification, as shown in FIG. 12, the coupling member 50 is formed in a flat plate shape, and the front-rear direction is the thickness direction of the coupling member 50. Figure 12 ​​​As shown, the front space 53 is open to the front, and the rear space 55 is open to the rear, and in this regard, the structure is different from the above-described embodiment. In this modification, as with the above-described embodiment, when the coupling member 50 is in the advanced position, the movement of the ball member 80 toward the radially outer side is allowed by the rear space 55, and when the coupling member 50 is in the retreated position, the movement of the ball member 80 toward the radially outer side is allowed by the front space 53.

[0117] In the above-described embodiment, the movement of the ball member 80 in the front-rear direction and the circumferential direction is restricted by the inner periphery of the hole portion 11 of the housing member 10, but as a modification instead of this structure, for example, the movement of the ball member 80 in the front-rear direction and the circumferential direction can also be restricted by the inner surface of the hole portion. In this modification, at least a portion of the inner surface of the hole portion is formed in a shape that can be in surface contact with the outer surface of the ball member.

[0118] In the above-described embodiment, the rear pressing portion 61A is provided to the rear pressing member 60 separate from the coupling member 50, but as a modification, the rear pressing portion can also be provided to a portion of the coupling member. At this time, the rear pressing portion is provided, for example, to the rear end portion of the coupling member. In this modification, a member separate from the coupling member is not required to be additionally provided in order to provide the rear pressing portion, and thus the number of components can be reduced.

[0119] In the above-described embodiment, the coupling member is pinched by fingers at the fitting connection operation and the pull-out operation of the connectors to each other, but in addition thereto, for example, the coupling member can also be pinched by a jig or the like.

Claims

1. A coaxial electric connector having an axis extending in a front-rear direction and being connected to an object connector in a fitting manner toward the front, the coaxial electric connector having: a housing member that is a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction and is formed with at least one hole portion that penetrates in a radial direction; an outer conductor, a dielectric, and a center conductor that are provided inside the housing member; a coupling member that is externally inserted into the housing member and is relatively movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the housing member between an advanced position and a retreated position; and a ball member that is accommodated in the hole portion, the coaxial electric connector characterized by having: an elastic body that is accommodated in an accommodation space formed between an outer peripheral surface of the housing member and an inner peripheral surface of the coupling member at a position different from the ball member in the front-rear direction and is stretchable and contractible in the front-rear direction; a front support portion that is provided to the housing member and is capable of supporting the elastic body from the front, and a rear support portion that is provided to the housing member and is capable of supporting the elastic body from the rear; and a front pressing portion that is provided to the coupling member and is capable of pressing the elastic body from the front, and a rear pressing portion that is provided to the coupling member and is capable of pressing the elastic body from the rear, the elastic body being capable of applying an elastic force to the front pressing portion and the rear pressing portion that brings the coupling member to a neutral position between the advanced position and the retreated position, the coupling member having a protruding portion that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the coupling member, a front space being formed between the protruding portion and the outer peripheral surface of the housing member in front of the protruding portion, and a rear space being formed between the protruding portion and the outer peripheral surface of the housing member behind the protruding portion, the ball member being configured to have its movement in the front-rear direction restricted by an inner edge or an inner surface of the hole portion and to be movable in the radial direction, and to be capable of being caught in a catching portion provided to the object connector by a portion protruding from the hole portion toward the radially inner side, when the coupling member is in the neutral position, the protruding portion being located in a position corresponding to the ball member in the front-rear direction, restricting the movement of the ball member toward the radially outer side, when the coupling member is in the advanced position, the rear space being located in a position corresponding to the ball member in the front-rear direction, allowing the movement of the ball member toward the radially outer side, when the coupling member is in the retreated position, the front space being located in a position corresponding to the ball member in the front-rear direction, allowing the movement of the ball member toward the radially outer side.

2. The coaxial electric connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the coupling member is in the neutral position, rear surfaces of the front support portion and the front pressing portion are located at the same position in the front-rear direction as each other, with the respective rear surfaces contacting the elastic body from the front, and front surfaces of the rear support portion and the rear pressing portion are located at the same position in the front-rear direction as each other, with the respective front surfaces contacting the elastic body from the rear.

3. The coaxial electric connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shell member has an abutting portion that protrudes from an outer peripheral surface of the shell member within a range of the accommodation space in the front-rear direction, The abutting portion abuts against a rear portion of the elastic body pressed by the rear pressing portion from the front when the coupling member is in the advanced position, and abuts against a front portion of the elastic body pressed by the front pressing portion from the rear when the coupling member is in the retreated position.

4. The coaxial electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein The rear pressing portion is provided in a member that is inserted into the shell member and is attached to the coupling member from the rear.

5. The coaxial electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein The front end of the shell member is located at the same position as the front end of the coupling member or a position that is rearward of the front end when the coupling member is in the neutral position.

6. An electrical connector assembly, comprising: The coaxial electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and a counterpart connector that is fitted and connected to the coaxial electrical connector.

Images