Line connector

Abstract

To improve the freedom of line connector placement.SOLUTION: A line connector includes a coaxial connector having a core wire and a main body covering the outer periphery of a portion of the core wire, and a substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface provided on the opposite side of the first main surface, the substrate forms a microstrip line including an area in the first main surface, the main body is disposed opposite the second main surface of the substrate, the core wire protrudes from the first main surface by penetrating the substrate, and the substrate includes a conductive pattern provided on the first main surface and connecting the microstrip line to a protruding portion which is the portion of the core wire protruding from the first main surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a line connector. [Background technology]

[0002] A line connector that electrically connects a core wire of a coaxial connector and a microstrip line provided on a board has been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 2003-208949) discloses the following technology. That is, the mounting structure of a coaxial cable connector is a structure for mounting the coaxial cable connector to a printed circuit board having a microstrip line and a ground conductor, in which a notch is provided at an end of the printed circuit board, the coaxial cable connector is mounted in the notch, the central conductor of the coaxial cable held by the coaxial cable connector is connected to the microstrip line, and the outer conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to the ground conductor via the notch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-208949 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a core wire extending in the longitudinal direction of a board is electrically connected to a microstrip line, which may reduce the degree of freedom in arranging the line connector.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a line connector that can improve the degree of freedom in layout. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) In order to solve the above problems, a line connector according to one aspect of the present invention includes a coaxial connector having a core wire and a main body covering an outer periphery of a part of the core wire, and a substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface provided on an opposite side of the first main surface, the substrate forming a microstrip line including an area in the first main surface, the main body being disposed opposite the second main surface of the substrate, the core wire protruding from the first main surface by penetrating the substrate, and the substrate including a conductive pattern provided on the first main surface and connecting the microstrip line to a protruding portion which is a portion of the core wire protruding from the first main surface.

[0007] For example, a coaxial cable connected to a coaxial connector is difficult to bend due to its high rigidity. Therefore, when arranging a line connector in an apparatus, the arrangement is likely to be restricted in order to avoid interference with other components. As described above, by the configuration in which the core wire of the coaxial connector penetrates the substrate in the thickness direction of the substrate and protrudes from the first main surface, and the portion of the core wire protruding from the first main surface is electrically connected to the microstrip line, the length of the line connector in the longitudinal direction of the substrate can be made shorter than in the configuration in which the core wire extending in the longitudinal direction of the substrate is electrically connected to the microstrip line. Therefore, the degree of freedom in arranging the line connector can be improved.

[0008] (2) In the above (1), when the length of the protrusion in the extension direction of the core wire is L and the wavelength of the radio waves propagated through the core wire and the microstrip line is λ, L may satisfy the following formula (1). 0≦L<λ / 4 (1)

[0009] With this configuration, the length of the portion of the core wire protruding from the first main surface of the substrate can be shortened while suppressing deterioration of the radio wave propagation characteristics, thereby reducing the impedance mismatch between the core wire and the microstrip line.

[0010] (3) In the above (1) or (2), the main body portion may be disposed with a gap between it and the second main surface.

[0011] With this configuration, the length of the portion of the core wire, which has a predetermined length according to the specifications of the coaxial connector, that protrudes from the first main surface of the substrate can be shortened, thereby reducing the impedance mismatch between the core wire and the microstrip line.

[0012] (4) In any one of the above (1) to (3), the width of the conductive pattern may be greater than the width of the microstrip line and equal to or smaller than the diameter of the core wire.

[0013] With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the impedance matching between the core wire and the microstrip line, thereby reducing the impedance mismatch caused by the difference between the diameter of the core wire and the width of the microstrip line.

[0014] (5) In the above (4), the line connector may further include a housing supporting the substrate, and the housing may be disposed at a distance from an area of ​​the second main surface corresponding to the conductive pattern.

[0015] In this way, by adjusting the width of the conductive pattern connecting the core wire and the microstrip line, and by positioning the housing supporting the substrate at a distance from the area of ​​the second main surface that corresponds to the conductive pattern, the impedance mismatch between the core wire and the microstrip line can be more effectively reduced.

[0016] (6) In the above item (5), the housing may include a cutout portion provided in a surface opposite the second main surface at a position opposite the conductive pattern.

[0017] With this configuration, a gap for adjusting impedance matching can be easily formed between the housing and the position of the second main surface corresponding to the conductive pattern.

[0018] (7) In any one of the above (1) to (6), the substrate may include a via that electrically connects the first main surface and the second main surface and surrounds a portion of the core wire.

[0019] With such a configuration, for example, the portion of the core wire protruding from the first main surface can be shielded, thereby suppressing leakage of the electric field of radio waves propagating through the core wire. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a line connector that allows for improved freedom in layout. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a line connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along the line II-II in FIG. 1 of the line connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a line connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of a housing of the line connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the hole in the housing in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a measurement result of S parameters in the line connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of measurement results of S parameters in a line connector according to a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference characters and their description will not be repeated. In addition, at least some of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0023] Fig. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a line connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, line connector 101 includes a coaxial connector 1, a substrate 2, and a housing 3. Coaxial connector 1 is connected to a coaxial cable 4.

[0024] The line connector 101 is provided, for example, in a radar device that monitors water-based moving bodies such as ships. Specifically, for example, the line connector 101 is provided in the radar device to extract a part of the radio waves E transmitted from a transmitter as radio waves for power monitoring.

[0025] The shape of the housing 3 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped. The housing 3 includes a first end 3a and a second end 3b. The housing 3 supports the substrate 2. The material of the housing 3 is, for example, a metal.

[0026] The substrate 2 is, for example, a printed wiring board. The substrate 2 has a first main surface 2a and a second main surface 2b provided on the opposite side to the first main surface 2a.

[0027] The housing 3 has a first main surface 3c facing the second main surface 2b of the substrate 2, and a second main surface 3d provided on the side opposite to the first main surface 3c.

[0028] Here, the axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 3 and pointing in the direction from the first end 3a to the second end 3b of the housing 3 is defined as the x-axis. The axis perpendicular to the x-axis is defined as the y-axis. The y-axis points vertically upward, for example. The axis perpendicular to the x-axis and y-axis is defined as the z-axis. The z-axis is oriented so that the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis form a right-handed coordinate system.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a line connector according to an embodiment of the present invention taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, coaxial connector 1 includes a core wire 10 and a main body portion 11 covering an outer periphery of core wire 10.

[0030] Core wire 10 extends in the thickness direction of substrate 2, i.e., in the y-axis direction. Core wire 10 propagates radio waves E. Specifically, for example, core wire 10 propagates radio waves E in the X-band (X-band: 8 GHz to 12 GHz). Note that the frequency of radio waves E is not limited to the X-band frequency, and may be a frequency in another band different from the X-band.

[0031] The main body 11 includes a cylindrical portion 11a and a flange portion 11b. The cylindrical portion 11a covers a part of the core wire 10. The cylindrical portion 11a is made of a material such as Teflon (registered trademark). The cylindrical portion 11a fits into a hole 30 provided in the housing 3.

[0032] The flange portion 11b is fixed to the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 11a. For example, with the cylindrical portion 11a fitted into the hole 30, the flange portion 11b is fixed to the housing 3 by a fixing member such as a screw.

[0033] 1 to 3, a core wire 10 in a coaxial connector 1 penetrates a substrate 2 and protrudes from a first main surface 2a of the substrate 2.

[0034] Specifically, for example, a through hole 21 through which the core wire 10 passes is formed in the substrate 2. The core wire 10 passes through the through hole 21 and protrudes from the first main surface 2a.

[0035] The substrate 2 defines a microstrip line 22 including an area on the first main surface 2a. For example, the microstrip line 22 propagates radio waves E. In the line connector 101, the core wire 10 defines an input port, and the microstrip line 22 defines an output port.

[0036] For example, the substrate 2 includes a conductive pattern 23 provided on the first main surface 2a. The conductive pattern 23 connects a portion 10a of the core wire 10 protruding from the first main surface 2a (hereinafter also referred to as a “protruding portion”) to the microstrip line 22.

[0037] For example, the shape of the conductive pattern 23 is a rectangle that is long in the x-axis direction in a plan view of the xz plane seen from above (hereinafter also simply referred to as "plan view"). If the width of the conductive pattern 23 is A, the diameter of the core wire 10 is D, and the width of the microstrip line 22 is W, the width A is greater than the width W and is equal to or smaller than the diameter D. For example, the width A of the conductive pattern 23 is adjusted so that the impedance of the conductive pattern 23 is 50 ohms. The shape of the conductive pattern 23 may be a trapezoid in a plan view.

[0038] If the length of the protruding portion 10a in the extending direction of the core wire 10 is L and the wavelength of the radio wave E is λ, the length L satisfies the following formula (2). 0≦L<λ / 4 (2)

[0039] For example, in the coaxial connector 1, the main body 11 is disposed at a distance K1 from the second main surface 2b of the substrate 2. Specifically, for example, the cylindrical portion 11a of the main body 11 is disposed at a distance K1 from the second main surface 2b.

[0040] For example, the substrate 2 further includes a via 24 that electrically connects the first main surface 2a and the second main surface 2b and surrounds a portion of the core wire 10. Specifically, for example, the via 24 surrounds a portion of the core wire 10 between the first main surface 2a and the second main surface 2b that penetrates the substrate 2. For example, the shape of the via 24 is C-shaped in a plan view.

[0041] Fig. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of a housing of a line connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of a hole of the housing in Fig. 2. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, housing 3 includes a notch 31 provided in first main surface 3c.

[0042] More specifically, for example, the cutout portion 31 is provided at a position corresponding to the conductive pattern 23 of the substrate 2 on the first main surface 3c.

[0043] Specifically, for example, the cutout portion 31 is provided in a position on the first main surface 3c that overlaps with the conductive pattern 23 in a plan view. For example, the shape of the cutout portion 31 is rectangular in a plan view.

[0044] The housing 3 is disposed with a distance K2 from an area B of the second main surface 2b of the substrate 2 at a position corresponding to the conductive pattern 23 by providing the cutout portion 31 in the first main surface 3c.

[0045] Specifically, for example, on second main surface 2b, region B corresponds to a position overlapping with conductive pattern 23 in plan view.

[0046] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the measurement results of the S parameters in the line connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 6, the horizontal axis indicates the frequency [GHz] of the radio wave E, and the vertical axis indicates the S parameters [dB]. Also, in Fig. 6, graph G11 indicates the intensity S21 of the radio wave E propagated from the input port to the output port in the line connector 101. Graph G12 indicates the intensity S11 of the radio wave E reflected at the input port in the line connector 101.

[0047] 6, in graph G11, the intensity S21 of the radio wave E when the frequency of the radio wave E is 9.4 GHz is −1.43 dB. In graph G12, the intensity S11 of the radio wave E when the frequency of the radio wave E is 9.4 GHz is −18.11 dB.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the measurement result of the S parameter in the line connector according to the comparative example. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis indicates the frequency [GHz] of the radio wave E, and the vertical axis indicates the S parameter [dB]. In addition, in FIG. 7, a graph G21 indicates the intensity S21 of the radio wave E propagated from the input port to the output port in the line connector according to the comparative example. A graph G22 indicates the intensity S11 of the radio wave E reflected at the input port in the line connector according to the comparative example. In the line connector according to the comparative example, the conductive pattern 23 shown in FIG. 3 and the like is not provided on the board. In addition, in the line connector according to the comparative example, the notch portion 31 shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 is not provided on the housing. In addition, in the line connector according to the comparative example, unlike the line connector 101 shown in FIG. 2, the main body of the coaxial connector is arranged without a gap K1 from the main surface of the board facing the coaxial connector. That is, in the line connector according to the comparative example, the main body of the coaxial connector is in contact with the main surface of the board.

[0049] 7, in the graph G21, the intensity S21 of the radio wave E when the frequency of the radio wave E is 9.4 GHz is −1.89 dB. In the graph G22, the intensity S11 of the radio wave E when the frequency of the radio wave E is 9.4 GHz is −9.65 dB. In this way, when the frequency of the radio wave E is 9.4 GHz, the intensity S21 in the line connector 101 is closer to 0 than the intensity S21 in the line connector according to the comparative example. Also, when the frequency of the radio wave E is 9.4 GHz, the absolute value of the intensity S11 in the line connector 101 is greater than the absolute value of the intensity S11 in the line connector according to the comparative example. That is, in the line connector 101, due to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to reduce the power loss and increase the intensity of the radio wave E that can be output, compared to the line connector according to the comparative example.

[0050] The above-described embodiments should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 Coaxial Connector 2. Board 2a,3c 1st main surface 2b,3d 2nd main surface 3. Chassis 3a First end 3b Second end 4 Coaxial Cable 10 core wire 10a protrusion 11 Main body 11a Cylindrical part 11b Flange part 21 Through hole 22 Microstrip Line 23 Conductive Pattern 24 Via 30 Hole 31 Notch 101 Line connector

Claims

1. a coaxial connector having a core wire and a main body portion covering an outer periphery of a part of the core wire; a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; the substrate defines a microstrip line including a region on the first main surface; the main body portion is disposed opposite the second main surface of the substrate, the core wire penetrates the substrate and protrudes from the first main surface; The substrate is provided on the first main surface and includes a conductive pattern that connects a protrusion, which is a portion of the core wire that protrudes from the first main surface, to the microstrip line.

2. 2. The line connector according to claim 1, wherein, when a length of the protrusion in an extension direction of the core wire is L and a wavelength of radio waves propagated through the core wire and the microstrip line is λ, L satisfies the following formula (1): 0≦L<λ / 4...(1)

3. 3. The line connector according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion is disposed with a gap between the main body portion and the second main surface.

4. 3. The line connector according to claim 1, wherein a width of the conductive pattern is greater than a width of the microstrip line and is equal to or smaller than a diameter of the core wire.

5. The line connector further comprises: a housing for supporting the substrate; The line connector according to claim 4 , wherein the housing is disposed at a distance from a region of the second main surface that is located at a position corresponding to the conductive pattern.

6. 6. The line connector according to claim 5, wherein the housing includes a notch provided in a surface opposite the second main surface at a position opposite the conductive pattern.

7. 3. The line connector according to claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a via that electrically connects the first main surface and the second main surface and surrounds a portion of the core wire.

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