Coaxial connector

Abstract

To provide a coaxial connector capable of being mounted to a substrate using no tool.SOLUTION: An inner lower surface 253 of a board receiving portion 25 has a first surface 253R and a second surface 253F. A step 253S is provided between the first surface 253R and the second surface 253F. A ground terminal 340 includes a first spring portion 351, an upper contact point 353, a second spring portion 355, and a lower contact point 357. In an attached state where a ground member 32 is attached to a shell 24, at least the upper contact point 353 and the lower contact point 357 are located in the board receiving portion 25. When the ground member 32 is attached to the shell 24 after a board 50 is inserted into the board receiving portion 25, the lower contact point 357 moves from on the first surface 253R to on the second surface 253F, whereby the upper contact point 353 moves upward to come into contact with a ground layer 54 of the board 50 and push the board 50 upward to bring a signal line 52 of the board 50 into contact with a rear contact portion 223 of a signal contact 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coaxial connector, and particularly to a coaxial connector that can be attached to a substrate.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a coaxial connector that can be attached to a substrate.

[0003] Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, the coaxial connector 90 of Patent Document 1 includes a flange 92. The flange 92 has a horizontal portion 921 and a vertical portion 923. A screw hole 925 is formed in the horizontal portion 921 of the flange 92. The coaxial connector 90 also includes a connector core wire 94.

[0004] As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, when the coaxial connector 90 is attached to the substrate 96, a screw 981 passing through the through hole 961 of the substrate 96 is screwed into the screw hole 925 of the horizontal portion 921. Also, at this time, the connector core wire 94 is connected and fixed to the circuit pattern 963 of the substrate 96 using solder 983.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When the coaxial connector 90 of Patent Document 1 is attached to the substrate 96, it is necessary to screw and solder it to the substrate 96. In other words, tools are required to attach the coaxial connector 90 of Patent Document 1 to the substrate 96. Therefore, there is a demand for a coaxial connector 90 that can be attached to the substrate 96 without using tools.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a coaxial connector that can be attached to a substrate without using tools.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention provides, as a first simultaneous connector, a coaxial connector attachable to a substrate, wherein the substrate has a signal line formed on its upper surface and a ground layer formed on its lower surface, the coaxial connector includes a front assembly and a rear assembly attachable from the rear in the front-rear direction with respect to the front assembly, the front assembly includes a signal contact, a metal shell, and an inner insulator that insulates the signal contact and the shell, a substrate receiving portion that opens rearward is formed in the shell, the substrate receiving portion has an inner upper surface and an inner lower surface facing each other in the vertical direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction, a first surface and a second surface are provided on the inner lower surface, the first surface is located rearward of the second surface in the front-rear direction, the first surface is located below the second surface in the vertical direction, and a step is provided between the first surface and the second surface, the signal contact has a rear contact portion, the rear contact portion extends along the front-rear direction and is at least partially exposed in the substrate receiving portion, the rear assembly includes a metal ground member, the ground member has a ground outer periphery and a ground terminal, the ground outer periphery is attachable to the shell from the rear so as to cover the outer periphery of the shell, The ground terminal has a first spring portion that extends from the ground outer peripheral portion and is elastically deformable, an upper contact supported by the first spring portion, a second spring portion that extends from the upper contact and is elastically deformable, and a lower contact supported by the second spring portion. In a mounted state where the ground member is attached to the shell, at least the upper contact and the lower contact are located within the substrate receiving portion. After passing the substrate through the ground outer peripheral portion and inserting it into the substrate receiving portion, the ground member is attached to the shell from the rear, so that the lower contact of the ground member moves over the step from the first surface to the second surface, whereby the upper contact moves upward to contact the ground layer of the substrate and push the substrate upward, and the signal line of the substrate is brought into contact with the rear contact portion of the signal contact. Provide a coaxial connector.

[0009] Further, the present invention provides a second coaxial connector, which is a first coaxial connector, When the lower contact is located on the first surface, the distance size between the upper contact and the inner upper surface in the vertical direction is larger than the thickness size of the substrate. Provide a coaxial connector.

[0010] Further, the present invention provides a third coaxial connector, which is a second coaxial connector, The rear assembly further includes an outer insulator that holds the ground member. The outer insulator is formed with an insertion port that penetrates in the front-rear direction. The substrate can be passed through the ground outer peripheral portion by passing through the insertion port. When the substrate is inserted, the insertion port positions the substrate in the lateral direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the vertical direction and the vertical direction, and guides the movement of the substrate in the front-rear direction. The upper contact is located below the insertion port in the vertical direction. Provide a coaxial connector.

[0011] Further, the present invention provides, as a fourth coaxial connector, a first coaxial connector, wherein the lower contact is located rearward in the front-rear direction than the upper contact. Provide a coaxial connector.

[0012] Further, the present invention provides, as a fifth coaxial connector, a first coaxial connector, wherein the inner insulator has a reinforcing portion located between the rear contact portion and the shell. Provide a coaxial connector.

[0013] Further, the present invention provides, as a sixth coaxial connector, a first coaxial connector, wherein the rear assembly is attached to the front assembly so as to be movable from a first position to a second position in the front-rear direction, the first position being located rearward of the second position in the front-rear direction, a protruding portion protruding inward is formed on the ground outer peripheral portion in an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction, a first recess and a second recess recessed inward are provided in the shell in the orthogonal plane, the first recess being located rearward of the second recess in the front-rear direction, when the rear assembly is in the first position, the protruding portion is received in the first recess, when the rear assembly is moved to the second position, the protruding portion moves from the first recess toward the second recess and is received in the second recess, where the ground outer peripheral portion and the shell are connected. Provide a coaxial connector.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention provides, as a seventh coaxial connector, a sixth coaxial connector, wherein the protruding portion has an upper protruding portion and a lower protruding portion. The first recess has an upper first recess and a lower first recess, The second recess has an upper second recess and a lower second recess, When the rear assembly is in the second position, the upper protruding portion is received in the upper second recess, and there, the ground outer peripheral portion is connected to the shell, When the rear assembly is in the second position, the lower protruding portion is received in the lower second recess, and there too, the ground outer peripheral portion is connected to the shell Provide a coaxial connector.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] The coaxial connector according to one aspect of the present invention can be attached to the substrate without using tools by having the above configuration.

[0016] Also, the coaxial connector according to one aspect of the present invention can electrically connect the ground layer on the lower surface of the substrate to the shell without using screws or vias that penetrate the substrate and are electrically connected to the ground layer on the lower surface. Alternatively, when the substrate is in the form of a film, the coaxial connector according to one aspect of the present invention can electrically connect the ground layer on the lower surface of the substrate to the shell without partially folding back the substrate to expose the ground layer on the lower surface of the substrate to the upper surface side of the substrate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the coaxial connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a front assembly 20 and a rear assembly 30. When the front assembly 20 is located in front of the rear assembly 30 in the front-rear direction, the rear assembly 30 can be attached to the front assembly 20 from the rear. Further, the coaxial connector 10 according to the present embodiment can be attached to the substrate 50. The substrate 50 can be inserted into the coaxial connector 10 from the rear in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is the Y direction. The -Y direction is the front, and the +Y direction is the rear.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, signal lines 52 are formed on the upper surface of the substrate 50. In the present embodiment, the signal lines 52 are located at the center of the substrate 50 in the lateral direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and extend in the front-back direction. In the present embodiment, the lateral direction is the X direction. Further, a ground layer 54 is formed on the lower surface of the substrate 50. The ground layer 54 may be a solid pattern or a ground line pattern having a predetermined width. The ground layer 54 overlaps the signal lines 52 in the vertical direction and has a width wider than the width of the signal lines 52 in the lateral direction. In the present embodiment, the substrate 50 is a flexible substrate. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the substrate 50 may be a rigid substrate. Further, in addition to the signal lines 52, other conductor patterns, for example, ground patterns, may be formed on the upper surface of the substrate 50. The ground patterns may be formed away from the signal lines 52 on both lateral sides of the signal lines 52 so as to sandwich the signal lines 52.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the front assembly 20 includes a signal contact 22, a shell 24, and an inner insulator 28. In the present embodiment, each of the signal contact 22 and the shell 24 is made of metal. The inner insulator 28 is made of an insulating resin. In the present embodiment, the shell 24 is composed of a front shell 24F and a rear shell 24R. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The shell 24 may be configured as a single unit.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5, the signal contact 22 is held by the inner insulator 28. Further, the inner insulator 28 is held by the shell 24. Specifically, the inner insulator 28 is substantially entirely accommodated in the rear shell 24R and is partially sandwiched between the front shell 24F and the rear shell 24R. The rear shell 24R is press-fitted into the front shell 24F. Thus, by configuring the shell 24 in a two-piece structure in the present embodiment, the inner insulator 28 can be held easily and reliably. The inner insulator 28 insulates between the signal contact 22 and the shell 24.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rear assembly 30 includes a ground member 32 and an outer insulator 36. The outer insulator 36 holds the ground member 32. The ground member 32 is made of metal. The outer insulator 36 is made of insulating resin. An insertion hole 363 for inserting the substrate 50 is formed in the rear wall 361 of the outer insulator 36. The insertion hole 363 penetrates the rear wall 361 in the front-rear direction. However, the outer insulator 36 is not essential in the present invention. In other words, the rear assembly 30 may consist only of the ground member 32. However, by providing the rear assembly 30 with the outer insulator 36, the ground member 32 can be handled without directly touching the ground member 32.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a substrate receiving portion 25 for partially receiving the substrate 50 is formed in the shell 24. In the present embodiment, the substrate receiving portion 25 is formed in the rear shell 24R. The substrate receiving portion 25 opens rearward. In the present embodiment, the substrate receiving portion 25 also opens laterally. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The substrate receiving portion 25 may be closed laterally. However, it is easier to manufacture when the substrate receiving portion 25 opens laterally.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 7, the substrate receiving portion 25 has inner upper surfaces 251 and inner lower surfaces 253 that face each other and are separated from each other in the vertical direction that is orthogonal to both the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. In other words, the shell 24 or the rear shell 24R has inner upper surfaces 251 and inner lower surfaces 253 that face each other and are separated from each other in the vertical direction and partially define the substrate receiving portion 25. In the present embodiment, the inner upper surface 251 is a surface orthogonal to the vertical direction. Also, the shell 24 or the rear shell 24R has a front surface 255 that defines the front end of the substrate receiving portion 25. In the present embodiment, the front surface 255 is a surface orthogonal to the front-rear direction. Note that in the present embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z direction. The +Z direction is upward and the -Z direction is downward.

[0025] As can be understood from FIG. 7, a first surface 253R and a second surface 253F are provided on the inner lower surface 253. In the present embodiment, each of the first surface 253R and the second surface 253F is a surface orthogonal to the vertical direction. The first surface 253R is located behind the second surface 253F in the front-rear direction. Also, the first surface 253R is located below the second surface 253F in the vertical direction. And a step 253S is provided between the first surface 253R and the second surface 253F. In the present embodiment, the step 253S is an inclined surface that continuously connects between the first surface 253R and the second surface 253F. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The step 253S may be a surface that continuously connects between the first surface 253R and the second surface 253F and is a vertical surface orthogonal to the front-rear direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7, the rear shell 24R or the shell 24 is provided with a first recess 261 and a second recess 263 that are recessed inward in an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the first recess 261 is located behind the second recess 263. In the present embodiment, the first recess 261 has an upper first recess 261U and a lower first recess 261L, and the second recess 263 has an upper second recess 263U and a lower second recess 263L. The upper first recess 261U and the upper second recess 263U are formed at the upper rear part of the rear shell 24R, and the lower first recess 261L and the lower second recess 263L are formed at the lower rear part of the rear shell 24R. In the present embodiment, the first recess 261 and the second recess 263 are grooves that extend in the lateral direction and are recessed inward in the vertical direction. The first recess 261 has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. The first recess 261 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The second recess 263 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The inner rear surfaces of each of the first recess 261 and the second recess 263 are surfaces orthogonal to the front-rear direction.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 8, the signal contact 22 has a front contact portion 221, a rear contact portion 223, and a central portion 225. The front contact portion 221 has a split-type socket contact portion. The socket contact portion is open forward in the front-rear direction. The rear contact portion 223 has a cylindrical shape. The rear contact portion 223 extends rearward along the front-rear direction. The central portion 225 connects the front contact portion 221 and the rear contact portion 223 to each other. The front contact portion 221, the central portion 225, and the rear contact portion 223 extend continuously in the front-rear direction.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 9, the inner insulator 28 has a main portion 281 and a reinforcing portion 283 that protrudes rearward from the main portion 281. The main portion 281 has a shape that is rotationally symmetric with respect to a virtual axis extending in the front-rear direction. The reinforcing portion 283 has a shape equal to half of a cylinder that is rotationally symmetric with respect to a virtual axis extending in the front-rear direction.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 10, the main portion 281 has a contact accommodation portion 285 that penetrates the main portion 281 along the front-rear direction. Further, the reinforcing portion 283 has a contact accommodation groove 287 that extends continuously in the front-rear direction in the contact accommodation portion 285.

[0030] As can be understood from FIGS. 5 in addition to FIG. 10, the contact accommodation portion 285 of the main portion 281 of the inner insulator 28 accommodates the central portion 225 of the signal contact 22 and also accommodates a part of the rear contact portion 223. Further, the contact accommodation groove 287 of the reinforcing portion 283 of the inner insulator 28 partially accommodates the rear contact portion 223 of the signal contact 22. The reinforcing portion 283 covers the upper part of the portion of the rear contact portion 223 that protrudes from the main portion 281. However, the reinforcing portion 283 is not essential in the present invention. However, the reinforcing portion 283 is located between the shell 24 and the rear contact portion 223, prevents deformation of the rear contact portion 223 of the signal contact 22, and ensures insulation between the shell 24 and the signal contact 22.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, the inner insulator 28 holding the signal contact 22 is held by the shell 24. The lower part of the portion of the rear contact portion 223 protruding rearward from the main portion 281 of the inner insulator 28 extends rearward of the front surface 255 of the substrate receiving portion 25 and is exposed within the substrate receiving portion 25. Thus, in the present embodiment, the rear contact portion 223 is at least partially exposed within the substrate receiving portion 25.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the ground member 32 has a ground outer periphery 320 and at least one ground terminal 340. The ground outer periphery 320 has a lower plate portion 331, a pair of side plate portions 333, and a pair of upper plate portions 335. The ground outer periphery 320 has a substantially racetrack shape when viewed along the front-rear direction. The ground terminal 340 is located inside the ground outer periphery 320 when viewed along the front-rear direction.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 4 in addition to FIG. 11, the ground outer periphery 320 has at least one held portion 337 protruding rearward. In the present embodiment, the number of held portions 337 is four. Specifically, two held portions 337 are formed on the lower plate portion 331, and one held portion 337 is formed on each of the upper plate portions 335. Further, a protruding portion 339 protruding inward is formed in the ground outer periphery 320 in an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 339 includes a lower protruding portion 339L formed on the lower plate portion 331 and an upper protruding portion 339U formed on the upper plate portion 335. Further, in the present embodiment, the protruding portion 339 is a lance formed by being cut and raised on the ground outer periphery 320. Each of the lower protruding portions 339L extends obliquely upward and rearward, and each of the upper protruding portions 339U extends obliquely downward and rearward. The protruding portion 339 functions to position and electrically connect to the shell 24.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, the number of at least one ground terminal 340 is three. As can be understood from FIGS. 12 and 13, each of the ground terminals 340 extends from the ground outer peripheral portion 320. In the present embodiment, the ground terminal 340 extends from the lower plate portion 331 of the ground outer peripheral portion 320.

[0035] As can be understood from FIGS. 11, 12, and 20, each of the ground terminals 340 has a base portion 341. As shown in FIG. 13, the base portion 341 extends upward from the ground outer peripheral portion 320. As shown in FIG. 11, the base portions 341 are connected by a connecting portion 343. The connecting portion 343 extends forward from the upper end of the base portion 341. As can be understood from FIGS. 13, 16, and 18, both ends in the lateral direction of the connecting portion 343 are partially inserted into and held in the holding grooves 367 provided in the outer insulator 36.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 13, each of the ground terminals 340 further has a first spring portion 351, an upper contact 353, a second spring portion 355, and a lower contact 357.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 13, the first spring portion 351 extends forward from the front edge of the connecting portion 343. The first spring portion 351 is elastically deformable and supports the upper contact 353. In the present embodiment, the upper contact 353 is a part of the surface of the first spring portion 351. The upper contact 353 is located above the lower contact 357 in the vertical direction and faces upward in the vertical direction. Due to the elastic deformation of the first spring portion 351, the upper contact 353 is movable at least in the vertical direction.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 13, the second spring portion 355 extends forward from the upper contact point 353 and then extends downward, and further extends rearward in the front-rear direction. The second spring portion 355 is elastically deformable and supports the lower contact point 357. In the present embodiment, the lower contact point 357 is a part of the surface of the second spring portion 355. The lower contact point 357 faces downward in the vertical direction. Due to the elastic deformation of the second spring portion 355, the lower contact point 357 is movable at least in the vertical direction. The lower contact point 357 is located rearward in the front-rear direction than the upper contact point 353. With this configuration, the size of the rear assembly 30 in the front-rear direction can be reduced.

[0039] As understood from FIGS. 14 and 15, the ground member 32 is held by the outer insulator 36. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer insulator 36 is provided with holding holes 365 corresponding to the held portions 337 of the ground member 32, respectively. By inserting the held portion 337 of the ground member 32 into the corresponding holding hole 365, the ground member 32 is held by the outer insulator 36 and constitutes the rear assembly 30.

[0040] As understood from FIGS. 3 and 4, the ground member 32 can be attached to the shell 24 from the rear of the shell 24. Specifically, the ground outer peripheral portion 320 of the ground member 32 can be attached to the shell 24 so as to cover the outer periphery of the shell 24 in a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the ground member 32 is attached to the shell 24. In other words, in the present embodiment, the rear assembly 30 is attached to the front assembly 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the coaxial connector 10 is not attached to the substrate 50, the ground member 32 or the rear assembly 30 may be in a state of being removed from the shell 24 or the front assembly 20.

[0041] As can be understood from FIGS. 14 and 15, the rear assembly 30 is attached to the front assembly 20 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction from the first position (FIG. 14) to the second position (FIG. 15). Here, the first position is located rearward of the second position in the front-rear direction.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 14, when the rear assembly 30 is in the first position, the protrusion 339 of the ground member 32 is received in the first recess 261 of the rear shell 24R. Specifically, the upper protrusion 339U is partially located within the upper first recess 261U, and the lower protrusion 339L is partially located within the lower first recess 261L. When the rear assembly 30 is in the first position and attempts to move rearward with respect to the front assembly 20, the protrusion 339 abuts against the inner rear surface of the first recess 261. As a result, the rear assembly 30 cannot move rearward with respect to the front assembly 20.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, regardless of whether the rear assembly 30 is in the first position or the second position, in the attached state where the ground member 32 is attached to the shell 24, at least the upper contact 353 and the lower contact 357 of the ground terminal 340 are located within the substrate receiving portion 25.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 14, when the rear assembly 30 is in the first position, the lower contact 357 faces the first surface 253R of the inner lower surface 253 of the substrate receiving portion 25. The lower contact 357 may be in contact with the first surface 253R or may be separated from the first surface 253R. In the present embodiment, the lower contact 357 is separated from the first surface 253R. In any case, when the rear assembly 30 is in the first position, the lower contact 357 is located on or above the first surface 253R. Further, the upper contact 353 faces the inner upper surface 251 of the substrate receiving portion 25. The upper contact 353 may be in contact with the inner upper surface 251 or may be separated from the inner upper surface 251. However, it is preferable that the upper contact 353 is separated from the inner upper surface 251 because the insertion force required for inserting the substrate 50 can be reduced. In particular, in the vertical direction, by positioning the upper contact 353 below the insertion hole 363 of the outer insulator 36, the insertion force required for inserting the substrate 50 can be made zero.

[0045] As can be understood from FIGS. 14 and 15, when the rear assembly 30 is moved from the first position to the second position, the protruding portion 339 of the ground member 32 is elastically deformed, moves out of the first recess 261 of the rear shell 24R, and moves into the second recess 263 and is received in the second recess 263. Specifically, the upper protruding portion 339U is received in the upper second recess 263U, and the lower protruding portion 339L is received in the lower second recess 263L. When the rear assembly 30 is in the second position, if the rear assembly 30 attempts to move rearward with respect to the front assembly 20, the protruding portion 339 abuts against the inner rear surface of the second recess 263. As a result, the rear assembly 30 cannot move rearward with respect to the front assembly 20.

[0046] As can be understood from FIG. 15, when the rear assembly 30 is in the second position, the protrusion 339 and the second recess 263 are in contact with each other, whereby the ground outer peripheral portion 320 and the shell 24 are electrically connected. By connecting the shell 24 to the ground member 32, the high-frequency characteristics of the coaxial connector 10 are improved. Further, by providing a plurality of ground terminals 340, the connection path between the shell 24 and the ground member 32 is increased, and the high-frequency characteristics of the coaxial connector 10 are further improved.

[0047] As can be understood from FIGS. 14 and 15, when the rear assembly 30 moves from the first position to the second position, the lower contact 357 climbs over the step 253S and rides on the second surface 253F of the inner lower surface 253 of the substrate receiving portion 25. As a result, the second spring portion 355 is elastically deformed, and one end of the first spring portion 351 is pushed upward. As a result, the first spring portion 351 is elastically deformed, and the upper contact 353 is pushed upward. In the vertical direction, the distance between the upper contact 353 and the rear contact portion 223 of the signal contact 22 is set to be equal to or less than the thickness of the substrate 50. At this time, the upper contact 353 may be in contact with the rear contact portion 223 of the signal contact 22.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the substrate 50 is inserted into the substrate receiving portion 25 of the coaxial connector 10, one end of the substrate 50 abuts against the front surface 255 of the substrate receiving portion 25. From this state, by moving the rear assembly 30 to the second position, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the coaxial connector 10 is attached to the substrate 50.

[0049] As can be understood from FIGS. 17, 19, and 20, the insertion hole 363 of the outer insulator 36 positions the substrate 50 in the vertical and horizontal directions and guides the movement of the substrate 50 in the front-rear direction when the substrate 50 is inserted into the substrate receiving portion 25. At this time, the substrate 50 can be passed through the ground outer peripheral portion 320 by passing through the insertion hole 363 of the outer insulator 36. Thereby, the ground outer peripheral portion 320 partially surrounds the periphery of the substrate 50. Also, the front surface 255 of the substrate receiving portion 25 functions as a butting surface against the substrate 50 and positions the substrate 50 in the front-rear direction.

[0050] As can be understood from FIG. 17, when the rear assembly 30 is in the first position, if the distance size between the upper contact 353 and the inner upper surface 251 is larger than the thickness size of the substrate 50, the substrate 50 can be inserted into the substrate receiving portion 25 with zero insertion force. Even if the distance size between the upper contact 353 and the inner upper surface 251 is smaller than the thickness size of the substrate 50, the upward force acting on the first spring portion 351 and the second spring portion 355 from the shell 24 is smaller when the rear assembly 30 is in the first position than when it is in the second position. Therefore, when the rear assembly 30 is in the first position, the substrate 50 can be inserted into the substrate receiving portion 25 with a relatively small insertion force.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 19, 21, and 22, when the rear assembly 30 is in the second position, the upper contact 353 contacts the ground layer 54 of the substrate 50 and pushes the substrate 50 upward. Thereby, the signal line 52 of the substrate 50 is pressed against the rear contact portion 223 of the signal contact 22 and electrically connected. When a ground pattern is formed on the upper surface of the substrate 50, the ground pattern is pressed against the inner upper surface 251 of the substrate receiving portion 25 and electrically connected to the shell 24. Thus, the coaxial connector 10 can be attached to the substrate 50 without using tools such as screws or solder. Also, there is no need to partially fold back the substrate 50 to bring the ground terminal 340 into contact with the ground layer 54.

[0052] In the above description, the rear assembly 30 was attached to the front assembly 20. However, the rear assembly 30 may be in a state of being removed from the front assembly 20. In that case, the attachment of the coaxial connector 10 to the substrate 50 is performed as follows.

[0053] First, insert the substrate 50 into the insertion hole 363 of the outer insulator 36 and pass the substrate 50 through the ground outer periphery 320. When the rear assembly 30 does not have the outer insulator 36, pass the substrate 50 through the ground outer periphery 320 of the ground member 32. Subsequently, insert one end of the substrate 50 into the substrate receiving portion 25. Next, attach the ground member 32 to the shell 24 from the rear. Or attach the rear assembly 30 to the front assembly 20 from the rear. At this time, one end of the substrate 50 abuts against the front surface 255 of the substrate receiving portion 25. As a result, the coaxial connector 10 is in the state shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. After that, when the rear assembly 30 is moved from the first position to the second position, the ground member 32 moves forward with respect to the shell 24. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 22, the lower contact 357 of the ground member 32 moves over the step 253S from the first surface 253R and moves onto the second surface 253F. Also, the upper contact 353 moves upward and contacts the ground layer 54 of the substrate 50 and pushes the substrate 50 upward, bringing the signal line 52 of the substrate 50 into contact with the rear contact portion 223 of the signal contact 22. Thus, the coaxial connector 10 is attached to the substrate 50 without using tools such as screws or solder. Also, there is no need to partially fold back the substrate 50 in order to bring the ground terminal 340 into contact with the ground layer 54.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 23, in the state where the rear assembly 30 is attached to the front assembly 20, or in the attached state where the ground member 32 is attached to the shell 24, there is a gap 241 between the upper plate portion 335 of the ground member 32 and the upper surface of the rear shell 24R. Also, there is a gap 243 between the lower plate portion 331 of the ground member 32 and the lower surface of the rear shell 24R. With this configuration, when the coaxial connector 10 is viewed from the front along the front-rear direction, the protruding portion 339 of the ground member 32 can be visually recognized. In this configuration, by inserting a thin plate-shaped jig (not shown) into the gaps 241 and 243 from the front, the protruding portion 339 can be pushed up or down. As a result, the protruding portion 339 can be taken out from the second recess 263, and the rear assembly 30 can be moved from the second position to the first position. As a result, the coaxial connector 10 can be removed from the substrate 50.

[0055] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0056] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the outer insulator 36 is configured to position the substrate 50 in the vertical and horizontal directions. However, one or both of the ground terminal 340 and the shell 24 may be provided with a positioning function. In particular, in the case of the coaxial connector 10 without the outer insulator 36, it is preferable to provide one or both of the ground terminal 340 and the shell 24 with a positioning function.

[0057] Also, in the form of the above-described embodiment, the lower contact 357 is positioned rearward in the front-rear direction with respect to the upper contact 353. However, in the present invention, the lower contact 357 may be positioned forward in the front-rear direction with respect to the upper contact 353 as shown in FIG. 24. In this case, the second spring portion 355 extends forward in the front-rear direction from the upper contact 353. This configuration can apply a stronger upward force to the upper contact 353 than the configuration shown in FIG. 13. This is effective when the substrate 50 is a rigid substrate.

Explanation of Signs

[0058] 10 Coaxial connector 20 Front assembly 22 Signal contact 221 Front contact portion 223 Rear contact portion 225 Central portion 24 Shell 24F Front shell 24R Rear shell 241, 243 Gap 25 Substrate receiving portion 251 Inner upper surface 253 Inner lower surface 253R First surface 253F Second surface 253S Step 255 Front surface 261 First recess 261U Upper first recess 261L Lower first recess 263 Second recess 263U Upper second recess 263L Lower second recess 28 Inner insulator 281 Main portion 283 Reinforcing portion 285 Contact accommodating portion 287 Contact accommodating groove 30 Rear assembly 32 Ground member 320 Ground outer periphery 331 Lower plate portion 333 Side plate part 335 Upper plate part 337 Held part 339 Protrusion 339U Upper protrusion 339L Lower protrusion 340 Ground terminal 341 Base part 343 Connecting part 351 First spring part 353 Upper contact 355 Second spring part 357 Lower contact 36 Outer insulator 361 Rear wall 363 Insertion hole 365 Holding hole 367 Holding groove 50 Substrate 52 Signal line 54 Ground layer

Claims

1. A coaxial connector attachable to a substrate, wherein the substrate has signal lines formed on its upper surface and a ground layer formed on its lower surface, the coaxial connector includes a front assembly and a rear assembly attachable from the rear in the front-rear direction with respect to the front assembly, the front assembly includes a signal contact, a metal shell, and an inner insulator insulating the signal contact and the shell, a substrate receiving portion that opens rearward is formed in the shell, the substrate receiving portion has an inner upper surface and an inner lower surface facing each other in the vertical direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction, a first surface and a second surface are provided on the inner lower surface, the first surface is located rearward of the second surface in the front-rear direction, the first surface is located below the second surface in the vertical direction, and a step is provided between the first surface and the second surface, the signal contact has a rear contact portion, the rear contact portion extends along the front-rear direction and is at least partially exposed within the substrate receiving portion, the rear assembly includes a metal ground member, the ground member has a ground outer periphery and a ground terminal, the ground outer periphery is attachable to the shell from the rear so as to cover the outer periphery of the shell, the ground terminal has a first spring portion that extends from the ground outer periphery and is elastically deformable, an upper contact supported by the first spring portion, a second spring portion that extends from the upper contact and is elastically deformable, and a lower contact supported by the second spring portion, in an attached state where the ground member is attached to the shell, at least the upper contact and the lower contact are located within the substrate receiving portion, by passing the substrate through the ground outer periphery and inserting it into the substrate receiving portion, and then attaching the ground member to the shell from the rear, the lower contact of the ground member moves over the step from above the first surface to the second surface, whereby the upper contact moves upward to contact the ground layer of the substrate and push the substrate upward, and the signal line of the substrate is brought into contact with the rear contact portion of the signal contact Coaxial connector.

2. The coaxial connector according to claim 1, When the lower contact is located on the first surface, the distance size between the upper contact and the inner upper surface in the vertical direction is larger than the thickness size of the substrate. Coaxial connector.

3. The coaxial connector according to claim 2, wherein the rear assembly further includes an outer insulator that holds the ground member; an insertion port penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in the outer insulator; the substrate can be passed through the ground outer periphery by passing through the insertion port; when the substrate is inserted, the insertion port positions the substrate in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, both of which are orthogonal to the front-rear direction, and guides the movement of the substrate in the front-rear direction; the upper contact is located below the insertion port in the vertical direction. Coaxial connector.

4. The coaxial connector according to claim 1, wherein the lower contact is located behind the upper contact in the front-rear direction. Coaxial connector.

5. The coaxial connector according to claim 1, wherein the inner insulator has a reinforcing portion located between the rear contact portion and the shell. Coaxial connector.

6. The coaxial connector according to claim 1, wherein the rear assembly is attached to the front assembly so as to be movable from a first position to a second position in the front-rear direction; the first position is located behind the second position in the front-rear direction; a protruding portion protruding inward is formed on the ground outer periphery in a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction; the shell is provided with a first recess and a second recess respectively recessed inward in the orthogonal plane; the first recess is located behind the second recess in the front-rear direction; when the rear assembly is in the first position, the protruding portion is received in the first recess; when the rear assembly is moved to the second position, the protruding portion moves from the first recess toward the second recess and is received in the second recess, where the ground outer periphery and the shell are connected. Coaxial connector.

7. The coaxial connector according to claim 6, wherein the protruding portion has an upper protruding portion and a lower protruding portion; the first recess has an upper first recess and a lower first recess. The second recess has an upper second recess and a lower second recess, when the rear assembly is in the second position, the upper protruding portion is received in the upper second recess, and at this time the ground outer peripheral portion is connected to the shell, when the rear assembly is in the second position, the lower protruding portion is received in the lower second recess, and also at this time the ground outer peripheral portion is connected to the shell Coaxial connector.

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