Communication connector

Abstract

To provide a communication connector capable of improving transmission characteristics by moving the frequency of resonance generated by the presence of a stub area to a high frequency side separated from a frequency band used for communication.SOLUTION: The communication connector 10 includes the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 that are fitted to each other, and the contact point 142 for establishing mutual electrical conduction is formed in at least one of the outer conductor 104 of the first connector 100 and the outer conductor 202 of the second connector 200. A region of the outer conductors 104 and 202 on the side where the contact point 142 is not formed, which comes into contact with the contact point 142, is referred to as a contacted region 218, and a deformed portion 220 is formed in a region other than the contact point 142 and the contacted region 218 of the outer conductor 104 of the first connector 100 and the outer conductor 202 of the second connector 200 so that the physical distance between the outer conductors increases.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication connector, and more particularly to a communication connector for connecting a coaxial cable or a differential transmission cable. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional communication connectors to which coaxial cables and differential transmission cables are connected, electrical continuity is established between the outer conductor of the coaxial cable or one of the communication conductors of the differential transmission cable by mating conductive male and female shells connected to them. Specifically, a male shell is mated to the outside of a spring contact formed on the female shell and biased radially outward, and the spring contact is brought into contact with the inner surface of the male shell, thereby forming a path for current flow.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an electromagnetic shielded connector in which an elastically deformable spring contact is formed at the front cylindrical connection portion of a cylindrical shell connected to the outer conductor of a coaxial cable, and when mated with a mating connector, the spring contact elastically contacts the mating shell. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7440460 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In such communication connectors, it is ideal for the return current to flow uniformly around the entire circumference of the shells from one side of the male and female connectors to the other side. However, in reality, the return current flows only in a concentrated manner at the area where the spring contact formed on one shell makes contact with the inner surface of the other shell, and the area on the mating side of the area where the spring contact of one shell makes contact with the mating connector becomes a region where no return current flows. This region where no return current flows is called a stub region.

[0006] This stub area acts as both a capacitive and an inductive load, causing resonance and degrading the connector's transmission characteristics. The larger the stub area, and the closer the distance between the stub area formed on one side of the connector and the shell of the mating connector, the lower the frequency band at which resonance occurs. If the frequency band used in communications is close to the resonant frequency, attenuation increases when the communications connector is used, degrading the transmission characteristics.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a communication connector that can improve transmission characteristics by shifting the frequency of resonance generated by the presence of a stub area to a higher frequency side away from the frequency band used in communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a connector for connecting a first connector and a second connector that are fitted together, This is a communication connector in which a contact point is formed on at least one of the outer conductors of the first connector and the second connector to establish electrical conduction between them, the area of ​​the outer conductor on the side where the contact point is not formed where the contact point makes contact is called a contacted area, and in areas of the outer conductors of the first connector and the second connector other than the contact point and the contacted area, a deformed portion is formed so as to increase the physical distance between the outer conductors.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the contact is provided on the outer conductor of the first connector, and the deformed portion is formed on a portion of the outer conductor of the second connector closer to the mating side than the contacted area.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the outer conductor of the first connector and the cross-sectional shape of the outer conductor of the second connector are each rectangular, the contacts are provided on each surface of the outer conductor of the first connector, and the deformed portions are formed on each surface of the outer conductor of the second connector on the mating side of the contact area.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, the size of the deformed portion corresponds to the size of a portion of the outer conductor of the second connector that is closer to the mating side than the contacted region with which the contact comes into contact.

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, the deformed portion has a shape in which at least one of the opposing surfaces of the outer conductor of the first connector and the outer conductor of the second connector is recessed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a communication connector can be provided that can improve transmission characteristics by shifting the frequency of resonance generated by the presence of a stub region to a higher frequency side away from the frequency band used in communication.

[0014] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to increase the distance between the stub region of the outer conductor of the second connector and the outer conductor of the first connector.

[0015] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide deformed portions corresponding to stub regions occurring on each surface of the outer conductor having a rectangular cross section of the second connector.

[0016] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, by providing a deformed portion corresponding to the size of the stub region of the outer conductor, it is possible to prevent the resonant frequency from shifting to the lower frequency side.

[0017] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily form the deformed portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is an external perspective view of a communication connector according to one embodiment, and FIG. 1B is an external perspective view of the communication connector of FIG. 1A as viewed from a different direction. [Figure 2] 2(A) is an exploded perspective view of a female connector that constitutes the communication connector of FIG. 1(A), and FIG. 2(B) is an exploded perspective view of a male connector that constitutes the communication connector of FIG. 1(A). [Figure 3] 3(A) is an exploded perspective view of the female connector of FIG. 2(A) viewed from a different direction, and FIG. 3(B) is an exploded perspective view of the male connector of FIG. 2(B) viewed from a different direction. [Figure 4] 4(A) is an external perspective view of the female shell and coaxial cable that constitute the female connector of FIG. 2(A), and FIG. 4(B) is an external perspective view of the male shell that constitutes the male connector of FIG. 2(B). [Figure 5] Figure 5(A) is an external perspective view of the female shell and coaxial cable that make up the female connector of Figure 3(A) when viewed from a different direction, and Figure 5(B) is an external perspective view of the male shell that makes up the male connector of Figure 3(B) when viewed from a different direction. [Figure 6] Figure 6(A) is an external perspective view of the state in which the female shell of Figure 4(A) and the male shell of Figure 4(B) are mated, and Figure 6(B) is an external perspective view of the state in which the female shell of Figure 5(A) and the male shell of Figure 5(B) are mated, viewed from a different direction than Figure 6(A). [Figure 7] FIG. 7(A) is a rear view of the mated female connector and male connector as seen from behind, and FIG. 7(B) is a side view as seen from the side. [Figure 8] 8(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIA-VIIIA in FIG. 7(B), and FIG. 8(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIB-VIIIB in FIG. 7(A). [Figure 9] Figure 9(A) is a cross-sectional view of a communication connector corresponding to Figure 8(A), which shows only the mated state of the female shell and male shell, and Figure 9(B) is a cross-sectional view of a communication connector corresponding to Figure 8(B), which shows only the mated state of the female shell and male shell. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a graph showing frequency characteristics comparing a case where a deformed portion is formed in the male shell with a case where no deformed portion is formed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A communication connector 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example of the communication connector of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention should be equally applicable to communication connectors of other forms as defined in the claims.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1(A), 1(B), 2(A), 2(B), 3(A), and 3(B), the communication connector 10 includes a female connector 100 as a first connector and a male connector 200 as a second connector. The female connector 100 and the male connector 200 mate with each other. The female connector 100 includes a female outer housing 102, a female shell 104 as the outer conductor of the first connector, and a female inner housing 106 (see Figures 8(A), 8(B), 9(A), and 9(B)), to which a coaxial cable 300 is connected.

[0021] The female outer housing 102 is made of an insulating material and includes an upper housing 108 and a lower housing 110. The upper housing 108 has an upper plate portion 112 that covers the upper part of the female shell 104 in a bent state, and side plate portions 114 that extend downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper plate portion 112. The side plate portions 114 are formed with engagement openings 118 that engage with claws 116 of the lower housing 110, which will be described later.

[0022] The lower housing 110 is L-shaped in side view and includes a cylindrical housing portion 122 that houses a first cylindrical member 120 of the female shell 104 (described later) therein, and a trough-shaped housing portion 126 that houses a second cylindrical member 124 of the female shell 104 therein. The cylindrical housing portion 122 covers the lateral, front, and rear sides of the first cylindrical member 120 and is open at the top and bottom. The opening formed at the bottom is a mating opening that receives the male connector 200.

[0023] The gutter-shaped housing portion 126 extends in the front-to-rear direction and is open at the top, with a shell accommodating portion 128 formed inside and a port 130 formed at the front end of the gutter-shaped housing portion 126. A second tubular member 124 of the female shell 104, which will be described later, is placed in the shell accommodating portion 128, and a coaxial cable 300 connected to the second tubular member 124 passes through the port 130 and extends forward.

[0024] Laterally protruding claws 116 are formed on both side surfaces of the trough-shaped housing portion 126. When the claws 116 are engaged with the engagement openings 118 of the upper housing 108 during assembly, the second tubular member 124 of the female shell 104 is accommodated and held in the space surrounded by the shell accommodating portion 128 and the upper plate portion 112.

[0025] In the detailed description of the invention, the "front-rear direction" refers to the direction in which the coaxial cable 300 connected to the female connector 100 of this embodiment extends, "forward" refers to the direction in which the coaxial cable 300 extends from the female connector 100, and "rear" refers to the opposite direction. Furthermore, the "vertical direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and in which the first tubular member 120 of the female shell 104 extends in a bent state. Furthermore, "upper" refers to the side of the first tubular member 120 closer to the coaxial cable 300, and "lower" refers to the opposite side, the side connected to the male connector 200. Furthermore, the "width direction" or "lateral" refers to a direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the vertical direction.

[0026] The female shell 104 is formed by punching and pressing a single conductive metal plate, and includes a first tubular member 120 and a second tubular member 124. The first tubular member 120 and the second tubular member 124 are connected by a connecting portion 132 and are bent at the connecting portion 132 into an L-shape in side view. When the connecting portion 132 is bent, the first tubular member 120 extends along a first imaginary central axis (not shown) extending in the up-down direction. The second tubular member 124 extends continuously from the first tubular member 120 via the connecting portion 132 along a second imaginary central axis (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction and intersecting the first imaginary central axis. Furthermore, on the front side of the second tubular member 124, a crimped portion 134 is formed continuously with the second tubular member 124 and is crimped and connected around a metal ferrule (not shown) attached around the outer conductor, which is one of the communication conductors of the coaxial cable 300.

[0027] The first cylindrical member 120 includes a front plate 136, a rear plate 138, and two side plates 140, and is a hollow rectangular cylindrical member with a square cross section when viewed from above or below. The front plate 136, the rear plate 138, and the two side plates 140 each have spring contacts 142 cut out of the plate material near their lower ends to establish electrical continuity with the male shell 202 of the male connector 200.

[0028] The first cylindrical member 120 is housed in the cylindrical housing portion 122 of the female outer housing 102. At this time, gaps are provided between the front plate 136, rear plate 138, and two side plates 140 of the first cylindrical member 120 and the inner surface of the cylindrical housing portion 122, to accommodate a male outer housing 204 and a male shell 202 (described later).

[0029] Male connector 200 includes a male shell 202 and a male outer housing 204 that houses male shell 202. Male outer housing 204 includes a base 206 that is placed on a substrate or the like (not shown), and a shell housing portion 210 that protrudes upward from base 206 and has a housing opening 208 formed therein that houses male shell 202. The dimensions of male outer housing 204 in the front-rear and width directions are such that it can be inserted into the gap between tubular housing portion 122 of female connector 100 and first tubular member 120 of female shell 104.

[0030] Male shell 202 is housed in shell housing portion 210 of male outer housing 204. Male shell 202 is a hollow tubular member that is long in the vertical direction, and when female connector 100 and male connector 200 are mated, first tubular member 120 of female shell 104 is inserted inside male shell 202 (see Figures 8(A) and 8(B)).

[0031] The male shell 202 is formed by punching and pressing a single conductive metal plate, and is a hollow, rectangular tubular member with a rectangular cross section when viewed from above or below. The male shell 202 is composed of a front plate 212, a rear plate 214, and two side plates 216. The upper sides of the inner surfaces of the front plate 212, rear plate 214, and two side plates 216 each form a contacted region 218 with which the spring contact 142 of the first tubular member 120 of the female shell 104 comes into contact. Here, the front plate 136, rear plate 138, and two side plates 140 of the first tubular member 120 of the female shell 104, on the mating side of the spring contact 142, i.e., the lower region, forms a stub region 144 through which no current flows. A deformed portion 220 is formed on the inner surface of each of the front plate 212, rear plate 214, and two side plates 216 of the opposing male shell 202 corresponding to this stub region 144, so that the physical distance between the female shell 104 and the male shell 202 increases.

[0032] The size of the deformed portion 220 corresponds to the size of the stub region 144. That is, the size of the deformed portion 220 may be the same as or smaller than the size of the stub region 144, but is determined in proportion to the area of ​​the stub region. That is, the spring contacts 142 that contact the contacted regions 218 of the front plate 212 and rear plate 214 are formed higher than the spring contacts 142 that contact the contacted regions 218 of the side plate 216. Therefore, the size of the stub regions 144 of the front plate 136 and rear plate 138 of the first tubular member 120 of the female shell 104 is larger than the size of the stub region 144 of the side plate 140. Therefore, correspondingly, the deformed portions 220 formed on the front plate 212 and rear plate 214 of the male shell 202 are formed larger than the deformed portions 220 formed on the side plate 216.

[0033] The deformed portion 220 is formed by depressing the inner surfaces of the front plate 212, rear plate 214, and two side plates 216 of the male shell 202 outward. In this embodiment, the deformed portion 220 is a rectangular depression, but it may be a circular depression, a polygonal depression, or any other shape as long as the shape increases the physical distance between the female shell 104 and the male shell 202.

[0034] During assembly, the first tubular member 120 of the female shell 104 is inserted into the tubular housing portion 122 of the female outer housing 102, and the second tubular member and the crimping portion 134 are placed in the shell receiving portion 128 of the trough-shaped housing portion 126. Then, the upper housing 108 is attached to the lower housing 110. That is, the engagement openings 118 of the side plate portions 114 are engaged with the claws 116, and the female shell 104 is assembled into the female outer housing 102. Also, the male shell 202 is inserted into the receiving opening 208 of the male outer housing 204.

[0035] Next, the mating state of female connector 100 and male connector 200 will be described. As shown in Figures 1(A), 1(B), 9(A), and 9(B), when female connector 100 and male connector 200 are mated, shell accommodating portion 210 of male connector 200 is inserted into the inside of cylindrical housing portion 122 of female connector 100. Furthermore, front plate 136, rear plate 138, and side plate 140 of first cylindrical member 120 of female shell 104 are inserted into the inside of front plate 212, rear plate 214, and side plate 216 of male shell 202. Then, spring contact 142 of female shell 104 comes into contact with contacted area 218 of male shell 202.

[0036] At this time, the stub region 144 on the mating side (i.e., the lower side) of the spring contact point 142 of the first cylindrical member 120 of the female shell 104 faces the deformed portion 220 of the male shell 202 (see Figures 8(A), 8(B), 9(A), and 9(B)). Because the deformed portion 220 faces the stub region 144, the physical distance between the female shell 104 and the male shell 202 in this area can be increased, and the resonant frequency shifts to a higher frequency band.

[0037] FIG. 10 shows a graph of frequency characteristics comparing a case where the deformed portion 220 is formed on the male shell 202 with a case where it is not. In FIG. 10, the frequency band used for high-frequency signals transmitted through a transmission path using the communication connector 10 of this embodiment is 1-4 GHz. The resonant frequency f1 of a communication connector in which the deformed portion 220 is not formed on the male shell 202 is 5.74 GHz. On the other hand, when the deformed portion 220 is formed on the male shell 202 as in this embodiment, the resonant frequency f2 of the communication connector 10 is 5.88 GHz. This shifts the resonant frequency to a higher frequency side away from the frequency band used for communication, improving transmission characteristics.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the first connector is female connector 100 and the second connector is male connector 200, but these may be interchanged so that the first connector is male connector 200 and the second connector is female connector 100. In the above embodiment, the spring contact 142 is formed on female shell 104 of female connector 100, but the spring contact may be formed on male shell 202, or on both female shell 104 and male shell 202. In addition, contacts other than spring contacts may be used as long as they establish electrical continuity.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the deformed portion 220 is formed only on the male shell 202 has been described. However, the deformed portion 220 may be formed on the female shell 104, or on both the female shell 104 and the male shell 202, as long as the deformed portion 220 increases the physical distance between the female shell 104 and the male shell 202.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the deformed portion 220 is formed on the front plate 136, rear plate 138, and two side plates 140 of the first cylindrical member 120 of the female shell 104 on the mating side, i.e., in a region below the spring contact 142. However, the deformed portion 220 may be formed in any region other than the spring contact 142 and the contacted region 218, as long as it is a location other than the current flow path.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the female shell 104 is bent in an L-shape, but the female shell 104 may have a shape that extends linearly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10. Communication connector 100 female connector 102 female outer housing 104 Female Shell 106 Female inner housing 108 Upper housing 110 Lower housing 112 Upper plate 114 Side plate part 116 Nails 118 engagement opening 120 First cylindrical member 122 cylindrical housing part 124 second cylindrical member 126 Groove-shaped housing part 128 Shell storage section Port 130 132 Joint 134 Crimping part 136 Front Panel 138 Rear plate 140 Side Panel 142 Spring contact 144 stub area 200 male connector 202 Male Shell 204 Male outer housing 206 Base 208 Storage opening 210 Shell storage section 212 Front panel 214 Rear plate 216 Side Panel 218 Touched area 220 Deformed part 300 coaxial cable

Claims

1. The connector includes a first connector and a second connector that mate with each other, A communication connector in which a contact point is formed on at least one of the outer conductors of the first connector and the second connector to establish electrical conduction between them, the area of ​​the outer conductor on the side where the contact point is not formed where the contact point makes contact is defined as a contacted area, and a deformed portion is formed in areas of the outer conductors of the first connector and the second connector other than the contact point and the contacted area so as to increase the physical distance between the outer conductors.

2. 2. The communication connector according to claim 1, wherein the contact is provided on the outer conductor of the first connector, and the deformed portion is formed on a portion of the outer conductor of the second connector that is closer to the mating side than the contacted area.

3. 3. A communication connector as described in claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the outer conductor of the first connector and the cross-sectional shape of the outer conductor of the second connector are each rectangular, the contacts are provided on each surface of the outer conductor of the first connector, and the deformed portions are formed on each surface of the outer conductor of the second connector on the mating side of the contact area.

4. 4. A communication connector according to claim 1, wherein the size of the deformed portion corresponds to the size of the portion of the outer conductor of the second connector that is closer to the mating side than the contact area with which the contacts come into contact.

5. 2. The communication connector according to claim 1, wherein the deformed portion is formed by recessing at least one of the opposing surfaces of the outer conductor of the first connector and the outer conductor of the second connector.

Images