Coaxial Connectors

Abstract

To prevent wrong assembly of an inner conductor to an insulator.SOLUTION: An coaxial connector 30 is a coaxial connector comprising an inner conductor 32, an insulator 40 surrounding the periphery of the inner conductor, and a cylindrical outer conductor 50 surrounding the periphery of the insulator. The inner conductor has a rod-like shape including a first end 34a and a second end 34b. The inner conductor includes, in an extension direction of the inner conductor, a first press-fit part 35a located closer to the first end, and a second press-fit part 35b located closer to the second end. The first press-fit part and the second press-fit part are located at an equal distance with respect to the center in the extension direction of the inner conductor. The insulator has an insertion hole 44 into which the inner conductor is inserted. With the first end and the second end projecting from the insulator, one of the first press-fit part and the second press-fit part is press-fitted to the insertion hole, and the inner conductor is held in the insulator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to coaxial connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a coaxial connector including an outer conductor, a center conductor, and an insulating member that supports the center conductor while insulating it from the outer conductor. Patent Document 1 also discloses that the center conductor is formed with a flange-shaped locking portion for locking the center conductor to the insulating member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-26238 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, one end of the central conductor, on which the flange-shaped locking portion is formed, is inserted into the insulating member. If the other end of the central conductor is inserted into the insulating member, an incorrect assembly state occurs.

[0005] There is a demand for preventing misassembly, in which the central conductor is assembled incorrectly to the insulating member.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to prevent misassembly of an inner conductor relative to an insulator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The coaxial connector of the present disclosure is a coaxial connector comprising an inner conductor, an insulator surrounding the inner conductor, and a cylindrical outer conductor surrounding the insulator, wherein the inner conductor is rod-shaped and has a first end and a second end, and the inner conductor includes a first press-fit portion located closer to the first end in the extension direction of the inner conductor and a second press-fit portion located closer to the second end, the first press-fit portion and the second press-fit portion being located equidistant from the center of the extension direction of the inner conductor, the insulator has an insertion hole into which the inner conductor is inserted, and with the first end and the second end protruding from the insulator, one of the first press-fit portion and the second press-fit portion is pressed into the insertion hole, so that the inner conductor is held by the insulator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the inner conductor from being misassembled with the insulator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a device equipped with a coaxial connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a coaxial connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the coaxial connector. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a coaxial connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0011] The coaxial connector of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0012] (1) A coaxial connector comprising an inner conductor, an insulator surrounding the inner conductor, and a cylindrical outer conductor surrounding the insulator, wherein the inner conductor is rod-shaped and has a first end and a second end, and the inner conductor includes a first press-fit portion located closer to the first end in the extension direction of the inner conductor and a second press-fit portion located closer to the second end, the first press-fit portion and the second press-fit portion being positioned equidistant from the center of the extension direction of the inner conductor, the insulator has an insertion hole into which the inner conductor is inserted, and with the first end and the second end protruding from the insulator, one of the first press-fit portion and the second press-fit portion is pressed into the insertion hole, so that the inner conductor is held by the insulator.

[0013] With this coaxial connector, regardless of whether the first press-fit portion or the second press-fit portion is press-fitted into the insertion hole, the inner conductor is inserted into the insertion hole and held by the insulator. Furthermore, the first press-fit portion and the second press-fit portion are positioned equidistant from the center of the inner conductor in the extension direction. Therefore, the positions of the first and second ends relative to the insulator when the first press-fit portion is press-fitted into the insertion hole can be aligned with the positions of the first and second ends relative to the insulator when the second press-fit portion is press-fitted into the insertion hole. In other words, regardless of whether the first press-fit portion or the second press-fit portion is press-fitted into the insertion hole, the assembly state of the inner conductor relative to the insulator can be made the same. This makes it possible to prevent incorrect assembly of the inner conductor relative to the insulator.

[0014] (2) In the coaxial connector of (1), the portion of the inner conductor extending from the center of its extension direction to the first end and the portion of the inner conductor extending from the center of its extension direction to the second end may have the same shape.

[0015] This allows the inner conductor to be more uniformly assembled to the insulator regardless of whether the first press-fit portion or the second press-fit portion is press-fitted into the insertion hole.

[0016] (3) In the coaxial connector of (1) or (2), the first press-fit portion may include a first press-fit protrusion having a first inclined surface gradually inclined outward from the first end side of the inner conductor toward the center in the extension direction of the inner conductor, and a first retaining surface extending from the edge of the first inclined surface toward the center of the extension direction of the inner conductor toward the center of the inner conductor, and the second press-fit portion may include a second press-fit protrusion having a second inclined surface gradually inclined outward from the second end side of the inner conductor toward the center in the extension direction of the inner conductor, and a second retaining surface extending from the edge of the second inclined surface toward the center of the inner conductor.

[0017] In this case, the first or second inclined surface can be brought into contact with the opening edge and inner periphery of the insertion hole, making it easy to insert the first or second press-fit portion into the insertion hole. When the first or second press-fit portion is inserted into the insertion hole, the first or second retaining surface catches on the inner periphery of the insertion hole, making it difficult for the first or second press-fit portion to come out of the insertion hole. This securely holds the inner conductor in the insulator.

[0018] (4) In the coaxial connector of (3), the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may have the same inclination angle with respect to the central axis of the inner conductor, the first retention surface and the second retention surface may face each other, and each may have the same inclination angle with respect to the central axis of the inner conductor.

[0019] This allows the first press-fit portion and the second press-fit portion to have the same shape, making it possible to make the assembly state of the inner conductor relative to the insulator more uniform regardless of whether the first press-fit portion or the second press-fit portion is pressed into the insertion hole.

[0020] (5) In the coaxial connector of (3) or (4), the outer conductor may include a small diameter portion, a large diameter portion larger than the small diameter portion, and a gradually changing portion whose diameter gradually increases between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion, and when one of the first press-fit protrusion and the second press-fit protrusion is press-fitted into the insertion hole, the other of the first press-fit protrusion and the second press-fit protrusion may be positioned so as to overlap the gradually changing portion in the axial direction of the outer conductor.

[0021] In this way, if the other of the first and second press-fit protrusions is positioned so as to overlap with the gradually changing portion, the gradually changing portion can keep the distance between the outer conductor and the inner conductor as constant as possible, thereby making it easy to adjust the impedance in the gradually changing portion of the outer conductor.

[0022] (6) In the coaxial connector of (5), when one of the first press-fit protrusion and the second press-fit protrusion is press-fitted into the insertion hole, the other of the first press-fit protrusion and the second press-fit protrusion may overlap with 80% or more of the gradually changing portion in the axial direction of the outer conductor.

[0023] In this case, the distance between the outer conductor and the inner conductor can be kept as constant as possible over most of the gradually changing portion in the direction along the central axis, which makes it easy to adjust the impedance in the gradually changing portion of the outer conductor.

[0024] (7) In the coaxial connector of (5) or (6), the inclination of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface relative to the central axis of the inner conductor may be within ±5 degrees of the inclination of the gradually changing portion relative to the central axis of the outer conductor, thereby making it possible to maintain a more constant distance between the outer conductor and the inner conductor in the gradually changing portion.

[0025] (8) In the coaxial connector of any one of (3) to (7), each of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may include an arc-shaped portion centered on the central axis of the outer conductor.

[0026] In this case, the distance between the outer conductor and the inner conductor can be kept more constant in the circumferential direction around the central axis of the outer conductor, which makes it easy to adjust the impedance.

[0027] (9) In a coaxial connector according to any one of (3) to (8), the first press-fit portion may include a plurality of the first press-fit protrusions, the second press-fit portion may include a plurality of the second press-fit protrusions, and in the first press-fit portion, the plurality of first press-fit protrusions may be positioned at intervals around the central axis of the inner conductor, and in the second press-fit portion, the plurality of second press-fit protrusions may be positioned at intervals around the central axis of the inner conductor.

[0028] In this case, it is easier to press-fit the first press-fit portion or the second press-fit portion compared to when a protrusion for press-fitting protrudes from the entire periphery of the press-fit portion.

[0029] (10) In the coaxial connector of (9), in the first press-fit portion, the plurality of first press-fit protrusions may be positioned at equal intervals around the central axis of the inner conductor, and in the second press-fit portion, the plurality of second press-fit protrusions may be positioned at equal intervals around the central axis of the inner conductor.

[0030] In this case, it is easy to impart rotational symmetry to the physical properties that affect the impedance around the inner conductor, thereby stabilizing the impedance around the inner conductor.

[0031] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the coaxial connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0032] [Embodiment] A coaxial connector according to an embodiment will now be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a device 10 equipped with a coaxial connector 30. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1.

[0033] <Overall configuration of the equipment> The device 10 is, for example, a camera device. The camera device is, for example, a device for use in a vehicle. The device 10 does not have to be a camera device.

[0034] The device 10 includes a case 12, an electrical component 20, and a coaxial connector 30. The electrical component 20 is housed in the case 12. The coaxial connector 30 is a coaxial connector for connecting the electrical component 20 to an external electrical component. For example, the coaxial connector 30 is a coaxial connector to which a cable connected to the external electrical component is connected. The cable to which the coaxial connector 30 is connected is, for example, a coaxial cable.

[0035] The case 12 includes a first case 13 and a second case 14. The first case 13 and the second case 14 are formed, for example, from resin. The first case 13 and the second case 14 are combined to form the rectangular box-shaped case 12 that houses the electrical components 20. If the device 10 is a camera device, it is assumed that the first case 13 has a lens or window for capturing images, and the second case 14 has a coaxial connector 30.

[0036] The electrical component 20 is, for example, a mounting board on which electronic components are mounted. If the device 10 is a camera device, the electrical component 20 is assumed to be a circuit board 21 and an image sensor 22 mounted on the circuit board 21. The image sensor 22 faces an image capturing lens or window in the first case 13, and captures an image of the outside scenery by rotating the lens or window. Hereinafter, the side of the first case 13 toward which the image sensor 22 faces may be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side, the second case 14 side, may be referred to as the rear side.

[0037] In this embodiment, the electrical component 20 includes a board-side connector 24 located on the surface of the circuit board 21 opposite the imaging element 22. The board-side connector 24 includes, for example, a board-side inner conductor 25, a board-side insulator 26, and a board-side outer conductor 27. The board-side inner conductor 25 is surrounded by the board-side insulator 26. A dielectric can be considered a type of insulator, and the board-side insulator 26 may be a dielectric. The board-side outer conductor 27 is surrounded by the board-side insulator 26. The board-side connector 24 protrudes from the circuit board 21 toward the coaxial connector 30.

[0038] A relay connector 90 is connected to the board-side connector 24. The relay connector 90 includes, for example, a movable-side inner conductor 91, a movable-side insulator 92, and a movable-side outer conductor 93. The movable-side insulator 92 surrounds the movable-side inner conductor 91. A dielectric can be considered a type of insulator, and the movable-side insulator 92 may be a dielectric. The movable-side outer conductor 93 surrounds the movable-side insulator 92. The relay connector 90 is connected to the board-side connector 24 with the movable-side inner conductor 91 inserted and connected to the board-side inner conductor 25 and the board-side outer conductor 27 inserted and connected to the movable-side outer conductor 93. The relay connector 90 further protrudes from the board-side connector 24 toward the coaxial connector 30. The relay connector 90 relays and connects the board-side connector 24 and the coaxial connector 30. The relay connector 90 is connected to the board-side connector 24 and the coaxial connector 30 in a manner that allows its position to be changed relative to the board-side connector 24 and the coaxial connector 30.

[0039] The coaxial connector 30 is provided on the second case 14 side, i.e., the rear side of the case 12. More specifically, a retaining tube portion 16 protrudes from the bottom 15 of the case 12. The retaining tube portion 16 is cylindrical and protrudes outward from the center of the bottom 15. The inner opening of the retaining tube portion 16 opens into the second case 14, and the outer opening of the retaining tube portion 16 opens to the outside of the second case 14. A retaining partition portion 17 is formed in the axially intermediate portion of the retaining tube portion 16. In this embodiment, the retaining partition portion 17 is formed in the axially intermediate portion of the retaining tube portion 16, closer to the inner opening. The retaining partition portion 17 separates the space on the inner opening side of the retaining tube portion 16 from the space on the outer opening side. A retaining hole 17h is formed in the retaining partition portion 17, and the coaxial connector 30 is inserted into and held in the retaining hole 17h. The retaining partition portion 17 may be continuous and flush with the inner surface of the bottom 15.

[0040] In this embodiment, a locking protrusion 18a for holding a cable connector attached to the end of a cable is formed on the outer periphery of the holding cylinder portion 16. It is not essential that the locking protrusion 18a be formed.

[0041] Inside the case 12, the relay connector 90 is connected to the coaxial connector 30. When an external cable is connected to the coaxial connector 30, the external electrical component to which the cable is connected is electrically connected to the electrical component 20 inside the case 12.

[0042] <Coaxial connector> The coaxial connector 30 will be described in more detail. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the coaxial connector 30. Fig. 4 is a rear view showing the coaxial connector 30. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the coaxial connector 30. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 3.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the coaxial connector 30 includes an inner conductor 32, an insulator 40, and an outer conductor 50.

[0044] The inner conductor 32 is formed in a long, thin rod shape and is made of a conductive material such as metal. The insulator 40 is made of an insulator such as resin and surrounds the inner conductor 32. In this embodiment, the insulator 40 is a dielectric. The outer conductor 50 is made of a conductive material such as metal. The outer conductor 50 is formed in a tubular shape that surrounds the insulator 40. More specifically, the outer conductor 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The central axis X of the inner conductor 32, the central axis X of the insulator 40, and the central axis X of the outer conductor 50 are located at the same position.

[0045] The configuration of each part will be described in more detail.

[0046] The inner conductor 32 is rod-shaped and includes a first end 34a and a second end 34b. The first end 34a faces the inside of the case 12, and the second end 34b faces the outside of the case 12. In this embodiment, the inner conductor 32 is a straight rod-shaped, but it may also be an L-shaped rod-shaped.

[0047] In this embodiment, the inner conductor 32 includes an intermediate body portion 39, a first connecting end portion 33a, and a second connecting end portion 33b.

[0048] The intermediate body portion 39 is rod-shaped except for the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b. The intermediate body portion 39 is a portion that is mainly embedded in the insulator 40 and is held by the insulator 40. The first connection end portion 33a and the second connection end portion 33b are rod-shaped. The first connection end portion 33a is a portion that is used for connection to the relay connector 90 inside the case 12, and the second connection end portion 33b is a portion that is used for connection to a cable outside the case 12.

[0049] A first connecting end 33a extends from one end of the intermediate body 39, and a second connecting end 33b extends from the other end of the intermediate body 39. The outer end of the first connecting end 33a is the first end 34a, and the outer end of the second connecting end 33b is the second end 34b. The first end 34a and the second end 34b are rounded, but this is not essential. The first connecting end 33a and the second connecting end 33b have the same length and the same thickness. In other words, the first connecting end 33a and the second connecting end 33b have the same shape. In this embodiment, the inner conductor 32 is a straight rod-like shape, but it may also be an L-shaped rod-like shape.

[0050] The intermediate body portion 39 is thicker than the first connecting end portion 33a and the second connecting end portion 33b. Therefore, an annular step corresponding to the difference in thickness is located between the intermediate body portion 39 and the first connecting end portion 33a, and between the intermediate body portion 39 and the second connecting end portion 33b. It is not essential that the intermediate body portion 39 is thicker than the first connecting end portion 33a and the second connecting end portion 33b, and the intermediate body portion, the first connecting end portion, and the second connecting end portion may be the same thickness.

[0051] The inner conductor 32 includes a first press-fit portion 35a and a second press-fit portion 35b. The first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b are portions that are pressed into the insulator 40 by applying pressure. In the extending direction of the inner conductor 32, the first press-fit portion 35a is the Located near the first end 34a, the second press-fit portion 35 b is located closer to the second end 34b It is placed.

[0052] The first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b are positioned equidistant from the center in the extension direction of the inner conductor 32. In other words, the distance between the first end 34a and the first press-fit portion 35a is the same as the distance between the second end 34b and the second press-fit portion 35b. Note that "equal distance" or "same distance" as used herein includes identity within a margin of error (for example, within a range of ±1 mm).

[0053] In the present embodiment, the first press-fit portion 35a is located at an end of the intermediate body 39 on the first end 34a side, and the second press-fit portion 35b is located at an end of the intermediate body 39 on the second end 34b side. As long as the base ends of the first connecting end 33a and the second connecting end 33b are press-fitted into the insulator 40, the first connecting end 33a and the second connecting end 33b may be formed with the first press-fit portion and the second press-fit portion.

[0054] The first press-fit portion 35a includes a first press-fit main body portion 35Ba and a first press-fit protrusion 36a.

[0055] The first press-fit main body portion 35Ba is formed in a regular polygonal prism shape, here a regular hexagonal prism shape. The first press-fit main body portion 35Ba may be in a cylindrical shape, for example, a round bar-like portion continuing from the middle portion of the intermediate trunk portion 39.

[0056] A first press-fit protrusion 36a protrudes from the outer periphery of the first press-fit main body 35Ba. The first press-fit protrusion 36a includes a first inclined surface 36a1 and a first retaining surface 36a2.

[0057] The first inclined surface 36a1 extends gradually outward from the first end 34a of the inner conductor 32 toward the center in the extending direction of the inner conductor 32. Therefore, the first press-fit protrusion 36a is formed in the first press-fit main body portion 35Ba so that the protruding height gradually increases from the first end 34a of the inner conductor 32 toward the center in the extending direction of the inner conductor 32.

[0058] In this embodiment, the first inclined surface 36a1 has an arc shape centered on the central axis X of the outer conductor 50. do.That is, when the portion of the inner conductor 32 corresponding to the first press-fit protrusion 36a is cut along a plane perpendicular to the central axis X of the inner conductor 32, the first inclined surface 36a1 is observed to have an arc shape centered on the central axis X of the outer conductor 50. The first inclined surface 36a1 does not necessarily have to have the arc shape. The first inclined surface may be flat.

[0059] The first retaining surface 36a2 extends from the edge of the first inclined surface 36a1 that is closer to the center in the extension direction of the inner conductor 32 toward the center of the inner conductor 32. For example, the first retaining surface 36a2 may be a surface that is perpendicular to the central axis X of the inner conductor 32. Therefore, the portion of the first press-fit protrusion 36a that is closer to the center in the extension direction of the inner conductor 32 has the first retaining surface 36a2 that faces the center in the extension direction of the inner conductor 32.

[0060] In this embodiment, the first press-fit portion 35a includes a plurality of first press-fit protrusions 36a. In the first press-fit portion 35a, the plurality of first press-fit protrusions 36a are positioned at intervals around the central axis X of the inner conductor 32. Here, the plurality of first press-fit protrusions 36a are positioned at equal intervals around the central axis X of the inner conductor 32. When viewed along the central axis X, the plurality of first press-fit protrusions 36a are formed to protrude radially around the central axis X. More specifically, the first press-fit main body portion 35Ba has a hexagonal prism shape, and a first press-fit protrusion 36a is provided on every other side of its six side surfaces. Thus, the first press-fit portion 35a includes three first press-fit protrusions 36a provided at 120-degree intervals around the central axis X of the inner conductor 32.

[0061] The number of first press-fit protrusions 36a is arbitrary. For example, the first press-fit portion may have one first press-fit protrusion. In this case, the one first press-fit protrusion may be an annular protrusion provided over the entire circumferential direction of the first press-fit portion, or may be a protrusion provided over a portion of the circumferential direction of the first press-fit portion. Furthermore, the multiple first press-fit protrusions may be positioned at irregular intervals around the central axis X of the inner conductor.

[0062] Similar to the first press-fit portion 35a, the second press-fit portion 35b has a second press-fit main body portion 35Bb corresponding to the first press-fit main body portion 35Ba and a second press-fit protrusion 36b corresponding to the first press-fit protrusion 36a. Similar to the first press-fit protrusion 36a, the second press-fit protrusion 36b includes a second inclined surface 36b1 corresponding to the first inclined surface 36a1 and a second retention surface 36b2 corresponding to the first retention surface 36a2. Therefore, the inclination angles of the first inclined surface 36a1 and the second inclined surface 36b1 with respect to the central axis X of the inner conductor 32 are the same. Furthermore, the first retention surface 36a2 and the second retention surface 36b2 face each other and have the same inclination angle with respect to the central axis X of the inner conductor 32.

[0063] In this embodiment, the portion of the inner conductor 32 extending from the center of its extension direction to the first end 34a and the portion of the inner conductor 32 extending from the center of its extension direction to the second end 34b have the same shape. More specifically, the first connecting end 33a and the second connecting end 33b have the same shape, and the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b have the same shape. It is not essential that the first connecting end 33a and the second connecting end 33b have the same shape, but the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b have the same shape. The first connecting end 33a and the second connecting end 33b only need to have similar shapes to the extent that they can be connected to connectors inside and outside the case 12. Furthermore, the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b may have similar shapes to the extent that they can be prevented from slipping out of the insertion hole 44.

[0064] Here, one end and the other end of the inner conductor 32 have plane symmetry with respect to a plane that passes through the center of the inner conductor 32 in the extension direction and is perpendicular to the axial direction of the inner conductor 32. It is not essential that the one end and the other end of the inner conductor 32 have plane symmetry with respect to the plane of symmetry. For example, the inner conductor 32 according to this embodiment may have a shape obtained by rotating the one end and the other end of the inner conductor 32 around the central axis X of the inner conductor 32. For example, the position of the second press-fit protrusion 36b in the second press-fit portion 35b may be shifted by 60 degrees around the central axis X of the inner conductor 32 relative to the position of the first press-fit protrusion 36a in the first press-fit portion 35a.

[0065] The insulator 40 is, for example, a molded resin part. The insulator 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The length of the insulator 40 is shorter than the length of the inner conductor 32. An insertion hole 44 is formed in the center of the insulator 40 along its extending direction. An opening 44a on one end side of the insertion hole 44 is formed with a smaller diameter than a hole main body 44b located in the middle of the insertion hole 44 in the extending direction. The opening 44a is set to a size that allows the first connecting end 33a (or the second connecting end 33b) to be inserted but does not allow the intermediate body 39 to be inserted. For example, the diameter of the opening 44a is set to be the same as or larger than the diameter of the first connecting end 33a (or the second connecting end 33b) and smaller than the diameter of the intermediate body 39. The hole main body 44b of the insertion hole 44 is set to a size that allows the intermediate body 39 to be inserted therein. For example, the diameter of the hole main body 44b is set to be the same as the diameter of the intermediate body 39.

[0066] Therefore, when the inner conductor 32 is inserted into the insertion hole 44 from the opening on the other end side of the insertion hole 44, the first connecting end 33a (or the second connecting end 33b) passes through the hole main body 44b and is inserted into the opening 44a, and the intermediate body 39 is inserted into the hole main body 44b. With the annular step between the first connecting end 33a (or the second connecting end 33b) and the intermediate body 39 abutting the opening 44a from the inside, the inner conductor 32 is positioned in the insertion direction relative to the insertion hole 44. This positioned state is the state of the coaxial connector 30 as a finished product.

[0067] In this state, the first connecting end 33a including the first end 34a (or the second connecting end 33b including the second end 34b) protrudes from one end of the insulator 40. Also, the second connecting end 33b including the second end 34b (or the first connecting end 33a including the first end 34a) protrudes from the other end of the insulator 40. Furthermore, the end of the intermediate body 39 on the side of the second connecting end 33b (or the first connecting end 33a) does not enter the insertion hole 44 and protrudes from the other end of the insulator 40.

[0068] An opening 44c at the other end of the insertion hole 44 is tapered so as to gradually widen outward. The insertion end of the inner conductor 32 is guided into the insertion hole 44 by the opening 44c.

[0069] As described above, with the inner conductor 32 inserted into the insertion hole 44 and held by the insulator 40, one of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b is press-fit into the insertion hole 44, so that the inner conductor 32 is held by the insulator 40. In this state, the other of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b protrudes from the insertion hole 44. For example, consider inserting the inner conductor 32 into the insertion hole 44 with the first end 34a as the leading end. The first press-fit protrusion 36a protrudes outward beyond the intermediate body 39. Therefore, when attempting to insert the inner conductor 32 into the insertion hole 44, the first press-fit protrusion 36a interferes with the inner periphery of the insertion hole 44. Therefore, the inner conductor 32 is press-fit into the insertion hole 44 while the inner periphery of the insertion hole 44 is deformed by the first press-fit protrusion 36a. At this time, the first inclined surface 36a1 contacts the opening and inner periphery of the insertion hole 44, allowing the first press-fit protrusion 36a to smoothly advance within the insertion hole 44. As described above, when the inner conductor 32 is completely inserted into the insulator 40, the inner periphery of the insertion hole 44 attempts to return to its original shape, and the first retaining surface 36a2 of the first press-fit protrusion 36a catches on the inner periphery of the insertion hole 44 to prevent it from coming out. This prevents the inner conductor 32 from coming out of the insertion hole 44. In this state, the second press-fit portion 35b is located outside the insulator 40, and therefore is unlikely to interfere with the insertion of the inner conductor 32.

[0070] As described above, both ends of the inner conductor 32 are formed to have the same shape. Therefore, when the inner conductor 32 is inserted into the insertion hole 44 with the second end 34b as the leading end, the positional relationship between the first connecting end 33a and the second connecting end 33b is reversed, and the positional relationship between the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b is also reversed, but an assembled part with the same shape as above can be obtained.

[0071] The outer conductor 50 is made of metal etc. For example, the outer conductor 50 may be formed by deep drawing a metal material, by pressing a metal plate, by molding with a die, or by cutting.

[0072] The outer conductor 50 has a cylindrical shape. The length of the outer conductor 50 is greater than the length of the insulator 40. The insulator 40 is located at the middle of the outer conductor 50 in the extending direction. The first connecting end 33a and the second connecting end 33b protruding from both ends of the outer conductor 50 may be located at the center of both ends of the outer conductor 50. The first connecting end 33a and the second connecting end 33b may protrude outward from the outer conductor 50.

[0073] In this embodiment, the outer conductor 50 includes a small-diameter portion 52, a large-diameter portion 56 larger than the small-diameter portion 52, and a gradually changing portion 54 whose diameter gradually increases between the small-diameter portion 52 and the large-diameter portion 56. The large-diameter portion 56 faces the inside of the case 12, and the small-diameter portion 52 faces the outside of the case 12. The large-diameter portion 56 has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the relay connector 90 to be connected inside the case 12, and the small-diameter portion 52 has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the connector at the end of the cable outside the case 12. The large-diameter portion 56 of the outer conductor 50 is press-fitted into and held in the holding hole 17h. Depending on the diameter of the connector to be connected, the diameter relationship at both ends of the outer conductor may be reversed, or the outer conductor may be cylindrical with a uniform diameter. The gradually changing portion 54 is tapered, gradually increasing in diameter from the small-diameter portion 52 toward the large-diameter portion 56.

[0074] The insulator 40 has a thickness that allows it to be inserted into the large diameter portion 56. For example, the outer diameter of the insulator 40 is the same as the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 56 and is larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 52. The insulator 40 is press-fitted into the outer conductor 50 from the opening on the large diameter portion 56 side. The insulator 40 is located next to the gradually changing portion 54 within the large diameter portion 56. For example, the end face of the insulator 40 facing the small diameter portion 52 side is located at the boundary between the gradually changing portion 54 and the large diameter portion 56.

[0075] As a result, with one of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b inserted into the insertion hole 44, the other of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b is positioned to overlap the gradual-change portion 54 in the direction of the central axis X of the outer conductor 50. Note that the insulator 40 may be positioned away from the gradual-change portion 54, and the other of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b may overlap the gradual-change portion 54 at a position away from the insulator 40.

[0076] Here, the overlapping of the other of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b with the gradual-change portion 54 in the direction of the central axis X of the outer conductor 50 includes not only the case where the entire other of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b overlaps with the gradual-change portion 54 in the direction of the central axis X of the outer conductor 50, but also the case where at least a portion of the other of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b overlaps with at least a portion of the gradual-change portion 54 in the direction of the central axis X of the outer conductor 50.

[0077] If the first press-fit protrusion 36a of the first press-fit portion 35a (or the second press-fit protrusion 36b of the second press-fit portion 35b) is positioned so as to overlap the gradually changing portion 54 in the direction of the central axis X, it is possible to easily adjust the impedance of the coaxial connector 30. For example, the impedance of the coaxial connector 30 can be easily adjusted to be within a range of ±10Ω, preferably ±5Ω, relative to a target impedance corresponding to the impedance of a coaxial cable or the like to be connected.

[0078] That is, to achieve satisfactory communication performance via the coaxial connector 30, it is desirable to adjust the impedance to match the communication path to which it is connected. The impedance of the coaxial connector 30 is adjusted by the distance between the inner conductor 32 and the outer conductor 50, the dielectric constant of the insulator 40, and other factors. In the small-diameter portion 52 of the outer conductor 50, where constant-diameter portions are continuous, the distance between the inner conductor 32 and the outer conductor 50 is constant along the central axis X. Similarly, in the large-diameter portion 56 of the outer conductor 50, where constant-diameter portions are continuous, the distance between the inner conductor 32 and the outer conductor 50 is constant along the central axis X. Therefore, in the small-diameter portion 52 and the large-diameter portion 56, the impedance can be easily adjusted by taking into account the distance between the inner conductor 32 and the outer conductor 50. On the other hand, in the gradually changing portion 54, the distance between the inner conductor 32 and the outer conductor 50 varies along the central axis X, which may make it difficult to adjust the impedance by taking into account the distance between the inner conductor 32 and the outer conductor 50.

[0079] Therefore, if the first press-fit protrusion 36a of the first press-fit portion 35a (or the second press-fit protrusion 36b of the second press-fit portion 35b) overlaps with the gradually changing portion 54 in the direction of the central axis X, the distance between the inner conductor 32 and the outer conductor 50 can be considered to be constant or substantially constant along the central axis X in the portion where the first press-fit protrusion 36a (or the second press-fit protrusion 36b) is formed. This makes it possible to easily adjust the impedance in consideration of the distance between the inner conductor 32 and the outer conductor 50, which can be considered to be constant or substantially constant.

[0080] From the above viewpoint, in order to minimize fluctuations in the distance between the inner conductor 32 and the outer conductor 50 in the gradually changing portion 54, for example, the second press-fit protrusion 36b (or the first press-fit protrusion 36a) may overlap 80% or more of the gradually changing portion 54 in the axial direction of the outer conductor 50.

[0081] In order to minimize fluctuations in the distance between the inner conductor 32 and the outer conductor 50 at the portion where the second press-fit protrusion 36b (or the first press-fit protrusion 36a) is arranged, it is preferable that the direction in which the gradually changing portion 54 and the first inclined surface 36a1 (or the second inclined surface 36b1) are inclined relative to the direction along the central axis X be the same. In this embodiment, the gradually changing portion 54 and the first inclined surface 36a1 (or the second inclined surface 36b1) arranged at the gradually changing portion 54 are inclined gradually outward from the small diameter portion 52 toward the large diameter portion 56. In order to further reduce fluctuations in the distance between the inner conductor 32 and the outer conductor 50 in the portion where the second press-fit protrusion 36b (or the first press-fit protrusion 36a) is arranged, for example, the inclination θ2 of the first inclined surface 36a1 (or the second inclined surface 36b1) relative to the central axis X may be within ±5 degrees with respect to the inclination θ1 of the gradually changing portion 54 relative to the central axis X.

[0082] The insulator 40 may have a recess or a protrusion formed thereon to prevent the outer conductor 50 from coming off or rotating. The outer conductor 50 may have a recess or a protrusion formed thereon to prevent the insulator 40 or the holding hole 17h from coming off or rotating.

[0083] <Effects, etc.> In the coaxial connector 30 configured as described above, the inner conductor 32 includes a first press-fit portion 35a located closer to the first end 34a and a second press-fit portion 35b located closer to the second end 34b, and with the first end 34a and the second end 34b protruding from the insulator, one of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b is press-fitted into the insertion hole 44, thereby holding the inner conductor 32 in the insulator 40. Therefore, regardless of whether the first press-fit portion 35a or the second press-fit portion 35b is press-fitted into the insertion hole 44, the inner conductor 32 is inserted into the insertion hole 44 and held by the insulator 40. Furthermore, the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b are positioned equidistant from the center of the inner conductor 32 in the extension direction. Therefore, the positions of the first end 34a and the second end 34b relative to the insulator 40 when the first press-fit portion 35a is press-fitted into the insertion hole 44 can be aligned with the positions of the first end 34a and the second end 34b relative to the insulator 40 when the second press-fit portion 35b is press-fitted into the insertion hole 44. In other words, regardless of whether the first press-fit portion 35a or the second press-fit portion 35b is press-fitted into the insertion hole 44, the assembled state of the inner conductor 32 relative to the insulator 40 can be made the same. This makes it possible to prevent incorrect assembly of the inner conductor 32 relative to the insulator 40.

[0084] Misassembly of the inner conductor relative to the insulator refers to a state in which the inner conductor is assembled differently from the normal design state. Unlike the present disclosure, if the inner conductor has a press-fit portion provided only on one end, misassembly can occur in which the press-fit portion does not retain the inner conductor within the insulator if the inner conductor is pressed in the wrong direction. In the connector according to the present disclosure, if a press-fit portion is provided near each end of the inner conductor 32, regardless of which end of the inner conductor is inserted toward the insulator, one of the press-fit portions can retain the inner conductor within the insulator, thereby reducing misassembly.

[0085] Furthermore, if the portion of the inner conductor 32 extending from the center in its extension direction to the first end 34a and the portion of the inner conductor 32 extending from the center in its extension direction to the second end 34b have the same shape, the assembled state of the inner conductor 32 to the insulator 40 can be made more uniform regardless of whether the first press-fit portion 35a or the second press-fit portion 35b is press-fitted into the insertion hole 44. This allows smooth connection to a mating connector inside or outside the case 12.

[0086] The first press-fit portion 35a includes a first press-fit protrusion 36a having a first inclined surface 36a1 and a first retaining surface 36a2, and the second press-fit portion 35b includes a second press-fit protrusion 36b having a second inclined surface 36b1 and a second retaining surface 36b2. Therefore, by bringing the first inclined surface 36a1 or the second inclined surface 36b1 into contact with the opening edge and inner periphery of the insertion hole 44, the first press-fit portion 35a or the second press-fit portion 35b can be easily inserted into the insertion hole. When the first press-fit portion 35a or the second press-fit portion 35b is inserted into the insertion hole 44, the first retaining surface 36a2 or the second retaining surface 36b2 catches on the inner periphery of the insertion hole 44, making it difficult for the first press-fit portion 35a or the second press-fit portion 35b to come out of the insertion hole 44. This securely holds the inner conductor 32 in the insulator 40.

[0087] Furthermore, if the first inclined surface 36a1 and the second inclined surface 36b1 have the same inclination angle, and the first retaining surface 36a2 and the second retaining surface 36b2 face each other and have the same inclination angle, it becomes easier to form the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b with the same shape. This makes it possible to more uniformly assemble the inner conductor 32 to the insulator 40 regardless of whether the first press-fit portion 35a or the second press-fit portion 35b is press-fitted into the insertion hole 44. This makes it easier to uniformly align the connection state to the mating connector inside and outside the case 12.

[0088] Furthermore, when one of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b is press-fitted into the insertion hole 44, the other of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b is positioned to overlap the gradually changing portion 54 in the direction of the central axis X. This makes it possible to keep the distance between the inner conductor 32 and the outer conductor 50 as constant as possible in the gradually changing portion 54. This makes it easy to adjust the impedance in the gradually changing portion 54.

[0089] That is, to prevent misassembly, the inner conductor 32 is provided with the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b, one of which is used to prevent the inner conductor from coming loose, and the other is used for impedance adjustment. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a new protrusion on the inner conductor just for impedance adjustment.

[0090] As a result of easily adjusting the impedance in the coaxial connector 30, impedance matching is achieved, and the communication performance via the coaxial connector 30 is improved.

[0091] For example, if the other of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b overlaps 80% or more of the gradually changing portion 54 in the direction of the central axis X, the distance between the outer conductor 50 and the inner conductor 32 can be kept as constant as possible over most of the gradually changing portion 54. This makes it easy to adjust the impedance in the gradually changing portion 54.

[0092] If the inclination θ2 of the first inclined surface 36a1 and the second inclined surface 36b1 is within ±5 degrees with respect to the inclination θ1 of the gradually changing portion 54, the distance between the outer conductor 50 and the inner conductor 32 in the gradually changing portion 54 can be kept more constant.

[0093] Furthermore, if each of the first inclined surface 36a1 and the second inclined surface 36b1 includes an arc-shaped portion centered on the central axis X, the distance between the outer conductor 50 and the inner conductor 32 can be kept more constant in the circumferential direction centered on the central axis X. This makes it easy to adjust the impedance.

[0094] Furthermore, in each of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b, the multiple first press-fit protrusions 36a or the multiple second press-fit protrusions 36b are positioned at intervals around the central axis X, making it easier to perform press-fitting compared to when protrusions for press-fitting protrude around the entire circumference of the press-fit portion.

[0095] Furthermore, in each of the first press-fit portion 35a and the second press-fit portion 35b, the multiple first press-fit protrusions 36a and the multiple second press-fit protrusions 36b are positioned at equal intervals around the central axis X, which makes it easy to impart rotational symmetry to the physical properties that affect the impedance around the inner conductor 32. This stabilizes the impedance around the inner conductor 32.

[0096] [Variations] The coaxial connector 30 may be applied to connecting an electrical component and a cable that is not intended for use with the device 10.

[0097] The configurations described in the above embodiment and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually contradictory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10 equipment 12 cases 13 Case 1 14 Case 2 15 Bottom 16 Holding cylinder part 17 Retaining partition 17h holding hole 18a Locking protrusion 20 Electrical Components 21 Circuit Board 22 Image sensor 24 Board side connector 25 Inner conductor on board side 26 Board side insulator 27 Outer conductor on board side 30 Coaxial Connector 32 Inner conductor 33a First connection end 33b Second connection end 34a 1st end 34b 2nd end 35Ba First press-fit body part 35Bb Second press-fit body part 35a First press-fit section 35b Second press-fit section 36a First press-fit protrusion 36a1 First slope 36a2 First retaining surface 36b Second press-fit protrusion 36b1 2nd slope 36b2 2nd retaining surface 39 Intermediate body 40 Insulator 44 Insertion hole 44a, 44c opening 44b Hole body 50 outer conductor 52 Small diameter section 54 Gradual change part 56 Large diameter section 90 Relay connector 91 Movable side inner conductor 92 Movable side insulator 93 Movable outer conductor X center axis θ1, θ2 tilt

Claims

1. A coaxial connector comprising an inner conductor, an insulator surrounding the inner conductor, and a cylindrical outer conductor surrounding the insulator, the inner conductor is rod-shaped and includes a first end and a second end; the inner conductor includes a first press-fit portion located closer to the first end and a second press-fit portion located closer to the second end in an extending direction of the inner conductor, the first press-fit portion and the second press-fit portion are positioned equidistant from the center of the inner conductor in the extending direction, the insulator has an insertion hole into which the inner conductor is inserted, one of the first press-fit portion and the second press-fit portion is press-fitted into the insertion hole with the first end and the second end protruding from the insulator, and the inner conductor is held by the insulator; the first press-fit portion includes a first press-fit protrusion having a first inclined surface gradually inclined outward from the first end side of the inner conductor toward the center in the extending direction of the inner conductor, and a first retaining surface inclined from an edge of the first inclined surface on the center side in the extending direction of the inner conductor toward the center of the inner conductor, the second press-fit portion includes a second press-fit protrusion having a second inclined surface gradually extending from the second end side of the inner conductor toward the center in the extending direction of the inner conductor toward the outer periphery, and a second retaining surface extending from an edge of the second inclined surface toward the center in the extending direction of the inner conductor toward the center of the inner conductor, the outer conductor includes a small diameter portion, a large diameter portion larger than the small diameter portion, and a gradually changing portion whose diameter gradually increases between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion, a coaxial connector in which, when one of the first press-fit protrusion and the second press-fit protrusion is press-fitted into the insertion hole, the other of the first press-fit protrusion and the second press-fit protrusion is positioned so as to overlap the gradually changing portion in the axial direction of the outer conductor.

2. 2. The coaxial connector according to claim 1, A coaxial connector, wherein a portion of the inner conductor extending from the center in its extending direction to the first end and a portion of the inner conductor extending from the center in its extending direction to the second end have the same shape.

3. A coaxial connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface have the same inclination angle with respect to the central axis of the inner conductor; a coaxial connector, wherein the first retaining surface and the second retaining surface face each other, and the inclination angles of the first retaining surface and the second retaining surface relative to the central axis of the inner conductor are the same;

4. A coaxial connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, a coaxial connector in which, when one of the first press-fit protrusion and the second press-fit protrusion is press-fitted into the insertion hole, the other of the first press-fit protrusion and the second press-fit protrusion overlaps with 80% or more of the gradually changing portion in the axial direction of the outer conductor.

5. A coaxial connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, A coaxial connector, wherein the inclination of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface relative to the central axis of the inner conductor is within ±5 degrees of the inclination of the gradually changing portion relative to the central axis of the outer conductor.

6. A coaxial connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, A coaxial connector, wherein each of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface includes an arc-shaped portion centered on a central axis of the outer conductor.

7. A coaxial connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, the first press-fit portion includes a plurality of the first press-fit protrusions, the second press-fit portion includes a plurality of the second press-fit protrusions, In the first press-fit portion, the plurality of first press-fit protrusions are positioned at intervals around the central axis of the inner conductor, In the second press-fit portion, the plurality of second press-fit protrusions are positioned at intervals around the central axis of the inner conductor.

8. The coaxial connector according to claim 7, In the first press-fit portion, the plurality of first press-fit protrusions are positioned at equal intervals around the central axis of the inner conductor, In the second press-fit portion, the plurality of second press-fit protrusions are positioned at equal intervals around the central axis of the inner conductor.

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