Floating coaxial socket and socket assembly using the same

Abstract

It securely accepts the insertion of the other terminal and establishes a stable electrical connection. [Solution] The floating coaxial socket 100 includes an insulating housing which includes a swing housing 10 into which a mating contact 201 is inserted, and a fixed housing 30 which receives the swing housing 10 from below, a contact 50 provided inside the insulating housing, and a ground contact 70 fixed to the fixed housing 30. The swing housing 10 has a lower end surface portion 19 perpendicular to the central axis of the insertion hole 13 and an inclined swing inclined portion 18. The fixed housing 30 has a receiving surface portion 34 and a peripheral wall portion 32 formed around the receiving surface portion 34. The height A from the receiving surface portion 34 to the upper surface 32a is less than or equal to the height B from the receiving surface portion 34 to the upper end portion 18a. The lower end surface portion 19 and the swing inclined portion 18 are arranged inside the peripheral wall portion 32, and the receiving surface portion 34 swingably receives the lower end surface portion 19.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a floating coaxial socket that is used for connection to electronic devices and the like and can be stably electrically connected, and a socket assembly using the same.

Background Art

[0002] Floating coaxial sockets are used in a wide range of fields that require high connection reliability, such as in-vehicle devices, industrial devices, information and communication devices, medical devices, etc., due to their high misalignment absorption ability and fitting performance.

[0003] As such a floating coaxial socket used for connection to various electronic devices and the like, in a connector where the upper insulator can rotate and swing with respect to the lower insulator, the upper insulator has an inner spherical surface 202a, the lower insulator has an outer spherical surface 222a, and a structure that can rotate around the center of the sphere is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] With such a configuration, even if the mating terminal 30' of the mating plug is inserted with a slight misalignment from the center of the guide inlet, the lower insulator can rotate to receive the mating terminal 30' and bring it into contact with the center terminal in the floating coaxial socket disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the inner surface 202a and outer surface 222a of the sphere are curved surfaces, forming a receiving structure between curved surfaces, which raises concerns that the orientation of the upper insulator may be difficult to determine in the initial state before the mating terminal 30' is inserted. If the orientation of the upper insulator is not determined and it is tilted, the mating terminal 30' may come out of the guide opening, and the floating coaxial socket may not be able to perform its intended displacement absorption capability.

[0007] The present invention was made to solve these problems and aims to provide a floating coaxial socket and a socket assembly using the same that can reliably accept the insertion of the mating terminal and provide a stable electrical connection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the floating coaxial socket according to the present invention comprises an insulator housing including an upper insulator formed in a cylindrical shape and having an insertion hole into which a mating terminal is inserted, and a lower insulator formed in a cylindrical shape that receives the upper insulator from below, an internal conductor provided inside the insulator housing that can contact the mating terminal within the insertion hole, and an external conductor fixed to the lower insulator around the insulator housing, wherein the upper insulator has a lower end surface portion perpendicular to the central axis of the insertion hole and an inclined oscillating inclined portion, the lower insulator has a receiving surface portion parallel to the lower end surface portion and a peripheral wall portion having an inclined surface formed around the receiving surface portion, in the direction in which the mating terminal is inserted, the height from the receiving surface portion to the upper surface of the peripheral wall portion is less than or equal to the height from the receiving surface portion to the upper end of the oscillating inclined portion, the lower end surface portion and the oscillating inclined portion are arranged inside the peripheral wall portion, and the receiving surface portion is configured to pivotably receive the lower end surface portion.

[0009] With this configuration, the floating coaxial socket according to the present invention has a receiving surface of the lower insulator that is parallel to the lower end surface of the lower end of the upper insulator, so that it can receive the lower end surface. As a result, the orientation of the socket is fixed without tilting before the mating terminal is inserted, and the position of the insertion hole does not shift due to the tilt of the upper insulator. Therefore, it can reliably accept the insertion of the mating terminal and make a stable electrical connection.

[0010] Furthermore, since the oscillating inclined portion of the upper insulator is located inside the peripheral wall of the lower insulator, when a misalignment occurs and the mating terminal is inserted, the upper insulator tends to tilt, and because there is no sudden change in the conductive path, the electrical characteristics of the floating coaxial socket remain stable.

[0011] Furthermore, because the upper and lower insulators are formed in a cylindrical shape, they can swing freely in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the central axis without limiting the direction of movement, thus enabling a stable electrical connection without restricting the direction of swing of the upper insulator to a specific direction.

[0012] Furthermore, since the height from the receiving surface to the upper surface of the peripheral wall is less than or equal to the height from the receiving surface to the upper end of the oscillating inclined section, when the upper insulator oscillates, the outer circumference of the inclined upper insulator does not come into contact with the peripheral wall, thus preventing obstruction of the inclination and enabling the necessary oscillation. If the height from the receiving surface to the upper surface of the peripheral wall were higher than the height from the receiving surface to the upper end of the oscillating inclined section, the upper insulator would interfere with the peripheral wall when it oscillates, hindering the oscillation of the upper insulator.

[0013] In the floating coaxial socket with the above configuration, the inclined surface and the oscillating inclined portion may be positioned so that at least a portion of them overlap when viewed from above, and the angle between the receiving surface and the inclined surface may be smaller than the angle between the lower end surface and the oscillating inclined portion.

[0014] This configuration allows the floating coaxial socket according to the present invention to be positioned so that the upper insulator is in contact with the lower insulator, making it difficult for an air layer to be interposed between the upper and lower insulators and stabilizing the electrical characteristics. If the angle between the receiving surface and the inclined surface is greater than the angle between the lower end surface and the oscillating inclined surface, the oscillating inclined surface and the inclined surface will interfere, raising concerns that an air layer will be interposed between the upper and lower insulators in the pre-mating state, hindering the stability of the electrical characteristics, and that the upper insulator cannot be positioned in a stable position relative to the lower insulator, making it difficult to insert the mating terminal.

[0015] In the floating coaxial socket with the configuration described above, the insertion hole may be configured to have an insertion inclined portion that can be contacted by the mating terminal when inserted.

[0016] With this configuration, when misalignment occurs and the floating coaxial socket according to the present invention is mated with the mating connector, the mating terminals push against the insertion inclined portion, causing the upper insulator to swing and tilt easily. Because there is no abrupt change in the conductive path, the electrical characteristics of the floating coaxial socket are stabilized.

[0017] In the floating coaxial socket with the above configuration, the upper insulator may have a large-diameter portion in which the insertion hole is formed and a small-diameter portion with an outer diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion, and the pressed portion may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion.

[0018] With this configuration, when misalignment occurs during mating with the mating connector, the floating coaxial socket according to the present invention has a small gap between the large-diameter portion and the elastic piece portion. Therefore, even with small displacement of the elastic piece portion, it can easily press the pressed portion formed on the large-diameter portion. Consequently, the upper insulator is less likely to swing and tilt, and there are no sudden changes in the conductive path, resulting in stable electrical characteristics of the floating coaxial socket.

[0019] In the floating coaxial socket having the above-described configuration, the upper insulator may be configured to have a locked portion that communicates with the outside on the side surface, and the inner conductor may be configured to have a locking portion that can lock the locked portion.

[0020] With this configuration, in the floating coaxial socket according to the present invention, since the locking portion of the inner conductor locks the locked portion of the upper insulator, it is possible to prevent the upper insulator from coming off from the inner conductor.

[0021] In the floating coaxial socket having the above-described configuration, the small-diameter portion may be configured to have a notch surface that cuts out a part of the side surface opposite to the side surface where the locked portion is formed.

[0022] With this configuration, in the floating coaxial socket according to the present invention, it becomes easy to swing in the direction in which the upper insulator has the notch surface.

[0023] In the floating coaxial socket having the above-described configuration, the inner conductor may have a central portion, a contact piece, and an extension piece that constitute a conduction path, and a locking piece that does not constitute a conduction path, and the locking portion may be configured to be provided on the locking piece.

[0024] With this configuration, in the floating coaxial socket according to the present invention, since the locking portion is provided on the locking piece that does not constitute the conduction path, even if the floating coaxial socket swings and tilts, it does not affect the conduction performance, and a stable electrical connection can be made.

[0025] The socket assembly according to the present invention has a configuration including the floating coaxial socket having the above-described configuration and a mating connector having the mating terminal.

[0026] With this configuration, the socket assembly according to the present invention can reliably receive the insertion of the mating terminal by the floating coaxial socket, and the floating coaxial socket and the mating connector can make a stable electrical connection.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a floating coaxial socket that can surely receive the insertion of a mating terminal and make a stable electrical connection, and a socket assembly using the same.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a top view of a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A section in FIG. 3 of a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the B-B section in FIG. 3 of a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the B-B section in FIG. 3 of a modified example of a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a partially enlarged view showing the swing housing and the fixed housing of a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7(a) is a partially enlarged view of the surrounded portion in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7(b) is a partially enlarged view of the surrounded portion in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] It is a view showing the swing housing of a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view seen from the negative side of the X-axis, FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 8(c) is a perspective view seen from the positive side of the X-axis. [Figure 9] It is a view showing a modified example of the swing housing of a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9(a) is a perspective view seen from the negative side of the X-axis, FIG. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 9(c) is a perspective view seen from the positive side of the X-axis. [Figure 10]Figure 10(a) is a perspective view and Figure 10(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the fixed housing of a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows the contacts of a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11(a) is a perspective view seen from the X direction, and Figure 11(b) is a perspective view seen from the opposite side. [Figure 12] This figure shows the ground shell of a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12(a) is a perspective view seen from above, and Figure 12(b) is a perspective view seen from below. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a mating connector is fitted into a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the process of mating a mating connector into a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention has been completed. [Figure 15] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state before a mating connector is fitted into a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which a mating connector is being mated to a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which a mating connector is being fitted into a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the process of mating a mating connector into a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention has been completed. [Figure 19] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state before a mating connector is fitted into a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which a mating connector is being mated to a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which a mating connector is being fitted into a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the process of mating a mating connector into a floating coaxial socket according to an embodiment of the present invention has been completed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] The floating coaxial socket 100 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 22. First, the configuration of the connector 100 will be described.

[0030] (Floating coaxial socket) Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the floating coaxial socket 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the floating coaxial socket 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a top view of the floating coaxial socket 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the floating coaxial socket 100 according to this embodiment at cross-section AA in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view at cross-section BB, and Figure 6 is a modified example thereof. In Figure 1, the XY plane direction is called the horizontal direction, and the Z axis direction is called the central axis direction, and the same applies in Figure 2 and subsequent figures. The positive side of the Z axis direction is sometimes called upward, and the negative side is sometimes called downward.

[0031] The floating coaxial socket 100 comprises a swing housing 10, a fixed housing 30, a contact 50, and a ground contact 70. The floating coaxial socket 100 mates with a plug connector 200, which is the mating connector shown in Figure 13, and electrically connects the plug connector 200 to, for example, electrodes on a substrate 400 (not shown) via the contact 50 and ground contact 70, which will be described later. As will be described later, the swing housing 10 of the floating coaxial socket 100 swings and tilts, which has the function of absorbing misalignment when mating with the mating connector.

[0032] In this embodiment, a ground contact 70 is provided as a preferred configuration, but a configuration without a ground contact 70 is also possible. Even without a ground contact 70, the contact 50 can still provide conductivity for the floating coaxial socket 100, and the oscillating housing 10 can still be oscillated by pressure from the mating contact 201.

[0033] (Oscillating housing) Figure 8 shows the oscillating housing 10 of the floating coaxial socket 100 according to this embodiment, where Figure 8(a) is a perspective view from the negative X-axis side, Figure 8(b) is a cross-sectional view, Figure 8(c) is a perspective view from the positive X-axis side, and Figure 9 is a modified example thereof. As shown in Figure 8(a), the oscillating housing 10 has a large diameter portion 11, an inclined medium diameter portion 15, a small diameter portion 16, an oscillating inclined portion 18, and a lower end surface portion 19. The oscillating housing 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but it does not have to be strictly cylindrical, but may be close to a cylindrical shape. The oscillating housing 10 oscillates and tilts when pressed by the mating contact 201 and the tip pressing portions 71a-76a described later, playing a major role in the floating coaxial socket 100 performing its misalignment absorption function. The angle of tilt when the oscillating housing 10 oscillates is not particularly limited, but for example it is 15 degrees or less. The oscillating housing 10 is constructed primarily from a thermoplastic resin, such as polybutylene terephthalate, liquid crystal polymer, polyphenylene sulfide, or polyamide. The oscillating housing 10 constitutes the upper insulator according to the present invention. Furthermore, a combination of the oscillating housing 10 and the fixed housing 30 constitutes the insulating housing according to the present invention.

[0034] The large-diameter portion 11 is formed on the upper part of the rocking housing 10 and has a larger outer diameter than the lower inclined medium-diameter portion 15 and small-diameter portion 16. The outer circumferential surface 11a of the large-diameter portion 11 can be pressed by the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 of the ground contact 70, which will be described later. The outer circumferential surface 11a of the large-diameter portion constitutes the pressed portion according to the present invention. An insertion hole 13 is formed in the large-diameter portion 11 into which the mating contact 201 is inserted. An insertion inclined portion 14 is formed in the insertion hole 13. The insertion inclined portion 14 is an inclined surface that can be contacted when the mating contact 201 is inserted into the insertion hole 13 in the direction of the central axis. More specifically, when the insertion position of the mating contact 201 is approximately aligned with the central axis of the insertion hole 13, the mating contact 201 is inserted into the insertion hole 13 without contacting the insertion inclined portion 14. Conversely, when the insertion position of the mating contact 201 is offset from the central axis of the insertion hole 13, the mating contact 201 comes into contact with the insertion inclined portion 14.

[0035] The inclined middle diameter section 15 is located between the large diameter section 11 and the small diameter section 16, and has an outer surface that is inclined so that the outer diameter decreases from the large diameter section 11, which has a larger outer diameter, to the small diameter section 16, which has a smaller outer diameter.

[0036] The small-diameter portion 16 is located below the inclined medium-diameter portion 15 and has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 11. A lateral locking portion 17 is formed on the side surface of the small-diameter portion 16. The lateral locking portion 17 is formed by a hole that connects the outside of the floating coaxial socket 100 with the internal insertion hole 13. The lateral locking portion 17 is locked by the cut-out portion 55a of the contact 50, which will be described later. This prevents the oscillating housing 10 from coming off the contact 50. The lateral locking portion 17 constitutes the locking portion according to the present invention.

[0037] The oscillating inclined portion 18 is located below the small-diameter portion 16, and its outer surface is composed of an inclined surface whose outer diameter decreases as it goes downwards. The oscillating inclined portion 18 is positioned inside the peripheral wall portion 32 of the fixed housing 30, which will be described later. The inclination angle of the oscillating inclined portion 18 is not particularly limited, but by setting it to 45 degrees or more, for example, it is possible to prevent the oscillating housing 10 from riding up onto the fixed housing 30 when it tilts.

[0038] The lower end surface portion 19 is the lower end surface of the swing housing 10 formed below the swing inclined portion 18, and is composed of a surface perpendicular to the central axis of the insertion hole 13. The lower end surface portion 19 is positioned inside the peripheral wall portion 32 of the fixed housing 30 and is swingably received by the receiving surface portion 34, which will be described later. In the state before the floating coaxial socket 100 is mated with the mating connector 200, the lower end surface portion 19 and the receiving surface portion 34 are parallel surfaces, so the swing housing 10 does not swing, its position is stably fixed, and the position of the insertion hole 13 does not shift.

[0039] Figure 7(a) is a magnified view of the enclosed area in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 7(a), the height A from the receiving surface 34 to the upper surface 32a of the peripheral wall 32 in the Z-axis direction is less than or equal to the height B from the receiving surface 34 to the upper end 18a of the oscillating inclined portion 18. By setting this positional relationship as a constraint, when the oscillating housing 10 oscillates, the outer circumference of the inclined oscillating housing 10 does not come into contact with the peripheral wall 32 and obstruct the inclination, thereby enabling the necessary oscillation. If the height from the receiving surface 34 to the upper surface 32a of the peripheral wall 32 were higher than the height from the receiving surface 34 to the upper end 18a of the oscillating inclined portion 18, the oscillating housing 10 would interfere with the peripheral wall 32 when it oscillates, hindering the oscillating housing 10.

[0040] As mentioned above, the oscillating housing 10 is basically cylindrical in shape, but as shown in Figure 9(c), it may also be notched by cutting a part of the side surface of the small-diameter portion 16. The area to be cut is, for example, the side surface of the small-diameter portion 16 corresponding to a sector shape with a central angle of about 20 to 90 degrees. The cut surface of the side surface of the small-diameter portion 16 is the notched surface 16a. The notched surface 16a is formed on the side surface opposite to the lateral locking portion 17, but it may be formed at other locations. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the BB section in Figure 3 when the notched surface 16a is formed on the small-diameter portion 16, and Figure 7(b) is a partial enlarged view of the enclosed area in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 7(b), when a notched surface 16a is formed in the small diameter portion 16, the height A from the receiving surface portion 34 to the upper surface 32a of the peripheral wall portion 32 in the Z-axis direction is equal to, or approximately equal to, the height B' from the receiving surface portion 34 to the upper end portion 18b of the oscillating inclined portion 18.

[0041] In Figure 7(a), range E represents the horizontal range of the inclined surface 33, and range F represents the horizontal range of the oscillating inclined portion 18. Thus, the inclined surface 33 and the oscillating inclined portion 18 are positioned so that a portion of them overlaps horizontally, that is, they overlap when viewed from above. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(a), the angle C between the receiving surface 34 and the inclined surface 33 is smaller than the angle D between the lower end surface 19 and the oscillating inclined portion 18. This configuration allows the oscillating housing 10 to be in contact with the fixed housing 30, making it difficult for an air layer to be interposed between the oscillating housing 10 and the fixed housing 30, and also stabilizing the electrical characteristics. If the angle C between the receiving surface 34 and the inclined surface 33 is greater than the angle D between the lower end surface 19 and the oscillating inclined surface 18, the oscillating inclined surface 18 and the inclined surface will interfere with each other, and there is a concern that an air layer will be interposed between the oscillating housing 10 and the fixed housing 30 in the state before fitting, which may hinder the stability of the electrical characteristics, or that the oscillating housing 10 may not be able to be positioned in a stable position relative to the fixed housing 30, making it difficult to insert the mating contact 201.

[0042] (Fixed housing) Figure 10 shows the fixed housing 30 of the floating coaxial socket 100 according to this embodiment, where Figure 10(a) is a perspective view and Figure 10(b) is a cross-sectional view. As shown in Figure 10, the fixed housing 30 has a cylindrical portion 31, a peripheral wall portion 32, a receiving surface portion 34, and bases 35, 36, 37, and 38. The fixed housing 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but it does not have to be strictly cylindrical, but may be close to a cylindrical shape. The fixed housing 30 is fixed to an external substrate or the like and receives the lower end surface portion 19 of the oscillating housing 10 from below. The fixed housing 30 is mainly made of a thermoplastic resin, such as polybutylene terephthalate, liquid crystal polymer, polyphenylene sulfide, polyamide, etc. The fixed housing 30 constitutes the lower insulator according to the present invention.

[0043] The cylindrical portion 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has an insertion hole 13 and a communication hole 39 that communicates in the direction of the central axis on its inside. The peripheral wall portion 32 is on the upper side of the cylindrical portion 31 and is a wall formed around the receiving surface portion 34, which will be described later, and has an inclined surface 33 that slopes toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 31. The receiving surface portion 34 is a surface formed parallel to the lower end surface portion 19. The receiving surface portion 34 receives the lower end surface portion 19 from below. Here, when the receiving surface portion 34 receives the lower end surface portion 19 from below, it includes not only the state in which the receiving surface portion 34 is in contact with the lower end surface portion 19, but also the state in which the receiving surface portion 34 is facing the lower end surface portion 19 parallel to it, with a gap between them. The position and size of the receiving surface portion 34 are not limited to any particular one as long as it is possible to receive the lower end surface portion 19. In the receiving surface portion 34 shown in Figure 10, the size of the surface portion differs depending on the position, but they may all be the same size. By forming the receiving surface 34 parallel to the lower end surface 19 and receiving the lower end surface 19, the oscillating housing 10 maintains a stable position without tilting before the mating contact 201 is inserted into the insertion hole 13. As a result, the position of the insertion hole 13 does not shift due to the tilting of the oscillating housing 10.

[0044] Bases 35, 36, 37, and 38 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lower part of the cylindrical portion 31. In this embodiment, four bases are provided, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The body portion 77 of the ground contact 70, which will be described later, can be placed on the upper surfaces of bases 35, 36, 37, and 38. In addition, the feet 81, 82, 83, and 84 of the ground contact 70, which will be described later, are placed between each base. Specifically, foot 83 is placed between base 35 and base 36, foot 82 between base 36 and base 37, foot 81 between base 37 and base 38, and foot 84 between base 38 and base 35. Of the four bases, base 35 has a base communication hole 35a that opens laterally at its lower part. As shown in Figure 1, the extended piece 54 of the contact 50, which will be described later, can protrude from the base communication hole 35a.

[0045] (contact) Figure 11 shows the contact 50 of the floating coaxial socket 100 according to this embodiment, where Figure 11(a) is a perspective view from the X direction and Figure 11(b) is a perspective view from the opposite side. The contact 50 has a central portion 51, contact pieces 52, 53, an extended piece 54, and a locking piece 55. The contact 50 is provided inside an insulating housing composed of a rocking housing 10 and a fixed housing 30. When mated, the contact 50 contacts the mating contact 201 from above and contacts the electrodes of the substrate 400 from below, thereby electrically connecting and enabling conductivity between the mating connector 200 and the substrate 400. The contact 50 is made mainly of a copper alloy, for example, and its surface is plated with nickel, gold, etc. The contact 50 is press-fitted and fixed to the fixed housing 30. The contact 50 constitutes the internal conductor according to the present invention.

[0046] The central portion 51 is a plate-shaped member, connected to contact pieces 52 and 53 on both sides, connected to a locking piece 55 at the top, and connected to an extension piece 54 at the bottom. The locking piece 55 is connected to the central portion 51 and has an elastic cut-out portion 55a formed on its opening surface. The cut-out portion 55a is the part that engages with and locks to the lateral locking portion 17 of the oscillating housing 10. The conductive path in the contact 50 is carried out by the central portion 51 and the contact pieces 52, 53 and extension piece 54, which will be described later, and the locking piece 55 is configured so that almost no current flows through it. More specifically, the conductive path goes from the curved contact portion 52a (or curved contact portion 53a) of the contact piece 52, through the main body portion of the contact piece 52 (or contact piece 53), the central portion 51, the main body portion of the extension piece 54, the curved portion 54a, and the tip contact portion 54b.

[0047] The reason for providing the bent portion 55a on the locking piece 55 is that if the bent portion 55a were provided in a part that constitutes a conductive path, there was concern that it would adversely affect the conductivity when the floating coaxial socket 100 tilted. By providing the bent portion 55a on the locking piece 55 that does not constitute a conductive path, a stable electrical connection can be made between the floating coaxial socket 100 and the mating connector 200.

[0048] The contact pieces 52 and 53 are connected to both sides of the central portion 51 at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the central portion 51. The contact pieces 52 and 53 face each other. The contact piece 52 has a curved contact portion 52a, and the contact piece 53 has a curved contact portion 53a. The curved contact portion 52a is the curved tip of the contact piece 52, which contacts and conducts electricity with the mating contact 201 inserted through the insertion hole 13. Similarly, the curved contact portion 53a is the curved tip of the contact piece 53, which contacts and conducts electricity with the mating contact 201 inserted through the insertion hole 13.

[0049] The stretched piece 54 is a portion connected to the lower part of the central portion 51. The stretched piece 54 has a curved portion 54a and a tip contact portion 54b. The curved portion 54a is the portion of the stretched piece 54 that is curved in the middle. The tip contact portion 54b constitutes the tip portion of the stretched piece 54 and extends from the base communication hole 35a to the outside of the floating coaxial socket 100 as shown in Figure 1, and contacts electrodes on the external substrate 400.

[0050] (Ground Contact) Figure 12 shows the ground shell 70 of the floating coaxial socket 100 according to this embodiment, where Figure 12(a) is a perspective view from above and Figure 12(b) is a perspective view from below. The ground contact 70 has elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, a body 77, and feet 81, 82, 83, 84. When mated, the ground contact 70 contacts the mating shell 202 from above and contacts electrodes on the substrate 400 from below, thereby electrically connecting and enabling conductivity between the mating connector 200 and the substrate 400. The ground contact 70 is made primarily of SUS, for example, and its surface is plated with nickel, gold, etc. The ground contact 70 is arranged around an insulator housing composed of a rocking housing 10 and a fixed housing 30, and is press-fitted and fixed to the fixed housing 30. The ground contact 70 constitutes the outer conductor according to the present invention.

[0051] The elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 are elastic members provided above the body portion 77 of the ground contact 70. In this embodiment, six elastic pieces are provided, but the number is not necessarily limited to this. The elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 each have tip pressing portions 71a, 72a, 73a, 74a, 75a, and 76a. The tip pressing portions 71a, 72a, 73a, 74a, 75a, and 76a are arranged at a distance from the outer circumferential surface 11a of the large diameter portion 11.

[0052] When misalignment occurs during mating with the mating connector 200, one or more of the tip pressing portions of the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 press against the outer circumferential surface 11a of the large-diameter portion. This causes the oscillating housing 10 to oscillate and tilt easily, and because there is no abrupt change in the conductive path, the electrical characteristics of the floating coaxial socket 100 are stabilized.

[0053] The body portion 77 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is positioned along the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 31 of the fixed housing 30. The lower end surface 77a of the body portion 77 is the surface that contacts the upper surface of the bases 35, 36, 37, and 38 when the body portion 77 is placed on the bases 35, 36, 37, and 38.

[0054] The foot portions 81, 82, 83, and 84 are connected to the lower end surface 77a of the torso portion 77 and are parts that make contact with electrodes on the external substrate 400, thereby enabling the ground contact 70 to conduct electricity. In this embodiment, four foot portions are provided, but the embodiment is not necessarily limited to this. Foot portion 81 is positioned between the base 37 and base 38, foot portion 82 is positioned between the base 36 and base 37, foot portion 83 is positioned between the base 35 and base 36, and foot portion 84 is positioned between the base 35 and base 38.

[0055] (Other connector) The mating connector 200 is a plug connector that mates with the floating coaxial socket 100, and may be of any known shape and size as long as it is matable with the floating coaxial socket 100. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing a socket assembly 300 in which the mating connector 200 is mated with the floating coaxial socket 100. The mating connector 200 has a mating contact 201 and a mating shell 202. The mating contact 201 is a metal component such as a copper alloy, and when mated, it contacts the contact pieces 52 and 53 of the contact 50 and makes electrical contact. In addition, if there is a misalignment between the central axis of the insertion hole 13 and the mating contact 201 when mated, the mating contact 201 pushes the insertion inclined portion 14, causing the oscillating housing 10 to oscillate and tilt easily. As a result there is no abrupt change in the electrical path, the electrical characteristics of the floating coaxial socket 100 are stabilized. The mating contact 201 constitutes the mating terminal according to the present invention.

[0056] The mating shell 202 is a metal component such as a copper alloy, and its surface is gold-plated. The mating shell 202 has an outwardly curved shell contact portion 202a. When mated, the shell contact portion 202a contacts the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 of the ground contact 70, and conducts electricity. In addition, if there is a misalignment between the shell contact portion 202a and the central axis of the insertion hole 13 when mated, the shell contact portion 202a pushes one or more of the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 inward, and one or more of the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 press against the outer circumferential surface 11a of the large diameter portion. As a result, the oscillating housing 10 becomes more prone to oscillating and tilting, and because there is no abrupt change in the conductive path, the electrical characteristics of the floating coaxial socket 100 are stabilized.

[0057] (Matching process) The mating process for connecting the floating coaxial socket 100 and the mating connector 200 will be explained using Figures 14 to 22.

[0058] The mating process between the floating coaxial socket 100 and the mating connector 200 can be broadly divided into two patterns: one where there is a misalignment between the mating contact 201 and the central axis of the insertion hole 13, and one where there is no misalignment. Furthermore, when there is a misalignment, there are two patterns: one where the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 tilt the oscillating housing 10 to absorb the misalignment, and another where the mating contact 201 tilts the oscillating housing 10 to absorb the misalignment. These three patterns will be explained in order.

[0059] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the completed state of mating the mating connector 200 into the floating coaxial socket 100, as pattern 1 of the mating process, where there is no misalignment between the mating contact 201 and the central axis of the insertion hole 13. In this pattern 1, since there is no misalignment between the mating contact 201 and the central axis of the insertion hole 13, the mating contact 201 is inserted down into the insertion hole 13 without contacting the insertion inclined portion 14. Furthermore, the displacement of the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 when they come into contact with the mating shell 202 is smaller compared to the case where there is misalignment, so the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 do not press against and tilt the oscillating housing 10.

[0060] Figures 15-18 are cross-sectional views showing the mating process in which a mating connector 200 is fitted into a floating coaxial socket 100, as pattern 2 of the mating process, in which there is a misalignment between the central axis of the mating contact 201 and the insertion hole 13, and the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 tilt the oscillating housing 10 to absorb the misalignment.

[0061] First, Figure 15 shows the state before the mating connector 200 is mated to the floating coaxial socket 100. Next, as shown in Figure 16, when the mating connector 200 is lowered, the shell contact portion 202a of the mating shell 202 presses against the tip pressing portion 75a, and further, the tip pressing portion 75a presses against the outer peripheral surface 11a of the large diameter portion, causing the oscillating housing 10 to begin to tilt.

[0062] Next, as shown in Figure 17, when the mating connector 200 is lowered further, the mating contact 201 is inserted into the insertion hole 13 without contacting the insertion inclined portion 14. Then, as shown in Figure 18, when the mating connector 200 is lowered further, the mating contact 201 comes into contact with the contact pieces 52 and 53.

[0063] Through the above mating process, even if there is a misalignment between the mating contact 201 and the central axis of the insertion hole 13 in the initial state, the misalignment is absorbed, and electrical connection is established between the mating contact 201 and the contact 50.

[0064] Figures 19-22 are cross-sectional views showing the mating process for a mating connector 200 into a floating coaxial socket 100, as pattern 3 of the mating process, in which there is a misalignment between the mating contact 201 and the central axis of the insertion hole 13, and the mating contact 201 absorbs the misalignment by tilting the oscillating housing 10.

[0065] First, Figure 19 shows the state before the mating connector 200 is mated to the floating coaxial socket 100. Next, as shown in Figure 20, when the mating connector 200 is lowered downwards, the shell contact portion 202a of the mating shell 202 presses against the tip pressing portion 72a. However, unlike in pattern 2, the tip pressing portion 72a does not displace significantly enough to press against the outer circumferential surface 11a of the large diameter portion, so the oscillating housing 10 does not tilt at this stage.

[0066] Next, as shown in Figure 21, when the mating connector 200 is lowered further, the mating contact 201 comes into contact with the insertion inclined portion 14, and is inserted into the insertion hole 13 while tilting the oscillating housing 10. Next, as shown in Figure 22, when the mating connector 200 is lowered further, the mating contact 201 comes into contact with the contact pieces 52 and 53.

[0067] Through the above mating process, even if there is a misalignment between the mating contact 201 and the central axis of the insertion hole 13 in the initial state, the misalignment is absorbed, and electrical connection is established between the mating contact 201 and the contact 50.

[0068] As described above, the floating coaxial socket 100 according to this embodiment includes an insulator housing that includes a cylindrical oscillating housing 10 having an insertion hole 13 into which a mating contact 201 is inserted, and a cylindrical fixed housing 30 that receives the oscillating housing 10 from below, a contact 50 provided inside the insulator housing that can contact the mating contact 201 within the insertion hole 13, and a ground contact 70 fixed to the fixed housing 30 around the insulator housing, and the oscillating housing 10 is the insertion hole 13 The fixed housing 30 has a lower end surface portion 19 perpendicular to the central axis and an inclined oscillating inclined portion 18. The fixed housing 30 has a receiving surface portion 34 parallel to the lower end surface portion 19 and a peripheral wall portion 32 having an inclined surface 33 formed around the receiving surface portion 34. In the Z-axis direction into which the mating contact 201 is inserted, the height A from the receiving surface portion 34 to the upper surface 32a of the peripheral wall portion 32 is less than or equal to the height B from the receiving surface portion 34 to the upper end portion 18a of the oscillating inclined portion 18. The lower end surface portion 19 and the oscillating inclined portion 18 are positioned inside the peripheral wall portion 32, and the receiving surface portion 34 is configured to pivotably receive the lower end surface portion 19.

[0069] Furthermore, the inclined surface 33 and the oscillating inclined portion 18 are positioned in ranges E and F, respectively, where at least a portion of them overlap horizontally, and the angle C between the receiving surface portion 34 and the inclined surface 33 is smaller than the angle D between the lower end surface portion 19 and the oscillating inclined portion 18. The insertion hole 13 also has an insertion inclined portion 14 that can be contacted by the mating contact 201 during insertion. The ground contact 70 has a plurality of elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76, and the tip pressing portions 71a, 72a, 73a, 74a, 75a, and 76a of the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76a are positioned at a distance from the outer peripheral surface 11a of the large diameter portion 11 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 11 of the oscillating housing 10. Furthermore, the rocking housing 10 has a large-diameter portion 11 in which an insertion hole 13 is formed, and a small-diameter portion 16 with a smaller outer diameter than the large-diameter portion 11, with the outer surface 11a of the large-diameter portion formed on the outer surface of the large-diameter portion 11. The small-diameter portion 16 may also have a notched surface 16a formed by cutting out a part of the side surface opposite to the side surface in which the lateral locking portion 17 is formed. Furthermore, the rocking housing 10 has a lateral locking portion 17 on its side surface that communicates with the outside, and the contact 50 has a cut-out portion 55a provided on a locking piece 55 that does not constitute a conductive path and is capable of locking the lateral locking portion 17.

[0070] With this configuration, the floating coaxial socket 100 according to this embodiment has a receiving surface 34 of the fixed housing 30 that is parallel to the lower end surface 19 of the lower end of the swinging housing 10, so that it maintains a stable position without tilting before the mating contact 201 is inserted, and the position of the insertion hole 13 does not shift due to the tilt of the swinging housing 10. Therefore, it is possible to reliably accept the insertion of the mating contact 201 and to make a stable electrical connection.

[0071] Furthermore, since the oscillating inclined portion 18 of the oscillating housing 10 is located inside the peripheral wall portion 32 of the fixed housing 30, when the mating contact 201 is inserted in the event of misalignment, the oscillating housing 10 tends to tilt, and because there is no sudden change in the conductive path, the electrical characteristics of the floating coaxial socket 100 remain stable.

[0072] Furthermore, since the upper and lower insulators are formed in a cylindrical shape, they can swing 360 degrees in any direction without being limited to a specific direction in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the central axis, and a stable electrical connection can be made without limiting the direction of swing of the upper insulator to a specific direction. The height A from the receiving surface 34 to the upper surface 32a of the peripheral wall 32 in the Z-axis direction is less than or equal to the height B from the receiving surface 34 to the upper end 18a of the swinging inclined part 18, so when the swinging housing 10 swings, the outer circumference of the inclined swinging housing 10 does not come into contact with the peripheral wall 32, thus not obstructing the inclination and enabling the necessary swing. If the height from the receiving surface 34 to the upper surface 32a of the peripheral wall 32 were higher than the height from the receiving surface 34 to the upper end 18a of the swinging inclined part 18, the swinging housing 10 would interfere with the peripheral wall 32 when it swings, and the swinging of the swinging housing 10 would be hindered.

[0073] Furthermore, by configuring the angle C between the receiving surface 34 and the inclined surface 33 to be smaller than the angle D between the lower end surface 19 and the oscillating inclined surface 18, it is possible to position the oscillating housing 10 in contact with the fixed housing 30, making it less likely for an air layer to be interposed between the oscillating housing 10 and the fixed housing 30, and thus stabilizing the electrical characteristics. If the angle C between the receiving surface 34 and the inclined surface 33 is larger than the angle D between the lower end surface 19 and the oscillating inclined surface 18, the oscillating inclined surface 18 and the inclined surface will interfere, raising concerns that an air layer will be interposed between the oscillating housing 10 and the fixed housing 30 in the pre-fitting state, hindering the stability of the electrical characteristics, and that the oscillating housing 10 cannot be positioned in a stable position relative to the fixed housing 30, making it difficult to insert the mating contact 201.

[0074] Furthermore, when mating with the mating connector 200 in the event of misalignment, the mating contact 201 pushes the insertion inclined portion 14, causing the oscillating housing 10 to oscillate and tilt more easily. Since there is no sudden change in the conductive path, the electrical characteristics of the floating coaxial socket 100 remain stable.

[0075] Furthermore, when misalignment occurs and the socket is mated with the mating connector 200, the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 are pressed against the shell contact portion 202a of the mating connector 200, and one or more of the tip pressing portions 71a, 72a, 73a, 74a, 75a, and 76a of the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76a press against the outer circumferential surface 11a of the large diameter portion. This causes the oscillating housing 10 to oscillate and tilt easily, and because there is no sudden change in the conductive path, the electrical characteristics of the floating coaxial socket 100 are stabilized.

[0076] Furthermore, when misalignment occurs during mating with the mating connector 200, the small gap between the large-diameter portion 11 with its larger outer diameter and the tip pressing portions 71a, 72a, 73a, 74a, 75a, and 76a allows the elastic pieces 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 to easily press against the outer circumferential surface 11a of the large-diameter portion 11 even with small displacements. Consequently, the oscillating housing 10 becomes more prone to oscillating and tilting, and there are no sudden changes in the conductive path, thus stabilizing the electrical characteristics of the floating coaxial socket 100.

[0077] Furthermore, the raised portion 55a of the contact 50 engages with the lateral locking portion 17 of the swing housing 10, preventing the swing housing 10 from coming loose from the contact 50. In addition, by providing the raised portion 55a on the locking piece 55 which does not constitute a conductive path, a stable electrical connection can be made between the floating coaxial socket 100 and the mating connector 200. Moreover, the swing housing 10 can easily swing in the direction having the notched surface 16a.

[0078] As described above, the floating coaxial socket and socket assembly using the same according to the present invention have the effect of reliably accepting the insertion of the mating terminal and providing a stable electrical connection, and are useful for floating coaxial sockets and socket assemblies using the same in general. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 10. Oscillating housing (upper insulator) 11 Large diameter section 11a Outer surface of the large diameter section (pressed section) 12 Upper end surface section 13 Insertion hole 14 Insertion inclined section 15 Inclined middle diameter section 16 Small diameter section 16a Notch surface 17 Side locked part (locked part) 18. Oscillating Inclined Section 18a, 18b upper end 19 Lower end surface section 30 Fixed housing (lower insulator) 31 Cylinder part 32 Peripheral wall part 32a top surface 33 Slope 34 Receiving surface 35, 36, 37, 38 Base 35a Base communication hole 39 Through hole 50 Contacts (internal conductors) 51 Central part 52, 53 Contact piece 52a, 53a Curved contact portion 54 Stretched piece 54a Curved section 54b Tip contact part 55 Locking piece 55a Cut-up section (locking section) 70 Ground Contact (Outer Conductor) 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 Elastic piece 71a, 72a, 73a, 74a, 75a, 76a Tip pressing part 77 Torso 77a Lower end surface 81, 82, 83, 84 Foot 100 Floating Coaxial Sockets 200 Mating connector 201 Other Contact (Other Terminal) 202 Opposing Shell 202a Shell contact area 300 Socket Assembly 400 circuit boards

Claims

1. An insulating housing includes an upper cylindrical insulator with an insertion hole into which a mating terminal is inserted, and a lower cylindrical insulator that receives the upper insulator from below, An internal conductor that can come into contact with the mating terminal and the insertion hole, provided inside the insulator housing, The insulator housing is surrounded by an outer conductor fixed to the lower insulator, The upper insulator has a lower end surface portion perpendicular to the central axis of the insertion hole and an inclined oscillating inclined portion, The lower insulator has a receiving surface portion parallel to the lower end surface portion and a peripheral wall portion having an inclined surface formed around the receiving surface portion. In the direction in which the mating terminal is inserted, the height from the receiving surface to the upper surface of the peripheral wall is less than or equal to the height from the receiving surface to the upper end of the oscillating inclined portion. A floating coaxial socket in which the lower end surface and the oscillating inclined portion are arranged inside the peripheral wall, and the receiving surface can pivotably receive the lower end surface.

2. The inclined surface and the oscillating inclined portion are positioned so that at least a portion of them overlap when viewed from above. The floating coaxial socket according to claim 1, wherein the angle between the receiving surface and the inclined surface is smaller than the angle between the lower end surface and the oscillating inclined surface.

3. The floating coaxial socket according to claim 2, wherein the insertion hole has an insertion inclined portion that can be contacted by the mating terminal when inserted.

4. The floating coaxial socket according to claim 2, wherein the upper insulator has a large-diameter portion in which the insertion hole is formed and a small-diameter portion with an outer diameter smaller than the large-diameter portion, and a pressed portion is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion, spaced apart from the tip of the elastic piece of the outer conductor, and is pressed by the displacement of the elastic piece accompanying the insertion of the mating terminal.

5. The upper insulator has a locking portion on its side that communicates with the outside, The floating coaxial socket according to claim 4, wherein the internal conductor has a locking portion capable of locking the locked portion.

6. The floating coaxial socket according to claim 5, wherein the small-diameter portion has a notched surface obtained by cutting out a part of the side surface opposite to the side surface on which the locking portion is formed.

7. The internal conductor has a central portion that constitutes a conductive path, a contact piece, an extended piece, and a locking piece that does not constitute a conductive path. The locking portion is provided on the locking piece, as described in claim 5, for a floating coaxial socket.

8. A socket assembly comprising a floating coaxial socket according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a mating connector having the mating terminal.

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