JP2016125841A - Coaxial probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the following problem that: though a conventional inspection coaxial prove is fixed to a measuring instrument via a floating unit having a floating structure reciprocable in a radial direction, the floating unit has the inspection coaxial probe inclined due to a weight or the like of the coaxial cable, and a deviation of a center axis cannot be corrected properly when connected to a partner side coaxial receptacle.SOLUTION: A coaxial probe includes a fixed outer conductor and a movable outer conductor stored in a reciprocable state in an axial direction of the fixed outer conductor. The movable outer conductor is configured to reciprocate the movable outer conductor itself also in the radial direction. The rear end part of the movable outer conductor is formed of a plurality of contact pieces. The plurality of contact pieces make an electrical connection stable by being pressed and brought into contact with an inner wall of the fixed outer conductor by respective elastic forces (stresses) so that sufficient ground characteristics can be obtained even when the contact pieces are reciprocated in the radial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a coaxial probe used for an inspection probe that performs measurement / inspection of electrical characteristics of a portable communication device. Specifically, the outer conductor on the distal end side of the coaxial probe and the central conductor in the outer conductor can be oscillated in the radial direction to correct the misalignment of the central axes when connecting to the coaxial receptacle on the other side. And a coaxial probe that can be connected smoothly.

  Electronic devices such as mobile communication devices such as mobile phones and smartphones are equipped with small coaxial receptacles for inspection used for measuring electrical characteristics such as antenna characteristics and high frequency characteristics. By connecting a coaxial probe for inspection, the electrical characteristics of the electronic device can be measured. The coaxial receptacle into which the inspection coaxial probe is inserted can be switched so that the output destination of the electrical signal flowing in the electronic device is output to the center terminal of the inspection coaxial probe, and is connected to the inspection coaxial probe. Electrical characteristics such as high-frequency characteristics of a high-frequency circuit in an electronic device can be measured by a measuring device.

  Such measurement of electrical characteristics is automatically performed on an electronic device to be inspected that is sequentially carried by an automatic inspection line using an inspection apparatus to which a coaxial probe for inspection is attached. . As one example of a conventional coaxial probe for inspection used in an automatic inspection line, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-123910 (Patent Document 1) discloses a spring in a housing of an external conductor on a fitting portion side with a mating receptacle. A contact probe including an outer conductor plunger configured to be slidable using a member and a center conductor in the outer conductor plunger is disclosed.

  The conventional contact probe (coaxial probe for inspection) is exposed by sliding the outer conductor plunger in the housing of the outer conductor to expose the tip of the center conductor when mating with the mating receptacle. The tip of the center conductor thus made can be brought into electrical contact with the center terminal of the mating receptacle.

  In such a coaxial probe for inspection, the rear end surface of the outer conductor plunger that has slid inside the housing of the outer conductor is brought into contact with a stepped portion provided in the housing when the coaxial probe is fitted. Stable ground characteristics can be ensured. In general, in order to stabilize the ground characteristics of the coaxial probe for inspection, the rear end surface of the outer conductor plunger is always in contact with the stepped portion in the housing of the outer conductor (hereinafter also referred to as “top touch”). It is necessary to. Therefore, by managing the load that continues to be applied to the coaxial probe for inspection (hereinafter also referred to as “load management”), the rear end surface of the outer conductor plunger and the stepped portion in the housing of the outer conductor are kept in contact with each other. I have to.

  The inspection coaxial probe is conventionally fixed to the inspection apparatus via a jig (hereinafter also referred to as “floating unit”) provided with a floating mechanism that can swing in the radial direction. The floating unit corrects the deviation of the central axis between the inspection coaxial probe and the counterpart coaxial receptacle so that the inspection coaxial probe can be smoothly and properly connected to the counterpart coaxial receptacle. Measurement workability can be improved.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-123910

  After the outer conductor plunger of the inspection coaxial probe comes into contact with the counterpart coaxial receptacle, the outer conductor plunger is slid in the outer conductor housing, and the rear end surface of the outer conductor plunger and the step in the outer conductor housing are In order to ensure the top touch with the attached portion, it is necessary to continuously apply a load of a certain level or more to the coaxial probe for inspection. Considering the spring property (elasticity) of the spring member in the coaxial probe for inspection and the floating unit to which the coaxial probe for inspection is attached, it is difficult to keep the load to be applied to the coaxial probe for inspection above a certain value, Load management cannot be performed easily. In other words, in the load management of the coaxial probe for inspection, the coaxial probe for inspection is always applied so as to ensure the top touch to stabilize the ground characteristics by constantly applying a certain load suitable for measuring the electrical characteristics. A floating unit to be attached and an inspection device must be configured, and it is difficult to easily manage the load. Since the load applied to the inspection coaxial probe cannot be visually confirmed, it is not easy for the inspector to monitor the load.

  In addition, the floating unit with the inspection coaxial probe attached tilts the inspection coaxial probe due to the load from the coaxial cable connected to the inspection coaxial probe, and is connected to the coaxial receptacle on the other side. There arises a problem that the deviation of the central axis cannot be corrected appropriately.

  Further, when a plurality of inspection coaxial probes are used, one floating unit is required for each inspection coaxial probe in order to be configured to be able to swing independently in the radial direction. Since the floating unit is larger than the inspection coaxial probe, it cannot be attached with a narrow interval between the plurality of inspection coaxial probes. That is, another inspection coaxial probe cannot be attached in the vicinity of the inspection coaxial probe attached to the floating unit.

  In order to solve these problems, a plurality of outer conductor shells and a movable shell housed in a state slidable in the axial direction of the outer conductor shell, a plurality of formed at the rear end of the movable shell A coaxial probe further including a contact piece and a protrusion formed at an end of each contact piece, wherein the protrusion that protrudes outside the outer diameter of the movable shell and has a strong stress is an outer conductor. Provided is a coaxial probe that can stabilize the ground characteristics of a coaxial probe by strongly pressing the inner wall of the shell. In addition, the axially slidable movable shell housed in the outer conductor shell of the coaxial probe is configured so as to swing in the radial direction, so that the central axis of the opposite coaxial receptacle can be reduced. Provided is a coaxial probe that can correct the deviation with the coaxial probe itself without using a floating unit.

As one embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the coaxial probe is:
A fixed outer conductor having a fitting portion at the rear end;
A cylindrical movable outer conductor having a rear end attached thereto in a slidable state in the axial direction of the fixed outer conductor;
A first spring member provided between the fixed outer conductor and the movable outer conductor and biasing the movable outer conductor toward the distal end side of the fixed outer conductor;
A central conductor fixed on a central axis by a first insulator in the fixed outer conductor;
Including
The central conductor is
A fixed central conductor provided in the fitting portion of the fixed outer conductor;
A movable central conductor having a rear end attached thereto in a slidable state in the axial direction of the fixed central conductor;
A second spring member provided between the fixed center conductor and the movable center terminal and biasing the movable center conductor toward the distal end side of the fixed center conductor;
Including
The movable outer conductor is configured to be swingable in a radial direction,
At the tip of the movable outer conductor, a second insulator for keeping a distance from the tip of the movable center conductor is disposed inside,
A plurality of contact pieces having elasticity are formed at the rear end of the movable outer conductor,
The contact piece is attached to the fixed outer conductor due to its elasticity, in contact with the wall of the fixed outer conductor,
When the movable outer conductor swings in the radial direction, at least one of the contact pieces is in contact with a wall of the fixed outer conductor.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the thickness of each of the plurality of contact pieces is smaller than the thickness of the portion where the contact pieces are not formed at the rear end of the movable shell. To do.

As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the movable terminal is disposed in the center conductor,
A portion other than a rear end portion of the movable terminal is inserted through an opening portion provided at a front end of the fixed outer conductor.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the first spring member is arranged inside the movable terminal.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, an inner diameter of a cylinder made of the plurality of contact pieces is larger than an inner diameter of a portion where the contact pieces are not formed at a rear end portion of the movable shell. To do.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the first spring member is arranged outside the movable terminal.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, each end of each of the plurality of contact pieces is formed with a protrusion protruding beyond the outer diameter of the thickest portion of the rear end of the movable shell. It is characterized by that.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, an outer diameter of a cylinder made of the plurality of contact pieces is smaller than an outer diameter of a thickest portion at a rear end portion of the movable shell.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, one or more grooves serving as marks representing the sliding distance of the movable outer conductor are formed on the outer wall of the central portion of the movable outer conductor exposed from the opening of the fixed outer conductor. Is provided.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the movable terminal is arranged outside the center conductor.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, a rear end portion of the movable center conductor is disposed inside the fixed center conductor.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, a rear end portion of the movable center conductor is disposed outside the fixed center conductor.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the movable center conductor has a rear end portion of the center conductor plunger in the center conductor shell as a fulcrum or when the movable outer conductor swings in the radial direction. The point of the movable center conductor that is inserted into the hole of the second insulator in the tip shell is bent as a point of force or a fulcrum.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, a spherical sliding portion is provided at a rear end portion of the movable center conductor, and when the movable outer conductor swings in the radial direction, the movable center conductor is The oscillating portion oscillates in the radial direction with the fulcrum as a fulcrum.

  Since the coaxial probe according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured in a state in which the movable shell itself can swing in the radial direction, a jig (floating unit) provided with a floating mechanism that can swing in the radial direction. Can be directly attached to a measuring instrument or the like using a probe attachment portion without using a floating unit. As a result, the weight of the coaxial cable connected to the coaxial probe can prevent the coaxial probe from being inclined, and another coaxial probe can be attached in the vicinity of the coaxial probe, and the interval between the coaxial probes can be reduced.

  The coaxial probe according to one embodiment of the present invention is a plurality of contact pieces, or protrusions provided at the end portions of the plurality of contact pieces, from the outer diameter of the thickest rear end portion of the movable shell. Since the projecting portion that is also protruded and has a strong stress is strongly pressed against the inner wall of the outer conductor shell, the ground characteristic of the coaxial probe can be stabilized without requiring a top touch as in the conventional example described above. it can. Therefore, load management is not necessary, and by using a groove that is a mark of the sliding distance provided on the movable shell, visually confirm that the sliding distance of the movable shell is a certain value or more. The maintenance of the connection state can be easily managed.

It is an exploded view which shows the components structure of the coaxial probe which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mode at the time of the connection of a coaxial probe and the other party coaxial receptacle. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial probe shown in FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that the movable shell of a coaxial probe rock | fluctuated to radial direction. It is sectional drawing which shows another embodiment which comprised the center conductor plunger of the coaxial probe so that rocking | fluctuation was possible. It is sectional drawing which shows another embodiment which comprised the center conductor plunger of the coaxial probe so that rocking | fluctuation was possible.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a component configuration of a coaxial probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is an exploded view seen from the lateral direction, and FIG. 1B is an exploded view seen obliquely downward. A coaxial probe 1 for measuring / inspecting electrical characteristics of an electronic device or the like is movable with a probe fixing portion 10 for fitting and connecting a coaxial cable connected to a measuring instrument (not shown) and a central conductor 30 inside. Part 40. The probe fixing portion 10, the central conductor 30, and the movable portion 40 are preferably cylindrical members extending in the axial direction, but a shape other than the cylindrical shape is adopted as the shape of the member extending in the axial direction. Is also possible. Here, in the description of each member constituting the coaxial probe 1, a portion in the front end direction of the coaxial probe 1 may be expressed as a lower portion and a portion in the rear end direction may be expressed as an upper portion.

  The probe fixing portion 10 is a hollow cylindrical member extending in the axial direction, and includes a coaxial cable fitting portion 12 at an upper portion and a probe attachment portion 14 at a lower portion. The probe fixing part 10 functions as an outer conductor made of a conductive material.

  The coaxial cable fitting portion 12 has a cylindrical shape, and has a thread for fitting with a coaxial cable connected to a measuring device on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The probe attachment portion 14 has a plate shape extending in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the coaxial probe 1, and has a hole on the plate for attachment to an instrument, jig, or the like. When the coaxial probe 1 can be attached to an instrument, jig, or the like in a casing on the side of a coaxial cable connected to a measuring instrument (not shown), that is, it is necessary to perform attachment using the probe attachment portion 14 of the fixed portion 10. If not, the probe mounting portion 14 can be omitted from the fixing portion 10.

  The probe fixing portion 10 accommodates a hollow cylindrical insulator 20 extending in the axial direction in a hollow portion inside thereof. Since the inner diameter of the tube on the coaxial cable fitting portion 12 side of the probe fixing portion 10 is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube on the probe mounting portion 14 side, the outer diameters of the upper and lower portions of the insulator 20 are matched to the sizes of these inner diameters. Thus, the insulator 20 can be determined so as to be accommodated in the probe fixing portion 10 without a gap.

  The insulator 20 accommodates the rear end portion (the rear end portion of the center conductor socket 32) of the center conductor 30 extending in the axial direction in the hollow portion inside thereof. The center conductor 30 includes a center conductor socket 32, a spring member 34, a center conductor plunger 36, and a center conductor shell 38, each extending in the axial direction and formed of a conductive material. The probe fixing part 10 can hold the central conductor socket 32 without being in electrical contact by the insulator 20 accommodated therein. The rear end portion of the center conductor socket 32 is located in the coaxial cable fitting portion 12 of the probe fixing portion 10 and becomes a center conductor, and is electrically connected to a coaxial cable (not shown). On the other hand, the tip of the center conductor socket 32 is electrically connected to the center conductor shell 38.

  The front end portion of the center conductor socket 32, the spring member 34, and the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 are accommodated inside the center conductor shell 38. The center conductor plunger 36 is slidably housed in the hollow cylindrical center conductor shell 38 together with the spring member 34, and the front end portion of the center conductor socket 32 is inserted into the rear end portion of the center conductor shell 38. The central conductor socket 32 and the central conductor shell 38 are joined. The outer diameter of the center conductor plunger 36 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the center conductor shell 38, and the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 accommodated in the center conductor shell 38 can slide without rattling.

  The center conductor plunger 36 can slide in the center conductor shell 38 due to the elasticity of the spring member 34 interposed between the center conductor socket 32 and the center conductor plunger 36. The thickness of the central conductor plunger 36 is divided into four stages, and can be configured such that the tip end portion is the thinnest and the rear end portion gradually increases. The positional relationship between the center conductor socket 32 and the center conductor plunger 36 and the spring member 34 may be reversed. For example, the spring member 34 can be provided outside the center conductor shell 38, and the center conductor shell 38 can be provided inside the inner diameter of the spring member 34.

  The center conductor plunger 36 is exposed from the tip of the center conductor shell 38 except for the thickest rear end. An opening for passing the center conductor plunger 36 is provided on the front end surface of the center conductor shell 38, and the inner diameter of the opening is smaller than the inner diameter of the center conductor shell 38. The thickest rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 can be fixed.

  The movable portion 40 includes an insulator 41, an external conductor shell 42, a spring member 43, a movable shell 50, an insulator 44, a tip shell 45, and an external conductor shell 47. Each member constituting the movable portion 40 has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. Members other than the insulators 41 and 44 are made of a conductive material.

  The insulator 41 has a hole for inserting the central conductor shell 38 at the center thereof. The upper portion of the insulator 41 is accommodated in the probe fixing portion 10, and the upper surface of the insulator 41 is in contact with the bottom surface of the insulator 20 so as to overlap. The outer diameter of the upper portion of the insulator 41 is determined so that the insulator 41 can be accommodated in the probe fixing portion 10 without a gap in accordance with the size of the inner diameter of the lower portion of the probe fixing portion 10. On the other hand, the outer diameter of the lower portion of the insulator 41 is smaller than the size of the outer diameter of the upper portion, and the insulator 41 is accommodated in the outer conductor shell 42 without a gap in accordance with the inner diameter size of the hollow cylindrical outer conductor shell 42. It is stipulated to do.

  The outer conductor shell 42 and the outer conductor shell 47 have a hollow cylindrical shape, and accommodate the rear end portion of the movable shell 50 together with the spring member 43 in a slidable state. The outer conductor shell 42 and the outer conductor shell 47 are combined to form one outer conductor shell. An opening is provided in the front end surface of the outer conductor shell 47, and a portion other than the rear end of the movable shell 50, that is, a central portion provided with the stroke management groove 52 is exposed from the end. . The insulator 44 has a hole through which the thinnest tip of the central conductor plunger 36 is inserted. The upper portion of the insulator 44 is accommodated in the distal end portion of the hollow cylindrical movable shell 50 without a gap, and the lower portion of the insulator 44 is accommodated in the hollow cylindrical tip shell 45 without a gap.

  The front end shell 45 is coupled to the front end portion of the movable shell 50 and can fix the insulator 41 accommodated therein. Even when the central axis of the distal end shell 45 is displaced from the coaxial probe 1 in the opening at the distal end, the distal end shell 45 is connected from the outer side to the inner side in order to correct the deviation and connect to the counterpart coaxial receptacle 2. A tapered portion 46 is provided. The movable shell 50 can slide in the outer conductor shell in which the outer conductor shell 42 and the outer conductor shell 47 are coupled by the elasticity of the spring member 43 interposed between the insulator 41 and the movable shell 50. . The gap between the outer diameter of the front portion of the contact piece 56 at the rear end, which will be described later, of the movable shell 50 and the inner diameter of the outer conductor shell 47 is larger than the gap between the outer diameter of the center conductor plunger 36 and the inner diameter of the center conductor shell 38. The shell 50 can swing in the radial direction. When the movable shell 50 swings in the radial direction, the center conductor plunger 36 has a slight gap with the center conductor shell 38 and is slidably accommodated in the center conductor shell 38 without rattling. Thus, the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 in the center conductor shell 38 is set as a fulcrum (or force point), and the end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 in the insulator 44 in the tip shell 45 is bent as a force point (or fulcrum). It will be.

  The thickness of the movable shell 50 is substantially divided into three stages, and the movable shell 50 can be configured to gradually increase in thickness toward the rear end. The movable shell 50 has the thinnest tip portion coupled with the tip shell 45, the thickness of the central portion where the stroke management groove 52 and the stroke management end 54 are provided is thicker than the tip portion, and the contact piece 56 is provided. It is thinner than the rear end. The center conductor plunger 36 exposed from the tip of the center conductor shell 38 is accommodated in the cylinder at the thinnest tip of the movable shell 50 in a slidable state. The thinnest tip portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is slidably accommodated in a cylinder of an insulator 44 provided in the tip portion of the movable shell 50.

  A plurality of slits are inserted in the rear end portion of the movable shell 50 from the middle to the rear end of the rear end portion to form a plurality of contact pieces 56 having elasticity. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, six contact pieces 56 are provided, but the number of contact pieces 56 is limited to six as long as the movable shell 50 can swing in the radial direction. is not. The plurality of contact pieces 56 are pressed against the inner wall of the outer conductor shell 47 by their respective elastic forces (stresses), so that the movable shell 50 can be electrically connected to the outer conductor shell 47, and electrical characteristics such as ground characteristics can be obtained. The characteristics can be stabilized. Preferably, each of the end portions of the plurality of contact pieces 56 is provided with a protrusion portion 58 that protrudes outward from the outer diameter of the thickest rear end portion of the movable shell 50, and each protrusion portion 58 includes the contact piece 56. By being pressed against the inner wall of the outer conductor shell 47 by the elastic force (stress), the electrical connection between the movable shell 50 and the outer conductor shell 47 can be reliably maintained.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 has a large number of parts to facilitate assembly, it can be configured with a reduced number of parts. Since the plug fixing part 10 and the outer conductor shells 42 and 47 are fixed parts that cannot be moved in the coaxial probe 1, they are collectively referred to as “fixed outer conductors” in this specification. As another embodiment of the present invention, the fixed outer conductor can be integrated into a single component. In the case where such a fixed outer conductor is configured, after the spring member 43 and the movable shell 50 are accommodated in the fixed outer conductor, the distal end portion of the outer conductor shell 47 constituting the fixed outer conductor is disposed. It is necessary to perform processing to be bent inward to form an opening having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer conductor shell 47.

  On the other hand, since the movable shell 50 and the tip shell 45 are parts that can be moved in the coaxial probe 1, they are collectively referred to as a “movable outer conductor” in the present specification. As another embodiment of the present invention, the movable outer conductor can be integrally formed as a single component. When such a movable outer conductor is configured, an insulating material is press-fitted inside the distal end portion of the movable outer conductor, and the electrical connection between the distal end portion of the movable central conductor (the distal end portion of the central conductor plunger 36) and the movable outer conductor is performed. The insulator 44 can be formed so as to ensure a good insulation and maintain a distance between them. The insulator 44 may be fixed to the tip of the central conductor plunger 36 and slide on the inner wall of the movable outer conductor.

  Further, since the center conductor socket 32 and the center conductor shell 38 are parts fixed in the fixed outer conductor, they are collectively referred to as “fixed center conductor” in the present specification. On the other hand, since the center conductor plunger 36 and the spring member 34 are parts that can move inside at least one of the movable outer conductor and the fixed outer conductor, they are collectively referred to as “movable center conductor”. . Then, the center conductor 30 shown in FIG. 1 includes a “fixed center conductor” (the center conductor socket 32 and the center conductor shell 38) and a “movable center terminal” (the center conductor plunger 36 and the spring member 34).

  As another embodiment of the present invention, the fixed center conductor (the center conductor socket 32 and the center conductor shell 38) can be integrated into one part and formed integrally. When such a fixed center conductor is configured, after the rear end portion of the spring member 34 and the center conductor plunger 36 is accommodated inside the fixed center conductor, the front end portion of the center conductor shell 38 is bent inward, It is necessary to perform processing for forming an opening having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the center conductor shell 38. On the other hand, the movable center terminal (the center conductor plunger 36 and the spring member 34) can also be configured integrally as one part.

  As another embodiment of the present invention, the insulator 20 and the insulator 41 can be configured as one insulator. By fixing the rear end portion of the central conductor socket 32 to the insulator, the fixed central conductor (the central conductor socket 32 and the central conductor) is fixed in the fixed external conductor (the plug fixing portion 10 and the external conductor shells 42 and 47). The shell 38) can be fixed substantially on the central axis. Such an insulator is indispensable for electrically insulating the fixed center conductor and the fixed outer conductor and maintaining the distance between them. Also good. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the insulators (insulators 20 and 41) are accommodated in the fixed portion 10 of the fixed outer conductor. However, the distance between the fixed center conductor and the fixed outer conductor can be maintained. For example, the position where the insulator is accommodated may be changed to another position.

  As another embodiment of the present invention, when the number of parts shown in FIG. 1 is reduced, the coaxial probe has a fixed outer conductor and a rear end portion in a state in which the coaxial probe can slide in the axial direction. A housed movable outer conductor, a first spring member housed in the fixed outer conductor, and biasing the movable outer conductor outward from an opening provided in a distal end surface of the fixed outer conductor; A center conductor substantially fixed on a central axis by a first insulator in the fixed outer conductor, the center conductor being electrically connected to the center conductor provided in the fitting portion of the fixed outer conductor A fixed central conductor connected to the movable central conductor, a movable central conductor accommodated together with a second spring member in a state slidable in the axial direction in the fixed central conductor, and accommodated in the fixed central conductor The movable central conductor housed in the fixed central conductor It can be configured to include a second spring member for biasing the outside from an opening provided in the distal end surface of the fixed central conductor.

  When the movable shell 50 included in the movable portion 40 slides in the axial direction and is pushed into the back, the tip of the central conductor plunger 36 accommodated in the central conductor probe 30 is exposed, and the connection portion with the receptacle It becomes. The stroke management groove 52 and the stroke management end 54 provided in the central portion of the movable shell 50 are distances that the movable shell 50 has slid when the coaxial probe 1 is connected to and pressed against the coaxial receptacle on the other side (that is, This is a mark that can be used to determine whether or not sufficient connection between the coaxial probe 1 and the coaxial receptacle on the other side is maintained based on the stroke amount. Since the stroke management groove 52 and the stroke management end 54 functioning as such a mark can be visually recognized by a human operator or the like, the connection state between the search coaxial probe 1 and the counterpart coaxial receptacle should be visually recognized. The connection state can be easily managed as compared with the case of managing with a load that cannot be performed.

  For example, in order to maintain a sufficient connection state between the search coaxial probe 1 and the counterpart coaxial receptacle, the elastic force of the spring member 43 is adjusted so that the sliding distance of the movable shell 50 is 1 mm as the recommended stroke amount. To 2 mm. In that case, it can be used as a mark indicating that the stroke management groove 52 has been slid by 1 mm, and as a mark indicating that the stroke management end 54 has been slid by 2 mm. A plurality of stroke management grooves 52 serving as such marks can be provided on the outer wall of the movable shell 50.

  FIG. 2 shows the appearance of a coaxial probe completed by combining the components of the coaxial probe according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial probe according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. A coaxial cable from a measuring instrument connected to the coaxial cable fitting portion 12, a jig for attaching the coaxial probe 1 with the probe attachment portion 14, an instrument, and the like are not shown for simplification of description. The same applies to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A show an initial state before the coaxial probe 1 is connected to the coaxial receptacle 2 on the other side. In the initial state, the movable shell 50 of the coaxial probe 1 is not slid, so that the stroke management groove 52 can be visually recognized. On the other hand, FIGS. 2B and 3B show a state in which the tip shell 45 of the coaxial probe 1 is connected to the cylindrical fitting portion of the counterpart coaxial receptacle 2. In this connected state, the movable shell 50 is pushed into the outer conductor shell 47 up to the stroke management end 54, and the stroke management groove 52 cannot be seen from the outside as a mark.

  When the recommended stroke amount is set from 1 mm to 2 mm as in the example described above, the recommended stroke amount is satisfied if the coaxial probe 1 is pushed in until the stroke management groove 52 indicating that the slider has slid by 1 mm disappears from the outside. Therefore, the management of the connection state with the counterpart coaxial receptacle 2 is facilitated. That is, when measuring the electrical characteristics of the electronic device to be inspected using the coaxial probe 1 in the automatic inspection line, the distal end portion of the outer conductor shell 47 of the coaxial probe 1 always has the stroke management groove 52 and the stroke. What is necessary is just to control the distance which pushes the movable shell 50, ie, the stroke amount, so that it may exist between the management ends 54. Unlike the load management, the management state can be grasped visually, so that the management becomes easy.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the inner diameter of the opening through which the central conductor plunger 36 is inserted at the front end surface of the central conductor shell 38 is the rear end of the central conductor plunger 36 accommodated in the central conductor shell 38. Therefore, in the initial state (unconnected state) of the coaxial probe 1, the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is biased by the spring member 34 and is engaged with the tip end portion of the center conductor shell 38. Keep stopped.

  Similarly, the inner diameter of the opening through which the movable shell 50 is inserted, which is on the front end surface of the outer conductor shell 47, is smaller than the outer diameter of the rear end portion of the movable shell 50 accommodated in the outer conductor shell 47. In the initial state 1, the rear end portion of the movable shell 50 is biased by the spring member 43 and is kept locked to the front end portion of the outer conductor shell 47. When locked in this manner, the inclined surface provided between the rear end portion of the movable shell 50 and the central portion of the movable shell exposed from the outer conductor shell 47 is on the front end surface of the outer conductor shell 47. By sliding the movable shell 50 against the edge of the opening, the movable shell 50 always functions to be guided to a predetermined position (or posture).

  The tip shell 45 can be connected to the coaxial receptacle 2 on the other side by correcting the deviation of the central axis with respect to the coaxial probe 1 by the tapered portion 46 provided at the opening of the tip. For example, even if the center axis of the coaxial probe and the counterpart coaxial receptacle 2 is shifted by about 0.5 mm, the edge of the cylindrical opening of the coaxial receptacle 2 is a tapered portion provided in the opening of the tip shell 45. 46, when the tip shell 45 is slid by the inclination of the tapered portion 46, the movable shell 50 can be swung in the radial direction to correct the deviation of the central axis.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, regardless of the connection state between the coaxial probe 1 and the coaxial receptacle 2, the movable shell 50 has protrusions of a plurality of contact pieces 56 provided at the rear end thereof. The contact with the outer conductor shell 47 can always be maintained by the portion 58. As described above, since the protruding portion 58 protrudes from the outer diameter of the thickest rear end portion of the movable shell 50, it is always pressed against the inner wall of the outer conductor shell 47 by the elastic force of the contact piece 56. The ground characteristics of the coaxial probe 1 can be stabilized. The coaxial probe 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention does not require a top touch as in the conventional example due to such a configuration. As a result, without maintaining the connection state of the coaxial probe 1 and the coaxial receptacle 2 with the load, as described above, the visible stroke management groove 52 and the stroke management end 54 are used as marks for the stroke amount. The connection state can be easily managed by the stroke amount of the movable shell 50 slid in the outer conductor shell 47.

  In order to give elasticity to the contact piece 56, in addition to forming slits between the contact pieces 56, the thickness of the contact piece 56 can be reduced. However, the contact piece 56 can be maintained within the range in which the elastic force of the contact piece 56 can be maintained. The plate thickness of the piece 56 can be determined. For example, in the coaxial probe 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the plate thickness of the contact piece 56 can be set to 0.15 mm or more in a range where impedance matching is not disturbed. Further, by reducing the plate thickness of the contact piece 56, when the movable shell 50 is slid and tilted, interference between the inner wall of the contact piece 56 and the spring member 43, or the outer wall of the contact piece 56 and the outer conductor shell. Interference with the inner wall of 47 can be prevented.

  The inner diameter of the cylinder composed of a plurality of contact pieces 56 is such that the thickness of each contact piece 56 is reduced from the inside, and compared to the size of the inner diameter of the portion where the contact piece 56 is not formed at the rear end of the movable shell 50, It can be determined to be the largest. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the inner wall of the contact piece 56 from striking against the spring member 43 when the movable shell 50 swings in the radial direction, and hindering the movement (sliding or swinging). In the coaxial probe 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the thickness of each contact piece 56 is reduced so as not to hinder the movement of the movable shell 50. Specifically, the inner wall of each contact piece 56 is formed away from the spring member 43, and the inner diameter of the cylinder composed of the plurality of contact pieces 56 is expanded. If the inner diameter is excessively widened, impedance matching of the coaxial probe 1 is disturbed, so that the size of the inner diameter can be determined within a range that does not interfere with the spring member 43.

  On the other hand, the outer diameter of the cylinder composed of a plurality of contact pieces 56 is such that the thickness of each contact piece 56 is reduced from the outside, and the outer diameter of the portion where the contact piece 56 is not formed at the rear end of the movable shell 50. It can be determined to be smaller than. This is because, in the coaxial probe 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the outer conductor size is reduced at the rear end of the movable shell 50 by reducing the size of the outer diameter of the cylinder formed of the plurality of contact pieces 56. The area in contact with the inner wall of the shell 47 can be reduced, and interference with the outer conductor shell 46 when the movable shell 50 slides in the outer conductor shell 47 can be prevented. Thereby, the movable shell 50 can be slid smoothly.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the distal end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is slid by the movable shell 50 being pushed into the outer conductor shell 47 when the coaxial probe 1 and the coaxial receptacle 2 are connected. Along with this, the tip shell 45 is exposed. The exposed end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 can be pressed against the center terminal of the counterpart coaxial receptacle 2 to maintain contact. That is, at the time of connection, the center conductor plunger 36 is urged by the spring member 34 by the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 being slid into the center conductor shell 38 and slid, so that the tip end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is pushed. It can be pressed against the center terminal of the coaxial receptacle 2.

  Since the force pressing the tip of the center conductor plunger 36 against the center terminal of the coaxial receptacle 2 is based on the stress of the spring member 34 in the center conductor shell 38, the tip of the center conductor plunger 36 and the coaxial receptacle 2 are In order to stabilize the contact, it is necessary to increase the stress of the spring member 34. In order to increase the stress of the spring member 34, a spring having a large diameter can be used as the spring member 34.

  In the coaxial probe 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, when a spring having a large diameter is used as the spring member 34, the outer diameter of the central conductor shell 38 that houses the spring member 34 is also increased. The impedance of the coaxial probe 1 can be matched by increasing the outer diameter of the movable shell 50 and the outer diameters of the outer conductor shells 42 and 47. Further, increasing the outer diameter of the movable shell 50 and the inner diameters of the outer conductor shells 42 and 47 are movable with the center conductors such as the center conductor plunger 36 and the center conductor shell 38 when the movable shell 50 swings in the radial direction. It is possible to prevent a short circuit due to contact with the inner wall of the shell 50.

  As another embodiment, the positional relationship between the movable shell and the outer conductor shell can be reversed so that the movable shell is provided outside the outer conductor shell. For example, in the coaxial probe 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the configuration is changed so that the movable shell 50 inside the outer conductor shell 47 is provided outside the outer conductor shell 47. can do. Although not shown, when the configuration is changed in this way, the contact piece 56 at the rear end of the movable shell 50 (or the protrusion 58 provided on the inner wall of the contact piece 56) contacts the outer wall of the outer conductor shell 47. . The spring member 43 housed inside the movable shell 50 is located between the bottom surface inside the rear end portion of the movable shell 50 (the step portion between the rear end portion and the central portion) and the front end portion of the outer conductor shell 47. The movable shell 50 can be urged toward the distal end side. The outer conductor shell 47 provided with the movable shell 50 on the outer side can be provided with a locking portion such as a protrusion on the outer wall so that the movable shell 50 does not come off. Even when the configuration is changed in this way, the inner wall of the contact piece 56 at the rear end of the movable shell 50 (or the protrusion 58 provided on the inner wall of the contact piece 56) is electrically connected to the outer wall of the outer conductor shell 47. The movable shell 50 is allowed to slide and swing while in contact.

  Further, the positional relationship between the center conductor shell and the center conductor plunger may be reversed so that the center conductor plunger is provided outside the center conductor shell. For example, in the coaxial probe 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the configuration is such that the center conductor plunger 36 inside the center conductor shell 38 is provided outside the center conductor shell 38. Can be changed. Although not illustrated, when the configuration is changed in this way, the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is formed into a hollow cylindrical shape, and a plurality of contact pieces having elasticity are provided at the rear end portion. Alternatively, the protrusions provided on the inner walls of the plurality of contact pieces contact the outer wall of the center conductor shell 38. Since the center conductor plunger 36 is outside the center conductor shell 38, it is not necessary to mold the inside of the center conductor shell 38 into a cavity, and it is not necessary to provide an opening at the tip of the center conductor shell 38. The spring member 34 housed inside the hollow cylindrical shape at the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is provided between the bottom surface inside the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 and the front end portion of the center conductor shell 38. The central conductor plunger 36 can be biased toward the distal end side. The center conductor shell 38 provided with the center conductor plunger 36 on the outer side can be provided with a locking portion such as a protrusion on the outer wall so that the center conductor plunger 36 does not come off. Even when the configuration is changed in this way, the inner wall of the plurality of contact pieces (or the inner wall of the plurality of contact pieces provided on the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is provided on the outer wall of the center conductor shell 38, respectively. The center conductor plunger 36 can be slid and oscillated while the projection) is in electrical contact.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the coaxial probe according to one embodiment of the present invention swings in the radial direction. Even if a slight deviation (for example, a deviation of about 0.5 mm) occurs in the center axis between the coaxial probe 1 and the coaxial receptacle 2 on the other side, as described above, the inclination of the opening of the tip shell 45 is inclined. The tip shell 45 is placed so that the edge of the cylindrical opening of the counterpart coaxial receptacle 2 hits the face 46 and the tip of the central conductor plunger 36 is guided to the center terminal located at the center of the opening. By sliding, the movable shell 50 can be swung in the radial direction as shown in FIG. With such a configuration, even if a slight shift occurs in the central axis between the coaxial probe 1 and the coaxial receptacle 2, the shift can be reliably performed by correcting the shift of the central axis.

  The swing of the movable shell 50 in the radial direction is restricted by the outer wall of the rear end portion of the movable shell 50 accommodated in the outer conductor shell 47 coming into contact with the inner wall of the outer conductor shell 47. By adjusting the gap between the outer wall of the rear end portion of the movable shell 50 and the inner wall of the outer conductor shell 47 (that is, the outer diameter of the rear end portion of the movable shell 50 and the inner diameter of the outer conductor shell 47), the diameter of the movable shell 50 is adjusted. The range of swing in the direction can be changed. In the coaxial probe 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, the range of the swing of the movable shell 50 in the radial direction can be set to about 0.5 mm from the central axis.

  As shown in FIG. 4, even when the movable shell 50 swings in the radial direction, as described above, the protruding portion 58 that protrudes from the outer diameter of the thickest rear end portion of the movable shell 50 is Since the contact piece 56 is always pressed against the inner wall of the outer conductor shell 47 by the elastic force of the contact piece 56, the ground characteristic of the coaxial probe 1 can be stabilized. Further, as described above, the contact piece 56 is formed with the inner wall of the contact piece 56 away from the spring member 43, and the inner diameter of the cylinder made up of the plurality of contact pieces 56 is expanded. The inner wall of the contact piece 56 does not interfere with the spring member 43 and does not interfere with the outer wall of the contact piece 56 away from the inner wall of the outer conductor shell.

  Further, the center conductor plunger 36 uses the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 in the center conductor shell 38 as a fulcrum (or a force point) when the movable shell 50 swings in the radial direction, and an insulator in the tip shell 45. It can be formed of a conductive member having elasticity so as to bend (i.e., bend) like a bow with the tip of the central conductor plunger 36 in 44 as a force point (or fulcrum). Even when the central conductor plunger 36 is bent, as described above, the inner diameter of the movable shell 50 is increased by increasing the outer diameter of the movable shell 50, so that the central conductor plunger 36 and the movable shell 50 are increased. It is possible to prevent a short circuit from coming into contact with the inner wall of the.

  Thus, since the coaxial probe 1 itself is configured to be swingable in the radial direction, the coaxial probe 1 is a jig (floating unit) provided with a floating mechanism that can swing in the radial direction. Can be directly attached to a measuring instrument or the like using the probe attachment portion 14 without using a floating unit. This causes a problem that may occur when using the floating unit, that is, the weight of the coaxial cable connected to the inspection coaxial probe holds the inspection coaxial probe in a state where the floating unit is tilted from the beginning. It is possible to solve the problem that the deviation of the central axis cannot be properly corrected when connecting to the coaxial receptacle on the side.

  Furthermore, the coaxial probe 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention does not require the use of a comparatively large floating unit that floats the entire coaxial probe 1. Therefore, when a plurality of coaxial probes 1 are used, the interval at which the coaxial probes 1 are attached. Can be directly attached to measuring equipment. That is, another coaxial probe 1 can be attached close to the coaxial probe 1. Thereby, the electrical characteristics of an electronic device etc. can be measured more efficiently in an automatic inspection line.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a coaxial probe according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a spherical rocking portion 37 is provided at the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 with elasticity by a slit. As shown in FIG. 5, as the movable shell 50 swings in the radial direction, the central conductor plunger 36 can swing in the radial direction with the swinging portion 37 as a fulcrum. Even when configured in this manner, the above-described effects of the present invention can be achieved.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a coaxial probe according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, unlike the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the positional relationship between the movable shell and the spring member is reversed so that the spring member 48 is provided outside the movable shell 51. As described above, the arrangement position of the spring member 48 that gives the elasticity of the movable outer conductor (movable shell 51) is set to the lower outside of the movable shell 51, whereby the contact piece 56 and the spring member 48 can be completely isolated. , Mutual interference can be prevented. The movable shell 51 has an external conductor shell 60 and an external conductor shell 49 coupled to each other by the elasticity of the spring member 48 interposed between the external conductor shell 49 and the protrusion 59 provided on the outer wall of the movable shell 50. It can slide in the conductor shell.

  The gap between the outer diameter of the protrusion 59 of the movable shell 51 and the inner diameter of the outer conductor shell 60 is larger than the gap between the outer diameter of the center conductor plunger 36 and the inner diameter of the center conductor shell 38, and the movable shell 51 swings in the radial direction. Can move. When the movable shell 51 swings in the radial direction, the center conductor plunger 36 has a slight gap with the center conductor shell 38 and is slidably accommodated in the center conductor shell 38 without rattling. Thus, the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 in the center conductor shell 38 is set as a fulcrum (or force point), and the end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 in the insulator 44 in the tip shell 45 is bent as a force point (or fulcrum). It will be. Even when configured in this manner, the above-described effects of the present invention can be achieved.

  The coaxial probe according to the present invention can be used in the field of measuring electrical characteristics such as antenna characteristics and high-frequency characteristics of electronic devices such as mobile communication devices such as mobile phones and smartphones.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coaxial probe 2 Coaxial receptacle 10 Probe fixing | fixed part 12 Coaxial cable fitting part 14 Probe attachment part 20 Insulator 30 Center conductor 32 Center conductor socket 34 Spring member 36 Center conductor plunger 37 Swing part 38 Center conductor shell 40 Movable part 41 Insulation Body 42 External conductor shell 43 Spring member 44 Insulator 45 Tip shell 46 Tapered portion 47 External conductor shell 48 Spring member 49 External conductor shell 50 Movable shell 51 Movable shell 52 Stroke management groove 54 Stroke management end 56 Contact piece 58 Protrusion 59 Protrusion Part 60 outer conductor shell

Claims (14)

A fixed outer conductor having a fitting portion at the rear end;
A cylindrical movable outer conductor having a rear end attached thereto in a slidable state in the axial direction of the fixed outer conductor;
A first spring member provided between the fixed outer conductor and the movable outer conductor and biasing the movable outer conductor toward the distal end side of the fixed outer conductor;
A central conductor fixed on a central axis by a first insulator in the fixed outer conductor;
Including
The central conductor is
A fixed central conductor provided in the fitting portion of the fixed outer conductor;
A movable central conductor having a rear end attached thereto in a slidable state in the axial direction of the fixed central conductor;
A second spring member provided between the fixed center conductor and the movable center terminal and biasing the movable center conductor toward the distal end side of the fixed center conductor;
Including
The movable outer conductor is configured to be swingable in a radial direction,
At the tip of the movable outer conductor, a second insulator for keeping a distance from the tip of the movable center conductor is disposed inside,
A plurality of contact pieces having elasticity are formed at the rear end of the movable outer conductor,
The contact piece is attached to the fixed outer conductor due to its elasticity, in contact with the wall of the fixed outer conductor,
The coaxial probe according to claim 1, wherein when the movable outer conductor swings in a radial direction, at least one of the contact pieces is in contact with a wall of the fixed outer conductor.   2. The coaxial probe according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of each of the plurality of contact pieces is smaller than a thickness of a portion where the contact pieces are not formed at a rear end portion of the movable shell. The movable terminal is disposed in the central conductor;
3. The coaxial probe according to claim 1, wherein a portion other than a rear end portion of the movable terminal is inserted through an opening provided at a tip of the fixed outer conductor.   The coaxial probe according to claim 3, wherein the first spring member is disposed inside the movable terminal.   5. The coaxial probe according to claim 4, wherein an inner diameter of the cylinder including the plurality of contact pieces is larger than an inner diameter of a portion where the contact pieces are not formed at a rear end portion of the movable shell.   The coaxial probe according to claim 3, wherein the first spring member is disposed outside the movable terminal.   7. The protrusion portion protruding from the outer diameter of the thickest portion of the rear end portion of the movable shell is formed at each end portion of the plurality of contact pieces. The coaxial probe according to claim 1.   8. The coaxial probe according to claim 7, wherein an outer diameter of a cylinder made of the plurality of contact pieces is smaller than an outer diameter of a thickest portion at a rear end portion of the movable shell.   The center wall of the movable outer conductor exposed from the opening of the fixed outer conductor is provided with one or more grooves serving as marks representing the sliding distance of the movable outer conductor. Item 9. The coaxial probe according to any one of Items 3 to 8.   The coaxial probe according to claim 1, wherein the movable terminal is disposed outside the center conductor.   The coaxial probe according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a rear end portion of the movable center conductor is disposed inside the fixed center conductor.   The coaxial probe according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a rear end portion of the movable center conductor is disposed outside the fixed center conductor.   When the movable outer conductor swings in the radial direction, the movable center conductor has a rear end portion of the center conductor plunger in the center conductor shell as a fulcrum or a force point, and the second insulation in the tip shell. The coaxial probe according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the coaxial probe is bent with a distal end portion of the movable central conductor inserted through a hole of a body as a force point or a fulcrum.   A spherical sliding part is provided at the rear end of the movable center conductor, and when the movable outer conductor swings in the radial direction, the movable center conductor swings in the radial direction with the swinging part as a fulcrum. The coaxial probe according to claim 11.

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