JP2019032267A - Coaxial probe - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the problem that a variable stub (a part in which a signal transmission line is branched) preventing measurement of a high-frequency signal can occur although deviation of a center axis from that of a coaxial receptacle in a counterpart side can be corrected and smooth connection is realized by rocking a movable external conductor in a tip side and a movable central conductor within the movable external conductor in the radial direction in a conventional inspection coaxial probe.SOLUTION: By providing an insulating regulation part for regulating sliding of a movable central conductor in a tip direction in a fixed external conductor such that a rear end part of the movable central conductor does not slip from an opening of a fixed central conductor, an edge part of the opening of the fixed central conductor that can cause a variable stub is allowed to project to avoid a configuration for locking the rear end part of the variable central conductor, thus providing a coaxial probe capable of preventing generation of a stub for variably branching a transmission line length of a high-frequency signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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, when connecting to the coaxial receptacle on the other side, the movable outer conductor on the distal end side of the coaxial probe and the movable central conductor in the movable outer conductor are oscillated in the radial direction so that the central axes of the coaxial probes A coaxial probe that can be connected smoothly and has a structure that minimizes the effects of stubs (parts where the signal transmission path is branched) that hinders the measurement of high-frequency signals. Related to the coaxial probe.

  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 Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-125841 (Patent Document 1) describes a movable external conductor (movable shell and distal shell) on the distal end side of a coaxial probe, and A coaxial probe for inspection which can be connected smoothly by correcting the deviation of the central axes of each other when the central conductor in the movable outer conductor can be swung in the radial direction and connected to the coaxial receptacle on the other side. Is disclosed.

  In the above conventional example, even if there is a slight deviation (for example, a deviation of about 0.5 mm) between the center axes of the coaxial probe and the counterpart coaxial receptacle, the inclination of the opening of the tip shell of the coaxial probe is inclined. By sliding the tip shell so that the edge of the cylindrical opening of the counterpart coaxial receptacle hits the surface and the tip of the center conductor plunger is guided to the center terminal located at the center of the opening The movable shell can be swung in the radial direction. With such a configuration, even when a slight deviation occurs in the central axis between the coaxial probe and the coaxial receptacle, the connection can be reliably performed by correcting the deviation of the central axis.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 16-125841

  In the above-described conventional coaxial probe for inspection, the center conductor shell constituting the fixed center conductor is provided inside the outer conductor shell, which is the fixed outer conductor, and the movable center conductor is provided inside the movable shell, which is the movable outer conductor, and the tip shell. A central conductor plunger is provided. The center conductor plunger is provided with an opening for allowing the center conductor plunger to pass through so as to be exposed from the tip of the center conductor shell except for the thickest rear end. The edge portion of the opening is configured as a locking portion protruding from the inner wall of the front end portion of the center conductor shell so as to lock the thickest rear end portion of the center conductor plunger. That is, the inner diameter of the edge portion of the opening is configured to be smaller than the inner diameter of the central conductor shell.

  With such a configuration, when the coaxial probe for inspection of the above conventional example is connected to the coaxial receptacle on the other side, the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger (movable center conductor) is in the center conductor shell (fixed center conductor). Is pushed into the back and slides to create a gap between the rear end of the fixed center conductor and the edge of the opening. Due to the occurrence of the gap, the transmission path of the high-frequency signal has two paths, that is, a path that flows from the rear end portion of the movable center conductor to the fixed center conductor, and an opening protruding as a locking portion from the movable center conductor. A transmission path (stub) branched to the path flowing to the fixed center conductor via the edge portion is generated. Such stubs are preferably reduced as much as possible. In particular, a change in the length of a branched transmission path, that is, a change in the amount of stubs makes it difficult to design in consideration of stubs in advance, which adversely affects the measurement of electrical characteristics such as high-frequency characteristics and accurately electronically There arises a problem that the characteristics of the high-frequency circuit in the device cannot be measured.

  In order to solve such a problem, the fixed center conductor, the movable center conductor in which the rear end portion is slidable in the axial direction of the fixed center conductor, and the fixed center conductor and the movable center conductor are provided inside. Fixed in a coaxial probe further including an outer conductor shell (fixed outer conductor) housed in a housing and a movable shell (movable outer conductor) housed in a state in which the rear end portion is slidable in the axial direction of the fixed outer conductor. The central conductor includes a plurality of contact pieces extending elastically toward the opening on the front end side, and a contact portion in which the plurality of contact pieces protrudes inward so as to narrow down the opening on the front end side. By forming this, the peripheral portion of the opening on the front end side of the fixed center conductor and the rear end of the movable center conductor are in strong contact with each other, and the rear end of the movable center conductor does not come out of the opening of the fixed center conductor. The sliding of the movable central conductor in the tip direction is restricted Providing an insulating restricting part on the fixed outer conductor (in one embodiment, an intermediate conductor), protruding the edge part of the opening of the fixed central conductor that can cause a stub that branches the transmission path of the high-frequency signal Thus, a coaxial probe capable of avoiding the configuration in which the rear end portion of the movable center conductor is locked (that is, the configuration in which the fixed center conductor and the movable center conductor are locked by the protrusion) can be avoided.

As one embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the coaxial probe is:
A fixed outer conductor;
A movable external device having a rear end portion in contact with the fixed outer conductor in an axially slidable state and configured to be swingable in a radial direction by a plurality of elastic contact pieces formed at the rear end portion. Conductors,
A first spring member provided between the fixed outer conductor and the movable outer conductor and biasing the movable outer conductor away from the fixed outer conductor;
A central conductor disposed on a central axis of the fixed outer conductor;
Including
The central conductor is
A fixed center conductor supported by a first insulator provided in the fixed outer conductor and provided with a plurality of contact pieces on the tip side;
A movable center conductor having a rear end portion in contact with the plurality of contact pieces of the fixed center conductor in an axially slidable state; and
A second spring member provided between the fixed center conductor and the movable center conductor and biasing the movable center conductor away from the fixed center conductor;
Including
The fixed center conductor includes the plurality of contact pieces extending elastically toward the opening on the distal end side along the axial direction, and the contact pieces that project inwardly form the plurality of contact pieces. And
A rear end portion of the movable center conductor is in contact with the plurality of contact pieces of the fixed center conductor,
The fixed outer conductor includes an insulating restricting portion that restricts movement of the movable center conductor in a distal direction so that a rear end portion of the movable center conductor does not come out of an opening of the fixed center conductor. It is characterized by.

As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the restricting portion is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom portion including a hole through which a portion other than the rear end portion of the movable central conductor passes.
The restricting portion prevents the movement of the rear end portion of the movable center conductor biased away from the fixed center conductor by the second spring member from being removed from the opening of the fixed center conductor by the bottom portion. Regulate,
A front end portion including the opening of the fixed center conductor is housed in the restricting portion, and a side surface of the front end portion is opposed to or in contact with an inner surface of the restricting portion, so that the opening of the fixed center conductor It is characterized by being configured to restrict the spread of the.

As another embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the coaxial probe is:
A fixed outer conductor;
A movable external device having a rear end portion in contact with the fixed outer conductor in an axially slidable state and configured to be swingable in a radial direction by a plurality of elastic contact pieces formed at the rear end portion. Conductors,
A first spring member provided between the fixed outer conductor and the movable outer conductor and biasing the movable outer conductor away from the fixed outer conductor;
A central conductor disposed on a central axis of the fixed outer conductor;
Including
The central conductor is
A fixed center conductor supported by a first insulator provided in the fixed outer conductor;
A movable center conductor provided with a plurality of elastic contact pieces on the rear end side, in contact with the fixed center conductor in an axially slidable state,
A second spring member provided between the fixed center conductor and the movable center conductor and biasing the movable center conductor away from the fixed center conductor;
Including
The movable center conductor includes the plurality of contact pieces extending elastically toward the rear end side opening along the axial direction, and the contact pieces projecting inward are provided on the plurality of contact pieces. Formed,
The distal end portion of the fixed center conductor is in contact with the plurality of contact pieces of the movable center conductor,
The movable center conductor includes an insulating regulating portion that regulates movement of the movable center conductor in a distal direction so that a distal end portion of the fixed outer conductor does not come out of an opening of the movable center conductor. Features.

As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the first insulator is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom including a hole through which a portion on the rear end side of the fixed center conductor passes.
The tip portions of the plurality of contact pieces of the movable central conductor are housed in the first insulator, and the side surfaces of the tip portions are opposed to or in contact with the inner surface of the first insulator, The plurality of contact pieces of the movable central conductor are configured to be restricted from spreading.

As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the fixed outer conductor includes a cylindrical intermediate conductor,
The intermediate conductor is characterized in that the restricting portion is held in a cylinder portion on the rear end side.

  As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the movable outer conductor is inserted through a portion other than a rear end portion of the movable outer conductor from an opening provided at a tip of the fixed outer conductor. To do.

As a preferred embodiment of the coaxial probe according to the present invention, the plurality of contact pieces of the movable outer conductor are pressed against the inner wall of the intermediate conductor included in the fixed outer conductor by elasticity,
When the movable outer conductor swings in the radial direction, at least one of the plurality of contact pieces is in contact with the inner wall of the intermediate conductor.

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

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

  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 fixed center conductor includes a center conductor shell,
The movable central conductor includes a central conductor plunger;
The movable outer conductor includes a tip shell;
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 tip of the movable central conductor inserted through the hole of the body is bent as a force point or a fulcrum.

  A coaxial probe according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of abutments that are elastically displaceable to the fixed center conductor by inserting slits extending from the opening on the front end side of the fixed center conductor to the rear end side along the axial direction. By forming a piece and providing a contact portion projecting inward inside the plurality of contact pieces, the peripheral portion of the opening on the front end side of the fixed center conductor and the rear end portion of the movable center conductor are The intermediate conductor included in the fixed outer conductor has a restricting part that restricts the sliding of the movable center conductor in the tip direction so that the rear end of the movable center conductor does not come out of the opening of the fixed center conductor. By providing, avoid the configuration of locking the rear end of the movable center conductor by protruding the edge of the opening of the fixed center conductor, which can cause stubs that variably branch the transmission path length of the high-frequency signal can do.

It is an exploded view which shows the components structure of the coaxial probe which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the front-end | tip part of the coaxial probe contacted the other party coaxial receptacle. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that the coaxial probe was pushed in from the state shown in FIG. 2, and the coaxial probe and the other party coaxial receptacle were connected. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the center axis | shaft shifted and contacted the coaxial receptacle of the other party with the front-end | tip part of the coaxial probe. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a coaxial probe is pushed in from the state illustrated in FIG. 4 and a movable shell of the coaxial probe swings in a radial direction. It is sectional drawing which shows another embodiment which changed the structure of the center conductor plunger of a coaxial probe.

  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. A coaxial probe 1 for measuring / inspecting electrical characteristics of an electronic device or the like includes a probe fixing portion 10 for fitting and connecting a coaxial cable connected to a measuring instrument (not shown), a center conductor 30, and a sliding portion. It can be roughly divided into 40. The probe fixing portion 10, the central conductor 30, and the sliding portion 40 are preferably cylindrical members extending in the axial direction, but shapes other than the cylindrical shape are adopted as the shapes of the members extending in the axial direction. It 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 fitting portion 12 at an upper portion and a probe attachment portion 14 at a lower portion than the fitting portion 12. The probe fixing part 10 functions as an outer conductor made of a conductive material.

  The fitting part 12 has a cylindrical shape, and has an unevenness 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, etc. in a coaxial cable housing connected to a measuring instrument (not shown), that is, it is necessary to attach using the probe attaching part 14 of the probe fixing part 10 If there is no, the probe mounting portion 14 can be omitted from the probe fixing portion 10.

  The center conductor 30 includes a center conductor socket 32, a spring member 34, a restricting portion 33, an intermediate conductor 35, and a center conductor plunger 36, each extending in the axial direction. The restricting portion 33 is formed of an insulating material. It is made of a conductive material. The restricting portion 33 is not limited to being formed of an insulating material, but can be insulated by applying or pasting an insulating resin to a member (not necessarily an insulating member) serving as a restricting portion. The sex control unit can be configured.

  The probe fixing part 10 can hold the central conductor socket 32 without being in electrical contact with the insulator 20 (see FIG. 2) housed inside the upper part. The rear end portion (upper portion) of the center conductor socket 32 is located in the fitting portion 12 of the probe fixing portion 10 and functions as a center conductor, and is electrically connected to a coaxial cable (not shown). On the other hand, the opening on the front end side of the center conductor socket 32 is electrically connected to the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36.

  The center conductor socket 32 includes a plurality of contact pieces 37 between a plurality of slits extending from the opening on the front end side to the rear end side along the axial direction, and each of the plurality of contact pieces 37 is bent inward. A contact portion 38 (see FIG. 2) is formed. That is, in a state where the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is not inserted into the center conductor socket 32, the inner diameter of the peripheral portion of the opening portion on the front end side of the center conductor socket 32 is on the rear end side of the center conductor socket 32. The shape is narrowed down toward the tip side along the axial direction so as to be smaller than the inner diameter. The abutting portion 38 is not limited to the narrowed shape, and the abutting piece 37 may be protruded inward (projected) or bent to form an abutting portion. .

  The spring member 34 is provided between the center conductor socket 32 and the center conductor plunger 36, and is housed in the cylindrical shape of the center conductor socket 32. The center conductor plunger 36 can urge the center conductor plunger 36 away from the center conductor socket 32 by the elasticity of the spring member 34 interposed between the center conductor socket 32 and the center conductor plunger 36. The rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is inserted into the center conductor socket 32 through the opening on the front end side of the center conductor socket 32.

  The rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is in contact with the contact portion 38 on the inner wall near the opening of the center conductor socket 32, and can slide in the cylindrical portion of the center conductor socket 32. That is, the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 can come into contact with the plurality of contact pieces 37 of the center conductor socket 32 in an axially slidable state. The central conductor socket 32 has an abutting portion 38 of a plurality of abutting pieces 37 bent inward so that the peripheral portion of the opening on the front end side of the central conductor socket 32 and the rear end portion of the central conductor plunger 36 are connected. A reliable contact can be made.

  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 plunger 36, and the center conductor socket 32 can be provided inside the inner diameter of the spring member 34.

  The insulating restricting portion 33 can restrict the movement of the center conductor plunger 36 in the front end direction so that the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 does not come out of the opening of the center conductor socket 32. An edge portion on the rear end side (upper side) of the restricting portion 33 is formed to have a diameter increased in a flange shape, and is locked to cover the upper surface of the rear end of the intermediate conductor 35. And the control part 33 is formed in the cylinder shape provided with the bottom part including the hole which lets parts other than the rear-end part of the center conductor plunger 36 pass. The movement of the central conductor plunger 36 in the distal direction is restricted by the bottom of the restriction portion 33.

  The restricting portion 33 is held by a cylindrical portion on the rear end side (upper side) of the intermediate conductor 35 provided between the probe fixing portion 10 and the sliding portion 40. That is, the restricting portion 33 that restricts the movement of the center conductor plunger 36 in the distal direction by the bottom portion of the cylinder is arranged so that the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 does not come out of the opening portion on the tip end side of the center conductor socket 32. The conductor 35 can be provided on the cylindrical portion on the rear end side.

  The tip portion including the opening of the center conductor socket 32 is housed in the restriction portion 33, and the side surface of the tip portion faces or contacts the inner surface of the restriction portion 33, thereby opening the center conductor socket 32. That is, the excessive deformation of at least one of the contact piece 37 and the contact part 38 can be restricted.

  The sliding portion 40 includes at least an outer conductor shell 47 and a movable shell 50. Each member constituting the sliding portion 40 has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. The movable shell 50 includes a tip shell 45 on the tip side. Each shell included in the sliding portion 40 is formed of a conductive material.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the distal end portion of the coaxial probe is in contact with the counterpart coaxial receptacle. The coaxial cable from the measuring instrument connected to the fitting portion 12, the jig for attaching the coaxial probe 1 with the probe attaching portion 14, the instrument, etc. are omitted for the sake of simplicity of explanation. The same applies to FIGS. 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 of the fitting portion 12 of the probe fixing portion 10 is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube from which the probe mounting portion 14 extends, the outer diameters of the upper and lower portions of the insulator 20 are matched to the sizes of these inner diameters. The insulator 20 can be determined so as to be accommodated in the probe fixing part 10 without a gap.

  The insulator 41 has a hole for inserting the central conductor plunger 36 at the center thereof. The outer diameter of the insulator 41 is accommodated in the cylinder portion without a gap in accordance with the size of the inner diameter of the cylinder portion provided with the flange portion 59 extending outward from the side wall of the movable shell 50. Can be determined as follows.

  The probe fixing portion 10 has a hollow cylindrical shape because it does not accommodate the spring member 43 and the like, and the outer conductor shell 47 accommodates the rear end portion of the movable shell 50 together with the spring member 43 in a slidable state. . The cylindrical portion of the probe fixing portion 10 and the outer conductor shell 47 are coupled via the intermediate conductor 35 to constitute one fixed outer conductor shell. Since the probe fixing portion 10, the intermediate conductor 35, and the outer conductor shell 47 are fixed components that cannot be moved in the coaxial probe 1, they are collectively referred to as “fixed outer conductor” in this specification.

  An opening is provided at the front end surface of the outer conductor shell 47, and a portion other than the rear end of the movable shell 50 (the rear end side of the flange portion 59) from the opening, that is, the stroke from the front end. The central portion where the management groove 52 is provided is exposed. 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 47 by the elasticity of the spring member 43 interposed between the intermediate conductor 35 and the flange portion 59 provided on the outer wall of the movable shell 50. The spring member 43 can bias the movable shell 50 away from the intermediate conductor 35.

  Since there is a gap between the flange portion 59 of the movable shell 50 and the outer conductor shell 47 and the contact piece 56 of the movable shell 50 has elasticity, the movable shell 50 can swing in the radial direction. When the movable shell 50 swings in the radial direction, the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 comes into strong contact with a plurality of contact pieces 37 on the front end side of the center conductor socket 32, and the plurality of contact portions 37 are controlled by the restriction portion 33. Since the contact piece 37 is restricted from expanding, it is slidably accommodated in the central conductor socket 32 without rattling or breakage. The center conductor plunger 36 has a rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 in the center conductor socket 32 as a fulcrum (or a force point), and a tip end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 in the insulator 44 in the tip shell 45 as a force point (or As a fulcrum).

  With such a configuration, the coaxial probe 1 projects the edge portion of the opening of the center conductor socket 32 (fixed center conductor) that may cause a stub that variably branches the transmission path length of the high-frequency signal. The structure which latches the rear-end part of the center conductor plunger 36 (movable center conductor) can be avoided. That is, since the coaxial probe 1 does not variably branch the transmission path length of the high-frequency signal, it can accurately measure the characteristics of the high-frequency circuit in the electronic device without adversely affecting the impedance change due to the variable amount. it can.

  The thickness of the movable shell 50 is substantially divided into two stages, and can be configured to gradually increase toward the rear end. The movable shell 50 has the thinnest tip portion coupled to the tip shell 45, and the thickness of the central portion where the stroke management groove 52 and the stroke management end 54 are provided is the rear end portion where the tip portion and the contact piece 56 are provided. Than thicker. The central conductor plunger 36 exposed from the opening on the distal end side of the central conductor socket 32 is accommodated in a slidable state in the cylinder at the thinnest distal end portion of the movable shell 50. 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. The plurality of contact pieces 56 are pressed against the inner wall of the cylindrical portion on the distal end side of the intermediate conductor 35 by the respective elastic force (stress), so that the movable shell 50 can be electrically connected to the intermediate conductor 35, and the ground characteristics. The electrical characteristics such as can be stabilized. Preferably, each of the end portions of the plurality of contact pieces 56 is provided with a protruding portion 58 protruding outward, and each protruding portion 58 is pressed against the inner wall of the intermediate conductor 35 by the elastic force (stress) of the contact piece 56. Thus, the electrical connection between the movable shell 50 and the intermediate conductor 35 can be reliably maintained.

  Here, since the movable shell 50 and the tip shell 45 are components 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, the center conductor socket 32 is a component fixed in the fixed outer conductor, and is also referred to as a “fixed center conductor” in the present specification. On the other hand, since the center conductor plunger 36 is a component that can move inside the movable outer conductor and the fixed outer conductor, it is also referred to as a “movable center conductor”. The restricting portion 33 formed of the insulator 20 and the insulating material can electrically insulate the fixed center conductor and the fixed outer conductor and maintain the distance therebetween.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the coaxial probe is pushed in from the state shown in FIG. 2 and the coaxial probe and the counterpart coaxial receptacle are connected. The coaxial probe 1 abuts on the coaxial receptacle 2 and is further pushed to be connected to the coaxial receptacle 2. When the coaxial probe 1 and the coaxial receptacle 2 are connected, the movable shell 50 is slid to the rear end side along the axial direction and pushed into the back. At that time, the front end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is exposed and becomes a contact portion with the coaxial receptacle 2. 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.

  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 that manages the load continuously applied to the inspection coaxial probe in order to stabilize the ground characteristic, the frequency characteristic, etc., the management state can be grasped by visual observation, so that the management becomes easy.

  Similarly, since the inner diameter of the opening portion through which the movable shell 50 is inserted is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange portion 59 of the movable shell 50 accommodated in the outer conductor shell 47, as shown in FIG. In the initial state of the coaxial probe 1, the flange portion 59 of the movable shell 50 is urged by the spring member 43 and is kept locked at the tip of the external conductor shell 47. When locked in this way, the inclined surface provided between the flange portion 59 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 FIG. 3, regardless of the connection state between the coaxial probe 1 and the coaxial receptacle 2, the movable shell 50 has the intermediate conductor 35 due to the protrusions 58 of the plurality of contact pieces 56 provided at the rear end thereof. You can always maintain contact with. Since the protrusion 58 protrudes outward from the plurality of contact pieces 56 of the movable shell 50, the protrusion 58 is always pressed against the inner wall of the lower cylindrical portion of the intermediate conductor 35 by the elastic force of each contact piece 56. The ground characteristics of the coaxial probe 1 can be stabilized.

  In order to give elasticity to the contact piece 56, in addition to forming slits between the contact pieces 56, the plate thickness of the contact piece 56 can be reduced. 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.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 has a distal end when the movable shell 50 is pushed into the outer conductor shell 47 and slides when the coaxial probe 1 and the coaxial receptacle 2 are connected. It is exposed from the shell 45. 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 while being pushed into the center conductor socket 32, and the tip end portion thereof is pushed. It can be pressed against the center terminal of the coaxial receptacle 2. Thus, even if the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is pushed into the interior of the center conductor socket 32, the transmission path length of the high-frequency signal does not variably branch, so that the state shown in FIG. The amount of stubs is not changed compared to.

  Since the center conductor plunger 36 and the restriction portion 33 are arranged so that a gap is formed between the center conductor plunger 36 and the restriction portion 33, the center conductor plunger 36 is prevented from sliding up and down by the restriction portion 33. There is nothing. 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 socket 32, 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.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the tip of the coaxial probe is in contact with the coaxial receptacle on the other side with the center axis shifted, and the coaxial probe is pushed in from the state shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that it rock | fluctuated to radial direction. Even if a slight deviation (for example, a deviation of about 0.5 mm) occurs in the central axis between the coaxial probe 1 and the counterpart coaxial receptacle 2, as shown in FIG. The edge of the cylindrical opening of the counterpart coaxial receptacle 2 hits the inclined surface of the tapered part 46 of the part. Then, by sliding the tip shell 45 so that the tip of the center conductor plunger 36 is guided to the center terminal located at the center of the opening, as shown in FIG. 5, the movable shell 50 is moved in the radial direction. Can be swung. 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 caused by the rear end portion of the movable shell 50 accommodated in the outer conductor shell 47, that is, the protrusions 58 of the plurality of contact pieces 56 pressing against the inner wall of the intermediate conductor 35. Be regulated. Adjusting the gap between the plurality of contact pieces 56 of the movable shell 50 and the inner wall of the intermediate conductor 35 (that is, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion composed of the plurality of contact pieces 56 of the movable shell 50 and the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion below the intermediate conductor 35). By doing so, the range of swing of the movable shell 50 in the radial direction can be changed. In the coaxial probe 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the range of swing of the movable shell 50 in the radial direction can be about 0.5 mm from the central axis.

  As shown in FIG. 5, 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 intermediate conductor 35 by the elastic force of the contact piece 56, the ground characteristic of the coaxial probe 1 can be stabilized. Further, since the contact piece 56 is housed in the cylindrical portion below the intermediate conductor 35, the contact piece 56 may interfere with the spring member 43 even when the movable shell 50 is swung and sliding. Absent. Further, since the contact piece 56 is separated from the inner wall of the outer conductor shell 47 by the intermediate conductor 35, it does not interfere even when the movable shell 50 is swung and slid.

  When the movable shell 50 swings in the radial direction, the center conductor plunger 36 uses the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 in the center conductor socket 32 as a fulcrum (or a force point), and the inside of the insulator 44 in the tip shell 45. The tip of the central conductor plunger 36 located at the center can be formed of a conductive member having elasticity so as to bend (i.e., bend) like a bow with a force point (or fulcrum) as a force point. At this time, even if a force for inclining the rear end portion of the center conductor plunger 36 is applied, the contact piece 37 is restricted by the restriction portion 33, so that at least one of the contact piece 37 and the contact portion 38 is excessive. Can be prevented.

  Even when the central conductor plunger 36 is bent, the movable shell 50 is formed so that the outer diameter of the movable shell 50 is increased and the inner diameter of the movable shell 50 is increased. A short circuit due to contact with the inner wall of the shell 50 can be prevented. As another measure for preventing a short circuit, an insulator can be disposed at the root of each radial deformation portion on the rear end side of each step portion of the center conductor plunger 36, and an intermediate portion of the center conductor plunger 36 can be provided. An insulating material can be placed.

  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. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment in which the configuration of the central conductor plunger of the coaxial probe is changed. The coaxial probe 1 ′ of another embodiment shown in FIG. 6 mainly has a configuration of the center conductor plunger 39 and the center conductor socket 22 in which the center conductor plunger of the coaxial probe 1 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 36 and the central conductor socket 32 are different. The center conductor plunger 39 includes a center conductor cylinder portion 31 on the rear end side.

  The center conductor cylinder portion 31 includes a plurality of contact pieces 27 between a plurality of slits extending in the axial direction from the rear end side opening, and each of the plurality of contact pieces 27 is bent inward. Thus, the contact portion 28 is formed. That is, in the state where the center conductor socket 22 is not inserted into the center conductor cylinder portion 31 of the center conductor plunger 39, the inner diameter of the peripheral portion of the opening on the rear end side of the center conductor cylinder portion 31 is the center conductor cylinder portion. The shape is narrowed down toward the rear end side along the axial direction so as to be smaller than the inner diameter of the front end side of 31. The contact portion 28 is not limited to a narrowed shape, and the tip portion of the contact piece 27 may be ejected (protruded) or bent to protrude inward to form the contact portion. .

  The spring member 34 is provided between the center conductor socket 22 and the center conductor plunger 39 and is housed in the cylindrical center conductor tube portion 31 of the center conductor plunger 39. The center conductor plunger 39 can bias the center conductor plunger 39 away from the center conductor socket 22 by the elasticity of the spring member 34 interposed between the center conductor socket 22 and the center conductor plunger 39. The front end portion of the center conductor socket 22 is inserted into the center conductor tube portion 31 through the opening on the rear end side of the center conductor plunger 39.

  The front end portion of the center conductor socket 22 abuts on the abutting portion 28 on the inner wall near the opening of the center conductor cylinder portion 31, and can slide within the center conductor cylinder portion 31 of the center conductor plunger 39. That is, the distal end portion of the center conductor socket 22 can contact the plurality of contact pieces 27 of the center conductor cylinder portion 31 in a state in which the tip end portion can slide in the axial direction. The center conductor cylinder portion 31 of the center conductor plunger 39 includes a slit extending between the plurality of contact pieces 27 extending in the axial direction from the opening on the rear end side, and the plurality of contact pieces 27 are arranged on the inner side. The contact portion 28 is formed by bending. The central conductor cylinder portion 31 has a peripheral portion of an opening on the rear end side of the central conductor cylinder portion 31 and a distal end portion of the central conductor socket 22 by abutting portions 28 of a plurality of abutting pieces 27 bent inward. Can reliably contact.

  The insulating restricting portion 23 can restrict the movement of the center conductor plunger 39 in the distal direction so that the center conductor socket 22 does not come out of the opening of the center conductor cylinder portion 31 of the center conductor plunger 39. The restricting portion 23 is held by a tube portion on the rear end side (upper side) of the intermediate conductor 35 provided between the tube portion of the probe fixing portion 10 and the outer conductor shell 47. In other words, the restricting portion 23 that restricts the movement of the center conductor plunger 36 in the front end direction is such that the center conductor socket 22 does not come out of the opening of the center conductor cylinder portion 31 of the center conductor plunger 39. It can be provided on the side cylinder portion.

  The probe fixing portion 10 accommodates a hollow cylindrical insulator 21 extending in the axial direction in a hollow portion inside thereof. Since the inner diameter of the tube of the fitting portion 12 of the probe fixing portion 10 is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube from which the probe mounting portion 14 extends, the outer diameters of the upper and lower portions of the insulator 21 are matched to the sizes of these inner diameters. The insulator 21 can be determined so as to be accommodated in the probe fixing portion 10 without a gap.

  The insulator 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom including a hole through which a portion on the rear end side of the center conductor socket 22 passes. The tip portions of the plurality of contact pieces 27 of the central conductor plunger 39 are housed in an insulator 21 formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and the side surfaces of the tip portions are opposed to or in contact with the inner surface of the insulator 21. By doing so, it is possible to restrict the plurality of contact pieces 27 of the central conductor plunger 39 from expanding. That is, when the movable shell 50 swings in the radial direction, the tip end portion of the center conductor socket 22 comes into strong contact with the plurality of contact pieces 27 on the rear end side of the center conductor tube portion 31, and the insulator 21 In order to restrict the plurality of contact pieces 27 from spreading, the contact pieces 27 are slidably accommodated in the central conductor cylinder 31 without rattling or damage.

  With such a configuration, when the coaxial probe 1 ′ swings in the radial direction of the movable shell 50, the center conductor socket 22 does not rattle or break without being damaged in the center conductor cylinder portion 31 of the center conductor plunger 39. Therefore, the distal end portion of the central conductor socket 22 in the central conductor cylinder portion 31 is used as a fulcrum (or force point), and the central conductor plunger 39 in the insulator 44 in the distal end shell 45 is accommodated. The tip end portion bends as a power point (or fulcrum). Even in such a configuration, the coaxial probe 1 ′ can cause a stub that variably branches the transmission path length of the high-frequency signal, and the center conductor socket 22 (fixed center conductor) and the center conductor plunger 39 (movable). It is possible to avoid a configuration in which the central conductor) is locked by the protrusion. That is, the coaxial probe 1 ′ can also accurately measure the characteristics of the high-frequency circuit in the electronic device because the transmission path length of the high-frequency signal does not variably branch.

  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.

1, 1 'coaxial probe 2 coaxial receptacle 10 probe fixing part (fixed outer conductor)
12 Fitting part 14 Probe mounting part 20 Insulator (first insulator)
21 Insulator 22 Center conductor socket (fixed center conductor)
23 Control part 27 Contact piece 28 Contact part 30 Center conductor 31 Center conductor cylinder part 32 Center conductor socket (fixed center conductor)
33 Restricting portion 34 Spring member (second spring member)
35 Intermediate conductor (fixed outer conductor)
36 Center conductor plunger (movable center conductor)
37 Contact piece 38 Contact part 39 Center conductor plunger (movable center conductor)
40 Sliding part 41 Insulator 43 Spring member (first spring member)
44 Insulator (second insulator)
45 Tip shell (movable outer conductor)
46 Tapered part 47 External conductor shell (fixed outer conductor)
48 Spring member 50 Movable shell (movable outer conductor)
52 Stroke management groove 54 Stroke management end 56 Contact piece 58 Projection 59 Flange

Claims (11)

A fixed outer conductor;
A movable external device having a rear end portion in contact with the fixed outer conductor in an axially slidable state and configured to be swingable in a radial direction by a plurality of elastic contact pieces formed at the rear end portion. Conductors,
A first spring member provided between the fixed outer conductor and the movable outer conductor and biasing the movable outer conductor away from the fixed outer conductor;
A central conductor disposed on a central axis of the fixed outer conductor;
Including
The central conductor is
A fixed center conductor supported by a first insulator provided in the fixed outer conductor and provided with a plurality of contact pieces on the tip side;
A movable center conductor having a rear end portion in contact with the plurality of contact pieces of the fixed center conductor in an axially slidable state; and
A second spring member provided between the fixed center conductor and the movable center conductor and biasing the movable center conductor away from the fixed center conductor;
Including
The fixed center conductor includes the plurality of contact pieces extending elastically toward the opening on the distal end side along the axial direction, and the contact pieces that project inwardly form the plurality of contact pieces. And
A rear end portion of the movable center conductor is in contact with the plurality of contact pieces of the fixed center conductor,
The fixed outer conductor includes an insulating restricting portion that restricts movement of the movable center conductor in a distal direction so that a rear end portion of the movable center conductor does not come out of an opening of the fixed center conductor. Coaxial probe characterized by The restricting portion is formed in a cylindrical shape including a bottom portion including a hole through which a portion other than a rear end portion of the movable central conductor passes.
The restricting portion prevents the movement of the rear end portion of the movable center conductor biased away from the fixed center conductor by the second spring member from being removed from the opening of the fixed center conductor by the bottom portion. Regulate,
A front end portion including the opening of the fixed center conductor is housed in the restricting portion, and a side surface of the front end portion is opposed to or in contact with an inner surface of the restricting portion, so that the opening of the fixed center conductor The coaxial probe according to claim 1, wherein the coaxial probe is configured to restrict spreading of the coaxial probe. A fixed outer conductor;
A movable external device having a rear end portion in contact with the fixed outer conductor in an axially slidable state and configured to be swingable in a radial direction by a plurality of elastic contact pieces formed at the rear end portion. Conductors,
A first spring member provided between the fixed outer conductor and the movable outer conductor and biasing the movable outer conductor away from the fixed outer conductor;
A central conductor disposed on a central axis of the fixed outer conductor;
Including
The central conductor is
A fixed center conductor supported by a first insulator provided in the fixed outer conductor;
A movable center conductor provided with a plurality of elastic contact pieces on the rear end side, in contact with the fixed center conductor in an axially slidable state,
A second spring member provided between the fixed center conductor and the movable center conductor and biasing the movable center conductor away from the fixed center conductor;
Including
The movable center conductor includes the plurality of contact pieces extending elastically toward the rear end side opening along the axial direction, and the contact pieces projecting inward are provided on the plurality of contact pieces. Formed,
The distal end portion of the fixed center conductor is in contact with the plurality of contact pieces of the movable center conductor,
The movable center conductor includes an insulating regulating portion that regulates movement of the movable center conductor in a distal direction so that a distal end portion of the fixed outer conductor does not come out of an opening of the movable center conductor. A featured coaxial probe. The first insulator is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom including a hole through which a portion on the rear end side of the fixed center conductor passes.
The tip portions of the plurality of contact pieces of the movable central conductor are housed in the first insulator, and the side surfaces of the tip portions are opposed to or in contact with the inner surface of the first insulator, The coaxial probe according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of contact pieces of the movable central conductor are configured to be restricted from spreading. The fixed outer conductor includes a cylindrical intermediate conductor,
The coaxial probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the intermediate conductor holds the restricting portion in a cylindrical portion on a rear end side.   6. The movable outer conductor according to claim 1, wherein a portion other than a rear end portion of the movable outer conductor is inserted from an opening provided at a tip of the fixed outer conductor. The coaxial probe as described. The plurality of contact pieces of the movable outer conductor are pressed against the inner wall of the intermediate conductor included in the fixed outer conductor by elasticity,
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein when the movable outer conductor swings in a radial direction, at least one of the plurality of contact pieces is in contact with an inner wall of the intermediate conductor. The coaxial probe as described.   The coaxial probe according to claim 1, wherein the first spring member is disposed outside the movable central conductor.   9. A protruding portion protruding from an outer diameter of a rear end portion of the movable outer conductor is formed at each end portion of the plurality of contact pieces of the movable outer conductor. The coaxial probe according to any one of the above.   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 7. The coaxial probe according to Item 6. The fixed center conductor includes a center conductor shell;
The movable central conductor includes a central conductor plunger;
The movable outer conductor includes a tip shell;
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 10, wherein the coaxial probe is bent with a tip end portion of the movable central conductor inserted through a hole of a body as a force point or a fulcrum.

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