Method of making a switch-equipped coaxial connector

Abstract

A method of making a switch-equipped coaxial connector comprises the steps of stamping a pair of switching members from a metal sheet, bending the stamped switching members to complete the switching members, press-fitting the switching members into separate housing sections, assembling the housing sections so as to connect the switching members, and providing an outer conductor over said housing sections.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods of making coaxial connectors equipped with a switch and, more specifically, to a switch-equipped coaxial connector comprising a hollow insulating housing, a switching mechanism provided within the insulating housing and comprising a pair of switching members, one of which is connected with a pin of a mating connector for connection while it is separated from the other, and an outer conductor provided over the insulating housing and connected to the outer conductor of a mating connector.

2. Description of the Related Art

Switch-equipped coaxial connectors are used for switching antennas. A switch-equipped coaxial connector is provided in a mobile phone or the like. When placed at a predetermined position in the car, the mobile phone is switched from the inside antenna to the outside antenna of the car. The dimensions of a usual switch-equipped coaxial connector are 3 mm in diameter and 6 mm in height.

A conventional switch-equipped coaxial connector is described in Japanese patent Kokai No. 8-167454. The coaxial connector comprises an insulating housing with a small hole and a switch mechanism press-fitted in the small hole. However, it is difficult to press-fit the switching mechanism into the small hole in addition to the following problems.

There are variations in the contact pressure and accuracy after the press-fitting. The switching mechanism is press-fitted while it is elastically deformed so that not only it is difficult to assemble but also it takes lots of time and cost. Also, it is necessary to use a complex jigs. The switch mechanism can be press-fitted obliquely, resulting in the lowered product quality. In addition, the mouth for receiving a mating pin tends to gather dust and dirt, presenting a problem of poor contact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a method of making a switch-equipped coaxial connector which permits easier assembly with a shorter time at lower costs than before.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a switch-equipped coaxial connector, which comprises the steps of stamping a pair of switching members from a metal sheet; bending the stamped switching members to complete the switching members; press-fitting the switching members into separate housing sections; assembling the housing sections so as to connect the switching members; and providing an outer conductor over the housing sections.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a switch-equipped coaxial connector, which comprises the steps of simultaneously stamping a pair of switching members from a flat conductive sheet; bending the stamped switching members except for press-fit sections to complete the switching members; simultaneously press-fitting the switching members linked together into elongated cavity halves of respective housing sections linked together; severing the switching members from a carrier; assembling the housing sections to connect the switching members with a predetermined contact pressure; and providing an outer conductor over the housing sections.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the step of providing the outer conductor comprises covering the housing sections with the outer conductor so as to prevent separation of the housing sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switch-equipped coaxial connector according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2 — 2 of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the insulating housing and switching members fixed to the insulting housing;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a front portion of the second housing section after the first and second housing sections are assembled; and

FIGS. 5 ( a )-( c ) are schematic diagrams showing how to make the switch-equipped coaxial connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a switch-equipped coaxial connector. FIG. 2 shows in section the coaxial connector into which a mating pin is inserted. The coaxial connector 1 comprises an insulating housing 20 , a switch mechanism 40 , and an outer conductor 50 .

The insulating housing 20 has a mouth section 21 through which a mating pin 5 is inserted and an elongated cavity section 22 for accommodating the mating pin 5 . The switching mechanism 40 extends along the elongated cavity 22 and switches circuits by the action of the mating pin 5 . It comprises a switching spring 40 A and a connection plate 40 B. The switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B extend along the elongated cavity 22 or the insertion direction of the mating pin 5 . The switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B are soldered to a board 3 at ends 48 A and 48 B, respectively.

The switching spring 40 A is normally displaced toward the connection plate 40 B. Consequently, before the mating pin 5 is inserted, the switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B are connected to each other. The connection plate 40 B is fixed regardless of the mating pin 5 being inserted or not.

When the mating pin 5 is inserted in the elongated cavity 22 , the switching spring 40 A is brought into mechanical and electrical contact with the mating pin 5 and displaced away from the connection plate 40 B or in the direction perpendicular to the mating pin. A recess 23 is provided in the insulating housing to receive the front end 42 A of the switching spring 40 A. As best shown in FIG. 4 , when the switching spring 40 A is displaced away from the connection plate 40 B, it is separated at a contact point 7 from the connection plate 40 B, thereby switching circuits. In FIG. 2 , the circuits have been switched. By connecting the mating pin 5 to the outside antenna of a car and the connection plate 40 B to the inside antenna of a mobile phone it is possible to switch from the inside antenna to the outside antenna. When the mating pin 5 is removed from the elongated cavity 22 , the switching spring 40 A is displaced by its elastic force toward the connection plate 40 B, thereby making a contact with the connection plate 40 B.

The insulating housing 20 is covered by an outer conductor 50 which is separated electrically from the switching mechanism 40 . As best shown in FIG. 1 , the outer conductor 50 is soldered to the board 3 as the switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B. The outer conductor 50 and switching spring 40 A are fixed to the board 3 at right angles with each other, assuring stable attachment of the coaxial connector to the board. When plugged, the outer conductor 50 is connected to the outer terminal of a mating connector. Consequently, the coaxial connector and the mating connector are connected at two points between the outer conductor 50 and the outer conductor of the mating connector and between the switching spring 40 A and the mating pin 5 .

The structures of the housing and the switching mechanism will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3 , wherein the switching mechanism is fixed in the insulating housing before assembling.

The insulating housing 20 is divided into two housing sections 20 A and 20 B. The insulating housing 20 may be divided into more sections. One of the advantages of division of the housing is an increase in design freedom. For example, it is impossible to provide the recess 23 ( FIG. 2 ) unless the housing is divided. In this way, it is possible to mold the complicated inside structure of the insulating housing in a metal mold. Other advantages will be apparent from the following description.

The first and second housing sections 20 A and 20 B receive the switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B, respectively. These housing sections are linked to each other by a linkage section 24 so that they are joined together accurately by turning one of them toward the other. The linkage section 24 , however, is not essential. A plurality of projections and indentations 25 are provided in the housing sections 20 A and 20 B to facilitate accurate assembling of the housing sections 20 A and 20 B into one body.

The switching spring 40 A is press-fitted into the first housing section 20 A before assembling by press-fitting the enlarged flat press-fit section 43 A into the press-fit slit 26 A of the first housing section 20 A so that the front portion of the switching spring 40 A is placed at a predetermined position in the elongated cavity 22 . The front portion of the switching spring 40 A is provided with a bend 41 A for contact with the mating pin 5 . The central portion 34 of the press-fit slit 26 A is removed so that the bend 41 A can pass through the slit 26 A without receiving a pressure. A contact section 44 extends upwardly from one of the edges of the bend 26 A. As best shown in FIG. 4 , when the first and second housing sections 20 A and 20 B are assembled, the contact section 44 of the switching spring 40 A makes a contact with the connection plate 40 B at a point 7 .

The connection plate 40 B is press-fitted to the second housing section 20 B prior to assembling by press-fitting an enlarged flat press-fit section 43 B into a press-fit slit 26 B of the second housing section 20 B so that the front portion of the connection plate 40 B is placed at a predetermined position in the elongated cavity 22 of the second housing section 20 B.

As described above, the switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B are press-fitted in the respective housing sections 20 A and 20 B prior to assembling. Consequently, it is not necessary to elastically deform the switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B for fixing in the housing sections, making the complicated jigs unnecessary, the assembling easy, and the assembling time and cost reduced. In addition, there is no danger that the switching mechanism is press-fitted obliquely, keeping constant the contact pressure and accuracy between the switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B, thus eliminating a cause of poor product quality.

A pair of flat members 45 and 46 extend upwardly from opposite sides of the elongated cavity 22 in the first housing section 20 A. When the first and second housing sections 20 A and 20 B are assembled, the flat members 45 and 46 are fitted into the corresponding areas in the elongated cavity 22 of the second housing section 20 B to secure the assembly of the first and second housing sections 20 A and 20 B. The larger flat member 45 also works as a pressure plate for holding down a front portion 47 of the connection plate 40 B.

A oblique surface 27 is provided in the second housing section 20 B to accommodate the contact section 44 of the switching spring 40 A when the first and second housing sections 20 A and 20 B are assembled. A cover projection 28 is provided on the second housing section 20 B to plug the central channel 34 of the first housing section 20 A to close the insulating housing 20 except for the mouth 21 . The airtight insulating housing 20 prevents a gas from entering the coaxial connector during soldering by reflow. Also, it permits transportation by vacuum suction of the insulating housing 20 in assembling. The edges of the cover projection 28 are tapered at 29 to facilitate smooth assembling of the housing sections 20 A and 20 B. Protruded portions may be provided on the side walls of the central channel 34 to improve the airtight quality of the insulating housing 20 .

The outer conductor 50 covers the housing sections 20 A and 20 B to prevent the separation thereof. A shoulder portion 30 is provided at a middle of the insulating housing 20 to temporarily hold the outer conductor 50 . Then, the outer conductor 50 is further pushed down to completely attach it to the insulating housing 20 .

Other examples of preventing separation of the insulating housing sections 20 A and 20 B include a lock device comprising a lock arm provided on one of the housing sections and a groove provided in the other housing section, the cover projection 28 press-fitted into the central channel 34 of the first housing section 20 A, and projections/indentations 25 press-fitted to each other.

FIG. 4 shows the front portion of the second housing section after assembling but before the mating pin is inserted.

A partition wall 31 extends from the mouth 21 into the elongated cavity 22 between the mouth 21 and the contact point 7 between the switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B to prevent dust and dirt which have entered the elongated cavity through the mouth 21 from causing poor contact. No wall is provided an escape area 32 opposite to the partition wall 31 to permit escape of the dust and dirt which has entered the contact area between the switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B.

The partition wall 31 also prevents the mating pin 5 from making contact with the connection plate 40 B. Also, it guides the front portion 47 of the connection plate 40 B when the connection plate 40 B is press-fitted into the second housing section 20 B. It is critical to accurately position the front portion 47 of the connection plate 40 B because it makes contact with the contact section 44 of the switching spring 40 A at the contact point 7 . Grooves may be provided in the partition wall 31 or the inside wall of the housing section 20 B to guide the front portion 47 to a predetermined position within the elongated cavity 22 . The partition wall 31 guides the contact section 44 of the switching spring 40 A to the connection plate 40 B to assure making the contact point 7 between the switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B. Even if the switching spring 40 A is slightly deformed for some reason, the contact section 44 moves along the partition wall 31 to tolerate the deformation. The distance H between the partition wall 31 and the opposed wall 33 of the elongated cavity 22 is so large that if the switching spring 40 A is slightly displaced, there is provided a contact point between the switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B.

How to make the switch-equipped coaxial connector will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 ( a )-( c ). As shown in FIG. 5 ( a ), a flat metal sheet 2 from a reel 9 is stamped to provide bodies of switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B linked to a carrier. Then, the stamped bodies are bent to predetermined shapes to provide the switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B. As shown in FIG. 5 ( b ), the switching members 40 A and 40 B are press-fitted into the elongated cavity halves 22 A and 22 B ( FIG. 3 ) of the housing sections 20 A and 20 B through the slits 26 A and 26 B (FIG. 3 ). When the first and second housing sections are linked, the switching members 40 A and 40 B can be press-fitted in the housing at once. The connection plate 40 B is press-fitted in the press-fit slit 26 B along the partition wall 31 (FIG. 4 ). The switching spring 40 A and the connection plate 40 B are severed from the carrier after they are fixed to the housing sections 20 A and 20 B. Then, the housing sections 20 A and 20 B are assembled so that the switching spring 40 A is brought into contact with the connection plate 40 B with a predetermined pressure. Finally, as shown in FIG. 5 ( c ), the housing sections 20 A and 20 B are press-fitted into the outer conductor 50 to complete the switch-equipped coaxial connector.

Alternatively, the outer conductor may be replaced by a conductive plating provided on the housing. In this case, it is necessary to prevent separation of the housing sections by using the lock device or press-fit members.

Not only the switching spring 40 A but also the connection plate 40 B may be made movable by the insertion of the mating pin 5 . In this case, it is necessary to provide an insulation material on the connection plate at a contact point with the mating pin to prevent electrical connection. When the mating pin is inserted, the connection plate is brought into contact with the mating pin at the insulation material and displaced in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the mating pin.

According to the invention, assembling of the switch-equipped coaxial connector is made easy, the manufacturing time and cost are reduced, and the precision of the switch mechanism is increased. In addition, dust and dirt hardly reach the contact point of the switching members.

Claims

1. A method of making a switch-equipped coaxial connector, comprising the steps of:simultaneously stamping a pair of switching members from a flat conductive sheet; bending said stamped switching members except for press-fit sections to complete said switching members; simultaneously press-fitting said switching members linked together into elongated cavity halves of respective housing sections linked together; severing said switching members from a carrier; assembling said housing sections to connect said switching members with a predetermined contact pressure; and providing an outer conductor over said housing sections.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing said outer conductor comprises covering said housing sections with said outer conductor so as to prevent separation of said housing sections.