Electrical connectors – Having circuit interrupting provision effected by mating or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-16
2001-06-05
Patel, T. C. (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Having circuit interrupting provision effected by mating or...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241541
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to 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 switch-equipped coaxial connector which permits easier assembly with a shorter time at lower costs than before.
It is another object of the invention to provide a switch-equipped coaxial connector having a high precision switch mechanism.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a switch-equipped coaxial connector with a switching unit having contact points resistant to gathering dust and dirt.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector which comprises an insulating housing having a mouth and an elongated cavity for receiving a mating pin through the mouth; a pair of switching members provided in the elongated cavity, one of the switching members being brought into contact with the mating pin while it is separated from the other switching member, and an outer conductor provided over the insulating housing and connected to an outer conductor of a mating connector, wherein the insulating housing is divided into a plurality of housing sections to be assembled into one insulating housing; and the switching members are provided in the housing sections separately from each other but connected to each other when the housing sections are assembled into one body.
According to one embodiment of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector, wherein the insulating housing is made up of two housing sections.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector which comprises an insulating housing having a mouth and an elongated cavity for receiving a mating pin through the mouth; a switching mechanism provided in the elongated cavity and consisting of a connection plate and a switching spring able to contact with the mating pin while it is displaced by the mating pin away from the connection plate, and an outer conductor provided over the insulating housing and connected to an outer conductor of a mating connector, wherein the insulating housing is divided into a first and second housing sections to be assembled into one body; and the switching spring and the connection plate are provided in the first and second housing sections separately and connected to each other by assembling the housing sections.
According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector, which further comprises means for linking the housing sections to each other prior to assembling.
According to still another embodiment of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector, wherein the insulating housing is closed airtight except for the mouth.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector, wherein the outer conductor covers the housing sections so as to prevent separation of the housing sections.
According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector, wherein the outer conductor is made by plating.
According to still another embodiment of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector, which further comprises a partition wall extending from the mouth into the elongated cavity to shield the mouth from a contact point between the switching members.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector, wherein the partition wall is provided so as to guide the mating pin.
According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector, wherein the partition wall is provided so as to position a front portion of the connection plate.
According to still another embodiment of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector, wherein the partition wall is provided so as to guide a contact section of the switching spring toward the connection plate.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector, which further comprises a pressure plate provided on the first housing section to hold down a front portion of the connection plate when the first and second housing sections are assembled into one body.
According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector, which further comprises an oblique surface provided on the second housing section to guide the switching spring of the first housing section.
According to still another embodiment of the invention there is provided a switch-equipped coaxial connector, which further comprises a recess provided in the first housing section to accommodate displacement of the switching spring by the mating pin.
According to still another aspect of the invention there is provided an 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 yet 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 another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method, wherein 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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3946390 (1976-03-01), Alexander et al.
patent:
Hirose Electric Co. Ltd.
Kanesaka & Takeuchi
Patel T. C.
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