Connector

Abstract

The invention provides a connector capable of stably holding a cylindrical conductor in a housing hole by ensuring a press-in distance while suppressing an increase in the amount of material for forming a housing to a small extent. A connector (10) according to one aspect of the present invention is provided with: a housing (11) having a housing hole (15); and an outer conductor (21), which is a cylindrical conductor and is received in the receiving hole by being press-fitted. The housing hole of the housing has an inlet end portion (15a) and an outlet end portion (15b), the inlet end portion (15a) being one of the two axial end portions of the housing hole, and the outlet end portion (15b) being the other of the two axial end portions of the housing hole. The outer conductor is inserted into the receiving hole from the inlet end. The outer conductor has a press-fit protrusion (33) protruding toward the outer peripheral side. The outer conductor is fixed to the receiving hole by the press-fitting protrusion being recessed into the inner peripheral surface of the receiving hole. The housing hole (15) has an extension portion (17) that extends from the outlet end portion (15b) to the outside in the axial direction of the housing hole (15). The press-fit protrusion (33) is recessed into the extension (17).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a connector. BACKGROUND

[0002] A connector is disclosed in Patent Literature 1, which has a housing having a receiving hole and a cylindrical conductor received in the receiving hole by press-fitting. The receiving hole of the housing has an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion, the inlet end portion being one of the two axial end portions of the receiving hole, and the outlet end portion being the other of the two axial end portions of the receiving hole. The cylindrical conductor is inserted into the receiving hole from the inlet end portion. The cylindrical conductor has a press-fitting protrusion protruding to the outer peripheral side. The press-fitting protrusion is sunk into the inner peripheral surface of the receiving hole, whereby the cylindrical conductor is fixed to the receiving hole. PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT LITERATURE

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-174639 SUMMARY PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] In the connector as described above, the present inventors have found that the longer the axial distance from the inlet end portion of the receiving hole to the position of the press-fitting protrusion (hereinafter referred to as the press-fitting distance), the more stably the cylindrical conductor can be held in the receiving hole. Further, the present inventors have studied how to suppress an increase in the amount of material forming the housing while stably holding the cylindrical conductor in the receiving hole.

[0005] An object of the present application is to provide a connector which can suppress an increase in the amount of material forming a housing while ensuring a press-fitting distance to stably hold a cylindrical conductor in a receiving hole. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0006] The connector of the present application has a housing having a receiving hole, and a cylindrical conductor received in the receiving hole by press-fitting, the receiving hole having an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion, the inlet end portion being one of the two axial end portions of the receiving hole, and the outlet end portion being the other of the two axial end portions of the receiving hole, the cylindrical conductor being inserted into the receiving hole from the inlet end portion, the cylindrical conductor having a press-fitting protrusion protruding to the outer peripheral side, the press-fitting protrusion being sunk into the inner peripheral surface of the receiving hole, whereby the cylindrical conductor is fixed to the housing, the receiving hole having an extension portion extending from the outlet end portion to the axial outside of the receiving hole, the press-fitting protrusion being sunk into the extension portion. EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to the connector of the present application, an increase in the amount of material forming a housing can be suppressed while ensuring a press-fitting distance to stably hold a cylindrical conductor in a receiving hole. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector in the embodiment. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector in this configuration. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the terminal unit in this method. Figure 4 This is a top view of the connector in this configuration. Figure 5 This is a top view of the connector in the variant example. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector in this variation. Detailed Implementation

[0009] [Description of embodiments of the present invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The connector of the present invention, [1] The device comprises: a housing having a receiving hole; and a cylindrical conductor being received in the receiving hole by pressing, the receiving hole having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end being one of the two axial ends of the receiving hole, the outlet end being the other of the two axial ends of the receiving hole, the cylindrical conductor being inserted into the receiving hole from the inlet end, the cylindrical conductor having a pressing protrusion protruding outwards, the pressing protrusion being inserted into the inner circumferential surface of the receiving hole, thereby fixing the cylindrical conductor to the housing, the receiving hole having an extension extending outwards from the outlet end towards the axially outer side of the receiving hole, the pressing protrusion being inserted into the extension.

[0010] According to this structure, by having the press-in protrusion of the cylindrical conductor embedded in the extension extending from the outlet end of the receiving hole, a large press-in distance from the inlet end of the receiving hole to the position of the press-in protrusion can be ensured. Furthermore, by providing the extension in the receiving hole, the increase in the volume of the housing can be minimized while ensuring the press-in distance. Therefore, the increase in the amount of housing forming material can be minimized, while ensuring the press-in distance and stably holding the cylindrical conductor in the receiving hole. In addition, by ensuring a large press-in distance, the necessity to increase the number of press-in protrusions is reduced. Therefore, the number of press-in protrusions can be reduced, resulting in the desired communication performance of the cylindrical conductor.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], it is also possible that a plurality of press-in protrusions are provided on the cylindrical conductor, and the plurality of press-in protrusions are arranged at the same position on each other in the axial direction. According to this structure, the cylindrical conductor can be held more stably in the receiving hole by means of multiple press-in protrusions.

[0012] [3] In the above [2], the plurality of press-in protrusions may also be arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. According to this structure, by having multiple press-in protrusions spaced at equal angles in the circumferential direction, the cylindrical conductor can be held evenly in the receiving hole in the circumferential direction.

[0013] [4] In any of [1] to [3] above, the extension may also be in the form of a ring around the periphery of the receiving hole. According to this structure, since the extension is annular along the entire circumference of the receiving hole, the rigidity of the extension can be improved. Therefore, the cylindrical conductor can be held more stably by pressing the protrusion into the extension.

[0014] [5] In any of [1] to [3] above, the cylindrical conductor may be provided with a plurality of press-in protrusions and a plurality of extensions may be provided along the periphery of the receiving hole, the plurality of extensions being provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of press-in protrusions respectively.

[0015] According to this structure, the cylindrical conductor can be more stably held in the receiving hole by multiple press-in protrusions that are respectively embedded in multiple extensions. [6] In the above [5], the housing may also have multiple reinforcing ribs, each of which independently reinforces the multiple extensions.

[0016] According to this structure, the rigidity of each extension can be improved by the reinforcing ribs. As a result, the cylindrical conductor can be held more stably by the press-in protrusions sinking into each extension.

[0017] [7] In any of [1] to [6] above, the connector may also include a terminal unit, the terminal unit including an outer conductor as the cylindrical conductor, the terminal unit having a dielectric body and an inner conductor, the dielectric body being fixed inside the outer conductor, and the inner conductor being supported by the dielectric body.

[0018] According to this structure, the outer conductor constituting the terminal unit can be stably held in the receiving hole. [Details of embodiments of the present invention] Specific examples of the connector of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, for ease of explanation, sometimes a portion of the structure is shown enlarged or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the various parts may differ in the drawings. In addition, the term "cylindrical" as used in this specification includes not only a cylindrical shape with a continuous circumferential wall, but also shapes formed by combining multiple components to form a cylindrical shape, and shapes such as a C-shape with a notch in a portion of the circumference. Furthermore, the shape of "cylindrical" includes circular, elliptical, and polygonal shapes with pointed or rounded corners.

[0019] Figure 1 The connector 10 shown in this embodiment is connected, for example, to an electrical device (not shown) mounted on a vehicle. Examples of electrical devices that can be connected to the connector 10 include vehicle-mounted cameras.

[0020] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the connector 10 includes a housing 11 and a terminal unit 12 housed in the housing 11. (Shell 11) The housing 11 has a base 13, a fitting sleeve 14, and a receiving hole 15. The fitting sleeve 14 extends from the base 13 along the axis CL of the connector 10. The fitting sleeve 14 is, for example, formed into a cylindrical shape centered on the axis CL of the connector 10. Furthermore, in the following description, the direction along the axis CL is sometimes simply referred to as "axial". The fitting sleeve 14 engages with the connector portion of the electrical device.

[0021] like Figure 2 As shown, the fitting cylinder portion 14 has, for example, a retaining portion 16 for retaining the terminal unit 12 on its inner circumferential side. The retaining portion 16 extends from the inner circumferential surface of the fitting cylinder portion 14 towards the inner circumferential side. The retaining portion 16 has a first end face 16a and a second end face 16b as its own axial end faces.

[0022] (Storage hole 15) The receiving hole 15 is formed so as to penetrate the retaining portion 16 axially. The receiving hole 15 is a through hole connecting the inner side of the fitting cylinder portion 14 and the interior of the base portion 13. The receiving hole 15 is, for example, formed as a circle centered on the axis CL. The receiving hole 15 has an inlet end 15a and an outlet end 15b, where the inlet end 15a is one of the two axial ends of the receiving hole 15, and the outlet end 15b is the other of the two axial ends of the receiving hole 15. The inlet end 15a of the receiving hole 15 is provided on the side of the first end face 16a of the retaining portion 16. The outlet end 15b of the receiving hole 15 is provided on the side of the second end face 16b of the retaining portion 16. The outlet end 15b is, for example, provided on the same plane orthogonal to the axis CL relative to the second end face 16b of the retaining portion 16.

[0023] The receiving hole 15 has an extension 17 extending axially outward from the outlet end 15b. The extension 17 extends axially from the second end face 16b of the retaining portion 16 at a position corresponding to the periphery of the receiving hole 15. The extension 17 is, for example, formed as a continuous ring along the entire periphery of the receiving hole 15. By forming the extension 17 in a continuous manner in the circumferential direction, the rigidity of the extension 17 is improved. Furthermore, for example, a space is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the extension 17 and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion 14.

[0024] (Terminal Unit 12) Terminal unit 12 is inserted into receiving hole 15 from inlet end 15a along axis CL. With fitting sleeve 14 engaged with connector part of electrical device, terminal unit 12 is connected to terminal (not shown) of electrical device.

[0025] Terminal unit 12 has an outer conductor 21, a dielectric body 22, and an inner conductor 23, which are cylindrical conductors. The outer conductor 21 is cylindrical, extending along the axis CL. The outer conductor 21 is formed of metal, for example. The dielectric body 22 is fixed to the inside of the outer conductor 21. The dielectric body 22 is formed of an insulator such as synthetic resin. The inner conductor 23 is cylindrical, for example. The inner conductor 23 is formed of metal, for example. The inner conductor 23 is fixed to the dielectric body 22 in such a way that it passes through the center of the dielectric body 22 axially. The outer conductor 21 is configured, for example, to provide electromagnetic shielding for the inner conductor 23.

[0026] (Outer conductor 21) like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the outer conductor 21 has a cylindrical body portion 31 extending along the axis CL and a flange portion 32 disposed on the body portion 31. The body portion 31 is, for example, cylindrical about the axis CL. The body portion 31 has an axially extending top end portion 31a. The flange portion 32 extends, for example, from an axial base end portion of the body portion 31 opposite to the top end portion 31a toward the outer periphery. The flange portion 32 is, for example, axially opposed to the first end face 16a of the retaining portion 16.

[0027] (Press-in protrusion 33) like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the outer conductor 21 has a press-in protrusion 33 that protrudes from the main body 31 toward the outer periphery. Furthermore, in Figure 4In the terminal unit 12, only the outline of the main body 31, including each press-in protrusion 33, is shown with a double-dotted line. For example, multiple press-in protrusions 33 are provided on the outer conductor 21. In this embodiment, for example, six press-in protrusions 33 are provided on the main body 31 of the outer conductor 21. Each of the multiple press-in protrusions 33 has the same shape as each other. The multiple press-in protrusions 33 are provided at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. In addition, the multiple press-in protrusions 33 are provided at the same position in the axial direction. Each press-in protrusion 33 is formed, for example, by using a stamping process to make a portion of the peripheral wall forming the main body 31 protrude outward to the outer periphery.

[0028] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the outer conductor 21 is received in the receiving hole 15 by pressing. The outer conductor 21 is inserted into the receiving hole 15 from the inlet end 15a along the axis CL. With the outer conductor 21 pressed into the receiving hole 15, each pressing protrusion 33 is recessed into the inner peripheral surface of the extension 17 in the receiving hole 15. Thus, the terminal unit 12 including the outer conductor 21 is fixed to the receiving hole 15.

[0029] The function of this embodiment will be explained. In the connector 10 described above, the outer conductor 21 is fixed to the receiving hole 15 by pressing the protrusion 33 into the extension 17 within the receiving hole 15. Therefore, a large axial distance, i.e., a pressing distance D1, from the inlet end 15a of the receiving hole 15 to the position of the pressing protrusion 33 can be ensured, resulting in the outer conductor 21 being stably held in the receiving hole 15. Furthermore, the extension 17 is formed only in the retaining portion 16 at a position corresponding to the periphery of the receiving hole 15. Therefore, compared to a structure that increases the overall axial thickness of the retaining portion 16, the increase in the volume of the housing 11, i.e., the increase in the amount of material used to form the housing 11, can be suppressed.

[0030] Furthermore, by ensuring the pressing distance D1 as in this embodiment, for example by increasing the number of pressing protrusions 33, it is not necessary to increase the holding force of the outer conductor 21. That is, according to this embodiment, the number of pressing protrusions 33 can be kept to a minimum. Therefore, the desired communication performance of the outer conductor 21 can be obtained.

[0031] The effects of this implementation method will be explained. (1) The housing 11 has a receiving hole 15 with an extension 17 extending axially outward from the outlet end 15b toward the receiving hole 15. The press-in protrusion 33 of the outer conductor 21, which is a cylindrical conductor, is recessed into the extension 17. According to this structure, by having the press-in protrusion 33 of the outer conductor 21 recess into the extension 17 extending from the outlet end 15b of the receiving hole 15, it is possible to ensure a large press-in distance D1 from the inlet end 15a of the receiving hole 15 to the position of the press-in protrusion 33. In addition, by providing the extension 17 in the receiving hole 15, the increase in the volume of the housing 11 can be minimized while ensuring the press-in distance D1. Therefore, the increase in the amount of forming material of the housing 11 can be minimized, while the press-in distance D1 can be ensured to stably hold the outer conductor 21 in the receiving hole 15. Furthermore, by ensuring a large press-in distance D1, the necessity to increase the number of press-in protrusions 33 is reduced. Therefore, the number of pressed protrusions 33 can be reduced to a smaller number, resulting in the desired communication performance of the terminal unit 12 including the outer conductor 21.

[0032] (2) A plurality of outer conductors 21 are provided in the press-in protrusions 33. The plurality of press-in protrusions 33 are arranged at the same position in the axial direction. According to this structure, the outer conductors 21 can be held more stably in the receiving hole 15 by means of the plurality of press-in protrusions 33.

[0033] (3) Multiple press-in protrusions 33 are arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. According to this structure, by providing multiple press-in protrusions 33 at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction, the outer conductor 21 can be evenly held in the receiving hole 15 in the circumferential direction.

[0034] (4) The extension 17 is annular along the entire periphery of the receiving hole 15, thus improving the rigidity of the extension 17. As a result, the outer conductor 21 can be held more stably by pressing the protrusion 33 into the extension 17.

[0035] (5) The connector 10 includes a terminal unit 12, which includes an outer conductor 21 that is a cylindrical conductor. The terminal unit 12 has a dielectric body 22 fixed inside the outer conductor 21 and an inner conductor 23 supported on the dielectric body 22. According to this structure, the outer conductor 21 constituting the terminal unit 12 can be stably held in the receiving hole 15.

[0036] (Modified Example) This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following variations can be combined with each other within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0037] The shape and other structure of the extension 17 are not limited to the above embodiment, and can be appropriately modified according to the structure of the connector 10. For example, the extension 17 in the above embodiment can be modified as follows: Figure 5 and Figure 6The extension 41 shown.

[0038] like Figure 5 As shown, a plurality of extensions 41 are provided along the periphery of the receiving hole 15. The number of extensions 41 is, for example, the same as the number of press-in protrusions 33 (six in one example). Each extension 41 has the same shape. The plurality of extensions 41 are provided at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction, for example. That is, the plurality of extensions 41 are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of press-in protrusions 33. In the circumferential direction, each extension 41 is spaced apart from each other. That is, each extension 41 may not have the continuous ring shape in the circumferential direction as the extension 17 of the above embodiment.

[0039] like Figure 6 As shown, each extension 41 extends axially outward from the outlet end 15b of the receiving hole 15. In other words, each extension 41 extends axially from the second end face 16b of the holding portion 16 at a position corresponding to the periphery of the receiving hole 15.

[0040] The housing 11, for example, has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 42, each of which independently reinforces a plurality of extensions 41. Each reinforcing rib 42 is integrally formed with the extension 41 on its outer peripheral side. Each reinforcing rib 42 is connected to the second end face 16b of the retaining portion 16. The rigidity of each extension 41 is improved by the reinforcing ribs 42. In addition, an inclined surface 43 is formed on the surface of each reinforcing rib 42. The inclined surface 43 is inclined toward the outer peripheral side in such a way that the thickness decreases in the axial direction of the reinforcing rib 42. By forming an inclined surface 43 on the reinforcing rib 42, the volume increase of the housing 11 can be suppressed, while the rigidity of the reinforcing rib 42 can be improved.

[0041] According to the modified example described above, by embedding the multiple press-fit protrusions 33 into the multiple extensions 41 respectively, the outer conductor 21 can be held more stably in the receiving hole 15. Furthermore, according to the modified example described above, the rigidity of each extension 41 can be improved by the reinforcing ribs 42. Thus, the outer conductor 21 can be held more stably by embedding the press-fit protrusions 33 into each extension 41.

[0042] Multiple press-in protrusions 33 can also be arranged at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction. The number of press-in protrusions 33 provided on the outer conductor 21 is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be five or less or seven or more.

[0043] The electrical equipment connected to connector 10 can also be vehicle-mounted equipment other than vehicle-mounted cameras. The embodiments and modifications disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the invention is not limited to these illustrative examples. That is, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0044] In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the plurality of press-in protrusions 33 of the terminal unit 12 are sometimes referred to as a plurality of metal anchoring protrusions that project radially outward. like Figure 4 As shown, in a non-limiting embodiment, the extension 17 of the housing 11 is sometimes referred to as a separate cylindrical or annular extension, which is configured to be radially distanced from the radially inward surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 14 of the housing 11. The extension 17 may have a separate radially outward surface continuously extending in the circumferential direction, a separate radially inward surface continuously extending in the circumferential direction, and an axial height (see reference). Figure 2 The axial height of the individual cylindrical or annular extension is such that it can be fully installed in the housing 11 according to the terminal unit 12 (see reference). Figure 2 The position of the plurality of press-in protrusions 33 of the terminal unit 12 below is determined by the position of the protrusions 33. The individual radially inward surface of the individual cylindrical or annular extension is sometimes referred to as an individual anchoring receiving surface for receiving the plurality of press-in protrusions 33.

[0045] like Figure 5 , 6 As shown, in a non-limiting embodiment, the plurality of extensions 41 of the housing 11 are sometimes referred to as a plurality of discrete plates. These discrete plates are arranged such that they are radially spaced from the radially inward surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 14 of the housing 11 and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the receiving hole 15 of the housing 11. Each of these discrete plates may have a radially inward surface and an axial height (see reference). Figure 6 The axial height of the plurality of discrete plates can be adjusted according to the state in which the terminal unit 12 is fully installed in the housing 11 (see reference). Figure 6 The position of the plurality of press-in protrusions 33 of the terminal unit 12 is determined by the position of the plurality of discrete plates. The plurality of radially inward surfaces of the plurality of discrete plates are sometimes referenced as plurality of anchoring receiving surfaces that respectively receive the plurality of press-in protrusions 33.

[0046] like Figure 2 , 6 As shown, the axial and radial thicknesses of the extensions 17 and 41 may also be less than the axial and radial thicknesses of the retaining portion 16. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0047] 10 Connectors 11. Shell 12-terminal unit 13 Base 14 Fitting barrel 15 storage holes 15a Inlet end 15b Outlet end 16. Maintenance Section 16a First end face 16b Second end face 17 Extension 21. Outer conductor (cylindrical conductor) 22 Dielectrics 23 Inner conductor 31 Main Body 31a Top part 32 Flange portion 33 Press into the protrusion 41 Extension 42 Reinforcing Ribs 43 Inclined surface CL connector axis D1 Indentation Distance

Claims

1. A connector comprising: The housing has storage holes; and A cylindrical conductor is pressed into the receiving hole. The receiving hole has an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is one of the two axial ends of the receiving hole, and the outlet end is the other axial end of the receiving hole. The cylindrical conductor is inserted into the receiving hole from the inlet end. The cylindrical conductor has a press-in protrusion that extends outward to the peripheral side. The cylindrical conductor is fixed to the housing by the press-in protrusion sinking into the inner circumferential surface of the receiving hole. The receiving hole has an extension that extends axially outward from the outlet end of the receiving hole. The press-in protrusion is inserted into the extension.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The cylindrical conductor is provided with a plurality of press-in protrusions. The plurality of press-in protrusions are positioned at the same location relative to each other in the axial direction.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein, The plurality of press-in protrusions are arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The extension is in the shape of a ring around the entire periphery of the receiving hole.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The cylindrical conductor is provided with a plurality of press-in protrusions. Multiple extensions are provided along the periphery of the storage hole. The plurality of extensions are disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of press-in protrusions, respectively.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein, The housing has multiple reinforcing ribs, each of which independently reinforces the multiple extensions.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The connector includes a terminal unit, which comprises an outer conductor serving as the cylindrical conductor. The terminal unit has a dielectric body and an inner conductor, the dielectric body being fixed inside the outer conductor and the inner conductor being supported by the dielectric body.

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