Shielded connector

Abstract

Provided is a shielded connector capable of inhibiting a retainer from falling out of a housing. A shielded connector (1) includes a cylindrical housing (2) that houses and holds a terminal; a ring-shaped sealing member that seals between an outer peripheral surface of an electric wire (7) connected to the terminal and an inner wall surface of the housing; a retainer (4) that is coupled to the housing along an axial direction (X) of the housing to support the sealing member; and a conductive shell (5) into which the coupled housing and the retainer are inserted along the axial direction, the shell having a protrusion (52) that protrudes toward the inside from an inner wall surface of the shell, the retainer having an engaging piece (44) that extends along the axial direction and is engaged with the protrusion to be locked by the shell, the protrusion having a locking surface (52a) that locks the engaging piece, the locking surface being a surface that faces an insertion direction (IN) in which the retainer is inserted into the shell and being an inclined surface that faces the insertion direction as it goes toward a distal end in a protruding direction of the protrusion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a shielded connector. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, shielded connectors existed. Patent Document 1 discloses a connector having a housing, a rear retainer held by the housing, and a rubber plug clamped by the housing and the rear retainer.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-39889 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] When the housing and cage are housed within a shielding enclosure, a structure is provided to lock the housing or cage in place. For example, the housing may have a protrusion for locking the cage. When the cage is locked by the housing, it is preferable to prevent the cage from detaching from the housing.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a shielded connector that can prevent the retainer from falling off the housing.

[0009] Technical means for solving problems

[0010] The shielded connector of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a cylindrical housing that accommodates and holds terminals; an annular sealing member that seals between the outer peripheral surface of a wire connected to the terminal and the inner wall surface of the housing; a retainer that supports the sealing member by being connected to the housing along the axial direction; and a conductive outer shell for inserting the interconnected housing and the retainer along the axial direction, the outer shell having a protrusion that protrudes inward from the inner wall surface of the outer shell, the retainer having a locking tab extending along the axial direction and being locked by the outer shell by engaging the locking tab relative to the protrusion, the protrusion having a locking surface that locks the locking tab, the locking surface being a surface facing the insertion direction of inserting the retainer into the outer shell, and being an inclined surface facing the insertion direction as the protruding end of the protrusion moves toward the protrusion.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] In the shielded connector according to the present invention, the locking surface of the protrusion of the housing faces the insertion direction in which the retainer is inserted into the housing, and is an inclined surface facing the insertion direction as the end of the protrusion faces the end of the protrusion. When a force in the pull-out direction is applied to the retainer, the locking surface can cause the retainer's locking tabs to lock more deeply. Therefore, the shielded connector according to the present invention has the effect of preventing the retainer from falling off the housing. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the shielded connector involved in the implementation method.

[0014] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the shielded connector involved in the implementation method.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the housing involved in the implementation method.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the support body involved in the implementation method.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the outer casing involved in the implementation method.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the housing and cage involved in the implementation method.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector involved in the implementation method.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the connector and the outer casing involved in the implementation method.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a top view of the shielded connector according to the implementation method.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the shielded connector according to the implementation method.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the locking structure involved in the implementation method.

[0024] Symbol Explanation

[0025] 1: Shielded connector

[0026] 2: Housing; 3: Sealing component; 4: Cage; 5: Outer shell

[0027] 6: Woven fabric, 7: Electrical wire, 10: Connector

[0028] 20: Terminal

[0029] 21: Holding part; 22: Cylindrical part; 22a: Base; 22b: End part; 22c: Protrusion

[0030] 23: Flange portion

[0031] 40: Support body; 41: Side wall portion; 42: Rear wall portion

[0032] 43: Locking piece; 43a: Through hole; 43b: Locked part; 43c: End point

[0033] 44: Locking piece; 44a: Through hole; 44b: Locked part; 44c: Locked surface

[0034] 45: Supporting wall

[0035] 50: Main body, 51: Fixing part, 52: Protrusion, 52a: Locking surface

[0036] 53: Fastening components; 54: Inner wall surface

[0037] IN: Insertion direction, OUT: Removal direction

[0038] S1: Inner side, S2: Outer side

[0039] X: Axial direction, X1: Front, X2: Rear, Y: Width direction, Z: Height direction Detailed Implementation

[0040] Hereinafter, the shielded connector according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In addition, the structural elements of the following embodiments include structural elements that are readily conceived or substantially the same by those skilled in the art.

[0041] [Implementation Method]

[0042] Reference Figures 1 to 11 The implementation method will be described below. This implementation method relates to a shielded connector. Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the shielded connector involved in the implementation method. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the shielded connector involved in the implementation method. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the housing involved in the implementation method. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the support body involved in the implementation method. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the outer casing involved in the implementation method. Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the housing and cage involved in the implementation method. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector involved in the implementation method. Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the connector and the outer casing involved in the implementation method. Figure 9This is a top view of the shielded connector involved in the implementation method. Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the shielded connector according to the embodiment. Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the locking structure involved in the implementation method. Figure 10 Show Figure 9 XX section.

[0043] The shielded connector 1 in this embodiment is connected, for example, to equipment mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the shielded connector 1 has a housing 2, a sealing component 3, a retainer 4, and an outer shell 5. The shielded connector 1 is connected to a wire 7 covered by a braided fabric 6. The outer shell 5 is a cylindrical component made of conductive metal and is called the shielding shell. The ends of the braided fabric 6 are fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the outer shell 5. The outer shell 5 is fixed to the frame of the device to which it is connected and is electrically connected to the frame. That is, the braided fabric 6 is grounded through the outer shell 5 connected to the frame of the device.

[0044] The housing 2 is a cylindrical component that houses and holds the terminal connected to the end of the wire 7. The housing 2 is formed, for example, of an insulating synthetic resin. The wire 7 extends outward from the end of the housing 2. The sealing member 3 is a component that seals the outer peripheral surface of the wire 7 against the inner wall surface of the housing 2. The sealing member 3 is formed, for example, of an elastic resin. The retainer 4 is a component connected to the housing 2 and supporting the sealing member 3. The retainer 4 is formed, for example, of an insulating synthetic resin. An example retainer 4 is constructed by combining two support bodies 40.

[0045] The housing 2 and the retainer 4 are inserted into the outer casing 5 in an interconnected state and engage with the outer casing 5. As described below, the shielded connector 1 of this embodiment uses the outer casing 5 to lock the retainer 4's engaging tab 44 in place. The engaging surface of the outer casing 5 is an inclined surface that causes the engaging tab 44 to engage more deeply when a force in the pull-out direction is applied to the retainer 4. Therefore, the shielded connector 1 of this embodiment can prevent the retainer 4 from falling out.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, housing 2 has a flat, cylindrical shape extending in a straight line. In the following description, the axial direction of housing 2 is referred to as "axial direction X", and the width direction of housing 2 is referred to as "width direction Y". Wires 7 are led out from housing 2 along axial direction X. Housing 2 arranges and holds multiple wires 7 in the width direction Y. The direction orthogonal to both axial direction X and width direction Y is referred to as "height direction Z".

[0047] The housing 2 has two retaining portions 21 and two cylindrical portions 22. The retaining portions 21 and cylindrical portions 22 extend along the axial direction X. The two retaining portions 21 and two cylindrical portions 22 are arranged in the width direction Y. One retaining portion 21 communicates with one cylindrical portion 22, and the other retaining portion 21 communicates with the other cylindrical portion 22. The retaining portion 21 is part of the retaining terminal 20. An example retaining portion 21 has a rectangular cylindrical shape.

[0048] The cylindrical portion 22 is the part through which the power supply wire 7 is inserted. The cylindrical portion 22 has a base 22a and an end portion 22b. The base 22a is the portion on the base end side of the cylindrical portion 22 and is connected to the retaining portion 21. The base 22a is rectangular in shape. The end portion 22b is the portion on the end side of the cylindrical portion 22, located on the side opposite to the retaining portion 21. The end portion 22b is cylindrical in shape. A sealing member 3 is inserted into the end portion 22b. The sealing member 3 seals the outer peripheral surface of the wire 7 with the inner wall surface of the end portion 22b.

[0049] The outer wall of the end portion 22b has a protrusion 22c. The protrusion 22c protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the end portion 22b in a radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction X. One end portion 22b has two protrusions 22c protruding in opposite directions. The two protrusions 22c protrude along the height direction Z. The two protrusions 22c are symmetrically arranged with respect to the central axis CL of the cylindrical portion 22. In other words, the two protrusions 22c are 180° out of phase. The shape of the protrusion 22c when viewed from the axial direction X is approximately rectangular. The end face 22d of the protrusion 22c on the axial direction X is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the height direction Z.

[0050] A flange 23 is provided at the connection between the retaining part 21 and the cylindrical part 22. The flange 23 is engaged by the inner wall of the outer casing 5, thereby positioning the casing 2 in the axial direction X.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the support body 40 has a flat, semi-cylindrical shape. The two support bodies 40 of the cage 4 have the same shape. By combining the two support bodies 40, a cylindrical body with an elongated oval cross-sectional shape is formed. Each support body 40 has a pair of sidewall portions 41, 41, a rear wall portion 42, a pair of engaging tabs 43, 43, engaging tab 44, and a pair of support walls 45, 45. The rear wall portion 42 is located on the rear side X2 of the support body 40 in the axial direction X. The front side X1 in the axial direction X indicates the front side of the engaging direction when the cage 4 engages with the housing 2. The rear side X2 indicates the side opposite to the front side X1 in the axial direction X.

[0052] The rear wall portion 42 is a flat plate orthogonal to the axial direction X. A pair of support walls 45, 45 protrude from the rear wall portion 42 toward the front side X1 of the axial direction X. The support walls 45 have a semi-cylindrical shape and support the sealing member 3. The pair of support walls 45, 45 are arranged in the width direction Y.

[0053] The side wall portion 41 is erected from the edge of the rear wall portion 42 toward the front side X1 in the axial direction X. One side wall portion 41 is connected to one end of the rear wall portion 42 in the width direction Y, and the other side wall portion 41 is connected to the other end of the rear wall portion 42 in the width direction Y. The cross-sectional shape of the side wall portion 41 is an arc shape.

[0054] The engaging tab 43 is the part that engages with the housing 2 to connect the support body 40 to the housing 2. A pair of engaging tabs 43, 43 are erected from the edge of the rear wall portion 42 toward the front side X1 in the axial direction X. The engaging tabs 43 are disposed between a pair of side wall portions 41, 41. The pair of engaging tabs 43, 43 are arranged in the width direction Y. One engaging tab 43 is opposite a support wall 45 in the height direction Z. The other engaging tab 43 is opposite another support wall 45 in the height direction Z.

[0055] The base end of the engaging tab 43 is supported by the rear wall portion 42, and the end of the engaging tab 43 is a free end. The engaging tab 43 is elastic in a manner that allows it to flex in the height direction Z. The shape of the engaging tab 43 when viewed from the height direction Z is approximately rectangular. The engaging tab 43 has a through hole 43a. The through hole 43a extends through the engaging tab 43 along the height direction Z. The shape of the through hole 43a when viewed from the height direction Z is approximately rectangular. The engaging tab 43 has a locking portion 43b. The locking portion 43b is the end portion of the engaging tab 43 and is locked by the protrusion 22c of the housing 2. The locking portion 43b is plate-shaped and extends along the width direction Y.

[0056] The ends of a pair of sidewall portions 41 are connected to each other by a connecting wall 46 extending along the width direction Y. A locking tab 44 is the portion that engages with and is locked by the housing 5. The locking tab 44 protrudes from the connecting wall 46 toward the rear side X2 in the axial direction X. The end of the locking tab 44 is opposite to the ends of a pair of locking tabs 43, 43 in the axial direction X. The locking tab 44 is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from the height direction Z. The locking tab 44 has a through hole 44a. The through hole 44a extends through the locking tab 44 along the height direction Z. The through hole 44a is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0057] The engaging tab 44 has a locking portion 44b. The locking portion 44b is the end portion of the engaging tab 44 and is locked by the protrusion 52 of the housing 5. The locking portion 44b is plate-shaped and extends along the width direction Y. The locking portion 44b has a locking surface 44c. The locking surface 44c is the front side X1 facing the axial direction X and is locked by the protrusion 52 of the housing 5.

[0058] like Figure 5As shown, the outer casing 5 has a cylindrical main body 50, a fixing part 51, and a protrusion 52. The main body 50 has an elongated oval shape in a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction X. The fixing part 51 protrudes from the outer wall surface of the main body 50 toward the height direction Z. The fixing part 51 has a through hole 51a through which a fastening member 53 can be inserted. The main body 50 has a fitting part 50a that fits into an opening provided in the frame of the device. A sealing member 30 is installed on the outer wall surface of the fitting part 50a. The sealing member 30 seals the fitting part 50a and the opening of the frame.

[0059] The protrusion 52 protrudes from the inner wall surface of the main body 50 toward the height direction Z. The protrusion 52 engages with the engaging tab 44 of the retainer 4 to lock the retainer 4. The outer shell 5 has two protrusions 52 corresponding to the two supports 40.

[0060] like Figure 6 As shown, two support bodies 40 are connected to the housing 2 along the axial direction X. Each of the two support bodies 40 is mounted on the housing 2 while sliding relative to the housing 2 towards the front X1. The engaging tab 43 of one support body 40 engages with a protrusion 22c protruding towards the side facing the height direction Z. The engaging tab 43 of the other support body 40 engages with a protrusion 22c protruding towards the other side facing the height direction Z.

[0061] like Figure 7 As shown, the engaging tab 43 of the support body 40 engages with the protrusion 22c of the housing 2 from the outer side S2. The outer side S2 is the side away from the central axis CL of the cylindrical part 22, and the inner side S1 is the side close to the central axis CL. When the engaging tab 43 engages with the protrusion 22c, the locked part 43b passes over the protrusion 22c. At this time, the engaging tab 43 flexes and deforms towards the outer side S2. The protrusion 22c enters the through hole 43a of the engaging tab 43, locking the locked part 43b. The protrusion 22c restricts the relative movement of the support body 40 relative to the housing 2 towards the rear X2.

[0062] The support 40 clamps and holds the end portion 22b of the housing 2 via the engaging tab 43 and the support wall 45. Furthermore, the end face of the support wall 45 abuts against the sealing member 3 to support the sealing member 3. Figure 7 As shown, the holding part 21 of the housing 2 holds the terminal 20. The wire 7 connected to the terminal 20 extends to the external space through the internal space of the cylindrical part 22, the sealing member 3, and the holder 4.

[0063] like Figure 8 As shown, the interconnected housing 2 and retainer 4 are inserted into the outer casing 5. The connector 10, formed by the interconnection of the housing 2 and retainer 4, is inserted into the fitting portion 50a of the outer casing 5 with the retainer 4 as the front. The engaging tab 44 engages with and is locked by the protrusion 52 of the outer casing 5. The outer casing 5 accommodates and holds the connector 10 inside the outer casing 5.

[0064] like Figure 9 As shown, the housing 5, which holds the connector 10, is mounted on the wall portion 101 of the device frame 100. The fitting portion 50a is inserted into and engages with the opening in the wall portion 101. The housing 5 is secured to the wall portion 101 by a fastening member 53. The fastening member 53 is, for example, a bolt inserted into a through hole 51a of the housing 5. In this case, a nut engages with the fastening member 53 inserted into the wall portion 101. The retaining portion 21 of the housing 2 is connected, for example, to the device connector. The terminal 20 is connected to the terminal of the mating connector.

[0065] like Figure 10 As shown, the outer casing 5 has two protrusions 52 that protrude from the inner wall surface 54 of the main body 50. The two protrusions 52 are opposite each other in the height direction Z. The engaging tab 44 of the retainer 4 is engaged by the protrusions 52 of the outer casing 5. More specifically, the protrusion 52 has a engaging surface 52a that engages the engaging tab 44. The engaging surface 52a is a surface facing the rear side X2 in the axial direction X. That is, the engaging surface 52a is a surface facing the insertion direction IN in which the retainer 4 is inserted into the outer casing 5. The engaging surface 52a is opposite to the engaged surface 44c of the engaging tab 44 in the axial direction X, and engages the engaged surface 44c. One of the two protrusions 52 of the outer casing 5 engages one support body 40, and the other protrusion 52 engages the other support body 40.

[0066] like Figure 11 As shown, the locking surface 52a is an inclined surface that is tilted relative to the height direction Z. The locking surface 52a is tilted in such a way that it faces the insertion direction IN as it moves toward the end of the protrusion direction of the protrusion 52. In other words, the locking surface 52a is tilted in such a way that it faces the rearward direction X2 as it moves toward the inward side S1. When the force F1 in the pull-out direction OUT is applied to the retainer 4, the locked surface 44c abuts against the locking surface 52a. At this time, the inclined locking surface 52a applies a force F2 toward the inner wall surface 54 to the locked part 44b. This force F2 is a force in the direction that increases the overlap height between the locking surface 52a and the locked surface 44c. That is, the force F2 is a force in the direction that moves the locked part 44b toward the outward side S2, so that the locked part 44b is more deeply locked into the protrusion 52.

[0067] Therefore, the shielded connector 1 of this embodiment can prevent the retainer 4 from falling off the housing 5. In addition, the shielded connector 1 can improve the firmness of the locking portion of the protrusion 52 and the locking tab 44.

[0068] In the locking tab 44 of this embodiment, the locking surface 44c is an inclined surface that is tilted relative to the height direction Z. The locking surface 44c is a surface facing the pull-out direction OUT, and is tilted towards the insertion direction IN as it moves away from the inner wall surface 54 of the housing 5. In other words, the locking surface 44c is tilted towards the rear side X2 as it moves towards the inward side S1. That is, the tilting direction of the locking surface 44c is the same as the tilting direction of the locking surface 52a. Therefore, when the locking surface 44c abuts against the locking surface 52a, the locking portion 44b easily moves towards the inner wall surface 54.

[0069] The retainer 4 in this embodiment is composed of two support bodies 40. Since each support body 40 is semi-cylindrical, it is easy to form the locking surface 44c into an inclined surface.

[0070] The tilt angle θ2 of the locking surface 44c relative to the height direction Z can be the same as the tilt angle θ1 of the locking surface 52a. The tilt angle θ2 of the locking surface 44c can also be a larger angle than the tilt angle θ1 of the locking surface 52a.

[0071] As described above, the shielded connector 1 of this embodiment has a cylindrical housing 2, an annular sealing member 3, a retainer 4, and a conductive outer shell 5. The housing 2 houses and holds the terminal 20. The sealing member 3 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the wire 7 connected to the terminal 20 and the inner wall surface of the housing 2. The retainer 4 is connected to the housing 2 along the axial direction X and supports the sealing member 3. The interconnected housing 2 and retainer 4 are inserted into the outer shell 5 along the axial direction X.

[0072] The housing 5 has a protrusion 52 that protrudes inward from the inner wall surface 54 of the housing 5. The retainer 4 has a locking tab 44 extending along the axial direction X. The retainer 4 is locked by the housing 5 by engaging the locking tab 44 with the protrusion 52. The protrusion 52 has a locking surface 52a that locks the locking tab 44. The locking surface 52a is a surface facing the insertion direction IN in which the retainer 4 is inserted into the housing 5. The locking surface 52a is an inclined surface facing the insertion direction IN as it extends toward the end of the protrusion 52 in the protruding direction. The shielded connector 1 of this embodiment can prevent the retainer 4 from falling off the housing 5 by making the locking surface 52a of the protrusion 52 an inclined surface as described above.

[0073] The locking tab 44 of this embodiment has a locking surface 44c that is locked by the locking surface 52a. The locking surface 44c is an inclined surface that faces the insertion direction IN away from the inner wall surface 54 of the housing 5. By tilting the locking surface 44c as described above, it is possible to more reliably prevent the retainer 4 from falling off the housing 5.

[0074] In the snap fastener 44, the portion into which the protrusion 52 is inserted is not limited to the through hole 44a. For example, in the snap fastener 44, the portion into which the protrusion 52 is inserted may also be a recessed portion that is recessed towards the inner side S1 in the height direction Z.

[0075] Furthermore, the number of engaging tabs 44 in a support body 40 is not limited to the example shown. A support body 40 may also have two or more engaging tabs 44. In a support body 40, multiple engaging tabs 44 may also be arranged in the width direction Y.

[0076] The connection between the housing 2 and the cage 4 is not limited to the combination of the protrusion 22c and the engaging tab 43. For example, the cage 4 may have a protrusion, and the housing 2 may have an engaging tab that engages with the protrusion.

[0077] The locking surface 44c of the retainer 4 may not be inclined relative to the height direction Z. The retainer 4 may not be divided into two support bodies 40. That is, the retainer 4 may be integrally formed in a shape that combines two support bodies 40.

[0078] The contents disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined and implemented.

Claims

1. A shielded connector characterized by, Possessing: a cylindrical housing that houses a terminal and holds the terminal; a ring-shaped sealing member that seals between an outer peripheral surface of an electric wire connected to the terminal and an inner wall surface of the housing; a retainer that supports the sealing member in conjunction with the housing along an axial direction of the housing; and an electrically conductive outer shell into which the housing and the retainer that are in conjunction with each other are inserted along the axial direction, the outer shell has a protrusion that protrudes toward an inner side from an inner wall surface of the outer shell, the retainer has an engaging piece that extends along the axial direction and is caught by the outer shell by engaging the engaging piece with respect to the protrusion, the protrusion has a catching surface that catches the engaging piece, the catching surface is a surface toward an insertion direction in which the retainer is inserted into the outer shell, and is an inclined surface toward the insertion direction as it goes toward a distal end toward a protruding direction of the protrusion.

2. The shielded connector according to claim 1, wherein the engaging piece has a caught surface that is caught by the catching surface, the caught surface is an inclined surface toward the insertion direction as it goes away from the inner wall surface of the outer shell. ​

Images