Connector

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to connect an outer conductor of a connector and a counterpart conductor with a compact structure. The connector includes a terminal module including an inner conductor, an insulator surrounding the periphery of the inner conductor, and an outer conductor having a cylindrical portion surrounding the periphery of the insulator and a protruding portion protruding to the outside of the cylindrical portion, and a connection partner conductor. At least one of the connection partner conductor and the protruding portion has a spring connection portion that is elastically pressed against the other of the connection partner conductor and the protruding portion by a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the tube portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a terminal module having a conductive shell and a connector module having a shielding case. The bottom of the shielding case has a cylindrical protrusion, and the terminal module and the shielding case are joined in a state where the outer peripheral surface of the conductive shell of the terminal module and the inner peripheral surface of the protrusion are in surface contact. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-6162 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the protrusion protrudes from the bottom of the shield case, it is considered that the connector module increases in size.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to connect an outer conductor of a connector to a conductor of a connection partner with a compact structure. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0006] The connector of the present invention comprises a terminal module and a connecting partner conductor, wherein the terminal module includes an inner conductor, an insulator surrounding the inner conductor, and an outer conductor, wherein the outer conductor has a barrel surrounding the insulator and a protrusion protruding to the outside of the barrel, and at least one of the connecting partner conductor and the protrusion has a spring connecting portion, and the spring connecting portion is elastically pressed to the other of the connecting partner conductor and the protrusion with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the barrel. Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the outer conductor of the connector can be connected to the conductor of the other party with a compact structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a device including the connector according to the embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line II-II. Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the second housing and the connector from the inside. Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the connector from the outside. Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector. Figure 6yes Figure 2 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the circled portion A. Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view showing a connector according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples.

[0010] The connector of the present invention is as follows.

[0011] (1) A connector comprising a terminal module and a connecting partner conductor, the terminal module including an inner conductor, an insulator surrounding the inner conductor, and an outer conductor, the outer conductor having a barrel surrounding the insulator and a protrusion protruding outward from the barrel, at least one of the connecting partner conductor and the protrusion having a spring connection portion, the spring connection portion elastically pressing against the other of the connecting partner conductor and the protrusion with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the barrel.

[0012] According to the connector, the spring connection part is elastically pressed against the protrusion or the connecting counterpart conductor with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the barrel. Therefore, compared with a structure that generates contact pressure in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the barrel, the size of the spring connection part in the direction along the axial direction of the barrel can be miniaturized. Thus, the outer conductor of the connector and the connecting counterpart conductor can be connected with a compact structure. In addition, since the connecting counterpart conductor and the outer conductor are electrically connected via the spring connection part, the connection reliability becomes good.

[0013] (2) In the connector of (1), the connection partner conductor may be a shielded conductor. In this case, the protrusion dimension of the outer conductor from the shielded conductor can be reduced.

[0014] (3) In the connector of (1) or (2), the connecting partner conductor may also have the spring connection portion. In this case, the spring connection portion may not be provided on the protruding portion of the outer conductor. Thus, the constraints on manufacturing the outer conductor are reduced, and the outer conductor can be manufactured easily.

[0015] (4) In the connector of any one of (1) to (3), the spring connection portion may include a spring fulcrum and a spring contact, and the protrusion and the connection partner conductor may be fixed at a position closer to the spring fulcrum than to the spring contact.

[0016] Thus, the positional relationship between the protrusion and the conductor to be connected can be kept constant at a position closer to the spring fulcrum than to the spring contact point. Thus, the contact pressure of the spring connection portion can be easily ensured.

[0017] (5) In the connector of (4), the protrusion and the connecting partner conductor may be fixed to each other by pressing in a state where they overlap each other. This makes it easy to fix the protrusion and the connecting partner conductor.

[0018] (6) In any one of the connectors of (1) to (5), a plurality of the spring connection portions may be provided. This can improve the connection reliability between the outer conductor and the other conductor.

[0019] (7) In the connector of (6), the plurality of spring connection parts may be dispersed around the barrel. Thus, for example, even if the barrel is tilted, the outer conductor and the other conductor can easily maintain contact via any of the spring connection parts. Thus, the connection reliability between the outer conductor and the other conductor can be improved.

[0020] (8) In the connector of (7), the plurality of spring connection parts may be dispersed around the cylindrical part at equal intervals. Thus, each spring connection part can easily contact the protruding part or the conductor to be connected in an equal state.

[0021] (9) In any one of the connectors of (6) to (9), the protrusion and the connecting conductor may be fixed at multiple locations. Thus, the protrusion and the connecting conductor are kept in a constant positional relationship at multiple locations, so that the multiple spring connecting parts are easily kept in contact with the protrusion or the connecting conductor.

[0022] (10) In the connector of (9), the protrusion and the connecting partner conductor may be fixed at a plurality of locations dispersed around the barrel. In this case, the protrusion and the connecting partner conductor are kept in a constant positional relationship at a plurality of locations dispersed around the barrel. Thus, the plurality of spring connecting portions are easily kept in contact with the protrusion or the connecting partner conductor.

[0023] (11) In the connector of (10), the protrusion and the connecting partner conductor may be fixed at a plurality of locations evenly distributed around the barrel. In this case, the protrusion and the connecting partner conductor are kept in a constant positional relationship at a plurality of locations evenly distributed around the barrel. Thus, the plurality of spring connecting portions are easily kept in contact with the protrusion or the connecting partner conductor.

[0024] (12) In any one of the connectors of (9) to (11), the plurality of spring connection parts, the protrusions, and the plurality of fixing points for connecting the other conductor may correspond to each other in the same positional relationship. This makes it easy to make the contact pressure of each spring connection part uniform and improve the connection reliability.

[0025] [Details of Embodiments of the Invention] Specific examples of the connector of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0026] [Implementation Method] Hereinafter, a connector according to an embodiment will be described. Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing a device 10 including a connector 30 . Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0027] <About the overall structure of the equipment> The device 10 is, for example, a camera device. The camera device is, for example, a vehicle-mounted device. The device 10 may not be a camera device.

[0028] The device 10 includes a housing 12, an electric component 20, and a connector 30. The electric component 20 is accommodated in the housing 12. The connector 30 is a connector for connecting the electric component 20 to an external electric component. For example, the connector 30 is a connector to which a cable connected to the external electric component is connected.

[0029] The housing 12 includes a first housing 13 and a second housing 14. The first housing 13 and the second housing 14 are formed of, for example, resin. The first housing 13 and the second housing 14 are combined to form a rectangular box-shaped housing 12 that accommodates the electrical components 20. In the case where the device 10 is a camera device, it is assumed that the first housing 13 is a lens or a window for taking a picture, and the second housing 14 has a connector 30.

[0030] The electrical component 20 is, for example, a mounting substrate on which electronic components are mounted. In the case where the device 10 is a camera device, it is assumed that the electrical component 20 is a circuit substrate 21 and an image pickup element 22 mounted on the circuit substrate 21. The image pickup element 22 is opposed to a lens or a window for imaging of the first housing 13, and the lens or the window is rotated to capture an image of the outside scene. In the following, the side of the first housing 13 facing the image pickup element 22 is sometimes referred to as the front side, and the side of the second housing 14 opposite thereto is sometimes referred to as the rear side.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the electrical component 20 includes a substrate-side connector 24, and the substrate-side connector 24 is located on the surface of the circuit substrate 21 on the side opposite to the imaging element 22. The substrate-side connector 24 includes, for example, a substrate-side inner conductor 25, a substrate-side insulator 26, and a substrate-side outer conductor 27. The substrate-side insulator 26 surrounds the substrate-side inner conductor 25. A dielectric body can be regarded as a type of insulator, and the substrate-side insulator 26 can also be a dielectric body. The substrate-side outer conductor 27 surrounds the substrate-side insulator 26. The substrate-side connector 24 protrudes from the circuit substrate 21 toward the connector 30.

[0032] The relay connector 90 is connected to the substrate-side connector 24. The relay connector 90 includes, for example, a movable-side inner conductor 91, a movable-side insulator 92, and a movable-side outer conductor 93. The movable-side insulator 92 surrounds the movable-side inner conductor 91. A dielectric body can be regarded as a kind of insulator, and the movable-side insulator 92 may also be a dielectric body. The movable-side outer conductor 93 surrounds the movable-side insulator 92. In a state where the movable-side inner conductor 91 is inserted and connected to the substrate-side inner conductor 25, and the substrate-side outer conductor 27 is inserted and connected to the movable-side outer conductor 93, the relay connector 90 is connected to the substrate-side connector 24. The relay connector 90 further protrudes from the substrate-side connector 24 toward the connector 30. The relay connector 90 performs relay connection between the substrate-side connector 24 and the connector 30. The relay connector 90 can be connected to the substrate-side connector 24 and the connector 30 in a changeable posture.

[0033] The connector 30 is provided on the second housing 14 side, that is, on the rear side of the housing 12. In the housing 12, the relay connector 90 is connected to the connector 30. By connecting the connector 30 with an external cable, an external electrical component that is the connection partner of the cable and the electrical component 20 in the housing 12 are electrically connected.

[0034] <Connector> The connector 30 will be described in more detail.

[0035] <Overall structure of the connector> Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the second housing 14 and the connector 30 from the inside. Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the connector 30 from the outside. Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view of the connector 30 . Figure 6 yes Figure 2 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the circled portion A.

[0036] like Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the connector 30 includes a terminal block 32 and a connection partner conductor 50 .

[0037] The terminal module 32 includes an inner conductor 34, an insulator 36, and an outer conductor 40. The insulator 36 surrounds the inner conductor 34. A dielectric body can be regarded as a type of insulator, and the insulator 36 may also be a dielectric body. The outer conductor 40 surrounds the insulator 36.

[0038] The connecting partner conductor 50 is a conductor that is electrically connected to the outer conductor 40, and is formed of metal or the like. In the present embodiment, the connecting partner conductor 50 is a shielding conductor that performs electromagnetic shielding between the electrical component 20 and the outside. More specifically, the connecting partner conductor 50 is formed in a rectangular box shape with one side open, and is arranged along the inner side surface of the second housing 14. By locating the connecting partner conductor 50 behind the electrical component 20, electromagnetic shielding can be performed between the electrical component 20 and the outside behind it. By surrounding the substrate-side connector 24 and the relay connector 90 and being located behind them, electromagnetic shielding can be performed between the substrate-side connector 24 and the relay connector 90 and their surroundings and the outside behind them.

[0039] The connecting partner conductor 50 is not necessarily in the above-mentioned shape. For example, the connecting partner conductor may be formed in a plate shape extending along the inner surface of the bottom of the second housing 14. The connecting partner conductor may be extended toward the first housing 13. The connecting partner conductor may be electrically connected to the shield conductor on the first housing 13 side.

[0040] The terminal module 32 is supported by the bottom portion 15 of the second housing 14. The connecting partner conductor 50 is also supported in the second housing 14. The structure of the second housing 14 supporting the terminal module 32 and the connecting partner conductor 50 will be described.

[0041] The bottom 52 of the connecting partner conductor 50 is formed in a shape extending to the entire inner surface of the bottom 15 of the second shell 14, and is formed in a square shape here. A hole portion 52h is formed in the bottom 52. A fixing protrusion 15p that can be embedded in the hole portion 52h is protrudingly provided on the inner surface of the bottom 15 of the second shell 14. The connecting partner conductor 50 is supported in the second shell 14 by the fixing protrusion 15p being embedded in the hole portion 52h. For example, the fixing protrusion 15p may be pressed into the hole portion 52h. For example, the top end portion of the fixing protrusion 15p may be melted by heat or the like when the fixing protrusion 15p is inserted into the hole portion 52h, and the melted and solidified portion may be hooked to the periphery of the hole portion 52h in a state of preventing it from coming off. For example, a protrusion for preventing slipping may be formed at the top end of the fixing protrusion 15p, and the protrusion for preventing slipping may pass through the hole 52h by utilizing the elastic deformation of the fixing protrusion 15p or the peripheral portion of the hole 52h, and the fixing protrusion 15p may be inserted into the hole 52h. In this case, after the fixing protrusion 15p is inserted into the hole 52h, the peripheral portion of the fixing protrusion 15p or the hole 52h returns to its original shape, and the protrusion for preventing slipping is hooked on the peripheral portion of the hole 52h.

[0042] The structure for fixing the connection partner conductor to the second housing 14 is not limited to the above example. For example, the connection partner conductor may be fixed to the second housing 14 by screw fastening, adhesive, or the like.

[0043] A holding cylinder 16 is provided protrudingly at the bottom 15. The holding cylinder 16 is a cylinder, and protrudes outward from the center of the bottom 15. The inner opening of the holding cylinder 16 opens inside the second housing 14, and the outer opening of the holding cylinder 16 opens outside the second housing 14. A holding partition 17 is formed in the middle portion in the axial direction of the holding cylinder 16. The holding partition 17 partitions the space on the inner opening side and the space on the outer opening side in the holding cylinder 16. A holding hole 17h is formed in the holding partition 17, and the terminal module 32 is inserted and held in the holding hole 17h.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the locking projection 18a for holding the cable connector mounted on the end of the cable is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the holding cylinder 16. The locking projection 18a is not necessarily formed.

[0045] <Terminal module> The terminal module 32 will be described in more detail. As described above, the terminal module 32 includes the inner conductor 34 , the insulator 36 , and the outer conductor 40 .

[0046] The inner conductor 34 is formed in a long and thin rod shape and is formed of a conductive material such as metal.

[0047] The insulator 36 is formed of an insulator such as resin, and surrounds the inner conductor 34. In the present embodiment, the insulator 36 is a dielectric. The insulator 36 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The length of the insulator 36 is shorter than the length of the inner conductor 34. A through hole 36h is formed in the center of the insulator 36 along its extension direction. The inner conductor 34 is inserted into the through hole 36h, and the middle part of the inner conductor 34 in the longitudinal direction is retained in the through hole 36h. When the inner conductor 34 is retained in the insulator 36, the two ends of the inner conductor 34 protrude to the outside of the two end surfaces of the insulator 36. A locking protrusion that hooks on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 36h may also be formed on the inner conductor 34.

[0048] The outer conductor 40 has a barrel 42 and a protrusion 44, and is formed of a conductive material such as metal. The barrel 42 is formed in a barrel shape surrounding the insulator 36. More specifically, the barrel 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The length of the barrel 42 is greater than the length of the insulator 36. The insulator 36 is held in the middle of the barrel 42 in the longitudinal direction, and the two ends of the barrel 42 protrude further outward than the two ends of the insulator 36. A locking protrusion that hooks on the outer peripheral surface and each end surface of the insulator 36 may also be formed on the barrel 42.

[0049] The protrusion 44 protrudes to the outside of the barrel 42. More specifically, the protrusion 44 is formed into a disc shape that protrudes to the outside of the barrel 42 from one side end edge of the barrel 42 along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the barrel 42. A recess 45 is formed from the outer peripheral edge of the protrusion 44 toward the inner peripheral side. The recess 45 is a V-shaped recessed portion that gradually narrows from the outer peripheral edge of the protrusion 44 toward the inner peripheral side. A plurality of recesses 45 are formed in the protrusion 44. The plurality of recesses 45 are formed to be arranged at equal intervals along the circumference of the protrusion 44. In the present embodiment, eight recesses 45 are formed at 45 degree intervals around the central axis X of the barrel 42. It is not necessary to form the above-mentioned recesses 45.

[0050] The outer conductor 40 may be formed by deep drawing a metal material. If the outer conductor 40 is formed by deep drawing, an outer conductor with reduced seams and slits can be manufactured at low cost. In this case, the recess 45 can play the role of suppressing the outer periphery of the protrusion 44 from becoming too thin due to stretching caused by processing. The outer conductor may be formed by stamping a metal plate, by die forming, or by cutting.

[0051] The barrel 42 is inserted into the holding hole 17h of the holding partition 17 from the inner side of the second housing 14, and the middle portion of the barrel 42 in the longitudinal direction is held by the holding hole 17h. The barrel 42 may be held by the friction holding force between the outer peripheral surface of the barrel 42 and the inner peripheral surface of the holding hole 17h. A protrusion that hooks the inner peripheral portion of the holding hole 17h may also be formed on the barrel 42. The barrel 42 may also be fixed to the holding hole 17h by adhesive, screw fastening, etc.

[0052] When the cylinder 42 is held by the holding partition 17, one end of the cylinder 42 protrudes to the inner side of the holding partition 17 and is arranged to face the outward portion of the bottom 52 connected to the other conductor 50. The outer peripheral edge of the protrusion 44 is larger than the inner opening of the holding cylinder 16 and is in contact with the inner surface of the bottom 15 of the second housing 14, that is, the inner opening edge of the holding cylinder 16.

[0053] The movable outer conductor 93 of the relay connector 90 is inserted and connected to the inner opening of the cylinder 42 , and the inner end of the inner conductor 34 is inserted and connected to the movable inner conductor 91 , so that the relay connector 90 and the connector 30 are connected in the housing 12 .

[0054] <About the electrical connection structure between the outer conductor and the connecting conductor> One of the connecting partner conductor 50 and the protruding portion 44 has a spring connecting portion 53, and the spring connecting portion 53 is elastically pressed against the other of the connecting partner conductor 50 and the protruding portion 44 with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the cylinder 42. In the present embodiment, an example in which the connecting partner conductor 50 has a spring connecting portion 53, and the spring connecting portion 53 is elastically pressed against the protruding portion 44 with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the cylinder 42 is described.

[0055] That is, an opening 54 is formed in the bottom 52 connected to the other conductor 50. The opening 54 is formed at a position opposite to the inner opening of the cylinder 42. The size of the opening 54 is the same as or larger than the inner opening of the cylinder 42, and is smaller than the protrusion 44. The center of the opening 54 is located on the central axis of the outer conductor 40. The protrusion 44 is arranged to be opposite to the outward portion of the bottom 52 and the periphery of the opening 54.

[0056] A spring connection portion 53 is formed at a portion of the bottom portion 52 that is opposite to the protrusion 44. In the present embodiment, a slit 53S is formed from the edge of the opening 54 in the bottom portion 52 toward the outside. The slit 53S extends along the radial direction of the opening 54. The outer peripheral end of the slit 53S is located inside the outer edge of the protrusion 44. The spring connection portion 53 is formed between the two slits 53S.

[0057] The outer peripheral side end of the spring connection part 53 on the side far from the opening 54 is a spring fulcrum 53a integrally connected to the bottom 52. The inner peripheral side end of the spring connection part 53 on the side close to the opening 54 is a free end 53b displaced in the thickness direction of the bottom 52 with the spring fulcrum 53a as a fulcrum. The middle part in the length direction of the spring connection part 53 is bent in a manner protruding toward the protrusion 44 side, and the part of the spring connection part 53 that protrudes most toward the protrusion 44 side is a spring contact 53c. In the present embodiment, the spring contact 53c is located closer to the free end 53b than to the spring fulcrum 53a.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the slit 53S is a slit of uniform width extending in the radial direction of the circular opening 54. Therefore, the spring connection portion 53 is formed into a trapezoidal shape that widens on the spring fulcrum 53a side and narrows on the free end 53b side. The slit may be formed into a shape that gradually widens from the opening toward the outer peripheral side, and the spring connection portion may be formed into a shape close to a rectangle.

[0059] The connector 30 only needs to have at least one spring connection portion 53. In the present embodiment, the connector 30 has a plurality of spring connection portions 53. Here, the plurality of spring connection portions 53 are dispersed around the barrel 42. More specifically, the plurality of spring connection portions 53 are dispersed around the barrel 42 at equal intervals. In addition, the so-called equal includes the equal within the manufacturing error range (for example, the intervals around the central axis X of the barrel 42 are different within the range of ±5 degrees). Preferably, three or more spring connection portions 53 are dispersed around the barrel 42 at equal intervals.

[0060] In this embodiment, eight slits 53S are formed around the opening 54 in the bottom 52. The eight slits 53S are formed at equal intervals around the central axis X of the cylinder 42. Therefore, eight spring connection parts 53 of the same shape are formed at equal intervals around the opening 54.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the plurality of spring connection portions 53 and the plurality of recesses 45 are formed at the same position around the central axis X of the tube 42. Therefore, each spring connection portion 53 is disposed so as to face a portion between the recesses 45 in the protrusion 44.

[0062] In a state where the connecting partner conductor 50 is fixed to the second housing 14, the cylindrical portion 42 of the outer conductor 40 is inserted into the holding hole 17h of the holding cylindrical portion 16 and is held at a fixed position. In addition, the outer peripheral edge of the protrusion 44 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the bottom 15 of the second housing 14 and the inner opening surrounding portion of the holding cylindrical portion 16 and the outer surface of the bottom 52 of the connecting partner conductor 50 and the opening 54 surrounding portion. Therefore, the protrusion 44 of the outer conductor 40 is held at a fixed position relative to the connecting partner conductor 50.

[0063] Therefore, the spring connection portion 53 is maintained in a state of being pressed against the protrusion 44 along the axial direction of the barrel 42. At this time, the spring connection portion 53 extends from the spring fulcrum 53a in a direction intersecting (here, substantially orthogonal) the axial direction of the barrel 42, so the spring connection portion 53 is elastically deformed in a manner that causes the spring contact 53c to swing around the spring contact 53c. Contact pressure is generated between the spring contact 53c and the protrusion 44 by the elastic restoring force of the spring connection portion 53 to restore the original shape. At this time, the spring contact 53c is displaced in a manner that swings around the spring contact 53c, mainly in the axial direction of the barrel 42. Therefore, the contact pressure between the spring contact 53c and the protrusion 44 has a force component along the axial direction of the barrel 42, and the spring contact 53c is pressed against the protrusion 44 by this force component.

[0064] That is, the spring connection portion 53 is a portion designed to press the spring contact 53c to the protrusion 44 with a force including a force component along the axial direction of the barrel 42. Therefore, the spring connection portion 53 is a spring along a direction intersecting the axial direction of the barrel 42. In order to miniaturize the size of the barrel 42 in the axial direction, the spring connection portion 53 is preferably a spring that intersects the axial direction at an angle closer to a direction orthogonal to the axial direction than the axial direction of the barrel 42, and more preferably, a spring along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the barrel 42.

[0065] As described above, the spring connection portion 53 is pressed against the protrusion 44 , so that the outer conductor 40 and the connection partner conductor 50 are in contact with each other, and a state in which both are well electrically connected can be maintained.

[0066] It is not necessary to both hold the retaining tube 16 and clamp the outer periphery of the protrusion 44. In addition, when realizing a fixing structure using press working described later, both holding the retaining tube 16 and clamping the outer periphery of the protrusion 44 may be omitted.

[0067] The protrusion 44 and the connected counterpart conductor 50 may also be in a state of being fixed to each other. In the present embodiment, the protrusion 44 and the connected counterpart conductor 50 are in a state of being fixed to each other by stamping in a state of overlapping each other. More specifically, in a state in which the protrusion 44 and the connected counterpart conductor 50 are in a state of overlapping each other, by stamping, an embedding recess 50g formed on one of the protrusion 44 and the connected counterpart conductor 50 is embedded in an embedding protrusion 44p formed on the other side, so that the protrusion 44 and the connected counterpart conductor 50 are fixed to each other in an overlapping state. The embedding recess 50g may be formed before the stamping process in the overlapping state, or may be formed during the stamping process. The embedding protrusion 44p may be formed before the stamping process in the overlapping state, or may be formed during the stamping process. In any case, as long as the embedding convex portion 44p is embedded in the embedding concave portion 50g by the stamping process in the overlapping state, the embedding convex portion 44p is deformed into a shape that is not easy to fall off from the embedding concave portion 50g, or a friction force that inhibits the fall-off acts between the embedding convex portion 44p and the embedding concave portion 50g, so that the embedding convex portion 44p is not easy to be pulled out from the embedding concave portion 50g. As described above, the concave-convex fitting fixing structure using the plastic deformation of the metal can be a fixing structure using a joining method called clamping joining or a fixing structure using a joining method called riveting.

[0068] In this embodiment, an embedding recess 50g is formed in a portion of the bottom 52 of the connecting counterpart conductor 50 that is opposite to the protrusion 44. The embedding recess 50g is formed at a position that overlaps with the outer peripheral edge of the protrusion 44. Here, the embedding recess 50g is a square recess, but it may be a circular, elliptical, or polygonal recess. The embedding recess 50g may also be a hole that penetrates the bottom 52. A recess is also formed in the inward portion of the bottom 52, but this is not essential.

[0069] The protrusion 44 is provided with an insertion protrusion 44p. The insertion protrusion 44p protrudes from the outer peripheral edge of the protrusion 44 toward the bottom 52. In the present embodiment, the insertion recess 50g is opposed to the outer peripheral edge of the protrusion 44 and is formed at a position between the recesses 45. The insertion protrusion 44p is opposed to the outer peripheral edge of the protrusion 44 and is formed at a position between the recesses 45 corresponding to the position of the insertion recess 50g.

[0070] For example, the insertion recess 50g is formed in advance by stamping or the like in the bottom 52 of the connecting counterpart conductor 50, so that the protrusion 44 overlaps with the bottom 52. In this state, the protrusion 44 is pressed by the stamping die 80 (see Figure 6 ), so that the outer periphery of the protrusion 44 and the portion opposite to the embedding recess 50g protrude toward the embedding recess 50g. As a result, the outer periphery of the protrusion 44 is plastically deformed in a partially protruding manner, and the embedding protrusion 44p formed by the plastic deformation becomes embedded in the embedding recess 50g. In addition, a force-bearing die 82 can also be arranged on the opposite side of the stamping die 80.

[0071] The above-mentioned insertion protrusion 44p is, for example, pressed into the insertion recess 50g in the direction along the outer peripheral edge of the protrusion 44, and is in a state that it is difficult to be pulled out from the insertion recess 50g. The multiple insertion protrusions 44p dispersed around the cylinder 42 can also be pressed strongly against the side surface of the cylinder 42 side of each insertion recess 50g, so that it is difficult to be pulled out from the insertion recess 50g.

[0072] Different from the above, the bottom and the protrusion may be simultaneously plastically deformed by a stamping die while the protrusion overlaps the bottom of the other conductor, so that the embedded concave portion and the embedded convex portion are simultaneously stamped. Alternatively, the embedded concave portion may be formed in the protrusion, and the embedded convex portion embedded in the embedded concave portion may be formed in the bottom of the other conductor.

[0073] As described above, by fitting the fitting protrusion 44p into the fitting recess 50g, the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are fixed at a position closer to the spring fulcrum 53a than to the spring contact 53c. Therefore, the spring fulcrum 53a in the spring connecting portion 53 can be maintained at a more constant position, and the contact pressure generated by the elastic force of the spring connecting portion 53 can be effectively applied.

[0074] The protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 do not necessarily need to be directly fixed. As described above, when the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are fixed, the fixing location may be one or more. If the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are fixed at multiple locations, the positional relationship between the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 is stable, and the contact state between the spring contact 53c of the spring connecting portion 53 and the protrusion 44 is stable. If the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are fixed at multiple locations dispersed in the barrel 42, the above-mentioned contact state is more stable, and if the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are fixed at multiple locations evenly dispersed around the barrel 42, the above-mentioned contact state is further stabilized.

[0075] Furthermore, if the plurality of spring connection parts 53 and the plurality of fixing places correspond to each other in a one-to-one manner with the same positional relationship, the portions of the spring connection parts 53 held at a constant position relative to the protrusion 44 can be made to coincide with each other.

[0076] In the present embodiment, an embedding convex portion 44p is formed at each position in the center of the plurality of recesses 45 in the outer peripheral edge of the protruding portion 44. A plurality of embedding recesses 50g are formed at positions respectively opposite to the plurality of embedding convex portions 44p. The position at which each embedding convex portion 44p is embedded in the corresponding embedding recess 50g is a position away from the spring fulcrum 53a of the spring connecting portion 53 toward the radial outer side of the cylinder 42. That is, with respect to all the spring connecting portions 53, the positions at which the spring connecting portion 53 and the embedding convex portion 44p are embedded in the embedding recess 50g are located at the same position in the circumferential direction of a circle centered on the central axis X of the cylinder 42.

[0077] <Effects, etc.> According to the connector 30 configured as described above, the spring connection portion 53 is elastically pressed against the connecting partner conductor 50 with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the barrel 42. In order to generate the contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the barrel 42 by the spring connection portion 53, it is sufficient to extend the spring connection portion 53 in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the barrel 42. Therefore, compared with a structure that generates contact pressure in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the barrel, the size of the spring connection portion 53 in the direction along the axial direction of the barrel 42 can be miniaturized. Thus, the outer conductor 40 of the connector 30 can be connected to the connecting partner conductor 50 with a compact structure, and the device 10 can be miniaturized as a whole. In particular, the front-to-back dimension of the device 10 can be miniaturized. In addition, since the connecting partner conductor 50 and the outer conductor 40 are electrically connected via the spring connection portion 53, even if the positional relationship between the connecting partner conductor 50 and the outer conductor 40 changes due to assembly error, thermal expansion and contraction, etc., the spring connection portion 53 can be well maintained in a state of being pressed against the protrusion 44. The connection reliability between the counterpart conductor 50 and the outer conductor 40 becomes good.

[0078] In addition, when the connection partner conductor 50 is a shield conductor, the protrusion amount of the outer conductor 40 from the connection partner conductor 50 as a shield conductor can be reduced. Thus, the protrusion amount of the outer conductor 40 from the device 10 can be reduced.

[0079] Furthermore, if the connecting partner conductor 50 has the spring connection portion 53, it is not necessary to provide the spring connection portion on the protrusion 44 of the outer conductor 40. This reduces the constraints when manufacturing the outer conductor 40, and the outer conductor 40 can be manufactured easily.

[0080] For example, if the outer conductor is formed by stamping a metal plate or cutting a metal block, a spring connection portion can also be formed on the outer conductor. However, if the outer conductor is formed by stamping a metal plate, a slit caused by the seam is generated in the outer conductor, which may affect the electromagnetic shielding performance. In addition, if the outer conductor is formed by cutting, the manufacturing cost of the outer conductor becomes large. If the outer conductor is manufactured by deep drawing, a good electromagnetic shielding performance without slits can be obtained, and low cost can be achieved compared to the outer conductor formed by cutting. If the outer conductor is manufactured by drawing, the protrusion may be so thin that it is not suitable for forming a spring connection portion. However, in the present embodiment, since the spring connection portion 53 is formed when connecting the other conductor 50, there is no problem even if the protrusion 44 is thinned. Therefore, by reducing the manufacturing constraints of the outer conductor 40, the electromagnetic shielding performance of the outer conductor 40 can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

[0081] In addition, the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are fixed at a position closer to the spring fulcrum 53a than to the spring connecting portion 53, so that the positional relationship between the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 can be kept constant at a position closer to the spring fulcrum 53a. As a result, the contact pressure of the spring connecting portion 53 is easily ensured.

[0082] In addition, the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are fixed to each other by stamping in a state where they overlap each other, so the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 can be easily fixed compared to the case where they are welded. Since the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are directly fixed, the spring fulcrum 53a of the spring connection portion 53 is more reliably maintained at a constant position relative to the protrusion 44. For example, even if the second housing 14 is deformed due to thermal expansion and contraction, and the holding position of the second housing 14 holding the cylinder 42 and the protrusion 44 is displaced, the spring fulcrum 53a of the spring connection portion 53 is more reliably maintained at a constant position relative to the protrusion 44 by the direct fixing of the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50. Therefore, the contact pressure of the spring connection portion 53 is stable.

[0083] Furthermore, since the connector 30 includes a plurality of spring connection portions 53 , the connection reliability between the outer conductor 40 and the other-party conductor 50 can be improved.

[0084] Furthermore, since the plurality of spring connectors 53 are dispersed around the cylinder 42, even if the cylinder 42 is tilted, the outer conductor 40 and the connecting partner conductor 50 can easily maintain contact via any of the spring connectors 53. Thus, the connection reliability between the outer conductor 40 and the connecting partner conductor 50 can be improved.

[0085] In addition, since the plurality of spring connection parts 53 are dispersed at equal intervals around the cylindrical part 42, the plurality of spring connection parts 53 are easily in contact with the protrusion 44 in an equal state (eg, positional relationship, force). This improves the stability of connection.

[0086] Furthermore, when the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are fixed at multiple locations, the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are easily maintained in a more constant positional relationship. Thus, the plurality of spring connecting portions 53 are easily maintained in a state of contact with the protrusion 44.

[0087] Furthermore, when the protruding portion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are fixed at a plurality of locations dispersed around the cylindrical portion 42 , the plurality of spring connecting portions 53 can be more easily maintained in a state of contact with the protruding portion 44 .

[0088] In addition, when the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are fixed at multiple locations evenly distributed around the cylinder 42, the protrusion 44 and the connecting partner conductor 50 are easily maintained in a constant positional relationship with each other without bias around the cylinder 42. As a result, the plurality of spring connecting portions 53 are easily maintained in a state of contact with the protrusion 44.

[0089] In addition, the plurality of spring connection parts 53, the protrusion 44 and the plurality of fixing points for connecting the other conductor 50 correspond to each other in the same positional relationship. Therefore, it is easy to make the contact pressure of each spring connection part 53 uniform, and the connection reliability is improved by multiple contact points.

[0090] [Modifications] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the spring connection portion 53 is provided to connect to the other conductor 50. Figure 7 As shown in the modified example, the outer conductor 140 corresponding to the outer conductor 40 may also have a protrusion 144 corresponding to the protrusion 44, and the protrusion 144 may also have a spring connection portion 146. For example, the protrusion 144 is partially cut into a U-shape, and the cut portion is bent so as to protrude toward the connecting partner conductor 150 side corresponding to the connecting partner conductor 50, thereby forming the spring connection portion 146. The spring connection portion 146 may be connected to the main body of the protrusion 144 at any position relative to the protrusion 144. Figure 7 In the embodiment, the spring connection portion 146 is connected to the main body portion of the protrusion 144 on the outer peripheral side of the protrusion 144 .

[0091] In the connection partner conductor 150 , the spring connection portion 53 is not formed in the portion around the opening 54 in the bottom portion 152 corresponding to the bottom portion 52 , but is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0092] According to this modification, the spring connection portion 146 is pressed against the outward surface of the bottom portion 152. The spring connection portion 146 intersects with the axial direction of the cylinder portion 42, and is particularly along the extending direction of the protrusion 144. Therefore, the spring connection portion 146 is elastically pressed against the connection counterpart conductor 150 with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the cylinder portion 42.

[0093] According to this modification, the size of the spring connection portion 146 along the axial direction of the cylinder 42 can also be reduced. Therefore, in addition to the effects of providing the spring connection portion 53 to connect the other conductor 50, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the connector 30 is assumed to be connected to a coaxial cable and the connector has one inner conductor. For example, when the connector is connected to a cable having two core wires, the connector may have a plurality of inner conductors.

[0095] The connector 30 described above may also be applied to the connection of electrical components and cables that are not based on the device 10 .

[0096] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which a plurality of spring connection parts 53, a bottom part 52 for connecting the other conductor 50, and a fixing part of the protrusion 44 are the same in the circumferential direction around the barrel 42. However, it is considered that the above fixing part is provided in correspondence with a part of the plurality of spring connection parts in the circumferential direction around the barrel. In addition, it is considered that a spring connection part is provided in a part of the plurality of fixing parts in the circumferential direction around the barrel. In addition, it is also considered that a plurality of spring connection parts and a plurality of fixing parts are provided in a staggered manner around the barrel. For example, it is considered that the following case is provided: the spring connection parts are provided at 90 degree intervals around the barrel, and the above fixing parts are provided at 90 degree intervals at a position staggered 45 degrees from the spring connection parts.

[0097] In addition, the respective configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiment and the respective modifications can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other. Description of Reference Numerals

[0098] 10 Equipment 12 Shell 131st Shell 14 Second Shell 15 Bottom 15p Fixing protrusion 16 Holding cylinder 17. Keep the partition 17h Keep hole 18a Locking protrusion 20Electrical components 21 Circuit board 22 Camera Components 24 PCB side connector 25 Inner conductor on substrate side 26 substrate side insulator 27 Substrate side outer conductor 30 Connectors 32 terminal module 34 Inner conductor 36 Insulator 36h through hole 40, 140 outer conductor 42 barrel 44, 144 protrusion 44p embedded convex part 45 recess 50, 150 connected to the other conductor (shielded conductor) 50g embedded in recess 52, 152 bottom 52h hole 53, 146 Spring connection 53S Slit 53a Spring fulcrum 53b Free end 53c Spring contact 54 Open 80 stamping die 82 mold 90 relay connector 91 Movable inner conductor 92 Movable side insulator 93 Movable side outer conductor

Claims

1. A connector comprising a terminal module and a conductor for connecting to another party, The terminal module includes an inner conductor, an insulator surrounding the inner conductor, and an outer conductor, wherein the outer conductor has a cylindrical portion surrounding the insulator and a protruding portion protruding to the outside of the cylindrical portion. At least one of the connection partner conductor and the protruding portion has a spring connection portion that elastically presses the other of the connection partner conductor and the protruding portion with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, in, The connection partner conductor is a shielded conductor.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, in, The connection partner conductor has the spring connection portion.

4. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, in, The spring connection portion includes a spring fulcrum and a spring contact, The protrusion and the connection partner conductor are fixed at a position closer to the spring fulcrum than to the spring contact.

5. The connector according to claim 4, in, The protrusion and the connection partner conductor overlap each other and are fixed to each other by pressing.

6. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, in, The spring connection portion is provided in plurality.

7. The connector according to claim 6, in, The plurality of spring connection parts are dispersed around the cylindrical portion.

8. The connector according to claim 7, in, The plurality of spring connection portions are dispersed around the cylindrical portion at equal intervals.

9. The connector according to claim 6, in, The protruding portion and the connection partner conductor are fixed at a plurality of locations.

10. The connector according to claim 9, in, The protruding portion and the connection partner conductor are fixed at a plurality of locations dispersed around the cylindrical portion.

11. The connector according to claim 10, in, The protruding portion and the connection partner conductor are fixed at a plurality of locations evenly distributed around the cylindrical portion.

12. The connector according to claim 9, in, The plurality of spring connection portions, the protruding portion, and the plurality of fixing locations for connecting the other conductor correspond one to one with the same positional relationship.

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