Electric connector

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing an electrical connector in which the holding force of a housing within a housing does not decrease even after a reflow soldering step, and in which the contact reliability of the electrical connector can be maintained. An electrical connector (1) is provided with a contact pin (2), a cylindrical insulating housing (3) that accommodates the contact pin (2) therein, and a metal housing (4) that holds the contact pin (2) and the housing (3). The housing (3) is provided with an engagement protrusion (36) protruding outward from the outer surface of the housing (3). The housing (4) is provided with a housing part (48) for housing the housing (3), and an engagement protrusion (49) protruding inward from the inner surface of the housing part (48). In a state in which the housing (3) is housed in the housing part (48) of the housing (4), the engagement protrusion (36) of the housing (3) and the engagement protrusion (49) of the housing (4) engage with each other, thereby locking the housing (3) within the housing part (48) of the housing (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to electrical connectors used to provide a coaxial connection with a coaxial cable. Background Art

[0002] In order to provide an electrical connection between an electronic device and other electronic devices via a cable, a combination of a socket connector and a plug connector is widely used. In addition, with the improvement of the processing power of electronic devices in recent years, the amount of data sent from an electronic device to other electronic devices via a cable is increasing. In order to send a large amount of data in a short time, it is necessary to send a high-frequency signal via a cable, and there is a demand to improve the signal transmission characteristics of the cable, especially the signal transmission characteristics of the cable in a high-frequency band. In response to such a demand, a coaxial cable with high signal transmission characteristics in a high-frequency band is widely used. As is well known, a coaxial cable has a coaxial structure in which a core wire for transmitting a signal, an inner insulating layer covering the core wire, an outer conductor layer (braided layer) covering the insulating layer, and an outer insulating layer covering the outer conductor layer are concentrically arranged.

[0003] In order to provide a coaxial connection with such a coaxial cable, an electrical connector is widely used, which includes a contact pin electrically connected to the core wire of the coaxial cable, an insulating housing that accommodates the contact pin inside, and a shell that covers the housing from the outside. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses Figure 1 The electrical connector shown. Figure 1 The illustrated electrical connector includes contact pins 10 , an insulating housing 11 accommodating the contact pins 10 , a metal shell 12 covering the housing 11 from the outside, and a cover 13 holding the shell 12 from the outside.

[0004] In such an electrical connector, when viewed from the front end side ( Figure 1 When the counterpart connector is inserted into the electrical connector, the counterpart connector contacts the housing 11, exerting an action toward the base end side ( Figure 1 At this time, the housing 11 will move toward the base end side in the housing 12. Such movement will make the position of the contact pin 10 in the housing 12 unstable, resulting in reduced contact reliability of the electrical connector.

[0005] Generally, the housing 11 is pressed into the housing 12, and such movement is prevented by the retaining force provided by the friction force of the press-fit surface between the housing 11 and the housing 12. However, when a reflow soldering process is performed to mount the electrical connector on a circuit board, the stress relaxation of the housing 11 occurs due to the heat generated during the reflow soldering process. As a result, the retaining force provided by the friction force of the press-fit surface between the housing 11 and the housing 12 is sharply reduced, and the movement of the housing 11 in the housing 12 toward the base end cannot be prevented, resulting in a problem of reduced contact reliability of the electrical connector.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-37147 Summary of the invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector in which the holding force of the shell in the housing does not decrease even after a reflow soldering process, thereby maintaining the contact reliability of the electrical connector.

[0011] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0012] Such an object is achieved by the present invention defined in the following (1).

[0013] (1) An electric connector capable of being connected to a mating connector inserted from a front end side, characterized in that it comprises:

[0014] Contact pins;

[0015] a cylindrical insulating housing that accommodates the contact pins; and

[0016] A metal housing that holds the contact pins and the housing,

[0017] The housing has an engaging protrusion protruding outward from its outer side surface.

[0018] The housing includes a storage portion for storing the shell and an engaging protrusion protruding inward from an inner side surface of the storage portion.

[0019] When the housing is accommodated in the accommodation portion of the outer shell, the engaging protrusion of the housing engages with the engaging protrusion of the outer shell, thereby locking the housing in the accommodation portion of the outer shell.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] In the present invention, the shell has a snap-fit ​​protrusion protruding outward from its outer side surface, and the housing has a snap-fit ​​protrusion protruding inward from the inner side surface of the storage portion. Moreover, when the shell is stored in the storage portion of the housing, the snap-fit ​​protrusion of the shell is engaged with the snap-fit ​​protrusion of the housing, thereby locking the shell in the housing. The holding force of the shell in the housing provided by the engagement of the snap-fit ​​protrusion of the shell with the snap-fit ​​protrusion of the housing will not be reduced by the heat generated in the reflow soldering process. Therefore, even after the reflow soldering process, the holding force of the shell in the housing will not be reduced, and the contact reliability of the electrical connector can be maintained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view showing a contact pin, a housing, a casing, and a cover according to the prior art.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the electric connector of the present invention, a circuit board on which the electric connector of the present invention is mounted, and a mating connector connected to the electric connector of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the electrical connector shown.

[0025] Figure 4 Observe from other angles Figure 2 A perspective view of the electrical connector shown.

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 The electric connector shown is a cross-sectional view taken along the YZ plane including the insertion hole of the housing.

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the electrical connector shown.

[0028] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the contact pin.

[0029] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 An XY plane view of the main body of the contact pin shown in line BB.

[0030] Fig. 9 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the shell.

[0031] Fig.10 This is a perspective view for explaining the press-fitting of the contact pin into the housing.

[0032] Fig.11 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the shell.

[0033] Fig.12 It is a stereoscopic view of the housing from other angles.

[0034] Fig.13 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the XZ plane of the CC line electrical connector shown in FIG. 1 and a partial enlarged view of the engaging protrusion of the shell and the engaging protrusion of the housing.

[0035] Fig.14 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the cover.

[0036] Fig.15 It is a three-dimensional view of the cover from other angles.

[0037] Fig.16 1 is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing an electrical connector according to the present invention.

[0038] Fig.17 This is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing a contact pin of an electrical connector according to the present invention.

[0039] Fig.18 This is a cross-sectional view along the YZ plane including the contact pins in a state where the electric connector and the mating connector are connected.

[0040] In the figure:

[0041] 1—electrical connector, 2—contact pin, 21—main body, 211—first surface, 212—second surface, 213—third surface, 214—fourth surface, 22—contact portion, 23—terminal portion, 24—horizontal extension portion, 25—connecting portion, 26—lower extension portion, 27—protrusion, 271—recess, 28—front end protrusion, 3—housing, 31—cylindrical portion, 311—first pressing rib, 311a—low back portion, 311b—middle back portion, 311c—high back portion, 312—second pressing rib, 312a—low back portion, 312b—high back portion, 32— Lower extension portion, 321-front plate, 322-side wall portion, 323-central wall portion, 33-through hole, 34-wall portion, 35-cut portion, 351-first recess, 352-second recess, 36-engaging protrusion, 361-front inclined portion, 362-rear inclined portion, 363-flat portion, 4-housing, 41-main body, 411-front plate, 412-side wall, 413-top plate, 42-cylindrical portion, 421-positioning protrusion, 43-through hole, 431-step portion, 44-grounding terminal, 45-wall portion, 46-cover receiving portion, 47-engaging wall, 48-storage portion, 481-guide portion, 49-engaging protrusion, 491-first inclined surface, 492-second inclined surface, 5-cover, 51-main body, 511-base end side opening, 52-positioning recess, 53-protrusion, 54-protruding piece, 55-engaging protrusion, 551-inclined portion, 552-flat portion, 56-receiving portion, 561-opening, 562-guide portion, 563-engaging portion, 100-circuit board, 110-ground terminal, 120-terminal, 200-matching side connector, 210-outer cover, 220-positioning protrusion, 2 30—contact pin, 240—external connector, 250—conductor component, 260—conductor component, 300—coaxial cable, 310—core wire, 320—inner insulating layer, 330—first outer insulating layer, 340—outer conductor layer, 350—second outer insulating layer, 10—contact pin, 11—shell, 12—housing, 13—cover, θ1, θ2, θ3, θ4—angles, S100—manufacturing method, S110, S120, S130, S140—process, S111, S112—process, L1, L2, L3, L4—length. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, the electrical connector of the present invention will be described based on the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition, the figures referred to below are schematic figures prepared for the description of the present invention. The dimensions (length, width, thickness, etc.) of the various structural elements shown in the accompanying drawings may not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions. In addition, in each figure, the same reference number is marked for the same or corresponding elements. In the following description, the positive direction of the Z axis of each figure is sometimes referred to as the "front end side" or "front side", the negative direction of the Z axis is referred to as the "base end side" or "rear side", the positive direction of the Y axis is referred to as the "upper side", the negative direction of the Y axis is referred to as the "lower side", the positive direction of the X axis is referred to as the "near front side", and the negative direction of the X axis is referred to as the "depth side". In addition, the Z direction is sometimes referred to as the "plugging and unplugging direction of the connector on the object side", the Y direction is referred to as the "height direction", and the X direction is referred to as the "width direction".

[0043] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the electric connector of the present invention, a circuit board on which the electric connector of the present invention is mounted, and a mating connector connected to the electric connector of the present invention. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the electrical connector shown. Figure 4 Observe from other angles Figure 2 A perspective view of the electrical connector shown. Figure 5 yes Figure 2 The electric connector shown is a cross-sectional view taken along the YZ plane including the insertion hole of the housing. Figure 6 yes Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the electrical connector shown. Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the contact pin. Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 An XY plane view of the main body of the contact pin shown in line BB. Fig. 9 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the shell. Fig.10 This is a perspective view for explaining the press-fitting of the contact pin into the housing. Fig.11 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the shell. Fig.12 It is a stereoscopic view of the housing from other angles. Fig.13 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the XZ plane of the CC line electrical connector shown in FIG. 1 and a partial enlarged view of the engaging protrusion of the shell and the engaging protrusion of the housing. Fig.14 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the cover. Fig.15 It is a three-dimensional view of the cover from other angles.

[0044] like Figure 2As shown, the electric connector 1 of the present invention is a socket connector mounted on a circuit substrate 100 provided in an arbitrary device. When the counterpart connector (plug connector) 200 mounted on the front end of the coaxial cable 300 is inserted into the electric connector 1 from the front end side and the electric connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200 are connected, the electrical connection between the coaxial cable 300 and the circuit substrate 100 is provided via the electric connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200.

[0045] The coaxial cable 300 has a structure in which a pair of core wires (center conductors) 310 are concentrically arranged, a pair of inner insulating layers 320 covering the pair of core wires 310, a first outer insulating layer 330 covering the pair of inner insulating layers 320, an outer conductor layer (braided layer) 340 covering the first outer insulating layer 330, and a second outer insulating layer 350 further covering the outer conductor layer 340. Figure 2 Although omitted in the figure, the other end of the coaxial cable 300 is connected to a device different from the device having the circuit substrate 100. Therefore, when the electrical connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200 are connected, signal communication between the device having the circuit substrate 100 and the other device can be carried out via the coaxial cable 300. Typically, the device having the circuit substrate 100 is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the operation of the car, and the other device connected to the other end of the coaxial cable 300 is an in-vehicle network communication device for in-vehicle Ethernet (Ethernet), an in-vehicle navigation system, an in-vehicle audio, an in-vehicle camera, an in-vehicle GPS, an in-vehicle TV, an in-vehicle radio, and other in-vehicle devices. By connecting the electrical connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200, high-speed signal communication between the in-vehicle device and the ECU via the coaxial cable 300 including two core wires (center conductors) 310 can be carried out. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 1 is a two-pin connector for providing a coaxial connection with a coaxial cable 300 including two core wires 310, but may also be a multi-pin connector (e.g., a four-pin connector (HSD connector)) for providing a coaxial connection with two or more coaxial cables 300 including two or more core wires 310. In the following, a two-pin connector for providing a coaxial connection with a coaxial cable 300 including two core wires 310 is used for description.

[0046] like Figure 3 to Figure 6 ,in particular Figure 6 As shown, the electrical connector 1 includes: a contact pin 230 (refer to Fig.18 ) are respectively in contact with a pair of contact pins 2; a housing 3 holding a pair of contact pins 2; a metal shell 4 holding the shell 3; and a cover 5 mounted on the front end side of the shell 4.

[0047] The pair of contact pins 2 are L-shaped members made of conductive materials such as copper alloy, and are obtained by stamping and bending a wire material with a rectangular cross-section. The contact pins 2 have the following functions: when the electrical connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200 are connected, they contact the corresponding contact pins 230 of the counterpart connector 200 to provide electrical connection between the counterpart connector 200 and the electrical connector 1. The pair of contact pins 2 are respectively pressed into a pair of insertion holes 33 (refer to Figure 6 )Inside. Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 The pair of contact pins 2 shown. In addition, since the pair of contact pins 2 have the same structure as each other, the structure of the contact pin 2 located on the +X direction side will be described in detail as a representative example.

[0048] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the contact pin 2 includes a main body 21 having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, a contact portion 22 extending from the end portion on the front end side of the main body 21 and having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape (more specifically, a circular shape with the +Y direction side portion and the -Y direction side portion cut off), and a terminal portion 23 extending from the end portion on the base end side of the main body and having a substantially hexagonal cross-sectional shape. The main body 21 includes a horizontal extension portion 24 extending in a straight line along the plugging and unplugging direction (Z direction) of the counterpart connector 200, a connection portion 25 bent downward from the base end portion of the horizontal extension portion 24, a downward extension portion 26 extending in a straight line downward from the lower end portion of the connection portion 25, two pairs of protrusions 27 extending from the horizontal extension portion 24 in the height direction (Y direction, outer side) of the contact pin 2 orthogonal to the plugging and unplugging direction (Z direction) of the counterpart connector 200, and a pair of front end protrusions 28 extending from the third surface 213 and the fourth surface 214 of the front end portion of the horizontal extension portion 24 in the height direction of the contact pin 2.

[0049] In addition, the horizontal extension portion 24, the connection portion 25, and the downward extension portion 26 each include a first surface 211 and a second surface 212 extending separately from each other, and a third surface 213 and a fourth surface 214 extending separately from each other and orthogonal to the first surface 211 and the second surface 212. The first surface 211 of each of the horizontal extension portion 24, the connection portion 25, and the downward extension portion 26 is a side surface on the +X direction side orthogonal to the X direction, and the second surface 212 of the horizontal extension portion 24, the connection portion 25, and the downward extension portion 26 is a side surface on the -X direction side orthogonal to the X direction. The third surface 213 of the horizontal extension portion 24 is a side surface on the +Y direction side orthogonal to the Y direction, and the fourth surface 214 of the horizontal extension portion 24 is a side surface on the -Y direction side orthogonal to the Y direction. The third surface 213 of the connection portion 25 is a curved surface located on the outer side when viewed from the curved center of the connection portion 25, and the fourth surface 214 of the connection portion 25 is a curved surface located on the inner side when viewed from the curved center of the connection portion 25. The third surface 213 of the downward extending portion 26 is a side surface on the −Z direction side perpendicular to the Z direction, and the fourth surface 214 of the downward extending portion 26 is a side surface on the +Z direction side perpendicular to the Z direction.

[0050] Figure 8 The cross-sectional shape of the horizontal extension portion 24 is shown (along Figure 7 In addition, the cross-sectional shapes of the connecting portion 25 and the lower extending portion 26 also have the same structure as the cross-sectional shape of the horizontal extending portion 24, so the following is a representative example. Figure 8 The cross-sectional shape of the horizontal extension portion 24 is described in detail. Figure 8 As shown, the cross-sectional shape of the horizontal extension portion 24 is rectangular, more specifically, a long rectangle or a square. Figure 8 , the length of the first surface 211 in the height direction (Y direction) is represented by L1, the length of the second surface 212 in the height direction is represented by L2, the length of the third surface 213 in the width direction (X direction) is represented by L3, and the length of the fourth surface 214 in the width direction is represented by L4. The first surface 211 and the second surface 212 are substantially parallel, and the third surface 213 and the fourth surface 214 are substantially parallel. Moreover, the length L1 of the first surface 211 and the length L2 of the second surface 212 are substantially equal. Specifically, in the cross-sectional shape of the horizontal extension portion 24, the ratio (L1 / L2 or L2 / L1) of the length L1 of the first surface 211 to the length L2 of the second surface 212 satisfies a relationship of 0.9 to 1.1. Moreover, in the cross-sectional shape of the horizontal extension portion 24, the length L3 of the third surface 213 and the length L4 of the fourth surface 214 are substantially equal. Specifically, in the cross-sectional shape of the horizontally extending portion 24 , the ratio ( L3 / L4 or L4 / L3 ) of the length L3 of the third surface 213 to the length L4 of the fourth surface 214 satisfies a relationship of 0.9 to 1.1.

[0051] The above-mentioned ratio relationship between the length L1 of the first surface 211 and the length L2 of the second surface 212 and the above-mentioned ratio relationship between the length L3 of the third surface 213 and the length L4 of the fourth surface 214 are satisfied over the entire length of the main body 21 (the entire horizontal extension portion 24, the connection portion 25, and the lower extension portion 26). Angle θ1 (first angle) formed by the first surface 211 and the third surface 213, angle θ2 (second angle) formed by the first surface 211 and the fourth surface 214, angle θ3 (third angle) formed by the second surface 212 and the third surface 213, and angle θ4 (fourth angle) formed by the second surface 212 and the fourth surface 214 are approximately right angles, and more specifically, angles θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4 are within the range of 85° to 95°.

[0052] As described above, the contact pin 2 of the present invention is obtained by stamping and bending a wire having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Therefore, unlike the conventional contact pin obtained by punching and cutting a metal plate, the corners (first corner, second corner, third corner and fourth corner) of the main body 21 (horizontally extending portion 24, connecting portion 25 and lower extending portion 26) do not collapse during the manufacturing process, and the shape of the main body 21 does not change, or such a change is very small. In particular, in the contact pin 2 of the present invention, in the cross-sectional shape of the main body 21, the length L1 of the first surface 211 and the length L2 of the second surface 212 are substantially equal, and further, the third surface 213 and the fourth surface 214 are parallel to each other and orthogonal to the first surface 211 and the second surface 212. Thus, in the present invention, unlike the conventional art, the difference between the length L1 of the first surface 211 and the length L2 of the second surface 212 can be prevented during the manufacturing process of the contact pin 2, and the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1 can be improved.

[0053] In addition, as described above, when a metal plate is punched, the corners of the punched surface will collapse. Therefore, in the case where a contact pin is obtained by punching and cutting as in the past, the width of the contact pin in a direction perpendicular to the punching direction (referred to as "punching width") is limited by the thickness of the metal plate. Specifically, when considering the reduction in the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector caused by the collapse of the corners caused by the punching process mentioned above, the punching width of the contact pin needs to be more than 1.5 times the thickness of the metal plate. For example, assume that the contact pin 2 is obtained by punching and cutting as in the past. In this case, if Figure 8Assuming that the X direction in the figure is the punching direction, the length L1, L2 of the contact pin 2 in the Y direction (i.e., the "punching width") needs to be at least 1.5 times the length L3, L4 of the contact pin 2 in the X direction (i.e., the "thickness of the metal plate"). However, in order to improve the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1, it is sometimes desirable to make the length L1, L2 of the contact pin 2 in the Y direction less than 1.5 times the length L3, L4 of the contact pin 2 in the X direction.

[0054] As described above, the contact pin 2 of the present invention is obtained by stamping and bending a wire having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Therefore, the lengths L1 and L2 of the contact pin 2 in the Y direction are not limited by the lengths L3 and L4 of the contact pin 2 in the X direction. The lengths L1, L2, L3 and L4 of the contact pin 2 depend on the thickness and cross-sectional shape of the wire subjected to the stamping and bending processes, and wires having various thicknesses and cross-sectional shapes are available on the market. Therefore, the lengths L1, L2, L3 and L4 of the contact pin 2 of the present invention are not subject to the above-mentioned restrictions and can be freely set within the range of the thickness and cross-sectional shape of the available wire. Therefore, in the present invention, the lengths L1 and L2 of the contact pin 2 in the Y direction can be made less than 1.5 times the lengths L3 and L4 of the contact pin 2 in the X direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact pin 2 is formed so that the lengths L1 and L2 are less than 1.5 times the lengths L3 and L4. Specifically, the contact pins 2 are formed so that the lengths L1, L2, L3, and L4 are substantially equal (for example, within a range of ±10%). With such a structure, the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1 can be improved.

[0055] return Figure 7, the inner side surfaces (the second surface 212 of the contact pin 2 in the +X direction and the first surface 211 of the contact pin 2 in the -X direction) of the main body 21 of a pair of contact pins 2 facing each other are flat surfaces orthogonal to the X direction. With such a structure, the spacing distance of the pair of contact pins 2 in the X direction can be kept constant. By keeping the spacing distance of the pair of contact pins 2 in the X direction constant, the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1 can be stabilized. In addition, in the electrical connector 1 of the present invention, in the cross-sectional shape of the main body 21, the length L2 of the second surface 212 of the contact pin 2 in the +X direction and the length L1 of the first surface 211 of the contact pin 2 in the -X direction are approximately equal. Therefore, the areas of the inner side surfaces (the second surface 212 of the contact pin 2 in the +X direction and the first surface 211 of the contact pin 2 in the -X direction) of the pair of contact pins 2 facing each other are approximately the same. It is well known that the inconsistency of the areas of the inner side surfaces of the pair of contact pins 2 facing each other will lead to the deterioration of the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1, especially the signal transmission characteristics in the high frequency band. In the contact pin 2 of the present invention, the length L1 of the first surface 211 and the length L2 of the second surface 212 are approximately equal, and the areas of the inner side surfaces facing each other of a pair of contact pins 2 are also approximately equal, thereby improving the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1, especially the signal transmission characteristics in the high frequency band.

[0056] The contact portion 22 is a substantially cylindrical portion extending linearly from the front end portion of the horizontal extension portion 24 toward the front end side. More specifically, the contact portion 22 has a substantially cylindrical shape in which a portion on the +Y direction side and a portion on the -Y direction side are cut away parallel to the XZ plane. Figure 3 As shown, when the contact pin 2 is held by the housing 3, the contact portion 22 protrudes from the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 3 toward the front end and is exposed. When the electrical connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200 are connected, the contact portion 22 contacts the corresponding contact pin 230 of the counterpart connector 200, providing electrical connection between the counterpart connector 200 and the electrical connector 1 (see Fig.18 The contact portion 22 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape by pressing a wire having a rectangular cross-sectional shape from both sides (e.g., the side of the first surface 211 and the side of the second surface 212) through a pair of forming dies. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the contact portion 22 is substantially circular.

[0057] return Figure 7 The terminal portion 23 is formed as a substantially pyramidal portion protruding downward from the lower end of the lower extension portion 26 of the main body portion 21. When the contact pin 2 is held by the housing 3, the terminal portion 23 extends downward from the contact pin 2 and is exposed. The terminal portion 23 is connected to the corresponding terminal 120 (see Figure 2The terminal portion 23 is formed into a substantially pyramidal shape (shown in the figure) by pressing a wire having a rectangular cross-sectional shape from both sides (for example, the first surface 211 side and the second surface 212 side) through a pair of forming dies to perform a stamping process.

[0058] The horizontal extension portion 24 is a plate-like portion that extends linearly along the insertion and removal direction (Z direction) of the counterpart connector 200. When the pair of contact pins 2 are respectively pressed into the pair of insertion holes 33 of the housing 3, the horizontal extension portion 24 is located inside the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 3. In particular, Figure 5 As shown, the horizontally extending portion 24 is held in the insertion hole 33 , whereby the contact pin 2 is held by the housing 3 .

[0059] return Figure 7 The connecting portion 25 is an L-shaped portion connecting the horizontal extension portion 24 and the downward extension portion 26. The connecting portion 25 is bent downward from the base end portion of the horizontal extension portion 24. One end portion of the connecting portion 25 (the end portion facing the +Z direction) is continuous with the base end portion of the horizontal extension portion 24, and the other end portion of the connecting portion 25 (the end portion facing the -Y direction) is continuous with the upper end portion of the downward extension portion 26. The connecting portion 25 is formed by bending a wire having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The downward extension portion 26 is a plate-shaped portion that extends linearly downward from the lower end portion of the connecting portion 25. As shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, in a state where the contact pin 2 is held by the housing 3 , the lower extending portion 26 is located within the lower extending portion 32 of the housing 3 .

[0060] The two pairs of protrusions 27 are portions that protrude from the third surface 213 and the fourth surface 214 of the horizontal extension portion 24 in the height direction (Y direction, outside) of the contact pin 2. The two upper protrusions 27 protrude from the third surface 213 in the +Y direction, and the two lower protrusions 27 protrude from the fourth surface 214 in the -Y direction. Each pair of upper protrusions 27 and lower protrusions 27 are formed at positions facing each other across the horizontal extension portion 24. The two pairs of protrusions 27 have the following functions: when the contact pin 2 is pressed into the insertion hole 33 of the housing 3, the inner side surface of the insertion hole 33 is pressed inwardly, thereby increasing the locking force of the contact pin 2 in the insertion hole 33. In the illustrated embodiment, two pairs of protrusions 27 are formed on the third surface 213 and the fourth surface 214, but the number and position of the protrusions 27 formed on the third surface 213 and the fourth surface 214 are not limited thereto, and one, two, three, or more than five protrusions 27 may be formed on the third surface 213 or the fourth surface 214. In addition, the two pairs of protrusions 27 have the same structure as each other, and therefore, the structure of the pair of protrusions 27 located on the +Z direction side will be described in detail as a representative example.

[0061] The pair of protrusions 27 protrude outward (in the Y direction) and have a semicircular shape when viewed from the X direction. Such a shape is obtained by stamping a wire having a rectangular cross-sectional shape from one side of an extrusion forming die. Figure 7 In the case of the contact pin 2 in the +X direction, for a predetermined portion of the first surface 211, Figure 7 In the case of the contact pin 2 extending in the -X direction, a predetermined portion of the second surface 212 (the side surface on the -X direction side) is subjected to press working by an extrusion die to form a pair of protrusions 27 .

[0062] exist Figure 7 In the case of the contact pin 2 in the +X direction, a recess 271 is formed by the extrusion die in a predetermined portion of the first surface 211 (the outer surface in the X direction) of the extrusion die in order to form a pair of protrusions 27, and the first surface 211 (the outer surface in the X direction) of the portion where the recess 271 is formed is located closer to the -X direction than the other portions of the first surface 211. On the other hand, the recess 271 is not formed in the corresponding portion of the second surface 212 (the inner surface in the X direction opposite to the other contact pin 2) opposite to the predetermined portion of the first surface 211 of the extrusion die, but is a flat surface continuous with the other portions of the second surface 212. Figure 7 The contact pin 2 in the -X direction is similarly formed with a recess 271 in a predetermined portion of the second surface 212 of the extrusion molding die, and the second surface 212 (the outer side surface in the X direction) in the portion where the recess 271 is formed is located closer to the +X direction than the other portions of the second surface 212, and the recess 271 is not formed in the corresponding portion of the first surface 211 opposite to the predetermined portion of the second surface 212, so that a flat surface is formed that is continuous with the other portions of the first surface 211. Figure 7 For either the contact pin 2 in the +X direction or the contact pin 2 in the -X direction, a pair of protrusions 27 respectively protrude outward from portions adjacent to the recess 271 on both surfaces (the third surface 213 and the fourth surface 214) in the Y direction corresponding to the recess 271.

[0063] A pair of protrusions 27 have the same structure, respectively, and therefore representatively, the upper protrusion 27 formed on the third surface 213 of the horizontal extension portion 24 will be described in detail. The upper protrusion 27 is a semicircular protrusion when viewed from a plane in the X direction, and protrudes upward from the third surface 213. The outer side surface (surface in the +Y direction) of the upper protrusion 27 is a curved surface protruding upward. The two side surfaces (surfaces in the X direction) of the upper protrusion 27 are flat surfaces orthogonal to the X direction. When the contact pin 2 is pressed into the insertion hole 33 of the housing 3, the upper protrusion 27 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 33 (refer to Figure 5 ).

[0064] return Figure 7 The pair of front end protrusions 28 are portions protruding from the front end of the horizontal extension 24 and the third surface 213 and the fourth surface 214 in the height direction (Y direction, outside) of the contact pin 2. The pair of front end protrusions 28 are formed by extruding a wire material having a rectangular cross-sectional shape from four directions (both sides, top and bottom) through a forming die and performing a stamping process. The pair of front end protrusions 28 have the same structure, so representatively, the upper side front end protrusion 28 formed on the third surface 213 of the horizontal extension 24 will be described in detail. The front end protrusion 28 is a protrusion that protrudes upward from the third surface 213 and is rectangular in a planar view from the X direction. The outer side surface (surface in the +Y direction) of the front end protrusion 28 is a flat surface orthogonal to the Y direction. The two side surfaces (surfaces in the X direction) of the front end protrusion 28 are flat surfaces orthogonal to the X direction.

[0065] The contact pin 2 is pressed into the insertion hole 33 of the housing 3 and is held by the housing 3. The housing 3 is made of an elastic insulating material such as a resin material (for example, a liquid crystal polymer (LCP)). Fig. 9 as well as Fig.10 As shown, the housing 3 includes a cylindrical portion 31 extending in the insertion and removal direction of the counterpart connector 200 and a downward extending portion 32 extending downward from the base end of the cylindrical portion 31 .

[0066] like Fig. 9 As shown, the cylindrical portion 31 is a cylindrical portion extending in a straight line along the plugging and unplugging direction (Z direction) of the object side connector 200. The cylindrical portion 31 has a planar shape of a rounded rectangular shape in a plan view observed from the Z direction. In a plan view observed from the Z direction, the length of the cylindrical portion 31 in the width direction (X direction) is greater than the length in the height direction (Y direction). The upper side surface and the lower side surface of the cylindrical portion 31 are separated from each other and are flat surfaces extending along the plugging and unplugging direction of the object side connector 200, and the two side surfaces of the cylindrical portion 31 in the X direction are separated from each other and are curved surfaces extending along the plugging and unplugging direction of the object side connector 200. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 31 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 43 formed in the main body 41 of the housing 4.

[0067] The cylindrical portion 31 includes four first pressing ribs 311 respectively located on the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the cylindrical portion 31 and extending along the plugging and unplugging direction of the object side connector 200, a pair of second pressing ribs 312 respectively located on the two side surfaces of the cylindrical portion 31 in the X direction and extending along the plugging and unplugging direction of the object side connector 200, a pair of insertion holes 33 penetrating the cylindrical portion 31 in the plugging and unplugging direction of the object side connector 200, and a wall portion 34 separating the pair of insertion holes 33.

[0068] The four first pressing ribs 311 are protrusions protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31. The four first pressing ribs 311 are formed to prevent the contact pin 2 in the insertion hole 33 of the housing 3 from moving toward the base end side or detaching from the insertion hole 33, and to prevent the housing 3 from detaching from the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion hole 43 of the housing 4. The four first pressing ribs 311 are respectively formed on the upper side and the lower side of the cylindrical portion 31 and at positions corresponding to the two pairs of protrusions 27 of the pair of contact pins 2, and are protrusions extending in a straight line along the plugging and unplugging direction (Z direction) of the counterpart connector 200. Two of the four first pressing ribs 311 are located on the upper side of the cylindrical portion 31, and the remaining two are located on the lower side of the cylindrical portion 31. The two first pressing ribs 311 on the upper side are respectively opposed to the two first pressing ribs 311 on the lower side via the pair of insertion holes 33 of the cylindrical portion 31. The two upper first pressing ribs 311 are provided on the upper side of the cylindrical portion 31 to be separated from each other. The two lower first pressing ribs 311 are provided on the lower side of the cylindrical portion 31 to be separated from each other.

[0069] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, two of the four first pressing ribs 311 are formed symmetrically on the upper side and the lower side of the cylindrical portion 31, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, one, two, three, or more than five first pressing ribs 311 may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31.

[0070] The four first pressing ribs 311 respectively include a low back portion 311a located at the front end of the cylindrical portion 31, a middle back portion 311b extending from the base end of the low back portion 311a to the base end side, and a high back portion 311c extending from the base end of the middle back portion 311b to the base end side.

[0071] The low back portion 311a is a protruding portion located at the front end of the cylindrical portion 31 and extending at a constant height from the front end toward the base end. Figure 5 As shown, the height (length in the Y direction) of the low back portion 311 a is set so that the low back portion 311 a does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 of the housing 4 when the housing 3 is held by the casing 4 .

[0072] return Fig. 9, the middle back portion 311b is located between the low back portion 311a and the high back portion 311c. The front end portion of the middle back portion 311b is an inclined portion whose height gradually increases from the front end side toward the base end side, and the front end surface of the middle back portion 311b is an inclined surface that inclines from the inside toward the outside as it moves from the front end side toward the base end side. The front end portion of the front end surface is continuous with the base end portion of the low back portion 311a. The portion of the middle back portion 311b other than the front end portion is a protrusion that extends toward the base end side at a constant height. Moreover, the base end portion of the middle back portion 311b is continuous with the front end portion of the high back portion 311c. The height of the middle back portion 311b (the amount of protrusion in the Y direction) is greater than the height of the low back portion 311a, and smaller than the height of the high back portion 311c. As Figure 5 As shown, the height (length in the Y direction) of the middle back portion 311b is set so that, when the shell 3 is held by the outer shell 4, the outer side surface (the surface orthogonal to the Y direction) of the middle back portion 311b contacts the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 42 of the outer shell 4 and the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 43.

[0073] In a natural state where no external force is applied to the housing 3, the distance in the Y direction between the outer side surface of the middle back portion 311b on the upper side surface of the cylindrical portion 31 and the outer side surface of the middle back portion 311b on the lower side surface of the cylindrical portion 31 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion hole 43 of the housing 4 in the Y direction (height direction). According to such a structure, when the cylindrical portion 31 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion hole 43, the outer side surface of the middle back portion 311b contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 43 of the housing 4 and is pressed inward, so that the housing 3 is held by the housing 4. Furthermore, the housing 3 is made of an insulating material having elasticity, so that the cylindrical portion 31 can be elastically deformed toward the inside. Therefore, when the housing 3 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion hole 43, the outer side surface of the middle back portion 311b of the four first pressing ribs 311 is pressed inward by the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 43, and as a result, the portion of the cylindrical portion 31 where the middle back portion 311b is formed is elastically deformed inward. Thus, the inner side surface of the insertion hole 33 and the protrusion 27 of the contact pin 2 can be brought into contact more strongly, preventing the contact pin 2 in the insertion hole 33 from moving and escaping from the insertion hole 33.

[0074] return Fig. 9 The high back portion 311c is located closer to the base end than the middle back portion 311b, extends from the base end of the middle back portion 311b toward the base end at a constant height, and protrudes outward. The lower end of the front end of the high back portion 311c is continuous with the base end of the middle back portion 311b. Figure 5As shown, the height (length in the Y direction) of the high back portion 311c is set so that, when the housing 3 is held by the shell 4, the outer side surface (surface orthogonal to the Y direction) of the high back portion 311c does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 43 of the shell 4. In addition, the base end portions of the high back portions 311c of the two first pressing ribs 311 formed on the lower side surface of the cylindrical portion 31 are connected to the front end surface of the front plate 321 of the lower extension portion 32.

[0075] The pair of second pressing ribs 312 are formed to prevent the contact pin 2 in the insertion hole 33 of the housing 3 from moving toward the base end side or detaching when the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 3 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion hole 43 of the shell 4, and to prevent the cylindrical portion 31 from detaching from the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion hole 43. Furthermore, the pair of second pressing ribs 312 are formed to improve the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1 by stably maintaining a constant spacing distance in the width direction (X direction) between the pair of contact pins 2 respectively held in the pair of insertion holes 33 of the housing 3.

[0076] like Fig. 9 As shown, the pair of second pressing ribs 312 are protrusions that are separated from each other and extend in a straight line along the plugging and unplugging direction of the counterpart connector 200. The pair of second pressing ribs 312 are opposed to each other at an angle of 180 degrees across the pair of insertion holes 33 and the wall portion 34 formed between the pair of insertion holes 33. The pair of second pressing ribs 312 are respectively formed on both side surfaces (both side surfaces in the X direction) of the cylindrical portion 31.

[0077] The pair of second pressing ribs 312 each includes a low back portion 312 a located at the front end portion of the cylindrical portion 31 and a high back portion 312 b extending from the base end portion of the low back portion 312 a toward the base end side.

[0078] The low back portion 312a is located at the front end of the cylindrical portion 31 and is a protrusion extending at a constant height from the front end toward the base end. The height (length in the X direction) of the low back portion 312a is set so that when the housing 3 is held by the outer shell 4, the low back portion 312a does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 of the outer shell 4.

[0079] The high back portion 312b is located closer to the base end side than the low back portion 312a. The front end portion of the high back portion 312b is an inclined portion whose height gradually increases from the front end side toward the base end side, and the front end surface of the high back portion 312b is an inclined surface that tilts from the inside to the outside as it moves from the front end side toward the base end side. The front end portion of the front end surface is continuous with the base end portion of the low back portion 312a. The portion of the high back portion 312b other than the front end portion is a protrusion extending toward the base end side at a constant height. The height of the high back portion 312b (the amount of protrusion in the X direction) is greater than the height of the low back portion 312a.

[0080] The high back portion 312b contacts the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion hole 43 of the shell 4 when the shell 3 is held by the shell 4, and is provided to prevent the cylindrical portion 31 of the shell 3 from being separated from the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion hole 43. The height (length in the X direction) of the high back portion 312b is greater than the height of the low back portion 312a. In addition, in the natural state where no external force is applied to the shell 3, the total length of the outer diameter of the width direction (X direction) of the cylindrical portion 31 and the height (protrusion amount) of a pair of high back portions 312b is slightly greater than the inner diameter of the width direction of the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion hole 43 of the shell 4. With such a structure, when the cylindrical portion 31 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion hole 43, the outer side surface of the high back portion 312b contacts the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 42 and the inner circumference of the insertion hole 43, and is pressed inward, so that the shell 3 is held by the shell 4. Further, as described above, the cylindrical portion 31 can be elastically deformed inward. Therefore, when the shell 3 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion hole 43, the outer side surface of the high back portion 312b contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 43 and is pressed inward, and the portion of the cylindrical portion 31 where the high back portion 312b is formed elastically deforms inward.

[0081] The lower extension portion 32 is a portion that receives the lower extension portion 26 of the contact pin 2 when the contact pin 2 is held in the housing 3. Fig. 9 as well as Fig.10 As shown, the downward extension portion 32 includes a front plate 321 extending downward from the lower side portion of the base end portion of the cylindrical portion 31, a pair of side wall portions 322 extending from the two ends of the front plate 321 in the width direction (X direction) toward the base end side, a central wall portion 323 extending from the center of the front plate 321 in the width direction toward the base end side between the pair of side wall portions 322 while being separated from the pair of side wall portions 322, a cutout portion 35 formed on the outer side surface of each of the pair of side wall portions 322, and a snap-fitting protrusion 36 formed to separate the pair of cutout portions 35 in the front-to-back direction.

[0082] The front plate 321 is a plate-shaped portion extending vertically downward from the lower portion of the base end portion of the cylindrical portion 31. Figure 5 As shown, in a state where the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 3 is completely inserted from the base end side into the insertion hole 43 of the housing 4 , the front end surface of the front plate 321 abuts against the inner side surface of the main body portion 41 of the housing 4 .

[0083] like Fig. 9 as well as Fig.10 As shown, the pair of side wall portions 322 are plate-shaped portions extending from both ends of the front plate 321 in the width direction (X direction) toward the base end side. Fig.10As shown, two internal spaces for accommodating the lower extensions 26 of the pair of contact pins 2 are defined by the base end surface of the front plate 321, the inner side surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 322, and the outer side surface of the central wall portion 323. When the pair of contact pins 2 are held by the housing 3, the lower extensions 26 of the pair of contact pins 2 are respectively located in the two internal spaces of the lower extension portion 32 of the housing 3. The central wall portion 323 is a plate-shaped portion extending from the center of the width direction (X direction) of the front plate 321 toward the base end side. The central wall portion 323 is located between the pair of side wall portions 322 and is opposed to the pair of side wall portions 322 with a gap therebetween. The central wall portion 323 separates the above-mentioned two internal spaces.

[0084] return Fig. 9 The pair of insertion holes 33 are arranged in the width direction (X direction) and extend in the plugging and unplugging direction of the counterpart connector 200 separated from each other via the wall portion 34. The pair of insertion holes 33 respectively penetrate the cylindrical portion 31 in the plugging and unplugging direction (Z direction) of the counterpart connector 200. As described above, the pair of contact pins 2 are respectively pressed into the pair of insertion holes 33. The insertion holes 33 have a shape corresponding to the horizontal extension portion 24 of the contact pin 2, and have a substantially rectangular planar shape in a plan view viewed from the Z direction.

[0085] The wall portion 34 is located between the pair of insertion holes 33. The wall portion 34 is a plate-like portion extending linearly from the front end portion to the base end portion of the cylindrical portion 31 along the insertion and extraction direction (Z direction) of the counterpart connector 200 in the cylindrical portion 31 so as to separate the pair of insertion holes 33 adjacent in the width direction.

[0086] The cutout portion 35 is a recessed portion formed at the lower portion of the outer surface of each of the pair of side wall portions 322 along the insertion and removal direction (Z direction) of the respective counterpart connectors 200 of the pair of side wall portions 322. The cutout portion 35 extends from the substantially central portion in the height direction of the side wall portion 322 to the lower end portion, and extends from the front end portion of the side wall portion 322 to the base end portion. The cutout portion 35 includes a first recessed portion 351 formed at the front end side of the cutout portion 35 and a second recessed portion 352 formed at the base end side relative to the first recessed portion 351. The first recessed portion 351 and the second recessed portion 352 are separated by an engaging protrusion 36.

[0087] The first recess 351 is used to prevent the pair of side wall portions 322 of the housing 3 from respectively engaging with the engaging protrusions 49 (see FIG. 4 ) formed on the inner side surface of the housing 4 described later when the housing 3 is inserted into the housing 4. Fig.13 ) is the part of the object that is removed from the contact. Fig.13 As shown, when the housing 3 is accommodated in the case 4 , the outer side surface of the first recess 351 faces the inner side surface of the case 4 with a gap therebetween, and does not contact.

[0088] The second recess 352 is used to receive the engaging protrusion 49 of the housing 4 when the housing 3 is received in the housing 4 (see Fig.13 ) concave part. like Fig.13 As shown, when the housing 3 is accommodated in the case 4 , the outer side surface of the second recess 352 faces the inner side surface of the case 4 excluding the engagement protrusion 49 of the case 4 with a gap therebetween and does not contact.

[0089] return Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The engaging protrusion 36 is a protrusion formed on the outer side of the cutout portion 35 of the pair of side wall portions 322 and between the first recess 351 and the second recess 352, and is elongated in the height direction (Y direction). The engaging protrusion 36 has a function of engaging with the engaging protrusion 49 of the housing 4 to lock the housing 3 inside the housing 4. The engaging protrusion 36 extends in a straight line from the upper end to the lower end of the cutout portion 35 in the up-down direction. The outer side surface (surface in the X direction) of the engaging protrusion 36 is located on the same plane as the outer side surface of each of the pair of side wall portions 322, and is located outside the outer side surface of the cutout portion 35. The snap-fitting protrusion 36 includes: a front inclined portion 361 that protrudes from the outer surface of the side wall portion 322 and the amount of protrusion outward gradually increases from the front end side to the base end side, a rear inclined portion 362 that protrudes from the outer surface of the side wall portion 322 closer to the base end side than the front inclined portion 361 and the amount of protrusion outward gradually decreases from the front end side to the base end side, and a flat portion 363 that extends in a straight line between the front inclined portion 361 and the rear inclined portion 362 along the plugging and unplugging direction of the object side connector 200.

[0090] The front inclined portion 361 is a portion that protrudes from the outer side surface of the first recess 351 and has an inclined structure in which the amount of protrusion outward (in the X direction) gradually increases from the front end side toward the base end side. The front end portion of the front inclined portion 361 is continuous with the outer side surface of the first recess 351. The outer side surface of the front inclined portion 361 is an inclined surface that is inclined in the outward direction from the front end side toward the base end side. When the shell 3 is inserted into the interior of the housing 4, the front inclined portion 361 is on the base end surface of the engaging protrusion 49 of the housing 4 (the second inclined surface 492 described later, refer to Fig.13 ) while moving forward.

[0091] The rear inclined portion 362 protrudes from the outer side surface of the second recess 352 at the base end side relative to the front inclined portion 361, and is a portion having an inclined structure in which the amount of protrusion outward gradually decreases from the front end side toward the base end side. The base end of the rear inclined portion 362 is continuous with the outer side surface of the second recess 352. The outer side surface of the rear inclined portion 362 is an inclined surface that is inclined inwardly from the front end side toward the base end side. Fig.13As shown, when the housing 3 is accommodated in the case 4 , the outer side surface of the rear inclined portion 362 contacts the front end surface (first inclined surface 491 described later) of the engaging protrusion 49 of the case 4 .

[0092] return Fig. 9 The flat portion 363 is a portion extending linearly from the base end of the front inclined portion 361 to the front end of the rear inclined portion 362 and having a constant height from the front end side to the base end side. The outer side surface of the flat portion 363 is a flat surface perpendicular to the X direction. Fig.13 As shown, when the housing 3 is accommodated in the outer case 4 , the outer side surface of the flat portion 363 is not in contact with the inner side surface of the outer case 4 .

[0093] In addition, in the scheme shown in the figure, the engaging protrusion 36 extends from the substantially central portion of the height direction (Y direction) of each of the pair of side wall portions 322 to the lower end portion on the outer side surface of each of the pair of side wall portions 322 of the lower extension portion 32, but the length of the engaging protrusion 36 in the Y direction is not limited thereto. As long as the engaging protrusion 36 of the housing 3 can be engaged with the engaging protrusion 49 of the housing 4 when the housing 3 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 48 of the shell 4, and the housing 3 is locked in the accommodation portion 48, the length of the engaging protrusion 36 in the Y direction may be smaller than the scheme shown in the figure, or may be larger than the scheme shown in the figure. For example, the engaging protrusion 36 may extend from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the side wall portion 322.

[0094] return Figure 6 The housing 4 has the function of serving as a shell for accommodating the tilting components of the electrical connector 1 and the function of serving as an electrical path for electrically connecting the ground terminal 110 on the circuit board 100. Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, the housing 4 is a box-shaped member made of a metal material.

[0095] The housing 4 comprises: a main body 41 composed of a front plate 411, a pair of side walls 412 and a top plate 413; a cylindrical portion 42 extending from the front end surface of the front plate 411 of the main body 41 to the front end side; a pair of positioning protrusions 421 formed on the front end surface of the front plate 411 of the main body 41 and adjacent to the upper and lower parts of the base end of the cylindrical portion 42; an insertion hole 43 penetrating the front plate 411 of the main body 41; and a through hole 43 extending from the lower end of the main body 41 to the bottom. Four extending grounding terminals 44; a pair of wall portions 45 formed on a pair of side walls 412 of the main body 41 and extending in the Z direction separately from each other; a cover receiving portion 46 formed on the outer side surfaces of the pair of side walls 412; a locking wall 47 formed at the base end of the cover receiving portion 46; a storage portion 48 defined by the inner side surfaces of the front plate 411, the pair of side walls 412 and the top plate 413; and a locking protrusion 49 protruding inward from the inner side surface of the storage portion 48.

[0096] The main body 41 includes a front plate 411, a pair of side walls 412 extending from the ends of the front plate 411 in the width direction to the base end side, and a top plate 413 extending from the upper end of the front plate 411 to the base end side, and has a box-like shape that is open on the base end side and the lower side. The cylindrical portion 42 is a cylindrical member that is formed to protrude from the front end surface of the front plate 411 of the main body 41 toward the front end side, and is connected to the insertion hole 43. The cylindrical portion 42 functions as an external conductor that covers the cylindrical portion 31 of the shell 3 from the outside. In addition, when the counterpart side connector 200 is connected to the electrical connector 1, the cylindrical portion 42 and the corresponding external connector 240 (refer to Fig.18 ) are respectively in contact so that the ground potentials of the electrical connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200 are equal.

[0097] like Fig.11 As shown, a pair of positioning protrusions 421 are formed to protrude from the front end surface of the front plate 411 of the main body 41 toward the front end side, and extend outward (in the Y direction) from the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the base end portion of the cylindrical portion 42. The upper end surface of the upper positioning protrusion 421 and the upper side surface of the top plate 413 are located on the same plane. The pair of positioning protrusions 421 are provided to perform positioning of the cover 5 relative to the housing 4. The pair of positioning protrusions 421 are arranged to align with a pair of positioning recesses 52 (see FIG. 5 ) of the cover 5 described later. Fig.15 ) corresponding position and shape are formed.

[0098] like Fig.12 As shown, the insertion hole 43 is formed to penetrate the front plate 411 of the main body 41 in the insertion and removal direction (Z direction) of the counterpart connector 200. Furthermore, the width of the inner diameter of the insertion hole 43 (the length in the X direction) is larger than the height of the inner diameter of the insertion hole 43 (the length in the Y direction), and corresponds to the rounded rectangular planar shape of the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 3.

[0099] like Figure 5 As shown, the insertion hole 43 includes a front end portion having a shape substantially the same as the hollow portion of the cylindrical portion 42 and a base end portion having a width wider than the front end portion, and a step portion 431 is formed between the front end portion and the base end portion. The front end portion of the insertion hole 43 has the same shape as the hollow portion of the cylindrical portion 42, is connected to the hollow portion of the cylindrical portion 42, and the base end portion of the insertion hole 43 is connected to the storage portion 48. The step portion 431 has an inclined structure in which the height gradually decreases from the front end side toward the base end side. Figure 5 As shown, in a state where the housing 3 is accommodated in the casing 4 , the step portion 431 is separated from the front end surface of the high back portion 311 c of the first pressing rib 311 of the housing 3 via a gap.

[0100] In addition, if Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, when the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 3 is inserted into the housing 4, the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 43 and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 42 contact the outer side surface of the middle back portion 311b of the four first pressing ribs 311 of the housing 3. As a result, the outer side surface of the middle back portion 311b of the four first pressing ribs 311 of the housing 3 is pressed inward, and the portion of the cylindrical portion 31 where the middle back portion 311b is formed is elastically deformed inward. Further, when the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 3 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42 of the housing 4 and the insertion hole 43, the outer side surface of the high back portion 312b of the pair of second pressing ribs 312 of the housing 3 is pressed inward by the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 42 and the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 43, and the portion of the cylindrical portion 31 where the high back portion 312b is formed is elastically deformed inward. By such elastic deformation of the cylindrical portion 31 inward, the contact pin 2 can be locked in the insertion hole 33 of the housing 3.

[0101] return Fig.11 and Fig.12 The four ground terminals 44 and the corresponding ground terminals 110 of the circuit board 100 (see Figure 2 The housing 4 is electrically connected to the ground terminal 110 via the ground terminal 44.

[0102] A pair of wall portions 45 are provided on a pair of side walls 412 of the main body 41 in order to form a pair of cover receiving portions 46 for receiving a pair of protruding pieces 54 of the cover 5, respectively. One side of the pair of wall portions 45 is formed on the upper side (+Y direction) of each of the pair of side walls 412, and the other side is formed on the lower side (-Y direction) of each of the pair of side walls 412, and each of them is opposed to each other with a pair of cover receiving portions 46 interposed therebetween. The inner side surfaces (inner side surfaces in the Y direction) of each of the pair of wall portions 45 are connected by a snap-fit ​​wall 47, and define the base end surface of the cover receiving portion 46. The pair of wall portions 45 extend from the front end portion on the outer side surface of the side wall 412 to the base end side, and the width (length in the Y direction) gradually increases from the front end side to the base end side. The inner side surfaces of each of the pair of wall portions 45 are flat inclined surfaces inclined from the front end side to the snap-fit ​​wall 47 on the base end side.

[0103] A pair of cover receiving portions 46 are respectively formed on the outer side surfaces of the pair of side walls 412 of the main body 41 and between the pair of wall portions 45, and have the function of receiving the pair of protruding pieces 54 of the receiving cover 5. The cover receiving portion 46 is defined by the outer side surface of the side wall 412 of the main body 41, the inner side surface of the pair of wall portions 45, and the front end surface of the engaging wall 47. The opening width of the cover receiving portion 46 in the Y direction gradually increases from the front end side toward the base end side. With such a structure, the installation of the cover 5 relative to the housing 4 can be guided.

[0104] The engaging wall 47 is formed at the base end of the cover receiving portion 46, and is formed to mount the cover 5 relative to the housing 4. The front end surface of the engaging wall 47 is an inclined surface extending obliquely from the outer side surface of the side wall 412 of the main body 41 toward the outer side and the base end side (see Fig.11 The base end surface of the engagement wall 47 is a flat surface perpendicular to the outer side surface of the cover receiving portion 46 (see Fig.12 The engaging wall 47 is located between the pair of wall portions 45 , extends in the up-down direction (Y direction), and connects the pair of wall portions 45 .

[0105] The storage portion 48 is an internal space of the main body 41 defined by the front plate 411, a pair of side walls 412, and the inner side surface of the top plate 413, and is a recessed portion opened toward the base end side and the lower side. The tilting component of the electric connector 1 is stored inside the storage portion 48. The storage portion 48 has a guide portion 481 formed on the inner side surface of each of the two side surfaces of the storage portion 48.

[0106] The guide portion 481 is located on the inner side surface of each of the two side surfaces of the storage portion 48, and is formed as a recessed portion extending in a straight line along the plugging and unplugging direction (Z direction) of the counterpart connector 200. The guide portion 481 is formed at positions corresponding to the pair of second pressing ribs 312 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31. When the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 3 is inserted into the storage portion 48 from the base end side of the main body 41, the pair of second pressing ribs 312 are respectively inserted into the corresponding guide portions 481. With such a structure, the insertion of the housing 3 into the housing 4 is guided.

[0107] like Fig.12 as well as Fig.13 As shown, the engaging protrusion 49 is a protrusion that protrudes inward from the inner side surfaces of both side surfaces (i.e., a pair of side walls 412) of the storage portion 48. Fig.13 As shown, the engaging protrusion 49 has a tapered shape in which the width of the mating connector 200 in the plugging and unplugging direction (Z direction) gradually decreases as it is separated from the inner side surface of the storage portion 48. The engaging protrusion 49 has the following function: when the housing 3 is stored in the storage portion 48 of the shell 4, it engages with the engaging protrusion 36 of the housing 3 to lock the housing 3 in the storage portion 48. The engaging protrusion 49 has a first inclined surface 491 located at the front end side (+Z direction side) and a second inclined surface 492 located closer to the base end side (-Z direction side) than the first inclined surface 491. When the housing 3 is stored in the storage portion 48, the engaging protrusion 49 of the shell 4 is located closer to the base end side than the engaging protrusion 36 of the housing 3.

[0108] The first inclined surface 491 is an inclined surface that is inclined from the front end side toward the base end side and from the outside to the inside. The front end portion of the first inclined surface 491 is continuous with the inner side surface of the storage portion 48. Fig.13As shown, in a state where the housing 3 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 48 , the first inclined surface 491 of the engaging protrusion 49 contacts the base end surface of the rear inclined portion 362 of the engaging protrusion 36 of the housing 3 .

[0109] The second inclined surface 492 is an inclined surface that inclines from the front end side toward the base end side and from the inside to the outside. The front end of the second inclined surface 492 is continuous with the base end of the first inclined surface 491, and the outer side surface of the connecting portion between the first inclined surface 491 and the second inclined surface 492 (the top of the engaging protrusion 49) is a curved surface. The base end of the second inclined surface 492 is continuous with the inner side surface of the storage portion 48. Fig.12 As shown, when the housing 3 is not stored in the storage portion 48, the first inclined surface 491 faces the front plate 411, and the second inclined surface 492 faces the outside. Fig.13 As shown, when the housing 3 is stored in the storage portion 48, a portion of the first inclined surface 491 contacts the rear inclined portion 362, and the remaining portion of the first inclined surface 491 faces the front plate 411. Moreover, when the housing 3 is stored in the storage portion 48, the entire second inclined surface 492 faces the outside of the storage portion 48 on the -Z direction side.

[0110] As described above, the first inclined surface 491 contacts the base end surface of the rear inclined portion 362 of the engaging protrusion 36 of the housing 3, whereby the engaging protrusion 36 of the housing 3 engages with the engaging protrusion 49 of the shell 4. Therefore, when the counterpart connector 200 is inserted into the electrical connector 1, even if an external force in the -Z direction is applied to the housing 3, the housing 3 is locked in the receiving portion 48 of the shell 4 by the engagement between the engaging protrusion 36 and the engaging protrusion 49. In order to increase the locking force of the housing 3 in the receiving portion 48, the inclination of the first inclined surface 491 with respect to the inner side surface of the receiving portion 48 is formed to be larger than the inclination of the second inclined surface 492 with respect to the inner side surface of the receiving portion 48.

[0111] Thus, in the present invention, the housing 3 includes the engaging protrusions 36 protruding outward from the outer side surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 322 of the lower extension portion 32, and the housing 4 includes the engaging protrusions 49 protruding inward from the inner side surfaces of the two side surfaces of the storage portion 48. When the housing 3 is stored in the storage portion 48 of the housing 4, the engaging protrusions 36 and the engaging protrusions 49 are engaged, thereby locking the housing 3 in the storage portion 48.

[0112] As described above, in order to mount the electrical connector 1 on the circuit board 100, the reflow soldering process is performed, but due to the heat generated during the reflow soldering process, stress relaxation of the housing 3 occurs. When the housing 3 is held in the housing 4 only by the friction force of the press-fit surface between the housing 3 and the shell 4 as in the prior art, the holding force of the housing 3 in the shell 4 is sharply reduced due to the stress relaxation of the housing 3. On the other hand, in the present invention, the housing 3 is locked in the shell 4 by the engagement of the engagement protrusion 36 of the housing 3 and the engagement protrusion 49 of the shell 4. The holding force of the housing 3 in the shell 4 provided by the engagement of the engagement protrusion 36 of the housing 3 and the engagement protrusion 49 of the shell 4 is not reduced by the heat generated during the reflow soldering process. Therefore, even after the reflow soldering process, the holding force of the housing 3 in the shell 4 is not reduced. As a result, even if the object side connector 200 is inserted into the electric connector 1 from the front end side and the object side connector 200 contacts the cylindrical portion 31 of the shell 3 and an external force toward the base end side is applied to the shell 3, the shell 3 can be prevented from moving toward the base end side in the shell 4, thereby maintaining the contact reliability of the electric connector 1.

[0113] return Figure 6 The cover 5 is mounted on the housing 4 and has the function of guiding the connection between the electrical connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200. Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, the cover 5 comprises: a square cylindrical main body 51 opened at the front end side and the base end side, a pair of positioning recesses 52 formed on the base end surface of the main body 51, two protrusions 53 formed on the bottom surfaces (surfaces orthogonal to the Z direction) of the pair of positioning recesses 52, a pair of protruding pieces 54 extending from the main body 51 toward the base end side, and engaging protrusions 55 extending inwardly from the base end side edges of the inner side surfaces of the pair of protruding pieces 54.

[0114] The main body 51 has a square cylindrical shape with openings on the front end side and the base end side. The connection between the electric connector 1 and the target connector 200 is guided by inserting the target connector 200 into the front end side opening of the main body 51. The main body 51 also has a base end side opening 511 on the base end side through which the cylindrical portion 42 of the housing 4 is inserted from the base end side.

[0115] like Fig.15As shown, the pair of positioning recesses 52 are recesses formed on the base end surface of the main body 51. The pair of positioning recesses 52 has the following function: when the cover 5 is installed on the housing 4, the pair of positioning recesses 52 are respectively accommodated for the pair of positioning protrusions 421 of the housing 4. One side of the pair of positioning recesses 52 extends in the width direction along the upper end of the base end side opening 511, and the other side of the pair of positioning recesses 52 extends in the width direction along the lower end of the base end side opening 511. The pair of positioning recesses 52 are formed by cutting off the base end surface of the main body 51 toward the front end side in a position and shape corresponding to the pair of positioning protrusions 421 of the housing 4 described above. The pair of positioning protrusions 421 are respectively inserted into the pair of positioning recesses 52, thereby performing the positioning of the cover 5 relative to the housing 4. Two protrusions 53 protruding toward the base end side are formed on the bottom surface of each of the pair of positioning recesses 52. That is, in the illustrated scheme, a total of four protrusions 53 are formed. When the cover 5 is mounted on the housing 4, the two upper protrusions 53 abut against the upper positioning protrusions 421 of the housing 4, and the two lower protrusions 53 abut against the lower positioning protrusions 421 of the housing 4. With such a structure, the cover 5 can be stably positioned relative to the housing 4.

[0116] The pair of protruding pieces 54 are plate-like portions extending from the base end portions of a pair of opposing side surfaces (wall portions) in the X direction of the main body portion 51 toward the base end side. The pair of protruding pieces 54 are opposed to each other with a gap therebetween. The pair of protruding pieces 54 have shapes corresponding to the pair of cover receiving portions 46 of the housing 4 described above, respectively, and when the cover 5 is mounted on the housing 4, the pair of protruding pieces 54 are respectively received in the pair of cover receiving portions 46.

[0117] The pair of engagement protrusions 55 are formed to engage with the engagement wall 47 formed on the housing 4 to mount the cover 5 to the housing 4. The pair of engagement protrusions 55 are tapered portions that protrude inward from the base end side edges of the inner side surfaces of the pair of protruding pieces 54.

[0118] The pair of engaging protrusions 55 are respectively provided with an inclined portion 551 located at the base end side and a flat portion 552 extending linearly from the front end of the inclined portion 551. The inclined portion 551 is a portion whose base end surface is continuous with the base end of the protruding piece 54 and whose height (length in the X direction) gradually increases from the base end side toward the front end side. The inner side surface of the inclined portion 551 is an inclined surface inclined inwardly from the base end side toward the front end side. When the cover 5 is mounted relative to the housing 4, the inclined portion 551 slides on the front end surface of the engaging wall 47 of the housing 4, thereby gradually elastically deforming the protruding piece 54 toward the outside. The flat portion 552 is a portion extending linearly from the front end of the inclined portion 551 and whose height is constant from the base end side toward the front end side. The front end surface of the flat portion 552 is a flat surface perpendicular to the Z direction. The front end surface of the flat portion 552 abuts and engages with the base end surface of the engaging wall 47, thereby mounting the cover 5 relative to the front end side portion of the housing 4.

[0119] The receiving portion 56 is formed on the upper surface of the main body 51 and has a positioning protrusion 220 (see FIG. 2 ) for receiving the outer cover 210 of the counterpart connector 200. Figure 2 The receiving portion 56 includes: an opening 561 for inserting the positioning protrusion 220 of the outer cover 210 of the counterpart connector 200; a pair of guide portions 562 for sliding the positioning protrusion 220 of the counterpart connector 200 to guide the connection between the electrical connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200; and a locking portion 563 for locking the positioning protrusion 220 of the outer cover 210 of the counterpart connector 200.

[0120] The opening 561 is a rectangular opening that opens in the plugging and unplugging direction (Z direction) of the object side connector 200. By inserting the object side connector 200 into the electrical connector 1 in a posture where the positioning protrusion 220 of the outer cover 210 of the object side connector 200 is inserted into the opening 561, the positioning of the object side connector 200 relative to the electrical connector 1 is performed. A pair of guide portions 562 are plate-like portions that extend upward from the upper surface of the main body portion 51 and are opposed to each other. The connection of the object side connector 200 relative to the electrical connector 1 is guided by the positioning protrusion 220 of the outer cover 210 of the object side connector 200 sliding on the inner side surface of the pair of guide portions 562. The locking portion 563 is a plate-like portion that connects the base ends of the pair of guide portions 562 to each other. The locking portion 563 is a flat surface orthogonal to the plugging and unplugging direction (Z direction) of the object side connector 200. When the front end of the positioning protrusion 220 of the outer cover 210 of the object side connector 200 abuts against the locking portion 563, the insertion of the object side connector 200 relative to the electrical connector 1 is restricted.

[0121] Next, refer to Fig.16 as well as Fig.17 , the manufacturing method S100 of the electric connector 1 and the manufacturing method (step S110 ) of the contact pin 2 of the electric connector 1 are described in detail. Fig.16 1 is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing an electrical connector according to the present invention. Fig.17 This is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing a contact pin of an electrical connector according to the present invention.

[0122] Fig.16 The manufacturing method S100 shown is performed by an assembly robot or an assembly operator of the electrical connector 1. First, in step S110, the contact pin 2 is manufactured. Fig.17As shown, in step S111 (punching step), the contact pin 2 is punched at both ends of a wire having a rectangular cross-sectional shape to form a main body 21 having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, a contact portion 22 extending from one end of the main body 21, and a terminal portion 23 extending from the other end of the main body 21. Furthermore, a portion of the main body 21 of the wire corresponding to a predetermined portion is punched to form two pairs of protrusions 27 protruding from the main body 21 toward the outside (Y direction). Furthermore, a portion of the main body 21 of the wire corresponding to the front end is punched to form a pair of front end protrusions 28 protruding from the main body 21 toward the outside (Y direction). In addition, the punching process for forming the contact portion 22 and the terminal portion 23 and the punching process for forming the contact portion 22 and the terminal portion 23 may be performed simultaneously, or may be performed at different times.

[0123] Next, in step S112 (bending step), a part of the main body 21 is bent to form a horizontal extension portion 24 extending linearly along the extension direction of the counterpart connector 200, a connection portion 25 extending downwardly from the base end of the horizontal extension portion 24, and a downward extension portion 26 extending linearly downwardly from the lower end of the connection portion 25. When the contact portion 22, the terminal portion 23, the horizontal extension portion 24, the connection portion 25, and the downward extension portion 26 are formed as described above, step S110 of manufacturing the contact pin 2 is completed.

[0124] Thus, in the present invention, the pair of contact pins 2 is obtained by punching and cutting a metal plate as in the prior art, but by stamping (process S111) and bending (process S112) a wire having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Thus, the shape of the main body 21 of each of the pair of contact pins 2 can be prevented from changing, especially the corners of the first surface 211 or the second surface 212 from collapsing, and the difference between the length L1 of the first surface 211 and the length L2 of the second surface 212 of the main body 21 can be prevented from occurring in the cross-sectional shape of the main body 21, thereby improving the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1.

[0125] Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the contact pin 2 of the present invention (step S110), there is no cut mark formed on the main body 21 of the contact pin 2, which is not the case when the contact pin 2 is obtained by punching and cutting the metal plate in the past. Therefore, by performing a stamping process on the metal plate, the contact pin 2 of the present invention can be made into a simpler shape than the existing contact pin obtained by punching in a predetermined shape. In addition, Fig.17 In the flowchart shown, step S112 (bending step) is performed after step S111 (pressing step), but this order may be reversed.

[0126] return Fig.16 Next, in step S120, a pair of contact pins 2 are respectively pressed into a pair of insertion holes 33 of the housing 3 using a suitable pressing tool. The pressing of a pair of contact pins 2 into a pair of insertion holes 33 of the housing 3 is performed in the same steps, so the following representatively describes the step of pressing one contact pin 2 into one insertion hole 33 of the housing 3.

[0127] First, the contact portion 22 of the contact pin 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 33 of the housing 3. Then, the connection portion 25 of the contact pin 2 is pressed toward the front end side, and the contact pin 2 is pressed into the insertion hole 33 of the housing 3. When the front end surface of the lower extension portion 26 of the contact pin 2 abuts against the base end surface of the front plate 321, the contact pin 2 is pressed into the insertion hole 33. The other contact pin 2 is pressed into the other insertion hole 33 through the same steps.

[0128] Next, in step S130, the housing 3 into which the pair of contact pins 2 are respectively pressed is inserted from the base end side into the housing portion 48 of the housing 4, and further into the insertion hole 43. When the cylindrical portion 31 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42 of the housing 4, and further the front end surface of the front plate 321 of the housing 3 contacts the base end surface of the front plate 411 of the housing 4, the insertion of the housing 3 into the insertion hole 43 is completed.

[0129] In addition, in step S130, when the cylindrical portion 31 of the shell 3 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42 of the shell 4, the front inclined portions 361 of the pair of engaging protrusions 36 of the shell 3 slide on the second inclined surfaces 492 of the pair of engaging protrusions 49 of the shell 4, respectively. As the lower extension portion 32 moves toward the front end side in the storage portion 48, the pair of side wall portions 322 elastically deform inward. When the front inclined portion 361 of the engaging protrusion 36 exceeds the top of the engaging protrusion 49, as the lower extension portion 32 moves toward the front end side in the storage portion 48, the top of the engaging protrusion 49 slides on the flat portion 363 of the engaging protrusion 36. When the flat portion 363 exceeds the top of the engaging protrusion 49, the side wall portion 322 elastically recovers to the outside, and the engaging protrusion 36 is engaged with the engaging protrusion 49 by snapping. As shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown, in this state, the outer side surface of the rear side inclined portion 362 of the engaging protrusion 36 contacts and engages with the first inclined surface 491 of the engaging protrusion 49. With such a structure, the housing 3 can be locked in the storage portion 48 of the shell 4 to prevent the housing 3 from escaping from the shell 4 to the base end side.

[0130] In addition, when the housing 3 is completely inserted into the outer shell 4, the outer side surfaces of the middle back portions 311b of the four first pressing ribs 311 and the high back portions 312b of the pair of second pressing ribs 312 formed on the cylindrical portion 31 are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 43. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 31 is fixed in the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion hole 43.

[0131] Finally, in step S140, the cover 5 is mounted on the housing 4 from the front end side. Specifically, the front end side portion of the housing 4 is pressed toward the base end side of the cover 5 in a posture in which the pair of protruding pieces 54 of the cover 5 are respectively inserted into the pair of cover receiving portions 46 of the housing 4. At this time, the inclined portions 551 of the pair of protruding pieces 54 slide on the front end surface of the engaging wall 47 of the housing 4, and as the housing 4 is inserted into the cover 5, the pair of protruding pieces 54 are elastically deformed outward and opened. When the pair of engaging protrusions 55 exceed the base end surface of the engaging wall 47, the pair of protruding pieces 54 elastically recover inward and engage by snapping. By snapping in this way, the cover 5 is installed relative to the front end side portion of the housing 4. When the cover 5 is mounted on the housing 4 as described above, the manufacturing method S100 of the electrical connector 1 ends.

[0132] Fig.18 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the YZ plane including the contact pin 2 in a state where the electric connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200 are connected. Fig.18 As shown, the counterpart connector 200 is inserted from the front end side relative to the electric connector 1, and the electric connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200 are connected. In this state, the contact point portion 22 of the contact pin 2 of the electric connector 1 contacts the corresponding contact pin 230 of the counterpart connector 200. The contact pin 230 of the counterpart connector 200 is connected to the corresponding core wire 310 of the coaxial cable 300. Therefore, in the state where the electric connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200 are connected, the contact pin 2 of the electric connector 1 is electrically connected to the corresponding core wire 310 of the coaxial cable 300 via the corresponding contact pin 230 of the counterpart connector 200.

[0133] Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 42 of the housing 4 of the electric connector 1 contacts the corresponding external connector 240 of the counterpart connector 200. The external connector 240 of the counterpart connector 200 is connected to the outer conductor layer 340 of the coaxial cable via the conductor members 250 and 260. Therefore, in the state where the electric connector 1 and the counterpart connector 200 are connected, the cylindrical portion 42 of the housing 4 of the electric connector 1 is electrically connected to the outer conductor layer 340 of the coaxial cable 300 via the corresponding external connector 240 of the counterpart connector 200.

[0134] As described above, the housing 3 of the electrical connector 1 of the present invention includes the engaging protrusion 36 protruding outward from the outer side surface thereof, and the housing 4 includes the engaging protrusion 49 protruding inward from the inner side surface of the receiving portion 48. Furthermore, when the housing 3 is received in the receiving portion 48 of the housing 4, the engaging protrusion 36 of the housing 3 and the engaging protrusion 49 of the housing 4 engage, thereby locking the housing 3 in the housing 4. The holding force of the housing 3 in the housing 4 provided by the engagement of the engaging protrusion 36 of the housing 3 and the engaging protrusion 49 of the housing 4 will not be reduced by the heat generated in the reflow soldering process. Therefore, even after the reflow soldering process, the holding force of the housing 3 in the housing 4 will not be reduced, and the contact reliability of the electrical connector can be maintained.

[0135] The electrical connector of the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Each structure of the present invention can be replaced with any mechanism that performs the same function, or any mechanism can be added to each structure of the present invention.

[0136] Those skilled in the art can implement the above-mentioned changes in the structure of the electrical connector of the present invention without intentionally departing from the principle, idea and scope of the present invention, and the electrical connector with the changed structure is still within the scope of the present invention.

[0137] in addition, Figure 2 to Figure 15 as well as Fig.18 The number and types of components of the electrical connector shown are only examples for illustration, and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Any addition or combination of components or deletion of any components within the scope of the present invention is also within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical connector capable of being connected to a counterpart connector inserted from the front end side, characterized in that: include: Contact pins; A cylindrical insulating housing that accommodates the contact pins; as well as A metal housing that holds the contact pins and the housing, The housing has an engaging protrusion protruding outward from its outer side surface. The housing includes a storage portion for storing the shell and an engaging protrusion protruding inward from an inner side surface of the storage portion. When the housing is accommodated in the accommodation portion of the outer shell, the engaging protrusion of the housing engages with the engaging protrusion of the outer shell, thereby locking the housing in the accommodation portion of the outer shell.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the state in which the housing is accommodated in the accommodation portion of the outer shell, the engagement protrusion of the outer shell is located closer to the base end side than the engagement protrusion of the housing.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The engaging protrusion of the housing includes: A front inclined portion protrudes from the outer surface of the housing and the amount of protrusion toward the outside increases gradually from the front end side toward the base end side; as well as The rear inclined portion protrudes from the outer surface of the housing on the proximal side of the front inclined portion, and the discharge amount to the outside gradually decreases from the front end side toward the proximal side.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The engaging protrusion of the housing further includes a flat portion extending linearly between the front inclined portion and the rear inclined portion in a plugging and unplugging direction of the mating connector.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The engaging protrusion of the housing has a tapered shape in which a width in an insertion and removal direction gradually decreases as the engaging protrusion moves away from the inner side surface of the housing portion.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The engaging protrusion of the housing includes a first inclined surface located on the front end side and a second inclined surface located on the base end side. An inclination of the first inclined surface with respect to the inner side surface of the housing portion of the housing is greater than an inclination of the second inclined surface with respect to the inner side surface of the housing portion of the housing.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second inclined surface of the engaging protrusion of the housing faces outward.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing further comprises: a cylindrical portion extending linearly along the insertion and removal direction of the counterpart connector; and a downward extending portion extending downward from the base end of the cylindrical portion. The engaging protrusion of the housing is formed on an outer side surface of the lower extending portion.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The engaging protrusion of the housing extends on the outer surface of the downward extending portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction of the mating connector.

Images