Connector

Abstract

A connector is provided that includes a spacer mounted to a housing of the connector in a second direction intersecting a first direction. The spacer has a terminal lock portion protruding in the second direction. The spacer is switchable between a temporary locking state and a final locking state according to a position of the spacer relative to the housing in the second direction, the temporary locking state being a state of the spacer in which the terminal locking portion is locked to the housing without abutting the terminal of the connector, and the final locking state being a state of the spacer in which the terminal locking portion is locked to the housing without abutting the terminal of the connector. In a state in which the terminal locking portion abuts against the spacer of the terminal, movement of the terminal toward one side of the first direction is restricted by locking the terminal locking portion to the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure of a connector for connecting a cable wire. Background Art

[0002] In an automobile or the like, when a plurality of wirings (cable wires) are connected to a plurality of electrical components, a plurality of connectors are used to connect and fix terminals of the plurality of wirings. In this connector, it is required that each terminal is reliably fixed, and the connector in a state where each terminal is fixed can be connected to another connector to reliably connect the wirings.

[0003] In particular, JP2015-032562A describes a connector capable of reliably fixing terminals. In this structure, each terminal is (temporarily) fixed to a resin-made housing forming a connector body, and then a spacer is fixed to the housing, thereby reliably fixing each terminal.

[0004] At this time, since the fixed state of each terminal can be visually recognized in the temporarily fixed state before the final fixing (final locking) of the spacer, it is possible to prevent the terminals from being fixed in an inappropriate state.

[0005] In the above connector, the position of the terminal in the housing, particularly the position along the extending direction of the wiring, is fixed by the spacer. However, depending on the dimensional accuracy of the housing, the spacer, etc., a gap may be formed between the housing and the spacer, which may cause the terminal to wobble. Due to the wobbling, the contact degree between the terminals may become unstable after the connectors are connected.

[0006] When the wobbling increases, the electrical connection between the terminals may be cut off. In addition, for example, as a wiring for transmitting an image signal through a camera, a coaxial cable having a shielding layer provided outside the core wire can be used to reduce noise.

[0007] When the coaxial cable is fixed to the connector as described above, even if the electrical connection between the terminals is not cut off due to the wobbling, noise may be mixed into the image signal due to the wobbling. That is, in the case of using a coaxial cable, the occurrence of wobbling is a particularly serious problem. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure, a connector has a cable fixed therein. The connector is configured to, in response to connection of the connector and a mating connector, electrically connect the cable to a mating cable fixed in the mating connector, and the connector is connected to the mating connector by moving from one side to the other side in a first direction. The connector includes: an insulating housing with the cable fixed therein; terminals configured to be electrically connected to the mating cable, the terminals being connected to the wiring of the cable on the other side in the first direction of the cable and being disposed in the housing to be electrically connected to the mating cable when the connector and the mating connector are connected to each other; and a spacer made of an elastic material and mounted to the housing by moving from one side to the other side in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the spacer having a terminal locking portion protruding toward the other side in the second direction.

[0009] The spacer is configured to switch between a temporary locking state and a final locking state according to the position of the spacer relative to the housing in the second direction. The temporary locking state is a state of the spacer in which the terminal locking portion is locked to the housing without abutting against the terminal, and the final locking state is a state of the spacer in which, in a state where the terminal locking portion abuts against the terminal, movement of the terminal toward the one side in the first direction is restricted by locking the terminal locking portion to the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1A is a perspective view showing a state where a connector according to an embodiment is connected, Figure 1B is a perspective view showing a state before the connector is connected;

[0011] Figure 2A is a perspective view showing a state of an internal cable before connecting a connector according to an embodiment, Figure 2B is a perspective view showing a state of an internal cable in a connected state of the connector;

[0012] Figure 3A is a perspective view showing a structure of a terminal side of a cable in a connector according to an embodiment, Figure 3B is a connector to be connected to as Figure 3A shown, a perspective view showing a structure of a terminal side of a cable in the connector;

[0013] Figure 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing a simplified structure in a plane including a central axis of two cables in a connector according to an embodiment;

[0014] Figures 5A to 5C is a perspective view showing a terminal structure of a cable wire in a connector according to an embodiment;

[0015] Figures 6A to 6D is an external view of a spacer used in a connector according to an embodiment as viewed from four directions;

[0016] Figure 7A is a perspective view of a housing used in a connector according to an embodiment, Figure 7B is an enlarged view of a portion where the spacer is mounted, Figure 7C is a side view thereof;

[0017] Figures 8A to 8C is a cross-sectional view showing a process until a cable wire (terminal) is fixed in a housing in a connector according to an embodiment;

[0018] Figures 9A to 9C is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between a terminal and a spacer during a process until a cable wire (terminal) is fixed in a housing in a connector according to an embodiment;

[0019] Figure 10A and Figure 10B are enlarged perspective views showing a positional relationship between a flange portion and a terminal locking portion in a temporarily locked state ( Figure 10A ) and a finally locked state ( Figure 10B ) when assembling a connector according to an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 11A and Figure 11B are views showing a positional relationship between a flange portion and a terminal locking portion in a temporarily locked state ( Figure 11A ) and a finally locked state ( Figure 11B ) when assembling a connector according to an embodiment as viewed from two directions; and

[0021] Figure 12A and Figure 12B are views showing a positional relationship between a flange portion and a terminal locking portion in a temporarily locked state ( Figure 12A ) and a finally locked state ( Figure 12B ) when assembling a modified example of a connector according to an embodiment as viewed from two directions. Detailed Description

[0022] A connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the connector, terminals of four cable wires are each formed in a housing. At this time, as in the technique described in JP2015-032562A, when fixing a spacer from a state where the terminal is temporarily fixed, the terminal (cable wire) is fixed to the housing. At this time, since the terminal is fixed in a state where the spacer applies a force toward the side of the connector to be connected to the connector, wobbling is prevented.

[0023] Figure 1A FIG. is a perspective view showing a state when the connector 1 is connected to the board-side connector 200. Figure 1B FIG. is a perspective view showing a state before they are connected. Here, the board-side connector 200 is fixed to the surface of a board (not shown). In Figure 1A FIG., the direction of attachment and detachment of the connector 1 with respect to the board-side connector 200 is the y direction (first direction), the normal direction of the board is the z direction, and the direction perpendicular to the y direction and the z direction is the x direction (second direction). In Figure 1A and Figure 1B FIG., the connector 1 is connected to the board-side connector 200 by moving from the negative side (one side) to the positive side in the y direction (first direction).

[0024] In the board-side connector 200, four board-side cable wires are fixed inside a board-side connector housing 201 made of a resin material. The board-side cable wires are appropriately connected to patterns on the board for electrical connection in the board.

[0025] On the connector 1 side, four cable wires 10 are fixed in a housing 20 made of a resin material. When the connector 1 is mounted to the board-side connector 200, each cable wire 10 is electrically connected to each board-side cable wire. Here, the board-side cable wires and the cable wires 10 are coaxial cables, and as described later, a core wire is provided on the central axis side, and a braided wire (shield wire) is provided outside the core wire via an insulating layer. Both the core wire and the braided wire extend along the extending direction of these cable wires 10. When the connector 1 and the board-side connector 200 are connected, the core wire and the braided wire of the cable wire 10 provided on the connector 1 side are respectively electrically connected to the core wire and the braided wire of the corresponding board-side cable wire on the board-side connector 200 side. Here, the spacers 30 are mounted to the housing 20 from both sides in the x direction.

[0026] Figure 2A FIG. shows the states of the four cable wires 10 on the connector 1 side and the four (only three are shown in the figure) board-side cable wires 210 on the board-side connector 200 before the connector 1 is connected to the board-side connector 200. Figure 2B FIG. shows the states of the cable wire 10 and the board-side cable wire 210 when the connector 1 is connected to the board-side connector 200.

[0027] Figure 3A and Figure 3B are perspective views of the connector 1 and the board-side connector 200 observed from directions different from Figure 1A and Figure 1B The structure of the end side of the cable 10 in the connector 1 is shown in Figure 3A and the structure of the end side of the board-side cable 210 in the board-side connector 200 is shown in Figure 3B

[0028] In Figure 3A an inner shell 16 having a small opening on the central axis of the cable 10 and a substantially cylindrical outer terminal (terminal) 17 surrounding the inner shell 16 are formed at the end of each cable 10. An inner terminal 15 (not shown) described later is provided in the inner shell 16. Accordingly, in Figure 3B at the end of the board-side cable 210, an elongated metal board-side inner terminal 211 provided on the central axis of the board-side cable 210 and a substantially cylindrical board-side outer terminal 212 surrounding the board-side inner terminal 211 are provided. In the state where the connector 1 and the board-side connector 200 are connected in Figure 2B the cable 10 and the board-side cable 210 are connected by abutting the inner terminal 15 against the board-side inner terminal 211 and abutting the outer terminal 17 against the board-side outer terminal 212.

[0029] Figure 4A 4B and Figure 1A are respectively schematic views of a simplified cross-sectional structure of the connector 1 including the central axes of two cables 10 arranged in the x direction on the negative side in the z direction in the xy plane in the state of Figure 1A and a simplified structure on the housing 20 side related thereto. Figure 4A shows the situation before the connector 1 and the board-side connector 200 are connected, Figure 4B shows the situation after the connector 1 and the board-side connector 200 are connected. Here, the description of the spear shaft described later is omitted. This also applies to the structure related to two cables 10 arranged in two in the x direction on the positive side in the z direction in the state of Figure 1A In

[0030] In Figure 4A and 4B the cable 10 is in Figure 4A and 4BThe upper and lower sides thereof are fixed in the housing 20. Each cable 10 includes a thin core wire (first wiring) 11 extending along the y-direction on the central axis, a metallic mesh braided wire (shielding wire or second wiring) 13 provided outside the core wire 11 via an insulating layer 12, and an insulating coating 14 covering the braided wire 13 on the outermost side. The insulating layer 12, the braided wire 13, and the covering layer 14 are formed to surround the core wire 11. The core wire 11 and the braided wire 13 can be used as wirings in the cable 10. This structure is also applicable to the substrate-side cable 210, and the core wire and the braided wire in the substrate-side cable 210 are connected to Figure 3B the substrate-side inner terminal 211 and the substrate-side outer terminal 212 in

[0031] The end side on the positive y-direction side of the cable 10 becomes a terminal in the connector 1. Therefore, a metallic inner terminal 15, which is a terminal of the core wire 11 and is formed to clamp the substrate-side inner terminal 211 on the positive y-direction side, is connected to the end side of the core wire 11. The end side where the inner terminal 15 is provided is covered by a substantially cylindrical inner housing 16 made of an insulating resin material. A small opening for inserting the substrate-side inner terminal 211 is formed on the positive y-direction side of the inner housing 16.

[0032] An outer terminal (terminal) 17 having a substantially cylindrical shape and made of metal is mounted on the outside of the inner housing 16. The outer terminal 17 is connected to the braided wire 13 on the negative y-direction side with respect to the inner housing 16, and is fixed to the braided wire 13 (cable 10) by sandwiching a circular sleeve 18 mounted on the braided wire 13 in between.

[0033] A cable accommodation hole is formed in the housing 20 so that the cable 10 having the above structure on the end side is fitted. By fitting the above structure into the accommodation hole, each cable 10 is fixed to the housing 20. Although Figure 4A and Figure 4B only two cables are shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B the other two cables 10 shown in

[0034] In Figure 4B , when the connector 1 is connected to the substrate-side connector 200, the elongated substrate-side inner terminal 211 is inserted into the opening of the inner housing 16 and is clamped at the front end of the inner terminal 15. On the other hand, the inner diameter of the substantially cylindrical substrate-side outer terminal 212 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the substantially cylindrical outer terminal 17. As Figure 4B shown, the substrate-side outer terminal 212 can be fitted and mounted on the outside of the outer terminal 17. Therefore, the core wire 11 and the braided wire 13 in the cable 10 can be electrically connected to the core wire and the braided wire in the substrate-side cable 210 respectively.

[0035] InFigure 4A and 4B In the structure of 4B , the positional relationship between the inner terminal 15 and the outer terminal 17, which are the terminals on the cable line 10 side, with respect to the housing 20 can be determined with high precision in the x-direction and the z-direction. On the other hand, compared with the x-direction, it is not easy to determine the positional relationship in the y-direction along the extending direction of the cable line 10 with high precision. That is, the positions of the inner terminal 15 and the outer terminal 17 in the y-direction are relatively easy to change with respect to each other, which easily causes wobbling between the terminals when the inner terminal 15 and the outer terminal 17 are connected.

[0036] When wobbling occurs, the electrical connection between the cable line 10 and the substrate-side cable line 210 becomes unstable. In particular, even when there is no disconnection between the two cable lines due to wobbling, for example, when an image signal is transmitted through these wirings, noise may be mixed into the image signal. Therefore, it is required to reduce the wobbling of the terminals in the y-direction.

[0037] On the other hand, in the connector 1, by the spacer 30 mounted to the housing 20 in Figure 1A and Figure 1B , the terminals in the cable line 10 are biased toward the positive y-direction (the side where the substrate-side connector 200 is provided). Therefore, the wobbling is reduced. Figure 1A and Figure 1B The specific structure for this will be described.

[0038] FIG. Figures 5A to 5C is a perspective view showing the terminal structure on the cable line 10 side. Here, Figures 5A to 5C FIG. Figure 5A shows the state before the inner housing 16 and the outer terminal 17 are mounted to the cable line 10, Figure 5A FIG. Figure 5B shows the state where the inner housing 16 is mounted thereon, Figure 5B FIG. Figure 5C shows the state where the outer terminal 17 is further mounted thereon. Figure 5C FIG.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5A FIG. Figure 5A , the elongated inner terminal 15 is mounted and exposed on the positive y-direction side in the cable line 10. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5B FIG. Figure 5B , the inner terminal 15 is protected by mounting the substantially cylindrical inner housing 16 made of an insulating resin material. Thereafter, as shown in Figure 5C FIG. Figure 5C , the inner housing 16 is covered and protected by mounting the metal outer terminal 17 having a substantially cylindrical shape. At this time, since the inner housing 16 is insulating, insulation between the inner terminal 15 and the outer terminal 17 is also ensured.

[0040] At this time, the outer terminal 17 is firmly fixed to the cable line 10 by the sleeve 18. Therefore, by fixing the position of the outer terminal 17 in the housing 20, the positions of the cable line 10, the inner terminal 15, etc. are also fixed.

[0041] Here, as shown in Figure 5CAs shown, a substantially cylindrical outer terminal 17 having a central axis in the y direction is formed with a flange portion 171 having a large diameter locally in the y direction. By using the flange portion 171, the outer terminal 17 and the cable 10 can be urged in the positive y direction.

[0042] The urging is performed by the spacer 30. Hereinafter, the structure of the spacer 30 and the housing 20 for achieving this will be described. As Figure 1A and Figure 1B shown, since the spacer 30 is symmetrically mounted to the housing 20 on the negative and positive sides in the x direction, the structure for mounting the spacer 30 to the housing 20 side is also a symmetric structure on the negative and positive sides in the x direction. In Figure 1A and Figure 1B , the spacer 30 mounted on the negative side in the x direction urges the terminals of the two cables 10 on the negative side in the x direction as described above, and the spacer 30 mounted on the positive side in the x direction urges the terminals of the two cables 10 on the positive side in the x direction as described above. Hereinafter, particularly, the spacer 30 mounted on the negative side in the x direction and the related structure and operation will be described. The structure of the spacer 30 mounted on the positive side in the x direction and the related operation are symmetric thereto in the x direction.

[0043] The spacer 30 is made of an elastic material softer than the housing 20. Figures 6A to 6D is an external view of the spacer 30 observed from different directions, Figures 6A to 6C is a perspective view of the spacer 30 observed from different sides, Figure 6D is a side view of the spacer 30 observed from the negative side in the x direction. The spacer 30 is mounted to the housing 20 from the negative side (one side) to the positive side (the other side) in the x direction (the second direction) in Figure 1A and Figure 1B .

[0044] Figure 7A is a perspective view of the housing 20 in a state where the spacer 30 is not mounted, Figure 7B is an enlarged view of a portion where the spacer 30 is mounted. Figure 7C is a side view of the same portion as that in Figure 7B observed from the negative side in the x direction. The shape of Figure 6D in the spacer 30 corresponds to the shape of Figure 7C in the housing 20.

[0045] The housing 20 is made of a harder elastic material (resin material) than the spacer 30, and a spacer receiving portion 20A serving as an opening for receiving the spacer 30 is provided in the housing 20. Further, as Figure 7A shown, four cable receiving holes 20B are respectively formed on the end face on the negative side in the y direction of the housing 20 for inserting the front end side having Figure 5CFour cable wires 10 of the shown shape.

[0046] In Figure 7C in the inner surface on the positive y-direction side of the spacer accommodation part 20A, spacer guides 21A, 21B, and 21C are provided, whose shapes respectively correspond to and guide Figure 6D in the regions near the vertices on the positive y-direction side and positive z-direction side of the spacer 30 in , i.e., the guided part 31A, in the regions near the vertices on the positive y-direction side and negative z-direction side of the spacer 30 in , i.e., the guided part 31B, and the guided part 31C that locally protrudes toward the negative y-direction near the middle in the z-direction. As Figure 6D shown, steps are provided in the guide parts 31A and 31B, and Figure 7C corresponding steps are also provided in the guide parts 21A and 21B in , so that the spacer 30 can be inserted and installed into the spacer accommodation part 20A from Figure 7C the negative x-direction side (front side of the paper) in to the positive x-direction side (rear side of the paper).

[0047] As Figures 6A to 6C shown, arms 32A and 32B that protrude toward the positive x-direction are respectively formed at the positive side end and negative side end in the z-direction of the spacer 30. A housing locking part 32A1 that bends toward the negative z-direction is formed at the front end of the arm 32A, and a housing locking part 32B1 that bends toward the positive z-direction is formed at the front end of the arm 32B.

[0048] On the other hand, in Figure 7B in the housing 20, spacer support parts 22A and 22B that protrude toward the negative x-direction and support the spacer 30 during installation are respectively provided on the positive z-direction side and negative z-direction side with respect to the spacer guide 21C. On the positive z-direction side of the spacer support part 22A, a temporary locking part 23A and a final locking part 24A are respectively formed to correspond to the housing locking part 32A1 on the spacer 30 side, and locally protrude in the positive z-direction so as to lock the housing locking part 32A1 when the spacer 30 is installed into the housing accommodation hole 20A. The temporary locking part 23A is formed on the negative x-direction side with respect to the final locking part 24A, and is formed in parallel with the final locking part 24A. Similarly, on the negative z-direction side of the spacer support part 22B, the temporary locking part 23B and the final locking part 24B (not shown) are formed symmetrically in the z-direction with respect to the temporary locking part 23A and the final locking part 24A.

[0049] As described above, since the spacer 30 (arms 32A and 32B) is formed of a soft elastic material, when the spacer 30 is installed into the spacer accommodation part 20A, the arm 32A can be deformed so that the housing locking part 32A1 can cross over the temporary locking part 23A and the final locking part 24A. The same applies to the housing locking part 32B1 (arm 32B) side. Therefore, in Figure 7BIn [description], when the spacer 30 is pushed from the negative side in the x direction, in the state immediately after the housing locking portion 32A1 has just passed over the temporary locking portion 23A, the spacer 30 is fixed in the spacer housing portion 20A in a state where the housing locking portion 32A1 is locked to the temporary locking portion 23A. When the spacer 30 is further pushed, in the state immediately after the housing locking portion 32A1 has just passed over the final locking portion 24A, the spacer 30 is further fixed in the spacer housing portion 20A toward the positive side in the x direction in a state where the housing locking portion 32A1 is locked to the final locking portion 24A. The same applies to the housing locking portion 32B1 (arm 32B) side.

[0050] Hereinafter, the fixed state in which the housing locking portion 32A1 (32B1) is locked to the temporary locking portion 23A (23B) in this way is referred to as the temporary locking state, and the state in which the spacer 30 is further pushed from this state so that the housing locking portion 32A1 (32B1) is locked to the final locking portion 24A (24B) and is further fixed in the spacer housing portion 20A toward the positive side in the x direction is referred to as the final locking state. That is, in the connector 1, there are two states in which the spacer 30 is mounted on the housing 20: the temporary locking state and the final locking state in which the spacer 30 is further pushed. The state of the connector 1 during actual use is the final locking state, while the temporary locking state is a state achieved midway during the assembly of the connector 1.

[0051] In addition, in Figure 7B in the spacer housing portion 20A in the housing 20, the beam-shaped lance rods 25A and 25B are respectively formed on the positive side and the negative side in the z direction, and are inclined toward the positive side in the x direction (the central axis side of the corresponding cable 10) as they extend to the positive side in the y direction. As will be described later, the lance rods 25A and 25B are used as retainers to prevent Figure 4A and 4B the upper and lower cables 10 from falling off when the cable 10 is mounted on the housing 20, and are provided at specific positions of the cable 10 in the z direction.

[0052] Mounted to Figure 1A and Figure 1B the spacer 30 on the positive side in the x direction and the structure corresponding to the spacer 30 on the housing 20 side are symmetric in the x direction with the above-described structure. Therefore, the spacer 30 mounted on the positive side in the x direction can also take two states, namely, the temporary locking state and the final locking state. The lance rods are also formed symmetrically.

[0053] Here, as Figure 6B and Figure 6CAs shown, on the positive side in the y direction, from the positive side in the z direction towards its negative side, terminal locking portions 33A, 33B, and 33C that protrude towards the positive side in the x direction are sequentially formed in the spacer 30. As will be described later, in the final locked state of the spacer 30, the terminal locking portion 33A abuts against Figure 4A and Figure 4B the terminal (outer terminal 17) of the upper cable 10 among

[0054] , the terminal locking portion 33B abuts against the terminal (outer terminal 17) of the upper cable 10 and the terminal (outer terminal 17) of the lower cable 10, and the terminal locking portion 33C abuts against the terminal (outer terminal 17) of the lower cable 10, thereby biasing each terminal (cable 10) towards the positive side in the y direction. That is, in the final locked state, the terminal locking portions provided in the spacer 30 abut against the respective terminals and bias the terminals towards the positive side in the y direction. On the other hand, in the temporary locked state, each terminal locking portion does not abut against the respective terminals. Figures 8A to 8C Hereinafter, the assembly process of bringing the spacer 30 into the final locked state after installing each cable 10 into the housing 20 of the above structure will be described. Figure 4A and Figure 4B are cross-sectional views corresponding to Figure 1A and Figure 1B showing the assembly process, and here, a cross-sectional view of the xy plane along the central axes of the two cables 10 on the negative side in the z direction in Figures 8A to 8C is shown. In addition, as described above, since the inner terminals 15 etc. on the cable 10 side are indirectly fixed to the outer terminal 17, the positions of the inner terminals 15 etc. change with the position of the outer terminal 17. Therefore, only the outer terminal 17, the housing 20, and the spacer 30 are shown in Figures 9A to 9C and other components are omitted. Figures 8A to 8C is a perspective view showing the states (positional relationships) of only the outer terminal 17 and the spacer 30 in each state of

[0055] In Figure 8A , first, in the state where the spacer 30 is in the temporary locked state and installed in the housing 20, the cable 10 with the end side in the form shown in Figure 5C is inserted into the cable accommodation hole 20B from the negative side in the y direction towards its positive side. At this time, as shown in Figure 4A and 4B , the flange portion 171 is locally formed with a large diameter in the outer terminal 17, but in the state shown in Figure 8A , the flange portion 171 is located on the negative side in the y direction with respect to the front end portion of the spear rod 25B, and is also separated from the terminal locking portions 33B and 33C of the spacer 30, so that the outer terminal 17 (cable 10) can easily enter the state shown in Figure 8A .

[0056] From this state, if the cable 10 (outer terminal 17) is further pushed in the positive y-direction, the flange portion 171 abuts against the spear rod 25B. As described above, the spear rod 25B inclines toward the central axis side of the cable 10 as it extends in the positive y-direction, and since the spear rod 25B is elastically deformable, as Figure 8B shown, the flange portion 171 can move in the positive y-direction relative to the front end of the spear rod 25B. On the other hand, it is not easy to move the flange portion 171 in the negative y-direction from this state because the front end portion of the spear rod 25B becomes an obstacle. That is, the spear rod 25B functions to prevent the cable 10 (outer terminal 17) from falling off.

[0057] Figure 9A and 9B show the positional relationship between the outer terminal 17 (flange portion 171) and the spacer 30 (terminal locking portion 33B) in the states of Figure 8A and 8B . In these states, the flange portion 171, the terminal locking portion 33B, and the terminal locking portion 33C ( Figures 9A to 9C not shown in the figure) do not abut against each other. Therefore, the spacer 30 (terminal locking portions 33B and 33C) does not become an obstacle in the above operation.

[0058] When each spacer 30 is pushed toward the housing 20 side from the state shown in Figure 8B , the spacer 30 can be brought into the Figure 8C shown final locking state. In this case, the front ends of the terminal locking portions 33B and 33C are provided to abut against the negative y-side of the flange portion 171 and project toward the central axis side of the cable 10 (outer terminal 17) relative to the outer periphery of the flange portion 171. Therefore, in Figure 9A and 9B , the flange portion 171 does not abut against the terminal locking portion 33B, while in Figure 9C , the flange portion 171 abuts against the terminal locking portion 33B.

[0059] Figure 10A and 10B are enlarged perspective views showing the condition around the flange portion 171 corresponding to the temporary locking state in Figure 9B and the condition around the flange portion 171 corresponding to the final locking state in Figure 9C , respectively. Figure 11A is a schematic front view (upper side) of the positional relationship between the flange portion 171 and the terminal locking portions 33B and 33C in the temporary locking state ( Figure 9B and Figure 10A ) as viewed from the negative y-side and a top view (lower side) as viewed from the positive z-side. Figure 11Bshows the same view in the final locked state ( Figure 9C and Figure 10B ).

[0060] In Figure 10A and Figure 11A corresponding to the temporary locked state, the flange portion 171 or the annular surface of the flange portion 171 on the negative y-direction side, i.e., the flange surface 171A, does not abut against the terminal locking portions 33B and 33C. On the other hand, in Figure 10B and Figure 11B corresponding to the final locked state, since the terminal locking portions 33B and 33C move from the state of Figure 10A and Figure 11A toward the positive x-direction side, the flange surface 171A abuts against the surfaces on the positive y-direction side of the terminal locking portions 33B and 33C. At this time, as shown in Figure 11A , in this state, when the surfaces on the positive y-direction side of the terminal locking portions 33B and 33C are set to be slightly closer to the positive y-direction side relative to the flange surface 171A, and the vertices of the flange portion 171A and the terminal locking portions 33B and 33C are formed into an R shape, by pushing the spacer 30, the terminal locking portions 33B and 33C can be elastically deformed and can be easily changed to the state shown in Figure 11B .

[0061] In the state shown in Figure 10B and Figure 11B , the flange portion 171 is biased toward the positive y-direction by the elastic force of the terminal locking portions 33B and 33C. Therefore, (i) as shown in Figure 9A , when the spacer 30 is in the temporary locked state, the cable 10 is inserted into the cable receiving hole 20B in the housing 20, (ii) then as shown in Figure 9B , the flange portion 171 is further moved backward (toward the positive y-direction) relative to the front end of the spear 25B, (iii) then the spacer 30 is pushed into the final locked state, thereby fixing the cable 10 to the housing 20 and forming the connector 1. At this time, since the outer terminals 17, the inner terminals 15 indirectly fixed thereto, etc. are also biased toward the positive y-direction (the side of the mounting substrate side connector 200) by the spacer 30, the shaking between the terminals during connection is prevented. At this time, the spacer 30 biases the flange portion 171 (outer terminal 17) side in the negative x-direction, but the movement of the spacer 30 in the negative x-direction is restricted by the housing locking portion 32A1 (32B1) locked by the final locking portion 24A (24B). Therefore, in this state, the spacer 30 is stably mounted on the housing 20.

[0062] The shape of the terminal locking portion may be appropriately set as long as the terminal locking portion does not abut the flange portion 171 during provisional locking and abuts the flange portion 171 (external terminal 17) during final locking to urge the flange portion 171 to the positive side in the y direction. Figure 12A and Figure 12B In the case of using the spacer 60 as a modified example including the terminal locking portion, Figure 11A and Figure 11B The corresponding view.

[0063] In the spacer 60, the cross-sectional shape along the xy plane is different from those of the terminal locking portions 33A, 33B, and 33C, and Figure 12A and Figure 12B The cross-sectional shape of the terminal locking parts 63B and 63C shown in the figure is a taper that becomes thinner (thinner) toward the central axis side of the cable 10 (external terminal 17). The same applies to the terminal locking part (corresponding to the terminal locking part 33A) (not shown) located farthest on the positive side in the z direction. The other structures are the same as those of the spacer 30.

[0064] When the isolating member 60 is in the temporarily locked state Figure 12A In Figure 11A In this way, the terminal locking portions 63B and 63C do not abut the flange portion 171. However, when the spacer 60 is pushed to the positive side in the x direction so that the spacer 60 enters the final locking state, the front ends of the terminal locking portions 63B and 63C do not abut the flange portion 171, and the area on the base side (negative side in the x direction) relative to the front ends of the terminal locking portions 63B and 63C can abut against the flange surface 171A. Therefore, compared with the spacer 30, the spacer 60 can be pushed more smoothly, and the final locking state can be easily achieved. Similarly, the shape of the terminal locking portion can be appropriately set so that the above operation can be performed smoothly.

[0065] In the above example, in the final locking state, the terminal locking portion in the spacer 30 abuts against the negative side of the flange portion 171 (external terminal 17) in the y direction from the outside when viewed from the central axis of the cable 10 (external terminal 17), thereby applying force to the positive side in the y direction to the external terminal 17 and the cable 10. Therefore, by abutting the terminal locking portion against the flange portion 171 from the negative side in the y direction (the side opposite to the side connected to the substrate-side connector 200), the external terminal 17 and the like can be applied toward the positive side in the y direction (the side where the substrate-side connector 200 is provided).

[0066] However, for example, even when the terminal locking portion made of elastic material abuts against the flange portion 171 toward the positive side in the x direction, it is possible to prevent the movement of the external terminal 17 in the housing 20. That is, in order to prevent the movement (shaking) of the external terminal 17, the terminal locking portion does not have to abut against the flange portion 171 from the negative side in the y direction.

[0067] As described above, the problematic wobbling in the outer terminal 17 mainly occurs in the y direction (the disassembly and assembly direction between the connector and the board-side connector), but wobbling in the outer terminal (cable wire) may also occur in other directions. For example, such wobbling is caused by the rotation of the cable wire 10 (outer terminal 17) around the central axis. Conversely, for example, even when the terminal locking portion made of an elastic material abuts against the flange portion 171 from the negative x direction side, the rotation of the outer terminal 17 can be prevented. In this case, although the effect may not be as good as when the terminal locking portion abuts from the negative y direction side as described above, in this case, the movement of the outer terminal 17 in the y direction can still be prevented. That is, as long as the movement of the outer terminal 17 at least in the negative y direction (the side opposite to the side where the board-side connector 200 is provided) can be restricted to a certain extent, the position where the flange portion 171 (outer terminal 17) abuts against the terminal locking portion can be appropriately set. When the terminal locking portion does not abut in the y direction, there is no need to locally provide a flange portion with a large diameter in the y direction on the terminal side.

[0068] In addition, as described above, the cable wire 10 is a coaxial cable, but the cable wire used can have any structure as long as an outer terminal or the like that can be similarly forced by the terminal locking portion can be used. The shapes of the outer terminal (terminal) and the terminal locking portion can also be appropriately set accordingly. However, in the case of using a coaxial cable that is likely to mix noise due to the wobbling of the terminal, the above structure is particularly effective.

[0069] In addition, as Figure 1A and Figure 1B shown, in the above example, four cable wires 10 are used, and two spacers 30 provided with corresponding terminal locking portions and the like are used. Even when the number of cable wires is not four, similarly, spacers provided with corresponding terminal locking portions can be appropriately used. In this case, since the number of spacers is three or more or one, the wobbling of the terminals of all the cable wires can be reduced. The arrangement of the cable wires in the connector can be appropriately set accordingly.

[0070] In the above example, the structure on the connector 1 side in Figure 1A and Figure 1B is shown, and the same structure can be used on the board-side connector side. That is, the above structure can be used for any connector for electrically connecting cable wires.

[0071] The present disclosure has been described based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, and those skilled in the art will understand that various deformations can be made in the combination of components, and these deformations are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0072] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a connector (1) has a cable fixed therein. The connector (1) is configured such that in response to connection of the connector (1) and a mating connector (200), the cable (10) is electrically connected to a mating cable (210) fixed in the mating connector (200), and the connector (1) is connected to the mating connector (200) by moving from one side to the other side in a first direction. The connector (1) includes: an insulating housing (20) with the cable (10) fixed therein; terminals (15, 17) configured to be electrically connected to the mating cable (210), the terminals (15, 17) being connected to the wiring of the cable (10) on the other side in the first direction of the cable (10) and being disposed in the housing (20) to be electrically connected to the mating cable (210) when the connector (1) and the mating connector (200) are connected to each other; and a spacer (30) made of an elastic material and mounted to the housing (20) by moving from one side to the other side in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the spacer (30) having terminal locking portions (33A, 33B, 33C) protruding toward the other side in the second direction. The spacer (30) is configured to switch between a temporary locking state and a final locking state according to the position of the spacer (30) relative to the housing (20) in the second direction. The temporary locking state is a state of the spacer (30) in which the terminal locking portions (33A, 33B, 33C) are locked to the housing (20) without abutting against the terminals (15, 17), and the final locking state is a state of the spacer (30) in which, in the state where the terminal locking portions (33A, 33B, 33C) abut against the terminals (15, 17), movement of the terminals (15, 17) toward the one side in the first direction is restricted by locking the terminal locking portions (33A, 33B, 33C) to the housing (20).

[0073] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the terminals (15, 17) include a flange portion (171) having an outer diameter that locally increases in the first direction around a central axis along the first direction.

[0074] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, in the final locking state, the terminal locking portions (33A, 33B, 33C) abut against the flange portion (171) from the one side in the second direction.

[0075] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, when the spacer (30) is transferred from the temporary locking state to the final locking state, the thickness of the terminal locking portions (33A, 33B, 33C) in the first direction decreases toward the other side in the second direction, such that the end portions of the terminal locking portions (33A, 33B, 33C) on the other side in the second direction do not abut against the flange portion (171), and the portions of the terminal locking portions (33A, 33B, 33C) on the one side in the second direction with respect to the end portions abut against the flange portion (171).

[0076] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, in the final locking state, the terminal locking portions (33A, 33B, 33C) abut against the surfaces of the terminals (15, 17) on one side in the second direction.

[0077] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the cable wire (10) includes: a first wiring (11) extending in the first direction; and a second wiring (13) insulated from the first wiring (11) and disposed outside around the extending direction of the first wiring (11). The terminals (15, 17) are connected to the second wiring (13).

[0078] According to the present disclosure, a connector capable of preventing terminal wobbling can be obtained.

Claims

1. A connector, in which a cable is fixed, the connector is configured to respond to the connection between the connector and a mating connector so that the cable is electrically connected to a mating cable fixed in the mating connector, and the connector is connected to the mating connector by moving from one side to the other side in a first direction, the connector comprising: An insulating housing, in which the cable is fixed; a terminal configured to be electrically connected to the mating cable, the terminal being connected to a wiring of the cable at the other side in the first direction of the cable and being disposed in the housing to be electrically connected to the mating cable when the connector and the mating connector are connected to each other; as well as a spacer made of an elastic material and mounted to the housing by moving from one side to the other side in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the spacer having a terminal locking portion protruding toward the other side in the second direction, wherein The spacer is configured to switch between a temporary locking state and a final locking state according to the position of the spacer relative to the shell in the second direction, the temporary locking state being a state of the spacer in which the terminal locking portion is locked to the shell without abutting against the terminal, and the final locking state being a state of the spacer in which the terminal locking portion abuts against the spacer of the terminal, thereby restricting the movement of the terminal toward the one side of the first direction by locking the terminal locking portion to the shell.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal includes a flange portion having an outer diameter partially increased in the first direction around a center axis along the first direction.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein: In the final locking state, the terminal locking portion abuts against the flange portion from the one side in the second direction.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: When the spacer is transferred from the temporary locking state to the final locking state, the thickness of the terminal locking portion along the first direction decreases toward the other side in the second direction, so that the end of the other side of the terminal locking portion in the second direction does not abut against the flange portion, and the portion of the one side in the second direction relative to the end of the terminal locking portion abuts against the flange portion.

5. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In the final locking state, the terminal locking portion abuts against a surface of the terminal on the one side in the second direction.

6. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The cable includes: a first wiring line extending in the first direction; and a second wiring line insulated from the first wiring line and arranged outside the first wiring line in the extending direction. The terminal is connected to the second wiring.

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