Connector module

Abstract

Provided is a connector module capable of suppressing a decrease in EMC characteristics. A connector module is provided with a socket mounted on a substrate, and a plug electrically connected to the socket and a communication cable, the plug having a connector including an external conductor electrically connected to the communication cable, and a connection member connecting the socket and the connector and electrically connected to a ground line of the substrate, the outer conductor includes a cylindrical conductor main body and an annular flange portion extending radially outward from the conductor main body, the flange portion includes a stepped portion on an opposing surface opposing the connection member, and the connection member is in contact with either a stepped upper portion of the stepped portion or a stepped lower portion of the stepped portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a Chinese patent application with the application number 202310235263.X. The present disclosure relates to a connector module. Background Art

[0002] Heretofore, a connector for connecting to a connection target device such as a camera has been known (for example, refer to Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3225606).

[0003] Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3225606 describes a camera assembly having a camera, a circuit board, a combined connector, a connector, etc.

[0004] The camera assembly described in Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3225606 has a base and an upper cover covering the base. The base supports the combined connector and the connector. The connector has a housing, connection terminals accommodated in the housing, and an outer conductor sleeved on the outside of the housing. The connection terminals have an insertion section. The insertion section is composed of an insertion hole for receiving the combined terminals of the combined connector and an elastic strip surrounding the insertion hole, and is electrically connected to the combined terminals by clamping the combined terminals. The outer conductor of the connector has a plurality of welding feet and a plurality of elastic engagement strips connected to the circuit board. If the housing (combined housing) of the combined terminals is sleeved on the outside of the housing of the connector, the plurality of elastic engagement strips are pushed by the combined housing, and the combined terminals are inserted into the insertion holes of the connection terminals. Summary of the Invention

[0005] However, in the camera assembly described in Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3225606, due to the positional deviation between the combined connector and the connector, the combined housing does not contact the elastic engagement strips of the connector, or even if it contacts, the electrical connection becomes unstable due to insufficient contact pressure. As a result, there is a possibility that the ground connection becomes weak and the EMC (electro-magnetic compatibility) characteristics deteriorate.

[0006] For this reason, a connector module capable of suppressing the deterioration of EMC characteristics is desired.

[0007] In view of the above, the connector module as a solution includes a socket mounted on a substrate and a plug electrically connected to the socket and a communication cable. The plug has: a connector including an outer conductor electrically connected to the communication cable; and a connecting member connecting the socket to the connector and electrically connected to the ground wire of the substrate. The outer conductor includes a cylindrical conductor body and an annular flange portion extending radially outward from the conductor body. The flange portion includes a stepped portion on the opposing surface opposing the connecting member, and the connecting member contacts either the upper step portion or the lower step portion of the stepped portion.

[0008] Generally, noise superimposed on the signal line or power line of the substrate escapes to the ground wire of the substrate. In this solution, the connecting member is electrically connected to the ground wire of the substrate and electrically connected to the outer conductor. The outer conductor is electrically connected to the communication cable. Therefore, the noise escaping to the ground wire can escape to the communication cable via the connecting member and the outer conductor and escape to the external ground potential. Thus, the noise of the substrate can be removed and the degradation of EMC (electro-magnetic compatibility) characteristics can be suppressed.

[0009] In addition, in this solution, a stepped portion is provided on the opposing surface of the flange portion of the outer conductor with respect to the connecting member. Therefore, for example, when operating to join the outer conductor to other components, the operator can easily distinguish the upper step portion and the lower step portion. Thus, it is possible to avoid causing a jig or the like to abut against the surface (either the upper step portion or the lower step portion) with which the connecting member contacts. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the contact reliability between the outer conductor and the connecting member and suppress a decrease in EMC characteristics.

[0010] In addition, preferably, the socket has at least one grounding member electrically connected to the ground wire of the substrate, and the connecting member is electrically connected to the ground wire of the substrate via the grounding member.

[0011] In this solution, there is at least one grounding member for electrically connecting the socket to the ground wire of the substrate, and the connecting member is electrically connected to the ground wire of the substrate via the grounding member. The shape of the grounding member can be arbitrarily set. Therefore, by only ensuring the contact stability between the connecting member and the grounding member, a decrease in EMC characteristics can be suppressed.

[0012] In addition, preferably, the connecting member contacts the upper step portion.

[0013] In this solution, the connecting member generally abuts against the upper step portion without abutting against the lower step portion where a jig or the like abuts, so that a decrease in EMC characteristics can be suppressed.

[0014] In addition, by bringing a jig or the like into contact with the lower part of the step, the jig or the like can be fixed, so that miniaturization of the jig or the like can be achieved, and the sizes of the external conductor and the connection component can also be reduced. Therefore, miniaturization of the connector module can be achieved.

[0015] In addition, preferably, the aforementioned connection component includes an annular portion fitted to the aforementioned external conductor and a first coupling portion extending from the flange portion side in the aforementioned annular portion, and the first coupling portion includes a plurality of first coupling pieces having elasticity.

[0016] As in this solution, if the first coupling portion includes a plurality of first coupling pieces having elasticity, the external conductor and the connection component can be brought into contact at a plurality of contact points, and the contact stability is enhanced. In addition, the connection component becomes an antenna that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through, and electromagnetic wave radiation can be prevented, so that good EMC characteristics can be achieved.

[0017] In addition, preferably, the aforementioned connection component further includes a second coupling portion opposed to the first coupling portion with the aforementioned annular portion interposed therebetween, the second coupling portion includes a plurality of second coupling pieces having elasticity, the second coupling pieces are in contact with the aforementioned socket in a displaceable manner, and the first coupling pieces are in contact with the upper part of the step in a displaceable manner in a direction approaching or separating from the aforementioned flange portion.

[0018] In this solution, the plurality of second coupling pieces of the connection component are in contact with the socket in a displaceable manner. Therefore, positional deviation in the radial direction between the connector and the socket may occur. The first coupling pieces of the connection component are in contact with the upper part of the step in a displaceable manner in the axial direction approaching or separating from the flange portion, so that the displacement amount of the connection component can be absorbed. That is, the contact pressure between the upper part of the step of the external conductor and the first coupling piece is not affected by the displacement amount of the connection component in the radial direction. Therefore, contact reliability can be maintained.

[0019] In addition, preferably, the aforementioned annular portion includes an elastic protrusion portion, the aforementioned external conductor further includes a cylindrical conductor protruding portion extending from the aforementioned flange portion toward the direction approaching the aforementioned connection component, the conductor protruding portion includes a cylindrical portion protruding from the aforementioned base end and a top end portion provided on the top end side and having a larger diameter in the radially outer direction than the aforementioned cylindrical portion, and the protrusion portion is caught by a step between the aforementioned cylindrical portion and the aforementioned top end portion.

[0020] In this solution, the elastic protrusion portion is caught by a step between the base end portion and the top end portion of the external conductor, so that the positional deviation tolerance of the contact position in the axial direction between the external conductor and the connection component can be reduced. Thereby, the length of the socket in the axial direction can be reduced, and miniaturization of the connector module can be achieved.

[0021] In addition, preferably, the upper part of the aforementioned step is provided in a radially outer direction relative to the lower part of the aforementioned step.

[0022] In this solution, the upper part of the step of the external conductor is provided in a radially outer direction relative to the lower part of the step. Therefore, when the connecting component comes into contact with the upper part of the step, the connecting component can set the length from the fixed end (ring-shaped part) of the first connecting piece to the contact point with the external conductor to be long. As a result, the elastic displacement amount of the first connecting piece can be increased, and the contact pressure between the first connecting piece and the external conductor can be increased. Thus, the contact reliability can be improved, and the degradation of EMC characteristics can be suppressed.

[0023] In addition, preferably, the aforementioned external conductor and the aforementioned connecting component use a base material mainly composed of materials with the same ionization tendency as the material.

[0024] In this solution, the external conductor and the connecting component use a base material mainly composed of materials with the same ionization tendency as the material, so the occurrence of poor contact caused by electrochemical corrosion can be suppressed, and the degradation of EMC characteristics can be suppressed.

[0025] In addition, preferably, the aforementioned plug further includes a shielding case covering at least a part of the aforementioned substrate, and the shielding case uses a base material mainly composed of a material with a greater ionization tendency than the aforementioned connecting component as the material.

[0026] In this solution, the plug further includes a shielding case covering at least a part of the substrate, and the shielding case uses a base material mainly composed of a material with a greater ionization tendency than the connecting component as the material. Therefore, the substrate can be effectively shielded from electromagnetic waves radiated from the outside by the shielding case, and the noise radiated from the substrate to the outside can also be shielded.

[0027] In addition, preferably, each of the aforementioned external conductor and the aforementioned connecting component uses copper or a copper-based alloy as the material.

[0028] In this solution, each of the external conductor and the connecting component uses copper or a copper-based alloy with excellent elasticity as the material. Therefore, the effect of stress relaxation can be brought, and the degradation of contact reliability caused by repeated plugging and unplugging can be suppressed.

[0029] In addition, preferably, the aforementioned flange portion includes a joint surface for joining with the aforementioned shielding case on the opposite side of the aforementioned opposing surface, and the shielding case is electrically connected to the aforementioned flange portion via the aforementioned joint surface.

[0030] As in this solution, the external conductor includes a joint surface for joining with the shielding case, and the shielding case is electrically connected to the flange portion via this joint surface. Therefore, the noise of the substrate can escape to the external ground potential through the shielding case and the external conductor. Thus, the EMC characteristics can be made good.

[0031] In addition, the outer conductor and the shield case are electrically connected by bonding, and an alloy layer is formed at the bonding boundary. Therefore, for example, even in the case of electrical corrosion due to different ionization tendencies of the materials of the outer conductor and the shield case, it is possible to prevent a decrease in contact reliability and suppress a decrease in EMC characteristics. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 FIG. is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the camera unit according to the embodiment. Figure 2 FIG. is a perspective view of the socket mounted on the substrate according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is along Figure 2 the cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shown in FIG. Figure 4 FIG. is an exploded perspective view of the socket according to the embodiment. Figure 5 FIG. is an exploded perspective view of the socket according to the embodiment. Figure 6 FIG. is a perspective view of the plug according to the embodiment. Figure 7 is along Figure 6 the cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. Figure 8 FIG. is an exploded perspective view of the plug according to the embodiment. Figure 9 FIG. is an exploded perspective view of the plug according to the embodiment. Figure 10 FIG. is a perspective view of the outer conductor and the connecting member according to the embodiment. Figure 11 is Figure 10 an enlarged view of a part of the outer conductor shown in FIG. and its vicinity. Figure 12 FIG. is a cross-sectional view of the socket and the plug according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the connector module of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof. In the present embodiment, the camera unit U (in-vehicle camera) mounted on a vehicle includes a connector module 100. In addition, the camera unit U can also be used for applications other than in-vehicle use, such as bicycles, drones, etc.

[0034] [Camera Unit] As Figure 1As shown, the camera unit U is electrically connected to a monitor device (not shown) via a coaxial cable L.

[0035] The coaxial cable L is a communication cable that propagates electrical signals. The coaxial cable L has an inner conductor formed of a copper wire bundle and an outer conductor formed of a mesh-like copper wire surrounding the inner conductor, with a dielectric (insulator) sandwiched therebetween and arranged coaxially. The outer conductor acts as a shield to prevent signal leakage and the intrusion of external radio waves. The coaxial cable L outputs the signal output by the camera unit U to the monitor device. In addition, the coaxial cable L supplies power from the monitor device to the camera unit U.

[0036] The camera unit U includes a camera housing H, a camera module C housed in the camera housing H, and a plug 10 connected to the camera module C. The camera housing H is made of conductive metal. In addition, the posture of using the camera unit U is not particularly limited, but in the following description, the direction of observing the camera module C from the plug 10 is defined as the X1 direction, the opposite direction as the X2 direction, and the direction connecting the X1 direction and the X2 direction as the axial direction X for explanation.

[0037] The camera module C has: an optical system C1 including at least one lens for the light of the subject to enter; an imaging element C2 such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), which outputs an electrical signal based on the light condensed by the optical system C1; and a substrate C3 on which an electronic circuit for driving and controlling the imaging element C2 and processing the electrical signal output from the imaging element C2 is mounted. A socket 1 is mounted on the substrate C3. In addition, the connector module 100 is composed of the socket 1 and the plug 10.

[0038] [Socket] Next, with reference to Figures 2 to 5 , the socket 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the socket 1 mounted on the substrate C3, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the Figure 2 III-III line shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 are exploded perspective views of the socket 1. In addition, hereinafter, the direction orthogonal to the axial direction X is referred to as the radial direction R. Further, the direction in the radial direction R from the outside toward the inside is referred to as the radial inner direction R1, and the direction from the inside toward the outside is referred to as the radial outer direction R2.

[0039] As Figures 2 to 4As shown in [description], the socket 1 includes a conductive housing 2 (an example of a grounding member) connected to the substrate C3, a conductive first contact member 3 connected to the substrate C3, and a contact housing 4 that houses the first contact member 3. The first contact member 3, the contact housing 4, and the housing 2 are arranged in this order from the inside to the outside in the radial direction R. That is, the socket 1 is constituted by the housing 2 that covers the contact housing 4 that houses the first contact member 3 from the outside in the radial direction R.

[0040] [Housing] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown in [description], the housing 2 includes: a cylindrical housing main body portion 21; and a plurality of leg portions 22 that extend toward the radially outer direction R2 of the housing main body portion 21 with one end (the end in the X1 direction) of the housing main body portion 21 as the base end. Further, as Figure 5 shown in [description], in the present embodiment, the number of the leg portions 22 is four, but the number of the leg portions 22 is arbitrary.

[0041] The leg portions 22 are fixed to the ground wire of the substrate C3 by soldering or the like. Thus, the ground wire of the substrate C3 is electrically connected to the housing 2.

[0042] [First Contact Member] As Figures 3 to 5 shown in [description], the first contact member 3 includes: a bottom portion 31 that is substantially rectangular in plan view; two upright portions 32 that stand up from two ends of the bottom portion 31 toward the X2 direction; and an extension portion 33 that extends from the bottom portion 31 in a direction parallel to the main surface of the bottom portion 31. Hereinafter, the direction of observing along the axial direction X is referred to as plan view.

[0043] Each of the two upright portions 32 is plate-shaped and is symmetrically arranged with respect to the axis along the axial direction X. The two upright portions 32 have elasticity and can be displaced along the radial direction R. The two upright portions 32 have a shape that can clamp a second contact member 61 described later.

[0044] The upright portion 32 has a plate-shaped wide width shape. The length of the upright portion 32 in the radial direction R is longer than the length of the second contact member 61, and has a width set so as to ensure electrical connection with the second contact member 61 within the allowable range of displacement in the relative position between the socket 1 and the plug 10. The upright portion 32 includes: a proximity portion 321 that approaches each other the farther away from the bottom portion 31; a separation portion 322 that separates from each other the farther away from the proximity portion 321; and a bent portion 323 that bends between the proximity portion 321 and the separation portion 322 and connects the proximity portion 321 and the separation portion 322. The bent portion 323 functions as a first contact point 32p with the second contact member 61.

[0045] The extension part 33 extends in the radially outer direction R2 with the bottom part 31 as the base end. The top end part of the extension part 33 is fixed to the substrate C3 (refer to Figure 3 ) by soldering or the like. Thus, the substrate C3 is electrically connected to the first contact 3.

[0046] [Contact housing] The contact housing 4 is insulating and is made of, for example, resin. As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the contact housing 4 is a bottomed cylindrical shape and includes a cylindrical body part 41 and a lid part 42 that covers one opening of the body part 41. The lid part 42 includes a through hole 42h that penetrates the lid part 42 in the X direction (also refer to Figure 3 ).

[0047] As shown in Figure 3 , in the internal space of the body part 41, the first contact 3 is accommodated, and the contact housing 4 that accommodates the first contact 3 is disposed in the internal space of the housing main body part 21 of the housing 2. That is, the contact housing 4 is covered by the housing main body part 21.

[0048] In the socket 1, a plug 10 is connected, and the plug 10 is connected to the coaxial cable L described with reference to Figure 1 . If the plug 10 connected to the coaxial cable L is connected to the socket 1, the plug 10 and the socket 1 are electrically connected, and the camera unit U and the monitor device are electrically connected via the coaxial cable L, the plug 10, and the socket 1.

[0049] [Plug] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the plug 10, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the VII-VII line shown in Figure 6 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 are exploded perspective views of the plug 10.

[0050] As shown in Figures 6 to 9 , the plug 10 includes a plug housing 5 and a connector 6 accommodated in the plug housing 5. In addition, as shown in Figures 7 to 9 , the plug 10 further includes a connection member 7 that electrically connects the connector 6 to the socket 1 (refer to Figure 2 ). If the connector 6 and the socket 1 are connected via the connection member 7, the socket 1 and the plug 10 are electrically connected.

[0051] [Plug housing] The plug housing 5 includes a first housing 51 and a second housing 52 (an example of a shielding housing). The first housing 51 can be insulating or conductive. The second housing 52 is made of conductive metal.

[0052] AsFigure 6 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown in Figure 9 , the shapes of the first housing 51 and the second housing 52 are substantially rectangular when viewed along the axial direction X.

[0053] The first housing 51 is prism-shaped and has an outer dimension smaller than that of the second housing 52. The first housing 51 has: a first housing main body portion 511 that is substantially rectangular when viewed from above; and a first housing hole 51h that penetrates along the axial direction X from an end portion in the X2 direction of the first housing main body portion 511. The first housing hole 51h is formed as a square hole up to the vicinity of the end portion in the X1 direction of the first housing main body portion 511, and is continuously formed from the bottom of the square hole as a circular hole smaller than the square hole, thereby penetrating the first housing main body portion 511.

[0054] As Figure 9 shown in Figure 9 , the first housing 51 further has a first housing recess 512, and the first housing recess 512 is provided in the radially outer direction R2 with respect to the circular hole of the first housing hole 51h. The first housing recess 512 is provided along the periphery of the first housing hole 51h.

[0055] As Figure 8 shown in Figure 8 , the second housing 52 has: a second housing main body 521 that is substantially rectangular when viewed from above; a housing convex portion 522 that protrudes in the X2 direction from the second housing main body 521; and a second housing hole 52h that penetrates the second housing main body 521 along the axial direction X.

[0056] The housing convex portion 522 is provided along the periphery of the second housing hole 52h. The housing convex portion 522 is fitted into the first housing recess 512 of the first housing 51 described with reference to Figure 9 . Thus, as Figure 7 shown in Figure 7 , the second housing 52 is coupled to the first housing 51.

[0057] In addition, as Figure 9 shown in Figure 9 , the second housing 52 has: a second housing recess 523 that is provided along the periphery of the second housing hole 52h on the surface opposite to the surface on which the housing convex portion 522 is formed; and a housing space 52s that houses the connector 6.

[0058] In the present embodiment, as Figure 12 shown in Figure 12 , in a state where the socket 1 and the plug 10 are connected, the second housing 52 covers in a state of facing the entire area of one surface of the substrate C3 accommodated in the camera housing H. The second housing 52 has conductivity and functions as a shielding member for shielding the substrate C3.

[0059] The second housing 52 is formed by processing a conductive component through metal plate processing, casting, cutting, etc. Alternatively, the surface of an insulating resin of the second housing 52 may be subjected to surface treatment such as plating, painting, or vapor deposition using metal. In the present embodiment, the second housing 52 uses a base material mainly composed of aluminum with good heat dissipation characteristics as the material. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise caused by the heat generation of an IC (integrated circuit) or the like mounted on the substrate C3 and prevent the failure of the IC or the like on the substrate C3.

[0060] The second housing 52 is joined to the camera housing H described with reference to Figure 1 by laser welding or the like. In addition, in the present embodiment, the camera housing H is also made of the same material as the second housing 52, and uses a base material mainly composed of aluminum as the material. In the present embodiment, the second housing 52 and the camera housing H together cover the entire surface of the substrate C3 and function as a shielding member for shielding the substrate C3.

[0061] [Connector] As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, the connector 6 includes: a second contact 61 (an example of a contact), which is connected to the socket 1; a holder 62, which supports the second contact 61; and an outer conductor 63, which covers the holder 62 from the radially outer direction R2. As Figure 7 and Figure 12 shown, the second contact 61, the holder 62, and the outer conductor 63 are arranged in this order from the inside to the outside in the radial direction R.

[0062] [Second Contact] The second contact 61 has conductivity and electrically connects the coaxial cable L described with reference to Figure 1 to the socket 1. The second contact 61 is formed by processing a metal plate, casting, cutting, a three-dimensional printer, or the like.

[0063] As Figures 7 to 9 shown, the second contact 61 is rod-shaped and includes a first contact portion 611 connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable L and a second contact portion 612 connected to the first contact 32p of the first contact 3 of the socket 1 (refer to Figure 12 ). The first contact portion 611 is connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable L, and the second contact portion 612 is connected to the first contact 32p of the first contact 3 of the socket 1, so that the coaxial cable L is electrically connected to the socket 1.

[0064] As Figure 7 shown, the second contact 61 is inserted into the first housing hole 51h. In the first housing hole 51h, the one described with reference to Figure 1Regarding the connector of the coaxial cable L described (hereinafter referred to as the external connector LC), inside the first housing hole 51h, the second contact member 61 is electrically connected to the external connector LC. In addition, the outer mold (connection part) of the external connector LC is fitted into the first housing hole 51h, thereby maintaining the electrical connection between the second contact member 61 and the external connector LC inside the first housing hole 51h.

[0065] [Holder] As Figures 7 to 9 shown, the holder 62 is a cylindrical member including a part with an enlarged diameter. The holder 62 has insulation and is made of resin, for example.

[0066] As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, the holder 62 includes a cylindrical holder main body portion 621 with a part having an enlarged diameter and a holder through hole 62h that penetrates the holder main body portion 621 along the axial direction X.

[0067] As Figure 7 shown, the holder through hole 62h has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the second contact member 61, and the second contact member 61 is inserted into the holder through hole 62h. The second contact member 61 is inserted into the holder 62 by press-fitting or insert molding, for example, and is supported by the holder 62. In the state of being supported by the holder 62, the first contact portion 611 and the second contact portion 612 protrude from the holder 62.

[0068] The holder 62 into which the second contact member 61 is inserted is accommodated in the outer conductor 63.

[0069] [Outer Conductor] As Figures 7 to 9 shown, the outer conductor 63 includes a substantially cylindrical conductor main body 631 and an annular flange portion 632 extending from the conductor main body 631 in the radially outward direction R2.

[0070] In addition, as Figures 9 to 11 shown, the outer conductor 63 includes: a substantially cylindrical conductor extension portion 633 that extends in the direction (X1 direction) close to the connection member 7 along the X-axis direction with the flange portion 632 as the base end; and a conductor through hole 63h that penetrates the conductor main body 631, the flange portion 632, and the conductor extension portion 633 along the axial direction X. In addition, Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the outer conductor 63 and the connection member 7, Figure 11 is Figure 10 a view showing an enlarged part of the outer conductor 63 shown and its vicinity.

[0071] As Figure 7As shown, a retainer 62 is accommodated in the conductor through-hole 63h, and a second contact 61 is inserted into the retainer 62. At least a part of the retainer 62 accommodated in the conductor through-hole 63h is in contact with the wall surface constituting the conductor through-hole 63h.

[0072] The outer conductor 63 has conductivity and is electrically connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable L (refer to Figure 1 ). The outer conductor 63 is formed by metal plate processing, casting, cutting, three-dimensional printers, or the like. Alternatively, the outer conductor 63 may also have conductivity by performing surface treatment on the surface of an insulating resin using metal plating, painting, vapor deposition, or the like. In the present embodiment, the outer conductor 63 is formed of copper or a copper-based alloy having good conductivity.

[0073] As Figure 8 shown, the flange portion 632 includes a joint surface 632a that joins with the second housing 52.

[0074] The joint surface 632a is joined to the second housing recess 523 (refer to Figure 7 ) by ultrasonic welding, resistance welding, laser welding, soldering, mechanical joining, or the like. Thereby, the outer conductor 63 is electrically connected to the second housing 52.

[0075] As Figure 10 and Figure 11 shown, the flange portion 632 has an annular opposed surface 632s that faces the connecting member 7. The opposed surface 632s is provided on the side opposite to the joint surface 632a. The opposed surface 632s includes a contact surface 632c (an example of the upper part of the step) with which the connecting member 7 contacts and a pressing surface 632b (an example of the lower part of the step) against which a jig or the like abuts when the joint surface 632a is joined to the second housing recess 523. The contact surface 632c and the pressing surface 632b are provided along the periphery of the conductor protruding portion 633. In the present embodiment, the contact surface 632c is provided in the radially outer direction R2 of the pressing surface 632b.

[0076] In addition, a stepped portion 632d is formed on the opposed surface 632s, and the pressing surface 632b and the contact surface 632c have different heights (positions in the axial direction X). Specifically, the contact surface 632c is constituted by the surface on the step of the stepped portion 632d, and the pressing surface 632b is constituted by the surface under the step of the stepped portion 632d. That is, the contact surface 632c is located closer to the connecting member 7 side than the pressing surface 632b.

[0077] In the present embodiment, as Figure 11As shown, the joint surface 632a is a flat surface. Therefore, the distance between the contact surface 632c and the joint surface 632a (hereinafter referred to as the first thickness dimension d1) is different from the distance between the pressing surface 632b and the joint surface 632a (hereinafter referred to as the second thickness dimension d2), and the first thickness dimension d1 is larger than the second thickness dimension d2.

[0078] Figure 10 and Figure 11 The conductor protruding portion 633 shown in includes: a cylindrical portion 633a that protrudes from the base end (the side of the flange portion 632); and a tip portion 633b that is provided on the tip side and has a diameter that expands more in the radially outer direction R2 than the cylindrical portion 633a. The cylindrical portion 633a and the tip portion 633b form the outer peripheral surface of the conductor protruding portion 633.

[0079] In addition, the conductor protruding portion 633 further includes a locking surface 633c formed by a step between the cylindrical portion 633a and the tip portion 633b. In a state where the external conductor 63 is fitted into the connecting member 7, the locking surface 633c locks the connecting member 7 (see Figure 11 and Figure 12 ).

[0080] [Connecting Member] The connecting member 7 has elasticity. In addition, the connecting member 7 has conductivity and is formed by processing a plate-shaped conductive material into a metal plate. The connecting member 7 uses, for example, copper or a copper-based alloy as the material. In the present embodiment, the external conductor 63 and the connecting member 7 use a base material mainly composed of materials having substantially the same ionization tendency as the material. In addition, referring to Figures 6 to 9 the second housing 52 described is made of a base material mainly composed of a material having a greater ionization tendency than the connecting member 7.

[0081] As Figures 8 to 10 shown, the connecting member 7 includes: an annular ring portion 71; a first coupling portion 72 provided at an end portion of the ring portion 71 in the X2 direction (the external conductor 63 side); and a second coupling portion 73 provided at an end portion of the ring portion 71 in the X1 direction (the socket 1 side, see Figure 12 ). That is, the first coupling portion 72 faces the second coupling portion 73 with the ring portion 71 interposed therebetween.

[0082] As Figure 7 shown, the ring portion 71 is formed such that the plate surface is along the axial direction X and is fitted into the conductor protruding portion 633 of the external conductor 63. Specifically, as Figure 10 and Figure 11 shown, the ring portion 71 includes a plurality of (in the present embodiment, eight) protrusion portions 711 that protrude more in the radially inner direction R1 from the plate surface of the ring portion 71 than the ring portion 71.

[0083] The protruding portion 711 is elastic and is formed by bending a part of the annular portion 71 in the radially inner direction R1. The tip 711a of the protruding portion 711 abuts against the locking surface 633c of the conductor protruding portion 633 (see Figure 11 ). Thereby, the movement of the connecting member 7 in the X1 direction is restricted.

[0084] As Figures 8 to 10 shown, the first coupling portion 72 includes a plurality (eight in this embodiment) of first coupling pieces 721 that are arranged at substantially equal intervals along the circumference of the annular portion 71 with spaces therebetween. Each of the first coupling pieces 721 is substantially rectangular in plan view and extends in the radially outer direction R2 with one end of the annular portion 71 as the base end. As Figure 11 shown, the first coupling piece 721 is inclined such that the angle formed with the annular portion 71 is an obtuse angle. The first coupling piece 721 is elastic, and its tip portion can be displaced along the axial direction X (the direction of approaching or separating from the contact surface 632c). The first coupling piece 721 contacts the contact surface 632c of the external conductor 63 in such a manner that it can be displaced along the axial direction X (the direction of approaching or separating from the contact surface 632c). Thereby, the connecting member 7 is electrically connected to the external conductor 63.

[0085] As Figure 10 shown, the second coupling portion 73 includes a plurality (eight in this embodiment) of second coupling pieces 731 that are arranged at substantially equal intervals along the circumference of the annular portion 71 with spaces therebetween. In addition, the plurality of first coupling pieces 721 and the plurality of second coupling pieces 731 may not be arranged at equal intervals respectively. Further, in this embodiment, the first coupling pieces 721 and the second coupling pieces 731 are provided at the same position in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 71, but they may also be provided at different positions. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the number of the first coupling pieces 721 and the number of the second coupling pieces 731 are the same, but the number of the first coupling pieces 721 and the number of the second coupling pieces 731 may also be different.

[0086] Each of the second coupling pieces 731 is a plate-like member and extends along the axial direction X with the other end of the annular portion 71 as the base end. Specifically, each of the second coupling pieces 731 is bent in a manner that undulates along the axial direction X and includes a first bent portion 731a that is bent in a manner of bulging in the radially outer direction R2 and a second bent portion 731b that is bent in a manner of bulging in the radially inner direction R1. The first bent portion 731a and the second bent portion 731b are arranged in this order from the base end. The second coupling piece 731 is elastic and can be displaced along the radial direction R and the axial direction X. As Figure 12As shown, with the socket 1 and the connector 6 coupled, the second coupling piece 731 is built into the socket 1. Regarding the second coupling piece 731, the vertex of its second bent portion 731b (the portion located closest to the radially inner direction R1) contacts the housing 2 of the socket 1. At this time, the second coupling piece 731 can be displaced along the radial direction R and the axial direction X. That is, the second coupling piece 731 contacts the housing 2 in a manner capable of being displaced along the radial direction R and the axial direction X. Thereby, the housing 2 is electrically connected to the connecting member 7.

[0087] The housing 2 is electrically connected to the connecting member 7, so that the connecting member 7 is electrically connected to the ground wire of the substrate C3 via the housing 2 (see Figure 12 ).

[0088] The ground wire is configured such that noise superimposed on the signal line or power supply line of the substrate C3 escapes through a filter circuit or the like. As described above, the connecting member 7 is electrically connected to the ground wire of the substrate C3 via the housing 2 of the socket 1 and is also electrically connected to the external conductor 63. The external conductor 63 is electrically connected to the external conductor of the external connector LC. Therefore, the noise that escapes to the ground wire can escape to the external conductor of the external connector LC via the housing 2 of the socket 1, the connecting member 7, and the external conductor 63, and escape to the external ground potential. Thus, the noise of the substrate C3 (signal line and power supply line) can be removed, malfunctions can be suppressed, and a decrease in EMC characteristics can be suppressed.

[0089] In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the stepped portion 632d is provided on the opposing surface 632s of the external conductor 63, during the operation of joining the second housing 52 and the external conductor 63, the operator can easily identify the contact surface 632c (it is easy to distinguish the contact surface 632c and the pressing surface 632b). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a jig or the like from abutting against the contact surface 632c and prevent damage to the contact surface 632c. Thereby, a decrease in the contact reliability between the external conductor 63 and the connecting member 7 can be prevented, and a decrease in EMC characteristics can be suppressed.

[0090] In addition, it is possible to easily distinguish the contact surface 632c with which the connecting member 7 contacts and the pressing surface 632b against which a jig or the like abuts, thereby improving the efficiency of the operation of joining the second housing 52 and the external conductor 63.

[0091] In the present embodiment, the contact surface 632c is constituted by the surface on the step of the stepped portion 632d, and the pressing surface 632b is constituted by the surface under the step of the stepped portion 632d. Therefore, the connecting member 7 (each of the plurality of first coupling pieces 721) can abut against the contact surface 632c without contacting the pressing surface 632b that may be damaged by a jig or the like. Thus, the contact stability between the external conductor 63 and the connecting member 7 is strengthened, and a decrease in EMC characteristics can be suppressed.

[0092] In addition, it is possible to fix a jig or the like by bringing the jig or the like into contact with a step portion 632d that is the boundary between the contact surface 632c and the pressing surface 632b. Therefore, miniaturization of the jig or the like can be achieved, and the sizes of the external conductor 63 and the connection member 7 can also be reduced. As a result, miniaturization of the connector module 100 can be achieved.

[0093] In addition, a plurality of first coupling pieces 721 are provided along the periphery of the annular portion 71. Therefore, the external conductor 63 and the connection member 7 can be in contact at a plurality of contact points, and the contact stability is enhanced. In addition, the connection member 7 serves as an antenna that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through, and radiation of electromagnetic waves can be prevented. Therefore, good EMC characteristics can be achieved.

[0094] Regarding the connection member 7, its plurality of second coupling pieces 731 are in contact with the socket 1 (housing 2) in a displaceable manner. Therefore, positional deviation between the connector 6 and the socket 1 in the radial direction R sometimes occurs. The first coupling piece 721 of the connection member 7 is in contact with the contact surface 632c of the external conductor 63 in a manner that can be displaced in the axial direction X approaching or separating from the flange portion 632, and the displacement of the connection member 7 can be absorbed. That is, the contact pressure between the contact surface 632c of the external conductor 63 and the first coupling piece 721 is not affected by the displacement of the connection member 7 in the radial direction R. Therefore, contact reliability can be maintained.

[0095] The elastic protrusion 711 is engaged with a locking surface 633c formed by a step of the tubular portion 633a and the tip portion 633b of the external conductor 63, so that the positional deviation tolerance of the contact point position in the axial direction X between the external conductor 63 and the connection member 7 can be reduced. As a result, the length in the axial direction X (hereinafter, height dimension) of the socket 1 can be reduced, and miniaturization of the connector module 100 can be achieved.

[0096] The contact surface 632c of the external conductor 63 is provided on the radially outer direction R2 side than the pressing surface 632b. Therefore, the connection member 7 can set the length (spring length) from the fixed end (annular portion 71) of the first coupling piece 721 to the contact point with the contact surface 632c to be long. As a result, the elastic displacement amount of the first coupling piece 721 can be increased, and the contact pressure between the first coupling piece 721 and the contact surface 632c can be increased. Therefore, contact reliability can be improved, and a decrease in EMC characteristics can be suppressed.

[0097] In the present embodiment, the connection member 7 is mainly composed of a material having the same ionization tendency as the external conductor 63. Therefore, occurrence of contact failure due to electrolytic corrosion can be suppressed, and a decrease in EMC characteristics can be suppressed.

[0098] In addition, in the present embodiment, the second housing 52 covers at least a part of the substrate C3. Thereby, the substrate C3 is shielded from electromagnetic waves radiated from the outside. In addition, noise radiated from the substrate C3 to the outside can be shielded.

[0099] In addition, in the present embodiment, the outer conductor 63 and the connecting member 7 are made of copper or a copper-based alloy as the material. Copper or a copper-based alloy has excellent elasticity. Therefore, the effect of stress relaxation can be brought, and the decrease in contact reliability caused by repeated plugging and unplugging can be suppressed. In addition, the contact surface 632c of the outer conductor 63 is provided in the radially outer direction R2 with respect to the pressing surface 632b, so that the elastic displacement amount of the first coupling piece 721 of the connecting member 7 is set large, and the allowable range of the position shift of the plug 10 (connector 6) and the socket 1 in the direction parallel to the mounting surface of the substrate C3 can be increased.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the outer conductor 63 includes a joint surface 632a joined to the second housing 52, and the second housing 52 is electrically connected to the flange portion 632 through the joint surface 632a. Therefore, the noise of the substrate C3 can escape to the external ground potential through the second housing 52, the outer conductor 63, and the outer conductor of the external connector LC. Thus, the EMC characteristics can be made good.

[0101] In addition, in the present embodiment, the second housing 52 and the outer conductor 63 are electrically connected by joining, and an alloy layer is formed at the boundary of the joining. Therefore, for example, even when electrolytic corrosion occurs due to the difference in the ionization tendency of the materials of the outer conductor 63 and the second housing 52, the decrease in contact reliability can be prevented, and the decrease in EMC characteristics can be suppressed.

[0102] In addition, the outer conductor 63 and the second housing 52 are electrically connected by any one of ultrasonic bonding, resistance welding, laser bonding, and soldering. Therefore, the outer conductor 63 and the second housing 52 can select materials regardless of the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion of contacts between different types, and the degree of freedom in material selection that emphasizes cost and characteristics required for use is increased. Thereby, the EMC characteristics can be improved.

[0103] [Other Embodiments] (1) In the present embodiment, the contact surface 632c is provided in the radially outer direction R2 with respect to the pressing surface 632b, but the positions of the contact surface 632c and the pressing surface 632b in the radial direction R can be interchanged, and the contact surface 632c may be provided in the radially inner direction R1 with respect to the pressing surface 632b.

[0104] (2) Additionally, in this embodiment, the contact surface 632c is provided on the upper part of the step, and the pressing surface 632b is provided on the lower part of the step. However, it is also possible that the pressing surface 632b is provided on the upper part of the step and the contact surface 632c is provided on the lower part of the step. That is, the first coupling piece 721 of the connecting member 7 may also contact the contact surface 632c formed by the surface below the step of the step portion 632d in the opposing surface 632s of the external conductor 63.

[0105] (3) In this embodiment, the connecting member 7 is electrically connected to the ground wire of the substrate C3 via the housing 2. However, the connecting member 7 may also be directly connected to the substrate C3, or may be electrically connected to the ground wire of the substrate C3 via another grounding member in addition to the housing 2. Furthermore, the substrate C3 may be installed with a sensor circuit, or may be connected to another substrate installed with a sensor circuit.

[0106] (4) In this embodiment, the camera unit U is connected to the monitor device via the coaxial cable L. However, the object connected to the camera unit U is not limited to the monitor device, and may be, for example, an image processing device.

[0107] (5) The second housing 52 covers at least a part of the surface of the substrate C3 (the surface in the X2 direction). However, the second housing 52 may also cover the entire surface of the substrate C3. Alternatively, the second housing 52 may also cover the entire surface of the substrate C3 together with other shielding housings except for the camera unit U.

[0108] (6) The case where the second housing 52 functions as a shield for the substrate C3 has been described. However, the second housing 52 may not function as a shield. In this case, the second housing 52 may be either an insulator or a conductor. In this case, a shielding member is additionally provided inside the second housing 52, and the shielding member and the second housing 52 together form a housing space 52s for accommodating the substrate C3.

[0109] (7) As the material of the second housing 52, a base material mainly composed of aluminum is used as the material. However, the second housing 52 may also be formed of a base material mainly composed of magnesium. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise caused by the heat generation of the IC etc. mounted on the substrate C3 and prevent the failure of the IC etc. on the substrate C3. In addition, the second housing 52 may also be formed of a base material other than the base material mainly composed of aluminum or magnesium.

[0110] (8) The case where the first housing 51 and the second housing 52 are separate has been described. However, the first housing 51 and the second housing 52 may also be integrated.

[0111] (9) In the present embodiment, the first contact portion 611 and the second contact portion 612 are rod-shaped members, but the shapes of the first contact portion 611 and the second contact portion 612 are not particularly limited. The first contact portion 611 may have a male mold structure that is rod-shaped and has a contact portion on the outer periphery, or may have a female mold structure that has a contact portion on the inner periphery of a cylindrical shape. Similarly, the second contact portion 612 may have a male mold structure that is rod-shaped and has a contact portion on the outer periphery, or may have a female mold structure that has a contact portion on the inner periphery of a cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the second contact portion 612 may also have a plurality of contacts through a plurality of elastic pieces extending in the axial direction X.

[0112] (10) In the present embodiment, the housing 2, the contact housing 4, the retainer 62, the conductor main body 631, and the conductor protruding portion 633 are cylindrical, but the housing 2, the contact housing 4, the retainer 62, the conductor main body 631, and the conductor protruding portion 633 are not limited to being circular when viewed from above. Similarly, the flange portion 632 is annular, but the flange portion 632 only needs to be annular and is not limited to being circular. The shapes of the contact surface 632c and the pressing surface 632b can be changed according to the shape of the flange portion 632.

[0113] (11) In the present embodiment, as an example of a communication cable (electric wire), a coaxial cable L is taken as an example for description, but as long as it is a cable for the purpose of transmitting signals showing sounds, images, etc. through electrical communication, it is not particularly limited, and it may also be a composite cable in which a plurality of multifunctional wires are gathered into one. The composite cable has an outer conductor (shield) covering an inner conductor via an insulator. When the cable is a composite cable, the socket 1 includes one or more first contact members 3, and the connector 6 includes one or more second contact members 61.

Claims

1. A cover part (42) for covering a cylindrical body part (41) of a cylindrical contact housing (4), wherein an upper surface of the cover part (42) is a conical surface of a truncated cone with an obtuse apex angle, and includes a through hole (42h) penetrating the cover part (42) in an axial direction at the center, and two pairs of oppositely arranged quadrilateral recesses distributed on an imaginary circle close to and concentric with the through hole.

2. A socket (1) comprising a housing (2), a first contact (3), and a contact housing (4), wherein the contact housing (4) houses the first contact (3), and the first contact (3), the contact housing (4), and the housing (2) are arranged in this order from the inside to the outside in a radial direction (R); The housing (2) includes a cylindrical housing main body part (21), and four legs (22) which extend a distance in an axial direction with one end of the housing main body part (21) as a base end and then extend toward a radially outer direction (R2) of the housing main body part (21). The housing main body part (21) has a rectangular tooth-shaped joint extending in the axial direction. At one end of the housing main body part (21) opposite to the legs (22), three notches are provided at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the housing main body part (21), and the notches have different widths; The contact housing (4) is cylindrical and includes a cylindrical body part (41) and the cover part (42) according to claim 1. The cover part (42) covers an opening of the body part (41), and further includes three rectangular protrusions extending from a radially outer edge of the cover part (42) to the body part (41). During assembly, the protrusions are fitted into the notches of the housing main body part.

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