Connector structure

Abstract

A connector structure includes: a cable; an inner sleeve; a pair of inner terminals; an inner housing; a matching member in which a pair of hollow accommodating portions configured to accommodate an end portion of the twisted pair wire connected to the inner terminal in a predetermined arrangement are elastically deformable in a wire radial direction of the twisted pair wire; and an outer terminal including a shield main body configured to cover an outer periphery of the inner housing, and a crimp portion extending from the shield main body and crimped to an outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve so as to be electrically connected to an end portion of the braid folded back and placed on the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a connector structure of a shielded connector. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, a twisted pair cable (twisted wire) is preferably used for an in-vehicle network or the like because the twisted pair cable is less susceptible to noise than a simple parallel wire and has less noise radiation.

[0003] A shielded connector connected to the end of such a twisted pair cable includes an inner terminal connected to the end of two twisted wires of a shielded twisted pair (STP) cable, an inner housing that houses the inner terminal, and an outer terminal that surrounds the inner housing.

[0004] As a connector structure for improving the transmission characteristics of such a shielded connector, for example, the connector structure disclosed in JP 2019-164997 A is known.

[0005] The connector structure includes a connector and a cable connected to the connector, and the connector and the cable include at least one conductor pair (twisted wire) including a first conductor and a second conductor. The connector structure further includes a first portion on the cable, a second portion on the connector side, and an intermediate portion formed between the first portion and the second portion.

[0006] The conductor pair is surrounded by an outer conductor (outer terminal) at the first portion, the second portion, and the intermediate portion, and the outer conductor is deformed in a portion surrounding the intermediate portion of the conductor pair, the deformation reducing at least one of a distance between the outer conductor and the conductors or a distance between the conductors in the deformation area.

[0007] Accordingly, by deforming the outer conductor to change the distance between the outer conductor and the conductors, or the distance between the conductors of the conductor pair, the connector structure can be improved for different characteristics.

[0008] In the above-described prior art connector structure, a new external force or the like is applied to the outer conductor in the intermediate portion to cause deformation and reduce the distance between the conductors of the conductor pair. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to adjust the amount of deformation in the outer conductor and equipment is required to cause deformation.

[0009] The present disclosure provides a connector structure that can easily improve the transmission characteristics in a shielded connector using a twisted wire. SUMMARY

[0010] The above-described object of the present disclosure is achieved by the following configuration.

[0011] A connector structure includes a cable in which a braid surrounding a twisted pair wire is covered by a sheath; an inner sleeve placed on an outer peripheral side of the braid exposed from an end portion of the sheath; a pair of inner terminals electrically connected to core wires of the twisted pair wire exposed from the end portion of the sheath; an inner housing in which the inner terminals are respectively housed in corresponding inner terminal housing portions of a pair of inner terminal housing portions; a mating member in which a pair of hollow housing portions configured to house end portions of the twisted pair wire connected to the inner terminals in a predetermined arrangement form are elastically deformable in a wire radial direction of the twisted pair wire; and an outer terminal including a shield main body configured to cover an outer periphery of the inner housing and a crimp portion extending from the shield main body and crimped to an outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve, thereby being electrically connected to an end portion of the braid folded back and placed on the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve.

[0012] According to the connector structure in the present disclosure, it is possible to easily improve transmission characteristics in a shielded connector using a twisted pair wire.

[0013] The present disclosure has been briefly described above. Furthermore, details of the present disclosure can be clarified by reading the following description of modes for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shielded connector, showing a state before an inner module having a connector structure according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is housed in an outer housing;

[0015] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the inner module shown in

[0016] Figure 3 is Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a mating member shown in

[0017] Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the mating member shown in Figure 3 from the rear;

[0018] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Figure 3 ;

[0019] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 3 ;

[0020] Figure 7is an explanatory diagram showing a process of connecting an inner module to an end of a cable, and shows a state in which an inner sleeve is placed on the outer periphery of a braid exposed by cutting off a portion of a sheath at the end of the cable;

[0021] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of connecting an inner module to an end of a cable, and shows a state in which an inner terminal is electrically connected to the core wires of a twisted pair of electric wires exposed from an end of a sheath;

[0022] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the process of connecting the inner module to the end of the cable, and shows a state in which the inner terminal is inserted through the mating component;

[0023] Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 A cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.

[0024] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of connecting an inner module to an end of a cable, and shows a state in which an inner terminal inserted into a mating component is accommodated in an inner terminal accommodating portion of an inner housing;

[0025] Figure 12 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG.

[0026] Figure 13 It is along Figure 12 A cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG.

[0027] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of connecting an inner module having a connector structure according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure to an end of a cable, and shows a state in which an inner terminal inserted through a mating component is accommodated in an inner terminal accommodating portion of an inner housing;

[0028] Figure 15 It is shown in Figure 14 A longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which an outer terminal of an inner module is crimped to an end of a cable;

[0029] Figure 16 It is along Figure 14 A cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG.

[0030] Figure 17 It is along Figure 15 A cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in FIG.

[0031] Figures 18A to 18D is a plan view showing a modified example of the matching component;

[0032] Figure 19is an exploded perspective view of an inner module of a connector structure having a third embodiment according to the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX in Figure 19 Figure 19 is a state in which the inner module shown in

[0034] Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXI-XXI in Figure 20

[0035] Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of an inner module of a connector structure having a fourth embodiment according to the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 23 is an enlarged perspective view of a matching member shown in Figure 22

[0037] Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIV-XXIV in Figure 22 Figure 22 is a state in which the inner module shown in

[0038] Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in Figure 23 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] First Embodiment

[0041] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shielded connector 1 showing a state before an inner module 2 having a connector structure according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is housed in an outer housing 3. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the inner module 2 shown in Figure 1

[0042] As shown in Figure 1

[0043] ​​​​​​​The outer housing 3 is made of insulating resin and is box-shaped, and has a module housing portion 31 that houses the inner module 2. On the upper surface 32 side of the outer housing 3, a locking arm 33 is provided for maintaining the mating state when mated to a counterpart connector (not shown).

[0044] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the inner module 2 includes the shielded electric wire 10, the inner terminal 15, the inner housing 4, the matching member 5, the inner sleeve 6, and the outer terminal 21.

[0045] The shielded electric wire 10 includes a twisted pair electric wire 11 in which two electric wires are twisted, a braid 13 that covers the twisted pair electric wire 11 via a metal foil 12, and a sheath 14 made of insulating resin and covering the braid 13.

[0046] Each electric wire of the twisted pair electric wire 11 includes a core wire 11a and a resin insulating sheath 11b that covers the core wire 11a (see Figure 8 ). The twisted pair electric wire 11 exposed on the tip side of the shielded electric wire 10 is untwisted, and the inner terminal 15 is crimped and connected to the core wire 11a exposed from the insulating sheath 11b at each tip.

[0047] After the inner sleeve 6 is crimped to the outer peripheral side as described later, the braid 13 exposed on the tip side of the shielded electric wire 10 is folded back to the outer peripheral side from the tip edge of the inner sleeve 6, and the folded back portion 13a is folded back to the outside of the sheath 14.

[0048] The inner housing 4 includes a housing main body 41 formed in an elliptical column shape by insulating resin, and includes a pair of inner terminal housing portions 45 and 45 on both sides thereof, which house the inner terminal 15 crimped and connected to the core wire 11a of the shielded electric wire 10. The inner terminal 15 is inserted from the rear end opening of the inner housing 4 and housed in the inner terminal housing portion 45.

[0049] In the inner housing 4, a retainer 47 for holding and locking the inner terminal 15 housed in the inner terminal housing portion 45 is provided on a portion of the upper wall of the housing main body 41.

[0050] The retainer 47 is integrally formed with the housing main body 41 by a thin hinge, and can be opened and closed with respect to the opening that communicates with the inner terminal housing portion 45. A locking protrusion (not shown) protruding from the inner surface of the retainer 47 locks the inner terminal 15 housed in the inner terminal housing portion 45, so that the inner terminal 15 can be prevented from falling out of the inner housing 4.

[0051] As shown in Figures 3 to 6As shown, the matching member 5 according to the first embodiment is made of metal and formed in a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape, and includes a transmission characteristic ensuring portion 50 for improving the transmission performance of the inner module 2 and a housing connecting portion 51 externally fitted to the rear end portion 43 of the inner housing 4.

[0052] The transmission characteristic ensuring portion 50 includes a pair of hollow elastic accommodating portions 52 and 52, and is capable of individually accommodating each wire of the twisted pair wire 11 untwisted at the end thereof. The accommodating portions 52 are press-formed so that both side edge portions 52a and 52b of the matching member 5 are inwardly rolled along the wire insertion direction, thereby defining a hollow space having a circular cross section.

[0053] That is, the transmission characteristic ensuring portion 50 is realized so that the pair of hollow accommodating portions 52 and 52 accommodating the end portions of the twisted pair wire 11 connected to the inner terminal 15 in a predetermined arrangement form are elastically deformable in the wire radial direction of the twisted pair wire 11.

[0054] The inner diameter of the accommodating portion 52 is approximately equal to the diameter of each wire of the twisted pair wire 11, and is set so that each wire is in contact with the accommodating portion or there is a slight gap therebetween. The dimension is set by ordinary press-forming, and special equipment such as a crimping machine is not required for assembly.

[0055] That is, since the accommodating portion 52 is deformable along each wire of the twisted pair wire 11, the gap between each wire and the inner peripheral wall of the accommodating portion 52 can be reduced. Therefore, there is no adverse effect such as deterioration of the transmission characteristics of the wires. Furthermore, the gap between each wire and the inner peripheral wall of the accommodating portion 52 is small, so the wires are less likely to be damaged.

[0056] Since the hollow shape of the accommodating portion 52 is press-formed with respect to each wire of the twisted pair wire 11, this shape can accommodate the pitch conversion even when the double wire pitch of the twisted pair wire 11 is different from the housing pitch, which is the interval between the pair of inner terminal accommodating portions 45 and 45 in the inner housing 4.

[0057] Furthermore, when the end portions of the twisted pair wire 11 connected to the inner terminal 15 are inserted through the accommodating portion 52, the elastic accommodating portion 52 is elastically deformed in the wire radial direction and elastically returns to its original shape after insertion, making the insertion operation easy.

[0058] Since the double wire pitch of the twisted pair wire 11 is different from the housing pitch, which is the interval between the pair of inner terminal accommodating portions 45 and 45 in the inner housing 4, a pitch conversion portion 56 for adjusting the pitch is provided on the rear end side of the accommodating portion 52.

[0059] The pitch converting section 56 is formed at the rear end portions of the two side edge portions 52a and 52b of the matching member 5, which are press-formed to be inwardly rolled to define the accommodation portions 52.

[0060] The pitch converting section 56 includes the pair of side edge portions 52a and 52b, which are arranged in parallel with a predetermined width direction interval, and the branch guide section 55, which is formed by bending a tab formed at the rear end portion of the side edge portion 52b into a V-shaped cross section.

[0061] When the end portions of the twisted pair electric wires 11 connected to the inner terminals 15 are inserted from the rear opening of the transmission characteristic securing section 50, the branch guide section 55 inserts and guides each of the end portions of the twisted pair electric wires 11 into a corresponding one of the pair of hollow accommodation portions 52 and 52. Thus, each of the end portions of the twisted pair electric wires 11 is inserted through the corresponding one of the accommodation portions 52 and 52, and the inter-wire pitch of the twisted pair electric wires 11 is smoothly converted into the housing pitch.

[0062] The housing connecting section 51 has a wider opening shape than the transmission characteristic securing section 50 to fit to the rear end portion 43 of the inner housing 4 from the outside. On the outside of the housing connecting section 51, a plurality of hemispherical outer protrusions 53 serving as electrical connections between the matching member 5 and the outer terminals 21 are arranged. On the inside of the housing connecting section 51, a plurality of hemispherical inner protrusions 54 having a loose mechanical locking function for the rear end portion 43 of the inner housing 4 are arranged.

[0063] The inner sleeve 6 is made of a metal having electrical conductivity and includes a pair of crimping pieces 61 and 61 to have a U-shaped cross section. The inner sleeve 6 is a crimping member which is placed on the outer peripheral side of the braid 13 exposed from the end portion of the sheath 14 and is crimped and fixed.

[0064] The outer terminal 21 is made of a metal having electrical conductivity and includes a shield main body 22 formed in a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape and a crimping portion 23 which is increased in diameter from the rear end of the shield main body 22 and extends into a C-shaped cross section. An inner housing accommodation chamber 20 which accommodates the inner housing 4 is formed in the shield main body 22. The crimping portion 23 having the C-shaped cross section is crimped into a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral shape of the inner sleeve 6 to be electrically connected to the end portion of the braid 13 which is folded back and placed on the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve 6.

[0065] Next, a procedure of assembling the inner module 2 of the shield connector described above will be described.

[0066] Figures 7 to 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure of connecting the inner module 2 to the end of the shield electric wire (cable) 10.

[0067] First, as shown in Figure 7As shown, the crimped inner sleeve 6 is placed so that it is positioned at the outer periphery of the braid 13 exposed at the end of the shielded electric wire 10.

[0068] Next, as shown in Figure 8 , the end portion of the braid 13 is folded back from the front end edge of the inner sleeve 6 toward the outside of the inner sleeve 6 to form a folded-back portion 13a. The braid end 13b of the folded-back portion 13a reaches the end of the sheath 14.

[0069] Thereafter, the portion of the metal foil 12 up to the folded-back portion of the braid 13 is cut off, and the twisted pair wire 11 is untwisted. Then, the inner terminal 15 is crimped and connected to the core wire 11a exposed from the insulating sheath 11b at the end of each wire in the twisted pair wire 11.

[0070] Next, as shown in Figure 9 , the inner terminal 15 is inserted through the matching member 5.

[0071] As shown in Figure 10 , each wire of the twisted pair wire 11 accommodated in the accommodation portion 52 of the transmission characteristic securing portion 50 can reduce the gap between each wire and the inner peripheral wall of the accommodation portion 52. Therefore, there is no adverse effect such as deterioration of the transmission characteristics of the wire.

[0072] Next, as shown in Figure 11 , the inner terminal 15 inserted through the matching member 5 is accommodated in the inner terminal accommodation portion 45 of the inner housing 4, and the housing connecting portion 51 in the matching member 5 is fitted from the outside to the rear end portion 43 of the inner housing 4. Then, the portion of the insulating sheath 11b at the end of the untwisted twisted pair wire 11 is accommodated in the transmission characteristic securing portion 50 of the matching member 5.

[0073] Next, the end of the shielded electric wire 10 in which the inner terminal 15 is accommodated in the inner housing 4 is inserted into the outer terminal 21. Then, in a state in which the inner housing 4 is accommodated in the inner housing accommodation chamber 20 of the shield main body 22, the crimping portion 23 is crimped along the outer peripheral shape of the inner sleeve 6 so that the outer terminal 21 is electrically connected to the folded-back portion 13a of the braid 13. At this time, the crimping portion 23 of the outer terminal 21 covers the folded-back portion 13a of the braid 13 up to the braid end 13b. The outer terminal 21 is also electrically connected to the housing connecting portion 51 of the matching member 5.

[0074] Then, the inner module 2 shown in Figure 1 is completed by crimping this outer terminal 21.

[0075] As described above, in the inner module 2 of the shielded connector 1 having the connector structure according to the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12 , the untwisted wires at the end of the twisted pair wire 11 are accommodated in the transmission characteristic securing portion 50 of the matching member 5.

[0076] The transmission characteristic securing portion 50 includes a pair of hollow, elastic accommodating portions 52 and 52 and is capable of individually accommodating each of the untwisted electric wires at the end of the twisted pair electric wire 11.

[0077] Since the accommodating portions 52 are deformable along each of the electric wires of the twisted pair electric wire 11, the gap between each of the electric wires and the inner peripheral wall of the accommodating portions 52 can be reduced. Therefore, there is no adverse effect such as deterioration of the transmission characteristic of the electric wires. Furthermore, the gap between each of the electric wires and the inner peripheral wall of the accommodating portions 52 is small, and thus the electric wires are less likely to be damaged.

[0078] Therefore, according to the inner module 2 of the shielded connector 1 having the connector structure in the first embodiment, it is possible to easily improve the transmission characteristic in the shielded connector 1 using the twisted pair electric wire 11.

[0079] In the inner module 2 having the connector structure according to the first embodiment, the matching member 5 is press-formed to include the housing connecting portion 51 at the end side and the pitch converting portion 56 at the rear end side, the terminal insertion side end portion 43 of the inner housing 4 is press-fitted into the housing connecting portion 51, and the end portions of the twisted pair electric wire 11 are inserted through the pitch converting portion 56.

[0080] Therefore, the matching member 5 is capable of smoothly converting the double wire pitch in the twisted pair electric wire 11 into the housing pitch, which is the interval between the pair of inner terminal accommodating portions 45 and 45 in the inner housing 4. The matching member 5 is easily connected to the terminal insertion side end portion 43 of the inner housing 4.

[0081] The housing connecting portion 51 of the matching member 5 includes an inner protrusion 54 protruding toward the inner peripheral surface and an outer protrusion 53 protruding toward the outer peripheral surface.

[0082] Therefore, the housing connecting portion 51 has a loose mechanical locking function for the rear end portion 43 of the inner housing 4 and functions as an electrical connection between the matching member 5 and the outer terminal 21.

[0083] The pitch converting portion 56 is provided with a branch guide portion 55 that branches the end portions of the twisted pair electric wire 11 when the inner terminals 15 connected to the end portions of the twisted pair electric wire 11 are inserted.

[0084] Therefore, each of the end portions of the twisted pair electric wire 11 is inserted through the corresponding one of the pair of accommodating portions 52 and 52 in the transmission characteristic securing portion 50, and the double wire pitch of the twisted pair electric wire 11 is smoothly converted into the housing pitch.

[0085] Second Embodiment

[0086] Next, an inner module 2A having a connector structure according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The inner module 2A according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in the matching member and the outer terminal. Therefore, the same components as in the first embodiment described above are identified with the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0087] As shown in Figure 14 , the inner module 2A according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure includes the shielded wire 10, the inner terminal 15, the inner housing 4, a matching member 5A, the inner sleeve 6, and an outer terminal 21A.

[0088] As shown in Figures 14 to 17 , the matching member 5A according to the second embodiment is made of metal and formed in a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape, and the transmission characteristic securing portion 50 includes a pair of hollow elastic accommodating portions 52A and 52A and is capable of individually accommodating each of the untwisted wires at the end portions of the twisted pair wire 11. The accommodating portions 52A are press-formed so that the two side edge portions 52a and 52b of the matching member 5A are inwardly rolled along the wire insertion direction, thereby defining a hollow space having a circular cross section.

[0089] As shown in Figure 16 , the inner diameter of the accommodating portion 52A is larger than the diameter of each wire of the twisted pair wire 11 and is set to a size through which the inner terminal 15 larger than the inner terminal 15 according to the first embodiment can be inserted.

[0090] That is, the inner terminal 15 larger than the diameter of each wire of the twisted pair wire 11 can be inserted into the accommodating portion 52A.

[0091] The outer terminal 21A according to the second embodiment is made of metal having electrical conductivity and includes a shield main body 22 formed in a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape and a crimp portion 23A that increases in diameter from the rear end of the shield main body 22 and extends into a C-shaped cross section. The crimp portion 23A having the C-shaped cross section includes a pair of crimp pieces 24 and 24 that function as pressing portions that press the accommodating portions 52A of the matching member 5A and a crimp portion 25 that is crimped to the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve 6 to be electrically connected to the end portion of the braid 13 that is folded back and placed on the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve 6.

[0092] The crimp portion 25 having the C-shaped cross section is crimped into a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral shape of the inner sleeve 6 to be electrically connected to the end portion of the braid 13 that is folded back and placed on the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve 6.

[0093] As shown in Figure 15 and Figure 17 , the pair of crimp pieces 24 and 24 press the accommodating portions 52A of the matching member 5A from above, thereby crimping the accommodating portions 52A such that the inner diameter of the accommodating portions 52A is reduced until the wires come into contact with the accommodating portions 52A or a slight gap exists therebetween.

[0094] Accordingly, according to the inner module 2A in the second embodiment of the present disclosure, even when the inner terminal 15 is larger than the diameter of each wire of the twisted pair wire 11, the inner terminal 15 is able to smoothly pass through the accommodation portion 52A of the matching member 5A.

[0095] Then, after the outer terminal 21A is assembled, the inner diameter of the accommodation portion 52A is reduced by the pair of crimping pieces 24 and 24 of the outer terminal 21A until the wire makes contact with the accommodation portion 52A or a slight gap is present therebetween. Accordingly, it is possible to easily improve the transmission characteristics of the inner module 2A.

[0096] In the matching member 5A according to the second embodiment, the insertion portion 57 protrudes from the rear end of the accommodation portion 52A and is inserted between the braid 13 folded back and placed on the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve 6 and the twisted pair wire 11. The insertion portion 57 protrudes from the upper and lower portions of the rear end edge of the accommodation portion 52A.

[0097] Then, after the inner module 2A is assembled, the insertion portion 57 of the matching member 5A covers the gap generated between the folded back portion of the braid 13 and the rear end of the accommodation portion 52A, thereby making it possible to further improve the transmission characteristics of the inner module 2A.

[0098] Figures 18A to 18D is a plan view showing a modification example of the matching member.

[0099] When the matching member 5A is press-formed, it is difficult to impart the desired shape to the portion between the housing connecting portion 51 and the transmission characteristics ensuring portion 50, and a hole can be formed.

[0100] Accordingly, it is conceivable to cut out the portion 70 having the hole between the housing connecting portion 51 and the transmission characteristics ensuring portion 50 in various shapes. That is, by cutting out the portion 70 having the hole between the housing connecting portion 51 and the transmission characteristics ensuring portion 50 without reducing the transmission characteristics, it is possible to have various shapes, such as according to Figures 18A to 18D the matching members 5A1 to 5A4 of the modification examples shown.

[0101] Third Embodiment

[0102] Next, the inner module 2B having a connector structure according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The inner module 2B according to the third embodiment differs from the above-described first embodiment in the matching member. Accordingly, the same components as in the above-described first embodiment are identified with the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0103] As shown in Figure 19 the inner module 2B according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure includes the shielded wire 10, the inner terminal 15, the inner housing 4, the matching member 5B, the inner sleeve 6, and the outer terminal 21.

[0104] like Figures 19 to 21 As shown, the matching component 5B according to the third embodiment is made of metal and formed into a generally elliptical cylindrical shape. The transmission characteristics ensuring portion 50B includes a pair of hollow, elastic accommodating portions 52 and 52 and a cable connection crimping portion 58 provided on the rear end side of the accommodating portion 52, and is capable of individually accommodating each untwisted wire at the end of the twisted pair of wires 11.

[0105] like Figure 20 and 21 As shown, the cable connection crimping portion 58 is crimped to the outside of the folded-back portion 13 a of the braid 13 folded back and placed on the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve 6 .

[0106] Therefore, the matching component 5B and the braid 13 are firmly connected, and the positional relationship between the matching component 5B and the shielded electric wire 10 is fixed, thereby preventing variations in transmission characteristics and contributing to stability.

[0107] Therefore, the inner module 2B according to the third embodiment can stabilize the transmission characteristics.

[0108] Fourth embodiment

[0109] Next, an inner module 2C having a connector structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The inner module 2C according to the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in that the mating components are different. Therefore, components identical to those in the first embodiment described above are identified with the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0110] like Figures 22 As shown, the inner module 2C according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure includes the shielded electric wire 10 , the inner terminal 15 , the inner housing 4 , the matching component 5C, the inner sleeve 6 , and the outer terminal 21 .

[0111] like Figures 23 to 25 As shown, the matching component 5C according to the fourth embodiment is made of metal and formed into a generally elliptical cylindrical shape. The transmission characteristics ensuring portion 50C includes a pair of hollow, elastic accommodating portions 52 and 52 and an electric wire crimping portion 59 provided on the rear end side of the accommodating portion 52, and is capable of individually accommodating the individual untwisted electric wires at the ends of the twisted pair electric wires 11.

[0112] The wire crimping portion 59 includes a pair of elastic crimping pieces. Figure 24As shown, the wire crimping portion 59 overlaps the twisted wire pair 11 between the folded portion of the braid 13 and the rear end of the housing 52 and is elastically deformable in the radial direction of the wires. Specifically, since the wire crimping portion 59 is deformable along the twisted wire pair 11, the gap between the twisted wire pair 11 and the wire crimping portion 59 can be reduced. Consequently, there are no adverse effects such as degradation of the transmission characteristics of the wires.

[0113] Thus, the wire crimping portion 59 covers the twisted pair of wires 11 located between the folded portion of the braid 13 and the rear end of the housing 52, and is thereby elastically deformable in the radial direction of the wires, thereby reducing the length of the gap between the untwisted wires at the end of the twisted pair of wires 11 and the gap between the wires. As a result, it is possible to prevent the transmission characteristics of the twisted pair of wires 11 located between the folded portion of the braid 13 and the rear end of the housing 52 from deteriorating.

[0114] Therefore, the inner module 2C according to the fourth embodiment can further improve the transmission characteristics.

[0115] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the materials, shapes, sizes, numbers, arrangement positions, etc. of the components in the above-described embodiments are freely selectable and are not limited as long as the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0116] Here, the features of the connector structure according to the present disclosure are briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [8]. [1] A connector structure comprising:

[0117] A cable (shielded electric wire 10) in which a braid (13) surrounding a twisted pair of electric wires (11) is covered by a sheath (14);

[0118] an inner sleeve (6) placed on the outer peripheral side of the braid (13) exposed from the end of the sheath (14);

[0119] a pair of inner terminals (15, 15) electrically connected to core wires (11a) of the twisted pair of electric wires (11) exposed from the ends of the sheath (14);

[0120] An inner housing (4), in which inner terminals (15) are respectively accommodated in corresponding inner terminal accommodating portions of a pair of inner terminal accommodating portions (45, 45);

[0121] A matching component (5) in which a pair of hollow receiving portions (52) configured to receive the ends of a twisted pair of electric wires (11) connected to an inner terminal (15) in a predetermined arrangement are elastically deformable in a radial direction of the twisted pair of electric wires (11); and

[0122] An outer terminal (21) includes a shield body (22) configured to cover an outer periphery of the inner housing (4), and a crimping portion (23) extending from the shield body (22) and crimped to an outer periphery side of the inner sleeve (6) to thereby be electrically connected to an end portion (folded-back portion 13a) of the braid (13) folded back and placed on the outer periphery side of the inner sleeve (6).

[0123] According to the connector structure described in [1] above, the untwisted wires at the end portions of the twisted pair wire (11) are accommodated in the hollow accommodating portions (52) of the mating member (5).

[0124] The pair of hollow elastic accommodating portions 52 and 52 can individually accommodate the respective untwisted wires at the end portions of the twisted pair wire (11).

[0125] Since the accommodating portions (52) can be deformed along the respective wires of the twisted pair wire (11), the gap between the respective wires and the inner peripheral wall of the accommodating portions (52) can be reduced. Thus, there is no adverse effect such as deterioration of the transmission characteristics of the wires.

[0126] [2] The connector structure according to [1] above,

[0127] wherein the mating member (5) is press-formed to include a housing connecting portion (51) at a tip side and a pitch converting portion (56) at a rear end side, the terminal insertion side end portion (43) of the inner housing (4) is press-fitted into the housing connecting portion (51), and the end portions of the twisted pair wire (11) pass through the pitch converting portion (56).

[0128] According to the connector structure described in [2] above, the mating member (5) can smoothly convert the double-wire pitch in the twisted pair wire (11) to a housing pitch, which is the interval between the pair of inner terminal accommodating portions (45, 45) in the inner housing (4). The mating member (5) is easily connected to the terminal insertion side end portion (43) of the inner housing (4).

[0129] [3] The connector structure according to [2] above,

[0130] wherein the housing connecting portion (51) includes an inner protrusion (54) protruding toward an inner peripheral surface and an outer protrusion (53) protruding toward an outer peripheral surface.

[0131] According to the connector structure described in [3] above, the housing connecting portion (51) has a loose mechanical locking function for the rear end portion 43 of the inner housing (4) and serves as an electrical connection between the mating member (5) and the outer terminal (21).

[0132] [4] The connector structure according to [2] above,

[0133] The pitch converting section (56) is provided with a branch guide section (55) configured to branch the end portion of the twisted pair wire (11) when the inner terminal (15) inserted to connect to the end portion of the twisted pair wire (11).

[0134] According to the connector structure described in [4] above, each end portion of the twisted pair wire 11 is inserted through each of a pair of the accommodating sections (52, 52), and the inter-wire pitch of the twisted pair wire 11 is smoothly converted to the housing pitch.

[0135] [5] The connector structure according to [1] above,

[0136] The insertion section (57) protrudes from the rear end of the accommodating section (52A) and is inserted between the braided wire (13) folded back and placed on the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve (6) and the twisted pair wire (11).

[0137] According to the connector structure described in [5] above, after the inner module 2A is assembled, the insertion section (57) of the matching member (5A) covers the gap generated between the folded back portion of the braided wire (13) and the rear end of the accommodating section (52A), so that the transmission characteristics of the inner module (2A) can be further improved.

[0138] [6] The connector structure according to [1] above,

[0139] The cable connection crimping section (58) is provided on the rear end side of the accommodating section (52) and is crimped to the outside of the braided wire (13) folded back and placed on the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve (6).

[0140] According to the connector structure described in [6] above, the matching member (5B) is stably connected with the braided wire (13), and the positional relationship between the matching member (5B) and the shielded wire (10) is fixed, so that changes in transmission characteristics are prevented and stability is facilitated. Therefore, the inner module 2B can stabilize the transmission characteristics.

[0141] [7] The connector structure according to [1] above,

[0142] The wire crimping section (59) is provided on the rear end side of the accommodating section (52) and is configured to cover the twisted pair wire (11) in an overlapping manner and to be elastically deformed in the wire radial direction.

[0143] According to the connector structure described in [7] above, the wire crimping portion (59) covers the twisted pair of wires (11) located between the folded portion of the braid (13) and the rear end of the housing (52), thereby being able to elastically deform in the radial direction of the wires, thereby being able to reduce the spacing length of the pair of untwisted wires at the end of the twisted pair of wires (11) and the gap between the wires. As a result, it is possible to prevent the transmission characteristics of the twisted pair of wires (11) located between the folded portion of the braid (13) and the rear end of the housing (52) from being deteriorated. Therefore, the inner module (2C) can further improve the transmission characteristics.

[0144] [8] The connector structure according to any one of [1] to [7] above,

[0145] The outer terminal (21A) includes a pressing portion (a pair of pressing pieces 24 and 24) configured to press the accommodating portion (52A) in a diameter-reducing direction.

[0146] According to the connector structure described in [8] above, even when the inner terminal (15) is larger than the diameter of each wire of the twisted pair (11), the inner terminal (15) can be smoothly inserted into the accommodating portion (52A) of the matching component (5A).

[0147] After the outer terminal (21A) is assembled, the inner diameter of the housing (52A) is reduced by the pressing portion (a pair of crimping pieces 24 and 24) of the outer terminal (21A) until the wire comes into contact with the housing (52A) or a slight gap is left between them. Thus, the transmission characteristics of the inner module (2A) can be easily improved.

Claims

1. A connector structure, comprising: Cable in which the braid surrounding the twisted pairs of wires is covered by a jacket; an inner sleeve placed on the outer peripheral side of the braid exposed from the end of the sheath; a pair of inner terminals electrically connected to core wires of the twisted pair of electric wires exposed from ends of the sheath; an inner housing in which the inner terminals are respectively accommodated in corresponding inner terminal accommodating portions of a pair of inner terminal accommodating portions; a matching component in which a pair of hollow accommodating portions are elastically deformable in a wire radial direction of the twisted pair of wires, the pair of hollow accommodating portions being configured to accommodate the ends of the twisted pair of wires connected to the inner terminals in a predetermined arrangement; and An outer terminal includes a shielding body and a crimping portion, wherein the shielding body is configured to cover the outer periphery of the inner shell, and the crimping portion extends from the shielding body and is crimped to the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve, thereby being electrically connected to the end of the braid folded back and placed on the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve.

2. The connector structure according to claim 1, in, The matching component is stamped to include a housing connection portion located on the terminal side and a pitch conversion portion located on the rear end side, the terminal insertion side end of the inner housing is press-fitted into the housing connection portion, and the end of the twisted pair wire is inserted through the pitch conversion portion.

3. The connector structure according to claim 2, in, The housing connection portion includes an inner protrusion protruding toward the inner peripheral surface and an outer protrusion protruding toward the outer peripheral surface.

4. The connector structure according to claim 2, in, The pitch converting portion is provided with a branching guide portion configured to branch the end portions of the twisted pair electric wires when the inner terminal connected to the end portions of the twisted pair electric wires is inserted.

5. The connector structure according to claim 1, in, The insertion portion protrudes from a rear end of the accommodation portion and is inserted between the braid folded back and placed on an outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve and the twisted pair of electric wires.

6. The connector structure according to claim 1, in, A cable connection crimping portion is provided on a rear end side of the accommodation portion, the cable connection crimping portion being crimped to the outside of the braid folded back and placed on the outer peripheral side of the inner sleeve.

7. The connector structure according to claim 1, in, An electric wire crimping portion is provided on a rear end side of the accommodation portion. The electric wire crimping portion is configured to cover the twisted pair electric wires in an overlapping manner and to be elastically deformed in a radial direction of the electric wires.

8. The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in, The outer terminal includes a pressing portion configured to press-contact the accommodation portion in a diameter-reducing direction.

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