connector

Abstract

A connector includes a pair of electric wires, a pair of power supply terminals, a pair of ground terminals, a housing, and an electrically conductive exterior member electrically connected to the ground terminals. The exterior member includes a first sheath portion provided to cover the first ground terminal, a second sheath portion provided to cover the second ground terminal, and a link portion provided between the first ground terminal and the second ground terminal and connecting the first sheath portion and the second sheath portion. The first sheath portion and the second sheath portion include a protrusion portion protruding toward the ground terminals. The link portion has a curved shape protruding toward the ground terminals at a first connection portion between the link portion and the first sheath portion and at a second connection portion between the link portion and the second sheath portion, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion are in contact with the pair of ground terminals, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a connector. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, a connector with shielding function has been proposed, which includes terminals housed in a housing, wires connected to the terminals, and a metal shielding cover mounted to the outside of the housing (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Reference List

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP2023-005221A Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the aforementioned prior art shielded connectors, a grounding terminal for grounding a shielding material, such as a braid, disposed within the wire is electrically connected to the shielding cover. Here, to improve the reliability of the electrical connection between the grounding terminal and the shielding cover, it is conceivable to provide protrusions or the like on the shielding cover and press the protrusions to contact the grounding terminal. However, when the shielding cover is actually provided with protrusions or the like, if the shielding cover is formed by compression molding, around portions where deformation is particularly large during compression molding (e.g., portions where the substrate deforms into a wedge shape to enter the gap between a pair of grounding terminals), due to increased substrate elongation, it may be difficult to mold the protrusions or the like into the designed shape. Insufficient electrical connection between the grounding terminal and the shielding cover due to improper molding of the protrusions, etc., may impair the shielding function of the connector.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a connector with excellent shielding function.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the connector according to this disclosure has the following features.

[0009] A connector includes: a pair of wires, each of the wires comprising a conductor core and a shielding material covering the conductor core; a pair of energized terminals electrically connected to the conductor cores; a pair of grounding terminals electrically connected to the shielding material; a housing housing the pair of energized terminals; and a conductive outer component electrically connected to the pair of grounding terminals. The outer component includes: a first sheath portion configured to cover the first grounding terminal; a second sheath portion configured to cover the second grounding terminal; and a connecting portion disposed between the first grounding terminal and the second grounding terminal, connecting the first sheath portion and the second sheath portion. The first sheath portion includes a protrusion protruding toward and contacting the first grounding terminal, and the second sheath portion includes a protrusion protruding toward and contacting the second grounding terminal. The connecting portion has a curved shape to protrude toward the pair of grounding terminals at a first connection between the connecting portion and the first sheath portion and at a second connection between the connecting portion and the second sheath portion, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion respectively contact the pair of grounding terminals.

[0010] According to the connector disclosed herein, a conductive outer component (e.g., an upper and lower cover constituting a shield) electrically connected to a grounding terminal includes a first sheath portion covering a first grounding terminal, a second sheath portion covering a second grounding terminal surface, and a connecting portion disposed between the first and second grounding terminals and connecting the first and second sheath portions. Each of the first and second sheath portions includes a protrusion that protrudes toward and contacts the corresponding grounding terminal. Furthermore, the connecting portion has a curved shape that protrudes toward the grounding terminal at its connection with the first and second sheath portions, and the connecting portion contacts the grounding terminal respectively. Since the protrusion and the connecting portion contact the grounding terminal respectively, the grounding terminal and the outer component are electrically connected. In other words, the first and second connecting portions between the connecting portion and each of the first and second sheath portions have the same function as the protrusion for electrical connection. Furthermore, the connecting portion also has the function of limiting (i.e., separating) the positions of a pair of grounding terminals to maintain an appropriate spacing between the grounding terminals. Therefore, even when the outer casing is press-molded, it is not necessary to cause significant deformation of the substrate of the outer casing to wedge into the gap between the pair of grounding terminals. Thus, by connecting the first and second sheath portions via a connecting portion having this shape, the protrusions provided on the first and second sheath portions are appropriately shaped. Therefore, the reliability of the electrical connection between the outer casing and the grounding terminals is enhanced, thereby improving the shielding function of the connector. Therefore, the connector according to this disclosure is excellent in terms of shielding function.

[0011] The present disclosure has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the disclosure will become clearer when reading the embodiments of the invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the connector shown;

[0014] Figure 3 It is viewed from a forward and slightly upward angle. Figure 2 Part A of the 3D diagram;

[0015] Figure 4 It is viewed from a slightly upward and backward angle. Figure 2 A perspective view of the second shielding cover shown;

[0016] Figure 5 It is only shown in the container Figure 2 A front view of the wires and wire-related components in their current state within the housing shown.

[0017] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 The front view of the connector shown;

[0018] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 The cross-sectional view taken from line BB in the middle; and

[0019] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A magnified view of part C in the image. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Example

[0021] Hereinafter, connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 and Figure 6 The connector 1 shown serves as a relay connector, electrically connecting a pair of wires 10 extending from the main body 41 of the housing 40 and a mating connector (not shown) mating to the mating part 42 of the housing 40. The mating connector is, for example, an inverter (DC-AC converter) installed in a vehicle, and one end of the pair of wires 10 extending from the main body 41 of the housing 40 is connected to, for example, an air conditioner installed in a vehicle.

[0022] In the following text, for ease of description, such as Figure 1 The terms "front," "rear," "up," "down," "left," "right," "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," and "left-right direction" are defined as shown. The "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," and "left-right direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-rear direction is consistent with the mating direction of connector 1 (the mating part 42 of housing 40) and the mating connector. The up-down direction, front-rear direction, and left-right direction do not necessarily have to be consistent with the up-down direction, front-rear direction, and left-right direction of the vehicle on which connector 1 is mounted.

[0023] like Figure 2 As shown, connector 1 includes: a pair of wires 10, and conductor cores 11 electrically connected to the pair of wires 10 respectively (see...). Figure 7 The connector 1 comprises a pair of terminals 20, a pair of shielding terminals 30 electrically connected to braided conductors 13 of a pair of wires 10, a housing 40 accommodating both of the terminals 20, and a first shielding cover 50 and a second shielding cover 60 electrically connected to both of the shielding terminals 30. The components constituting the connector 1 will be described in sequence below.

[0024] First, the wire 10, terminal 20, and shielding terminal 30 will be described. For example... Figure 7As shown, each of the wires 10 includes a straight conductor core 11, a cylindrical inner insulating sheath 12 covering the outer periphery of the conductor core 11, a cylindrical braided conductor 13 covering the outer periphery of the inner insulating sheath 12, and a cylindrical outer insulating sheath 14 covering the outer periphery of the braided conductor 13. Figure 2 , 5 As shown in Figure 7, a thick cylindrical support (or a seal made of rubber) 15 is mounted on the outer periphery of the first portion of each wire 10 extending downward from the housing 40 (see Figure 7). Figure 7 The first part is covered by the sheath portion 54 of the first shield 50 and the sheath portion 61 of the second shield 60 (see...). Figure 2 and 7 A thin, cylindrical shielding terminal 30, made of metal, is mounted on the outer periphery of the support 15. The shielding terminal 30 is electrically connected to a braided conductor 13 (not shown) that extends from and folds back from the wire 10. A seal 81 is mounted on the outer periphery of a second portion adjacent to the upper side of the first portion of the wire 10 (opposite to the direction of extension of the wire 10). The seal 81 is a rubber sealing member that functions to seal the annular gap defined between the outer periphery of the wire 10 (more specifically, the outer insulating sheath 14) and each of the housing 40 and the first shield 50.

[0025] The other end of wire 10 is Figure 2 and Figure 5 The wiring shown is located inside the main body 41 of the housing 40. Among the pair of left and right wires 10 extending downward from the main body 41 of the housing 40, the conductor core 11 at the other end of the right wire 10 is electrically connected via a fuse 70 to the left terminal 20 of the pair of left and right terminals 20 arranged side by side in the left and right direction inside the main body 41, and the conductor core 11 at the other end of the left wire 10 is electrically connected (conductively connected) to the right terminal 20 of the pair of left and right terminals 20 without the fuse 70.

[0026] Each of the left and right terminals 20 is formed by pressing, bending, etc., on a metal plate, and includes, for example... Figure 2 and Figure 5 The planar tongue portion 21 extends in the front-to-back direction as shown. The tongue portions 21 of the left and right pairs of terminals 20 are respectively received in the left and right pair of terminal receiving chambers 44 in the housing 40, which will be described later (see Figure 1 , 2 (etc.)

[0027] Next, the housing 40 will be described. The housing 40 is a resin-molded product, and as... Figure 2The diagram shows a main body portion 41 and a mating portion 42. The main body portion 41 has a box shape that extends in the vertical, horizontal, and front-back directions and opens to the rear. The mating portion 42 is a generally rectangular cylindrical portion that protrudes forward from approximately the center of the front end surface of the main body portion 41 and is the portion to be mated to a mating connector.

[0028] Fastening and fixing parts 43 are provided at multiple portions of the outer periphery of the main body 41. Each fastening and fixing part 43 is a fastening and fixing part 53 that is fastened to the first shield 50, which will be described later (see [link]). Figure 2 The mating part 42 has a pair of left and right terminal receiving chambers 44 that extend in the front-rear direction to correspond to the pair of left and right terminals 20.

[0029] A pair of left and right terminals 20, a pair of left and right wires 10, a fuse 70, etc. are housed in the internal space of the main body 41 of the housing 40, such that the tongue portions 21 of the left and right terminals 20 are respectively housed from the rear into the left and right end receiving chambers 44 of the mating portion 42, and the left and right wires 10 extend downward from the main body 41 with the left and right shielding terminals 30 protruding downward from the lower edge of the main body 41. When the connector 1 and the mating connector are mated together, the left and right terminals 20 (male terminals) housed in the mating portion 42 (terminal receiving chambers 44) and the left and right terminals (female terminals, not shown) of the mating connector are respectively connected.

[0030] Next, the first shielding cover 50 will be described. The first shielding cover 50 is formed by pressing, bending, etc., on a metal plate, and as shown in the figure. Figure 2 The device integrally comprises a generally flat body portion 51 and an extension portion 52. The shape of the body portion 51 corresponds to the shape of the rear end opening of the body portion 41 of the housing 40, and the extension portion 52 extends further downward from the lower end of the body portion 51 and extends in the left-right direction.

[0031] The main body 51 is the portion that is assembled to the main body 41 to close the rear end opening of the main body 41 of the housing 40. The main body 51 has fastening and fixing portions 53 at multiple portions of its outer peripheral edge to correspond to the multiple fastening and fixing portions 43 of the housing 40.

[0032] The extension 52 is a portion that extends downward from the main body 41 of the housing 40 when the first shield 50 is mounted on the housing 40 (i.e., when the main body 51 covers the rear end opening of the main body 41), and is a portion used to cover the rear outer periphery of the left and right pair of shield terminals 30 provided on the left and right pair of wires 10.

[0033] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the extension 52 integrally includes a pair of left and right sheath portions 54 and a connecting portion 55. The pair of left and right sheath portions 54 correspond to a pair of left and right shielding terminals 30, and the connecting portion 55 is located between the pair of left and right sheath portions 54 and connects to the sheath portions 54. Each of the pair of left and right sheath portions 54 is configured to cover the rear outer periphery of a corresponding one of the pair of left and right shielding terminals 30 provided on the pair of left and right wires 10, and the connecting portion 55 is the portion provided between the pair of left and right shielding terminals 30.

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, a concave curved surface 54a is formed on the front surface side of each sheath portion 54, and the curvature of the concave curved surface 54a corresponds to the outer peripheral shape of the shield terminal 30. The concave curved surface 54a has a plurality of protrusions 56 spaced apart in its circumferential direction (two in this example). In the assembled state of the connector 1 (see...), Figure 1 Each of the multiple (four in total) protrusions 56 contacts the rear outer peripheral surface of the corresponding shielding terminal 30 (see...). Figure 7 ).

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, a protrusion 57 protruding toward the outer peripheral surface of the corresponding shielding terminal 30 is formed at each of the connection portions between the left sheath portion 54 and the connecting portion 55, and at the connection portions between the right sheath portion 54 and the connecting portion 55. In the assembled state of the connector 1 (see...), Figure 1 Each of the two pairs of protrusions 57 on the left and right sides also contacts the rear outer peripheral surface of the corresponding shielding terminal 30 (see...). Figure 7 ).

[0036] The connecting portion 55 of the pair of left and right sheath portions 54 has a flat shape extending in the left-right direction at the part sandwiched between the pair of left and right protrusions 57 (see also) Figure 7 When the connecting portion 55 has a forward-protruding shape (a shape protruding in the direction of entering the gap between the left and right pair of shielding terminals 30) in the portion sandwiched between the left and right protrusions 57, it may be difficult to form the protrusions 56 and 57 into the designed shape because the increased curvature at this portion leads to increased elongation of the substrate. Therefore, in this embodiment, since the portion of the connecting portion 55 has a flat shape, excessive elongation of the substrate during molding can be suppressed, and the protrusions 56 and 57 can be properly molded.

[0037] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, a bolt through hole 58 extending in the thickness direction (front-back direction) is formed in the left end portion of the extension 52 (the portion on the left side of the left sheath 54). A locking hole 59 extending in the thickness direction (front-back direction) is formed in the right end portion of the extension 52 (the portion on the right side of the right sheath 54). The bolt through hole 58 and the locking hole 59 are used to fasten and fix the first shield 50 and the second shield 60 to each other (see...). Figure 7 ).

[0038] The first shield 50 is assembled to the housing 40 from the rear, such that the main body 51, with a pair of left and right terminals 20, a pair of left and right wires 10, a fuse 70, etc., housed within the main body 41, closes the rear end opening of the main body 41 of the housing 40. Then, bolts (not shown) are used to fasten and secure the fastening parts 43 of the housing 40 and the first shield 50, which are arranged opposite to each other, to each other. At this time, it is preferable to insert a rubber seal (not shown) into the annular gap between the edges of the rear end opening of the main body 51 and the main body 41. Therefore, the annular gap is sealed in a liquid-tight manner. Furthermore, the annular gap defined between the outer periphery of the corresponding wire 10 (more specifically, the outer insulating sheath 14) and each of the housing 40 and the first shield 50 is sealed in a liquid-tight manner by a corresponding one of the left and right pair of seals 81 (see...). Figure 2 and Figure 5 ).

[0039] With the first shielding cover 50 assembled to the housing 40, the rear end opening of the main body 41 of the housing 40 is closed by the main body 51 of the first shielding cover 50. A pair of left and right shielding terminals 30 provided on a pair of left and right wires 10 extending downward from the main body 41 of the housing 40 are arranged adjacently in front of the extension 52 of the first shielding cover 50. The extension 52 is configured to protrude downward from the main body 41 of the housing 40, and the rear outer peripheral surface of each of the shielding terminals 30 is covered by the corresponding sheath portion 54 of the extension 52.

[0040] Next, the second shielding cover 60 will be described. The second shielding cover 60 is formed by pressing, bending, etc., a metal plate, and is a component assembled to the extension 52 of the first shielding cover 50 so as to clamp the left and right pair of shielding terminals 30 together with the extension 52 of the first shielding cover 50 in the front-back direction.

[0041] The second shielding cover 60 has a shape that extends in the left-right direction, and as shown in the figure Figure 2 and Figure 4The device integrally includes a pair of left and right sheath portions 61 and a connecting portion 62. The pair of left and right sheath portions 61 correspond to a pair of left and right shielding terminals 30, and the connecting portion 62 is located between the pair of left and right sheath portions 61 and connects the sheath portions 61. Each of the pair of left and right sheath portions 61 is configured to cover the front outer periphery of a corresponding one of the pair of left and right shielding terminals 30 provided on the pair of left and right wires 10, and the connecting portion 62 is the portion provided between the pair of left and right shielding terminals 30.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, a concave surface 61a is formed on the rear surface side of each sheath portion 61, and the curvature of the concave surface 61a corresponds to the outer peripheral shape of the shield terminal 30. The concave surface 61a has a plurality of protrusions 63 spaced apart in its circumferential direction (two in this example). In the assembled state of the connector 1 (see...), Figure 1 Each of the multiple (four in total) protrusions 63 contacts the front outer peripheral surface of the corresponding shielding terminal 30 (see...). Figure 7 ).

[0043] like Figure 4 As shown, a protrusion 64 protruding toward the outer peripheral surface of the corresponding shielding terminal 30 is formed at each of the connection portions between the left sheath portion 61 and the connecting portion 62, and at the connection portions between the right sheath portion 61 and the connecting portion 62. In the assembled state of the connector 1 (see...), Figure 1 Each of the pair of protrusions 64 on the left and right sides also contacts the front outer peripheral surface of the corresponding shielding terminal 30 (see...). Figure 7 and Figure 8 ).

[0044] The connecting portion 62 of the pair of left and right sheath portions 61 has a forward-protruding shape in the part sandwiched between the pair of left and right protrusions 64 (a shape that protrudes in a direction away from the gap between the pair of left and right shielding terminals 30) (see Figure 7 and Figure 8 When the connecting portion 62 has a rearwardly protruding shape (a protruding shape in the direction of entering the gap between the left and right pair of shielding terminals 30) in the portion sandwiched between the left and right protrusions 64, it may be difficult to form the protrusions 63 and 64 into the designed shape because the increased curvature at this portion leads to increased elongation of the substrate. Therefore, in this embodiment, since the portion of the connecting portion 62 has a forward-protruding shape, excessive elongation of the substrate during molding can be suppressed, and the protrusions 63 and 64 can be properly molded.

[0045] like Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, a bolt through hole 66 extending in the thickness direction (front-to-back direction) is formed in the left end portion (the left side portion of the left sheath 61) of the second shield 60. A locking member 67 extending to the right is formed in the right end portion (the right side portion of the right sheath 61) of the second shield 60. The bolt through hole 66 and the locking member 67 are used to fasten and fix the first shield 50 and the second shield 60 to each other (see...). Figure 7 ).

[0046] The second shielding cover 60 is assembled from the front to the extension 52, so as to clamp a pair of left and right shielding terminals 30 together with the extension 52 of the first shielding cover 50 assembled to the housing 40 in the front-rear direction. Specifically, when the second shielding cover 60 is configured to cover the pair of left and right shielding terminals 30 located in front of the extension 52 of the first shielding cover 50 from the front, the locking member 67 of the second shielding cover 60 is locked to the locking hole 59 of the first shielding cover 50, and the left ends of the first shielding cover 50 and the second shielding cover 60 are fastened and fixed to each other by using bolts 82 inserted into the bolt through holes 66 and 58 of the first shielding cover 50, thereby assembling the second shielding cover 60 to the extension 52 in the first shielding cover 50 (see Figure 7 The second shield 60 is not assembled (not secured) to the housing 40. As described above, the assembly of connector 1 is complete, and... Figure 1 Connector 1 is shown.

[0047] In the assembled state of connector 1, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the rear outer periphery of the left and right pair of shielding terminals 30 is covered by the concave curved surfaces 54a of the left and right pair of sheath portions 54 of the first shielding cover 50, and the front outer periphery of the left and right pair of shielding terminals 30 is covered by the concave curved surfaces 61a of the left and right pair of sheath portions 61 of the second shielding cover 60. Each of the plurality of protrusions 56 and 57 of the first shielding cover 50 contacts the rear outer peripheral surface of the corresponding shielding terminal 30, and each of the plurality of protrusions 63 and 64 of the second shielding cover 60 contacts the front outer peripheral surface of the corresponding shielding terminal 30. Therefore, the left and right pair of shielding terminals 30 are electrically connected to the first shielding cover 50 and the second shielding cover 60. Furthermore, by surrounding the shielding terminals 30 with the first shielding cover 50 and the second shielding cover 60, the shielding function of the connector 1 is improved.

[0048] Functions and effects

[0049] As described above, according to the connector 1 of this embodiment, the conductive outer components (first shield 50 and second shield 60) electrically connected to the grounding terminal (shielding terminal 30) include a first sheath portion (sheath portion 54 and 61), a second sheath portion (sheath portion 54 and 61), and a connecting portion (connecting portion 55 and 62). The first sheath portion covers one of the grounding terminals (30, the first grounding terminal), the second sheath portion covers the other of the grounding terminals (30, the second grounding terminal), and the connecting portion is disposed between one grounding terminal (30) and the other grounding terminal (30) and connects the first sheath portion (54 and 61) and the second sheath portion (54 and 61). Each of the first sheath portion (54 and 61) and the second sheath portion (54 and 61) has a protrusion (56 and 63) that protrudes toward the corresponding grounding terminal (30) and contacts the corresponding grounding terminal (30). Furthermore, the connecting portions (55 and 62) have a curved shape that protrudes towards the grounding terminal (30) at the connection portions (protrusions 57 and 64 (first connecting portion and second connecting portion)) with the first sheath portion (54 and 61) and the second sheath portion (54 and 61), and the connecting portions (57 and 64) respectively contact the grounding terminal (30). Since the protrusions (56 and 63) and the connecting portions (57 and 64) respectively contact the grounding terminal (30), the grounding terminal (30) and the outer components (50 and 60) are electrically connected. In other words, the connecting portions (55 and 62) and the connecting portions (57 and 64) between each of the first sheath portion (54 and 61) and the second sheath portion (54 and 61) have the same function as the protrusions (56 and 63) for electrical connection. Furthermore, the connecting portions (55 and 62) also have the function of limiting (i.e., separating) the positions of a pair of grounding terminals (30) to maintain an appropriate interval between the grounding terminals (30). Therefore, even when the first shielding cover 50 and the second shielding cover 60 are press-formed, it is not necessary to cause extreme deformation of their substrates to wedge into the gap between the pair of grounding terminals (30). Therefore, by connecting the first sheath portion (54 and 61) and the second sheath portion (54 and 61) via the connecting portions (55 and 62) having such a shape, the protrusions (56, 57, 63 and 64) provided on the first sheath portion (54 and 61) and the second sheath portion (54 and 61) are properly formed. Therefore, the reliability of the electrical connection between the outer components (50 and 60) and the grounding terminals (30) is enhanced, thereby improving the shielding function of the connector 1. Therefore, the connector 1 according to this embodiment is excellent in terms of shielding function.

[0050] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the portion sandwiched between one of the connecting portions (57 and 64) and the other of the connecting portions (57 and 64) in the connecting portions (55 and 62) of the outer components (50 and 60) does not have a shape that protrudes in the direction of entering the gap between one grounding terminal (30) and the other grounding terminal (30). That is, the portion sandwiched between one connecting portion (57 and 64) and the other connecting portion (57 and 64) has a shape that protrudes in the direction away from the gap, or a flat shape that is not convex. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress excessive stretching of the substrate during molding.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the connector 1 of this embodiment, the outer components include a first outer component (first shield 50) and a second outer component (second shield 60), which are configured to clamp the ground terminal (30) and are electrically connected to the ground terminal (30). Therefore, by surrounding the ground terminal (30) with the first outer component (first shield 50) and the second outer component (second shield 60), the shielding function of the connector 1 is further improved.

[0052] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the first outer component (50) and the second outer component (60) are fastened together to clamp the grounding terminal (30). Therefore, by fastening, the protrusions (56 and 63) and connecting portions (57 and 64) of the outer components (50 and 60) are pressed against the grounding terminal (30), further improving the reliability of the electrical connection between the outer components (50 and 60) and the grounding terminal (30), thereby further improving the shielding function of the connector 1.

[0053] Other embodiments

[0054] This disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of this disclosure. For example, this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and appropriate modifications and improvements can be made. Furthermore, as long as the present invention can be implemented, the material, shape, size, quantity, and arrangement of the components in the above embodiments are freely selectable and not limited.

[0055] In the above embodiments, in each of the first shielding cover 50 and the second shielding cover 60, the connecting portions (55 and 62) have a shape that is bent toward the grounding terminal (30) at the connection portions (57 and 64) between the connecting portions (55 and 62) and the first sheath portions (54 and 61) and at the connection portions (57 and 64) between the connecting portions (55 and 62) and the second sheath portions (54 and 61), and the connection portions (57 and 64) respectively contact the grounding terminal (30). Conversely, only one of the first shielding cover 50 and the second shielding cover 60 may be constructed as described above.

[0056] Hereinafter, the features of the above-described embodiments of the connector 1 according to the present disclosure are briefly summarized and listed in [1] to [4].

[0057] [1] A connector (1), comprising:

[0058] A pair of wires (10), each of which includes a conductor core (11) and a shielding material (13) covering the conductor core (11);

[0059] A pair of energized terminals (20) are electrically connected to conductor cores (11);

[0060] A pair of grounding terminals (30) are electrically connected to the shielding material (13);

[0061] Housing (40) therein accommodating a pair of energized terminals (20); and

[0062] Conductive external components (50 and 60) are electrically connected to a pair of grounding terminals (30), wherein,

[0063] External components (50 and 60) include

[0064] The first sheath (54 and 61) is configured to cover the first grounding terminal of a pair of grounding terminals (30).

[0065] The second sheath (54 and 61) is configured to cover the second grounding terminal of a pair of grounding terminals (30); and

[0066] Connecting parts (55 and 62) are disposed between the first grounding terminal (30) and the second grounding terminal (30), and connect the first sheath part (54 and 61) and the second sheath part (54 and 61).

[0067] The first sheath portions (54 and 61) include protrusions (56 and 63) that protrude toward and contact the first grounding terminal (30).

[0068] The second sheath portions (54 and 61) include protrusions (56 and 63) that protrude toward and contact the second grounding terminal (30), and

[0069] The connecting portions (55 and 62) have a curved shape to protrude toward a pair of grounding terminals (30) at the first connecting portion (57 and 64) between the connecting portions (55 and 62) and the first sheath portion (54 and 61) and at the second connecting portion (57 and 64) between the connecting portions (55 and 62) and the second sheath portion (54 and 61), and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion (57 and 64) respectively contact a pair of grounding terminals (30).

[0070] According to the connector having the above-described [1] structure, the conductive outer component (e.g., an upper and lower cover constituting a shield) electrically connected to the grounding terminal includes a first sheath portion covering the first grounding terminal, a second sheath portion covering the second grounding terminal surface, and a connecting portion disposed between the first and second grounding terminals and connecting the first and second sheath portions. Each of the first and second sheath portions includes a protrusion that protrudes toward and contacts the corresponding grounding terminal. Furthermore, the connecting portion has a shape that is bent in such a way that it protrudes toward the grounding terminal at the connection portion with the first and second sheath portions, and the connecting portion contacts the grounding terminal respectively. Since the protrusion and the connecting portion contact the grounding terminal respectively, the grounding terminal and the outer component are electrically connected. In other words, the connection portion between the connecting portion and each of the first and second sheath portions has the same function as the protrusion for electrical connection. In addition, the connecting portion also has the function of limiting (i.e., separating) the position of a pair of grounding terminals to keep the grounding terminals properly spaced. Therefore, even when the outer casing is press-molded, it is not necessary to cause significant deformation of the outer casing substrate to wedge into the gap between the pair of grounding terminals. Thus, by connecting the first and second sheath portions via a connecting portion of this shape, the protrusions provided on the first and second sheath portions are appropriately shaped. Therefore, the reliability of the electrical connection between the outer casing and the grounding terminals is enhanced, thereby improving the shielding function of the connector. Therefore, the connector with this structure is excellent in terms of shielding function.

[0071] [2] In the connector (1) of [1] above,

[0072] In the connecting parts (55 and 62),

[0073] The portion sandwiched between the first connecting portion (57 and 64) and the second connecting portion (57 and 64) does not have a shape that protrudes in the direction of entering the gap between the first grounding terminal (30) and the second grounding terminal (30).

[0074] According to the connector having the above-described [2] structure, in the connecting portion of the outer component, the portion sandwiched between one connecting portion and another connecting portion does not have a shape that protrudes in the direction of entering the gap between the first grounding terminal and the second grounding terminal. That is, the portion sandwiched between one connecting portion and another connecting portion has a shape that protrudes in the direction away from the gap, or a flat shape that is not convex. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress excessive stretching of the substrate during molding.

[0075] [3] In the connector (1) of [1] above,

[0076] The outer casing includes a first outer casing (50) and a second outer casing (60), which are configured to clamp a pair of grounding terminals (30) and are electrically connected to the pair of grounding terminals (30).

[0077] According to the connector having the above-described [3] structure, the outer casing includes a first outer casing and a second outer casing, which are configured to clamp the grounding terminal and be electrically connected to the grounding terminal. Therefore, by surrounding the grounding terminal with the first outer casing and the second outer casing, the shielding function of the connector is further improved.

[0078] [4] In the connector (3) of [1] above,

[0079] The first outer component (50) and the second outer component (60) are fastened together to clamp a pair of grounding terminals (30).

[0080] According to the connector having the above-described [4] structure, the first outer component and the second outer component are fastened together to clamp the grounding terminal. Thus, through this fastening, the protrusions and connecting portions of the outer components are pressed against the grounding terminal, further improving the reliability of the electrical connection between the outer components and the grounding terminal, thereby further improving the shielding function of the connector.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: A pair of wires, each of which includes a conductor core and a shielding material covering the conductor core; A pair of energized terminals, which are respectively electrically connected to the conductor core wire; A pair of grounding terminals, which are electrically connected to the shielding material respectively; The housing, wherein the pair of energized terminals are housed within the housing; as well as A conductive outer component, which is electrically connected to the pair of grounding terminals, wherein... The external components include A first sheath portion is configured to cover the first grounding terminal of the pair of grounding terminals. The second sheath portion is configured to cover the second grounding terminal of the pair of grounding terminals, and A connecting portion is disposed between the first grounding terminal and the second grounding terminal, and connects the first sheath portion and the second sheath portion. The first sheath portion includes a protrusion that extends toward and contacts the first grounding terminal. The second sheath portion includes a protrusion that extends toward and contacts the second grounding terminal, and The connecting portion has a curved shape that protrudes toward the pair of grounding terminals at a first connection portion between the connecting portion and the first sheath portion and at a second connection portion between the connecting portion and the second sheath portion, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion respectively contact the pair of grounding terminals.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, In the connecting part, The portion sandwiched between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion does not have a shape that protrudes in the direction of entering the gap between the first grounding terminal and the second grounding terminal.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The outer casing includes a first outer casing and a second outer casing, which are configured to clamp the pair of grounding terminals and be electrically connected to the pair of grounding terminals.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein, The first outer component and the second outer component are fastened together to clamp the pair of grounding terminals.

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