Electromagnetic shielding connector

Abstract

Electromagnetic shielding connector (11), comprising: an inner terminal (39) configured to be connectable to a core wire (15) of a cable (13) comprising the core wire (15), an insulator (17) covering the core wire (15), and a braid (19) covering the insulator (17); an inner housing (41) with an inner port receiving chamber (83) configured to receive the inner port (39); a tubular shielding sleeve (59) extending from a shielding main body (57) configured to cover the inner housing (41), the tubular shielding sleeve (59) being configured to be inserted between the insulator (17) and the braid (19); a crimping element (61) with a braid crimp piece (79) having a groove (97) extending in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the cable (13), wherein the groove (97) is provided on an inner circumferential surface (99) of the crimping element (61), the crimping element (61) being configured such that the braid crimp piece (79) is deformed and crimped onto the braid (19) so that the braid crimp piece (79) conforms to an outer shape of the shielding sleeve (59); and a solder (91) which is provided between the shielding sleeve (59) and the braid crimp piece (79) and is melted and solidified to join the shielding sleeve (59), the braid (19) and the braid crimp piece (79) together, wherein a tapered guide groove (103) is provided on the inner circumferential surface (99), wherein the guide groove (103) is formed separately from the groove (97) and in which a thickness of the braid crimp piece (79) gradually decreases in the longitudinal direction towards a distal end (79b) of the braid crimp piece (79).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic shielding connector. background

[0002] In a prior art coaxial connector, an inner conductor terminal is connected to a signal conductor of a coaxial cable in which the signal conductor and a shield conductor are arranged coaxially, an insulator being provided between them and an outer circumference of which is coated with a sheath, the inner conductor terminal being housed in a tubular section of an outer conductor terminal over a dielectric and the shield conductor being connected to a crimp section extending from the tubular section (see, for example, JP 2003 - 317 882 A).The coaxial connector (electromagnetic shield connector) comprises the inner conductor terminal (inner connection), which is connected to the signal conductor (core wire) of the coaxial cable (cable); a dielectric (inner housing) containing the inner conductor terminal; a metal body (shielding sleeve) attached to one end of the dielectric; and the outer conductor terminal (shielding body), which houses the dielectric and the metal body and is connected to the shield conductor (braid). In other words, the coaxial connector forms a shielding unit with these elements, which is connected to one end of the coaxial cable. In such a coaxial connector, the shield conductor of the coaxial cable is crimped through a braid crimp, and the outer jacket of the coaxial cable is crimped through a jacket crimp.This means that the coaxial connector is mechanically connected to the end of the coaxial cable by crimping.

[0003] However, if a tensile force (external force) is applied to the coaxial connector described above, in accordance with the prior art, to separate the coaxial cable and the shielding unit, the coaxial cable and the shielding unit can only be displaced relative to each other when mechanically connected by crimping. If such displacement occurs in a coaxial connector that has electromagnetic shielding, there is a risk that the reliability of the electrical connection between the shielding conductor of the coaxial cable and the shielding unit will be reduced.

[0004] Document DE 11 2017 002 344 T5 relates to an electrical connector with an external contact extending along a longitudinal axis between a front and a rear end. At its rear end, the external contact has a cylindrical termination segment configured to engage with and be surrounded by a conductive layer of a cable, thus electrically connecting the external contact to the cable. The termination segment defines a chamber for receiving one or more wires of the cable. Its outer surface has a crosshatch pattern formed by several parallel grooves and several parallel transverse grooves that intersect the grooves, thereby defining several raised fields.

[0005] Document US 2019 / 0260168A1 relates to an L-shaped coaxial connector for a coaxial cable with a center conductor and an outer conductor. The connector comprises a housing, a receptacle, and a socket. The housing includes a body with a first cut section, a rear section with a cover section and an extension section on which the outer conductor is placed, and a crimp section extending from the extension section. A front end of the crimp section is bent toward the extension section so that the coaxial cable is positioned between them. The extension section has a second cut section containing a connecting element that joins the outer conductor and the extension section.

[0006] Document DE 15 65 998 B2 relates to an electrical connector for a high-frequency coaxial transmission line. It comprises a metallic body element with a rearward-extending ferrule section, which is connected via an intermediate section to a generally cylindrical, forward-extending contact section. The ferrule section has a bore that extends to a countersunk bore in the intermediate and contact sections. An insulating insert is arranged in the countersunk bore, the insulating insert having a bore that is coaxial with the bore in the ferrule and the countersunk bore. An elongated contact element is received in the bore of the insert. The insert and the contact element have interlocking, radially extending, one-piece mating sections that prevent forward and backward movement of the contact element relative to the insert.The contact element is designed to be electrically connected to the inner conductor of a coaxial transmission line and then inserted into the bore of the insert. Summary

[0007] Illustrative aspects of the present disclosed subject matter provide an electromagnetic shield connector that can prevent displacement between a cable and a shielding unit.

[0008] According to an illustrative aspect of the present disclosed subject matter, an electromagnetic shield connector comprises an inner terminal configured to connect to a core wire of a cable containing the core wire, an insulator covering the core wire, and a braid covering the insulator; an inner housing with an inner terminal receiving chamber configured to receive the inner terminal; a tubular shielding sleeve extending from a shielding main body configured to cover the inner housing, the tubular shielding sleeve being configured to be inserted between the insulator and the braid;A crimping element with a braid crimp piece having a groove extending orthogonally to a longitudinal direction of the cable, the groove being provided on an inner circumferential surface of the crimping element; the crimping element being configured such that the braid crimp piece is deformed and crimped onto the braid so that the braid crimp piece conforms to an outer shape of the shielding sleeve; and a solder provided between the shielding sleeve and the braid crimp piece, which is melted and solidified to join the shielding sleeve, the braid, and the braid crimp piece together. Furthermore, a tapered guide groove is provided on the inner circumferential surface, the guide groove being separate from the main groove, and in which the thickness of the braid crimp piece gradually decreases towards a distal end of the braid crimp piece in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] Further aspects and advantages of the present disclosed subject matter will become apparent from the following description, the drawings and the claims. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic shield connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of the in Fig. 1 electromagnetic shielding connector shown; Fig. Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the [structure]. Fig. 1 electromagnetic shielding connector shown; Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of a [structure / project] in [a specific location]. Fig. 2 shielding unit shown; Fig. 5A is a perspective view of a crimp element, and Fig. 5B is a top view of the crimping element; Fig. Figure 6 is an illustrative view of a process showing one step of attaching a shielding main body to a cable end; Fig. Figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the shielding unit before the crimp element is crimped; Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Fig. 7; Fig. Figure 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the shielding unit after crimping the crimping element; Fig. Figure 10 is an illustrative view showing the spread of the molten solder paste in a cross-section along a line BB in Fig. 9 shows; Fig. Figure 11 is a schematic view in which the direction of spread of the molten solder paste is shown by arrows; Fig. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a crimping element according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 12 crimp elements shown; Fig. 14 is an enlarged view, taken from section C in Fig. 9 corresponds to the shielding unit in which the crimp element is crimped according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a crimping element according to a modification of the further embodiment; Fig. Figure 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a crimping element according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 17 is a perspective view of a shielding sleeve according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 18 is an enlarged view, which corresponds to section C in Fig. 9 corresponds to the shielding unit in which the shielding sleeve is used according to the further embodiment. Description of the embodiments

[0010] An embodiment according to the present invention is described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic shielding connector 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the electromagnetic shield connector 11 is attached to one end of a cable 13 according to the embodiment to form a cable with an electromagnetic shield connector. For example, a coaxial cable is used as the cable 13.

[0011] The cable 13 consists of a core wire 15, an insulator 17, a braid 19 and a sheath 21 extending from the center outwards (see Fig. 3) The conductive core wire 15 can be either a single wire or a twisted wire formed by twisting together a multitude of element wires. The insulator 17 has electrical insulating properties and covers the core wire 15. The braid 19 is conductive and covers the outer circumference of the insulator 17. The sheath 21 has electrical insulating properties and covers the outer circumference of the braid 19.

[0012] In the present embodiment, the cable 13 is a coaxial cable with the braid 19, but other configurations are not excluded as long as the cable 13 contains the braid 19.

[0013] The electromagnetic shielding connector 11, which is to be connected to the cable 13, can be either an electromagnetic shielding plug or an electromagnetic shielding socket, depending on whether it is a socket or a plug of a connection to be received. The electromagnetic shielding connector 11 according to the present embodiment can be used for both the electromagnetic shielding plug and the electromagnetic shielding socket. The main parts of the configuration according to the present invention are essentially identical for the electromagnetic shielding plug and the electromagnetic shielding socket. In the following description, the main components of the configuration according to the present invention are described using the electromagnetic shielding socket as a representative example.In the following, the electromagnetic shielding socket will simply be referred to as the electromagnetic shielding connector 11.

[0014] Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of the in Fig. 1 electromagnetic shielding connector shown 11. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the electromagnetic shielding connector 11 comprises an outer housing 23, a lateral spacer 25, and a shielding unit 27. The outer housing 23 is made of a synthetic resin with electrical insulating properties. The lateral spacer 25 is also made of a synthetic resin with electrical insulating properties. The outer housing 23 includes an elastically deformable locking arm 31, which is provided with a locking projection 29.

[0015] Fig. Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view in one direction along the core wire 15 of the in Fig. Figure 1 shows an electromagnetic shield connector 11. A terminal receiving chamber 33 is formed in the outer housing 23, penetrating in a front / back direction. An elastic locking section 35 (flexible lance) is formed in the outer housing 23 such that it projects into the terminal receiving chamber 33. Furthermore, a spacer insertion hole 37 is formed in the outer housing 23, traversing a portion of the terminal receiving chamber 33 in a direction that intersects a terminal installation direction.

[0016] The shielding unit 27 comprises an inner terminal 39, an inner housing 41, and an outer shielding terminal 43 with three components: a shielding main body 57, a shielding sleeve 59, and a crimping element 61, which will be described later. The inner terminal 39 is an internal socket terminal formed in a tubular shape from a conductive metal. The inner housing 41 is made of a synthetic resin with electrical insulating properties. The outer shielding terminal 43 consists of a conductive metal in tubular form or of a pair of receiving elements arranged in a sandwich-like configuration. The shielding unit 27 is connected to one end of the cable 13.

[0017] The shielding unit 27, connected to the end of the cable 13, is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber 33 of the outer housing 23. The shielding unit 27, inserted into the terminal receiving chamber 33 of the outer housing 23, is held in the terminal receiving chamber 33 of the outer housing 23 by a locking projection 45 provided on the shielding unit 27, which is locked to the elastic locking section 35 of the terminal receiving chamber 33.

[0018] The lateral spacer 25 is positioned in the spacer insertion hole 37 of the outer housing 23 such that it is inserted in a direction that passes through the terminal receiving chamber 33. If a tensile force is applied in the outer housing 23, to which the shielding unit 27 is attached, in a manner that Fig. When a force is applied in the left direction to the cable 13, the elastic locking section 35 tends to deform elastically, so that the locking between the locking projection 45 and the elastic locking section 35 is released by a moment. At this point, the lateral spacer 25 restricts the elastic deformation of the elastic locking section 35 to ensure a locked state between the locking projection 45 of the shielding unit 27 and the elastic locking section 35.

[0019] The outer housing 23 includes a fit detection element (CPA: connector position indicator) 47, which detects and ensures the correct fit with an outer mating housing (not shown). The fit detection element 47 is mounted on a side face of the outer housing 23 such that it is movable between a temporarily limited locking position and a fully locked position in one connector mating direction. When the outer housing 23 and the outer mating housing are fully mated, i.e., when the electromagnetic shield connector (electromagnetic shield socket) 11 and the electromagnetic shield plug are fully mated, the fit detection element 47 can be moved from the temporarily locked position to the fully locked position (fit detection position).

[0020] When the electromagnetic shield connector 11 is inserted and plugged into a hood section (not shown) of the electromagnetic shield connector, the locking projection 29 of the locking arm 31 engages with a locked section (not shown). Accordingly, a fitted state is maintained between the electromagnetic shield connector 11 and the electromagnetic shield plug.

[0021] In the fitted state, the fitting detection element 47 provided on the outer housing 23 is moved from the temporarily locked position to the fully locked position, in which the fitting detection element 47 is held in Fig. The fit detection element 47 is moved to the left into the temporarily locked position shown in Figure 3. The fit detection element 47 detects the proper fit between the electromagnetic shield connector 11 and the electromagnetic shield plug by engaging a detection section 51, located at the tip end of a detection arm 49, with a locking projection 29 that engages with a locked section (not shown). When the fit detection element 47 is moved into the fully locked position, a locking arm restraint section 53 is inserted into a release area of ​​a locking release part 55 of the locking arm 31, preventing the locking arm 31 from being released. That is, the fit detection element 47 operates in such a way as to detect and ensure the correct fit.

[0022] In the assembled state, the electromagnetic shield connector 11, which is connected to the end of one cable 13, and the electromagnetic shield plug, which is connected to one end of the other cable (not shown), are electrically connected. That is, the inner terminal 39 and an inner plug (not shown) are electrically connected to each other, and the core wires of the cable 13 are conductively connected to each other to form a communication circuit. Simultaneously, the outer shield terminal 43 and an outer counter-shield terminal (not shown) are electrically connected to each other, and the braids of the cable 13 are conductively connected to each other to form a shielding circuit.

[0023] Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of the in Fig. Shielding unit 27 shown in 2. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the shielding unit 27 comprises the inner terminal 39, the inner housing 41 and the outer shielding terminal 43. The outer shielding terminal 43 comprises three components, namely the shielding main body 57, the shielding sleeve 59 and the crimping element 61.

[0024] The inner terminal 39 is electrically connected to the core wire 15 of the cable 13 by crimping. That is, the inner terminal 39 is connected to the core wire 15 of the cable 13, with the outer circumference of the insulator 17 covering the core wire 15 being covered by the braid 19.

[0025] The shielding body 57 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The shielding body 57 is made of a conductive metal and is shaped to include a front cylindrical connecting section 63 and a section 65 with an increased diameter, the diameter of which increases from a front to a rear. An inner housing receiving chamber 67 is formed in the shielding body 57, extending in a forward / reverse direction. In this description, the front refers to the direction in which the connector moves forward in the installation direction, and the rear refers to the direction opposite to the front.

[0026] An elastically deformable contact piece 69 is formed by cutting and lifting the front cylindrical connecting section 63. The contact piece 69 forms a mechanism which, in a state where the electromagnetic shield connector (not shown) is attached, elastically contacts and electrically connects a matching outer shield terminal (not shown). Furthermore, the main shielding body 57 is formed by cutting and lifting a pair of parallel upright elements 71 on a rear section of the enlarged diameter section 65. The upright elements 71 are inserted into a guide groove 72 (see Fig. 3) used, which is formed in the outer housing 23 to form a stabilizer for determining the insertion position of the shielding unit 27.

[0027] The shielding sleeve 59 is essentially cylindrical in shape. The shielding sleeve 59 is made of a conductive metal and has a tubular form in which a fitting section 73 and a braided section 75 extend continuously from the front to the back. The fitting section 73 has a cylindrical shape with a larger diameter than the braided section 75 and is coaxial with it. The shielding sleeve 59 features an insertion channel extending through it in a forward / backward direction.

[0028] The crimping element 61 is made of a conductive metal and is U-shaped. A braid crimp piece 79 and a cover crimp piece 81 are formed integrally within the crimping element 61 by being connected to each other in the forward / reverse direction via a connecting section 77.

[0029] In the shielding unit 27, which is connected to the end of the cable 13, the inner terminal 39 is housed in an inner terminal receiving chamber 83 of the inner housing 41. The inner housing 41, which receives the inner terminal 39, is housed in an inner housing receiving chamber 67 of the shielding main body 57. A central section of the inner housing 41 in one installation direction is an enlarged-diameter section 85, and the front and rear faces of the enlarged-diameter section 85 are a front cylindrical section 87 and a rear cylindrical section 89, the latter having a smaller diameter than the enlarged-diameter section 85.

[0030] The fitting section 73 of the shielding sleeve 59 is fitted into the enlarged diameter section 65 of the shielding main body 57. The shielding main body 57 and the shielding sleeve 59 are firmly connected to each other, and the enlarged diameter section 65 and the fitting section 73 are pressed in, then electrically connected and held by a solder 91 (see Fig. 14). The enlarged diameter section 65 and the fitting section 73 can only be held in place by pressing, soldering, or a locking mechanism or similar.

[0031] The braid 19 of the cable 13 is arranged on the braid-covered section 75 of the shielding sleeve 59 such that it covers the outer circumference of the braid-covered section 75. The shielding sleeve 59 extends from the main shielding body 57, which covers the outer circumference of the inner housing 41, and the braid-covered section 75 is inserted between the insulator 17 and the braid 19 (see Fig. 3) The crimping element 61 is crimped so that the braid crimp piece 79 covers the outer circumference of the braid 19. At this point, a solder paste 95 is applied to a U-shaped lower section 93 (see Fig. 4) of the braid crimp piece 79 applied.

[0032] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the crimping element 61, and Fig. Figure 5B is a top view of the crimping element 61. The solder paste 95 is applied to the lower section 93 of the braid crimp piece 79. The braid crimp piece 79 of the crimping element 61 has three grooves 97 that extend orthogonally to a longitudinal direction of the cable 13 and are provided on an inner circumferential surface 99. The groove 97 is shaped such that it is recessed from the inner circumferential surface 99 of the braid crimp piece 79. In the crimping element 61, which contains the grooves 97 in the inner circumferential surface 99 of the braid crimp piece 79, the braid crimp piece 79 is deformed and crimped onto the braid 19 along an outer shape of the shielding sleeve 59.

[0033] The braid crimp piece 79, deformed from above along the outer shape of the section 75 of the shielding sleeve 59 covered with the braid, and the shielding sleeve 59 are joined (soldered) in one piece by the solder 91. That is, the braid crimp piece 79 and the shielding sleeve 59, which are the base materials, are joined together by the solder 91, which is an adhesive substance (liquid-phase bonding).

[0034] The cover crimp piece 81 of the crimp element 61 is crimped to the outer sheath 21 of the cable 13 from an outer circumference. This means that in the shielding unit 27, the crimp element 61 is attached to both the braid 19 and the sheath 21.

[0035] The braid-covered section 75, the braid 19, the braid crimp piece 79 and the solder 91, which connects the braid-covered section 75, the braid 19 and the braid crimp piece 79, form a braid crimp section 101 (see Fig. 14).

[0036] Next, a method for manufacturing the shielding unit 27, which is to be connected to the end of the cable 13, is described. Fig. Figure 6 is an illustrative view of a procedure showing one step of attaching the shielding main body 57 to the end of the cable 13.

[0037] In the case of the cable 13, which is cut to a predetermined length, parts of the insulator 17 and the sheathing 21 are cut off at the end to expose the core wire 15 and the braid 19. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the inner terminal 39 is electrically connected to the core wire 15 of the cable 13 by crimping. The braid 19 is then loosened and stretched to increase its diameter, creating a gap between the braid 19 and the insulator 17. Simultaneously with inserting the inner terminal receiving chamber 83 of the inner housing 41 into the inner terminal 39, the braid-covered section 75 of the shielding sleeve 59 is inserted between the braid 19 and the insulator 17. To cover the outer circumference of the braid-covered section 75 of the shielding sleeve 59 with the braid 19, the extended braid 19 is returned to its original state, where its diameter is not increased.

[0038] Fig. Figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the shielding unit 27 before the crimping element 61 is crimped. Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along a line AA in Fig. 7. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, a predetermined quantity of solder paste 95 is applied to the lower section 93 of the braid crimp piece 79 before crimping. In the present embodiment, the predetermined quantity is the amount by which the solder paste 95, melted by a reflow process, passes through the braid 19 and is sufficiently distributed at least between the braid crimp piece 79 and the shielding sleeve 59.

[0039] Since the solder paste 95 is applied to the U-shaped lower section 93 of the pair of braid crimp pieces 79, it is easier to apply the solder paste 95 compared, for example, to a case where the solder paste 95 is applied to an outer circumferential surface of the braid 19. Furthermore, the applied solder paste 95 can remain on the U-shaped lower section 93 and be held there by gravity. This proves effective when smoothing a crimp of the braid crimp piece 79 in a subsequent step.

[0040] Fig. Figure 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the shielding unit 27 after crimping of the crimping element 61. The braid crimp piece 79 of the crimping element 61 is crimped such that it covers the outer circumference of the braid 19. At this point, the inner circumferential surface 99 of the braid crimp piece 79 is in a crimped state such that the inner circumferential surface 99 is in contact with the braid 19 covering the shielding sleeve 59. That is, the braid crimp piece 79 is not in a crimped state in which the braid 19 and the shielding sleeve 59 are compressed and deformed. As a result, the braid-covered section 75 of the shielding sleeve 59 is held in a cylindrical shape.

[0041] Fig. Figure 10 is an illustrative view showing the spread of the molten solder paste 95 in a cross-section along a line BB in Fig. Figure 9 shows the braid crimp piece 79, which has been crimped to cover the outer circumference of the braid 19, being heated, for example, by the reflow process. This heating melts the solder paste 95. A laser irradiation device can be used to melt the solder paste 95 by irradiating the braid crimp piece 79 with concentrated laser light.

[0042] Here, in the braid crimp piece 79, there is a gap between an inner surface of the grooves 97 and the outer circumference of the braid 19. The solder paste 95, melted by the reflow process, flows into this gap. Then, due to a capillary phenomenon, the molten solder paste 95 spreads upwards towards a pair of tip end sections 79a and 79a of the braid crimp piece 79 in the gap between the inner surface of the grooves 97 and the outer circumference of the braid 19.

[0043] Fig. Figure 11 is a schematic view in which the direction of spread of the molten solder paste 95 is shown by arrows. While the molten solder paste 95 spreads upwards on an inner surface of the braid crimp piece 79, it simultaneously spreads between the outer circumferential surface of the shielding sleeve 59 and the braid 19, the meshes of the braid 19, and between the inner circumferential surface 99 of the braid crimp piece 79 and the braid 19, so that it also spreads in the axial direction (front and back), as indicated by the arrows in Figure 11. Fig. 11 indicated. Then the solder paste 95 finally spreads at least over the entire inner circumferential surface 99 of the braid crimp piece 79. Then the molten solder paste 95 solidifies and becomes solder 91. The solder 91 firmly connects the braid crimp piece 79 and the shielding sleeve 59 together.

[0044] The manufacture of the shielding unit 27 connected to the end of the cable 13 is completed when the molten solder paste 95 solidifies and becomes solder 91.

[0045] Next, an electromagnetic shielding connector according to a further embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0046] Fig. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a crimping element 105 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the crimping element 105 according to the embodiment has a tapered guide groove 103, which is separate from the grooves 97 and whose thickness gradually decreases towards a distal end 79b of the braid crimp piece 79, formed in the inner circumferential surface 99 of the braid crimp piece 79. A tapered surface of the guide groove 103 is open at the distal end 79b. The tapered surface of the guide groove 103 is designed such that it has a greater width than the groove width of the grooves 97, extends through the lower section 93, and is parallel to the grooves 97. A gap is then formed between the guide groove 103, including the tapered surface, and the outer circumference of the braid 19.

[0047] Fig. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the in Fig. Figure 12 shows the crimping element 105. In the crimping element 105 according to a further embodiment, the molten solder paste 95, which spreads upwards and axially (front and rear) on an inner surface of the braid crimp piece 79, reaches the guide groove 103. A portion of the solder paste 95, which fills the distal end 79b due to its conical shape, flows out of the distal end 79b. This flow of molten solder paste 95 out of the distal end 79b can also occur in the crimping element 61 according to the embodiment described above, but is even more pronounced in the crimping element 105 of the further embodiment.

[0048] Fig. 14 is an enlarged view, taken from section C in Fig. 9 of the shielding unit 27, in which the crimping element 105 is crimped according to a further embodiment of the present invention. According to the crimping element 105 of the further embodiment, the solder paste 95, which flows out of the guide groove 103, flows towards the enlarged diameter section 65 of the shielding main body 57 and reaches the enlarged diameter section 65. The solder paste 95, having reached the enlarged diameter section 65, enters and spreads, due to a capillary phenomenon, into a gap between the enlarged diameter section 65 and the fitting section 73. Subsequently, the solder paste 95, which has spread between the enlarged diameter section 65 and the fitting section 73, solidifies into solder 91 and joins the fitting section 73 of the shielding sleeve 59 and the enlarged diameter section 65 of the shielding main body 57 into a single piece (liquid phase bonding).As a result, the electromagnetic shield connector 11 can further improve the reliability of the electrical connection between the shield sleeve 59 and the shield main body 57.

[0049] Fig. Figure 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a crimping element 109 according to a modification of the further embodiment. In the crimping element 109 according to the modification of the further embodiment, the tapered guide groove 103, which gradually decreases in thickness towards the distal end 79b of the braid crimping piece 79, and the grooves 97 adjacent to the guide groove 103 are connected by a plurality of parallel connecting grooves 111.

[0050] According to the crimping element 109 of the modification of the further embodiment, the molten solder paste 95, which overflows from the grooves 97, flows easily through the connecting grooves 111 to the guide groove 103. As a result, the flow rate of the molten solder paste 95 flowing to the guide groove 103 can be increased, and the solder paste 95 can flow more easily to the enlarged diameter section 65 of the shielding main body 57.

[0051] Fig. Figure 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a crimping element 117 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In the crimping element 117 according to the further embodiment, the tapered guide groove 103, which gradually decreases in thickness in the direction of the braid crimp piece 79 towards the distal end 79b of the braid crimp piece 79, comprises a vertical guide path 113 extending along a circumferential direction of the braid-covered section 75 of the shielding sleeve 59, and a plurality of parallel lateral guide paths 115 extending from the vertical guide path 113 to the distal end 79b of the braid crimp piece 79 and separated from each other in the circumferential direction. An area surrounded by the vertical guide path 113, the lateral guide paths 115 and the distal end 79b is not a depression, but a square, island-shaped area 119 that is flush with the inner circumferential surface 99.

[0052] According to the crimping element 117 of the further embodiment, since the guide groove 103 has a plurality of lateral guide paths 115, no unnecessary solder paste 95 remains in the guide groove 103. As a result, the molten solder paste 95 spreads easily in an axial direction (a longitudinal direction of the cable 13) between the braid crimp piece 79 and the braid 19 and can flow more easily to the enlarged diameter section 65 of the shielding main body 57.

[0053] Fig. Figure 17 is a perspective view of a shielding sleeve 123 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In the shielding sleeve 123 according to a further embodiment, the fitting section 73 of the shielding sleeve 59, which is fitted into the main shielding body 57, comprises circumferential grooves 121 extending in a circumferential direction on an outer circumferential surface of the main shielding body 57. In a further embodiment, several (e.g., three) circumferential grooves 121 are arranged side by side in the axial direction (longitudinal direction of the cable 13).

[0054] Fig. 18 is an enlarged view, which corresponds to section C in Fig.9 of the shielding unit 27, in which the shielding sleeve 123 is used according to the further embodiment. According to the shielding sleeve 123 of the further embodiment, the solder paste 95, which enters and spreads into a gap between the enlarged diameter section 65 of the main shielding body 57 and the fitting section 73 of the shielding sleeve 59 due to a capillary phenomenon, spreads easily in the circumferential direction through the circumferential grooves 121. That is, in the electromagnetic shielding connector 11, the molten solder paste 95 spreads easily in the entire circumferential direction between the fitting section 73 and the enlarged diameter section 65, because of the circumferential grooves 121.Since the solder paste 95, which has spread in the circumferential direction, has solidified, the fitting section 73 and the section 65 with increased diameter are connected by the solder 91 in the entire circumferential direction (liquid phase connection), making it possible to further improve the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0055] The functions of the electromagnetic shield connector 11 according to each of the embodiments described above are described below. In the electromagnetic shield connector 11 according to the embodiment, the cylindrical shielding sleeve 59 is inserted between the insulator 17 and the braid 19 of the cable 13. In the cable 13, the outer circumference of the core wire 15 is covered by the insulator 17, and the outer circumference of the insulator 17 is further covered by the braid 19. The braid-covered section 75 of the shielding sleeve 59, extending from the main shielding body 57, is inserted between the insulator 17 and the braid 19, which are arranged coaxially, and is concentrically positioned. The shielding sleeve 59 is made of a metal with a predetermined strength and good conductivity. The braid crimp piece 79 of the crimp element 61 is crimped onto the outer circumference of the braid 19, in which the shielding sleeve 59 is arranged on an inner circumference.At this point, the braid crimp piece 79 is plastically deformed and crimped in its cylindrical shape along the outer shape of the shielding sleeve 59 by a crimping force to such an extent that the shielding sleeve 59, positioned under the braid 19, is not deformed. That is, the shielding sleeve 59, the braid 19, and the braid crimp piece 79 are arranged concentrically and fastened to one another.

[0056] Before being plastically deformed, the pair of braid crimp pieces 79 is formed into a U-shape. In the crimp element 61, the solder paste 95 is applied to the lower section 93 of the pair of braid crimp pieces 79. The solder paste 95 is heated, for example by a reflow process, after the braid crimp piece 79 has been crimped. The heated and molten solder paste 95 penetrates the braid structure (mesh) of the braid 19 and reaches the shielding sleeve 59. The solder paste 95 solidifies to form solder 91 and connects (solders) the shielding sleeve 59, the braid 19, and the braid crimp piece 79 with a predetermined strength. That is, the connection or bonding (liquid-phase bonding) is created by the solder 91.

[0057] At this point, the gap between the inner circumferential surface 99 of the braid crimp piece 79 and the outer circumference of the braid 19 exists due to the recessed grooves 97. The solder paste 95, which is applied to the lower section 93 of the braid crimp piece 79 before crimping, melts during the melting process and spreads upwards towards the tip end sections 79a of the braid crimp piece 79 due to the capillary phenomenon between the inner surface of the braid crimp piece 79 and the outer circumference of the braid 19, as it is guided through the grooves 97.The molten solder paste 95 also spreads in an axial direction (longitudinal direction of the cable 13) to the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the shielding sleeve 59 and the braid 19, the meshes of the braid 19 and the gap between the inner circumferential surface 99 of the braid crimp piece 79 and the braid 19, and finally spreads at least over the entire inner circumferential surface 99 of the braid crimp piece 79.

[0058] When the molten solder paste 95 has solidified, the shielding sleeve 59, the braid 19 and the braid crimp piece 79 are connected by the solder 91, and the shielding unit 27 is attached to the end of the cable 13.

[0059] The solder 91 enters the grooves 97 formed in the inner circumferential surface 99 of the braid crimp piece 79 and solidifies. Since the grooves 97 extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable 13 (i.e., to the circumferential direction of the cable 13), the solder 91, having entered and solidified in the grooves 97, assumes the form of a rib and is fixed in the grooves 97 of the braid crimp piece 79. The solder 91, which is attached to the shielding sleeve 59 and has solidified by flowing through the mesh structure of the braid 19, is secured such that a rib-shaped section, extending in a direction perpendicular to any tension acting on the cable 13, engages in the grooves 97 of the braid crimp piece 79.

[0060] Accordingly, the shielding sleeve 59, the braid 19 and the crimp element 61 are firmly connected to each other by bonding (liquid phase bonding, in which the base material is bonded by melting the solder 91, which is the adhesive substance), by fixing the solder 91 to the braid crimp piece 79 and by mechanical connection by crimping the cover crimp piece 81 to the outer circumference of the sheathing 21.

[0061] Therefore, in the electromagnetic shielding connection 11 of the embodiment, it is possible to fasten the cable 13 with greater strength than would be the case with a purely mechanical connection. That is, even if a tensile force (external force) is applied to separate the cable 13 and the shielding unit 27 from each other, since the shielding unit 27 is firmly connected to the end of the cable 13, it is possible to prevent any relative displacement between the cable 13 and the shielding unit 27.

[0062] As a result, the electromagnetic shield connector 11 can prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection between the braid 19 of the cable 13 and the shielding unit 27. Since displacement between the cable 13 and the shielding unit 27 can be prevented, impedance disturbances and a deterioration in transmission performance can also be prevented.

[0063] Furthermore, since a distance in the radial direction at a connection section between the cable 13 and the shielding sleeve 59 can be kept constant in the circumferential direction, an impedance value at a section of the braid crimp piece 79 can be kept at a predetermined value (the value does not change due to the crimping), thereby preventing the deterioration of the transmission performance.

[0064] In the electromagnetic shielding connector 11 according to the further embodiment described above, the guide groove 103 is provided adjacent to the grooves 97 of the braid crimp piece 79. The guide groove 103 comprises a tapered surface inclined towards the distal end 79b of the braid crimp piece 79. This means that in a state where the braid 19 is crimped by the braid crimp piece 79 (a contact state), a gap exists between the tapered surface of the guide groove 103 and the outer circumference of the braid 19.

[0065] Therefore, in the electromagnetic shielding connector 11 of the further embodiment, during the reflow process, the molten solder paste 95 spreads over the entire inner circumferential surface 99 of the braid crimp piece 79, and at this point, the molten solder paste 95 spreads further towards the distal end 79b of the braid crimp piece 79 due to the gap formed by the guide groove 103. The molten solder paste 95 then emerges from the distal end 79b of the braid crimp piece 79 and spreads between the fitting section 73 of the shielding sleeve 59 and the shielding main body 57. Then, when the molten solder paste 95 has solidified, the fitting section 73 of the shielding sleeve 59 is connected to the enlarged diameter section 65 of the shielding main body 57, and the shielding sleeve 59 and the shielding main body 57 are attached by bonding (liquid phase bonding) over the solder 91.As a result, the electromagnetic shielding connector 11 of the further embodiment can also improve the reliability of the electrical connection between the shielding sleeve 59 and the shielding main body 57.

[0066] In the electromagnetic shielding connector 11 according to the further embodiment described above, the guide groove 103 comprises the vertical guide path 113 and the lateral guide paths 115. The spread of the solder paste 95, which has melted at the lower section 93 of the pair of braid crimp pieces 79 due to the capillary phenomenon, is guided by the vertical guide path 113 to the tip end sections 79a of the upper braid crimp pieces 79. When the molten solder paste 95, during a spreading process to the tip end sections 79a of the upper braid crimp piece 79 through the vertical guide path 113, passes through the plurality of lateral guide paths 115, the molten solder paste 95 is sequentially branched to the lateral guide paths 115 and guided in a spreading direction to the distal end 79b of the braid crimp piece 79.Accordingly, the molten solder paste 95 will probably spread more evenly in the circumferential direction and the axial direction (the longitudinal direction of the cable 13) of the cable 13 between the braid crimp piece 79 and the braid 19.

[0067] In the electromagnetic shielding connector 11 according to the further embodiment described above, the fitting section 73 of the shielding sleeve 59 comprises the circumferential grooves 121, which extend circumferentially in the outer circumferential surface. In the electromagnetic shielding connector 11 of the further embodiment, the molten solder paste 95 spreads over the entire inner circumferential surface 99 of the braid crimp piece 79 during the reflow process. At this point, the molten solder paste 95 spreads through the gap via the guide groove 103 towards the distal end 79b of the braid crimp piece 79 and spreads between the fitting section 73 of the shielding sleeve 59 and the enlarged diameter section 65 of the shielding main body 57, after it has emerged from the distal end 79b.

[0068] When the molten solder paste 95 reaches the enlarged diameter section 65 of the shielding main body 57, it enters and spreads between the fitting section 73 of the shielding sleeve 59 and the enlarged diameter section 65 of the shielding main body 57 due to capillary action. Once the solder paste 95, having penetrated between the fitting section 73 and the enlarged diameter section 65, reaches the circumferential grooves 121 formed in the outer surface of the fitting section 73, it spreads circumferentially along the circumferential grooves 121.

[0069] When the molten solder paste 95 spreads in the circumferential grooves 121 and then solidifies, the fitting area 73 of the shielding sleeve 59 and the main shielding body 57 are connected via the solder 91 (liquid-phase connection). As a result, the molten solder paste 95 is distributed more evenly across the entire circumferential direction of the fitting area 73 of the shielding sleeve 59 and the enlarged diameter section 65 of the main shielding body 57, thus improving the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0070] Therefore, according to the electromagnetic shielding connector 11, it is possible in each of the embodiments described above to prevent the cable 13 and the shielding unit 27 from being displaced relative to each other.

[0071] While the present disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, the scope of the present disclosed subject matter is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and the person skilled in the art understands that various changes and modifications can be made to it without deviating from the scope of the present disclosed subject matter as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] Electromagnetic shield connector (11), comprising: an inner terminal (39) configured to be connectable to a core wire (15) of a cable (13) comprising the core wire (15), an insulator (17) covering the core wire (15), and a braid (19) covering the insulator (17); an inner housing (41) with an inner port receiving chamber (83) configured to receive the inner port (39); a tubular shielding sleeve (59) extending from a shielding main body (57) configured to cover the inner housing (41), the tubular shielding sleeve (59) being configured to be inserted between the insulator (17) and the braid (19); a crimping element (61) with a braid crimp piece (79) having a groove (97) extending in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the cable (13), wherein the groove (97) is provided on an inner circumferential surface (99) of the crimping element (61), the crimping element (61) being configured such that the braid crimp piece (79) is deformed and crimped onto the braid (19) so that the braid crimp piece (79) conforms to an outer shape of the shielding sleeve (59); and a solder (91) which is provided between the shielding sleeve (59) and the braid crimp piece (79) and is melted and solidified to join the shielding sleeve (59), the braid (19) and the braid crimp piece (79) together, wherein a tapered guide groove (103) is provided on the inner circumferential surface (99), wherein the guide groove (103) is formed separately from the groove (97) and in which a thickness of the braid crimp piece (79) gradually decreases in the longitudinal direction towards a distal end (79b) of the braid crimp piece (79). [2] Electromagnetic shielding connector (11) according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove (103) has a vertical guide path (113) extending along a circumferential direction of the shielding sleeve (59) and a plurality of lateral guide paths (115) extending from the vertical guide path (113) to the distal end (79b) of the braid crimp piece (79), wherein the plurality of lateral guide paths (115) are provided separately from each other in the circumferential direction. [3] Electromagnetic shield connector (11) according to claim 2, wherein a fitting section (73) of the shield sleeve (123), configured to fit into the shield main body (57), includes a circumferential groove (121) extending in a circumferential direction of the shield sleeve (123) and provided on an outer circumferential surface of the shield sleeve (123).

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