Shielded connector

Abstract

A shielded connector (1, 1A), comprising: a housing (20) comprising a front opening section (28) configured to be covered by an inner housing (90) in which a connector fitting section (92) configured to be fitted with a mating connector is formed, and an electrical cable insertion section (26) having a tubular shape and being open in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the front opening (28) opens; a port (31, 41) configured to be received in a port receiving section (21, 22) of the housing (20) and having a distal section configured to be connected to a mating port; a connection terminal (55) having an end configured to be connected to an end of an electrical cable (51); a first shielding shell (10) configured to cover a rear surface of the housing (20) opposite a front surface of the housing (20) on which the front opening section (28) is provided; a second shielding shell (81) comprising a braid connection section (83) to which a braid (87) covering the electrical cable (51) leading out of the electrical cable insertion section (26) is to be connected, and a shell fastening section (82) configured to be electrically connected to the first shielding shell (10); a first fastening element (3) configured to fasten the housing (20) to the first shielding shell (10); a second fastening element (5) configured to fasten the other end of the connection terminal (55) to a placement section (32, 42) of the terminal (31, 41) received in the terminal receiving section (21, 22) of the housing (20); and a third fastening element (7) configured to fasten the shell fastening section (82) of the second shielding shell (81) to the first shielding shell (10), wherein the first fastening element (3), the second fastening element (5) and the third fastening element (7) have fastening directions (D1, D2, D3) parallel to each other and are fastened from a front surface side of the housing (20).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The item disclosed herein relates to a shielded connector. background

[0002] A shielded connector of related technology comprises a housing that holds a terminal provided on an end section of a cable element (electrical cable), a cover element that covers a working opening of the housing, a shielding element that covers an outer surface of the housing with a first shell and a second shell that are provided to face each other, the outer surface of the housing being interposed along a thickness direction, and electromagnetically shielding the outer surface of the cover element, and an electromagnetic shielding cover element that covers and electromagnetically shields an outer surface of the cover element (refer, for example, to JP2019-110042A).

[0003] The housing contains a tubular section through which the cable element is inserted, and a connector retaining section that holds the connector, such that one insertion direction with the cable element is a fitting direction, and is configured in an essentially L-shape. The connector, whose cutting direction with the cable element is the fitting direction, cannot be inserted through the tubular section in a state where the connector is connected to the end section of the cable element. Therefore, the working opening for connecting the connector to the end section of the cable element, which is inserted through the tubular section and pulled into the connector retaining section, is formed on one side of a rear surface of the connector retaining section.

[0004] The shielded connector incorporates an interference fit section. Therefore, when the shielded connector is assembled, an interference fit protrusion provided in the first shell can be interference fitted into an interference fit recess provided in the housing, and a distal end portion of the interference fit protrusion can be received in a receiving recess provided in the second shell. Thus, the shielded connector positions the relative positions of the first and second shells in a fixed state. In a state where the first and second shells receive the housing in a receiving space section, the shielded connector is assembled by fastening it, along with the electromagnetic shielding cover, to a mating component using a fastener.

[0005] In the shielded connector containing the press-fit section, it is necessary that when the receiving recess section of the second shell is engaged in the press-fit projection section of the first shell, which is press-fitted into the press-fit recess section of the housing, the receiving recess section is aligned with the distal end of the press-fit projection section exposed by the press-fit recess section. However, when the shielded connector is mounted on the mating part, if an attempt is made to engage the receiving recess section of the second shell in the press-fit projection section of the first shell from one mounting direction (the rear surface of the housing) of the fastener, the receiving recess is difficult to see, and machinability is poor.The shielded connector has a structure in which the first shell and the second shell, which are the shielding elements, are attached together to the mating part by the fastener in a state where the housing is received in the receiving space section. Therefore, the shielded connector cannot be assembled by integrally attaching the shielding elements, the housing, and the electromagnetic shielding cover element before mounting them to the mating part, and handling is not good. Summary

[0006] Illustrative aspects of the item disclosed herein include a shielded connector that is easy to handle and can improve assembly processability.

[0007] According to an illustrative aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a shielded connector comprises a housing having a front opening section configured to be covered by an inner housing in which a connector fitting section configured to be fitted with a mating connector is formed, and an electrical cable insertion section having a tubular shape and opening in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the front opening opens, a terminal configured to be received in a terminal receiving section of the housing and having a distal section configured to be connected to a mating terminal, a connecting terminal having an end configured to be connected to an end of an electrical cable, and a first shielding shell configured toto cover a rear surface of the enclosure opposite a front surface of the enclosure where the front opening section is provided, a second shielding shell comprising a braid connection section to which a braid covering the electrical cable emerging from the electrical cable insertion section is to be connected, and a shell mounting section configured to be electrically connected to the first shielding shell, a first mounting element configured to attach the enclosure to the first shielding shell, a second mounting element configured to attach the other end of the connection terminal to a placement section of the terminal received in the terminal receiving section of the enclosure, and a third mounting element configuredto attach the shell mounting section of the second shielding shell to the first shielding shell. The first mounting element, the second mounting element, and the third mounting element have mounting directions parallel to each other and are attached from one side of the front surface of the housing.

[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein will become apparent from the following description, drawings and claims. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shielded connector according to an embodiment of the object disclosed herein; Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the in Fig. 1 shown shielded connector; Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a first shielding shell mounted on a housing; Fig. Figure 4 is a top view showing a connection located in a connection receiving section of the housing; Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a procedure in which the other end of a connection terminal inserted into the housing is attached to a proximal section of the terminal and is a perspective view showing a state before a terminal positioning device is in place; Fig. Figure 6 illustrates the procedure in which the other end of the connecting terminal inserted into the housing is attached to the proximal section of the terminal and is a perspective view showing a state after the terminal positioning device has been set; Fig. Figure 7 illustrates the procedure in which the other end of a connecting terminal inserted into the housing is attached to the proximal section of the terminal and is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the connecting terminal is positioned with respect to an opening direction of an electrical cable insertion section by the terminal positioning device, and an enlarged view of a major part thereof; Fig. Figure 8 is a top view showing a state in which a second shielding shell, to which a braid is connected, is attached to the first shielding shell; Fig. 9A and Fig. Figure 9B shows a perspective view and a perspective cross-sectional view of a watertight element that seals a gap between the electrical cable insertion section and an electrical cable in a watertight manner; Fig. Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view showing a waterproof element inserted between the electrical cable insertion section and the electrical cable, and an enlarged view of a major part of it; Fig. Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view showing a watertight element in a state in which the electrical cable is eccentric with respect to an opening center axis of the electrical cable insertion section, and an enlarged view of a major part thereof; and Fig. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a shielded connector according to another embodiment of the object disclosed herein. Description of the embodiments

[0009] An example according to the subject matter disclosed herein is described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shielded connector 1 according to an embodiment of the object disclosed herein. Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the in Fig. 1 shown shielded connector 1.

[0010] The shielded connector 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a shielded connector used in a power supply circuit such as an inverter or a motor of a vehicle, such as a hybrid or electric vehicle. The shielded connector 1 is fitted to and connected with a mating connector provided in a metal housing of a connecting counterpart such as an inverter or a motor. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the shielded connector 1 according to the present embodiment comprises an upper shielding shell 10 as a first shielding shell, a housing 20, two busbars 31 and 41 as terminals, two terminal-equipped electrical cables 50, two electrical cable shielding elements 80 and first to third fastening elements 3, 5 and 7.

[0011] The housing 20 has a front opening section 28 that extends forward in a fitting direction (first direction) X (see Fig. 2) opens with a mating connector (not shown), and tubular electrical cable insertion sections 26 that are open in a direction intersecting the front opening section 28 (second direction). An inner housing 90, formed with a connector fitting section 92 that fits the mating connector, is mounted on the front opening section 28. The housing 20 and the inner housing 90 are formed from synthetic resin having electrical insulating properties. When the inner housing 90 is mounted, the front opening section 28 of the housing 20 is covered by the inner housing 90.

[0012] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the housing 20 is formed with two connection receiving sections 21 and 22, which are exposed to a front side in the fitting direction X through the front opening section 28, and two electrical cable insertion sections 26 and 26, which each communicate with the connection receiving sections 21 and 22 and are open in the direction intersecting the front opening section 28.

[0013] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the connection receiving section 21 is an L-shaped recess in which a placement section 32 of the busbar 31 is received and is surrounded by a peripheral wall 21a. The peripheral wall 21a positions the busbar 31 by fitting the peripheral wall 21a according to an L-shaped outer shape of the placement section 32 of the busbar 31. However, the peripheral wall 21a has a predetermined clearance between the peripheral wall 21a and an end edge of the placement section 32 along an opening direction (vertical direction in Fig. 4) of the electrical cable insertion section 26, but has almost no play along a direction orthogonal to the opening direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 4) of the electrical cable insertion section 26. Therefore, the busbar 31 is positioned with respect to the opening direction of the electrical cable insertion section 26 and is displaceable by the clearance with respect to the direction orthogonal to the opening direction of the electrical cable insertion section 26.

[0014] A nut 25, to which the second fastening element 5 is screwed, is press-fitted and fastened to a bottom section of the terminal receiving section 21. An alignment recess 21b to prevent interference with a positioning pin 108 of a terminal positioning device 105, which will be described later, is formed in the bottom section of the terminal receiving section 21 on the opposite side of the electrical cable insertion section 26, extending over the nut 25.

[0015] The connection receiving section 22 is a rectangular recess in which the busbar 41's placement section 42 is received and is surrounded by the peripheral wall 22a. The peripheral wall 22a positions the busbar 41 by fitting the peripheral wall 22a according to a rectangular outer shape of the busbar 41's placement section 42. However, the peripheral wall 22a has the specified clearance between the peripheral wall 22a and the end edge of the placement section 42 along the opening direction of the electrical cable insertion section 26, but has almost no clearance between the peripheral wall 22a and the end edge of the placement section 42 along the direction orthogonal to the opening direction of the electrical cable insertion section 26.Therefore, the busbar 41 is positioned with respect to the opening direction of the electrical cable insertion section 26 and is displaceable by the clearance with respect to the direction orthogonal to the opening direction of the electrical cable insertion section 26.

[0016] The nut 25, to which the second fastening element 5 is screwed, is press-fitted and fastened to a bottom section of the terminal receiving section 22. A recess 22b, designed to prevent interference with the positioning pin 108 of the terminal positioning device 105, which will be described later, is formed in the bottom section of the terminal receiving section 22 on the opposite side of the electrical cable insertion section 26, extending over the nut 25.

[0017] A tubular metal sleeve 27, which penetrates the first fastening element 3 along the fitting direction X, is injection-molded into a gap section between the two electrical cable insertion sections 26 and 26 and an outer end section on the opposite side of the cable insertion section 26 in the housing 20. Two positioning holes 23 and 23 are provided on an outer peripheral section of the housing 20 at predetermined intervals from each other, and a plurality of locking claws 29 are formed on an outer surface of a peripheral wall that defines the front opening section 28.

[0018] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the inner housing 90 is formed in a plate shape, which has an outer shape corresponding to the front surface opening 28 of the housing 20, and is mounted from a front surface side to cover the front opening section 28 of the housing 20. Thus, the front opening section is closed by the inner housing 90.

[0019] A plurality of locking pieces 93, having locking holes 94, are formed on a peripheral edge of the inner housing 90. The locking claws 29 formed on the housing 20 are inserted into the locking holes 94 of the locking pieces 93 by mounting the inner housing 90 to the housing 20. Accordingly, the locking pieces 93 are locked by the locking claws 29, and the inner housing 90 is held in a state in which it is mounted to the housing 20.

[0020] The inner housing 90 is formed with the connector fitting section 92, which fits into the mating connector. The connector fitting section 92 is designed in an elongated tubular shape that projects along the fitting direction X. Connection insertion sections 91 and 91, into which distal sections of the busbars 31 and 41 are respectively inserted, are formed on the front face of the connector fitting section 92. Furthermore, a seal 95 is mounted on an outer peripheral section of the connector fitting section 92.

[0021] The upper shielding shell 10 is a shielding element that covers and electromagnetically shields one side of a rear surface and one side of an outer peripheral surface of the housing 20 on a side opposite the front opening section 28. The upper shielding shell 10 is made of a conductive metal material. The upper shielding shell 10 defines a receiving space 11 for receiving the housing 20.

[0022] Positioning projections 15 and 15 corresponding to the positioning holes 23 and 23 of the housing 20 are provided on a bottom surface of the upper shielding shell 10. The positioning projections 15 and 15 can engage with the positioning holes 23 and 23 to position the housing 20 when the housing 20 is mounted to the upper shielding shell 10. A positioning mechanism for positioning the housing 20 relative to the upper shielding shell 10 is provided between the upper shielding shell 10 and a rear surface of the housing 20.

[0023] Furthermore, the upper shielding shell 10 is formed with two threaded holes 12 into which the first fastening elements 3 are screwed, the first fastening elements 3 being inserted through the tubular sleeve 27 of the housing 20. Three threaded holes 14, into which third fastening elements 7 for attaching the two electrical cable shielding elements 80 are each screwed, are formed in the vicinity of a guide groove 17 of the upper shielding shell element 10, from which the electrical cable insertion sections 26 and 26 of the housing 20 are led out.

[0024] The busbar 31 comprises the L-shaped placement section 32, which is positioned on the terminal receiving section 21 of the housing 20, and a distal section 33, which extends vertically from one end of the placement section 32 and projects from the connector fitting section 92 of the inner housing 90 along the fitting direction X. The busbar 31 is formed from, for example, a conductive metal material such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. The other end of the placement section 32 is formed with a mounting hole 34, through which the second fastening element 5 is inserted, and a pair of terminal positioning holes 35, into which a pair of positioning pins 108 of the terminal positioning device 105 are inserted.

[0025] The busbar 41 comprises the rectangular placement section 42, which is positioned on the terminal receiving section 22 of the housing 20, and a distal section 43, which extends vertically from one end of the placement section 42 and projects from the connector fitting section 92 of the inner housing 90 along the fitting direction X. The busbar 41 is formed from, for example, a conductive metal material such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. The placement section 42 is formed with a mounting hole 44, through which the second fastening element 5 is inserted, and a pair of terminal positioning holes 45, into which the positioning pins 108 of the terminal positioning device 105 are inserted.

[0026] The electrically equipped cable 50 comprises an electrical cable 51 and a connecting terminal 55, which is connected to a terminal of the electrical cable 51. The connecting terminal 55 is made of, for example, a conductive metal material such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. One end of the connecting terminal 55 is a crimp section that is connected to the terminal of the electrical cable 51, and the other end of the connecting terminal 55 is a flat, plate-shaped electrical connecting section that is attached to the mounting section 32 of the busbar 31 or the mounting section 42 of the busbar 41.The connection terminal 55 includes a mounting hole 56 drilled into the plate-shaped electrical connection section through which the second fastening element 5 is inserted, and a pair of step sections 57 and 57 formed at a distal end of the electrical connection section and bearing against the positioning pins 108 of the terminal positioning device 105 (see . Fig. 4).

[0027] The electrical cable 51 is an insulated electrical cable in which the outer periphery of a conductor is covered by a sheath, and the conductor is exposed by the sheath at an end section of the electrical cable 51. An electrical cable crimp section of the connection terminal 55 is crimped to the conductor of the electrical cable 51. Accordingly, the electrical cable 51 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 55.

[0028] In the electrically equipped cable 50, which is mounted to the housing 20, the connecting terminal 55, which is connected to the terminal of the electrical cable 51, is inserted into the housing 20 by the electrical cable insertion section 26 of the housing 20. A watertight element 60 is attached to each electrical cable 51 of the electrically equipped cable 50, and a gap between the electrical cable 51 and an inner peripheral surface 26a of the electrical cable insertion section 26 is sealed by the watertight element 60 (see Fig. 10) A split rear retainer 75, attached to an open end of the electrical cable insertion section 26, prevents the waterproof element 60 from slipping down or falling into the electrical cable insertion section 26. The rear retainer 75 prevents the electrical cable 51 from bending on an outside side of the waterproof element 60.

[0029] The electrical cable shielding element 80 comprises a lower shielding shell 81 as a second shielding shell, which is electrically connected to the upper shielding shell 10, and a braid 87 that covers the electrical cable 51 leading out of the electrical cable insertion section 26. The lower shielding shell 81 has a shell mounting section 82, which is attached to the upper shielding shell 10 by the third mounting element 7, and a braid connection section 83 (see Fig. 10) to which one end of the braid 87 is connected. The lower shielding shell 81 is formed from a conductive metal material. Mounting holes 84, through which the third fastening elements 7 are inserted, are formed at both ends of the shell mounting section 82. An open end of the braid 87, through which the electrical cable 51 runs, is externally fitted to the tubular braid connection section 83 and is secured and electrically connected to the tubular braid connection section 83 by a shielding ring 85.

[0030] The first fastening element 3, which attaches the housing 20 to the upper shielding shell 10, is, for example, a bolt. The second fastening element 5, which attaches the other end (electrical connection section) of the connection terminal 55 to the mounting section 32 of the busbar 31 or the mounting section 42 of the busbar 41, is, for example, a screw. Furthermore, the third fastening element 7, which attaches the shell mounting section 82 of the lower shielding shell 81 to the upper shielding shell 10, is, for example, a bolt.

[0031] Next, a case of mounting the shielded connector 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. 8 described. First, as in Fig. Figure 3 shows the upper shielding shell 10 being placed into a mounting device 100 from one side of a rear surface. The mounting device 100 has a retaining recess 101 corresponding to an outer shape of the upper shielding shell 10 and holds the upper shielding shell 10, which is positioned facing upwards with the receiving space 11.

[0032] The housing 20 is mounted in the receiving space 11 of the upper shielding shell 10, which is placed in the mounting device 100. The housing 20 is positioned by engaging the positioning projections 15 and 15 of the upper shielding shell 10 with the positioning holes 23 and 23 when the housing 20 is mounted to the upper shielding shell 10. This facilitates the positioning of the housing 20 relative to the upper shielding shell 10 and improves the ease of assembly when attaching the first fastening element 3.

[0033] The housing 20 is attached to the upper shielding shell 10 from the side of the rear surface by the first fastening element 3. The first fastening element penetrates the tubular sleeve 27 of the housing 20 and is screwed into the threaded hole 12 of the upper shielding shell 10, thereby securing the housing 20 to the upper shielding shell 10.

[0034] Next, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, busbars 31 and 41 are arranged in the terminal receiving sections 21 and 22, respectively, via the front opening section 28 of the housing 20. Busbar 31 is positioned in terminal receiving section 21 by fitting the placement section 32, which is surrounded by the peripheral wall 21a of terminal receiving section 21. Busbar 41 is positioned in terminal receiving section 22 by fitting the placement section 42, which is surrounded by the peripheral wall 22a of terminal receiving section 22.

[0035] Then, as in Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the connecting terminal 55, which is connected to the electrical cable 51, being inserted into the housing 20 through the electrical cable insertion section 26 of the housing 20. The electrical connection section of the connecting terminal 55 inserted by the electrical cable insertion section 26, which communicates with the terminal receiving section 21, is attached to the mounting section 32 of the busbar 31. The electrical connection section of the connecting terminal 55 inserted by the electrical cable insertion section 26, which communicates with the terminal receiving section 22, is attached to the mounting section 42 of the busbar 41.

[0036] Here, the electrically connected cable 50 must be inserted into the housing 20 such that the mounting hole 56 of the connecting terminal 55 overlaps with the mounting hole 34 of the placement section 32 or the mounting hole 44 of the placement section 42 in order to secure the electrical connecting section of each connecting terminal 55 to the placement section 32 of the busbar 31 or the placement section 42 of the busbar 41. Therefore, when the electrically connected cable 40 is inserted into the housing 20, the terminal positioning device 105 is used.

[0037] The connection positioning device 105 comprises a main body 107 and a pair of positioning pins 108 projecting from a lower surface of the main body 107. Each of the pair of positioning pins 108 has a length such that one side surface of each pin abuts against each of the pair of step sections 57 and 57 formed at a distal end of the connection terminal 55, and a distal section of each pin fits into the connection positioning hole 35 of the busbar 31 or the connection positioning hole 45 of the busbar 41. The pair of positioning pins 108 has an interval that can accommodate a convex section formed between the pair of step sections 57 and 57.

[0038] For example, when the electrically equipped cable 50 is inserted into the housing 20 so that the mounting hole 56 of the connecting terminal 55 overlaps with the mounting hole 34 of the placement section 32, the positioning device 105 is pre-positioned on the placement section 32 of the busbar 31, as shown in Fig. 6 shown. In the positioning device 105, a bottom surface of the main body 107 is placed on the placement section 32, and the distal section of the positioning pin 108 is fitted into the connection positioning hole 35 of the busbar 31.

[0039] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, when the electrically connected cable 50 is inserted into the housing 20, the stepped section 57 of the connecting terminal 55 rests against a side face of the positioning pin 108, thereby limiting the insertion of the connecting terminal 55. When the stepped section 57 of the connecting terminal 55 rests against the side face of the positioning pin 108, the terminal positioning hole 35 is drilled so that the mounting hole 56 of the connecting terminal 55 overlaps with the mounting hole 34 of the placement section 32. Therefore, simply by inserting the electrically connected cable 50 into the housing until the stepped section 57 of the connecting terminal 55 rests against the side face of the positioning pin 108, the mounting hole 56 of the connecting terminal 55 can overlap with the mounting hole 34 of the placement section 32.

[0040] Therefore, the second fastening element 5 is simply inserted through the mounting hole 56 and the mounting hole 34 and then screwed into the nut 25, which is press-fitted and fastened to the bottom section of the terminal receiving section 21, so that the electrical connection section of the connecting terminal 55 can be attached to the placement section 32 of the busbar 31. Similarly, the positioning device 105 can be used when the terminal-equipped electrical cable 50 is inserted into the housing 20, so that the mounting hole 56 of the connecting terminal 55 overlaps with the mounting hole 44 of the placement section 42.

[0041] Next, as in Fig. 8 shown, the electrical cable shielding element 80 in the vicinity of the execution groove 17 (see Fig. 2) the upper shielding shell 10. In particular, the shell fastening section 82 of the lower shielding shell 81, in which the braid 51 covering the electrical cable 51 is connected, is fastened by the third fastening element 7, which is inserted into the threaded hole 14 (see Fig. 2) is screwed to the upper shielding shell 10.

[0042] The two lower shielding shells 81 are attached adjacent to the upper shielding shell 10. Therefore, by attaching the third fastening elements 7 by overlapping the mounting holes 84, which are formed in the end sections of adjacent shell mounting sections 82, the number of third fastening elements 7 can be reduced, and the lower shielding shells 81 can be electrically connected to each other.

[0043] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the first fastener 3, the second fastener 5, and the third fastener 7 each have fastening directions D1, D2, and D3 parallel to each other and are fastened from a front surface of the housing 20. Therefore, when assembling the shielded connector 1, an operator can fasten all of the first fastener 3, the second fastener 5, and the third fastener 7 from the same direction (from the front surface of the housing 20) and can visually check the fastening status collectively, thus improving assembly processability. Finally, as shown in Fig. 1 shown, the inner housing 90, which covers the front opening section 28, is attached to the housing 20, and the assembly of the shielded connector 1 is completed.

[0044] In the shielded connector 1 according to the present embodiment, since the first shielding shell, the housing, the connector, the connection terminal and the second shielding shell are integrally fastened and mounted by the first to third fastening elements, the handling (manageability) is good until the shielded connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector.

[0045] According to the shielded connector 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. Figure 4 shows the busbar 31 arranged in the connection receiving section 21 of the housing 20 with respect to the opening direction (vertical direction in Fig. 4) of the electrical cable insertion section 26 is positioned and is adjusted for play in the direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 4) movable orthogonally to the opening direction of the electrical cable insertion section 26. Therefore, when the other end of the connection terminal 55 is fastened to the placement section 32 of the busbar 31 by the second fastening element 5, the assembly tolerance of the busbar 31 and the connection terminal 5 can be absorbed, and the workability when fastening the second fastening element 5 is improved. When the shielded connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector, the fitting tolerance of the busbar 31 with respect to a mating terminal can also be absorbed, and an increase in a connector fitting force can also be suppressed. The same applies to the busbar 41, which is arranged in the terminal receiving section 22 of the housing 20.

[0046] Fig. 9A and Fig. Figure 9B shows a perspective view and a perspective cross-sectional view of the watertight element 60, which covers a gap between the electrical cable insertion section 26 and the electrical cable 51 in a watertight manner. As shown in Fig. 9A and Fig. As shown in Figure 9B, the waterproof element 60 comprises an annular rubber section 61 and an annular resin section 66. The rubber section 61 has two inner sealing sections 65 and 65, which contact an outer peripheral surface of the electrical cable 51 in a pressed manner, and two outer sealing sections 63 and 63, which contact the inner peripheral surface (first inner peripheral surface) 26a of the electrical cable insertion section 26 in a pressed manner.

[0047] The resin section 66 integrally comprises a plurality of attachment sections 67 that abut the outer peripheral surface of the electrical cable 51 and an outer annular section 68 that abuts an inner peripheral surface (second inner peripheral surface) 26b of a narrowed section provided at the inner peripheral surface 26a of the side of the connection receiving section 21 (22) in the electrical cable insertion section 26, and is molded into the rubber section 61 by injection molding. The attachment section 67 and the outer annular section 68 do not necessarily abut the outer peripheral surface of the electrical cable 51 and the inner peripheral surface 26b of the narrowed section, respectively, and may have a small gap. Four attachment sections 67 are provided at equal intervals in one circumferential direction of the resin section 66 and have a lower projecting height than the height of the inner sealing section 65.The outer annular section 68 has a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the outer sealing section 63.

[0048] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the waterproofing element 60 inserted between the electrical cable insertion section 26 and the electrical cable 51 can seal a gap between the electrical cable insertion section 26 and the electrical cable 51 in a watertight manner through the rubber section 61. Furthermore, the connecting terminal 55 attached to the placement section 32 (42) of the busbar 31 (41), which is oriented in the direction (left-right direction in Fig. 10) is movable orthogonally to the opening direction of the electrical cable insertion section 26, in the direction orthogonal to the opening direction of the electrical cable insertion section 26, when the second fastening element 5 is fastened, when the shielded connector is fitted to the mating connector, or the like.

[0049] As in Fig. As shown in 11, the effect is when the connection terminal 55 is in the direction (left direction inwards). Fig. 11) When the electrical cable insertion section 26 is displaced orthogonally to the opening direction, an eccentric force is exerted on the electrical cable 51, whose terminal is connected to the connecting terminal 55, in the left direction with respect to an opening center axis Y of the electrical cable insertion section 26. However, if the electrical cable 51 is eccentric in the left direction with respect to the opening center axis Y of the electrical cable insertion section 26, this eccentricity is regulated by the resin section 66 of the watertight element 60, in which the opposite system section 67 abuts the outer peripheral surface of the electrical cable 51 and the outer annular section 68 abuts the inner peripheral surface 26b of the narrowed section.Therefore, with the rubber section 61 of the waterproofing element 60, which has the inner sealing section 65 and the outer sealing section 63, it is possible to reduce the influence of the eccentricity (deviation) of the electrical cable 51, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the sealing performance.

[0050] Fig. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a shielded connector 1A according to another embodiment of the disclosed object. In the shielded connector 1A, the same components as those of the shielded connector 1 according to the embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The shielded connector 1A is provided with a front shielding shell 97 as a third shielding shell, which covers the front surface of the housing 20, except for the connector fitting section 92.

[0051] The front shielding shell 97 is a shielding element that covers and electromagnetically shields the front surface of the inner housing 90, excluding the connector fitting section 92. The front shielding shell 97 is formed from a conductive metal material. A locking piece 98 is locked to a locking section 96 formed in the inner housing 90, two locking pieces 99a are attached together to the third fastening elements 7, and a locking piece 99b is attached to a fastening element 9, with the front shielding shell 97 being attached to the front surface of the inner housing 90.

[0052] According to the shielded connector 1A of the present embodiment, if the shielded connector 1A is not mounted such that the front surface of the housing 20 faces a metal housing of a mating connector (not shown), the shielding properties of the shielded connector 1A can be ensured by covering the front surface of the housing 20 with the front shielding shell 97. In other words, if the shielded connector 1A is mounted such that the front surface of the housing 20 faces the metal housing of the mating connector, the shielding properties can be ensured without covering the front surface of the housing 20 with the front shielding shell 97.

[0053] Therefore, according to the shielded connectors 1 and 1A according to the above embodiments, it is possible to provide a shielded connector that is easy to handle and can improve assembly processability.

[0054] While the subject matter disclosed herein has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without deviating from the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein as defined by the attached claims.

[0055] According to one aspect of the embodiments described above, a shielded connector (1, 1A) includes a housing (20) having a front opening section (28) configured to be covered by an inner housing (90) in which a connector fitting section (92) configured to be fitted with a mating connector is formed, and an electrical cable insertion section (26) having a tubular shape and opening in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the front opening (28) opens, a terminal (for example, busbar 31, 41) configured to be received in a terminal receiving section (21, 22) of the housing (20) and having a distal section configured to be connected to a mating terminal, and a connection terminal (55) having an end configured to be connected to an end of an electrical cable (51).a first shielding shell (for example, the upper shielding shell 10) configured to cover a rear surface of the housing (20) opposite a front surface of the housing (20) on which the front opening section (28) is provided; a second shielding shell (for example, the lower shielding shell 81) comprising a braid connection section (83) to which a braid (87) covering the electrical cable (51) emerging from the electrical cable insertion section (26) is to be connected; and a shell mounting section (82) configured to be electrically connected to the first shielding shell (upper shielding shell 10); a first mounting element (3) configured to fasten the housing (20) to the first shielding shell (upper shielding shell 10); and a second mounting element (5) configured to fasten the other end of the connection terminal (55) to a placement section (32).42) of the connection (busbar 31, 41) received in the connection receiving section (21, 22) of the housing (20), and a third fastening element (7) configured to fasten the shell fastening section (82) of the second shielding shell (lower shielding shell 81) to the first shielding shell (upper shielding shell 10). The first fastening element (3), the second fastening element (5), and the third fastening element (7) have fastening directions (D1, D2, D3) parallel to each other and are fastened from a front surface of the housing (20).

[0056] When assembling the shielded connector described above, the housing is first attached to the first shielding shell from the rear surface using the first fastener. Next, after the connector is positioned in the terminal receptacle of the housing through the front opening, the connecting terminal, one end of which is connected to the electrical cable terminal, is inserted into the housing through the electrical cable insertion section of the housing. The other end of the terminal inserted into the housing is secured to the terminal placement section using the second fastener. Finally, the shell mounting section of the second shielding shell, where the braid covering the electrical cable is connected to the braid connection section, is attached to the first shielding shell using the third fastener.The first three fasteners have parallel mounting directions and are attached from the front surface of the housing. Finally, the inner housing, which covers the front opening section, is attached to the housing. Therefore, when assembling the shielded connector, an operator can attach all three fasteners from the same direction (from the front surface of the housing) and can visually verify the mounting status collectively, thus improving assembly ease. In this shielded connector configuration, because the first shielding shell, housing, terminal, connecting terminal, and second shielding shell are integrally secured and mounted by the first three fasteners, handling is good until the shielded connector is fitted to the mating connector.

[0057] A positioning mechanism (for example, positioning projection 15 and positioning hole 23) configured to position the housing (20) relative to the first shielding shell (upper shielding shell 10) can be provided between the first shielding shell (upper shielding shell 10) and the rear surface of the housing (20).

[0058] With this configuration, the positioning mechanism, including the positioning protrusion, positioning hole, and the like, is located between the first shielding shell and the rear surface of the housing. This facilitates the positioning of the housing relative to the first shielding shell and improves the ease of installation of the first fastener.

[0059] The connection (busbar 31, 41) which is received in the connection receiving section (21, 22) of the housing (20) can be positioned with respect to the second direction and can be displaced with respect to one direction orthogonal to the second direction.

[0060] With this configuration, the connector, positioned in the connector receptacle of the housing, is aligned with the opening direction of the electrical cable insertion section and is movable in a direction orthogonal to that opening direction. Therefore, when the other end of the connector is secured to the connector placement section by the second fastener, assembly tolerances of the connector and the connector can be absorbed, and machinability during the fastening of the second fastener is improved. When the shielded connector is fitted to the mating connector, the fit tolerance of the connector with respect to the mating connector can also be absorbed, and any increase in connector fit tolerance can be suppressed.

[0061] The shielded connector (1, 1A) can further include a watertight element (60) configured to be attached to the electrical cable (51) and to seal a gap between the electrical cable insertion section (26) and the electrical cable (51) in a watertight manner. The watertight element (60) can include a rubber section (61) comprising an inner sealing section (65) configured to contact an outer peripheral surface of the electrical cable (51) in a pressed manner, and an outer sealing section (63) configured to contact a first inner peripheral surface (26a) of the electrical cable insertion section (26) in a pressed manner, and a resin section (66) integrally comprising a plurality of attachment sections (67) configured to abut against the outer peripheral surface of the electrical cable (51), and an outer annular section (68) configured toto abut a second inner peripheral surface (26b) of a narrowed section, which is provided on the first inner peripheral surface (26a) on one side of the electrical cable insertion section (26) which is connected to the connection receiving section (21, 22), wherein the resin section (66) is inserted into the rubber section (61) by injection molding.

[0062] With this configuration, the gap between the electrical cable insertion section and the electrical cable is sealed watertight by the rubber section of the waterproofing element. Furthermore, the connecting terminal, which is attached to the placement section of the connector and is slidable in a direction orthogonal to the opening direction of the electrical cable insertion section, can be displaced in this direction when the second fastening element is attached, when the shielded connector is fitted to the mating connector, or similar. When the connecting terminal is displaced in a direction orthogonal to the opening direction of the electrical cable insertion section, an eccentric force about an opening center axis of the electrical cable insertion section acts on the electrical cable whose terminal is connected to the connecting terminal.However, if the electrical cable is eccentric with respect to the opening axis of the electrical cable insertion section, this eccentricity is regulated by the resin section of the waterproofing element. In this section, the multiple components abut the outer peripheral surface of the electrical cable, and the outer annular section abuts the inner peripheral surface of the narrowed section. Therefore, the rubber section of the waterproofing element, which includes the inner and outer sealing sections, reduces the influence of the electrical cable's eccentricity (deviation) and prevents a decrease in sealing performance.

[0063] The shielded connector (1A) may further include a third shielding shell (for example, front shielding shell 97) configured to cover the other front surface of the housing (20) as the connector fitting section (92).

[0064] With this configuration, if the shielded connector is not mounted so that the front surface of the housing faces the metal housing of a mating connector, the shielding properties of the shielded connector can be ensured by covering the front surface of the housing with the third shielding shell. In other words, if the shielded connector is mounted so that the front surface of the housing faces the metal housing of the mating connector, the shielding properties can be ensured without covering the front surface of the housing with the third shielding shell.

Claims

[1] A shielded connector (1, 1A) comprising: a housing (20) comprising a front opening section (28) configured to be covered by an inner housing (90) in which a connector fitting section (92) configured to be fitted with a mating connector is formed, and an electrical cable insertion section (26) having a tubular shape and being open in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the front opening (28) opens; a port (31, 41) configured to be received in a port receiving section (21, 22) of the housing (20) and having a distal section configured to be connected to a mating port; a connection terminal (55) having an end configured to be connected to an end of an electrical cable (51); a first shielding shell (10) configured to cover a rear surface of the housing (20) opposite a front surface of the housing (20) on which the front opening section (28) is provided; a second shielding shell (81) comprising a braid connection section (83) to which a braid (87) covering the electrical cable (51) leading out of the electrical cable insertion section (26) is to be connected, and a shell fastening section (82) configured to be electrically connected to the first shielding shell (10); a first fastening element (3) configured to fasten the housing (20) to the first shielding shell (10); a second fastening element (5) configured to fasten the other end of the connection terminal (55) to a placement section (32, 42) of the terminal (31, 41) received in the terminal receiving section (21, 22) of the housing (20); and a third fastening element (7) configured to fasten the shell fastening section (82) of the second shielding shell (81) to the first shielding shell (10), wherein the first fastening element (3), the second fastening element (5) and the third fastening element (7) have fastening directions (D1, D2, D3) parallel to each other and are fastened from a front surface side of the housing (20). [2] The shielded connector (1, 1A) according to claim 1, wherein a positioning mechanism (15, 23) configured to position the housing (20) with respect to the first shielding shell (10) is provided between the first shielding shell (10) and the rear surface of the housing (20). [3] The shielded connector (1, 1A) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection (31, 41) which is received in the connection receiving section (21, 22) of the housing (20) is positioned with respect to the second direction and is displaceable with respect to one direction orthogonal to the second direction. [4] The shielded connector (1, 1A) according to claim 3, further comprising: a waterproof element (60) configured to be attached to the electrical cable (51) and to seal a gap between the electrical cable insertion section (26) and the electrical cable (51) in a watertight manner, the waterproof element (60) contains: a rubber section (61) comprising: an inner sealing section (65) configured to contact an outer peripheral surface of the electrical cable (51) in a pressed manner; and an outer sealing section (63) configured to contact a first inner peripheral surface (26a) of the electrical cable insertion section (26) in a pressed manner; and a resin section (66) integrally comprising: a plurality of plant sections (67) configured to abut against the outer peripheral surface of the electrical cable (51); and an outer annular section (68) configured to abut against a second inner peripheral surface (26b) of a narrowed section provided at the first inner peripheral surface (26a) on one side of the electrical cable insertion section (26) connected to the terminal receiving section (21, 22), wherein the resin section (66) is inserted into the rubber section (61) by injection molding. [5] The shielded connector (1A) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a third shielding shell (97) configured to cover the other front surface of the housing (20) as the connector fitting section (92).

Images