Shield connector

Abstract

To provide a shield connector capable of being simultaneously inserted into an internal housing even when a terminal connecting core wires of a pair of electric wires is twisted.SOLUTION: A connector 10 includes a pair of terminals 1 and 1 for connecting a core wire Wc, an internal housing 2 for holding the pair of terminals 1 and 1, a metal shell 3 for covering an exposed part of the pair of wires W and W so as to be capable of close contact with each other, and a cover shell 4 connected in series with the metal shell 3. The metal shell 3 has a pair of terminal introduction holes 32h and 32h whose outer edges partially communicate with each other. The terminal 1 has a plurality of contact lances 13 formed on the wire connecting portion 1a side and protruding in the centrifugal direction from the outer periphery of the terminal 1. The inner housing 2 has a pair of housing lances 22r and 22r, which can be locked to the contact lances 13, protruding forward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shielded connector, and more particularly to a shielded connector structure that can be attached to the terminal of a shielded differential cable that includes a pair of electric wires with insulating cores, a braided wire covering the electric wires, and an insulating sheath covering the braided wire. [Background technology]

[0002] Shielded differential cables such as STQ (Shielded Twisted Quad) cables or STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) cables shield the electrical signals transmitted through the core wires from unwanted electromagnetic waves by covering the two pairs of wires with braided wire.

[0003] In recent years, shielded connectors attached to the terminals of shielded differential cables (hereinafter referred to as shielded cables) are often used in wire harnesses that transmit electrical signals to electronic devices installed in automobiles, as these connectors are less susceptible to noise and can transmit high-frequency signals.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART A shielded connector that is attached to the terminal of an STP cable and has high assembly reliability is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-4366 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the shielded connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the front portions of the terminals are inserted into the terminal-receiving chambers in the front portion of the housing, and the rear portions of the terminals are inserted into the open terminal-receiving chambers in the rear portion of the housing. The retainer is then slid relative to the housing in the terminal insertion direction, and the retainer is attached so that the retainer body covers the open terminal-receiving chambers in the rear portion of the housing. Even if the terminals are partially inserted, the terminals are pressed by the pressing portion of the retainer when slid into place, and are corrected to a properly inserted state where they are locked by the locking portion. For this reason, the shielded connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is said to have high assembly reliability.

[0007] The shielded connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a terminal configured with a hollow box-shaped terminal connection portion and a wire crimping portion that crimps the core wire of the electric wire. The bridging portion bridges the terminal connection portion and the wire crimping portion in the axial direction. The terminal connection portion has a semi-conical locking protrusion (a so-called contact lance) protruding from its top surface. When the retainer is attached to the inner housing, the locking protrusion can be locked into the housing lance (locking portion) formed inside the inner housing.

[0008] However, when a pair of terminals is to be inserted simultaneously into the inner housing, there is a problem in that it is not easy to align the locking projections on the pair of terminals in the same centrifugal direction of the outer periphery when crimping the wires because the wires can be twisted. If the locking projections on the left and right terminals are oriented in different directions, it is necessary to provide a direction-restricting member on the terminals.

[0009] There is a need for a shielded connector that can be attached to the end of a shielded cable having a pair of electric wires and a braided wire surrounding the pair of electric wires, and that can be simultaneously inserted into an inner housing even if the terminals connected to the core wires of the pair of electric wires are twisted.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a shielded connector that can be attached to the end of a shielded cable having a pair of electric wires and a braided wire surrounding the pair of electric wires, and that can be simultaneously inserted into an internal housing even if the terminals connected to the core wires of the pair of electric wires are twisted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The inventors conceived the idea that by configuring the locking protrusions (contact lances) on the terminals with multiple components and configuring the locking portion (housing lance) on the internal housing, it would be possible to simultaneously insert the terminals even if the orientation of the locking protrusions on the left and right terminals is different, and based on this idea they invented the following new shielded connector.

[0012] (1) A shielded connector that can be attached to the end of a shielded differential cable having a pair of electric wires with insulating coating on the core wires, a braided wire covering these electric wires, and an insulating sheath covering the braided wire, the shielded connector comprising: cylindrical terminals for connecting the core wires; an inner housing that holds the pair of terminals inside; and a metal shell that is electrically connected to the braided wire and tightly covers the exposed portions of the pair of electric wires from the end of the braided wire to the terminal, and has a pair of terminal introduction holes with parts of the outer edge that are connected together; the terminals have an electric wire connection portion formed at one end and having a conductor barrel that connects the core wires by crimping, a terminal connection portion formed at the other end and having a pair of clamping pieces that can be connected to a mating terminal, and multiple locking protrusions formed on the side of the electric wire connection portion and protruding in a centrifugal direction from the outer periphery of the terminal; and the inner housing has locking portions that protrude forward and can be locked by the locking protrusions.

[0013] (2) A shielded connector as described in (1), wherein the plurality of locking protrusions consist of three evenly spaced around the outer periphery of the terminal, and the locking portion consists of a pair of opposing semicircular arc-shaped opposing walls.

[0014] (3) A shielded connector as described in (1) or (2), further comprising an outer housing having a locking arm on its upper surface that can be mated with a mating connector and holding the metal shell inside with the shielded differential cable connected, the outer housing having a first positioning assurance member that maintains the locked state of the locking arm.

[0015] (4) A shielded connector as described in (3), wherein the outer housing has a second positioning assurance member that is inserted from the underside toward the outer periphery of the metal shell and restricts axial movement of the metal shell relative to the outer housing.

[0016] (5) A shielded connector according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising an elliptical cylindrical cover shell connected in series with the metal shell and covering the front of the metal shell. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The shielded connector of the present invention is configured with multiple locking protrusions (contact lances) on the terminals and locking portions (housing lances) on the internal housing, making it possible to insert the terminals simultaneously even if the orientation of the locking protrusions on the left and right terminals is different. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a shielded connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front side; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the shielded connector according to the embodiment, as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the configuration of the shield connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the shielded connector according to the embodiment, taken along the arrow AA in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the shielded connector according to the embodiment, illustrating a state before the terminal assembly is assembled into the outer housing. [Figure 6] 6(A) is an oblique exploded assembly view showing the configuration of the shielded connector according to the embodiment, the left side of FIG. 6(A) is a view showing the state before the first and second positioning assurance members are assembled into the outer housing, the right side of FIG. 6(A) is an oblique exploded assembly view showing the internal configuration of the shielded connector, the left side of FIG. 6(B) is an assembly state view of the left side of FIG. 6(A), and the right side of FIG. 6(B) is an assembly state view of the right side of FIG. 6(A). [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the shielded connector according to the embodiment, illustrating a state before a terminated shielded differential cable is incorporated into a terminal assembly. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the shielded connector according to the embodiment, where FIG. 8A is a view taken along the arrow BB in FIG. 4, FIG. 8B is a view taken along the arrow AA in FIG. 4, FIG. 8C is a state diagram in which the external housing is omitted from FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8D is a state diagram in which the external housing is omitted from FIG. 8A. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the entire configuration of the shielded connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10(A) and 10(B) are diagrams showing the configuration of the shielded connector according to the embodiment, in which FIG. 10(A) is an oblique view of the metal shell, FIG. 10(B) is a rear view of the metal shell, FIG. 10(C) is a plan view of the metal shell, FIG. 10(D) is an oblique view of the shielded connector, and FIG. 10(E) is an oblique view of the metal shell with a shielded cable and a cover shell. [Figure 11]11(A) and 11(B) are diagrams showing the assembly process of the shielded connector according to the embodiment, in which FIG. 11(A) is a diagram showing the state before the shielded cable is terminated, FIG. 11(B) is a diagram showing the state after the insulating sheath has been partially peeled from the end of the shielded cable, FIG. 11(C) is a diagram showing the state after the ferrule has been set around the braided wire before crimping, FIG. 11(D) is a diagram showing the state after the ferrule has been crimped around the braided wire, FIG. 11(E) is a diagram showing the state after the braided wire has been folded back around the ferrule, FIG. 11(F) is a diagram showing the state after a predetermined length of metal foil covering the outer periphery of a pair of electric wires has been peeled off, FIG. 11(G) is a diagram showing the state after the insulating coating has been peeled off from the end of the electric wire, FIG. 11(H) is a right side view of FIG. 11(G), FIG. 11(I) is a front view of the ferrule before crimping, FIG. 11(J) is a front view of the ferrule alone after crimping, and FIG. 11(K) is a front view of the ferrule and electric wire crimped together. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the shielded connector according to the embodiment, as viewed from the front side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Shield connector configuration] First, the configuration of a shielded connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. (Overall composition) 1 to 7, a shielded connector (hereinafter simply referred to as connector) 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be attached to the end of a shielded differential cable (hereinafter simply referred to as shielded cable) Cb. The shielded cable Cb includes a pair of electric wires W·W, a braided wire Wb, and an insulating sheath Ws. The electric wire W provides an insulating coating to the core wire Wc. The braided wire Wb covers the pair of electric wires W·W. The insulating sheath Ws covers the braided wire Wb. (See FIG. 7 or FIG. 9 and FIGS. 11(A) to 11(H)).

[0020] Referring to Figures 6(A), 6(B), 7, and 9, a connector 10 includes a pair of terminals 1 and an elliptical cylindrical inner housing 2. The connector 10 also includes an elliptical cylindrical metal shell 3 and an elliptical cylindrical cover shell 4. The terminal 1 is connected to a core wire Wc (see Figure 7 or Figure 8(D)). The inner housing 2 holds the pair of terminals 1 inside (see Figure 8(A) or Figure 8(B)).

[0021] 5 or 6(B), the cover shell 4 is connected in series with the metal shell 3. The cover shell 4 also covers the inner housing 2 and the front part 21 of the metal shell 3 (see FIG. 8(A) or 8(B)).

[0022] 8(A) to 8(D), the metal shell 3 is electrically connected to the braided wire Wb. The metal shell 3 also tightly covers the exposed portions of the pair of electric wires W·W extending from the end of the braided wire Wb to the terminal 1. The metal shell 3 has a crimping portion 31, a terminal conducting hole portion 32, and a connecting portion 33 (see FIG. 7 or FIGS. 8(A) to 8(D)). The crimping portion 31 and the connecting portion 33 are continuous in the axial direction.

[0023] Referring to Fig. 8(A), the crimping portion 31 crimps the braided wire Wb from the outer circumferential direction. Referring to Fig. 8(A) or Fig. 8(C), the terminal conducting hole portion 32 passes through the exposed portions of the pair of electric wires W·W. Referring to Fig. 8(C), the connecting portion 33 covers the inner housing 2 from the outer circumferential direction.

[0024] 10(A) to 10(C), the crimping portion 31 has an elliptical cylindrical shape. The terminal conduction hole portion 32, which is continuous with the crimping portion 31, has a pair of terminal introduction holes 32h. In the illustrated example, the terminal conduction hole portion 32 has an elliptical cylindrical shape and is narrower than the crimping portion 31. The central portions of the wall portions facing each other across the major axis of the terminal conduction hole portion 32 are recessed inward so as to approach each other. This forms a pair of terminal introduction holes 32h in the terminal conduction hole portion 32. That is, in the illustrated example, the pair of terminal introduction holes 32h are inner holes of the elliptical cylindrical terminal conduction hole portion 32. The pair of terminal introduction holes 32h are narrower than the crimping portion 31, and a portion of the outer edge of the pair of terminal introduction holes 32h is connected. Also, with reference to FIG. 8(A) or 8(B), the inner housing 2 has a wedge piece 22w protruding from an end portion. The wedge pieces 22w can separate the pair of entering electric wires W·W at a predetermined pitch.

[0025] 8(A) to 8(D) or 10(A) to 10(E), in the shielded connector 10 according to the embodiment, the terminal introduction holes 32h·32h, into which the exposed insulating coating portions of the pair of electric wires W·W are introduced, are formed in an "infinity symbol" shape, so that the insulating coating Wi of the electric wire W is in close contact with the inner wall of the terminal introduction hole 32h. This reduces impedance and enables good signal transmission in the high frequency band.

[0026] Furthermore, the shielded connector 10 according to the present invention allows the electric wires W to be easily inserted into the terminal introduction hole 21h starting from the terminal 1, and since the inner housing 2 has a wedge piece 22w protruding from its end, the ends of a pair of closely-contacted electric wires W·W can be spaced apart at a predetermined pitch.

[0027] 7, 9, and 12, the terminal 1 is formed with a plurality of locking protrusions (hereinafter referred to as contact lances) 13 on the wire connecting portion 1a side. These contact lances 13 protrude from the outer periphery of the terminal 1 in the centrifugal direction.

[0028] 8(B), the inner housing 2 has a pair of locking portions (hereinafter referred to as housing lances) 22r protruding from the front, which can be locked with the contact lances 13. The contact lances 13 consist of three parts evenly spaced around the outer periphery of the terminal 1, and the housing lances 22r consist of a pair of opposing semicircular arc-shaped walls.

[0029] Referring to Figure 8(A), when a pair of terminals 1·1 are inserted into the terminal introduction holes 21h·21h, the wedge pieces 22w are inserted relatively between the electric wires W·W, and the progress of the pair of terminals 1·1 stops, one or two of the three contact lances 13 can be securely engaged with the housing lance 22r.

[0030] In the shielded connector 10 according to the embodiment, the terminals 1 connected to the core wires Wc of the pair of electric wires W·W can be simultaneously inserted into the inner housing 2 even if they are twisted.

[0031] (Terminal configuration) Next, the configuration of a terminal 1 according to an embodiment will be described. Referring to Fig. 7, the terminal 1 is fixed to an end of a core wire Wc. The terminal 1 has an electric wire connection portion 1a made of a conductor barrel formed at one end. By crimping the conductor barrel onto the core wire Wc, the terminal 1 and the electric wire W can be electrically connected.

[0032] Referring to Figure 7, terminal 1 has a terminal connection portion 1b at the other end, which is made up of a pair of clamping pieces 12. Terminal connection portion 1b is formed in a cylindrical shape with a slit. Terminal connection portion 1b can function as an open entry that protects against prying that occurs when a mating terminal is inserted.

[0033] 7, a pin-shaped male contact disposed in a mating terminal (not shown) can be introduced into the terminal connection portion 1b through a front opening of the terminal connection portion 1b, thereby electrically connecting the mating terminal (not shown) to the terminal 1. Although the terminal 1 is shown as a female terminal in FIG. 7, the terminal 1 can also be configured as a pin-shaped male terminal.

[0034] 7, the terminal 1 has one or more triangular pyramidal contact lances 13 protruding from the outer periphery on the wire connection portion 1a side (see FIG. 7). When the terminal 1 is inserted into the inner housing 2, the contact lances 13 engage with housing lances 22r (engagement portions) provided on the inner wall of the inner housing 2 (see FIG. 8(B)), thereby preventing the terminal 1 from falling off when a mating terminal is inserted.

[0035] 7 or 8(B) and 12, in this embodiment, the plurality of contact lances (locking protrusions) 13 consist of three, evenly spaced around the outer periphery of the terminal 1. Referring to Fig. 12, the plurality of contact lances 13 have their central portions spaced at intervals of 120 degrees. Since the housing lances (locking portions) 22r consist of a pair of opposing semicircular arc-shaped walls (see Fig. 8(B)), one or two of the three contact lances 13 can be securely locked to the housing lance 22r.

[0036] 7, the terminal 1 is made of a conductive metal plate, and a cylindrical terminal can be obtained by forming a conductive metal expanded plate. The terminal 1 can also be obtained by processing a conductive metal rod.

[0037] (Internal housing configuration) Next, the configuration of the inner housing 2 according to the embodiment will be described. Referring to Figures 6(A), 8(A) to 8(D), and 9, the inner housing 2 is made of an insulating synthetic resin, and the insulating synthetic resin can be molded to obtain the inner housing 2 in a desired shape.

[0038] Referring to Fig. 8(D), the inner housing 2 has a pair of terminal introduction holes 21h, 21h opening at the front portion 21 (see Fig. 6(A)). A mating terminal (not shown) can be introduced from the front of the terminal introduction hole 21h. A terminal 1 with an electric wire W connected thereto can be introduced from the rear portion 22 of the terminal introduction hole 21h.

[0039] 8(A) to 8(D), when the terminal 1 is accommodated in the terminal introduction hole 21h, the terminal connection portion 1b is disposed facing the front opening of the terminal introduction hole 21h.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 6(A), the inner housing 2 has a pair of protruding stripes 22s formed on both sides thereof, protruding in opposite directions from the outer periphery thereof.

[0041] 6(A), the connecting portion 33 of the metal shell 3 has a pair of rectangular notches 33c cut out on both sides to mate with the pair of protrusions 22s. When the rear portion 22 of the inner housing 2 is inserted into the metal shell 3, the protrusions 22s mate with the notches 33c, thereby determining the position of the inner housing 2 in the axial direction of the metal shell 3 relative to the metal shell 3. This allows the inner housing 2 and the metal shell 3 to be properly connected in series in the axial direction.

[0042] (Metal shell configuration) Next, the configuration of the metal shell 3 according to the embodiment will be described. Referring to Fig. 5 to Fig. 10(E), the metal shell 3 is made of a conductive metal plate, and is formed into an elliptical cylindrical shape by molding a conductive metal deployable plate.

[0043] 6(A), 6(B), 7, and 8(A) to 8(D), the metal shell 3 has a crimping portion 31 and a connecting portion 33 formed continuously in the axial direction. The crimping portion 31 is formed on the base end side of the metal shell 3.

[0044] 6(A) and 6(B) or 9, the outer shape of the terminal conducting hole portion 32 is smaller than that of the crimping portion 31 and the connecting portion 33. Referring to FIG. 5, with the metal shell 3 with the shielded cable Cb and the cover shell 4 assembled in the outer housing 5, the axial positioning of the metal shell 3 relative to the outer housing 5 can be ensured by inserting the concave second positioning assurance member 92 from below the outer housing 5 (see FIG. 6(A)).

[0045] (Cover shell configuration) Next, the configuration of the cover shell 4 according to the embodiment will be described. With reference to Figures 5 to 7, the cover shell 4 is made of a conductive metal plate and is formed into an elliptical cylindrical shape by molding a conductive metal deployable plate.

[0046] 8(A) or 8(B), the base end side of the cover shell 4 is tightly fitted to the tip end side of the metal shell 3. The cover shell 4 is connected in series with the metal shell 3 in the axial direction. The cover shell 4 is also electrically connected to the metal shell 3 (see FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B)).

[0047] 8(A) to 8(D), the cover shell 4 covers the inner housing 2 and the front of the metal shell 3. The cover shell 4, which holds the inner housing 2 inside, is inserted into the metal shell 3, and is thereby fitted to the metal shell 3.

[0048] (External housing configuration) Next, the configuration of the outer housing 5 according to the embodiment will be described. Referring to Figures 1 to 6(B), the outer housing 5 is composed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body 5b and an elliptical cylindrical header 5h. The main body 5b can accommodate the metal shell 3 with the shielded cable Cb and the cover shell 4 (hereinafter referred to as the terminal assembly) shown in Figure 5 inside.

[0049] 1 or 2, the header portion 5h protrudes from the front surface of the main body portion 5b. The header portion 5h has a connection opening 51 into which the header portion of a mating connector can be inserted (see FIG. 1). The header portion 5h has a cover shell 4 disposed therein (see FIGS. 1 and 8(B)).

[0050] 1 to 6(B), the header portion 5h has a lock arm 5r on its upper surface, which can be fitted with a latch member provided on a mating connector (not shown).

[0051] 6(A) or 9, the outer housing 5 is provided with a first positioning assurance member (hereinafter referred to as CPA) 91. When the lock arm 5r is locked with a latch member provided on the mating connector, and the CPA 91 is inserted from the rear of the outer housing 5 toward the lock arm 5r, the CPA 91 engages with the lock arm 5r, thereby maintaining the locked state between the latch member and the lock arm 5r. This ensures the positioning of the mating connector and the outer housing 5.

[0052] Referring to Figures 1 to 6(B), the outer housing 5 is made of an insulating synthetic resin, and the insulating synthetic resin can be molded to obtain an outer housing 5 of a desired shape with a cavity inside.

[0053] 6(A) or 9, the outer housing 5 further includes a rectangular parallelepiped second positioning assurance member (hereinafter referred to as TPA) 92. The main body 5b has a rectangular insertion opening at the bottom, into which the TPA 92 can be inserted. The insertion opening communicates with the internal cavity of the main body 5b.

[0054] 6(A) or 9, when the terminal assembly At is inserted from the rear of the outer housing 5 (see FIG. 5), and the TPA 92 is inserted from below into the insertion opening that opens at the bottom of the main body 5b with the terminal assembly At fitted inside the outer housing 5, the arcuate surface (see FIG. 6(A)) formed on the TPA 92 abuts against the terminal conducting hole 32 of the metal shell 3 (see FIG. 9). In other words, the insertion opening is opened at an axial position that abuts against the terminal conducting hole 32.

[0055] 6(A) or 9, the terminal conducting hole portion 32 is narrower than the crimping portion 31 and the connecting portion 33. As a result, when the TPA 92 is attached to the outer housing 5, the TPA 92 can restrict the axial movement of the metal shell 3 relative to the outer housing 5 (see FIG. 8(B)).

[0056] (How to assemble a shielded connector) Next, a method for assembling the connector 10 according to the embodiment will be described. First, the shielded cable Cb is terminated with reference to Figures 11(A) to 11(K).

[0057] A predetermined length is stripped from the end face of the terminal of the untreated shielded cable Cb shown in FIG. 11(A), and only the insulating sheath Ws is removed (see FIG. 11(B)). Next, with the shielded cable Cb in the semi-stripped state shown in FIG. 11(B), the ferrule 6 in an open state is set on the braided wire Wb (see FIG. 11(C)). Referring to FIGS. 11(I) to 11(K), the ferrule 6 has a first crimping portion 61 and a pair of second crimping portions 62b. Next, the ferrule 6 is crimped onto the braided wire Wb (see FIG. 11(D)). The ferrule 6 is crimped onto the braided wire Wb by being bent from the open crimp barrel state opened in a U-shape as shown in FIG. 11(I). Referring to FIG. 11(J), when the ferrule 6 is bent, the second crimping portions 62b narrow in diameter from the first crimping portion 61 toward the second crimping portions 62b, and a portion of the outer edge is connected to and continuous with the first crimping portion 61. Referring to FIG. 11(K), the pair of second crimping portions 62b crimp the braided wire Wb from the outer circumferential direction. Referring to FIG. 11(D), the first crimping portion 61 crimps the braided wire Wb into a cylindrical shape, leaving an air space between the braided wire Wb. After crimping, one end of the braided wire Wb is folded back onto the ferrule 6 (see FIG. 11(E)). By crimping the braided wire Wb folded back onto the ferrule 6 with the crimping portion 31, the braided wire Wb is sandwiched between the ferrule 6 and the metal shell 3. This allows electrical conduction between the metal shell 3 and the braided wire Wb.

[0058] Next, the metal foil Wm covering the electric wire W shown in FIG. 11(E) is peeled off from the end face of the electric wire W (see FIG. 11(F)). Next, from the state shown in FIG. 11(F), the insulating coating Wi is peeled off from the end face of the electric wire W (see FIG. 11(G)). Then, the terminal processing of the shielded cable Cb is completed. As shown in FIG. 11(H), the electric wire W is exposed from the end face of the shielded cable Cb by a length "L1", and the core wire Wc is exposed from the end of the electric wire W by a length "L2".

[0059] 11(G), with the core wire Wc exposed from the end of the electric wire W, the core wire Wc is inserted into the electric wire connecting portion 1a of the terminal 1. Next, the electric wire connecting portion 1a is crimped, thereby fixing the terminal 1 to the end of the electric wire W (see FIG. 7).

[0060] 7, the electric wire W provided with the pair of terminals 1·1 is inserted into the terminal introduction hole 32h of the metal shell 3 from the rear part of the metal shell 3. With the electric wire W passing through the terminal introduction hole 32h, the truncated cone-shaped portion (the portion where the braided wire Wb is folded back onto the ferrule 6) abuts against the inner wall of the crimping portion 31, thereby stopping the shielded cable Cb in the metal shell 3. At this time, the insulating coating Wi of the electric wire W is passed through the terminal conducting hole portion 32 and is in close contact with the inner wall of the terminal introduction hole 32h.

[0061] An electric wire W provided with a pair of terminals 1·1 is passed through the terminal introduction hole 32h and then through the terminal introduction hole 21h of the inner housing 2 provided inside the cover shell 4. In this state, the wedge piece 22w protrudes toward the front of the metal shell 3, so that the ends of the pair of electric wires W·W can be spaced apart at a predetermined pitch. Also, referring to FIG. 7, the terminal 1 has the contact lance 13 protruding from the outer periphery of the electric wire connection portion 1a, so that by engaging with the housing lance 22r provided on the inner wall of the inner housing 2, the shielded cable Cb can be prevented from falling off the inner housing 2.

[0062] From the end of the shielded cable Cb to the pair of terminals 1·1, the braided wire Wb is covered with an insulating sheath Ws, an inner housing 2, and a metal shell 3. Therefore, the core wire Wc is not exposed to the outside. The metal shell 3 with the shielded cable Cb and the cover shell 4 shown in Figure 5 function as a shielded connector, but also as a so-called terminal assembly At. By mounting the terminal assembly At in an outer housing 5, it functions as a harness that can be easily connected to a mating connector.

[0063] The terminal assembly At completed as described above is inserted into the outer housing 5 from the rear side thereof (see FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B)). Next, as shown in FIG. 8(B), with the terminal assembly At fixed inside the outer housing 5, the TPA 92 is inserted into the outer housing 5 from below (see FIG. 6(A) or 9). When the TPA 92 is fitted into the outer housing 5, axial movement of the metal shell 3 relative to the outer housing 5 can be restricted.

[0064] Furthermore, when the CPA 91 is attached to the outer housing 5 with the lock arm 5r locked with the latch member provided on the mating connector, the locked state between the latch member and the lock arm 5r can be maintained.

[0065] [Shielded connector function] Next, the operation and effects of the connector 10 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0066] In the connector 10 according to the embodiment, when a pair of terminals 1·1 are inserted into the terminal introduction holes 21h·21h, the wedge pieces 22w are inserted relatively between the electric wires W·W, and the progress of the pair of terminals 1·1 stops, one or two of the three contact lances 13 can be securely engaged with the housing lance 22r.

[0067] In the shielded connector 10 according to the present invention, the terminals 1 connected to the core wires Wc of the pair of electric wires W·W can be simultaneously inserted into the inner housing 2 even if they are twisted.

[0068] Referring to Figures 5 to 11(H), the connector 10 according to the embodiment allows the electric wires W to be easily inserted into the terminal introduction holes 21h starting with the terminals 1, and the inner housing 2 has wedge pieces 22w protruding from its end, so that the ends of a pair of closely-contacted electric wires W·W can be spaced apart at a predetermined pitch.

[0069] Referring to Figures 1 to 6(B), the connector 10 according to the embodiment has a CPA91 (first positioning assurance member) that maintains the locked state of the latch member and the lock arm 5r, thereby ensuring the positioning of the mating connector and the outer housing 5.

[0070] Referring to Figure 6(A) or Figure 9, the connector 10 according to the embodiment is provided with a TPA 92 (second positioning assurance member) that is inserted from the underside of the outer housing 5 toward the terminal conducting hole portion 32, thereby restricting axial movement of the metal shell 3 relative to the outer housing 5.

[0071] The shielded connector of the present invention has been disclosed as being attached to the terminal of a two-pole shielded cable in which a pair of electric wires is covered with braided wire, but the shielded connector of the present invention can also be applied to an application example in which it is attached to the terminal of a multi-pole shielded cable in which a pair of electric wires is covered with braided wire.

[0072] The shielded connector of the present invention has a lance structure applicable to shielded differential cables, but this lance structure can also be applied to coaxial connectors fixed to the terminals of coaxial cables. Furthermore, the shielded connector of the present invention allows terminals to be inserted into the housing of ordinary electric wires other than those mentioned above without considering the orientation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 terminal 1a Wire connection part 1b Terminal connection 2 Inner housing 3 Metal Shell 4 Cover Shell 10 Connector (shielded connector) 13 Contact lance (locking protrusion) 32h Terminal introduction hole 22r Housing lance (locking part) Cb Shielded cable (shielded differential cable) W electric wire Wc core wire Wb braided wire Ws insulating sheath

Claims

1. A shielded connector that can be attached to a terminal of a shielded differential cable that includes a pair of electric wires whose core wires are insulated, a braided wire that covers these electric wires, and an insulating sheath that covers the braided wire, a cylindrical terminal for connecting the core wire; an inner housing that holds the pair of terminals therein; a metal shell electrically connected to the braided wire, tightly covering exposed portions of the pair of electric wires extending from the ends of the braided wire to the terminals, and having a pair of terminal introduction holes whose outer edges are connected together; The terminal is a wire connection portion formed at one end thereof and having a conductor barrel for connecting the core wire by crimping; a terminal connection portion formed at the other end and having a pair of clamping pieces connectable to a mating terminal; a plurality of locking projections formed on the electric wire connection portion side and protruding from the outer periphery of the terminal in a centrifugal direction, The inner housing has a locking portion protruding from the front that can be locked onto the locking projection.

2. 2. The shielded connector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of locking projections are three in number and are evenly spaced around the outer periphery of the terminal, and the locking portion is made up of a pair of opposing semicircular arc-shaped walls.

3. an outer housing having a lock arm on an upper surface thereof that can be fitted to a mating connector, and holding the metal shell therein with the shielded differential cable connected thereto; 3. The shielded connector according to claim 1, wherein the outer housing has a first positioning assurance member that maintains the locking arm in a locked state.

4. 4. The shielded connector according to claim 3, wherein the outer housing has a second positioning assurance member inserted from the underside toward the outer periphery of the metal shell and restricting axial movement of the metal shell relative to the outer housing.

5. 2. The shielded connector according to claim 1, further comprising an elliptical cylindrical cover shell connected in series with said metal shell and covering a front portion of said metal shell.

Images