Electrical connector unit

Abstract

To provide an electrical connector unit including a configuration of more suitable electromagnetic shield for electrically shielding a cable and a terminal connected to the cable.SOLUTION: There is provided an electrical connector unit including a connector and a cable connected to the connector. The cable includes an internal cable bundle comprising a plurality of internal cables, a cable shield, and an insulating coating member surrounding the internal cable bundle and the cable shield. The connector includes an enclosure housing, and a connector shield provided in the enclosure housing. A linear shield which is part of the cable shield and extends from the cable shield is attached to the connector shield.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrical connector unit, and more particularly to an electrical connector unit having a cable electrically connected thereto. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-pole L-shaped connector for connecting a multi-core cable to an electrical device.

[0003] In such connectors, an electromagnetic shield structure is provided that electrically shields the cable attached to the connector from the terminals provided on the connector in order to suppress the external radiation of electromagnetic waves due to signals transmitted to electrical devices or the intrusion of electromagnetic waves from the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-45835 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventors of the present invention have realized that there are problems to be overcome in the electromagnetic shielding structure of conventional connectors, and have recognized the need to take measures to address these problems. Specifically, they have found the following problems:

[0006] For example, in the connector described in Patent Document 1, an outer conductor surrounding the outer periphery of an internal cable is electrically connected to a shielding member provided in a connector housing having terminals inside. During connection, the cable is terminated by removing the end of the insulating coating covering the outer periphery of the outer conductor, folding the entire end of the outer conductor outward, and wrapping copper tape around the folded portion. In other words, in this termination, the folded outer conductor is positioned directly on the insulating coating. The outer conductor and the shielding member are electrically connected by crimping or pressing the shielding member against this terminated portion.

[0007] However, the insulation coating of the cables used in such connectors is generally made of a heat-shrinkable material that shrinks with increasing temperature, so the outer diameter of the cable may be reduced by heat generated during operation of the electrical device. Therefore, in connections made by crimping or pressing the outer circumference of the cable as described above, there is a risk that poor contact may occur due to the reduction in the outer diameter of the cable caused by heat generated by the electrical device, and that the electromagnetic shielding function may be impaired.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a primary object of the present disclosure is to provide an electrical connector unit having a more suitable electromagnetic shielding configuration for electrically shielding a cable and a terminal connected to the cable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides an electrical connector unit comprising a connector and a cable connected to the connector, wherein the cable comprises an internal cable bundle consisting of a plurality of internal cables, a cable shield, and an insulating covering member surrounding the internal cable bundle and the cable shield, the connector comprises a housing and a connector shield provided within the housing, and a linear shield that is part of the cable shield and is drawn out from the cable shield is attached to the connector shield. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The electrical connector unit according to the present disclosure provides a more suitable electromagnetic shield configuration for electrically shielding the cable and the terminal connected to the cable.

[0011] More specifically, in the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure, an electromagnetic shield can be formed by attaching a wire shield drawn from a cable shield provided on the cable to a connector shield provided inside the connector housing. Therefore, the connection between the cable shield and the connector shield is established without being directly related to the outer diameter of the cable, which can more effectively prevent connection failures caused by changes in the outer diameter of the cable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electrical connector unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an electrical connector unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a state in which a connector shield of an electrical connector unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to a linear cable. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state before a connector shield and a linear cable of an electrical connector unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are connected. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a state in which the connector shield of the electrical connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure and a linear cable are connected. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a state in which a connector shield of an electrical connector unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to a linear cable. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of the electromagnetic shield before the connector and the device connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are mated. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the configuration of the electromagnetic shield after the connector and the device connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are mated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An electrical connector unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The various elements in the drawings are merely shown schematically and for illustrative purposes only, and the appearance and dimensional ratios may differ from those of the actual product.

[0014] Furthermore, in the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions are used as necessary. However, the use of these terms is for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the meaning of these terms does not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, parts with the same reference numerals in multiple drawings refer to the same or equivalent parts.

[0015] The description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are considered a part of the entire written description. In describing the embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed herein, references to directions or orientations are for convenience of description only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Relative terms such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal," "vertical," "top," "lower," "top," and "bottom," as well as derivative terms such as "horizontally," "downward," and "upward," should be understood to refer to the orientation as described or illustrated. Such relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the device be configured or operated in a particular orientation, unless expressly described otherwise. Furthermore, terms such as "mounted," "attached," "connected," "coupled," and "interconnected," and similar terms, describe a relationship in which structures are directly or indirectly fixed or attached to one another by an intervening object, or a relationship in which both are movable or rigidly attached to one another, unless expressly described otherwise. Furthermore, the features or benefits of the present disclosure are illustrated with reference to preferred embodiments. Such embodiments have been described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and process, electrical, or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is expressly not limited to the preferred embodiments (alone or in combination with other features) which illustrate non-limiting combinations of possible features.

[0016] The features of the present disclosure relate to the structure of an electromagnetic shield in an electrical connector unit. However, in order to understand the electrical connector unit as a whole, an outline of the electrical connector unit will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electrical connector unit 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electrical connector unit 1000 includes, as main components, a connector 100 and a cable 200 connected to the connector 100. The electrical connector unit 1000 further includes a device connector 300 provided on a device. The device connector 300 is configured to be installed on a device (not shown) and to be mated with the connector 100.

[0018] In the following description, the direction in which the connector 100 and the device connector 300 are combined is referred to as the "vertical direction," and the connector 100 is placed above the device connector 300, which is placed below in the vertical direction.

[0019] In this disclosure, the term "unit" refers to a composite or combination of multiple components. Therefore, the electrical connector unit 1000 of the present disclosure may correspond to an electrical connector composite or combination including at least a cable 200, a connector 100 attached to the end of the cable 200, and a device connector 300 that mates with the connector 100.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cable 200 includes an inner cable bundle 240 composed of multiple inner cables 230, a cable shield 220, and an insulating jacket member 210 (or jacketing material) surrounding the inner cable bundle 240 and the cable shield 220. As shown in the figure, each of the multiple inner cables 230 may be formed by covering the outer periphery of a conductor 231, such as a pure copper wire or a tinned copper wire, with an insulating inner cable sheath 232. The multiple inner cables 230 constitute the inner cable bundle 240, the outer periphery of which is surrounded by a conductive cable shield 220. The jacket member 210 covers the outer periphery of the cable shield 220 and defines the outer periphery of the cable 200. The jacket member 210 may also be referred to as a cable jacket.

[0021] The covering member 210 is made of an insulating material, and is preferably a flexible insulating material for ease of cable routing. For example, the covering member 210 may be made of a polymer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, fluoropolymer, polyethylene, and / or the like.

[0022] 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an electrical connector unit 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The connector primarily includes a housing 110 and a connector shield 120 provided within the housing 110. The connector of the present disclosure may further include an inner housing 130 that houses terminals for electrically connecting with an internal cable. In the connector of the present disclosure, the housing 110 is a housing that defines the outside of the connector, and the inner housing 130 is disposed within the housing 110. Therefore, the housing 110 and the inner housing 130 may also be referred to as an outer housing and an inner housing, respectively, based on their relative positional relationship.

[0023] The housing 110 is an insulating member having a generally box-like shape, and may have an opening 112 on the device connector 300 side. An insertion opening 111 through which the cable 200 can pass may be formed on at least one side of the housing 110. In the electrical connector unit 1000 of the present disclosure, the cable 200 combined with the connector 100 passes through the insertion opening 111 and extends to the outside from the housing 110 (see FIG. 1 ). The insertion opening 111 may have a cylindrical shape that protrudes toward the outside of the housing 110. A thread may be formed on the outer periphery of the insertion opening 111 to thread onto a screw cap 170, and a gap between the insertion opening 111 and the cable 200 may be sealed by tightening the screw cap 170. Furthermore, to more reliably seal the gap between the insertion opening 111 and the cable 200, a sealant 150 and / or a clamp 160 may be used between the screw cap 170 and the cylindrical protrusion 312. One end of the cable 200 inserted into the housing 110 is accommodated within the housing 110. An internal cable bundle of a predetermined length extends from the end of the cable 200 toward the opening region 112 of the housing 110, and the tip of the internal cable bundle is electrically connected to a terminal (not shown). In other words, the cable 200 inserted from the side of the housing 110 has an internal cable bundle of a predetermined length extending downward from the end of the cable 200.

[0024] Although not shown, terminals connected to an internal cable bundle inserted into the enclosure housing 110 may be housed in the internal housing 130. The internal housing 130 may be formed from an insulating material (e.g., resin) and is configured to be combined with the conductive housing 310 of the device connector 300, which will be described later. Furthermore, the internal housing 130 is configured to support terminals connected to the internal cables. When the device connector 300 is combined with the connector, each of the terminals in the internal housing 130 is electrically connected to each of the terminals provided on the device connector 300.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the device connector 300 is a connector provided in a device. The device connector of the present disclosure can be applied to various electronic devices, such as motors used in industrial machinery or industrial robots. As shown in FIG. 3 , the device connector 300 mainly comprises a conductive housing 310 and an insulating housing 320 installed within the conductive housing 310. The conductive housing 310 has a base 311 installed on the surface of the device housing (not shown) and a cylindrical protrusion 312 configured to mate with the opening area 112 of the housing 110. The device connector 300 of the present disclosure is also configured so that the conductive housing 310 is grounded. For example, grounding can be achieved by arranging the base 311 of the conductive housing 310 so as to be electrically connected to the surface of the device housing. The cylindrical protrusion 312 is formed to protrude upward from the base 311. By combining the open area 112 of the housing 110 with the cylindrical protrusion 312, the terminal at the tip of the internal cable and the terminal housed in the insulating housing 320 are electrically connected to each other. More specifically, by combining the housing 110 with the conductive housing 310 so that the open area 112 of the housing 110 surrounds the cylindrical protrusion 312, the connector 100 is attached to the device connector 300.

[0026] In the present disclosure, the conductive housing is formed from a conductive material. While not particularly limited, the conductive housing may be formed from a metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or a resin having a conductive plating applied to its surface. In particular, when emphasizing superior productivity and dimensional accuracy, the conductive housing of the present disclosure is preferably formed by die-casting, such as aluminum die-casting.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the device connector 300 may have a waterproof packing. The packing may be provided, for example, around the outer periphery of the cylindrical protrusion 312 that mates with the connector 100 and / or at the joint between the base 311 and the device. This fills any gaps that may occur at the joint between the connector 100, the device connector 300, and the device, and allows electrical elements such as internal cables and terminals to be properly waterproofed.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a lock lever 140 may be used to maintain the assembled state of the connector and the device connector 300. As shown in FIG. 3 , the lock lever 140 may have a substantially U-shape and be configured to be assembled to the side of the case housing 110 from a direction facing the insertion opening 111. The lock lever 140 has arm portions 141 at both ends, and a locking portion 142 at the end of each arm portion 141. The case housing 110 has, on each of its side surfaces that join with both ends of the lock lever 140, a locking portion configured to receive the locking portion 142 of the lock lever 140. In addition, the conductive housing 310 of the device connector 300 may have a pair of protrusions 313 that protrude upward from the base portion 311 and are formed to engage with the arm portion 141 of the lock lever 140. A hook portion 313a that protrudes toward the cylindrical protrusion 312 may be provided at the tip of each protrusion 313. When the connector and device connector 300 are assembled, arm 141 of lock lever 140 is inserted between protrusion 313 and cylindrical protrusion 312 of conductive housing 310, and hook 313a is hooked onto arm 141. Furthermore, locking portion 142 of arm 141 engages with the locked portion of case housing 110, thereby locking connector 100 and device connector 300 in the mated state.

[0029] In the present disclosure, insulating members such as the enclosure housing 110, the inner housing 130, the insulating housing 320, and the lock lever 140 may be formed from an insulating, non-conductive material. These insulating members may include a resin material having insulating properties. Although not particularly limited, such insulating members may include at least one thermosetting resin selected from the group consisting of epoxy resin, phenolic resin, silicone resin, and unsaturated polyester resin. Different members may also be made of different resin materials.

[0030] The electrical connector unit of the present disclosure is characterized by a shield structure for electrically shielding a cable from a terminal connected to the cable. In particular, the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure is characterized by a shield configuration that does not directly involve the cable covering. The shield structure of the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure is described below.

[0031] In the electrical connector unit 1000 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector shield 120 is installed to function as a shielding element for the terminal connected to the end of the internal cable. Furthermore, the connector shield 120 can also be used to ensure shielding for the internal cable extending from the end of the cable 200 and the terminal connected to the end of the internal cable. In one embodiment, the connector shield 120 can be formed to cover the internal cable and the terminal extending from the end of the cable 200 from above.

[0032] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector shield 120 may be attached to an inner housing 130 that houses a terminal to be connected to the end of an internal cable. More specifically, the connector shield 120 may be disposed on the upper surface of the inner housing 130 so as to cover the internal cable that is connected to the terminal inside the inner housing 130 (see FIG. 7A ). A protrusion 131 for fixing the connector shield 120 may be formed on the outer side surface of the inner housing 130. Furthermore, the connector shield may be configured to be hooked onto the protrusion 131. As shown in the figure, the connector shield bends downward and extends along the side surface of the internal connector, and has an engagement portion 124 at its tip that engages with the protrusion 131. With this structure, the connector shield 120 is held by the protrusion 131 of the inner housing 130, and a space for inserting the internal cable may be formed between the connector shield 120 and the upper surface of the inner housing 130.

[0033] 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which the connector shield 120 and the linear cable 221 in the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure are connected to each other. As shown in the figure, in the cable 200 of the present disclosure, the cable shield 220 includes a linear shield 221 extending from the cable shield 220 toward the connector 100. The linear shield 221 may extend outward from one end of the cable 200, and at least a portion of the linear shield 221 may be exposed to the outside of the insulating coating member 210. In one embodiment, a linear shield that is part of the cable shield 220 and extends from the cable shield may be attached to the connector shield. In other words, the linear shield 221 extending from the end of the cable 200 is attached to the connector shield 120 inside the enclosure housing 110. That is, in the electrical connector unit 1000 of the present disclosure, the cable shield 220 is connected to the connector shield 120 by the linear shield 221 extending outside the covering member 210 toward the connector unit. The above-described structure may enable the connection between the cable shield 220 and the connector shield 120 without directly affecting the outer diameter of the cable 200. This more effectively prevents connection failures caused by changes in the outer diameter of the cable. Furthermore, the above-described structure may enable electrical continuity between the cable connector and the connector shield 120 without the use of a separate member, such as copper foil or a crimp terminal, interposed between the cable connector and the connector shield 120. Therefore, the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure may achieve a more effective electromagnetic shield configuration that does not require additional connecting members when connecting the shielding elements of the cable and the connector.

[0034] Furthermore, in an electrical connector unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the linear shield 221 may be formed to bridge the cable shield 220 and the connector shield 120. In other words, the linear shield 221 may bridge between the end of the cable shield 220 and the connector shield 120 without being positioned on the surface of the covering member 210. More specifically, the linear shield 221 electrically connects the cable shield 220 and the connector shield 120 without being positioned on the outer surface of the covering member 210. This means that, in the electrical connector unit according to the present disclosure, by using the linear shield 221, a connection between the cable shield 220 and the connector shield 120 that is not directly related to the outer diameter of the cable can be achieved. Therefore, the electrical connector unit according to the present disclosure achieves a more suitable electromagnetic shield configuration that is not affected by changes in the outer diameter of the cable.

[0035] As can be seen from the above description, the term "linear shield" in this disclosure refers to a long, narrow shielding member extending from the end of cable shield 220. Therefore, the linear shield in this disclosure may correspond to, for example, a long shielding member or a strip-shaped linear shielding member. Furthermore, the term "linear" in this disclosure does not necessarily mean a straight or curved shape in a planar view, and its thickness does not necessarily have to be uniform. Furthermore, the linear shield is not limited to a single wire, but may be composed of a bundle of multiple shielding elements, a stranded wire, a braided wire, a twisted wire, or the like. Furthermore, in this disclosure, the linear shield does not necessarily need to be covered with an insulating material (e.g., a resin material such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene).

[0036] In the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure, the cable shield 220 is formed of a conductive material to electrically shield the internal cable bundle. The conductive material used for the cable shield 220 is preferably a flexible conductive material, which is advantageous for routing the cable to equipment located in a narrow space. In particular, the cable shield 220 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is preferably a braid formed from a plurality of conductive strands or fibers, which are highly durable and flexible. The braid used for the cable shield of the present disclosure may be formed from a highly conductive material, such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. Furthermore, a conductive plating layer, such as tin plating, nickel plating, or silver plating, may be formed on the surface of the material to prevent oxidation and rust.

[0037] When cable shield 220 is a braid, linear shield 221 may be formed by bundling the ends of the conductive strands or fibers that make up the braid. In other words, linear shield 221 may be a stranded wire formed by twisting together at least some of the conductive wires that make up the braid at the end of cable shield 220. That is, the linear shield may be formed by unwinding the conductive wires that make up the braid, removing some of them, and then gathering them together. Alternatively, cable shield 220 may be configured such that some of the conductive wires that make up the braid extend outward, and linear shield 221 may be provided by pulling out such some of the conductive wires from the end of cable 200. Furthermore, linear shield 221 may be formed by an untwisted wire consisting of at least some of the conductive wires that make up the braid. As described above, using a braid as cable shield 220 may make it easier to form a linear shield. Furthermore, because the linear shield 221 extends outward from the braid that is the cable shield 220 within the covering member 210, the connection with the connector shield 120 is not positioned directly around the cable's outer periphery and is not affected by the outer diameter of the cable. Therefore, the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure may be able to provide a more suitable electromagnetic shield that is not affected by changes in the outer diameter of the cable.

[0038] As can be seen from the above description, the linear shield 221 of the present disclosure can be configured such that at least a portion of the cable shield 220 extends from the end of the cable 200 and is connected to the connector shield 120. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the cable shield 220 and the linear shield 221 can be configured integrally. This means that the linear shield 221 can be configured as at least a portion of the cable shield 220, rather than being configured separately from the cable shield 220. From this perspective, the cable used in the present disclosure can also be considered a cable without a drain member, that is, a cable without a drain member separate from the cable shield. From the above, the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure can achieve a more suitable electromagnetic shield configuration that does not necessarily require an additional member when connecting the cable shield and the connector shield.

[0039] Furthermore, the connector shield 120 used in the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure may be formed from a conductive material such as metal or soft magnetic material, or a material whose surface is made conductive by plating or the like. Although not limited thereto, the connector shield 120 may be formed from a conductive plate-like member, and may be formed, for example, by stamping and / or forming a metal sheet.

[0040] FIG. 5A schematically illustrates a state before the connector shield 120 and a linear cable of an electrical connector unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are connected. FIG. 5B is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which the connector shield 120 and a linear cable 221 of the electrical connector unit are connected to each other. Furthermore, FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the configuration of an electromagnetic shield when a braid is used as the cable shield 220. As shown in FIG. 5A, the connector shield 120 may have a shield arm 121 provided to protrude in the insertion direction of the cable 200. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the linear shield 221 may be attached to the shield arm 121 protruding from the connector shield 120. That is, the shield arm 121 extends toward the end of the cable 200 inserted into the enclosure housing 110 and is connected to the linear shield 221. This means that the shield arm 121 and the linear shield 221 can bridge between the cable shield 220 and the connector shield 120. The formation of the shield arm 121 allows the linear shield 221 to be further shortened. Therefore, this structure may further improve the durability of the linear shield and enable the configuration of a more suitable electromagnetic shield.

[0041] 5A and 6, the connector shield 120 used in the electrical connector unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a barrel portion 122. In this embodiment, the linear shield 221 may be crimped at the barrel portion 122. More specifically, the conductive barrel portion 122 formed at the connection portion of the connector shield 120 with the linear shield 221 integrally includes a plate portion 122a and a pair of crimping pieces 122b formed to sandwich the plate portion 122a. The linear shield 221 is overlapped with the plate portion 122a so as to be housed between the pair of crimping pieces 122b. Next, by applying pressure to the outer periphery of the barrel portion 122, the crimping pieces 122b are bent and crimped to encase the linear shield 221. As a result, the linear shield 221 is crimped and connected by being pressed against the plate portion 122a, ensuring conductivity between the connector shield 120 and the cable shield 220. The above-described structure enables connection between linear shield 221 and connector shield 120 by the simple operation of crimping, thereby improving work efficiency when manufacturing an electrical connector unit. Furthermore, by using barrel portion 122, linear shield 221 is crimped so that its outer periphery is covered with a conductive member, allowing for a more reliable connection between cable shield 220 and connector shield 120, resulting in a more suitable electromagnetic shield.

[0042] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the barrel portion 122 may be provided at the end of the shield arm 121. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A , the shield arm 121 may have a pair of crimping pieces 122b at the end, each extending outward in the width direction of the shield arm 121. In this structure, the linear shield 221 is overlapped with the shield arm 121 and crimped by swaging the crimping pieces 122b at the end of the shield arm 121. The linear shield 221 and the shield arm 121 may be connected to each other on either the top or bottom surface of the shield arm 121. However, from the perspective of saving space in the connector, it is more preferable to connect them to each other on the bottom surface of the shield arm 121. In this structure, the barrel portion 122 may be an open-barrel type in which the crimping pieces 122b face diagonally downward. However, the barrel portion does not necessarily have to be an open-barrel type; a closed-barrel type barrel portion may also be provided.

[0043] Furthermore, in the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure, the connection between connector shield 120, shield arm 121, or barrel portion 122 and linear shield 221 is not limited to crimping. Other fastening methods that ensure conductivity, such as soldering, welding, or a combination of multiple fastening methods, may be used for connection.

[0044] 7A and 7B are perspective views schematically illustrating the configuration of the electromagnetic shield before ( FIG. 7A ) and after ( FIG. 7B ) mating of a connector and a device connector 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the connector and the device connector 300 are mated, the connector shield 120 is electrically connected to the conductive housing 310 of the device connector 300. That is, when the connector and the device connector 300 are mated, the connector shield 120 is formed to contact the conductive housing 310, thereby establishing electrical continuity. Furthermore, as described above, the conductive housing 310 is configured to electrically connect to the device and to be grounded. Therefore, the electrical connection between the connector shield 120 and the conductive housing 310 grounds the connector shield 120. Therefore, the operation of mating the connector and the device connector establishes electrical continuity between the connector shield 120 and the conductive housing 310, thereby ensuring shielding of the terminals within the connector. For example, the connector shield 120 may be formed so as to contact the cylindrical protrusion 312 of the conductive housing 310 in the mated state. This structure may enable a more suitable electromagnetic shield configuration that allows the shield to be more easily configured during the mating operation of the electrical connector unit and the device connector.

[0045] 7A , the connector shield 120 may further include a leaf spring portion 123. The leaf spring portion 123 may be configured to contact the conductive housing 310 when the connector and the device connector 300 are combined. More specifically, the connector shield 120 may have a leaf spring that bends downward as shown. The leaf spring portion 123 may be configured to be inserted between the cylindrical protrusion 312 of the conductive housing 310 and the insulating housing 320 when the connector and the device connector are combined. The elastic contact of the leaf spring portion 123 with the inside of the cylindrical protrusion 312 electrically connects the connector shield 120 and the conductive housing 310 to each other. As described above, sandwiching the elastic leaf spring portion 123 between the conductive housing 310 and the insulating housing 320 enables a more reliable connection between the leaf spring portion 123 and the conductive housing 310, thereby providing a more suitable electromagnetic shielding configuration.

[0046] Furthermore, in an electrical connector unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the connector and the device connector 300 are combined, the connector shield 120 and the conductive housing 310 may be formed to come into contact with each other before the terminals of the connector and the terminals of the device connector 300 are electrically connected. For example, the cylindrical protrusion 312 of the conductive housing 310 may be provided with a protrusion 312a so as to establish electrical conduction with the connector shield 120 before the terminals are connected. Alternatively, the leaf spring portion 123 of the connector unit may be configured to establish electrical conduction with the conductive housing 310 before the terminals are connected. This structure may allow the shield element to be grounded before the terminals are connected, thereby more effectively suppressing the occurrence of electrostatic discharge.

[0047] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector shield 120 and the conductive housing 310 may be formed to substantially surround the inner housing 130 of the connector when the connector and device connector 300 are mated. In other words, when the connector and device connector 300 are combined, the terminals in the inner housing 130 and the insulating housing 320 may be configured to be shielded by the connector shield 120 and the conductive housing 310. This means that the terminals of the connector and device connector 300 can be accommodated within a shielded space formed by the connector shield 120 and the conductive housing 310. With the above-described structure, the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure can achieve a more suitable electromagnetic shielding configuration when the connector and device connector are mated.

[0048] With the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 7B , when the connector and device connector 300 of the present disclosure are combined, the cable shield 220 of the present disclosure is electrically connected to the conductive housing 310 via the linear shield 221 and the connector shield 120. That is, when the connector and device connector 300 are mated, the cable shield 220, the connector shield 120, and the conductive housing 310 are electrically connected to one another. This means that the shielding elements included in the connector, cable, and device connector of the present disclosure can be properly grounded via the conductive housing when mated. Therefore, with the above-described structure, the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure can provide a more suitable electromagnetic shielding configuration that can properly shield the cable and the terminals in the connector.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the device connector may be a motor-side connector provided in a motor device. For example, the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure may be applied to a motor device such as an industrial machine or an industrial robot. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrical connector unit applied to such a motor device may be a combined power and signal electrical connector unit including an internal cable for supplying a power supply voltage to drive or brake the device and an internal cable for transmitting signals from devices such as sensors mounted on the device.

[0050] In such a combined power and signal electrical connector unit, terminals for signal transmission and terminals for supplying power voltage may be arranged adjacent to each other, and mutual interference between the terminals may occur during device operation. Therefore, by appropriately separating the terminals and the internal cable bundles connected to each terminal using the above-described electromagnetic shielding configuration in the electrical connector unit of the present disclosure, mutual interference can be reduced or eliminated. That is, the electromagnetic shielding configuration of the present disclosure may be configured to electrically shield, for example, the internal power cable bundle and terminals and the internal signal cable bundle and terminals (see FIG. 7B). The electromagnetic shielding configuration may also be configured to electrically shield either the internal power cable bundle and terminals or the internal signal cable bundle and terminals. For example, the electromagnetic shielding may be applied only to the terminals and internal cable bundle related to signal transmission. In an electrical connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the internal power cable bundle and the internal signal cable bundle each constitute a cable 200 including a cable shield 220 and a covering member 210, and may be inserted separately through two insertion openings 111 provided in the enclosure housing 110 (see FIG. 1). In a further embodiment, a composite cable may be formed by bundling a power cable and a signal cable, and the composite cable may be inserted into the enclosure housing 110.

[0051] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art are possible, such as combining the above configurations, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0052] An electrical connector unit having the electromagnetic shielding configuration of the present disclosure can be suitably used in various technical fields requiring electrical connections. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1000 Electrical Connector Units 100 Connectors 110 Housing 111 Insertion port 112 Opening area 120 Connector Shield 121 Shield Arm 122 Barrel 122a Plate part 122b Crimping piece 123 Leaf spring part 124 Engagement part 130 Internal Housing 131 Protrusion 140 Lock Lever 141 Arm 142 Locking part 150 Sealing material 160 Clamp 170 screw caps 200 Cable 210 Covering material 220 Cable Shield 221 Linear Shield 230 Internal Cable 231 Conductor 232 Inner cable sheath 240 Internal Cable Bundle 300 Device Connectors 310 Conductive Housing 311 Base 312 Cylindrical protrusion 312a Ridge 313 Protrusion 313a Hook 400 Insulating Housing

Claims

1. An electrical connector unit comprising a connector and a cable connected to the connector, the cable comprises an inner cable bundle consisting of a plurality of inner cables, a cable shield, and an insulating covering member surrounding the inner cable bundle and the cable shield; the connector comprises a housing, an inner housing provided within the housing, and a connector shield attached to the inner housing; the connector shield includes a shield arm protruding from the connector shield; the shield arm is integrally formed with the connector shield attached to the inner housing so as to form a space between the shield arm and the inner housing through which the inner cable passes, An electrical connector unit, wherein a linear shield that is part of the cable shield and extends from the cable shield is attached to the shield arm.

2. 2. The electrical connector unit of claim 1, wherein the cable shield is a braid and the linear shield is constructed by bundling together the ends of conductive strands or fibers that make up the braid.

3. 3. The electrical connector unit according to claim 1, wherein the linear shield is not positioned on the surface of the covering member, but bridges between the end of the cable shield and the connector shield.

4. 4. The electrical connector unit according to claim 1, wherein the connector shield has a barrel portion, and the linear shield is crimped to the barrel portion.

5. The device further includes a device connector provided on the device; 5. The electrical connector unit according to claim 1, wherein the connector shield is electrically connected to the conductive housing of the device connector when the connector and the device connector are mated with each other.

6. 6. The electrical connector unit according to claim 5, wherein in the combined state, the cable shield, the connector shield, and the conductive housing are electrically connected to one another via the linear shield.

7. 7. The electrical connector unit according to claim 5, wherein the connector shield includes a leaf spring portion, the leaf spring portion contacting the conductive housing in the combined state.

8. 8. The electrical connector unit according to claim 5, wherein the device connector is a motor-side connector provided on a motor device.

9. the connector further includes an inner housing provided within the enclosure housing and having a terminal for electrically connecting with the cable; 9. The electrical connector unit according to claim 1, wherein the connector shield is attached to the inner housing.

10. the device connector further comprises an insulative housing within the conductive housing; 9. The electrical connector unit according to claim 5, wherein the inner housing and the insulative housing are surrounded by the conductive housing and the connector shield.

Images