Plug and method for manufacturing plug

Abstract

To provide a plug capable of lengthening the length of a contact and securing stable contact performance, and a manufacturing method of the plug.SOLUTION: A plug 100 includes a terminal member 10 having a connection part 12 connected to an inner conductor 86 of a coaxial cable 85, an insulating holder 20 externally fitted to the terminal member 10, a conductive shell 30 externally fitted to the holder 20, and a conductive grounding member 40 arranged between the shell 30 and the holder 20. The shell 30 has a cylindrical inner surface side 32d and a projecting side 32d projecting from a part of the cylindrical inner surface side 32e. The grounding member 40 has a pair of arc-shaped supporting portions 42 connected to the shell 30 and a contact 44 supported by the pair of supporting portions 42. A recessed 42a is formed at a place different from the place where the contact 44 is disposed in the pair of support parts 42. The ground member 40 is fixed to the shell 30 by fitting the recess side 42a into the projection side 32e.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to plugs and methods of manufacturing the plugs. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a plug (called a connector in Patent Document 1) that can be electrically connected to a coaxial cable. The plug has a center conductor that can be electrically connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable, a metal body that is disposed on the outer periphery of the center conductor and electrically connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, and an insulating dielectric support disposed between the center conductor and the body. The body has a substantially cylindrical recess into which a mating socket (called a connector plug in Patent Document 1) is inserted. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the direction in which the socket is inserted will also be referred to as the axial direction.

[0003] A grounding member (a spring in Patent Document 1) made of a metal spring material is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the recess in the plug body. Both ends of the grounding member in a direction parallel to the axial direction form a pair of support portions (annular portions in Patent Document 1), and a plurality of elastically deformable contacts (a continuous portion in Patent Document 1) are disposed at predetermined intervals around the periphery of the support portion between the pair of support portions (six in Patent Document 1). In other words, the contacts extend along the axial direction. The grounding member is electrically connected to the body when the support portions expand in diameter due to elastic force and come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the recess.

[0004] The recess in the plug body has an annular opening on the side where the grounding member is inserted, and the inner diameter of the opening is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the rest of the recess. That is, the opening protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the rest of the recess, and there is a step between the opening and the rest of the recess. The grounding member is positioned so that the other support part abuts against and catches on the step, preventing the grounding member from falling out of the recess. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-65489 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The recess in the plug body disclosed in Patent Document 1 has an annular opening, and the grounding member is located axially inward of the opening, so the axial length of the recess is shorter by the length of the opening. As a result, the length of the grounding member contact located in the recess is also shorter, and compared to contacts with longer lengths, the stress acting on the end of the contact is greater even with the same amount of elastic deformation, and the elastic limit is also lower, leaving room for improvement.

[0007] Therefore, there is a demand for a plug and a method for manufacturing the plug that can increase the length of the contact and ensure stable contact performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One embodiment of a plug according to the present disclosure is a plug electrically connected to a coaxial cable, the plug comprising: a conductive terminal member having a cylindrical connecting portion electrically connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable; an insulating holder fitted onto the terminal member so as to be coaxial with the axial core of the connecting portion of the terminal member; a conductive shell electrically connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable and fitted onto the holder so as to be coaxial with the axial core; and a conductive grounding member arranged between the shell and the holder, the shell having a cylindrical inner surface coaxial with the axial core and with the connecting portion and the holder arranged inside, and a protrusion protruding radially inward from a part of the cylindrical inner surface, the grounding member having a pair of arc-shaped support portions abutting against the cylindrical inner surface and electrically connected to the shell, and elastically deformable contacts supported by the pair of support portions, a recess formed in at least one of the pair of support portions at a position different from where the contacts are arranged, and the recess fits into the protrusion, thereby fixing the grounding member to the shell.

[0009] According to this embodiment, the shell has a cylindrical inner surface and a protrusion protruding radially inward from a portion of the cylindrical inner surface. The grounding member has a pair of arc-shaped support portions that abut against the cylindrical inner surface and are electrically connected to the shell, and elastically deformable contacts supported by the pair of support portions. Furthermore, a recess is formed in at least one of the pair of support portions of the grounding member at a location different from where the contacts are located. The recess fits into the protrusion, thereby fixing the grounding member to the shell. Therefore, the length of the contact can be longer than when the contact is formed between the recesses or compared to the contacts of the plug disclosed in Patent Document 1. This reduces the stress generated at both ends of the contact (at the boundaries with the support portions) during elastic deformation, resulting in a higher elastic limit. In this way, a plug capable of ensuring stable contact performance over a long period of time has been realized.

[0010] In another embodiment of the plug according to the present disclosure, the protrusion is formed on the end portion on the side where the socket to be fitted is inserted, and the length of the protrusion in the direction along the axis is longer than the length of the recess in the direction along the axis.

[0011] In this embodiment, the length of the protrusion along the axis is longer than the length of the recess along the axis, so that when the grounding member is in contact with the cylindrical inner surface of the shell and the recess is fitted onto the protrusion, the support portion of the grounding member does not protrude from the shell.

[0012] In another embodiment of the plug according to the present disclosure, the plug further includes a housing fitted onto the shell, and an annular gasket arranged between the shell and the housing, wherein the gasket has a large diameter portion that abuts both the shell and the housing, and a small diameter portion that abuts only the shell and has a gap between it and the housing, and a socket to be fitted is inserted into the gap so as to abut against the small diameter portion.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the socket abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion of the packing, thereby sealing the gap between the plug and the socket, thereby preventing dust, water droplets, etc. from entering the inside of the plug.

[0014] In another embodiment of the plug according to the present disclosure, the shell has a flange that prevents the packing from falling off.

[0015] According to this embodiment, the packing can be maintained in contact with the shell.

[0016] In another embodiment of the plug according to the present disclosure, the terminal member has a plate-like portion formed integrally with the connection portion, and the connection portion of the inner conductor of the coaxial cable that is electrically connected to the plate-like portion has a flat plate shape, and the plate-like portion and the connection portion are electrically connected in a face-to-face contact state.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the contact area between the plate-like portion of the terminal member and the connecting portion of the coaxial cable is increased, which makes it possible to increase the welding area between the plate-like portion and the connecting portion when the plate-like portion and the connecting portion are electrically connected by welding, for example, and to reduce the contact resistance between the plate-like portion and the connecting portion.

[0018] One embodiment of the method for manufacturing a plug according to the present disclosure is the method for manufacturing the plug described above, and includes a conductor forming step of forming the inner conductor of the coaxial cable into the flat connection portion by compacting it, and a joining step of electrically joining the connection portion and the plate-like portion by welding, with the plate surface of the connection portion being arranged so as to be in surface contact with the plate-like portion of the terminal member.

[0019] According to this embodiment, in the conductor forming step, the inner conductor of the coaxial cable is compacted into a flat connection portion, and in the joining step, the connection portion and the plate-like portion of the terminal member are brought into surface contact and welded together. This increases the contact area between the connection portion of the coaxial cable and the plate-like portion of the terminal member, thereby increasing the welding area between the connection portion and the plate-like portion and reducing the contact resistance between the connection portion and the plate-like portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a plug and a socket according to the embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the plug and socket. [Figure 2] 1C is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1B and a partially enlarged view thereof. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the plug and socket in a mated state. [Figure 4] 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the plug of FIG. 1A taken along line IV-IV. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating compaction. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of series welding. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which series welding is being performed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of a plug and a method for manufacturing a plug according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are examples for explaining the plug and the method for manufacturing a plug, and the plug and the method for manufacturing a plug are not limited to these embodiments. Therefore, the plug and the method for manufacturing a plug according to the present disclosure can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0022] 1A and 1B, a coaxial cable 85 is electrically connected to the plug 100 according to this embodiment. The plug 100 is configured to be electrically connectable to a socket 200 that is to be fitted thereto.

[0023] [Plug configuration] The configuration of the plug 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the plug 100 is configured to include a first contact 10 (an example of a terminal member), a first holder 20 (an example of a holder), a first shell 30 (an example of a shell), a first grounding member 40 (an example of a grounding member), a first housing 50 (an example of a housing), a packing 60, a holder cover 70, a shell cover 75, a ferrule 80, a coaxial cable 85, and a cable cover 90.

[0024] [First Contact] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first contact 10 is made of a conductive and elastic metal such as a copper alloy and is formed into an L-shape overall. The first contact 10 has a connection portion 12 and a plate-like portion 14. The connection portion 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape. Hereinafter, the central axis of the connection portion 12 will be referred to as the axis X. Furthermore, the direction parallel to the axis X will be referred to as the "Z direction," the direction or side parallel to the Z direction in which the connection portion 12 is arranged relative to the plate-like portion 14 will be referred to as the "Z1 direction" or "Z1 side," and the opposite direction or side will be referred to as the "Z2 direction" or "Z2 side." The Z direction is a general term for the Z1 direction and the Z2 direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the Z direction and parallel to the extension direction of the plate-like portion 14 will be referred to as the "Y direction." In the Y direction, the direction or side from the connecting portion 12 toward the extending end of the plate-shaped portion 14 is referred to as the "Y1 direction" or "Y1 side," and the opposite direction or side is referred to as the "Y2 direction" or "Y2 side."

[0025] The connecting portion 12 has a slit 12a formed from the end on the Z1 side toward the Z2 direction to approximately halfway along the Z-direction length of the connecting portion 12. A total of two slits 12a are formed at positions point-symmetrical with respect to the axis X, and the slits 12a are formed on a plane that passes through the axis X and is parallel to the Y and Z directions. The portion of the connecting portion 12 where the slit 12a is formed is tapered in the Z1 direction. When a second contact 210 of the socket 200 (described later) is inserted, the Z1-side end of this tapered portion elastically deforms and expands in diameter, becoming electrically connected to the second contact 210.

[0026] Two raised portions 12b are formed on the Z1 side of the connecting portion 12 at a location on the Z2 side where the slits 12a are not formed. The raised portions 12b are formed at locations offset by 90 degrees from the slits 12a along the circumferential direction of the connecting portion 12.

[0027] The plate-shaped portion 14 extends from the Z2-side end of the connecting portion 12. The plate-shaped portion 14 extends in the Z2 direction from the Z2-side end of the connecting portion 12, is then bent 90 degrees, and extends along the Y1 direction. The plate surface of the plate-shaped portion 14 is perpendicular to the X-axis.

[0028] [First holder] The first holder 20 accommodates the first contacts 10 therein and is made of an insulating material such as resin. The first holder 20 is formed by injection molding. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first holder 20 has a cylindrical portion 22 and a contact mounting portion 24 located at the Z2-side end of the cylindrical portion 22. The inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 22 is equal to the outer diameter of the Z2-side portion (the portion where the slits 12a are not formed) of the connecting portion 12 of the first contact 10 (see FIG. 2). The axis of the cylindrical portion 22 is coaxial with the axis X when the first contacts 10 are accommodated therein. The cylindrical portion 22 has two locking grooves (not shown) on its inner circumferential surface into which the raised portions 12b of the first contacts 10 fit and lock. As a result, the first contact 10 housed in the first holder 20 is restricted from moving in the Z1 direction relative to the first holder 20, from moving in directions perpendicular to the Z direction including the Y direction, and from rotating relative to the first holder 20.

[0029] The contact mounting portion 24 is formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 22 and has a plate-shaped mounting portion 24a perpendicular to the axis X and a wall 24b formed around the mounting portion 24a in the Z direction. However, the wall 24b does not exist on the Y1 side. The space in the Z2 direction around the contact mounting portion 24 is open to the outside. The mounting portion 24a of the contact mounting portion 24 has a hole that connects to the internal space of the cylindrical portion 22, and the first contact 10 is inserted through this hole in the Z1 direction. When the cut-and-raised portion 12b of the first contact 10 is locked in the locking groove of the first holder 20, the plate-shaped portion 14 of the first contact 10 abuts against the mounting portion 24a of the contact mounting portion 24.

[0030] A plate-shaped holder cover 70 is attached to the contact placement portion 24 of the first holder 20. The holder cover 70 is fixed to the contact placement portion 24 by press-fitting, adhesive, or other methods. By attaching the holder cover 70, the space open in the Z2 direction of the contact placement portion 24 is partitioned, and the first contacts 10 become invisible when viewed from the Z2 side toward the Z1 direction (hereinafter also referred to as a plan view). With the holder cover 70 attached to the contact placement portion 24, the Z2-side surface of the holder cover 70 and the contact placement portion 24 of the first holder 20 are flush with each other.

[0031] As will be described later, the holder cover 70 is attached to the contact placement portion 24 after the inner conductor 86 (connection portion 86a) and outer conductor 88 of the coaxial cable 85 are electrically connected to the first contacts 10 and the first shell 30, respectively. Attaching the holder cover 70 restricts movement of the first contacts 10 in the Z2 direction. As a result, the first contacts 10 are fixed immovably to the first holder 20 (see FIG. 2).

[0032] [First shell] The first shell 30 accommodates the first holder 20 and is made of a conductive metal such as iron. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first shell 30 has a cylindrical accommodation portion 32 in which the first holder 20 is accommodated, and a cylindrical cable holding portion 34 extending in the Y1 direction from the side of the accommodation portion 32. The first holder 20 is accommodated in the first shell 30 from the Z2 side toward the Z1 direction. The internal space of the accommodation portion 32 and the internal space of the cable holding portion 34 are connected. The first shell 30 is provided to ensure shielding for the first contacts 10. The first shell 30 is at ground potential when the plug 100 is in use.

[0033] The contact placement portion 24 of the first holder 20 is disposed in the internal space of the first accommodating portion 32a, which is disposed on the Z2 side of the accommodating portion 32. The internal space of the first accommodating portion 32a is shaped so that the contact placement portion 24 of the first holder 20 fits snugly into the first accommodating portion 32a, allowing the accommodated first holder 20 to be positioned. Specifically, the first accommodating portion 32a is rectangular tubular. This restricts movement of the first holder 20 in directions perpendicular to the Z direction, including the Y direction. Multiple (three in this embodiment) flanges 32c with circular contours that face outward are formed on the side surface of the first accommodating portion 32a. The three flanges 32c are spaced apart from each other in the Z direction.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the second accommodating portion 32b, which is located on the Z1 side of the accommodating portion 32, houses the connecting portion 12 of the first contact 10 and the cylindrical portion 22 of the first holder 20 in its internal space. The second accommodating portion 32b has a cylindrical shape, and a first inner circumferential surface 32d (an example of a cylindrical inner surface) of the second accommodating portion 32b is radially spaced from the cylindrical portion 22 of the first holder 20. The axis of the second accommodating portion 32b is coaxial with the axis X when the first contact 10 and the first holder 20 are accommodated therein. A plurality of (two in this embodiment) protrusions 32e are formed radially inward at the Z1-side end of the first inner circumferential surface 32d of the second accommodating portion 32b (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 4, the protrusions 32e are shaped so that the amount of radial inward protrusion increases from the Z1-side end toward the Z2 direction. The two protrusions 32e are arranged at positions spaced apart from each other such that the central angle between them is 120 degrees with respect to the axis X. The length of the protrusions 32e along the Z direction is d1.

[0035] The area of ​​a cross section perpendicular to the axis X of the internal space of the first housing portion 32a is larger than the area of ​​a cross section perpendicular to the axis X of the internal space of the second housing portion 32b. As a result, a step is formed between the inner circumferential surface that defines the internal space of the first housing portion 32a and the first inner circumferential surface 32d that defines the internal space of the second housing portion 32b. The contact placement portion 24 of the first holder 20 is placed on this step, thereby restricting movement of the first holder 20 in the Z1 direction.

[0036] A plate-shaped shell cover 75 is attached to the end of the housing portion 32 (first housing portion 32a) on the Z2 side. The shell cover 75 is fixed to the first housing portion 32a by press-fitting, crimping, adhesive, or other methods. When attached to the first housing portion 32a, the shell cover 75 abuts against the contact placement portion 24 of the first holder 20 and the holder cover 70. This restricts movement of the first holder 20 in the Z2 direction. As a result, the first holder 20 is fixed immovably relative to the first shell 30. This also seals the gap between the first housing portion 32a and the shell cover 75.

[0037] [First grounding member] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first ground member 40 has a pair of support portions 42 and a first ground contact 44. The pair of support portions 42 and the first ground contact 44 are integrally formed. The first ground member 40 is made of a metal such as a copper alloy that is conductive and elastic. The pair of support portions 42 are spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of first ground contacts 44 (three in this embodiment) are arranged to connect the pair of support portions 42. The first ground member 40 is provided to establish an electrical connection between the first shell 30 and a second shell 230 of the socket 200, which will be described later (see FIG. 3).

[0038] The support portion 42 has an arc shape with a central angle of 240 degrees in a plan view. The inner diameter of the support portion 42 is the same as or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the first inner circumferential surface 32d of the second housing portion 32b of the first shell 30. The support portion 42 has multiple recesses 42a (two in this embodiment). In each recess 42a, a portion extending along the circumferential direction of one support portion 42 is recessed in a U-shape toward the other support portion 42. The recesses 42a are formed at central angles of 60 degrees and 180 degrees from one end of the circumferential direction of the arc-shaped support portion 42 in a plan view. Each of the two recesses 42a of one support portion 42 faces each of the two recesses 42a of the other support portion 42. The recess length d2 of the recesses 42a in the Z direction is shorter than the length d1 of the protrusion 32e in the Z direction (see FIG. 4).

[0039] The first ground contacts 44 are formed at positions at central angles of 0°, 120°, and 240° from one end of the circumferential direction of the arc-shaped support portion 42 in a plan view. That is, the first ground contacts 44 are formed at both ends and the center of the support portion 42 along the circumferential direction, and are formed at positions different from the positions where the recesses 42a are formed. As shown in FIG. 2, the first ground contact 44 has an arc shape that bends radially inward, and the center along the Z direction forms a first contact portion 44a whose width (circumferential length) is larger than that of the both ends. This is the position where the first contact portion 44a protrudes most radially inward.

[0040] Second contact portions 42b protruding radially outward are formed at locations (six locations in this embodiment) of each of the pair of support portions 42 that are connected to the first ground contacts 44. In this way, the first grounding member 40 has a vertically symmetrical shape.

[0041] The first grounding member 40 is accommodated in the second housing portion 32b from the Z1 side of the housing portion 32 of the first shell 30 in a reduced diameter state. After accommodation, the support portion 42 expands radially outward due to elastic force, and the six second contact portions 42b are pressed against the first inner circumferential surface 32d (see FIG. 2). This electrically connects the first grounding member 40 and the first shell 30. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the two recesses 42a of the support portion 42 on the Z1 side fit into the two protrusions 32e of the first inner circumferential surface 32d, respectively, and the support portion 42 on the Z2 side is adjacent to the step between the first housing portion 32a and the second housing portion 32b. This restricts the first grounding member 40 from moving in the Z direction relative to the first inner circumferential surface 32d and from rotating relative to the first shell 30. As described above, the length d1 of the protrusion 32e in the Z direction is longer than the recess length d2 of the recess 42a in the Z direction. Therefore, when the first grounding member 40 is housed in the second housing portion 32b of the first shell 30, the support portion 42 on the Z1 side of the first grounding member 40 is located at the end of the second housing portion 32b of the first shell 30 on the Z1 side, but does not protrude from the second housing portion 32b.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the two recesses 42a of one support portion 42 faces each of the two recesses 42a of the other support portion 42, so the distance between the facing recesses 42a is shorter than the distance between the opposing support portions 42 at locations other than the recesses 42a. As described above, the first ground contacts 44 are bridged over a pair of supports 42 at locations different from where the recesses 42a are formed. Furthermore, the Z1-side support portion 42 is disposed at the Z1-side end of the second accommodating portion 32b. Therefore, the contact length of the first ground contacts 44 can be increased compared to when the first ground contacts 44 are formed between the recesses 42a or the contacts of the plug disclosed in Patent Document 1. This reduces stress generated at both ends of the first ground contacts 44 (at the boundaries with the supports 42) during elastic deformation of the first ground contacts 44, thereby increasing their elastic limit. This allows the plug 100 to ensure stable contact performance over a long period of time.

[0043] [Fixing coaxial cables] Next, as part of a method for manufacturing the plug 100, a method for connecting the coaxial cable 85 to the first contact 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the coaxial cable 85 has an inner conductor 86 with a circular cross section that is the centerline, an insulating dielectric 87 arranged around the inner conductor 86, an outer conductor 88 arranged around the dielectric 87, and an insulating protective coating 89 arranged around the outer conductor 88. Of the coaxial cable 85, the inner conductor 86 is electrically connected to the first contact 10, and the outer conductor 88 is electrically connected to the first shell 30 (see FIG. 2). The coaxial cable 85 extends in a direction (Y1 direction) perpendicular to the axis X. In other words, the plug 100 has an L-shape in which the insertion direction of the first contact 10 into the socket 200 (Z direction) and the extension direction of the coaxial cable 85 (Y direction) are orthogonal to each other.

[0044] The inner conductor 86 of the coaxial cable 85 used in this embodiment is a stranded wire, and is formed into a flat plate shape by compacting as shown in Fig. 7 (conductor forming step). Hereinafter, the flat plate-shaped portion of the inner conductor 86 formed by compacting is referred to as the connection portion 86a. Compacting is a well-known technique, and a detailed description will be omitted. However, the compacting technique involves sandwiching the inner conductor 86, which has a circular cross section, between a first electrode 91 and a second electrode 92, and applying pressure and electricity to melt the inner conductor 86 and form it into a flat plate shape.

[0045] Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the connection portion 86a and the dielectric 87 are inserted into the space inside the cable holding portion 34 of the first shell 30, and the plate surface of the connection portion 86a and the plate surface of the plate-shaped portion 14 of the first contact 10 are brought into surface contact with each other. At this time, the holder cover 70 and the shell cover 75 are not attached, and the plate-shaped portion 14 of the first contact 10 and the connection portion 86a are visibly exposed in a plan view. In this state, the third electrode 93 and the fourth electrode 94 are pressed against the connection portion 86a of the internal conductor 86 from the Z2 side of the first shell 30, and a current is passed through the boundary between the connection portion 86a and the plate-shaped portion 14 to melt and weld the connection portion 86a and the plate-shaped portion 14 (series welding). This electrically connects the connection portion 86a and the plate-shaped portion 14 (joining process). In this way, when the plate-like portion 14 of the first contact 10 and the connection portion 86a of the coaxial cable 85 are brought into surface contact, the contact area becomes large, and therefore the welding area between the plate-like portion 14 and the connection portion 86a becomes large, thereby making it possible to reduce the contact resistance between the plate-like portion 14 and the connection portion 86a. Thereafter, the holder cover 70 and the shell cover 75 are attached.

[0046] The outer conductor 88 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cable holding portion 34 of the first shell 30. At this time, a cylindrical ferrule 80 is inserted in advance into the coaxial cable 85. The ferrule 80 is crimped onto the outer conductor 88 and the cable holding portion 34 in an overlapping state, thereby electrically connecting the outer conductor 88 and the cable holding portion 34.

[0047] [First housing] 5 and 6, the first housing 50 is made of insulating resin and is formed by insert molding an integrated assembly of the first contacts 10, first holder 20, first shell 30, first grounding member 40, holder cover 70, shell cover 75, coaxial cable 85, and ferrule 80. The first housing 50 has a first portion 52 fitted onto the first shell 30, a second portion 54 fitted onto the ferrule 80, and a third portion 56 located on the Y2 side of the first portion 52.

[0048] The first portion 52 is in close contact with the first housing portion 32a of the first shell 30. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, the first portion 52 fits between three flanges 32c formed at a distance on the side surface of the first housing portion 32a, and is in close contact with the first shell 30, immobilizing the first shell 30 relative to the first housing 50. The portion of the first portion 52 facing the second housing portion 32b of the first shell 30 has a cylindrical shape fitted over the second housing portion 32b, and is spaced apart from the second housing portion 32b.

[0049] 5 and 6, a pair of U-shaped positioning protrusions 52a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first portion 52 in a direction perpendicular to the Z and Y directions. The positioning protrusions 52a are used to position the plug 100 when it is fitted into the socket 200. The width of the positioning protrusions 52a (the length parallel to the Y direction) is the same as or larger than the outer diameter of the plug 100 when it is fitted into the ferrule 80 of the cable cover 90, which will be described later.

[0050] The second portion 54 is formed from the ferrule 80 to the protective coating 89 of the coaxial cable 85. A plurality of (four in this embodiment) annular protrusions 54a are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second portion 54.

[0051] The third portion 56 has an overall rectangular cylindrical shape with a bottom, and this shape serves to position the plug 100 when mating it with the socket 200. Slits are formed on both sides of the Y2-side wall of the third portion 56, forming a beam 56a that extends along the Z direction. A claw 56b is formed in the center of the beam 56a. The third portion 56 is positioned 180 degrees rotated from the coaxial cable 85 with respect to the axis X.

[0052] 〔rubber seal〕 2, the packing 60 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the second accommodating portion 32b of the accommodating portion 32 of the first shell 30 and the second inner peripheral surface 52b of the first portion 52 of the first housing 50. The packing 60 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and has an annular shape with a uniform thickness (radial length) as a whole.

[0053] On the outer peripheral surface of the second accommodating portion 32b of the first shell 30, a large-diameter surface 32f, a tapered surface 32g, a small-diameter surface 32h, and a flange portion 32i are arranged in this order from the Z2 side to the Z1 direction. The flange portion 32i protrudes radially outward relative to the small-diameter surface 32h and has an annular shape. The second inner peripheral surface 52b of the first portion 52 of the first housing 50 has a constant inner diameter throughout. Therefore, compared to the constant radial gap between the large-diameter surface 32f and the second inner peripheral surface 52b, the radial gap between the tapered surface 32g and the second inner peripheral surface 52b widens, while the radial gap between the small-diameter surface 32h and the second inner peripheral surface 52b remains constant in a widened state. The radial gap between the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 32i and the second inner peripheral surface 52b is narrower than that of the small-diameter surface 32h.

[0054] The annular packing 60 comprises a large-diameter portion 62, a tapered portion 64, and a small-diameter portion 66. The large-diameter portion 62 has a radial thickness that allows it to fit snugly into the radial gap between the large-diameter surface 32f of the second accommodating portion 32b of the first shell 30 and the second inner circumferential surface 52b of the first portion 52 of the first housing 50. The inner circumferential surfaces of the tapered portion 64 and the small-diameter portion 66 abut against the tapered surface 32g and the small-diameter surface 32h of the second accommodating portion 32b, respectively. The tapered portion 64 and the small-diameter portion 66 are spaced apart from the second inner circumferential surface 52b of the first portion 52 of the first housing 50. The Z1-side end of the small-diameter portion 66 is located further in the Z2 direction than the flange portion 32i of the second accommodating portion 32b, and the flange portion 32i protrudes radially outward by less than the thickness of the small-diameter portion 66. The flange portion 32i prevents the packing 60 from falling off the first shell 30.

[0055] [Cable cover] 2, the cable cover 90 is a so-called heat-shrinkable tube, and covers the area from the second portion 54 of the first housing 50 to the protective coating 89 of the coaxial cable 85. The cable cover 90 fits closely to the irregularities, including the protrusions 54a, of the second portion 54, thereby preventing the cable cover 90 from moving or falling off. Covering the ferrule 80 and the coaxial cable 85 with the cable cover 90 prevents dust, water droplets, and the like from entering the first contact 10 and the first shell 30 from the surface of the coaxial cable 85.

[0056] [Socket structure] 2, the socket 200 is configured to include second contacts 210, a second holder 220, a second shell 230, a second grounding member 240, and a second housing 250. The socket 200 is a mating target for the plug 100.

[0057] The second contact 210 has a rod shape made of a conductive metal or the like, and is arranged along the axis X. The second contact 210 is electrically connected to the connection portion 12 of the first contact 10 of the plug 100 by fitting the plug 100 and the socket 200 together.

[0058] The second holder 220 is made of resin and arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the second contact 210 in the middle of the axis X, and is formed by insert molding to be integrated with the second contact 210. The second holder 220 has a cylindrical shape with the second contact 210 passing through its center.

[0059] The second shell 230 is made of a conductive metal. The second shell 230 covers the outside of the second holder 220 and has a cylindrical shape. When the plug 100 and the socket 200 are mated, the second shell 230 is electrically connected to the first shell 30 through contact with the first grounding member 40 of the plug 100. The second shell 230 is provided to ensure shielding for the second contacts 210. The second shell 230 is a portion that becomes the ground potential when the socket 200 is in use.

[0060] The second grounding member 240 is made of an elastic, conductive metal and is electrically connected to the second shell 230. A plurality of second grounding members 240 (eight in this embodiment) are arranged in a ring shape. The second grounding members 240 are also provided to ensure shielding properties for the second contacts 210.

[0061] The second housing 250 is made of insulating resin and accommodates the second contacts 210, the second holder 220, the second shell 230, and the second grounding member 240. The second housing 250 has an outer peripheral wall 252 that is annular in plan view and accommodates the first housing 50 of the plug 100 when the plug 100 is mated with the socket 200 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The outer peripheral wall 252 has insertion recesses 252a into which the positioning protrusions 52a and the coaxial cable 85 of the first housing 50 of the plug 100 fit. That is, the outer peripheral wall 252 has three insertion recesses 252a, and the central angles between adjacent insertion recesses 252a with respect to the axis X are all 90 degrees. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner side of the outer peripheral wall 252 has engagement holes 252b into which the third portion 56 of the first housing 50 fits and into which the claws 56b engage. Furthermore, a cylindrical sealing wall 254 is formed on the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral wall 252 and spaced apart from the outer peripheral wall 252 .

[0062] [Plug and socket mating] 3, when the plug 100 is fitted into the socket 200, the first housing 50 of the plug 100 is accommodated inside the outer peripheral wall 252 of the second housing 250 of the socket 200. At this time, the sealing wall 254 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 66 of the packing 60 to seal the gap between the plug 100 and the socket 200. This prevents dust, water droplets, etc. from entering the contact points between the first contacts 10 of the plug 100 and the second contacts 210 of the socket 200, and the contact points between the first shell 30 of the plug 100, the first grounding member 40, and the second shell 230 of the socket 200.

[0063] Furthermore, at this time, the claws 56b of the first housing 50 of the plug 100 engage with the engagement holes 252b of the outer wall 252 of the socket 200, so that even if vibrations or impacts are applied to the plug 100 and the socket 200 from the outside, the engagement between the plug 100 and the socket 200 will not come loose.

[0064] By mating the plug 100 and the socket 200, the inner conductor 86 of the coaxial cable 85 of the plug 100 is electrically connected to the second contact 210 of the socket 200 via the first contact 10. The outer conductor 88 is electrically connected to the second grounding member 240 via the first shell 30, the first grounding member 40, and the second shell 230. The second contact 210 and the second grounding member 240 of the socket 200 are electrically connected to a connector (not shown). Because the second accommodating portion 32b of the first shell 30 of the plug 100 and the second shell 230 of the socket 200 both have a cylindrical shape, even if the first grounding member 40 has an arc shape in a plan view rather than a cylindrical shape, the shielding properties are not impaired at the contact points between the first shell 30 and the second shell 230.

[0065] Other Embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, the inner conductor 86 of the coaxial cable 85 is compacted to form the flat connecting portion 86a and then welded to the plate portion 14 of the first contact 10, but this is not limited to this. The inner conductor 86 may be welded to the plate portion 14 while still having a circular cross section, without being compacted. Also, the inner conductor 86 of the coaxial cable 85 may be a solid wire instead of a twisted wire.

[0066] (2) In the above embodiment, the electrical connection between the outer conductor 88 of the coaxial cable 85 and the cable holding portion 34 of the first shell 30 is established by crimping the ferrule 80, but this is not limited to this. Instead of the ferrule 80, the electrical connection between the outer conductor 88 and the cable holding portion 34 may be established by, for example, a conductive adhesive, and the means is not limited thereto.

[0067] (3) In the above embodiment, the cable cover 90 is made of a heat-shrinkable tube, but this is not limiting. The cable cover 90 may be formed by insert molding, for example. Furthermore, if dust, water droplets, etc. do not infiltrate from the surface of the coaxial cable 85 into the first contact 10 or the first shell 30, the cable cover 90 is not necessarily provided.

[0068] (4) In the above embodiment, the coaxial cable 85 is disposed at a position rotated 180 degrees with respect to the axis X from the position where the third portion 56 of the first housing 50 is disposed. However, this is not limited to this. The coaxial cable 85 may be disposed by swapping one of the two positioning protrusions 52a of the first housing 50 in the above embodiment. This configuration makes it possible to obtain a plug 100 in which the coaxial cable 85 is disposed at a position rotated 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise in a plan view from the position where the third portion 56 of the first housing 50 is disposed with respect to the axis X. In this case, only the shape of the first housing 50 of the plug 100 needs to be changed, and the other components can be used as they are. Since the socket 200 has three insertion recesses 252a, it can be used as is without any modification. [Industrial Applicability]

[0069] The present disclosure is applicable to plugs and methods for manufacturing plugs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10: First contact (terminal member) 12: Connection part 14: Plate-shaped part 20: First holder (holder) 30: First shell (shell) 32d: First inner surface (cylindrical inner surface) 32e: Protrusion 32i :Tsubabe 40: First grounding member (grounding member) 42: Support part 42a: recess 44: First ground contact (contact) 50: 1st housing (housing) 60: Packing 62: Large diameter section 66: Small diameter part 85: Coaxial cable 86: Inner conductor 86a: Connection part 88: Outer conductor 100: Plug 200: Socket X: Axial center

Claims

1. A plug to which a coaxial cable is electrically connected, a conductive terminal member having a cylindrical connecting portion electrically connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable; an insulating holder fitted onto the terminal member so as to be coaxial with the axial core of the connecting portion of the terminal member; a conductive shell fitted onto the holder so as to be coaxial with the axial core of the outer conductor of the coaxial cable; and a conductive grounding member disposed between the shell and the holder, the shell has a cylindrical inner surface coaxial with the axis, the connection portion and the holder being disposed therein, and a protrusion protruding radially inward from a portion of the cylindrical inner surface, the grounding member has a pair of arc-shaped support portions that are electrically connected to the shell by contacting the cylindrical inner surface, and elastically deformable contacts that are supported by the pair of support portions, a recess is formed in a location on at least one of the pair of support parts different from the location where the contact is arranged, The recess fits onto the protrusion, thereby fixing the grounding member to the shell.

2. The protrusion is formed on an end portion on the side where a socket to be fitted is inserted, 2. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the length of the projection in the direction along the axis is longer than the length of the recess in the direction along the axis.

3. a housing fitted onto the shell; an annular packing disposed between the shell and the housing; the packing has a large diameter portion in contact with both the shell and the housing, and a small diameter portion in contact with only the shell and having a gap between it and the housing, 3. The plug according to claim 1, wherein a socket to be fitted is fitted into the gap so as to abut against the small diameter portion.

4. 4. The plug according to claim 3, wherein the shell has a flange for preventing the packing from falling off.

5. the terminal member has a plate-like portion integrally formed with the connection portion, a connecting portion of the inner conductor of the coaxial cable that is electrically connected to the plate-like portion has a flat plate shape, 3. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the plate-shaped portion and the connecting portion are electrically connected in a surface-to-surface contact state.

6. A method for manufacturing a plug according to claim 5, a conductor forming step of forming the inner conductor of the coaxial cable into the flat-plate-shaped connecting portion by compacting; a joining step of electrically joining the connection portion and the plate-like portion by welding, with the plate surface of the connection portion being positioned so as to be in surface contact with the plate-like portion of the terminal member.

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