L-shaped communication connector

Abstract

To provide an L-shaped communication connector capable of reducing discontinuous points of a current path of a return current flowing through an outer conductor even when the connector is composed of a single shell component.SOLUTION: The L-shaped communication connector 10 includes a conductive first cylindrical member 210 that is fitted to a counterpart connector and extends along a first central axis, a conductive second cylindrical member 230 that extends along a second central axis extending in a direction intersecting the first central axis, a connecting portion 240 that connects the first cylindrical member 210 and the second cylindrical member 230, and a caulking portion 250 that is connected to the second cylindrical member 230 and is crimped and connected to one communication conductor of the communication cable 400. A contact portion 238 for establishing mutual electrical conduction is formed at a portion where the second tubular member 230 and the first tubular member 210 overlap each other when the connecting portion 240 is bent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an L-shaped communication connector, and more particularly to an L-shaped communication connector for connecting a coaxial cable or a differential transmission cable in a direction intersecting the central axis of the cable. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an L-shaped communication connector has been known which includes an outer conductor formed by bending two tubular members connected by a joint into an L shape at the joint.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a shielded terminal in which a connecting member has an extension portion connected to a cylindrical portion at an outer corner portion and bent in an L-shape relative to the cylindrical portion, and a current path is formed by covering the gap between the side of the cylindrical portion of the connecting member and the side of the extension portion with an attachment member separate from the connecting member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-053082 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In this case, the return current flowing through the outer conductor is ideally uniform around the entire circumference of the cylindrical outer conductor. However, as described above, in an L-shaped communication connector having a cylindrical outer conductor bent into an L-shape, gaps are formed on the side surfaces because the cylindrical members with different central axis directions are formed in a continuous manner.

[0006] In such cases, current flows concentratedly in the areas where the components are connected or in contact, while areas where there is a gap between the components are left with no current flow. In areas where current flows concentratedly and with high current density, voltage drops occur, and noise resistance is likely to deteriorate. This means that noise is more likely to be generated in those areas, and noise applied to the outer conductor is more likely to penetrate into the interior through those areas. The invention described in Reference 1 secures a current path by attaching a separate conductive part to cover the gap between the components to eliminate discontinuities in the current path, but this increases the number of parts required.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an L-shaped communication connector that can reduce discontinuities in the current path of the return current flowing through the outer conductor even when constructed using a single shell part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is to a conductive first tubular member extending along a first central axis, the first tubular member being fitted to a mating connector; a conductive second cylindrical member extending along a second central axis that extends in a direction intersecting the first central axis; a connecting portion that connects the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member; a crimping portion connected to the second cylindrical member and crimped to one communication conductor of the communication cable, This is an L-shaped communication connector in which a contact portion that establishes electrical conductivity between the second tubular member and the first tubular member is formed at the portion where the second tubular member and the first tubular member overlap when the connecting portion is bent.

[0009] In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, the contact portions are end portions of both side surfaces of the second tubular member that overlap both side surfaces of the first tubular member, and the distance between the end portions of both side surfaces of the second tubular member is narrower than the width of both side surfaces of the first tubular member, so that when the connecting portion is bent, the end portions of both side surfaces of the second tubular member are pressed against both side surfaces of the first tubular member.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the contact portion is formed with guide portions that extend from the ends of both side surfaces of the second cylindrical member in a direction away from both side surfaces of the first cylindrical member.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, the communication cable is a coaxial cable, and the crimped portion is crimped and connected to an outer conductor of the coaxial cable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, an L-shaped communication connector can be provided that can reduce discontinuities in the current path of the return current flowing through the outer conductor even when constructed from a single shell part.

[0013] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, electrical conduction between the first tubular member and the second tubular member can be established by forming a contact portion that can be easily formed on the second tubular member.

[0014] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, when the connecting portion is bent so that both side surfaces of the second tubular member overlap both side surfaces of the first tubular member, it is possible to prevent the ends of both side surfaces of the second tubular member from interfering with and being damaged by both side surfaces of the first tubular member.

[0015] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, the L-shaped communication connector can be connected to a coaxial cable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(A) is an external perspective view of an L-shaped communication connector in one embodiment, and FIG. 1(B) is an external perspective view of the L-shaped communication connector of FIG. 1(A) as viewed from another direction. [Figure 2]FIG. 2(A) is an exploded perspective view showing the main parts of an L-shaped communication connector in one embodiment, and FIG. 2(B) is an exploded perspective view of the L-shaped communication connector of FIG. 1(A) when viewed from another direction. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(A) is an external perspective view showing an L-shaped communication connector shell in one embodiment with an inner housing and a coaxial cable attached thereto, in an extended state before the shell is bent, and FIG. 3(B) is an external perspective view of the shell in the extended state of FIG. 3(A) as viewed from another direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the shell of the L-shaped communication connector shown in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) in an extended state. [Figure 5] 5(A) is a front view of the shell in the extended state of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB of FIG. 5(A). [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion VI in FIG. 5(B). [Figure 7] FIG. 7(A) is an external perspective view showing the shell of FIG. 3(A) when bent, and FIG. 7(B) is an external perspective view of the shell in the bent state of FIG. 7(A) when viewed from another direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the shell of the L-shaped communication connector shown in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) in a bent state. [Figure 9] 9(A) is a side view of the shell in the bent state of FIG. 8, FIG. 9(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXB-IXB of FIG. 9(A), and FIG. 9(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXC-IXC of FIG. 9(A). [Figure 10] 10(A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the XA portion of FIG. 9(B), and FIG. 10(B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 9(C). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An L-shaped communication connector 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below exemplifies the L-shaped communication connector of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention should be equally applicable to other types of L-shaped communication connectors as defined in the claims.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1(A), 1(B), 2(A), and 2(B), the L-shaped communication connector 10 includes an outer housing 100, a shell 200 as an outer conductor, and an inner housing 300, to which a coaxial cable 400 as a communication cable is connected.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1(A), 1(B), 2(A), and 2(B), the outer housing 100 is made of an insulating material and includes an upper housing 110 and a lower housing 120. The upper housing 110 has an upper plate portion 112 that covers the inner housing 300 and the upper portion of the shell 200 in a bent state, and side plate portions 114 that extend downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper plate portion 112. The side plate portions 114 are formed with engagement openings 116 that engage with claws 130 of the lower housing 120, which will be described later.

[0020] The lower housing 120 is L-shaped in side view and includes a cylindrical housing portion 122 that houses a first cylindrical member 210 of the shell 200 (described later) therein, and a trough-shaped housing portion 124 that houses a second cylindrical member 230 of the shell therein. The cylindrical housing portion 122 covers the lateral, front, and rear sides of the first cylindrical member 210 and is open at the top and bottom. The opening formed at the bottom, although not shown, serves as a mating opening for a mating connector.

[0021] The gutter-shaped housing portion 124 extends in the front-to-rear direction and is open at the top, with a shell accommodating portion 126 formed therein and a port 128 formed at the front end of the gutter-shaped housing portion 124. A second tubular member 230 of the shell 200, which will be described later, is placed in the shell accommodating portion 126, and the coaxial cable 400 connected to the second tubular member 230 passes through the port 128 and extends forward.

[0022] Laterally protruding claws 130 are formed on both side surfaces of the trough-shaped housing portion 124. When the claws 130 are engaged with the engagement openings 116 of the upper housing 110 during assembly, the second tubular member 230 of the shell 200 is accommodated and held in the space surrounded by the shell accommodating portion 126 and the upper plate portion 112.

[0023] In the detailed description of the invention, the "front-rear direction" refers to the direction in which the coaxial cable 400 connected to the L-shaped communication connector 10 of this embodiment extends, "forward" refers to the direction in which the coaxial cable 400 extends from the L-shaped communication connector 10, and "rear" refers to the opposite direction. Furthermore, the "vertical direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction in which the first tubular member 210 of the shell 200 extends in a bent state. Furthermore, the "upper" refers to the side of the first tubular member 210 closer to the coaxial cable 400, and the "lower" refers to the opposite side, the side connected to the mating connector. Furthermore, the "width direction" or "lateral" refers to a direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the vertical direction.

[0024] The shell 200 is formed by punching and pressing a single conductive metal plate. As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5A, 7A, 7B, and 8, the shell 200 includes a first tubular member 210 and a second tubular member 230. The first tubular member 210 and the second tubular member 230 are connected by a connecting portion 240. When the connecting portion 240 is bent, the first tubular member 210 extends along a first imaginary central axis (not shown) extending in the up-down direction. The second tubular member 230 extends continuously from the first tubular member 210 via the connecting portion 240 along a second imaginary central axis (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction and intersecting the first imaginary central axis. Furthermore, a crimped portion 250 is formed on the front side of the second cylindrical member 230 so as to be continuous with the second cylindrical member 230 .

[0025] The first cylindrical member 210 is fitted with a mating connector and is a hollow rectangular cylindrical member having a square cross section when viewed from above or below, and includes a front plate 212, a rear plate 214, and two side plates 216. The front plate 212, the rear plate 214, and the two side plates 216 each have spring contacts 218 cut out of the plate material near their bottom ends to establish electrical continuity with the contacts of the mating connector.

[0026] A bridging portion 220 is formed on the front plate 212 of the first cylindrical member 210, bending and extending forward from its upper end. When the second cylindrical member 230 is bent at the connecting portion 240 relative to the first cylindrical member 210, the bridging portion 220 extends forward to a position corresponding to the crimping portion 250 and comes into contact with a metal ferrule 402 attached to the coaxial cable 400.

[0027] The rear plate 214 and the two side plates 216 extend to a position higher than the upper end of the front plate 212, and a connecting portion 240 is formed at the upper end of the rear plate 214, connecting it to the second cylindrical member 230. Each of the two side plates 216 has a locking projection 222 formed thereon that projects outward in the width direction.

[0028] Next, we will explain the second tubular member 230. In the following explanation, we will explain the positional relationship when the second tubular member 230 is extended at the connecting portion 240 relative to the first tubular member 210 (the state shown in Figures 3(A), 3(B), 4, and 5(A)).

[0029] The second cylindrical member 230 is formed as a gutter-shaped member that is open at the front when the connecting portion 240 is extended in a planar shape, and includes a rear plate 232 and two side plates 234. The rear plate 232 is formed so as to be continuous with the rear plate 214 of the first cylindrical member 210 via the connecting portion 240. Meanwhile, the two side plates 234 are separated from the two side plates 216 of the first cylindrical member 210 by slits 242, respectively. With this structure, by bending the connecting portion 240 of the second cylindrical member 230 at a substantially right angle relative to the first cylindrical member 210, the shell 200 can be made to have an L-shaped structure in a side view.

[0030] An opening 236 is provided in each of the two side plates 234 of the second cylindrical member 230. The opening 236 is engaged with the locking protrusion 222 when the connecting portion 240 is bent and the two side plates 234 of the second cylindrical member 230 overlap the outsides of the two side plates 216 of the first cylindrical member 210.

[0031] The two side plates 234 of the second tubular member 230 have contact portions 238 formed at the lower ends when the connecting portion 240 is in an extended state (see Figures 3(B), 4, 5(A), and 5(B)).

[0032] When the connecting portion 240 is bent and the side plate 234 of the second cylindrical member 230 overlaps the outer side of the side plate 216 of the first cylindrical member 210 in the width direction, the contact portion 238 comes into contact with the side plate 216 of the first cylindrical member 210. This establishes electrical conduction between the first cylindrical member 210 and the second cylindrical member 230.

[0033] 6, the distance between the contact portions 238 formed on the two side plates 234 of the second cylindrical member 230, i.e., the width W1 in the width direction, is narrower than the width W2 in the width direction between the outer surfaces of the two side plates 216 of the first cylindrical member 210. As a result, when the connecting portion 240 is bent, the contact portions 238 are pressed against the side plates 216 of the first cylindrical member 210, i.e., they are in contact with each other while maintaining a predetermined contact pressure.

[0034] 4, 5(A), 7(A), 7(B), and 8, a guide portion 244 is formed in the contact portion 238. The guide portion 244 extends downward from the lower end of the side plate 234 of the second cylindrical member 230 (rearward from the rear end of the side plate 234 when the connecting portion 240 is bent), and in a direction away from the side plate 216 of the first cylindrical member 210.

[0035] The crimping portion 250 includes a canopy portion 252 formed continuously from the second tubular member 230, and two gripping pieces 254 extending forward from both sides in the width direction of the canopy portion 252. The space surrounded by the canopy portion 252 and the two gripping pieces 254 forms a housing space 256 that receives the coaxial cable 400. The two gripping pieces 254 are crimped and connected to the periphery of a metal ferrule 402 attached around the outer conductor, which is one of the communication conductors, of the coaxial cable 400.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B), the inner housing 300 includes a first housing (not shown) housed inside the first tubular member 210 of the shell 200, and a second housing 310 arranged on the bridging portion 220 and housed inside the second tubular member 230.

[0037] The first housing accommodates a contact of the center conductor that is to be connected to a contact connected to the center conductor of the mating connector. The second housing 310 accommodates a contact that is to be connected to the center conductor of the coaxial cable 400. The contacts in the first housing and the contacts in the second housing 310 are connected inside the inner housing 300 for electrical continuity.

[0038] Next, a description will be given of the assembly of the above-described L-shaped communication connector 10. As shown in Figures 4 and 5(A), with the second tubular member 230 extended at the connecting portion 240 relative to the first tubular member 210, the first housing of the inner housing 300 is inserted into the first tubular member 210 of the shell 200. Then, the second housing 310 is placed on the bridging portion 220 of the shell 200.

[0039] Next, the outer conductor of the coaxial cable 400 is folded back around the cable jacket, and a metal ferrule 402 is attached around it, and the center conductor is inserted into the second housing 310 and connected to the contact. At this time, the metal ferrule 402 is placed on the bridging portion 220 and is in a state where it can come into contact with the bridging portion 220 (see FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B)).

[0040] Next, as shown in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B), the second tubular member 230 is bent at the connecting portion 240 by approximately 90° relative to the first tubular member 210. This causes the guide portions 244 of the second tubular member 230 to contact the upper ends of the two side plates 216 of the first tubular member 210, pushing the contact portions 238 of the second tubular member 230 outward in the width direction. The contact portions 238 slide and rotate around the outside of the side plates 216 of the first tubular member 210 while maintaining contact with the surfaces of the side plates 216 of the first tubular member 210. Then, the openings 236 of the second tubular member 230 engage with the locking projections 222 of the first tubular member 210. At this time, the two side plates 234 of the second tubular member 230 overlap the outsides of the two side plates 216 of the first tubular member 210.

[0041] At this time, the second housing 310 of the inner housing 300 is accommodated inside the space formed by the rear plate 232 and the two side plates 234 of the second cylindrical member 230 of the shell 200. Furthermore, the eave-shaped portion 252 and the gripping pieces 254 of the crimping portion 250 accommodate and surround the metal ferrule 402 attached to the coaxial cable 400 inside. Next, the gripping pieces 254 of the crimping portion 250 are crimped and connected around the metal ferrule 402.

[0042] This establishes an electrical conduction path from the outer conductor of the coaxial cable 400, the eave-shaped portion 252, the rear plate 232 of the second tubular member 230, the connecting portion 240, and the rear plate 232 of the first tubular member 210. Also, an electrical conduction path is established from the outer conductor of the coaxial cable 400, the gripping piece 254, the side plate 234 of the second tubular member 230, the contact portion 238, and the side plate 216 of the first tubular member 210. Furthermore, an electrical conduction path is established from the outer conductor of the coaxial cable 400, the bridging portion 220, and the front plate 212 of the first tubular member 210.

[0043] Finally, as shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), the inner housing 300 to which the coaxial cable 400 has been assembled and the bent shell 200 are assembled into the outer housing 100. Specifically, the first tubular member 210 of the shell 200 is inserted into the tubular housing portion 122 of the lower housing 120, and the second tubular member 230 and the crimping portion 250 are placed in the shell accommodating portion 126 of the trough-shaped housing portion 124. Then, the upper housing 110 is attached to the lower housing 120 so that the upper plate portion 112 of the upper housing 110 covers the second tubular member 230 and the crimping portion 250, and the engagement opening 116 of the upper housing 110 is engaged with the claw 130 of the lower housing 120. The coaxial cable 400 passes through the port 128 and extends forward.

[0044] The above describes the L-shaped communication connector 10 according to an embodiment. The L-shaped communication connector 10 described above has a female connector configuration, but the shape of the first tubular member 210 and the shape of the inner housing 300 may be appropriately modified to form a male connector. Furthermore, in the above description, the L-shaped communication connector 10 has been described as a coaxial cable connector for connecting a coaxial cable 400, but it may also be applied to a connector for connecting a differential transmission cable. In that case, the second tubular member 230 may be configured to be connected to one of the communication conductors of the differential transmission cable, or to the outer conductor if an outer conductor is provided on the differential transmission cable, via the crimped portion 250.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above description, the second tubular member 230 of the shell 200 is bent at approximately 90° relative to the first tubular member 210 at the connecting portion 240, but the present invention is not limited to the above example and may be bent at other angles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 L-shaped communication connector 100 outer housing 110 Upper housing 112 Upper plate 114 Side plate part 116 Engagement opening 120 Lower housing 122 cylindrical housing part 124 trough-shaped housing part 126 Shell storage section 128 port 130 Nails 200 shells 210 First cylindrical member 212 Front panel 214 Rear plate 216 Side Panel 218 Spring Contact 220 Bridging Section 222 Locking protrusion 230 Second cylindrical member 232 Rear plate 234 Side Panel 236 Aperture 238 Contact Area 240 Joint 242 Slit 244 Attraction Section 250 Crimping part 252 Eaves 254 Gripping piece 256 Containment Space 300 inner housing 310 Second Housing 400 coaxial cable 402 Metal Ferrule

Claims

1. a first conductive tubular member extending along a first central axis, the first tubular member being fitted to a mating connector; a second cylindrical member that is electrically conductive and extends along a second central axis that extends in a direction intersecting the first central axis; a connecting portion that connects the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member; a crimping portion connected to the second cylindrical member and crimped to one communication conductor of the communication cable, An L-shaped communication connector, in which a contact portion that establishes electrical conduction between the second tubular member and the first tubular member is formed at the portion where the second tubular member and the first tubular member overlap when the connecting portion is bent.

2. The contact portions are end portions of both side surfaces of the second cylindrical member that overlap with both side surfaces of the first cylindrical member, and the distance between the end portions of both side surfaces of the second cylindrical member is narrower than the width of both side surfaces of the first cylindrical member.

2. The L-shaped communication connector according to claim 1, wherein when said connecting portion is bent, the ends of both side surfaces of said second tubular member are pressed against both side surfaces of said first tubular member.

3. 3. The L-shaped communication connector according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion has guide portions formed thereon that extend from the ends of both side surfaces of the second tubular member in a direction away from both side surfaces of the first tubular member.

4. 4. The L-shaped communication connector according to claim 1, wherein the communication cable is a coaxial cable, and the crimped portion is crimped to connect to an outer conductor of the coaxial cable.

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