Shielded connector

Abstract

This design aims to achieve both a reduction in insertion resistance when inserting the inner conductor into the dielectric material and a suppression of impedance matching degradation. [Solution] The shield connector A comprises an inner conductor 20 having a shape in which an elastically displaceable locking spring 24 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of a main body 21 whose axial direction is oriented in the front-rear direction, and a dielectric 30 that houses the inner conductor 20 inserted from the rear in a non-removable state. The dielectric 30 has a housing chamber 31 that houses the main body 21, a locking portion 36 that prevents the inner conductor 20 from being removed by locking the locking spring 24, and a relief groove 37 which is recessed only in the region of the inner circumferential surface of the housing chamber 31 that faces the locking spring 24 in the circumferential direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a shield connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a coaxial connector including an inner conductor terminal fixed to a core wire of a coaxial cable, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor terminal, and an outer conductor terminal surrounding the dielectric. The inner conductor terminal inserted into the central hole of the dielectric is held in a retaining state by locking a locking piece of the inner conductor terminal to a locking hole of the dielectric.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the process of inserting the inner conductor terminal into the central hole of the dielectric, since the locking piece is in elastic deformation and in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the central hole, the insertion resistance increases. As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to increase the inner diameter of the region of the central hole from the insertion port of the inner conductor terminal to the vicinity of the locking hole. In this way, in the insertion process of the inner conductor terminal, the locking piece slides in contact with the central hole and sliding resistance occurs only in the final stage of the insertion process, so the workability during insertion is improved. However, when the inner diameter of the central hole is increased, the volume of the air layer in the central hole increases, so the characteristic impedance locally increases and the impedance matching deteriorates.

[0005] The shield connector of the present disclosure has been completed based on the above circumstances, and aims to achieve both reduction of the insertion resistance when inserting the inner conductor into the dielectric and suppression of deterioration of impedance matching.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The shielded connector disclosed herein is An inner conductor having a shape in which an elastically displaceable locking spring protrudes from the outer surface of the main body part whose axis is oriented in the front-rear direction, It comprises a dielectric that houses the inner conductor inserted from the rear in a non-removable state, The dielectric is A storage chamber for housing the main body, A locking part that prevents the inner conductor from coming out by locking the locking spring, The housing chamber has a relief groove formed by recessing only the region of the inner circumferential surface that faces the locking spring in the circumferential direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to achieve both a reduction in insertion resistance when inserting the inner conductor into the dielectric and suppression of impedance matching degradation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the shield connector of Example 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the shield connector shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the inner conductor shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged plan cross-sectional view of the shield connector shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the state in the shield connector of Example 1 where the locking spring has entered the relief groove during the process of inserting the inner conductor into the dielectric. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged side cross-sectional view of the shield connector shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a partially enlarged side cross-sectional view showing the shield connector of Example 1 with the inner conductor removed from the dielectric. [Figure 8]Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line XX showing the process of inserting the inner conductor into the dielectric in the shield connector of Example 1. [Figure 10] This is a side cross-sectional view of the shield connector of Example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. Any combination of the following embodiments, insofar as they do not contradict each other, is also included as a form for carrying out the invention.

[0010] The shielded connector disclosed herein is (1) The invention comprises an inner conductor having a shape in which an elastically displaceable locking spring protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of a main body oriented in the front-rear direction, and a dielectric that houses the inner conductor inserted from the rear in a non-removable state, wherein the dielectric has a housing chamber for housing the main body, a locking portion for preventing the inner conductor from being removed by locking the locking spring, and a relief groove in which only the region of the inner circumferential surface of the housing chamber that faces the locking spring in the circumferential direction is recessed. According to the configuration of this disclosure, when inserting the inner conductor into the dielectric, the sliding resistance between the locking spring and the dielectric is reduced or the occurrence of sliding resistance is avoided as the locking spring passes through the relief groove, thereby reducing the insertion resistance when inserting the inner conductor. The relief groove through which the locking spring passes has a shape in which only the region facing the locking spring in the circumferential direction is recessed, so impedance mismatch can be suppressed compared to a structure in which the inner diameter is enlarged over the entire circumference.

[0011] (2) The locking spring has a shape that extends in a cantilevered manner obliquely rearward from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion. The inner surface of the relief groove includes a pair of inner surfaces facing each other in the circumferential direction. In a rear view of the dielectric body when viewed from the rear, it is preferable that the pair of inner surfaces are inclined such that the circumferential facing interval becomes narrower as it moves radially away from the center of the accommodation chamber. According to this configuration, the circumferential displacement of the inner conductor with respect to the dielectric body is corrected by the locking spring slidingly contacting the inner surface of the relief groove. Since the pair of inner surfaces are inclined such that the circumferential facing interval becomes narrower as it moves radially away from the center of the accommodation chamber, the volume of the air layer in the relief groove can be kept smaller compared to a form in which the inner surfaces are parallel to each other. Thereby, an increase in characteristic impedance caused by forming the relief groove can be suppressed.

[0012] (3) In (1) or (2), it is preferable that the radial depth dimension of the relief groove is set such that the locking spring is non-contact with the inner surface of the relief groove. According to this configuration, in the process of inserting the main body portion into the accommodation chamber, the locking spring does not elastically deform, so the insertion resistance can be reduced.

[0013] (4) In (1) to (3), the inner conductor has a stabilizer protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion, and it is preferable that a positioning groove for fitting the stabilizer is formed in the dielectric body in the process of inserting the main body portion into the accommodation chamber. According to this configuration, when the inner conductor is pulled out rearward from the dielectric body, the locking spring can be guided into the relief groove.

[0014] (5) In (4), it is preferable that a front stop portion for preventing the forward relative movement of the stabilizer with respect to the dielectric body is formed in the positioning groove in a state where the locking spring can be locked to the locking portion. According to this configuration, the inner conductor can be positioned in the front-rear direction with respect to the dielectric body by the locking action between the locking spring and the stabilizer.

[0015] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] [Example 1] The shield connector A of Example 1 embodying the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In Example 1, regarding the front-back direction, the F direction in FIGS. 1 to 7 is defined as the front. Regarding the left-right direction, the R direction in FIGS. 1 to 5, 8, and 9 is defined as the right. Regarding the up-down direction, the H direction in FIGS. 1 to 3, 6 to 9 is defined as the up.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the shield connector A of Example 1 is a communication connector having a shielding function connected to the front end portion of the shielded wire 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the shielded wire 10 is a well-known conductive path in which a single core wire 11 is surrounded by an insulating coating 12, the insulating coating 12 is surrounded by a braided wire 13 which is a shielding member, and the braided wire 13 is surrounded by a sheath 14.

[0017] The shield connector A includes an inner conductor 20 fixed to the core wire 11, a dielectric 30 housing the inner conductor 20, and an outer conductor 50 surrounding the dielectric 30, and is configured to have an elongated shape in the front-back direction as a whole. The outer conductor 50 is configured by coaxially and fixedly connecting a front cylindrical member 51 and a rear cylindrical member 52 in the front-back direction. The rear end portion of the outer conductor 50 is connected to the front end portion of the braided wire 13.

[0018] The inner conductor 20 is a single component formed into an elongated shape in the front-back direction by subjecting a metal plate material to bending or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner conductor 20 has a cylindrical main body portion 21, a semi-divided connecting portion 22 extending forward from the main body portion 21, and a crimping portion 23 extending rearward from the rear end of the main body portion 21. The crimping portion 23 is fixed to the front end portion of the core wire 11.

[0019] The main body portion 21 has a pair of locking springs 24 spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The locking springs 24 have a cantilever shape that extends radially outward and diagonally backward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 21. The locking springs 24 can elastically deform radially with their front ends as a fulcrum. A stabilizer 25 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 21, projecting radially outward. The stabilizer 25 is positioned behind the rear end 24R (extended end) of the locking springs 24. The position of the stabilizer 25 in the circumferential direction is 90° away from the pair of locking springs 24.

[0020] The dielectric 30 has an overall elongated shape in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figures 4-7, an elongated housing chamber 31 is formed inside the dielectric 30, penetrating it in the front-to-back direction. The internal conductor 20 is inserted into the housing chamber 31 from the rear of the dielectric 30. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the housing chamber 31 is composed of a front space 32 with a circular cross-section that constitutes the front end region of the housing chamber 31, and a rear space 33 that constitutes the rear end region of the housing chamber 31. The front-to-back length of the front space 32 is longer than the front-to-back length of the rear space 33. In a rear view of the dielectric 30, the rear space 33 is rectangular. The height and width dimensions of the rear space 33 are larger than the inner diameter of the front space 32.

[0021] The inner diameter of the front space 32 is such that the main body 21 can be smoothly inserted into the front space 32; specifically, it is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the main body 21. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the dielectric 30 has a pair of locking spaces 35 spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The locking spaces 35 are spaces that penetrate from the inner circumferential surface of the front space 32 to the outer circumferential surface of the dielectric 30. The rear surface of the inner wall surface of the locking space 35 functions as a locking portion 36 for preventing the inner conductor 20 from coming out. The rear end 24R portion of the locking spring 24 can be locked onto the locking portion 36 from the front.

[0022] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 8, the dielectric 30 has a pair of relief grooves 37 spaced apart in the circumferential direction. In the front-rear direction, the pair of relief grooves 37 are located behind the pair of locking spaces 35. In the circumferential direction, the pair of relief grooves 37 are located at the same position as the pair of locking spaces 35. The relief grooves 37 are elongated in the front-rear direction (parallel to the insertion direction of the inner conductor 20 into the dielectric 30). The rear end of the relief groove 37 opens to the front wall of the rear space 33. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the rear view shape of the relief groove 37 is trapezoidal. Specifically, the distance between the opposing inner surfaces 38 of the relief groove 37 that face each other in the circumferential direction gradually narrows from the center (axis) side of the housing chamber 31 toward the radially outward direction.

[0023] The inner surface of the relief groove 37 facing the center of the housing chamber 31 is defined as the groove bottom surface 39. The circumferential width dimension of the relief groove 37 is smallest at the groove bottom surface 39. The circumferential width dimension at the groove bottom surface 39 is slightly larger than the radial width dimension of the locking spring 24. The depth dimension of the relief groove 37 is set to be larger than the radial projection dimension of the locking spring 24. That is, the radial dimension from the inner circumferential surface of the front space 32 to the groove bottom surface 39 is set to be larger than the radial dimension from the outer circumferential surface of the main body 21 to the extended end (rear end 24R) of the locking spring 24.

[0024] As shown in Figures 6-9, a positioning groove 40 is formed in the dielectric 30. The positioning groove 40 has a shape that is recessed in the inner circumferential surface of the rear space 33 and extends in the front-rear direction. The positioning groove 40 is located behind the relief groove 37. The front end of the positioning groove 40 is located at the front end of the rear space 33. In a rear view, when the pair of locking springs 24 are in the same position as the pair of relief grooves 37, the stabilizer 25 is positioned in the same position as the positioning groove 40. A front stop portion 41 is formed at the front end of the positioning groove 40, which allows the stabilizer 25 to be locked from the rear.

[0025] Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment 1 will be described. The inner conductor 20 is inserted into the housing chamber 31 from the rear of the dielectric 30. During the insertion process, the stabilizer 25 is fitted into the positioning groove 40, and the pair of locking springs 24 are moved into the pair of relief grooves 37. As shown in Figures 5 and 9, in the radial direction, the depth of the relief grooves 37 is greater than the protruding dimension of the locking springs 24, so the locking springs 24 do not undergo elastic deformation while passing through the relief grooves 37.

[0026] If the orientation of the inner conductor 20 is slightly misaligned circumferentially with respect to the dielectric 30 when the locking spring 24 enters the relief groove 37, the misalignment is corrected when the locking spring 24 comes into contact with the rear end edge of the inner surface 38 of the relief groove 37. In detail, the locking spring 24 has a shape that extends diagonally rearward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body 21 in a cantilevered manner. The pair of inner surfaces 38 are inclined such that the distance between them circumferentially decreases as they move away from the center of the housing chamber 31. As a result, as the inner conductor 20 is inserted into the housing chamber 31, the locking spring 24 slides radially outward from the center of the housing chamber 31 against the inner surfaces 38, thereby correcting the misalignment of the inner conductor 20.

[0027] At the end of the insertion process of the inner conductor 20, the locking spring 24 undergoes elastic deformation by contacting the front end of the relief groove 37 on the inner circumferential surface of the front space 32. The elastically deformed locking spring 24 slides against the region between the front end of the relief groove 37 and the locking portion 36 on the inner circumferential surface of the front space 32, thus generating sliding resistance between the locking spring 24 and the inner circumferential surface of the front space 32. Therefore, temporary insertion resistance occurs only at the end of the insertion process of the inner conductor 20.

[0028] When the inner conductor 20 is inserted to its proper assembly position, the locking spring 24 elastically returns radially outward. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, the rear end 24R (extended end) of the locking spring 24 enters the locking space 35 and is positioned to face the locking portion 36 in a manner that allows it to be locked from the front. Similarly, when the inner conductor 20 reaches its proper assembly position, the stabilizer 25 is positioned to face the front stop portion 41 in a manner that allows it to be locked from the rear. With these steps, the assembly of the inner conductor 20 to the dielectric 30 is completed.

[0029] When removing the inner conductor 20 from the dielectric 30, a jig (not shown) inserted into the locking space 35 from the outer surface of the dielectric 30 elastically deforms the locking spring 24 radially inward. In this state, when the shield wire 10 is grasped and the inner conductor 20 is pulled backward, the rear end 24R of the locking spring 24 disengages from the locking portion 36, and the inner conductor 20 begins to move backward. At this point, since the stabilizer 25 is fitted into the positioning groove 40, the inner conductor 20 does not undergo relative displacement in the circumferential direction with respect to the dielectric 30. Therefore, the locking spring 24 can be reliably inserted into the relief groove 37. As the removal of the inner conductor 20 continues, the locking spring 24 continues to move within the relief groove 37, so no sliding resistance occurs between the locking spring 24 and the dielectric 30.

[0030] The shield connector A of this embodiment 1 comprises an inner conductor 20 and a dielectric 30. The inner conductor 20 has a shape in which an elastically displaceable locking spring 24 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of a main body portion 21 whose axial direction is oriented in the front-rear direction. The dielectric 30 is a member that houses the inner conductor 20 inserted from the rear in a state that prevents it from coming out. The dielectric 30 has a housing chamber 31 that houses the main body portion 21, a locking portion 36, and a relief groove 37 formed therein. The locking portion 36 is the part that prevents the inner conductor 20 from coming out by locking the locking spring 24. The relief groove 37 has a shape in which only the region of the inner circumferential surface of the housing chamber 31 that faces the locking spring 24 in the circumferential direction is recessed. That is, the relief groove 37 has a shape in which the region of the inner circumferential surface of the housing chamber 31 that faces the locking spring 34 in the radial direction is recessed. Furthermore, the relief groove 37 has a shape in which only the area through which the locking spring 24 passes is recessed during the process of inserting the inner conductor 20 into the dielectric 30.

[0031] In this configuration, when inserting the inner conductor 20 into the dielectric 30, the locking spring 24 passes through the relief groove 37. The radial depth dimension of the relief groove 37 is set so that the locking spring 24 does not come into contact with the inner surface (groove bottom surface 39) of the relief groove 37. During the process of inserting the main body 21 into the housing chamber 31, the locking spring 24 does not undergo elastic deformation, thus avoiding the generation of insertion resistance. This reduces the insertion resistance when inserting the inner conductor 20 into the dielectric 30.

[0032] The relief groove 37 through which the locking spring 24 passes has a shape in which only the region of the inner circumferential surface of the housing chamber 31 (front space 32) that faces the locking spring 24 in the circumferential direction is recessed. Therefore, compared to a design in which the inner diameter of the housing chamber 31 is enlarged along its entire circumference, the volume inside the housing chamber 31, i.e., the volume of the air layer, is minimized. Consequently, according to the shield connector A of this embodiment 1, impedance mismatch caused by a large volume of air layer can be suppressed.

[0033] The locking spring 24 has a cantilevered shape that extends diagonally backward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body 21. The inner surface of the relief groove 37 includes a pair of inner surfaces 38 that face each other in the circumferential direction. In a rear view of the dielectric 30, the pair of inner surfaces 38 are inclined such that the distance between them in the circumferential direction narrows as they move radially away from the center of the housing chamber 31. The circumferential displacement of the inner conductor 20 relative to the dielectric 30 is corrected by the locking spring 24 sliding against the inner surfaces 38 of the relief groove 37. Since the pair of inner surfaces 38 are inclined such that the distance between them in the circumferential direction narrows as they move radially outward from the center of the housing chamber 31, the volume within the relief groove 37 (volume of the air layer) is kept smaller compared to a configuration where the inner surfaces 38 are parallel to each other. This makes it possible to suppress the increase in characteristic impedance caused by the formation of the relief groove 37.

[0034] The inner conductor 20 has a stabilizer 25 that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the main body 21. The dielectric 30 has a positioning groove 40 formed therein for fitting the stabilizer 25 during the process of inserting the main body 21 into the housing chamber 31. With this configuration, when the inner conductor 20 is pulled out from the dielectric 30 to the rear, the locking spring 24 can be reliably guided into the relief groove 37.

[0035] The positioning groove 40 of the dielectric 30 has a front-stop portion 41 formed therein that prevents the stabilizer 25 from moving forward relative to the dielectric 30 when the locking spring 24 is in a state where it can be locked to the locking portion 36 (when the inner conductor 20 is properly inserted into the dielectric 30). With this configuration, the locking action between the locking spring 24 and the stabilizer 25 allows the inner conductor 20 to be positioned in the front-rear direction relative to the dielectric 30.

[0036] [Example 2] Embodiment 2, which embodies the present disclosure, will be described with reference to Figure 10. The shield connector B of Embodiment 2 has a different configuration in the shape of the relief groove 61 for the dielectric 60 compared to Embodiment 1. The other components are the same as those of Embodiment 1, so the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation of the structure, operation, and effect is omitted.

[0037] In the front end portion 61F of the relief groove 61 in this embodiment 2, the radial depth of the relief groove 61 gradually becomes shallower towards the front. That is, in a cross-section obtained by cutting the dielectric 60 so as to include the axis of the housing chamber 31, the front end portion 62F of the groove bottom surface 62 is inclined in the same direction as the locking spring 24 and at the same angle as the locking spring 24 when it is not elastically deformed. With this configuration, the volume of the air layer at the front end portion 61F of the relief groove 61 is smaller than in embodiment 1, so the characteristic impedance matching is improved.

[0038] [Other examples] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings, but is shown in the claims. The present invention includes the meaning of equivalents of the claims and all modifications within the claims, and also includes the following embodiments. In Examples 1 and 2, the pair of inner surfaces of the relief grooves may be parallel to each other. In Examples 1 and 2, the radial depth dimension of the relief groove may be set so that the locking spring contacts the inner surface of the relief groove. In Examples 1 and 2, the inner conductor does not need to have a stabilizer. In Examples 1 and 2, the dielectric may be in a form that does not have a front-end portion. In Examples 1 and 2, the stabilizer may be fitted into the positioning groove before the locking spring enters the relief groove during the process of inserting the main body into the housing chamber. In this way, the stabilizer can be fitted into the positioning groove during the process of inserting the main body into the housing chamber, thereby positioning the locking spring to a position corresponding to the relief groove. In Example 2, the bottom surface of the relief groove may be a surface that is inclined at a constant angle along its entire length, from the front end to the rear end. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] A...Shielded connector B...Shielded connector 10...Shielded power lines 11…Core wire 12...Insulating coating 13...braided wire 14…Sheath 20...Inner conductor 21...Main body 22...Connection part 23... Crimping section 24... Locking spring 24R: Rear end of locking spring 25… Stabilizer 30…Dielectric 31... Confinement Chamber 32…Front space 33…Rear space 35… Locking space 36... Locking part 37... Relief groove 38…Inner surface 39…Groove bottom surface 40…Positioning groove 41... Front stopping section 50...Outer conductor 51…Front cylindrical member 52... Rear cylindrical member 60… Dielectric 61... Relief groove 61F: Front end of relief groove 62…Groove bottom surface 62F: Front end of groove bottom

Claims

1. An inner conductor having a shape in which an elastically displaceable locking spring protrudes from the outer surface of the main body part whose axis is oriented in the front-rear direction, It comprises a dielectric that houses the inner conductor inserted from the rear in a non-removable state, The dielectric is A storage chamber for housing the main body, A locking part that prevents the inner conductor from coming out by locking the locking spring, A shielded connector having a relief groove formed by recessing only the region of the inner circumferential surface of the housing chamber that faces the locking spring in the circumferential direction.

2. The locking spring has a shape that extends diagonally backward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body in a cantilevered manner. The inner surface of the relief groove includes a pair of inner surfaces facing each other in the circumferential direction. The shield connector according to claim 1, wherein, in a rear view of the dielectric material, the pair of inner surfaces are inclined such that the distance between them in the circumferential direction decreases as they move radially away from the center of the housing chamber.

3. The shielded connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the radial depth dimension of the relief groove is set such that the locking spring does not come into contact with the inner surface of the relief groove.

4. The inner conductor has a stabilizer that protrudes from the outer surface of the main body, The shield connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dielectric is provided with a positioning groove for fitting a stabilizer during the process of inserting the main body into the housing chamber.

5. The shield connector according to claim 4, wherein the positioning groove is formed with a front-stop portion that prevents the stabilizer from moving forward relative to the dielectric when the locking spring is in a state in which it can be locked to the locking portion.

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