Cable assembly

Abstract

This improves the retention force of unshielded twisted-pair cables, providing reliable cable assemblies with improved connection performance. [Solution] The cable assembly 2 includes an inner housing 30 which includes a first main body 31 having a first housing portion 34 for housing an inner terminal 20 and a lid portion 32 which is provided to open and close relative to the first main body 31, and an outer terminal 40 which includes a second main body 41 having a second housing portion 44 for housing the inner housing 30 when the lid portion 32 is closed. The lid portion 32 is provided with a locking surface 31b for locking the inner terminal 20 when the lid portion 32 is closed and a housing groove 32b for housing the locking portion 23 of the inner terminal 20 when the lid portion 32 is closed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable assembly.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a shield connector in which a crimping portion for a shield portion of a shielded wire is formed is known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a shield connector including an inner terminal connected to a shielded wire, an inner housing accommodating the inner terminal, a shield terminal covering the outside of the inner housing, and an outer housing accommodating the shield terminal. The shield terminal is connected to the shield portion of the shielded wire. A lid portion is integrally provided at the rear opening of the shield terminal via a hinge. A crimping portion for the shield portion of the shielded wire is formed on the lid portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The shield connector described in Patent Document 1 has a crimping portion for the shield portion of the shielded wire. On the other hand, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a cable assembly using an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable without a shield.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. The object of the present invention is to improve the holding force of an unshielded twisted pair cable and provide a cable assembly with high connection reliability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention includes an unshielded twisted pair cable including a core wire. The cable assembly includes an inner terminal including a first crimping portion for crimping the core wire, a contact portion for contact with a mating terminal, and a locking portion. The cable assembly includes an inner housing including a first main body having a first housing portion for housing the inner terminal, and a lid portion provided to open and close relative to the first main body. The outer terminal includes a second main body having a second housing portion for housing the inner housing when the lid portion is closed, and a second crimping portion for crimping the unshielded twisted pair cable. The lid portion is provided with a locking surface that locks the inner terminal by contacting the locking portion of the inner terminal when the lid portion is closed, and a housing groove in which the locking portion of the inner terminal is housed when the lid portion is closed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the retention force of unshielded twisted pair cables and provide a cable assembly with high connection reliability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a shielded connector using a cable assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of a cable assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a side view showing the inner housing with the lid open, according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the VV line in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing an inner terminal with a twisted pair cable crimped to it, inserted into an inner housing with the lid open. [Figure 7]This is a cross-sectional view showing the inner housing inserted into the outer terminal. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 7. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in Figure 8. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in Figure 8. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view showing the inner terminal in a tilted position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The cable assembly according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the shielded connector 1 according to this embodiment comprises a cable assembly 2 and a housing assembly 3 that houses the cable assembly 2.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1-2 and 7-10, the cable assembly 2 includes an unshielded twisted pair cable 10, an inner terminal 20, an inner housing 30, and an outer terminal 40. In this specification, the connection direction between the cable assembly 2 and a mating terminal (not shown) is indicated as the X direction, the direction Y perpendicular to the X direction is indicated as the width direction Y, and the direction Z perpendicular to the X and Y directions is indicated as the height direction Z. Furthermore, in the X direction, the side where the mating terminal is located is described as the tip side, and the side where the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 is located is described as the base side.

[0013] The unshielded twisted pair cable 10 includes a pair of electric wires 11 and a sheath 14 covering the surfaces of the pair of electric wires 11. Each electric wire 11 includes a core wire 12 and a covering material 13 covering the core wire 12. The core wire 12 may be formed of a metal containing copper. The covering material 13 and the sheath 14 may be formed of a resin such as polypropylene. The unshielded twisted pair cable 10 according to the present embodiment is a cable in which two pairs of electric wires 11 are twisted together. The unshielded twisted pair cable 10 according to the present embodiment is an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and does not include an electromagnetic shielding shield.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the inner terminal 20 includes a first crimping portion 21, a contact portion 22, a locking portion 23, and a cylindrical portion 24. The first crimping portion 21 is provided at one end of the inner terminal 20, and the contact portion 22 is provided at the other end. The first crimping portion 21 includes a pair of crimping pieces and crimps the exposed core wire 12 of the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 by caulking. The contact portion 22 is configured such that a tab of a male terminal, which is a mating terminal of a mating connector not shown, contacts and is electrically connected. The cylindrical portion 24 is formed in a cylindrical shape and connects the contact portion 22 and the locking portion 23. The locking portion 23 is disposed between the first crimping portion 21 and the cylindrical portion 24. The inner terminal 20 has a rounded shape from the contact portion 22 to the first crimping portion 21. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of impedance mismatch at the corner and signal disturbance.

[0015] As will be described later, the locking portion 23 is locked to the lid portion 32 of the inner housing 30 and is configured such that the inner terminal 20 does not come out of the inner housing 30. As shown in FIG. 10, the locking portion 23 has a teardrop shape when viewed from the X direction. The locking portion 23 is formed of a plate-like member and includes a curved bottom portion 23a and a pair of locking pieces 23b that are connected to both ends of the bottom portion 23a and extend upward from the bottom portion 23a so as to approach each other in the Y direction as they move away from the bottom portion 23a.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the inner housing 30 includes a first main body portion 31 that houses the inner terminal 20, a lid portion 32 that is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the first main body portion 31, and a hinge 33 that connects the lid portion 32 and the first main body portion 31. The lid portion 32 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the first main body portion 31 via the hinge 33. Further, the inner housing 30 has a first accommodating portion 34, an opening portion 35, a through hole 36, and a terminal insertion hole 37.

[0017] The first main body portion 31 is an elliptical cylindrical member and has a first accommodating portion 34 inside the first main body portion 31 for housing the inner terminal 20. Further, the first main body portion 31 has an opening portion 35 capable of accommodating the lid portion 32. A hinge 33 is provided on the tip side of the opening portion 35. Also, a contact portion 35a that contacts the tip side in the X direction of the locking piece 23b is provided on the tip side of the opening portion 35. The contact portion 35a is provided below the hinge 33 in the Z direction. The first main body portion 31 has a through hole 36, and the through hole 36 is provided on the tip side in the X direction with respect to the lid portion 32 of the inner housing 30. The through hole 36 is configured such that the contact portion 22 is visible when the inner terminal 20 is inserted into the inner housing 30. The width of the through hole 36 in the Y direction is provided to be wider than the side wall surface 34d of the first accommodating portion 34 because the contact portion 22 of the inner terminal 20 contacts and deflects a tab of a mating terminal (not shown). The terminal insertion hole 37 is provided on the tip side of the inner housing 30 so that a mating terminal (not shown) can be inserted therethrough. When the mating terminal is inserted, the mating terminal contacts the contact portion 22 and the mating terminal and the inner terminal 20 are electrically connected.

[0018] The cover portion 32 has a locking surface 32a that locks the inner terminal 20 by contacting the locking portion 23 of the inner terminal 20, a housing groove 32b that accommodates the locking piece 23b of the inner terminal 20, and a regulating rib 32c that restricts the tilting of the inner terminal 20. The locking surface 32a constitutes a part of the wall portion of the housing groove 32b and extends in the Y and Z directions. The locking surface 32a contacts the base end side in the X direction of the locking piece 23b, thereby suppressing the relative separation of the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 even when a tensile force is applied in the X direction that causes the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 to move away from the inner housing 30. The housing groove 32b is semi-cylindrical in shape, and the locking surface 32a is semi-circular in shape. The regulating rib 32c restricts the rotation and tilting of the inner terminal 20. Furthermore, the restrictive rib 32c narrows the gap between the inner terminal 20 and the first main body 31, thereby increasing the shear area between the inner terminal 20 and the first main body 31.

[0019] The first housing section 34 is cylindrical in shape. As shown in Figure 4, the bottom wall surface 34a, which is the wall surface of the first housing section 34, is provided with a first restricting wall 34b and a first guide taper 34c. The first restricting wall 34b protrudes from the bottom wall surface 34a and restricts the tilting of the inner terminal 20. The first guide taper 34c is an inclined surface that connects the bottom wall surface 34a and the first restricting wall 34b and guides the inner terminal 20 so that it is inserted from the bottom wall surface 34a into the first restricting wall 34b.

[0020] As shown in Figure 5, the side wall surface 34d, which is the wall surface of the first housing section 34, is provided with a second restricting wall 34e and a second guide taper 34f. The second restricting wall 34e protrudes from the side wall surface 34d and restricts the tilting of the inner terminal 20 when it is inserted. The second guide taper 34f is an inclined surface that connects the side wall surface 34d and the second restricting wall 34e and guides the inner terminal 20 so that it is inserted from the side wall surface 34d into the second restricting wall 34e.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 7 to 10, the outer terminal 40 includes a second main body portion 41, a second crimping portion 42, and a TPA locking projection 43. The second main body portion 41 is provided at one end of the outer terminal 40, and the second crimping portion 42 is provided at the other end of the outer terminal 40 opposite to the second main body portion 41. The second main body portion 41 is an elliptical cylindrical member and has a second housing portion 44 inside which the inner housing 30 is housed. The second crimping portion 42 includes a pair of crimping pieces and crimps the sheath 14 of the unshielded twisted pair cable 10, mechanically connecting the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 and the outer terminal 40. The TPA locking projection 43 is a projection provided on the outer circumferential surface of the second main body portion 41 and engages with the cable assembly locking wall 56 of the TPA device 51.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the housing assembly 3 includes an outer housing 50, a TPA device 51, and a CPA device 52.

[0023] The outer housing 50 is formed in a box shape from resin and includes an assembly housing section 53, a lock arm 54, and a TPA housing section 55. The cable assembly 2 is housed in the assembly housing section 53. The lock arm 54 is provided on the upper surface of the outer housing 50 and maintains the mated state when mated with a mating connector (not shown).

[0024] The TPA device 51 has a cable assembly locking wall 56 and a housing locking projection 57. The cable assembly locking wall 56 is configured to engage with the surface of the cable assembly 2, thereby securing the cable assembly 2 within the outer housing 50. The housing locking projection 57 is configured to engage with the TPA housing portion 55 of the outer housing 50.

[0025] The CPA device 52 is a component that detects when a mating connector (not shown) is mated to the outer housing 50. The CPA device 52 is configured to restrict movement to the mating guaranteed position when the mating connector (not shown) is not mated to the outer housing 50, and to move to the mating guaranteed position when the mating connector is mated to the outer housing 50.

[0026] Next, the assembly procedure of the cable assembly 2 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figures 2 to 3 and Figures 5 to 9.

[0027] First, the ends of the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 are processed to expose the core wires 12. Then, as shown in Figure 2, the exposed core wires 12 are crimped at the first crimping portion 21 of the inner terminal 20. In this way, an unshielded twisted pair cable 10 with the inner terminal 20 crimped is prepared. Also, as shown in Figures 2 to 3 and Figure 5, an inner housing 30 with the lid portion 32 open is prepared.

[0028] Next, as shown in Figure 6, the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 with the inner terminal 20 crimped to it is inserted into the inner housing 30 with the lid 32 open. The unshielded twisted pair cable 10 is inserted until the tip of the locking piece 23b of the locking portion 23 on the inner terminal 20 contacts the contact portion 35a provided at the tip of the opening 35 of the inner housing 30. After inserting the inner terminal 20 into the inner housing 30, the lid 32 of the inner housing 30 is rotated 90° so that it is housed in the opening 35. By closing the lid 32, the locking piece 23b of the locking portion 23 is housed in the housing groove 32b. As a result, when a tensile force is applied in the X direction, which separates the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 from the outer terminal 40, the locking piece 23b of the inner terminal 20 and the locking surface 32a of the inner housing 30 come into contact. The locking piece 23b is locked when its end in the X direction abuts against the locking surface 32a of the lid 32. When the lid 32 is closed, the locking surface 32a abuts against the locking portion 23 of the inner terminal 20, thereby locking the inner terminal 20.

[0029] As shown in Figure 9, the opening 35 is closed when the lid portion 32 is fitted into the opening 35. The first main body portion 31 includes a locking projection 31a, which has a locking surface 31b. The lid portion 32 also includes a locking projection 32d, which has a locking surface 32e. When the lid portion 32 is closed, the locking projection 32d of the lid portion 32 overcomes the locking projection 31a of the first main body portion 31, causing the lid portion 32 to fit into the first main body portion 31. Then, the locking surface 31b of the first main body portion 31 and the locking surface 32e of the lid portion 32 come into contact, locking the lid portion 32 and preventing it from opening. When the lid portion 32 is closed, the locking projection 31a of the first main body portion 31 is housed in the locking groove 31c, and the locking projection 32d of the lid portion 32 is housed in the locking groove 32f.

[0030] Next, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the inner housing 30 is inserted into the outer terminal 40. The inner housing 30 is inserted into the outer terminal 40 from the base end to the tip end in the X direction. When the inner housing 30 is inserted into the outer terminal 40, the locking lance 45 provided on the outer terminal 40 engages with the engaging portion 38 provided on the inner housing 30. This prevents the inner housing 30 from coming out of the outer terminal 40 when a tensile force is applied in the X direction, which separates the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 from the outer terminal 40. Furthermore, after inserting the inner housing 30 into the outer terminal 40, the second crimping portion 42 of the outer terminal 40 is crimped to the unshielded twisted pair cable 10. This further prevents the inner housing 30 from coming out of the outer terminal 40.

[0031] Furthermore, the inner housing 30 is inserted into the outer terminal 40, and the lid portion 32 is pressed against the inner surface of the second main body portion 41 of the outer terminal 40. Therefore, even if a tensile force is applied in the X direction, which separates the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 relative to the outer terminal 40, the lid portion 32 is prevented from opening.

[0032] Next, the effects of the cable assembly 2 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0033] The cable assembly 2 according to this embodiment includes an unshielded twisted pair cable 10 including a core wire 12. The cable assembly 2 includes an inner terminal 20 including a first crimping portion 21 for crimping the core wire 12, a contact portion 22 for contacting the mating terminal, and a locking portion 23. The cable assembly 2 includes an inner housing 30 including a first main body portion 31 having a first housing portion 34 for housing the inner terminal 20, and a lid portion 32 provided to open and close relative to the first main body portion 31. The cable assembly 2 includes an outer terminal 40 including a second main body portion 41 having a second housing portion 44 for housing the inner housing 30 when the lid portion 32 is closed, and a second crimping portion 42 for crimping the unshielded twisted pair cable 10. The lid portion 32 is provided with a locking surface 31b that locks the inner terminal 20 by contacting the locking portion 23 of the inner terminal 20 when the lid portion 32 is closed, and a housing groove 32b that accommodates the locking portion 23 of the inner terminal 20 when the lid portion 32 is closed.

[0034] According to the cable assembly 2 of this embodiment, the inner terminal 20 can be inserted into the inner housing 30 with the lid 32 open. Therefore, when inserting the inner terminal 20 into the inner housing 30, sliding between the inner housing 30 and the inner terminal 20 can be suppressed by a locking structure or the like. Consequently, the insertion feel when inserting the inner terminal 20 into the inner housing 30 can be improved.

[0035] Furthermore, the second main body portion 41 of the outer terminal 40 accommodates the inner housing 30 when the lid portion 32 is closed. Therefore, even if a tensile force is applied in the X direction, which causes the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 to move away from the outer terminal 40, the lid portion 32 is prevented from opening. The locking surface 31b of the lid portion 32 locks the inner terminal 20 by contacting the locking portion 23 of the inner terminal 20 when the lid portion 32 is closed. Therefore, even if a tensile force is applied in the X direction, which causes the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 to move away from the inner housing 30, the relative separation between the inner housing 30 and the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 can be prevented.

[0036] Therefore, the retention force of the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 can be improved, and a cable assembly 2 with reliable connection can be provided.

[0037] The cover portion 32 is positioned opposite the first crimping portion 21 and has a restricting rib 32c that restricts the inner terminal 20 from tilting relative to the inner housing 30. This configuration reduces the gap between the first crimping portion 21 of the inner terminal 20 and the cover portion 32. Therefore, it is possible to restrict the rotation of the inner terminal 20 relative to the inner housing 30.

[0038] In particular, the width of the through hole 36 is set one level outward from the side wall surface 34d of the first housing portion 34 because the contact portion 22 of the inner terminal 20 flexes when it contacts the tab of the mating terminal (not shown). Due to this effect, a clearance is created between the contact portion 22 of the inner terminal 20 and the side wall surface 34d of the first housing portion 34, which may cause the inner terminal 20 to rattle. However, by providing a regulating rib 32c on the lid portion 32, the tilting of the inner terminal 20 can be suppressed. By suppressing the tilting of the inner terminal 20, the reduction in the contact area between the locking surface 32a and the locking portion 23 can be suppressed.

[0039] The first main body 31 may have a through hole 36 that allows the contact portion 22 to be visually inspected when the inner terminal 20 is inserted into the inner housing 30. With this configuration, the protrusion of the inner terminal 20 can be checked by looking into the through hole 36 from the outside of the inner housing 30. This allows for control of the protrusion of the inner terminal 20 and ensures the quality of the cable assembly 2.

[0040] The walls 34a and 34d of the first housing section 34 may be provided with restricting walls 34b and 34e to restrict the tilting of the inner terminal 20. This configuration suppresses the tilting of the inner terminal 20. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the engagement area between the locking portion 23 of the inner terminal 20 and the locking surface 32a of the cover portion 32. Therefore, the holding force of the unshielded twisted pair cable 10 can be further improved.

[0041] In particular, the width of the through hole 36 is set one level outward from the side wall surface 34d of the first housing section 34 because the contact portion 22 of the inner terminal 20 flexes when it contacts the tab of the mating terminal (not shown). Due to this effect, a clearance is created between the contact portion 22 of the inner terminal 20 and the side wall surface 34d of the first housing section 34, which may cause the inner terminal 20 to rattle. However, by providing regulating walls 34b and 34e on the wall surfaces 34a and 34d of the first housing section 34, the tilting of the inner terminal 20 can be suppressed. By suppressing the tilting of the inner terminal 20, the reduction in the contact area between the locking surface 32a and the locking portion 23 can be suppressed.

[0042] The housing groove may be semi-cylindrical in shape. With this configuration, even if the lid 32 is closed while the inner terminal 20 is rotated and tilted, the locking portion 23 is accommodated in the housing groove 32b. Therefore, interference between the lid 32 and the locking portion 23, which would prevent the lid 32 from closing, can be suppressed.

[0043] The locking portion 23 may be teardrop-shaped. This configuration reduces the amount of overlap between the inner terminal 20 and the lid portion 32 of the inner housing 30 when the inner terminal 20 rotates. It also reduces interference between the inner terminal 20 and the first housing portion 34 of the inner housing 30 when inserting the inner terminal 20 into the inner housing 30.

[0044] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 2 Cable Assembly 10 Unshielded Twisted Pair Cables 12-core wire 20 Inner terminals 21 First crimping section 22 Contact area 23 Locking part 30 Inner Housing 31. First main body 31b Locking surface 32 Lid 32b Storage groove 32c Regulatory Rib 34. First Detention Unit 34a Bottom wall surface (wall surface) 34b First Restrictive Wall 34d Side wall surface (wall surface) 34e Second Barrier 36 Through holes 40 Outer terminals 41. Second main body 42 Second crimping section 44 Second Detention Unit

Claims

1. Unshielded twisted pair cable including core wires, An inner terminal including a first crimping portion for crimping the core wire, a contact portion for contacting the mating terminal, and a locking portion, An inner housing comprising a first main body having a first housing portion for housing the inner terminals, and a lid portion provided to the first main body so as to be openable and closable, An outer terminal including a second main body having a second housing portion for housing the inner housing when the lid portion is closed, and a second crimping portion for crimping the unshielded twisted pair cable, Equipped with, A cable assembly wherein the cover portion is provided with a locking surface that locks the inner terminal by contacting the locking portion of the inner terminal when the cover portion is closed, and a housing groove that accommodates the locking portion of the inner terminal when the cover portion is closed.

2. The cable assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion is arranged to face the first crimping portion and has a restricting rib that restricts the inner terminal from tilting relative to the inner housing.

3. The cable assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first main body has a through hole that allows the contact portion to be visually inspected when the inner terminal is inserted into the inner housing.

4. The cable assembly according to claim 1, wherein a restricting wall for restricting the inclination of the inner terminal is provided on the wall surface of the first housing section.

5. The cable assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aforementioned housing groove is semi-cylindrical in shape.

6. The cable assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking portion is teardrop-shaped.

Images