connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector that can maintain the electrical connection reliability of the outer terminals. [Solution] In a connector 1 comprising an outer housing 3, a shield shell 5, an outer terminal 7, an inner housing 9, and an inner terminal 11, the outer terminal 7 is inserted into a hole 27 of the shield shell 5, and an engaging piece 49 is provided on the portion of the outer terminal 7 that is exposed from the hole 27, and is bent toward the edge of the hole 27 and engages with the edge of the hole 27, and a retaining member 13 is assembled to the shield shell 5, which holds the engaging piece 49 between the engaging piece 49 and the edge of the hole 27 by sandwiching it between the engaging piece 49 and the edge of the hole 27.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector, there is provided an outer housing made of an insulating material, a shield shell made of a conductive material and accommodated in the outer housing, and an outer terminal made of a conductive material and accommodated in the shield shell and electrically connected to the shield shell. Further, there is known a connector provided with a guide sleeve as an inner housing made of an insulating material and accommodated in the outer terminal, and an inner terminal made of a conductive material and accommodated in the guide sleeve (see Patent Document 1). In this connector, the outer terminal is inserted into the hole portion of the shield shell. On a portion of the outer terminal exposed from the hole portion, an engaging piece is provided which is bent toward the edge portion of the hole portion and engaged with the edge portion of the hole portion. By the engagement between the engaging piece and the edge portion of the hole portion, the outer terminal is held with respect to the shield shell. In such a connector, by fitting with a mating connector, the outer terminal is electrically connected to the mating outer terminal of the mating connector, and the inner terminal is electrically connected to the mating inner terminal of the mating connector. The outer terminal forms a shield circuit by being electrically connected to the mating outer terminal, and can prevent intrusion and leakage of noise and the like with respect to the inner terminal and the mating inner terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in connectors like the one described in Patent Document 1 above, the engaging piece of the outer terminal is formed by bending, making it easily deformable and prone to unstable engagement with the edge of the hole. When the engagement between the engaging piece and the edge of the hole becomes unstable, there is a possibility that the electrical connection reliability between the outer terminal and the mating outer terminal or shield shell will decrease.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art. The object of this invention is to provide a connector that can maintain the electrical connection reliability of the outer terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector according to this embodiment comprises an outer housing made of an insulating material, a shield shell made of a conductive material housed in the outer housing, an outer terminal made of a conductive material housed in the shield shell and electrically connected to the shield shell, an inner housing made of an insulating material housed in the outer terminal, and an inner terminal made of a conductive material housed in the inner housing. The outer terminal is inserted into a hole in the shield shell, and the portion of the outer terminal exposed from the hole is provided with an engaging piece that is bent toward the edge of the hole and engages with the edge of the hole. The shield shell is fitted with a retaining member that holds the engaging piece between itself and the edge of the hole to maintain the engagement between the engaging piece and the edge of the hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can maintain the electrical connection reliability of the outer terminals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 3]This is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a VV cross-sectional view. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the main part. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 4. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 7. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the outer terminals assembled to the outer housing and shield shell of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] This is an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 9. [Figure 11] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part when the engaging piece of the outer terminal of the connector according to this embodiment is bent. [Figure 12] This is a front view of the outer housing of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in Figure 12. [Figure 14] This is a front view of the shield shell of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in Figure 14. [Figure 16] This is a rear view of the shield shell of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 17] This is a bottom view of the shield shell of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 18] This is a side view of the outer terminal of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 19] This is a side view of the outer terminal of the connector according to this embodiment when the engaging piece is bent. [Figure 20] This is a front view of the first inner housing of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 21] This is a cross-sectional view of XXI-XXI in Figure 20. [Figure 22] This is a front view of the second inner housing of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 23] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 22. [Figure 24] It is a side view of the inner terminal of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 25] It is a front view of the holding member of the connector according to this embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the connector according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 according to this embodiment is applied to a circuit board 101 on which a circuit is formed, for example, and is electrically connected to the circuit board 101. The connector 1 is, for example, capable of being mated with a mating connector (not shown) electrically connected to an electrical component. By mating the connector 1 with the mating connector, the circuit board 101 and the electrical component are electrically connected.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 25, the connector 1 includes an outer housing 3, a shield shell 5, outer terminals, an inner housing 9, inner terminals 11, and a holding member 13.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, FIG. 7, FIG. 9, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, the outer housing 3 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, for example. The outer housing 3 is formed in a housing shape into which the mating outer housing (not shown) of the mating connector can be fitted. Above the outer housing 3, a locked portion 15 that can be engaged with a lock portion (not shown) provided on an elastically deformable lock arm (not shown) of the mating outer housing is provided. By engaging the lock portion and the locked portion 15, the fitting state between the outer housing 3 and the mating outer housing can be maintained. The engagement between the lock portion and the locked portion 15 is released by elastically deforming the lock arm, and the fitting between the outer housing 3 and the mating outer housing can be released.

[0013] The outer housing 3 has an outer terminal 7, an inner housing 9, and an inner terminal 11, and is provided with a mating portion 17 into which the mating housing is fitted. Inside the mating portion 17, there are multiple (four in this case) through holes 19 through which the outer terminal 7, inner housing 9, and inner terminal 11 are inserted. The end of the through hole 19 on the mating portion 17 side is an outer contact portion 21 into which the outer terminal 7 abuts. On the side of the through hole 19 of the outer housing 3 opposite the mating portion 17, there is a shield housing portion 23 into which the shield shell 5 is housed. Below the shield housing portion 23, there is a shield contact portion 25 into which the shield shell 5 abuts.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 11 and Figures 14 to 17, the shield shell 5 is made of a conductive material. The shield shell 5 is housed in the outer housing 3 and is formed in a housing shape that can house the outer terminals 7, the inner housing 9, the inner terminals 11, and the retaining member 13 inside. The shield shell 5 is open on the opposite side of the outer housing 3 and on the bottom. A portion of the shield shell 5 is housed in the shield housing portion 23 of the outer housing 3. When the shield shell 5 is housed in the shield housing portion 23, the end face of the shield shell 5 contacts the shield contact portion 25, and the shield shell 5 is positioned relative to the outer housing 3.

[0015] The shield shell 5 is provided with a plurality of (in this case, four) holes 27 through which the outer terminal 7, inner housing 9, and inner terminal 11 are inserted. The holes 27 communicate with the insertion holes 19 of the outer housing 3 when the outer housing 3 and shield shell 5 are assembled. On the opening edge of the hole 27 opposite to the outer housing 3, an engaging portion 29 is provided, which is formed by recessing the end face of the hole 27. The shield shell 5 is provided with an inner housing portion 31 that accommodates the inner housing 9 on the side of the plurality of holes 27 opposite to the outer housing 3 and below. The inner housing portion 31 is provided with inner contact portions 33 and 35 against which the inner housing 9 abuts. On the inner surface of the inner housing portion 31, a guide groove 37 is provided that extends along the insertion direction of the inner housing 9 into the shield shell 5.

[0016] Between the multiple holes 27 of the shield shell 5 and the inner housing 9, there is a retaining dwelling portion 39 that accommodates the retaining member 13. The retaining dwelling portion 39 communicates with the lower opening of the shield shell 5 and is formed in the shape of a groove extending along the insertion direction of the retaining member 13 into the shield shell 5. Below the shield shell 5, multiple (four in this case) cylindrical connection and fixing portions 41 protrude toward the circuit board 101. The connection and fixing portions 41 are press-fitted into holes (not shown) in the grounding pattern formed in the circuit board 101, thereby fixing the shield shell 5 to the circuit board 101. The connection and fixing portions 41 inserted through the holes in the circuit board 101 are electrically connected to the grounding pattern via soldering or the like, and the shield shell 5 is grounded.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, 18, and 19, the outer terminal 7 is made of a conductive material. Multiple outer terminals 7 (four in this case) are used. The outer terminal 7 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the mating direction between the connector 1 and the mating connector. The outer terminal 7 has a large diameter portion 43, a small diameter portion 45, and an engaging portion 47 that connects the large diameter portion 43 and the small diameter portion 45 and is inclined to widen from the small diameter portion 45 toward the large diameter portion 43. The small diameter portion 45 side of the outer terminal 7 is inserted into the insertion hole 19 through the opening of the mating portion 17 of the outer housing 3. When the outer terminal 7 is inserted into the insertion hole 19, the engaging portion 47 abuts against the outer contact portion 21 of the insertion hole 19, and the outer terminal 7 is positioned relative to the outer housing 3. The large diameter portion 43 of the outer terminal 7 is positioned inside the mating portion 17 of the outer housing 3.

[0018] The small-diameter portion 45 of the outer terminal 7 is inserted through the insertion hole 19 and into the hole 27 of the shield shell 5. The outer surface of the small-diameter portion 45 inserted into the hole 27 is in close contact with the inner surface of the hole 27, electrically connecting the outer terminal 7 and the shield shell 5, and grounding the outer terminal 7. The small-diameter portion 45 is provided with engaging pieces 49 that protrude longitudinally from the end of the opening edge. Multiple engaging pieces 49 (two in this case) are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the small-diameter portion 45. The engaging pieces 49 are exposed from the hole 27 when the small-diameter portion 45 is inserted through the hole 27. The engaging pieces 49 exposed from the hole 27 are bent toward the opening edge of the hole 27, thereby engaging with the engaged portion 29 of the opening edge of the hole 27. The engagement between the engaging piece 49 and the engaged portion 29 prevents the outer terminal 7 from coming loose from the insertion hole 19 and the hole portion 27, and the outer terminal 7 is held in place by the outer housing 3 and the shield shell 5.

[0019] When the connector 1 and the mating connector are mated, the large-diameter portion 43 of the outer terminal 7 is electrically connected to the grounded mating outer terminal (not shown) of the mating connector. By being electrically connected to the mating outer terminal, the outer terminal 7 forms a shield circuit. By forming a shield circuit, it is possible to prevent the intrusion and leakage of noise and other signals to the inner terminal 11 and the mating inner terminal (not shown) of the mating connector.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 to 8 and Figures 20 to 23, the inner housing 9 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The inner housing 9 maintains insulation between the outer terminals 7 located on the outside and the inner terminals 11 located on the inside. The inner housing 9 has a first inner housing 51 and a second inner housing 53.

[0021] Multiple (in this case, two) first inner housings 51 are used so as to correspond to the upper insertion holes 19 and holes 27 among the multiple (in this case, four) insertion holes 19 and holes 27. The first inner housing 51 has a first housing chamber 55 and a first hanging portion 57 and is formed in an L-shape. The first housing chamber 55 extends along the mating direction between the connector 1 and the mating connector and is formed in a cylindrical shape that can accommodate the small diameter portion 45 of the outer terminal 7. The first hanging portion 57 communicates with the first housing chamber 55 and is a single member continuous with the first housing chamber 55, extending downward in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the connector 1. The first hanging portion 57 is open on the opposite side of the first housing chamber 55 and downward. Inside the first hanging portion 57, there is a terminal contact portion 59 against which the inner terminal 11 abuts. A notch 61 is provided on the outside of the first hanging portion 57 on the side facing the first housing chamber 55, where the retaining member 13 is positioned. The first inner housing 51 is housed in the inner housing portion 31 of the shield shell 5 such that the first housing chamber 55 passes through the small diameter portion 45 of the outer terminal 7. When the first inner housing 51 is housed in the inner housing portion 31, the end face of the first hanging portion 57 on the side facing the first housing chamber 55 abuts against the inner contact portion 33, positioning the first inner housing 51 relative to the shield shell 5.

[0022] Multiple (in this case, two) second inner housings 53 are used so as to correspond to the lower insertion holes 19 and holes 27 among the multiple (in this case, four) insertion holes 19 and holes 27. The second inner housing 53 has a second housing chamber 63 and a second hanging portion 65 and is formed in an L-shape. The second housing chamber 63 extends along the mating direction between the connector 1 and the mating connector and is formed in a cylindrical shape that can accommodate the small diameter portion 45 of the outer terminal 7. The second hanging portion 65 communicates with the second housing chamber 63 and is a single member continuous with the second housing chamber 63, extending downward in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the connector 1. The second hanging portion 65 is open on the opposite side of the second housing chamber 63 and downward. Inside the second hanging portion 65, there is a terminal contact portion 67 against which the inner terminal 11 abuts. Outside the second hanging portion 65, there is a guide rib 69 that can engage with the guide groove 37 of the shield shell 5. The second inner housing 53 is housed in the inner housing portion 31 of the shield shell 5 by engaging the guide rib 69 with the guide groove 37. When the second inner housing 53 is housed in the inner housing portion 31, the second housing chamber 63 allows the small diameter portion 45 of the outer terminal 7 to pass through. With the second inner housing 53 housed in the inner housing portion 31, the end face of the second hanging portion 65 on the second housing chamber 63 side contacts the inner contact portion 35, positioning the second inner housing 53 relative to the shield shell 5.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 to 8 and Figure 24, the inner terminal 11 is made of a conductive material. Multiple inner terminals 11 (four in this case) are used. The inner terminal 11 has an electrical connection portion 71 and a substrate connection portion 73, and is formed in an L-shape. The electrical connection portion 71 extends along the mating direction between the connector 1 and the mating connector and is formed in a tab shape. The electrical connection portion 71 of the inner terminal 11 housed in the second inner housing 53 is set to be shorter than the electrical connection portion 71 of the inner terminal 11 housed in the first inner housing 51. On the substrate connection portion 73 side of the electrical connection portion 71, a press-fit portion 75 is provided which is press-fitted into the inner surfaces of the first housing chamber 55 and the second housing chamber 63. The electrical connection portion 71 is housed in the first housing chamber 55 and the second housing chamber 63 and fixed to the inner housing 9 by press-fitting the press-fit portion 75. The electrical connection portion 71 housed in the first housing chamber 55 and the second housing chamber 63 has its ends exposed from the first housing chamber 55 and the second housing chamber 63 and is positioned inside the large-diameter portion 43 of the outer terminal 7. The board connection portion 73 is a single member continuous with the electrical connection portion 71 and extends downward in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the connector 1. The board connection portion 73 of the inner terminal 11 housed in the second inner housing 53 is set to be shorter than the board connection portion 73 of the inner terminal 11 housed in the first inner housing 51. The board connection portion 73 is housed in the first hanging portion 57 and the second hanging portion 65 when the electrical connection portion 71 is housed in the first housing chamber 55 and the second housing chamber 63. When the board connection portion 73 is housed in the first hanging portion 57 and the second hanging portion 65, the outer surface of the board connection portion 73 contacts the terminal contact portions 59 and 67 of the first hanging portion 57 and the second hanging portion 65, and the inner terminal 11 is positioned relative to the inner housing 9. The ends of the board connection portion 73 housed in the first hanging portion 57 and the second hanging portion 65 are exposed from the lower opening and are electrically connected to the circuit pattern of the circuit board 101 (see Figure 1) by soldering or the like, and the inner terminal 11 is electrically connected to the circuit board 101.

[0024] When connector 1 and mating connector are mated, the inner terminal 11 is electrically connected to a mating inner terminal (not shown) whose electrical connection portion 71 is electrically connected to the electrical components of the mating connector. By being electrically connected to the mating inner terminal, the inner terminal 11 is electrically connected to the circuit board 101 and the electrical components.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 5-8, and 25, the retaining member 13 is made of a conductive material. The retaining member 13 is formed in a plate shape that can be housed in the retaining housing portion 39 of the shield shell 5. The retaining member 13 is provided with a plurality (four in this case) of press-fitting protrusions 77. The press-fitting protrusions 77 are press-fitted into the inner surface of the retaining housing portion 39 when the retaining member 13 is housed in the retaining housing portion 39, fixing the retaining member 13 to the shield shell 5. The retaining member 13 is electrically connected to the shield shell 5 by contacting the shield shell 5. The retaining member 13 is provided with a U-shaped notched insertion portion 79 that is inserted into the notch 61 of the first inner housing 51. By inserting the insertion portion 79 into the notch 61, the retaining member 13 can be housed in the retaining housing portion 39 without interfering with the first inner housing 51. The retaining member 13 has a connecting portion 81 that protrudes toward the circuit board 101 (see Figure 1) from an opening below the retaining housing portion 39. The connecting portion 81 is electrically connected to the grounding pattern of the circuit board 101 via soldering or the like, and the retaining member 13 is grounded.

[0026] When the retaining member 13 is housed in the retaining housing 39, its outer surface is in close contact with the engaging piece 49 of the outer terminal 7 and the end face of the hole 27 of the shield shell 5. As a result, the engaging piece 49 is sandwiched between the edge of the hole 27 and the retaining member 13, preventing deformation in the direction away from the edge of the hole 27 (engaged portion 29). By preventing deformation of the engaging piece 49, the engagement between the engaging piece 49 and the edge of the hole 27 can be maintained, and the outer terminal 7 can be held stably. As a result, the electrical connection reliability between the outer terminal 7 and the mating outer terminal or shield shell 5 can be maintained. In addition, since the retaining member 13 is made of a conductive material, sandwiching the engaging piece 49 between it and the edge of the hole 27 increases the electrical connection area, improving the electrical connection reliability between the shield shell 5 and the outer terminal 7.

[0027] When the retaining member 13 is housed in the retaining housing 39, both sides in the thickness direction are in close contact with the end faces of the engaging piece 49 and the hole 27 and the end face of the inner housing 9 (first inner housing 51). As a result, the retaining member 13 is sandwiched between the engaging piece 49 and the inner housing 9. By sandwiching the retaining member 13 between the engaging piece 49 and the inner housing 9, the inner housing 9 can further stably prevent deformation of the engaging piece 49. As a result, the electrical connection reliability of the outer terminal 7 can be stably maintained.

[0028] One example of assembling such a connector 1 is as follows: First, the shield shell 5 is housed in the shield housing portion 23 of the outer housing 3, and the outer housing 3 and the shield shell 5 are assembled. Next, the outer terminal 7 is inserted from the mating portion 17 side of the outer housing 3, and the small diameter portion 45 of the outer terminal 7 is inserted through the insertion hole 19 and the hole portion 27. Next, the engaging piece 49 of the outer terminal 7 exposed from the hole portion 27 is bent toward the edge of the hole portion 27 and engaged with the engaged portion 29. Next, the inner housing 9 with the inner terminal 11 assembled is housed in the inner housing portion 31 of the shield shell 5, and the inner housing 9 is assembled to the outer housing 3 and the shield shell 5. Finally, the retaining member 13 is housed in the retaining housing portion 39 of the shield shell 5, and the retaining member 13 is assembled to the shield shell 5, completing the assembly of the connector 1.

[0029] Such a connector 1 comprises an outer housing 3 made of an insulating material and a shield shell 5 made of a conductive material housed in the outer housing 3. It also comprises an outer terminal 7 made of a conductive material housed in the shield shell 5 and electrically connected to the shield shell 5, and an inner housing 9 made of an insulating material housed in the outer terminal 7. It also comprises an inner terminal 11 made of a conductive material housed in the inner housing 9. The outer terminal 7 is inserted into a hole 27 in the shield shell 5. The portion of the outer terminal 7 exposed from the hole 27 is provided with an engaging piece 49 that is bent toward the edge of the hole 27 and engages with the edge of the hole 27. The shield shell 5 is fitted with a retaining member 13 that holds the engaging piece 49 between itself and the edge of the hole 27, thereby maintaining the engagement between the engaging piece 49 and the edge of the hole 27.

[0030] Therefore, the engaging piece 49 is sandwiched between the edge of the hole 27 and the holding member 13, preventing deformation in the direction away from the edge of the hole 27. By preventing deformation of the engaging piece 49, the engagement between the engaging piece 49 and the edge of the hole 27 can be maintained, and the outer terminal 7 can be held stably. Therefore, the electrical connection reliability between the outer terminal 7 and the mating outer terminal or shield shell 5 can be maintained.

[0031] Therefore, such a connector 1 can maintain the electrical connection reliability of the outer terminal 7.

[0032] Furthermore, the retaining member 13 is made of a conductive material.

[0033] Therefore, by sandwiching the engaging piece 49 between the holding member 13 and the edge of the hole 27, the electrical connection area is increased, and the electrical connection reliability between the shield shell 5 and the outer terminal 7 can be improved.

[0034] Furthermore, the inner housing 9 is positioned with the retaining member 13 sandwiched between it and the engaging piece 49.

[0035] Therefore, the inner housing 9 can more reliably prevent deformation of the engaging piece 49, and can stably maintain the electrical connection reliability of the outer terminal 7.

[0036] 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.

[0037] For example, four outer terminals, inner housings, and inner terminals are used, but this is not limited to this; three or fewer, or five or more, outer terminals, inner housings, and inner terminals may also be used.

[0038] Furthermore, although the shield shell is grounded to the ground pattern of the circuit board, it is not limited to this, and the mating component to which the shield shell is grounded may be any component, such as a case made of conductive material that houses the circuit board. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Connector 3 Outer Housing 5 Shield Shell 7 Outer terminals 9 Inner Housing 11 Inner terminal 13 Retaining member 27 Hole 49 Engaging piece

Claims

1. An outer housing made of insulating material, The outer housing is housed in a shield shell made of a conductive material, An outer terminal made of a conductive material housed in the shield shell and electrically connected to the shield shell, The outer terminal is housed in an inner housing made of an insulating material, An inner terminal made of a conductive material housed in the inner housing, Equipped with, The outer terminal is inserted into the hole in the shield shell. The portion of the outer terminal exposed from the hole is provided with an engaging piece that is bent toward the edge of the hole and engages with the edge of the hole. The shield shell is fitted with a retaining member that holds the engagement between the engaging piece and the edge of the hole by sandwiching the engaging piece between the engaging piece and the edge of the hole.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member is made of a conductive material.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner housing is arranged with the retaining member sandwiched between the engaging piece.

Images