connector

Abstract

This invention provides a connector that allows for simple and inexpensive attachment of the shield case to the rear case, while also enabling miniaturization and a low profile design. [Solution] The connector 100 includes a rod-shaped terminal 61 that can be electrically connected to the internal conductor of the coaxial cable, an insulating holder 62 that inserts and supports the terminal 61, a cylindrical shell 63 that can be electrically connected to the external conductor of the coaxial cable and is fitted onto the holder 62, a shielding member 65 that is in contact with the cylindrical shell 63, a shielding case 66 that is in contact with the cylindrical shell 63, and a rear case 10 that is in close contact with the shielding case 66. The cylindrical shell 63 has a cylindrical body portion 63a that covers the holder 62 and an annular flange portion 63b. The shielding case 66 has a connecting portion 66d that is electrically connected to the flange portion 63b, and a constricted cylindrical portion 66c that is connected to the outer edge 66d1 of the connecting portion 66d and is reduced in diameter from the outer edge 66d1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a connector electrically connected to a camera module (referred to as a connector module in Patent Document 1). The connector includes: a conductive rod-shaped terminal electrically connectable to an inner conductor of a coaxial cable (referred to as a center conductor in Patent Document 1); an insulating holder that inserts and supports the terminal so as to be coaxial with the axial center of the terminal (referred to as an insulator holder in Patent Document 1); a conductive cylindrical shell electrically connectable to an outer conductor of the coaxial cable and externally fitted onto the holder so as to be coaxial with the axial center (referred to as a conductive shell in Patent Document 1); a conductive shield case that contacts the cylindrical shell to shield external electromagnetic waves; and a rear case that partially accommodates the shield case (referred to as a connector case in Patent Document 1).

[0003] The shield case is positioned by being sandwiched between a third engagement recess formed on a side surface of the cylindrical shell and the rear case. More specifically, the shield case is positioned by hooking an annular elastic portion formed on an outer edge of an opening of the shield case through which the cylindrical shell is inserted into an engagement recess formed on an outer circumference of the cylindrical shell, and inserting a convex portion of the rear case into a hole formed in a bottom portion of the shield case.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Since the elastic part is erected along the axial direction, it is necessary to ensure a length greater than a predetermined amount in order to allow elastic deformation. Also, considering variations in parts, the engagement recess of the cylindrical shell needs to be slightly longer in the axial direction than the length of the elastic part, and as a result, the shield case can move slightly in the axial direction relative to the cylindrical shell. Consequently, the height of the connector (length along the axial direction) increases. Furthermore, in order to completely fix the shield case to the rear case so that it does not move along the axial or circumferential direction, an extra process is required, such as inserting the protrusion of the rear case into the hole in the shield case and then applying heat to the protrusion to crimp it, which leads to increased costs. For this reason, the connector described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of cost and low profile.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a connector that can easily and inexpensively fix the shield case to the rear case, while also being miniaturized and low-profile. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the connector according to the present disclosure is a connector for which a coaxial cable is electrically connected, comprising: a conductive rod-shaped terminal electrically connectable to the internal conductor of the coaxial cable; an insulating holder that inserts and supports the terminal so as to be coaxial with the axis of the terminal; a conductive cylindrical shell electrically connectable to the external conductor of the coaxial cable and fitted onto the holder so as to be coaxial with the axis; a conductive shielding member electrically connectable to a mating contact to be mated with and in contact with the cylindrical shell; a conductive shielding case that contacts the cylindrical shell to block external electromagnetic waves; and a rear case that is in close contact with the shielding case, wherein the cylindrical shell has a cylindrical body portion that covers the holder and an annular flange portion extending radially outward from the cylindrical body portion; the shielding case has a connection portion having an opening through which the cylindrical body portion is inserted and which is in contact with the flange portion and electrically connected; and a constricted cylindrical portion connected to the outer edge of the connection portion and reduced in diameter from the outer edge.

[0008] According to this embodiment, the shield case has a diaphragm section that is connected to the outer edge of the connection part and is tapered from the outer edge, and the rear case is in close contact with the shield case. That is, the rear case fits into the diaphragm section. Therefore, the shield case is fixed to the rear case and will not fall off. Furthermore, with the connector according to this embodiment, there is no need to provide a separate configuration for locking the shield case to the rear case. Thus, with the connector according to this embodiment, the shield case can be fixed to the rear case simply and inexpensively, and miniaturization and a low profile can be achieved.

[0009] In another embodiment of the connector according to this disclosure, the shield case is in contact with the cylindrical shell by joining at least a portion of the flange portion of the cylindrical shell to the shield case.

[0010] According to this embodiment, since at least a portion of the flange of the cylindrical shell is joined to the shield case, the shield case is reliably electrically connected to the cylindrical shell compared to the case where the flange of the cylindrical shell and the connection portion of the shield case are merely in contact.

[0011] In another embodiment of the connector according to this disclosure, the shield case has at least one projection, and the rear case is in close contact with the outer surface of the projection.

[0012] According to this embodiment, the shield case has at least one projection, and the rear case is in close contact with the outer surface of the projection, so the shield case can be more firmly fixed to the rear case to prevent it from moving.

[0013] In another embodiment of the connector according to the present disclosure, the rear case has an outer wall perpendicular to the axis, and at least one positioning boss is located on the outer wall; the shield case has an inner wall parallel to the outer wall and connected to the constricted cylinder; the projection is located on the inner wall in a position projecting toward the outer wall; and the boss is located so as to overlap the projection when viewed along the axis.

[0014] According to this embodiment, since the boss is positioned to overlap with the projection, the portion of the rear case that has become thicker due to the boss formation can be made thinner by the projection. As a result, the thickness of the portion where the boss is formed can be made to be about the same as the thickness of other portions, and when the rear case is formed by insert molding relative to the shield case, the balance of the resin flow during molding can be improved, and defects in the appearance of the rear case due to boss collapse or sink marks can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This figure schematically shows the configuration of a camera unit including a connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a disassembled perspective view of the connector. [Figure 5] This is a disassembled perspective view of the connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The embodiments of the connector relating to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are illustrative examples for illustrating the connector relating to this disclosure and do not limit the connector to these embodiments only. Therefore, the connector relating to this disclosure can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the connector 100 is provided as a part of a camera unit U (on-vehicle camera) mounted on a vehicle. The camera unit U can also be used for applications other than mounting on vehicles, for example, for bicycles, drones, and the like.

[0018] [Configuration of Camera Unit] As shown in Fig. 1, the camera unit U can be electrically connected to an unshown monitor device or an on-vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit) via a coaxial cable L.

[0019] The coaxial cable L is a communication cable for transmitting high-frequency signals. The coaxial cable L is configured such that an inner conductor (not shown) formed of a bundle of copper wires and an outer conductor (not shown) formed of a mesh copper wire covering the periphery of the inner conductor are arranged coaxially with a dielectric (insulator) interposed therebetween. The outer conductor functions as a shield that prevents leakage of high-frequency signals and intrusion of radio waves from the outside. The coaxial cable L outputs high-frequency signals output from the camera unit U to the monitor device or the on-vehicle ECU. Further, the coaxial cable L supplies electric power from the monitor device or the on-vehicle ECU to the camera unit U. A plug LC is connected to the distal end of the coaxial cable L, and the coaxial cable L and the connector 100 are electrically connected via the plug LC.

[0020] The camera unit U includes a camera case H, a camera module 40 housed in the camera case H, and the connector 100 connected to the camera module 40. The camera case H is formed of a conductive metal. The posture in which the camera unit U is used is not particularly limited, but in the following description, the direction and side when viewing the camera module 40 from the connector 100 are defined as the X1 direction and the X1 side, and the opposite direction and side are defined as the X2 direction and the X2 side. The X1 direction and the X2 direction are collectively referred to as the X direction.

[0021] [Configuration of Camera Module] As shown in FIG. 1, the camera module 40 includes: an optical system 41 including at least one lens into which light from a subject enters; an image sensor 42 such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) that outputs an electrical signal based on the light condensed by the optical system 41; and a substrate 43 on which an electronic circuit for driving and controlling the image sensor 42 and processing the electrical signal output from the image sensor 42 is mounted. A receptacle 47 (an example of a mated fitting target) that outputs a high-frequency signal processed by the electronic circuit is mounted on the substrate 43. The receptacle 47 is included in the camera module 40.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the receptacle 47 includes a first contact 47a, a ground contact 47b (an example of a fitting contact), and an insulating portion 47c. The first contact 47a transmits a high-frequency signal. The ground contact 47b is electrically connected to a ground wiring formed on the substrate 43. The ground wiring is a wiring at ground potential. The insulating portion 47c electrically insulates between the first contact 47a and the ground contact 47b.

[0023] [Configuration of Connector] Next, the configuration of the connector 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. The connector 100 is configured to include a housing 10 (an example of a rear case), a signal terminal 61 (an example of a terminal), a holder 62, a cylindrical shell 63, a bush 64, a connecting member 65 (an example of a shield member), a shield case 66, and a sealing portion 70.

[0024] The housing 10 is made of an insulator such as resin and has a bottomed rectangular tubular base 14 (an example of an outer wall) and a cylindrical fitting portion 16 extending in the X2 direction from the bottom of the base 14. The base 14 has a rectangle when viewed in the direction along the X direction (hereinafter also referred to as a plan view). Hereafter, the axis parallel to the X direction that passes through the intersection of the diagonals of the rectangle of the base 14 in a plan view will be called the central axis Y. The end of the base 14 in the X1 direction will be called the first opening 14b, and the space connected to the first opening 14b and partitioned by the base 14 will be called the internal space 14a (see Figure 3). On the X2 side surface of the base 14 of the housing 10, a pair of substantially cylindrical bosses 14g are formed near the two corners on the diagonals of the rectangle, projecting toward the X2 direction. The pair of bosses 14g are provided for positioning the connector 100.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, in the internal space 14a of the base 14 of the housing 10, four parallel inner wall surfaces extending in the X2 direction from the first opening 14b are referred to as the first side surfaces 14c, and the inner wall surface perpendicular to the X direction, connected to the X2-side ends of the four first side surfaces 14c, is referred to as the first bottom surface 14d. Furthermore, an inner wall surface formed in the center of the first bottom surface 14d, extending in the X2 direction and having a circular recess in plan view, is referred to as the second side surface 14e. In addition, the inner wall surface perpendicular to the X direction, connected to the X2-side end of the second side surface 14e, is referred to as the second bottom surface 14f. The boundary between the second side surface 14e and the second bottom surface 14f is curved and bulges radially outward with respect to the inner diameter of the second side surface 14e. In other words, the second side surface 14e is formed with a reduced diameter relative to the diameter of the outer edge of the second bottom surface 14f.

[0026] The fitting portion 16 extends from the center of the second base surface 14f toward the X2 direction. The internal space 14a of the base portion 14 and the internal space 16a of the fitting portion 16 are connected. A first step 16b is formed on the inner circumferential surface 16c of the fitting portion 16, extending radially inward in the middle of the X direction. Due to the first step 16b, the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 16c on the X1 side of the first step 16b is reduced. In addition, a corner portion 15 of the C-face is formed at the boundary between the inner circumferential surface 16c of the fitting portion 16 and the second base surface 14f.

[0027] The signal terminal 61 has a rod shape made of a conductive metal or the like. The axis of the signal terminal 61 is positioned along the X direction so as to be coaxial with the central axis Y of the housing 10. The end of the signal terminal 61 in the X1 direction is a first contact end 61a that can be electrically connected to the first contact 47a of the receptacle 47 of the camera module 40 (see Figure 3), and the end in the X2 direction is a second contact end 61b that can be electrically connected to the internal conductor of the coaxial cable L via a plug LC.

[0028] The holder 62 is made of resin and positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the signal terminal 61 midway in the X direction. It is formed by insert molding and integrated with the signal terminal 61. That is, the signal terminal 61 is inserted into and supported by the holder 62. The holder 62 has a cylindrical shape with the signal terminal 61 passing through its center. A stopper 62a, which has a relatively larger outer diameter than other parts of the holder 62, is integrally formed near the end of the holder 62 in the X1 direction.

[0029] The cylindrical shell 63 is made of a conductive metal and is configured to be electrically connectable to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable L. The cylindrical shell 63 is fitted onto the holder 62. In other words, the holder 62 is inserted (fitted) into and held within the cylindrical shell 63. The cylindrical shell 63 is located inside the housing 10 and is positioned coaxially with the central axis Y, extending from the internal space 14a of the base 14 to the internal space 16a of the fitting portion 16.

[0030] The cylindrical shell 63 is composed of a substantially cylindrical cylindrical body portion 63a and an annular plate-shaped flange portion 63b positioned radially outward from the cylindrical body portion 63a. The flange portion 63b extends radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body portion 63a in a direction perpendicular to the X direction, and has a second step 63b3 in the middle of the radial direction that is directed towards the X1 direction. Hereinafter, the portion of the flange portion 63b radially inward from the second step 63b3 will be called the inner flange 63b1, and the portion radially outward from the second step 63b3 will be called the outer flange 63b2. The inner flange 63b1 and the outer flange 63b2 are annular plates parallel to each other, and the inner flange 63b1 is located in the X2 direction relative to the outer flange 63b2. The inner edge of the X1 side surface of the outer flange 63b2 has a notch formed along its entire circumference. Hereinafter, the remaining portion after this notch will be called the notched portion 63h.

[0031] The cylindrical main body portion 63a has a small diameter portion 63e to which a plug LC can be connected, a large diameter portion 63f positioned on the X1 side relative to the small diameter portion 63e and having a larger outer diameter than the small diameter portion 63e, and a holder holding portion 63g positioned on the X1 side relative to the large diameter portion 63f and having a larger outer diameter than the large diameter portion 63f. The length of the small diameter portion 63e along the X direction is longer than the length of the large diameter portion 63f along the X direction, and the length of the large diameter portion 63f along the X direction is longer than the length of the holder holding portion 63g along the X direction. The position of the boundary between the outer circumferential surfaces of the small diameter portion 63e and the large diameter portion 63f in the X direction is the same as the position of the first step 16b of the fitting portion 16 of the housing 10 (see Figure 3). The flange portion 63b extends from the X1-side end of the large-diameter portion 63f, and a corner portion 63i of the C-face is formed at the boundary between the X2-side surface of the flange portion 63b (inner flange 63b1) and the outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion 63f.

[0032] Near the boundary between the holder holding portion 63g and the large-diameter portion 63f, the inner diameter of the holder holding portion 63g is larger than the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 63f, forming a third step 63j. The stopper 62a of the holder 62 fits into the space partitioned by the holder holding portion 63g until it contacts the third step 63j, thereby determining the position of the holder 62 in the X direction relative to the cylindrical shell 63. The position of the third step 63j in the X direction is the same as the X1-side surface of the inner flange 63b1 of the flange portion 63b (see Figure 3). The holder holding portion 63g is inclined so that its diameter gradually decreases as it moves from the boundary with the large-diameter portion 63f toward the X1 direction (see Figure 3).

[0033] A plate-shaped support portion 63c is formed radially inward from the inner circumferential surface 63e1 of the small-diameter portion 63e of the cylindrical main body portion 63a, with a hole in the center through which a signal terminal 61 can be inserted. A bush 64 is positioned on the X1 side of the support portion 63c so as to contact the X1 side surface of the support portion 63c and the inner circumferential surface of the hole.

[0034] The bush 64 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and has a roughly annular plate shape with a hole formed in the center along the X direction through which the signal terminal 61 can be inserted. A holder 62 is positioned on the X1 side of the bush 64. The outer diameter of the holder 62 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the bush 64. On the X2 side of the support portion 63c of the cylindrical shell 63, the second contact end 61b of the signal terminal 61 is exposed, passing through the hole in the support portion 63c (the hole in the bush 64). By positioning the bush 64, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of moisture into the inside of the connector 100 from the second contact end 61b side of the signal terminal 61.

[0035] The connecting member 65 is made of an elastic conductive metal and is composed of an annular portion 65a formed from a metal plate, a first connecting portion 65b, and a second connecting portion 65c. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first connecting portion 65b is formed to extend radially outward from the X2 side end of the annular portion 65a in a direction perpendicular to the central axis Y, and multiple (eight in this embodiment) are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the annular portion 65a. The second connecting portion 65c is formed to extend along the X direction from the X1 side end of the annular portion 65a, and multiple (eight in this embodiment) are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the annular portion 65a. In a plan view, each of the multiple first connecting portions 65b is positioned to overlap with each of the multiple second connecting portions 65c.

[0036] The annular portion 65a is positioned opposite the holder holding portion 63g of the cylindrical main body portion 63a, with the surface of the metal plate parallel to the X direction, either in contact with the outer surface or with a small gap. Each of the multiple first connecting portions 65b is bent approximately 90 degrees radially outward from the X2 side end of the annular portion 65a.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, each of the first connecting portions 65b is positioned to contact the X1-side surface of the inner flange 63b1 of the flange portion 63b. The outer diameter of the first connecting portion 65b is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner flange 63b1 on the X1 side. The innermost part of the notch 63h facing the first connecting portion 65b is pressed radially inward and crushed, thereby forming a crimped portion 63k. The first connecting portion 65b is crimped by the crimped portion 63k, fixing the connecting member 65 to the cylindrical shell 63 and preventing the connecting member 65 from falling off the cylindrical shell 63. At this time, since the first connecting portion 65b is sandwiched and in contact with the inner flange 63b1 and the crimped portion 63k, the connecting member 65 is electrically connected to the cylindrical shell 63 and can block external electromagnetic waves.

[0038] Each of the multiple second connecting portions 65c is a plate-shaped member, extending in the X direction along the X direction with the X1 direction end of the annular portion 65a as its base. Specifically, the second connecting portion 65c is curved in a wave-like manner along the X direction, curving radially outward from the annular portion 65a, then curving radially inward, and finally curving radially outward again. The second connecting portion 65c can be electrically connected to the ground contact 47b of the receptacle 47 of the camera module 40 (see Figure 3).

[0039] The shield case 66 is made of a metal such as stainless steel. As shown in Figure 3, the shield case 66 is in close contact with the inner wall surface that demarcates the internal space 14a of the base 14 of the housing 10. Specifically, it is in close contact with the inner wall surface from the first side surface 14c to the second bottom surface 14f of the housing 10. Hereinafter, the rectangular cylindrical portion of the shield case 66 that is parallel to the X direction and in close contact with the first side surface 14c of the base 14 will be referred to as the first cylindrical wall 66a, the flat plate portion that is perpendicular to the X direction and in close contact with the first bottom surface 14d will be referred to as the first plate-shaped wall 66b (an example of an inner wall), the cylindrical portion that is parallel to the X direction and in close contact with the second side surface 14e will be referred to as the second cylindrical wall 66c (an example of a constricted cylinder portion), and the flat plate portion that is perpendicular to the X direction and in close contact with the second bottom surface 14f will be referred to as the second plate-shaped wall 66d (an example of a connecting portion).

[0040] A second opening 66e (an example of an opening) is formed in the center of the second plate-like wall 66d of the shield case 66, through which the cylindrical main body 63a of the cylindrical shell 63 is inserted. In addition, a pair of roughly frustoconical projections 66f are formed near the two diagonal corners of the first plate-like wall 66b, which is rectangular in plan view, projecting toward the housing 10. The outer surfaces of each of the pair of projections 66f are also in close contact with the housing 10.

[0041] The shield case 66 is in close contact with the inner wall surface of the housing 10. In other words, the housing 10 is in close contact with the outer surface of the shield case 66. The outer edge 66d1 of the second plate-like wall 66d, which is the boundary portion between the second cylindrical wall 66c and the second plate-like wall 66d of the shield case 66, is larger than the outer diameter of the second cylindrical wall 66c on the X1 side of the boundary portion. Since the second side surface 14e and the second bottom surface 14f of the housing 10 are in close contact with the outer surfaces of the second cylindrical wall 66c and the second plate-like wall 66d of the shield case 66, the inner diameter of the second side surface 14e is smaller than the outer edge diameter of the second bottom surface 14f.

[0042] The X1-side surface of the second plate-shaped wall 66d of the shield case 66 is in contact with the X2-side surface of the outer flange 63b2 of the cylindrical shell 63. This electrically connects the shield case 66 and the cylindrical shell 63, thereby blocking external electromagnetic waves. Furthermore, since at least a portion of the X1-side surface of the second plate-shaped wall 66d and the X2-side surface of the outer flange 63b2 are joined by a method such as laser welding, the shield case 66 and the cylindrical shell 63 can be electrically connected more reliably compared to the case where the second plate-shaped wall 66d and the outer flange 63b2 are merely in contact. To most reliably electrically connect the shield case 66 and the cylindrical shell 63, it is preferable to join the second plate-shaped wall 66d to the entire circumference of the X2-side surface of the outer flange 63b2.

[0043] At this time, the second step 63b3 between the inner flange 63b1 and the outer flange 63b2 faces the second opening 66e of the shield case 66 with a gap between them, and the inner flange 63b1 faces the second bottom surface 14f of the housing 10 with a gap between them. In addition, the large diameter portion 63f and the corner portion 63i of the cylindrical shell 63 and the inner circumferential surface 16c and corner portion 15 located on the X1 side of the first step 16b of the housing 10 also face each other with a larger gap than the gap in the flange portion 63b. These three gaps are connected. A UV-curing adhesive, such as a silicone-based or acrylic-based adhesive, is injected into these connected gaps and hardens upon UV irradiation, sealing the gaps. Hereinafter, this sealed portion will be referred to as the sealed portion 70.

[0044] In the connector 100 of this embodiment, the housing 10 is in close contact with the outer surfaces of the first cylindrical wall 66a, the first plate-shaped wall 66b, the second cylindrical wall 66c, the second plate-shaped wall 66d, and the pair of protrusions 66f of the shield case 66, and the second cylindrical wall 66c of the shield case 66 is formed with a reduced diameter compared to the diameter of the outer edge 66d1 of the second plate-shaped wall 66d. As a result, the shield case 66 can be fixed to the housing 10 so as not to move in the X1 direction or in the rotational direction with respect to the central axis Y, and the connector 100 can be made smaller.

[0045] Furthermore, in the connector 100, the first connecting portion 65b of the connecting member 65 is formed to extend radially outward in a direction perpendicular to the central axis Y which is parallel to the X direction, and is electrically connected to the cylindrical shell 63 by contacting the crimping portion 63k. Compared to a configuration in which the cylindrical shell is electrically connected in a direction parallel to the central axis Y, as in the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the height of the connector 100 can be reduced. In this way, a connector 100 has been realized that can securely fix the shield case 66 to the housing 10, while also being miniaturized and having a low profile.

[0046] [Method of manufacturing connectors] Next, the manufacturing method of the connector 100 will be described. The signal terminals 61 of the connector 100 are formed by cutting or the like, and then the holder 62 is formed by insert molding and integrated. The cylindrical shell 63 is formed by cutting. At this time, the holder holding portion 63g of the cylindrical shell 63 is formed to be parallel to the X direction. The bush 64 is formed by molding.

[0047] Next, the annular plate-shaped bush 64 is attached to the cylindrical shell 63 from the X1 side so as to contact the support portion 63c. At this time, the outer circumferential surface of the bush 64 is elastically deformed and in close contact with the inner circumferential surface 63e1 of the small diameter portion 63e. Then, the signal terminal 61, which is integrated with the holder 62, is attached from the X1 side of the cylindrical shell 63. At this time, the holder holding portion 63g of the cylindrical shell 63 is parallel to the X direction and is not inclined as shown in Figure 3. Therefore, the holder 62 can be smoothly inserted into the cylindrical shell 63 without deformation. The holder 62 is inserted until the stopper 62a contacts the third step 63j at the boundary between the holder holding portion 63g and the large diameter portion 63f. In this state, the second contact end 61b of the signal terminal 61 penetrates the bush 64. As a result, the inner circumferential surface of the bush 64 is elastically deformed and in close contact with the signal terminal 61, but the X1 side surface of the bush 64 is not in contact with the holder 62. However, the holder 62 may be configured to contact the X1-side surface of the bush 64, or to press the bush 64 in the X2 direction.

[0048] Subsequently, the holder holding portion 63g is plastically deformed by riveting so that its diameter gradually decreases as it moves in the X1 direction, thereby clamping the stopper 62a between the third step 63j and the holder holding portion 63g. As a result, the signal terminal 61 (holder 62) is held and fixed to the cylindrical shell 63, and the signal terminal 61 will not fall out of the cylindrical shell 63 in the X1 direction.

[0049] The shield case 66 is formed by deep drawing using a press machine. In the shield case 66, the second cylindrical wall 66c is formed by reducing its diameter relative to the diameter of the outer edge 66d1 of the second plate-like wall 66d. Specifically, the second plate-like wall 66d is formed by deep drawing using a press machine to form the second cylindrical wall 66c, and then by pressing the X2 side of the second cylindrical wall 66c while holding the second cylindrical wall 66c. As a result, the second cylindrical wall 66c of the shield case 66 is formed in an undercut shape relative to the second plate-like wall 66d.

[0050] Next, the housing 10 is formed on the outer surface of the shield case 66 by insert molding. As a result, the resin adheres tightly to the outer surfaces of the first cylindrical wall 66a, the first plate-like wall 66b, the second cylindrical wall 66c, the second plate-like wall 66d, and the pair of protrusions 66f of the shield case 66. In particular, since the resin of the housing 10 adheres tightly to the entire outer surface of the undercut shape of the second cylindrical wall 66c, the shield case 66 will not detach from the housing 10 and move in the X1 direction. Also, since the resin of the housing 10 adheres tightly to the entire outer surface of the pair of protrusions 66f, the shield case 66 will not move in the rotational direction relative to the central axis Y relative to the housing 10.

[0051] Thus, in the connector 100 according to this embodiment, the housing 10 is formed by insert molding of the housing 10 relative to the shield case 66, which is a simple and inexpensive method. This allows the shield case 66 to be fixed relative to the housing 10 so that it does not move in the X1 direction or in the rotational direction relative to the central axis Y. Furthermore, since the connector 100 does not require a separate configuration for locking the shield case 66 to the housing 10, the connector 100 can be made smaller.

[0052] Furthermore, during insert molding of the housing 10, the shield case 66 is positioned in the insert molding mold such that, after molding, in a plan view, each of the pair of bosses 14g of the housing 10 overlaps with each of the pair of projections 66f of the shield case 66. Since the bosses 14g are approximately cylindrical and the projections 66f are approximately frustoconical, by positioning them so that they overlap in a plan view, the parts of the housing 10 that become thicker due to the formation of the bosses 14g can be made thinner by the projections 66f. As a result, the wall thickness of the parts of the housing 10 where the bosses 14g are formed can be made to be about the same as the wall thickness of other parts, improving the balance of resin flow during insert molding and suppressing defects in the appearance of the housing 10 caused by the collapse of the bosses 14g or the occurrence of sink marks.

[0053] Next, the cylindrical shell 63, to which the signal terminals 61 and holder 62 are assembled, is inserted from the X1 side into the fitting portion 16 of the housing 10, which is insert-molded into the shield case 66. The cylindrical shell 63 is inserted until the X2 side surface of the outer flange 63b2 contacts the X1 side surface of the second plate-shaped wall 66d of the shield case 66. At this time, the cylindrical shell 63 is inserted in such a way that the position of the cylindrical shell 63 relative to the housing 10 is determined in the assembly jig or manufacturing equipment so that the central axis Y of the housing 10 coincides with the axis of the signal terminals 61.

[0054] Next, at least a portion of the X2-side surface of the outer flange 63b2 and the X1-side surface of the second plate-like wall 66d, which are in contact with each other, are joined, for example, by laser welding. This ensures that the shield case 66 and the cylindrical shell 63 are reliably electrically connected. The laser welding may also be performed over the entire circumference of the contact surface between the outer flange 63b2 and the second plate-like wall 66d.

[0055] The connecting member 65 is formed using a press machine. The connecting member 65 is then inserted into the shield case 66 from the X1 side, and the X2-side surface of the first connecting portion 65b is brought into contact with the X1-side surface of the inner flange 63b1 of the cylindrical shell 63. In this state, the innermost part of the notch 63h of the cylindrical shell 63 that faces the first connecting portion 65b is pressed radially inward and crushed to form a crimped portion 63k (see Figure 3). This fixes the connecting member 65 to the cylindrical shell 63 and prevents the connecting member 65 from falling out of the cylindrical shell 63. At this time, the crimped portion 63k and the first connecting portion 65b come into contact, electrically connecting the connecting member 65 to the cylindrical shell 63.

[0056] Finally, a UV-curing adhesive, such as a silicone-based or acrylic-based adhesive, is injected using a dispenser into the gap between the inner surface of the second opening 66e of the shield case 66 and the outer surface of the inner flange 63b1, and into the gap between the second bottom surface 14f, corner portion 15, and inner surface 16c of the housing 10 and the inner flange 63b1, corner portion 63i, and large diameter portion 63f of the shield case 66. This adhesive is then cured by UV irradiation to form a sealing portion 70. By forming the sealing portion 70 in these gaps, moisture is prevented from entering these gaps from between the fitting portion 16 of the housing 10 and the cylindrical shell 63. This completes the assembly of the connector 100. Figures 4 and 5 show the sealing portion 70 after curing.

[0057] Thus, in the connector 100 of this embodiment, the shield case 66 and the housing 10 can be closely attached by insert molding into the shield case 66 which has an undercut shape, second cylindrical wall 66c and a pair of protrusions 66f, thereby fixing the shield case 66 so that it does not move relative to the housing 10 in the X1 direction or in the rotational direction with respect to the central axis Y. Furthermore, with the connector 100 of this embodiment, there is no need to provide a configuration for locking the shield case 66 to the housing 10, so the connector 100 can be made smaller. Moreover, in the connector 100, the first connecting portion 65b of the connecting member 65 is formed to extend radially outward in a direction perpendicular to the central axis Y which is parallel to the X direction, and is electrically connected to the cylindrical shell 63 by contacting the crimping portion 63k, so the height of the connector 100 can be reduced.

[0058] [Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, two (a pair) protrusions 66f are provided on the shield case 66, but there may be one or three or more.

[0059] (2) In the above embodiment, the shield case 66 was positioned in the insert molding mold such that, in a plan view, each of the pair of bosses 14g of the housing 10 overlaps with each of the pair of projections 66f of the shield case 66 after insert molding of the housing 10, but it is not limited to this. If the housing 10 does not have any appearance defects due to the bosses 14g collapsing or sink marks occurring during insert molding of the housing 10, the bosses 14g may be formed so as not to overlap with the projections 66f in a plan view. Alternatively, if the shield case 66 can be fixed to the housing 10 so as not to move in the rotational direction with respect to the central axis Y by other means, the projections 66f may not be provided.

[0060] (3) In the above embodiment, the base 14 of the housing 10 had a rectangular shape in plan view, but it is not limited to this. The base 14 may have a circular shape in plan view, that is, the base 14 may have a bottomed cylindrical shape.

[0061] (4) In the above embodiment, the base 14 of the housing 10 had a cylindrical shape, but it is not limited to this. The base 14 may not have a first side surface 14c, and the base 14 may be plate-shaped (for example, rectangular plate-shaped, circular plate-shaped). If the base 14 is plate-shaped, the first cylindrical wall 66a of the shield case 66 may be omitted. [Industrial applicability]

[0062] This disclosure is applicable to connectors. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 10: Housing (rear case) 14: Base (outer wall) 14g: Boss 47: Receptacle (the object to be fitted) 47b: Ground contact (mating contact) 61: Signal terminal (terminal) 62: Holder 63: Cylindrical shell 63a: Cylindrical main body 63b: Flange section 65: Connecting member (shielding member) 66: Shield Case 66b: First plate-like wall (inner wall) 66c: Second cylindrical wall (restricted barrel section) 66d: Second plate-like wall (connecting part) 66e: 2nd opening (opening) 66f:Protrusion 100: Connector L: Coaxial cable

Claims

1. A connector to which a coaxial cable is electrically connected, The internal conductor of the coaxial cable and a conductive, rod-shaped terminal that can be electrically connected to it, An insulating holder that inserts and supports the terminal so as to be coaxial with the axis of the terminal, A conductive cylindrical shell that is electrically connectable to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable and fitted onto the holder so as to be coaxial with the axis, A conductive shielding member that is electrically connectable to the mating contact to be mated and is in contact with the cylindrical shell, A conductive shielding case that contacts the cylindrical shell to block external electromagnetic waves, The shield case is fitted in close contact with the rear case, The cylindrical shell has a cylindrical main body portion that covers the holder and an annular flange portion that extends radially outward from the cylindrical main body portion. The shield case is a connector having an opening through which the cylindrical main body is inserted and a connecting portion that contacts the flange portion and is electrically connected, and a constricted cylindrical portion that is connected to the outer edge of the connecting portion and is reduced in diameter from the outer edge.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the flange portion of the cylindrical shell is joined to the shield case, so that the shield case is in contact with the cylindrical shell.

3. The shield case has at least one projection, The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rear case is in close contact with the outer surface of the projection.

4. The rear case has an outer wall perpendicular to the axis, At least one positioning boss is provided on the outer wall, The shield case has an inner wall that is parallel to the outer wall and connected to the throttling cylinder portion. The aforementioned projection is positioned on the inner wall in a manner that it protrudes toward the outer wall, The connector according to claim 3, wherein the boss is positioned to overlap the projection when viewed along the axis.

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