Communication Connector

Abstract

To provide a communication connector that can be miniaturized while configuring a daisy chain.SOLUTION: A communication connector 1 comprises: a first terminal 4; a second terminal 5; and a connector housing 2 that holds the first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal has: a first joint part 42 with two pressure-welded parts 43 and 44; and a first connection part 41 connected with electronic equipment 200. The second terminal has: a second joint part 52 with two pressure-welded parts 53 and 54; and a second connection part 51 connected with the electronic equipment. One pressure-welded part 43 of the first joint part is pressure-welded with a first signal line 11 of a first twisted pair cable 10, and the other pressure-welded part 44 is pressure-welded with a first signal line 21 of a second twisted pair cable 20. One pressure-welded part 53 of the second joint part is pressure-welded with a second signal line 12 of the first twisted pair cable, and the other pressure-welded part 54 is pressure-welded with a second signal line 22 of the second twisted pair cable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to communication connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are connectors that are crimped onto electric wires. Patent Document 1 discloses a daisy chain crimp connector used in a wiring method for stringing together multiple devices. It is described that the daisy chain crimp connector of Patent Document 1 allows cables to be neatly harnessed in a straight line, and since no extra cables are used, it reduces costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-220142 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the electronic device to which the cable is connected may be located away from the main wire harness. In this case, a part of the cable is branched off from the main wire harness as a branch and routed to the electronic device. When connecting a connector to the branch of the cable, it is preferable to be able to miniaturize the connector. For example, it is preferable to be able to miniaturize the connector while configuring a daisy chain using twisted pair cables.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a communication connector that can be made compact while forming a daisy chain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The communication connector of the present invention comprises a first terminal to be connected to an electronic device, a second terminal to be connected to the electronic device, and a connector housing that holds the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein the first terminal has a first joint portion having two pressure-welding portions and a first connecting portion connected to the electronic device, and the second terminal has a second joint portion having two pressure-welding portions and a second connecting portion connected to the electronic device, one pressure-welding portion of the first joint portion is pressure-welded to a first signal conductor of a first twisted pair cable, another pressure-welding portion of the first joint portion is pressure-welded to a first signal conductor of a second twisted pair cable, one pressure-welding portion of the second joint portion is pressure-welded to a second signal conductor of the first twisted pair cable, and the other pressure-welding portion of the second joint portion is pressure-welded to a second signal conductor of the second twisted pair cable. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The communication connector according to the present invention can connect a twisted pair cable to an electronic device while forming a daisy chain by using two terminals, the first terminal and the second terminal. The communication connector according to the present invention has an effect of realizing miniaturization while forming a daisy chain. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a communication connector and a twisted pair cable according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the communication connector according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cutting process according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the twisted pair cable before being connected to the communication connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a twisted pair cable connected to a communication connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a communication connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] An embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6. The embodiment relates to a communication connector. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a communication connector and a twisted pair cable according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the communication connector according to an embodiment, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a first terminal according to an embodiment, Fig. 4 is a diagram explaining a cutting process of the embodiment, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the twisted pair cable before being connected to the communication connector, and Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the twisted pair cable connected to the communication connector.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the wire harness WH according to the embodiment includes a communication connector 1 and an electric wire bundle 100. The wire harness WH may include a plurality of communication connectors 1. The wire harness WH is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. In this case, the wire harness WH connects a plurality of devices mounted on the vehicle so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0012] The illustrated electric wire bundle 100 is a communication cable including a plurality of communication lines W. The electric wire bundle 100 of this embodiment has a trunk line 110 and branch lines 120, forming a daisy chain. The trunk line 110 is formed by bundling a plurality of communication lines W. The trunk line 110 has, for example, an exterior member or tape that bundles the plurality of communication lines W. The branch lines 120 are portions of the communication lines W branching off from the trunk line 110.

[0013] The multiple communication lines W include a first twisted pair cable 10 and a second twisted pair cable 20. The twisted pair cables 10, 20 are formed by cutting a single twisted pair cable TW (FIG. 4). The first twisted pair cable 10 includes a trunk portion 10a and a branch portion 10b. The second twisted pair cable 20 includes a trunk portion 20a and a branch portion 20b. The trunk portions 10a, 20a are portions that constitute the trunk 110. The branch portions 10b, 20b are portions that protrude from the trunk 110.

[0014] The trunk portion 10a extends from the branch portion 10b toward one side along the axial direction of the trunk 110. The trunk portion 20a extends from the branch portion 20b toward the other side along the axial direction of the trunk 110. In other words, the trunk portions 10a and 20a are wired in opposite directions to each other. The twisted pair cables 10 and 20 connect the electronic device 200 to other electronic devices or communication devices.

[0015] The first twisted pair cable 10 has a first signal wire 11 and a second signal wire 12. The first twisted pair cable 10 is formed by twisting the first signal wire 11 and the second signal wire 12 together in a spiral shape. The second twisted pair cable 20 has a first signal wire 21 and a second signal wire 22. The second twisted pair cable 20 is formed by twisting the first signal wire 21 and the second signal wire 22 together in a spiral shape. The illustrated first signal wires 11, 21 and second signal wires 12, 22 are coated electric wires.

[0016] The first signal line 11 and the first signal line 21 are formed by cutting one signal line of the twisted pair cable TW. The second signal line 12 and the second signal line 22 are formed by cutting another signal line of the twisted pair cable TW. One of the first signal lines 11, 21 and the second signal lines 12, 22 is a positive signal line, and the other of the first signal lines 11, 21 and the second signal lines 12, 22 is a negative signal line. For example, when the first signal lines 11, 21 are positive signal lines, the second signal lines 12, 22 are negative signal lines.

[0017] The communication connector 1 is a connector that connects a first twisted pair cable 10 and a second twisted pair cable 20 to an electronic device 200. The electronic device 200 communicates with other devices via the twisted pair cables 10, 20. The electronic device 200 has, for example, a fitting portion into which the communication connector 1 is inserted. The communication connector 1 fits into the electronic device 200 in the direction indicated by the arrow AR1 in Fig. 1. A pair of terminals 201, 202 are arranged in the fitting portion of the electronic device 200.

[0018] In the following description, the direction in which the communication connector 1 fits into the electronic device 200 is referred to as the "first direction X." The first direction X is the axial direction of the communication connector 1. The width direction of the communication connector 1 is referred to as the "second direction Y." The second direction Y is a direction perpendicular to the first direction X. The height direction of the communication connector 1 is referred to as the "third direction Z." The third direction Z is a direction perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the communication connector 1 has a connector housing 2 and a cover 3. As shown in Fig. 2, the communication connector 1 has a first terminal 4 and a second terminal 5. The first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are inserted into holes in the connector housing 2 and held by the connector housing 2. The first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are aligned along the second direction Y inside the connector housing 2. The cover 3 engages with the connector housing 2 along the third direction Z and cooperates with the connector housing 2 to accommodate the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5. The first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are formed from a conductive metal plate such as copper.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the first terminal 4 has a first connecting portion 41 and a first joint portion 42. The first connecting portion 41 and the first joint portion 42 are integral. The first connecting portion 41 is a portion that is connected to a terminal of the electronic device 200. The illustrated first connecting portion 41 is a female connecting portion having a cylindrical shape. The first connecting portion 41 is inserted into a hole portion of the connector housing 2. A male terminal 201 (see Fig. 1) of the electronic device 200 is inserted into the first connecting portion 41.

[0021] The first joint portion 42 is a portion electrically connected to the two first signal lines 11, 21. The first joint portion 42 connects the first signal lines 11, 21 to the first connection portion 41. When the first signal lines 11, 21 are positive signal lines, the first terminal 4 is connected to the positive terminal of the electronic device 200. The first joint portion 42 further functions as a relay portion that relays signals between the two first signal lines 11, 21. The first joint portion 42 protrudes toward the third direction Z with respect to the first connection portion 41. That is, the first terminal 4 is bent so that the first connection portion 41 and the first joint portion 42 are perpendicular to each other. The first joint portion 42 is formed in a flat plate shape and extends along the second direction Y.

[0022] The first joint part 42 has a first pressure contact part 43 and a second pressure contact part 44. The first pressure contact part 43 and the second pressure contact part 44 are pressure contact blades formed on the first joint part 42. The first pressure contact part 43 and the second pressure contact part 44 are aligned along the second direction Y. The pressure contact parts 43, 44 extend from the tip end to the base end of the first joint part 42 along the third direction Z. The inlets of the pressure contact parts 43, 44 have an inlet tapered shape.

[0023] The second terminal 5 has a second connecting portion 51 and a second joint portion 52. The second connecting portion 51 and the second joint portion 52 are integral. The shape of the second terminal 5 is the same or substantially the same as the shape of the first terminal 4. The second connecting portion 51 is a portion that is connected to a terminal of the electronic device 200. The illustrated second connecting portion 51 is a female-type connecting portion having a cylindrical shape. A male terminal 202 (see FIG. 1) of the electronic device 200 is inserted into the second connecting portion 51.

[0024] The second joint portion 52 is a portion electrically connected to the two second signal lines 12, 22. The second joint portion 52 connects the second signal lines 12, 22 to the second connection portion 51. When the second signal lines 12, 22 are negative signal lines, the second terminal 5 is connected to the negative terminal of the electronic device 200. The second joint portion 52 further functions as a relay portion that relays signals between the two second signal lines 12, 22. The second joint portion 52 protrudes toward the third direction Z with respect to the second connection portion 51. That is, the second terminal 5 is bent so that the second connection portion 51 and the second joint portion 52 are perpendicular to each other. The second joint portion 52 is formed in a flat plate shape and extends along the second direction Y.

[0025] The second joint part 52 has a first pressure contact part 53 and a second pressure contact part 54. The first pressure contact part 53 and the second pressure contact part 54 are pressure contact blades formed on the second joint part 52. The first pressure contact part 53 and the second pressure contact part 54 are aligned along the second direction Y. The pressure contact parts 53, 54 extend from the tip end to the base end of the second joint part 52 along the third direction Z. The inlets of the pressure contact parts 53, 54 have an inlet tapered shape.

[0026] In the illustrated communication connector 1, the first joint portion 42 and the second joint portion 52 are aligned along the second direction Y. That is, the two pressure contact portions 43, 44 of the first joint portion 42 and the two pressure contact portions 53, 54 of the second joint portion 52 are aligned in a row along the second direction Y.

[0027] A procedure for connecting the communication connector 1 to the twisted pair cables 10, 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cutting process for cutting the twisted pair cable TW. Fig. 4 shows a branch wire 120 of the twisted pair cable TW before it is cut. The branch wire 120 of the twisted pair cable TW is drawn out from the trunk line 110 so as to form a U-shape. In the cutting process, an operator cuts a tip portion 120t of the branch wire 120. As a result, the twisted pair cable TW is divided into a first twisted pair cable 10 and a second twisted pair cable 20 as shown in Fig. 5.

[0028] 5, in the first twisted pair cable 10, the first signal line 11 and the second signal line 12 maintain a twisted state. In the second twisted pair cable 20, the first signal line 21 and the second signal line 22 maintain a twisted state.

[0029] The crimping step will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The crimping step is a step of crimping the first twisted pair cable 10 and the second twisted pair cable 20 to the first joint portion 42 and the second joint portion 52 of the communication connector 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the first signal wires 11 and 21 are crimped to the first joint portion 42. More specifically, the worker crimps the first signal wire 11 to the first crimping portion 43 and crimps the first signal wire 21 to the second crimping portion 44. The core wires of the two first signal wires 11 and 21 are electrically connected via the first joint portion 42. The order of the first crimping portion 43 and the second crimping portion 44 in the first joint portion 42 is not limited to the order shown in the example. In other words, the two first signal wires 11 and 21 may be crimped to different crimping portions in the first joint portion 42.

[0030] The second signal wires 12, 22 are pressure-welded to the second joint portion 52. More specifically, the worker presses the second signal wire 12 to the first pressure-welding portion 53, and presses the second signal wire 22 to the second pressure-welding portion 54. The core wires of the two second signal wires 12, 22 are electrically connected via the second joint portion 52. The order of the first pressure-welding portion 53 and the second pressure-welding portion 54 in the second joint portion 52 is not limited to the order shown in the example. In other words, it is sufficient that the two second signal wires 12, 22 are pressure-welded to different pressure-welding portions in the second joint portion 52.

[0031] Once the crimping process is complete, the cover 3 is attached to the connector housing 2. The cover 3 covers the first joint portion 42 and the second joint portion 52, and protects the connections between the twisted pair cables 10, 20 and the joint portions 42, 52. The cover 3 may have holding portions that individually hold the twisted pair cables 10, 20. Once the cover 3 is attached to the connector housing 2, the assembly of the communication connector 1 to the twisted pair cables 10, 20 is complete.

[0032] As described above, the communication connector 1 of the present embodiment has the first terminal 4, the second terminal 5, and the connector housing 2. The first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are terminals to be connected to the electronic device 200. The connector housing 2 holds the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5. The first terminal 4 has a first joint portion 42 having two pressure contact portions 43, 44, and a first connecting portion 41 connected to the electronic device 200. The second terminal 5 has a second joint portion 52 having two pressure contact portions 53, 54, and a second connecting portion 51 connected to the electronic device 200.

[0033] The first pressure-contact portion 43 of the first joint portion 42 is pressure-contacted to the first signal wire 11 of the first twisted pair cable 10, and the second pressure-contact portion 44 of the first joint portion 42 is pressure-contacted to the first signal wire 21 of the second twisted pair cable 20. The first pressure-contact portion 53 of the second joint portion 52 is pressure-contacted to the second signal wire 12 of the first twisted pair cable 10, and the second pressure-contact portion 54 of the second joint portion 52 is pressure-contacted to the second signal wire 22 of the second twisted pair cable 20.

[0034] In the communication connector 1 of the present embodiment, the first terminal 4 connects the two first signal lines 11, 21 to each other and also to the electronic device 200. The second terminal 5 connects the two second signal lines 12, 22 to each other and also to the electronic device 200. This reduces the number of terminals, making it possible to miniaturize the communication connector 1.

[0035] In the communication connector 1 of this embodiment, the first connection portion 41 and the second connection portion 51 are fitted to the electronic device 200 along the first direction X. The first pressure contact portion 43 and the second pressure contact portion 44 of the first joint portion 42 are aligned along the second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X. The first pressure contact portion 53 and the second pressure contact portion 54 of the second joint portion 52 are aligned along the second direction Y. With this configuration, the first twisted pair cable 10 and the second twisted pair cable 20 can be drawn out in parallel from the connector housing 2. This allows the communication connector 1 to be miniaturized.

[0036] In addition, the above configuration makes it difficult for the twisted shape of the first twisted pair cable 10 and the second twisted pair cable 20 to become distorted. For example, in the pressure welding process, an operator does not need to bend the twisted pair cables 10, 20. Therefore, the twisted shape of the twisted pair cables 10, 20 is unlikely to become distorted. Therefore, the communication connector 1 of this embodiment can achieve improved communication performance.

[0037] [Modifications of the embodiment] The arrangement direction of the first pressure contact portion 43 and the second pressure contact portion 44 in the first joint portion 42 is not limited to the second direction Y. The first pressure contact portion 43 and the second pressure contact portion 44 may be arranged along, for example, the first direction X or the third direction Z. The arrangement direction of the first pressure contact portion 53 and the second pressure contact portion 54 in the second joint portion 52 may be the first direction X or the third direction Z.

[0038] The first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 may be male terminals. The first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 may be connected to the twisted pair cables 10 and 20 that are arranged independently. In other words, the trunk portions 10a and 20a of the twisted pair cables 10 and 20 do not have to be bundled together with other communication lines W as the electric wire bundle 100.

[0039] The contents disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications can be implemented in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Communication connector 2 Connector housing 3 Cover 4 First terminal 5 Second terminal 10: first twisted pair cable, 10a: trunk section, 10b: branch section 11: First signal line, 12: Second signal line 20: second twisted pair cable, 20a: trunk section, 20b: branch section 21: First signal line, 22: Second signal line 41: first connection portion; 42: first joint portion 43: first pressure-welded portion, 44: second pressure-welded portion 51: second connection portion; 52: second joint portion 53: first pressure-welded portion, 54: second pressure-welded portion 100: bundle of electric wires, 110: trunk line, 120: branch line 200:Electronic equipment W: Communication line, WH: Wire harness, TW: Twisted pair cable X: first direction, Y: second direction, Z: third direction

Claims

1. a first terminal connected to an electronic device; A second terminal connected to the electronic device; a connector housing for holding the first terminal and the second terminal; Equipped with the first terminal has a first joint portion having two pressure-contact portions and a first connection portion connected to the electronic device, the two pressure-contact portions of the first joint portion and the first connection portion being integrally formed from a conductive metal plate; the second terminal has a second joint portion having two pressure-contact portions and a second connection portion to be connected to the electronic device, and the two pressure-contact portions of the second joint portion and the second connection portion are integrally formed from a conductive metal plate; one of the insulation displacement portions of the first joint portion is pressure-contacted to a first signal conductor of a first twisted pair cable, and the other of the insulation displacement portions of the first joint portion is pressure-contacted to a first signal conductor of a second twisted pair cable; One of the pressure-contact portions of the second joint portion is pressure-contacted to a second signal conductor of the first twisted pair cable, and the other of the pressure-contact portions of the second joint portion is pressure-contacted to a second signal conductor of the second twisted pair cable.

1. A communication connector comprising:

2. the first connection portion and the second connection portion are fitted to the electronic device along a first direction; The two pressure contact portions of the first joint portion are aligned along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The two pressure contact portions of the second joint portion are aligned along the second direction.

2. The communication connector of claim 1.

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