Communication Connector

Abstract

To provide a communication connector which can improve the efficiency of an assembling work to a twisted pair cable.SOLUTION: A communication connector 1 comprises: a first terminal 4 which has a first pressure-contact part 42; a second terminal 5 which has a second pressure-contact part 52; a housing 2; and a cover 3 which is engaged with the housing while holding a twisted pair cable 10 that is curved in a U shape, brings a first signal line of the twisted pair cable into pressure-contact with the first pressure-contact part, and brings a second signal line of the twisted pair cable into pressure-contact with the second pressure-contact part. The housing holds the first pressure-contact part and the second pressure-contact part in a displaced manner in a width direction. The cover includes a first holding structure 31 and a second holding structure 32 that hold the twisted pair cable. The first retention structure has a first column part 34 which supports the twisted pair cable. The second holding structure has a second column part 36 which supports the twisted pair cable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] There are connectors that are crimped onto electric wires. Patent Document 1 discloses a daisy-chain crimp connector that is used in a wiring method for linking multiple devices together. It is described that the daisy-chain crimp connector disclosed in 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] It is desirable to make the work of assembling a connector to a twisted pair cable more efficient. For example, if two signal lines could be pressure-welded to separate pressure-welding portions at the same time, the assembly work would be more efficient.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a communication connector that can be attached to a twisted pair cable more efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The communication connector of the present invention includes a first terminal having a first insulation displacement portion, a second terminal having a second insulation displacement portion, a housing for holding the first terminal and the second terminal, and a cover for engaging with the housing while holding a twisted pair cable curved into a U-shape, so as to press a first signal line of the twisted pair cable against the first insulation displacement portion and press a second signal line of the twisted pair cable against the second insulation displacement portion, the housing holds the first insulation displacement portion and the second insulation displacement portion in a state where they are offset from each other in a width direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the twisted pair cable, and the cover presses the first insulation displacement portion and the second insulation displacement portion against each other. the first holding structure has a first holding structure located on one side in the axial direction relative to the first pressure-welding portion and the second pressure-welding portion and holds the twisted pair cable, and a second holding structure located on the other side in the axial direction relative to the first pressure-welding portion and the second pressure-welding portion and holds the twisted pair cable, the first holding structure has a first pillar portion that supports the twisted pair cable when the twisted pair cable is pressure-welded against the first pressure-welding portion and the second pressure-welding portion, and the second holding structure has a second pillar portion that supports the twisted pair cable when the twisted pair cable is pressure-welded against the first pressure-welding portion and the second pressure-welding portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] In the communication connector according to the present invention, the cover has a first holding structure located on one axial side of the first and second insulation displacement portions, and a second holding structure located on the other axial side. The cover can press the twisted pair cable against the first and second insulation displacement portions while supporting the twisted pair cable with the first pillar portion of the first holding structure and the second pillar portion of the second holding structure. The communication connector according to the present invention has the effect of making the assembly work for the twisted pair cable more efficient. [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 a perspective view of the communication connector according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the communication connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a housing according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of a housing holding the first and second terminals. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of the cover according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an assembly procedure according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembly procedure according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembly procedure according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembly procedure according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a cover holding a twisted pair cable. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the communication connector according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view of the cover according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an assembly process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the distribution unit according to the second embodiment. 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] [First embodiment] A first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 11. This 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 a perspective view of the communication connector according to an embodiment, Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the communication connector according to an embodiment, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a housing according to an embodiment, Fig. 5 is a side view of the housing holding a first terminal and a second terminal, Fig. 6 is a front view of a cover according to an embodiment, Fig. 7 is a diagram explaining an assembly procedure according to an embodiment, Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view explaining the assembly procedure according to an embodiment, Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view explaining the assembly procedure according to an embodiment, Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view explaining the assembly procedure according to an embodiment, and Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a cover holding a twisted pair cable.

[0011] Fig. 8 shows a cross section taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7. Fig. 10 shows a cross section taken along line XX in Fig. 9.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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 twisted pair cable 10 that configures a daisy chain. The twisted pair cable 10 has a trunk portion 10a and a branch portion 10b. The trunk portion 10a is a portion that is bundled together with other communication lines W to configure a trunk 110 of the electric wire bundle 100. The trunk 110 has, for example, an exterior member or tape that bundles the plurality of communication lines W. The branch portion 10b is a portion of the twisted pair cable 10 that branches off from the trunk 110. The branch portion 10b protrudes from the trunk 110 to form a substantially U-shape.

[0014] The twisted pair cable 10 has a first signal wire 11 and a second signal wire 12. The 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 illustrated first signal wire 11 and second signal wire 12 are coated electric wires.

[0015] The communication connector 1 is connected to a branch line portion 10b of a twisted pair cable 10. The communication connector 1 connects the twisted pair cable 10 to, for example, an electronic device. The communication connector 1 has a housing 2, a cover 3, a first terminal 4, and a second terminal 5. The first terminal 4 has a first insulation displacement portion 42 that is pressure-welded to a first signal line 11. The second terminal 5 has a second insulation displacement portion 52 that is pressure-welded to a second signal line 12.

[0016] As described below, the communication connector 1 according to this embodiment can press the two signal lines 11, 12 against the two pressure-contact portions 42, 52 while engaging the cover 3 with the housing 2. Therefore, the communication connector 1 according to this embodiment can efficiently assemble the communication connector 1 to the twisted pair cable 10.

[0017] 2 to 4, the housing 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a holding portion 20, an opposing wall 21, and a support wall 22. The holding portion 20, the opposing wall 21, and the support wall 22 are integrally molded from, for example, an insulating synthetic resin.

[0018] In the present embodiment, in the description of the communication connector 1, the axial direction of the twisted pair cable 10 is simply referred to as the "axial direction X". The axial direction X is the longitudinal direction of the branch line portion 10b protruding in a U-shape from the trunk line 110. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication connector 1 is configured such that the first extension portion 14 and the second extension portion 15 of the twisted pair cable 10 extend from the communication connector 1 along the axial direction X. As shown in FIG. 3, the first and second pressure-contact portions 42 and 52 are shifted in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction X. In the description of the communication connector 1, the "width direction Y" is the arrangement direction of the first and second pressure-contact portions 42 and 52, and the "height direction Z" is the protruding direction of the first and second pressure-contact portions 42 and 52. The axial direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are perpendicular to each other.

[0019] The holding portion 20 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped block shape and holds the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5. The support wall 22 protrudes from a bottom 20a of the holding portion 20 in the width direction Y. The bottom 20a is one end of the holding portion 20 in the height direction Z. The support wall 22 is formed in a flat plate shape and supports the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5. The opposing wall 21 stands from a tip of the support wall 22 in the height direction Z. The opposing wall 21 is formed in a flat plate shape and faces the holding portion 20 in the width direction Y.

[0020] The holding portion 20 has a first recess 23 and a second recess 24. The first recess 23 and the second recess 24 extend from one end to the other end of the holding portion 20 along the width direction Y. The first recess 23 holds the connection portion 41 of the first terminal 4. The second recess 24 holds the connection portion 51 of the second terminal 5. The first recess 23 and the second recess 24 are aligned along the axial direction X.

[0021] The opposing wall 21 has a notch 21a corresponding to the first terminal 4 and a notch 21b corresponding to the second terminal 5. The notch 21a faces the first recess 23 in the width direction Y. The notch 21b faces the second recess 24 in the width direction Y.

[0022] The support wall 22 is provided with a convex sorting portion 25. As shown in Fig. 4, the sorting portion 25 protrudes from the main surface 22b of the support wall 22 in the height direction Z. The protruding direction of the sorting portion 25 is the same as the protruding direction of the opposing wall 21. The position of the sorting portion 25 in the axial direction X is a position between the first recess 23 and the second recess 24. The sorting portion 25 is separated from each of the holding portion 20 and the opposing wall 21 in the width direction Y.

[0023] A gap 26a for the first signal line 11 is provided between the distribution portion 25 and the holding portion 20. A gap 26b for the second signal line 12 is provided between the distribution portion 25 and the opposing wall 21. The shape of the distribution portion 25 when viewed from the axial direction X is tapered. The tip of the distribution portion 25 has a first inclined surface 25a and a second inclined surface 25b. Both the first inclined surface 25a and the second inclined surface 25b are inclined with respect to the height direction Z.

[0024] The first inclined surface 25a faces the holding portion 20. The first inclined surface 25a is inclined so as to move away from the holding portion 20 as it moves toward the tip of the sorting portion 25 in the height direction Z. The second inclined surface 25b faces the opposing wall 21. The second inclined surface 25b is inclined so as to move away from the opposing wall 21 as it moves toward the tip of the sorting portion 25 in the height direction Z. An engagement protrusion 22a that engages with the cover 3 is provided on a side surface of the support wall 22.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the first terminal 4 has a connection portion 41 and a first pressure contact portion 42. The second terminal 5 has a connection portion 51 and a second pressure contact portion 52. The first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are formed of a metal plate having electrical conductivity such as copper. The connection portions 41, 51 are portions to be connected to the mating terminal. The illustrated connection portions 41, 51 are female connection portions having a cylindrical shape. That is, the mating male terminal is inserted into the connection portions 41, 51. The connection portion 41 of the first terminal 4 is inserted into the first recess 23 of the holding portion 20 and is held by the first recess 23. The connection portion 51 of the second terminal 5 is inserted into the second recess 24 of the holding portion 20 and is held by the second recess 24. The connection portions 41, 51 are inserted into the holding portion 20 along the insertion direction AR1. The insertion direction AR1 in the first embodiment is the width direction Y.

[0026] Each of the pressure contact portions 42, 52 has a pressure contact blade having a substantially U-shape. The first pressure contact portion 42 stands upright from the bottom wall 41a of the connection portion 41. That is, the first terminal 4 is bent so that the bottom wall 41a and the first pressure contact portion 42 are perpendicular to each other. The first pressure contact portion 42 is disposed at an end of the first terminal 4 in the width direction Y. The second pressure contact portion 52 stands upright from the bottom wall 51a of the connection portion 51. That is, the second terminal 5 is bent so that the bottom wall 51a and the second pressure contact portion 52 are perpendicular to each other. The second pressure contact portion 52 is disposed at an end of the second terminal 5 in the width direction Y. The first pressure contact portion 42 and the second pressure contact portion 52 are plate-shaped along the insertion direction AR1. That is, in the communication connector 1 of the first embodiment, the insertion direction AR1 and the axial direction X are perpendicular to each other.

[0027] The illustrated first terminal 4 and second terminal 5 are configured so that the two pressure contact portions 42, 52 are offset along the width direction Y. Specifically, the bottom wall 51a of the second terminal 5 is longer than the bottom wall 41a of the first terminal 4. Thus, the second pressure contact portion 52 is located farther from the holding portion 20 than the first pressure contact portion 42. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 42a of the first pressure contact portion 42 and the protruding portion 52a of the second pressure contact portion 52 overlap in the axial direction X.

[0028] 5 shows the housing 2 in a state in which the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are held. The first pressure contact portion 42 is located on the holding portion 20 side relative to the distribution portion 25. More specifically, the pressure contact blade 43 of the first pressure contact portion 42 is located on the holding portion 20 side relative to the distribution portion 25. On the other hand, the second pressure contact portion 52 is located on the opposing wall 21 side relative to the distribution portion 25. More specifically, the pressure contact blade 53 of the second pressure contact portion 52 is located on the opposing wall 21 side relative to the distribution portion 25. When viewed from the axial direction X, the protruding portion 42a of the first pressure contact portion 42, the protruding portion 52a of the second pressure contact portion 52 (see FIG. 3), and the distribution portion 25 overlap with each other. The opposing wall 21 has an inclined surface 21c that guides the second signal line 12 to the insulation displacement blade 53. The inlet portions of the insulation displacement blades 43, 53 have a guide tapered shape.

[0029] 2 and 3, the cover 3 is inserted between the retaining portion 20 and the opposing wall 21 of the housing 2 to engage with the housing 2. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the cover 3 has a base 30, a first retaining structure 31, a second retaining structure 32, and a top wall 33. The base 30, the first retaining structure 31, the second retaining structure 32, and the top wall 33 are integrally molded from, for example, an insulating synthetic resin.

[0030] The base 30 is a main body of the cover 3, and is formed in a rectangular plate or block shape. The base 30 faces the holding portion 20 and the facing wall 21 in the width direction Y. The first holding structure 31 has a first pillar portion 34 and a first facing portion 35. The second holding structure 32 has a second pillar portion 36 and a second facing portion 37. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover 3 has a symmetrical shape when viewed from the width direction Y. More specifically, the cover 3 is line-symmetrical with respect to a center line Z1 along the height direction Z when viewed from the width direction Y.

[0031] The first pillar portion 34, the first opposing portion 35, the second pillar portion 36, and the second opposing portion 37 protrude from the base portion 30 in the width direction Y. The first opposing portion 35 and the second opposing portion 37 form side walls of the communication connector 1. The first opposing portion 35 is disposed at a first end portion 30a of the base portion 30 in the axial direction X, and the second opposing portion 37 is disposed at a second end portion 30b of the base portion 30 in the axial direction X. The first opposing portion 35 and the second opposing portion 37 are opposed to each other in the axial direction X. The first opposing portion 35 and the second opposing portion 37 are formed in a flat plate shape perpendicular to the axial direction X.

[0032] The first opposing portion 35 has a first slit portion 38. As shown in FIG. 3, the first slit portion 38 extends from the tip surface of the first opposing portion 35 toward the base portion 30 along the width direction Y. The first slit portion 38 penetrates the first opposing portion 35 along the axial direction X. The second opposing portion 37 has a second slit portion 39. The second slit portion 39 extends from the tip surface of the second opposing portion 37 toward the base portion 30 along the width direction Y. The second slit portion 39 penetrates the second opposing portion 37 along the axial direction X.

[0033] The top wall 33 protrudes from the top 30c of the base 30 in the width direction Y. The top wall 33 fits into a gap between the holding portion 20 and the opposing wall 21 of the housing 2. The top wall 33 is formed in a flat plate shape perpendicular to the height direction Z. The top wall 33 faces each of the first pillar portion 34, the first opposing portion 35, the second pillar portion 36, and the second opposing portion 37 in the height direction Z.

[0034] 6, a gap G1 through which the twisted pair cable 10 can be inserted is provided between the top wall 33 and the first opposing portion 35. The width of the gap G1 in the height direction Z is, for example, equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the twisted pair cable 10. The top wall 33 has a raised portion 33a that rises toward the first opposing portion 35. The cover 3 can hold the twisted pair cable 10 by the raised portion 33a and the first opposing portion 35.

[0035] Between the top wall 33 and the second opposing portion 37, there is provided a gap G2 through which the twisted pair cable 10 can be inserted. The width of the gap G2 in the height direction Z is, for example, equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the twisted pair cable 10. The top wall 33 has a raised portion 33b that rises toward the second opposing portion 37. The cover 3 can hold the twisted pair cable 10 by the raised portion 33b and the second opposing portion 37.

[0036] The first pillar portion 34 is located on the side of the center line Z1 with respect to the first opposing portion 35, and faces the first opposing portion 35 in the axial direction X. A gap into which the twisted pair cable 10 can be inserted is provided between the first pillar portion 34 and the first opposing portion 35. The illustrated shape of the first pillar portion 34 is cylindrical.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, the first slit portion 38 is provided at a position offset from the first column portion 34 in the height direction Z. More specifically, the first slit portion 38 has a first surface 38a and a second surface 38b that face each other in the height direction Z. An imaginary plane S1 including the first surface 38a contacts the outer peripheral surface of the first column portion 34. The imaginary plane S1 is a surface perpendicular to the height direction Z. That is, the position of the first slit portion 38 is determined so that the twisted pair cable 10 extends linearly along the axial direction X from the first slit portion 38 to the outer peripheral surface of the first column portion 34. The second surface 38b is provided with a raised portion 38c that is raised toward the first surface 38a. The first slit portion 38 can hold the twisted pair cable 10 between the raised portion 38c and the first surface 38a.

[0038] The second column portion 36 is located on the side of the center line Z1 with respect to the second opposing portion 37, and faces the second opposing portion 37 in the axial direction X. A gap is provided between the second column portion 36 and the second opposing portion 37 into which the twisted pair cable 10 can be inserted. The illustrated second column portion 36 has a cylindrical shape. The second column portion 36 faces the first column portion 34 in the axial direction X. The second column portion 36 has the same shape as the first column portion 34, and is at the same position as the first column portion 34 in the height direction Z.

[0039] The second slit portion 39 is provided at a position shifted from the second column portion 36 in the height direction Z. The second slit portion 39 has a first surface 39a and a second surface 39b that face each other in the height direction Z. An imaginary plane S1 including the first surface 39a contacts the outer circumferential surface of the second column portion 36. In other words, the position of the second slit portion 39 is determined so that the twisted pair cable 10 extends linearly along the axial direction X from the second slit portion 39 to the outer circumferential surface of the second column portion 36. The second surface 39b is provided with a raised portion 39c that is raised toward the first surface 39a. The second slit portion 39 can hold the twisted pair cable 10 between the raised portion 39c and the first surface 39a.

[0040] The procedure for assembling the communication connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 shows the cover 3 holding the twisted pair cable 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the worker holds the twisted pair cable 10 with the cover 3 in a state in which the twisted pair cable 10 is bent into a U-shape. As shown in FIG. 7, the first pillar portion 34 is located on one side of the first and second pressure-displacement portions 42 and 52 in the axial direction X. The second pillar portion 36 is located on the other side of the first and second pressure-displacement portions 42 and 52 in the axial direction X. In other words, the first and second pillar portions 34 and 36 are arranged to face each other in the axial direction X with the first and second pressure-displacement portions 42 and 52 between them.

[0041] The cover 3 holds the twisted pair cable 10, for example, by winding the curved portion 13 of the twisted pair cable 10 around the first pillar portion 34. In this case, the first extension portion 14 of the twisted pair cable 10 is inserted into the gap G2, and the second extension portion 15 of the twisted pair cable 10 is inserted into the second slit portion 39. The first extension portion 14 extends linearly along the axial direction X from the first pillar portion 34 toward the gap G2. The second extension portion 15 extends linearly along the axial direction X from the first pillar portion 34 toward the second slit portion 39. The second extension portion 15 may be in contact with the second pillar portion 36, for example. The first extension portion 14 and the second extension portion 15 are drawn out from the cover 3 toward the first side X1 in the axial direction X.

[0042] An operator assembles the cover 3 holding the twisted pair cable 10 to the housing 2 along the height direction Z. A first terminal 4 and a second terminal 5 are attached to the housing 2 in advance. As shown in FIG. 8 , the cover 3 is inserted between the holding portion 20 and the opposing wall 21 of the housing 2. At this time, the back surface 30d of the base portion 30 of the cover 3 is guided by the holding portion 20. In addition, the tip surface 35a of the first opposing portion 35 is guided by the opposing wall 21. In other words, the position of the cover 3 in the width direction Y is determined by the holding portion 20 and the opposing wall 21.

[0043] 9 , the distribution portion 25 enters between the first signal wire 11 and the second signal wire 12 of the twisted pair cable 10. The first inclined surface 25a of the distribution portion 25 guides the first signal wire 11 to the insulation displacement blade 43 of the first terminal 4. The second inclined surface 25b of the distribution portion 25 guides the second signal wire 12 to the insulation displacement blade 53 of the second terminal 5.

[0044] When the worker further inserts the cover 3 into the gap of the housing 2, the first signal wire 11 is pressed against the first pressure contact portion 42, and the second signal wire 12 is pressed against the second pressure contact portion 52. As shown in Fig. 10, the first pillar portion 34 and the second pillar portion 36 of the cover 3 support the second extension portion 15 of the twisted pair cable 10. The first holding structure 31 is configured to hold the curved portion 13 by the first pillar portion 34. For example, the first pillar portion 34 is configured so that a sufficiently large frictional force is generated between the first pillar portion 34 and the curved portion 13, as described below.

[0045] The curved portion 13 of the twisted pair cable 10 is curved in a substantially U-shape. Therefore, the winding angle of the twisted pair cable 10 around the first pillar portion 34 is sufficiently large. In addition, since the first pillar portion 34 has a cylindrical shape, a gap is unlikely to occur between the outer circumferential surface of the first pillar portion 34 and the twisted pair cable 10. That is, the contact area between the outer circumferential surface of the first pillar portion 34 and the twisted pair cable 10 is sufficiently large. Therefore, the first pillar portion 34 can support the second extending portion 15 when the twisted pair cable 10 is pressure-welded to the first pressure-welding portion 42 and the second pressure-welding portion 52.

[0046] It is preferable that the diameter of the first pillar portion 34 is relatively large. By increasing the diameter of the first pillar portion 34, a sufficient frictional force can be generated between the first pillar portion 34 and the twisted pair cable 10, and the twisted shape of the twisted pair cable 10 can be made less likely to collapse. The first holding structure 31 can control the bending position and bending radius of the twisted pair cable 10 by the first pillar portion 34. Therefore, the communication connector 1 of this embodiment can ensure stable communication performance by the twisted pair cable 10.

[0047] The second holding structure 32 holds the second extension portion 15 by the second slit portion 39. That is, the second extension portion 15 is held by the first pillar portion 34 and the second slit portion 39. Therefore, the cover 3 can generate tension Ft in the second extension portion 15 between the first pillar portion 34 and the second slit portion 39. In addition, the second holding structure 32 supports the second extension portion 15 by the second pillar portion 36. Therefore, the cover 3 of this embodiment supports the second extension portion 15 by the first pillar portion 34 and the second pillar portion 36, and can press the second extension portion 15 against the two pressure contact portions 42, 52.

[0048] The first signal line 11 of the second extending portion 15 is pressed against the first pressure contact portion 42 and is pressure-welded to the first pressure contact portion 42. The core of the first signal line 11 is electrically connected to the first pressure contact portion 42. The second signal line 12 of the second extending portion 15 is pressed against the second pressure contact portion 52 and is pressure-welded to the second pressure contact portion 52. The core of the second signal line 12 is electrically connected to the second pressure contact portion 52. The communication connector 1 is configured so that the twisted pair cable 10 can be pressure-welded to the first pressure contact portion 42 and the second pressure contact portion 52 until the cover 3 is completely engaged with the housing 2. For example, the first pillar portion 34 and the second pillar portion 36 are arranged so that the twisted pair cable 10 is pressed into the inner part of the pressure contact blades 43, 53 until the cover 3 is completely engaged with the housing 2.

[0049] According to the communication connector 1 of this embodiment, by engaging the cover 3 with the housing 2, the first signal wire 11 can be pressed against the first insulation displacement portion 42, and the second signal wire 12 can be pressed against the second insulation displacement portion 52. This simplifies the work process, and improves the efficiency of assembling the communication connector 1.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 11, the cover 3 may hold the twisted pair cable 10 by winding the curved portion 13 of the twisted pair cable 10 around the second pillar portion 36. In this case, the first extension portion 14 of the twisted pair cable 10 is inserted into the gap G1, and the second extension portion 15 is inserted into the first slit portion 38. The first extension portion 14 extends linearly along the axial direction X from the second pillar portion 36 toward the gap G1. The second extension portion 15 extends linearly along the axial direction X from the second pillar portion 36 toward the first slit portion 38. The second extension portion 15 contacts, for example, the first pillar portion 34. The first extension portion 14 and the second extension portion 15 are drawn out from the cover 3 toward the second side X2 in the axial direction X.

[0051] When the cover 3 is attached to the housing 2, the first slit portion 38 and the second pillar portion 36 hold the second extension portion 15. In addition, the first pillar portion 34 and the second pillar portion 36 support the second extension portion 15, presses the first signal wire 11 against the first pressure contact portion 42, and presses the second signal wire 12 against the second pressure contact portion 52.

[0052] In this manner, the communication connector 1 of the present embodiment can extract the twisted pair cable 10 from either the first side X1 or the second side X2. Therefore, the communication connector 1 can accommodate a variety of connection configurations according to the positional relationship between the routing path of the electric wire bundle 100 and the electronic device to be connected.

[0053] As described above, the communication connector 1 according to this embodiment includes the first terminal 4 having the first pressure-contact portion 42, the second terminal 5 having the second pressure-contact portion 52, the housing 2, and the cover 3. The housing 2 holds the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5. The cover 3 engages with the housing 2 while holding the twisted pair cable 10 curved into a U-shape. The cover 3 presses the first signal line 11 of the twisted pair cable 10 against the first pressure-contact portion 42, and presses the second signal line 12 of the twisted pair cable 10 against the second pressure-contact portion 52.

[0054] The housing 2 holds the first and second pressure contact portions 42 and 52 in a displaced state in a width direction Y perpendicular to the axial direction X of the twisted pair cable 10. The cover 3 has a first holding structure 31 and a second holding structure 32 for holding the twisted pair cable 10. The first holding structure 31 is located on one side in the axial direction X of the first and second pressure contact portions 42 and 52. The second holding structure 32 is located on the other side in the axial direction X of the first and second pressure contact portions 42 and 52.

[0055] The first holding structure 31 has a first pillar portion 34. The second holding structure 32 has a second pillar portion 36. The first pillar portion 34 and the second pillar portion 36 support the twisted pair cable 10 when the twisted pair cable 10 is pressure-contacted to the first insulation displacement portion 42 and the second insulation displacement portion 52, respectively. The communication connector 1 according to this embodiment can improve the efficiency of the work of assembling the communication connector 1 to the twisted pair cable 10.

[0056] The first holding structure 31 of the present embodiment is configured so that when the curved portion 13 of the twisted pair cable 10 is wound around the first pillar portion 34, the curved portion 13 is held by the first pillar portion 34. The second holding structure 32 has a second slit portion 39 that holds the twisted pair cable 10. The second slit portion 39 is configured so as to hold the twisted pair cable 10 while causing the twisted pair cable 10 to extend in the axial direction X from the first pillar portion 34 to the second slit portion 39. The cover 3 configured in this manner can appropriately press the twisted pair cable 10 against the first pressure contact portion 42 and the second pressure contact portion 52.

[0057] The housing 2 of this embodiment has a convex distribution portion 25. The distribution portion 25 is configured to enter between the first signal line 11 and the second signal line 12 when the cover 3 engages with the housing 2. The distribution portion 25 is disposed between the first insulation displacement portion 42 and the second insulation displacement portion 52, and has a first inclined surface 25a and a second inclined surface 25b. The first inclined surface 25a guides the first signal line 11 to the first insulation displacement portion 42, and the second inclined surface 25b guides the second signal line 12 to the second insulation displacement portion 52. This configuration makes it more efficient to press the twisted pair cable 10 to the first insulation displacement portion 42 and the second insulation displacement portion 52.

[0058] The second holding structure 32 of the present embodiment is configured to hold the curved portion 13 by the second pillar portion 36 when the curved portion 13 of the twisted pair cable 10 is wound around the second pillar portion 36. The first holding structure 31 has a first slit portion 38 that holds the twisted pair cable 10. The first slit portion 38 is configured to hold the twisted pair cable 10 while causing the twisted pair cable 10 to extend in the axial direction X from the second pillar portion 36 to the first slit portion 38. Thus, the communication connector 1 of the present embodiment allows the extension direction of the twisted pair cable 10 to be selected from two directions.

[0059] The first retaining structure 31 may hold the curved portion 13 by sandwiching the curved portion 13 between the first pillar portion 34 and the first opposing portion 35. The second retaining structure 32 may hold the curved portion 13 by sandwiching the curved portion 13 between the second pillar portion 36 and the second opposing portion 37.

[0060] The shapes of the first columnar portion 34 and the second columnar portion 36 are not limited to the illustrated shapes. For example, the cross-sectional shapes of the first columnar portion 34 and the second columnar portion 36 may be semicircular. In this case, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the first columnar portion 34 is an arc shape on the side facing the first opposing portion 35. It is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the second columnar portion 36 is an arc shape on the side facing the second opposing portion 37.

[0061] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 15. In the second embodiment, components having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a communication connector according to the second embodiment, Fig. 13 is a front view of a cover according to the second embodiment, Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an assembly process according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a distribution section according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, for example, the twisted pair cable 10 is drawn out of the housing 2 in parallel with the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5.

[0062] 12, the communication connector 1 according to the second embodiment has a housing 2, a cover 3, a first terminal 4, and a second terminal 5. The first terminal 4 has a connecting portion 41 and a first insulation displacement portion 42. The first insulation displacement portion 42 stands in the height direction Z from the tip of the bottom wall 41a. The first insulation displacement portion 42 of the second embodiment is perpendicular to the extending direction of the connecting portion 41. That is, the first insulation displacement portion 42 is perpendicular to the insertion direction AR1 of the first terminal 4 into the housing 2.

[0063] The second terminal 5 has a connecting portion 51 and a second insulation displacement portion 52. The second insulation displacement portion 52 stands from the tip of the bottom wall 51a in the height direction Z. The second insulation displacement portion 52 in the second embodiment is perpendicular to the extending direction of the connecting portion 51. That is, the second insulation displacement portion 52 is perpendicular to the insertion direction AR1 of the second terminal 5 into the housing 2. Therefore, in the communication connector 1 of the second embodiment, the axial direction X is parallel to the insertion direction AR1. The width direction Y is perpendicular to the insertion direction AR1.

[0064] The illustrated housing 2 is made of insulating synthetic resin and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 2 has a first recess 23 and a second recess 24, similar to the housing 2 of the first embodiment. The first terminal 4 is inserted into the first recess 23, and the second terminal 5 is inserted into the second recess 24. The housing 2 holds the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 in a state in which the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are arranged in the width direction Y. The first pressure contact portion 42 and the second pressure contact portion 52 are arranged along the width direction Y inside the housing 2. The housing 2 has a slit 27 into which the cover 3 is inserted. The slit 27 is disposed between the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5, and extends along the axial direction X.

[0065] The cover 3 has a base 30, a first holding structure 31, a second holding structure 32, and a top wall 33. The base 30, the first holding structure 31, the second holding structure 32, and the top wall 33 are integrally molded from, for example, an insulating synthetic resin.

[0066] The base 30 is a main body of the cover 3, and is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The first holding structure 31 has a first pillar portion 34 and a first opposing portion 35. The first holding structure 31 of the second embodiment further has a third opposing portion 62. The second holding structure 32 has a second pillar portion 36 and a second opposing portion 61. The first pillar portion 34, the second pillar portion 36, the first opposing portion 35, the second opposing portion 61, and the third opposing portion 62 protrude from the base 30 in the width direction Y.

[0067] The first holding structure 31 is disposed on one side in the axial direction X with respect to the first pressure contact portion 42 and the second pressure contact portion 52. The first opposing portion 35 is disposed at a first end portion 30a in the axial direction X of the base portion 30. The first pillar portion 34 faces the first opposing portion 35 in the axial direction X. The illustrated first pillar portion 34 has a cylindrical shape. A gap is provided between the first pillar portion 34 and the first opposing portion 35 into which the twisted pair cable 10 can be inserted. The first holding structure 31 of the second embodiment is configured to hold the twisted pair cable 10 by the first pillar portion 34 and the first opposing portion 35.

[0068] The third opposing portion 62 is located on the opposite side of the first pillar portion 34 from the top wall 33. The third opposing portion 62 faces the first pillar portion 34 in the height direction Z. The third opposing portion 62 has a raised portion 62a that is raised toward the first pillar portion 34. The first holding structure 31 is configured to hold the twisted pair cable 10 by the raised portion 62a and the first pillar portion 34. The first holding structure 31 has a raised portion 33c that is raised from the top wall 33 toward the first pillar portion 34. The first holding structure 31 is configured to hold the twisted pair cable 10 by the raised portion 33c and the first pillar portion 34.

[0069] The second column portion 36 and the second opposing portion 61 are disposed at the second end portion 30b in the axial direction X of the base portion 30. The second opposing portion 61 is located on the opposite side of the second column portion 36 from the side of the top wall 33. The second opposing portion 61 faces the second column portion 36 in the height direction Z. The second column portion 36 has a holding surface 36a facing the second opposing portion 61. The holding surface 36a is a plane perpendicular to the height direction Z. The second opposing portion 61 has a protruding portion 61a protruding from the holding surface 36a. The second holding structure 32 is configured to hold the twisted pair cable 10 by the protruding portion 61a and the holding surface 36a. That is, in the second holding structure 32 of the second embodiment, a second slit portion 39 that holds the twisted pair cable 10 is formed between the second column portion 36 and the second opposing portion 61.

[0070] 14, the cover 3 holds the twisted pair cable 10 by wrapping the curved portion 13 of the twisted pair cable 10 around the first pillar portion 34. The first holding structure 31 holds the twisted pair cable 10 by the first pillar portion 34, the first opposing portion 35, and the two raised portions 33c, 62a. The first extending portion 14 of the twisted pair cable 10 is pulled out from the gap between the second pillar portion 36 and the top wall 33. The second extending portion 15 is inserted into the second slit portion 39 and held by the second slit portion 39.

[0071] The cover 3 holding the twisted pair cable 10 is engaged with the housing 2. The cover 3 supports the second extension portion 15 by the first pillar portion 34 and the second pillar portion 36, and presses the second extension portion 15 against the first pressure contact portion 42 and the second pressure contact portion 52.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 15, the housing 2 of the second embodiment has a distribution portion 25. The distribution portion 25 of the present embodiment has the same function as the distribution portion 25 of the first embodiment. The distribution portion 25 is disposed between the first insulation displacement portion 42 and the second insulation displacement portion 52, and is formed in a convex shape. The tip of the distribution portion 25 has a first inclined surface 25a and a second inclined surface 25b. The first inclined surface 25a guides the first signal line 11 toward the insulation displacement blade 43 of the first insulation displacement portion 42. The second inclined surface 25b guides the second signal line 12 toward the insulation displacement blade 53 of the second insulation displacement portion 52. The communication connector 1 of the second embodiment is configured to be able to pressure-contact the twisted pair cable 10 against the first insulation displacement portion 42 and the second insulation displacement portion 52 until the cover 3 is completely engaged with the housing 2.

[0073] [Modifications of each embodiment] Modifications of the first and second embodiments will be described. The twisted pair cable 10 may be arranged alone. In other words, the twisted pair cable 10 connected to the communication connector 1 is not limited to being arranged together with other communication lines W as the electric wire bundle 100.

[0074] The first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 may be male terminals. In this case, the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are connected to mating female terminals.

[0075] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications can be implemented in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Communication connector 2. Housing 3 Cover 4 First terminal 5 Second terminal 10: twisted pair cable, 10a: trunk section, 10b: branch section 11: first communication line, 12: second communication line, 13: curved portion 14: First extension part, 15: Second extension part 20: holding portion, 21: opposing wall, 21a, 21b: cutouts, 21c: inclined surface 22: supporting wall, 22a: fastening protrusion, 22b: main surface 23: First concave part, 24: Second concave part 25: vibration dividing portion, 25a: first inclined surface, 25b: second inclined surface 26a, 26b: gap, 27: スリット 30: base, 30a: first end, 30b: second end, 30c: top 30d: Back 31: first holding structure, 32: second holding structure, 33: top wall 33a, 33b, 33c: raised part 34: first column portion, 35: first facing portion, 35a: front end surface, 36: second column portion 37:Second Target Division 38: First スリット part, 38a: First side, 38b: Second side, 38c: Raised part 39: second thread portion, 39a: first surface, 39b: second surface, 39c: raised portion 41: The joint part, 42: The first pressure joint part, 43: The pressure joint part 51: The joint part, 52: The second pressure joint part, 53: The pressure joint part 61: second opposing portion, 62: third opposing portion 100: Wire harness, 110: Trunk line G1, G2: Gap X: axial direction, Y: width direction, Z: height direction, Z1: center line

Claims

1. a first terminal having a first insulation displacement portion; a second terminal having a second insulation displacement portion; a housing for holding the first terminal and the second terminal; a cover that engages with the housing while holding the twisted pair cable bent into a U-shape, so as to press a first signal line of the twisted pair cable against the first pressure-contact portion and press a second signal line of the twisted pair cable against the second pressure-contact portion; Equipped with the housing holds the first insulation displacement portion and the second insulation displacement portion in a width direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the twisted pair cable, the cover has a first holding structure located on one side in the axial direction with respect to the first and second pressure contact portions and holding the twisted pair cable, and a second holding structure located on the other side in the axial direction with respect to the first and second pressure contact portions and holding the twisted pair cable, the first holding structure has a first pillar portion that supports the twisted pair cable when the twisted pair cable is pressure-contacted to the first pressure-contact portion and the second pressure-contact portion, the second holding structure has a second pillar portion that supports the twisted pair cable when the twisted pair cable is pressure-contacted to the first pressure-contact portion and the second pressure-contact portion, the housing has a convex dividing portion that is inserted between the first signal line and the second signal line when the cover is engaged with the housing, The distribution portion is disposed between the first pressure contact portion and the second pressure contact portion, and has a first inclined surface that guides the first signal line toward the first pressure contact portion, and a second inclined surface that guides the second signal line toward the second pressure contact portion.

1. A communication connector comprising:

2. the first holding structure is configured to hold the curved portion of the twisted pair cable by the first pillar portion when the curved portion is wound around the first pillar portion, the second holding structure has a second slit portion that holds the twisted pair cable, The second slit portion is configured to hold the twisted pair cable while extending the twisted pair cable in the axial direction from the first column portion to the second slit portion.

2. The communication connector of claim 1.

3. the second holding structure is configured to hold the curved portion of the twisted pair cable by the second pillar portion when the curved portion is wound around the second pillar portion, the first holding structure has a first slit portion that holds the twisted pair cable, The first slit portion is configured to hold the twisted pair cable while extending the twisted pair cable in the axial direction from the second post portion to the first slit portion.

3. The communication connector of claim 2.

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