Electrical Connectors

Abstract

To provide an electric connector capable of preventing signal transmission characteristics of a coaxial cable from being deteriorated.SOLUTION: An electric connector 1 comprises: a contact pin 4 connected to a core wire 510 of a coaxial cable 500; an insulating housing 5 in which the contact pin 4 is held; a cylindrical outer contact 6 covering the housing 5; and a crimp member 8 for attaching the outer contact 6 to the coaxial cable 500. A proximal end 61 of the outer contact 6 is positioned between an inner insulator layer 520 and an outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500. The crimp member 8 is crimped to the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 positioned on the proximal end 61 of the outer contact 6, such that the outer contact 6 is attached to the coaxial cable 500.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and more particularly to electrical connectors used to provide a coaxial connection with a coaxial cable. [Background technology]

[0002] A combination of a receptacle connector and a plug connector is widely used to provide an electrical connection between an electronic device and another electronic device via a cable. In addition, with the recent improvement in the processing power of electronic devices, the amount of data transmitted from an electronic device to another electronic device via a cable is increasing. In order to transmit a large amount of data in a short time, it is necessary to transmit a high-frequency signal via a cable, and there is a need to improve the signal transmission characteristics of the cable, particularly the transmission characteristics of the cable in the high-frequency band. In response to such needs, a coaxial cable having high signal transmission characteristics in the high-frequency band is widely used. As is well known, a coaxial cable has a coaxial structure in which a core wire for transmitting a signal, an inner insulating layer covering the core wire from the outside, an outer conductor layer (braided layer) covering the inner insulating layer from the outside, and an outer insulating layer (sheath) covering the outer conductor layer from the outside are concentrically arranged.

[0003] In order to provide such a coaxial connection with a coaxial cable, an electrical connector including a contact pin electrically connected to a core wire of the coaxial cable, an insulating housing covering the contact pin, and an outer contact covering the housing and further electrically connected to an outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable is widely used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Fig. 1 shows a commonly used coaxial cable 500 and an outer contact 600 of an electrical connector attached to the coaxial cable 500. As shown in Fig. 1, the coaxial cable 500 includes a core wire (inner conductor) 510, an inner insulating layer 520 covering the core wire 510, an outer conductor layer (braided layer) 530 covering the inner insulating layer 520, and an outer insulating layer 540 covering the outer conductor layer 530.

[0004] The outer contact 600 includes a tubular portion 610, a first crimping portion 620, and a second crimping portion 630. The first crimping portion 620 is a portion that is crimped onto the outer peripheral surface of the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500. Meanwhile, the second crimping portion 630 is a portion that is crimped onto the outer peripheral surface of the outer insulation layer 540 of the coaxial cable 500. It is common to attach the outer contact 600 to the coaxial cable 500 by crimping the first crimping portion 620 onto the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 and then crimping the second crimping portion 630 onto the outer insulation layer 540 of the coaxial cable 500 using an appropriate tool such as crimping pliers.

[0005] However, when the first crimping portion 620 is crimped to the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500, a strong pressure is applied to the coaxial cable 500, and the pressure crushes and deforms the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500. Such deformation of the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500 causes a problem that the signal transmission characteristics of the coaxial cable 500, particularly in the high frequency band, deteriorate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2017-534154 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its object is to provide an electrical connector that can prevent deformation of the core wire of a coaxial cable caused by the pressure applied to the coaxial cable when the outer contact is crimped to the coaxial cable, thereby preventing deterioration of the signal transmission characteristics of the coaxial cable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] These objects can be achieved by the present invention as set forth below in (1) to (7). (1) An electrical connector to be connected to a coaxial cable including a core wire, an inner insulating layer covering the core wire, an outer conductor layer covering the inner insulating layer, and an outer insulating layer covering the outer conductor layer, a contact pin connected to the core wire of the coaxial cable; an insulating housing that holds the contact pins therein; a cylindrical outer contact covering the housing; a crimping member for attaching the outer contact to the coaxial cable, a base end of the outer contact is located between the inner insulation layer and the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable; the outer contact is attached to the coaxial cable by crimping the crimping member to the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable located on the base end of the outer contact, the electrical connector further includes an insulating ring member positioned between the base end of the outer contact and the inner insulation layer of the coaxial cable; The ring member is housed inside the outer contact, The outer contact is a The entire outer surface An electrical connector characterized by being completely covered from its tip to its base end.

[0009] (2) The crimping member is crimped to the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable so as to surround the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable, The electrical connector according to (1) above, wherein the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable is clamped between the crimping member and the outer contact, thereby attaching the outer contact to the coaxial cable.

[0010] (3) An electrical connector as described in (1) or (2) above, wherein the crimping member has a first crimping portion that is crimped to the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable.

[0011] (4) The first crimping portion of the crimping member includes a pair of plate-shaped portions connected to each other at one end and closed to surround the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable, an engagement recess formed in one of the pair of plate-shaped portions, and an engagement protrusion formed in the other of the pair of plate-shaped portions, An electrical connector as described in (3) above, in which the pair of plate-shaped portions is prevented from opening by engaging the engaging recess formed on one of the pair of plate-shaped portions with the engaging protrusion formed on the other of the pair of plate-shaped portions.

[0012] (5) The crimping member is Outer insulation layer The coaxial cable is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the Outer insulation layer a second crimping portion that is crimped to the The electrical connector according to (3) or (4) above, wherein the first crimping portion and the second crimping portion of the crimping member are connected to each other.

[0014] ( 6 The insulating housing has a cylindrical shape, The insulating housing and the ring member are held concentrically within the outer contact. 1 ) An electrical connector as described in (7) An electrical connector to be connected to a coaxial cable including a core wire, an inner insulating layer covering the core wire, an outer conductor layer covering the inner insulating layer, and an outer insulating layer covering the outer conductor layer, a contact pin connected to the core wire of the coaxial cable; an insulating housing that holds the contact pins therein; a cylindrical outer contact covering the housing; a crimping member for attaching the outer contact to the coaxial cable, a base end of the outer contact is located between the inner insulation layer and the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable; the outer contact is attached to the coaxial cable by crimping the crimping member to the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable located on the base end of the outer contact, the crimping member includes a first crimping portion that is crimped to the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable so as to surround an outer circumferential surface of the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable, the first crimping portion of the crimping member includes a pair of plate-shaped portions connected to each other at one end and closed to surround the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable, an engagement recess formed in one of the pair of plate-shaped portions, and an engagement protrusion formed in the other of the pair of plate-shaped portions; An electrical connector characterized in that the pair of plate-shaped portions is prevented from opening by engaging the engaging recess formed on one of the pair of plate-shaped portions with the engaging protrusion formed on the other of the pair of plate-shaped portions. Effect of the Invention

[0015] In the electrical connector of the present invention, the outer contact is attached to the coaxial cable by crimping the crimping member to the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable located on the base end of the outer contact. With this configuration, the pressure applied when the crimping member is crimped to the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable is not transmitted to the core wire of the coaxial cable. As a result, deformation of the core wire of the coaxial cable caused by the pressure when the crimping member is crimped to the coaxial cable is prevented, and thus deterioration of the signal transmission characteristics of the coaxial cable can be prevented. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer contact and a coaxial cable of a prior art electrical connector. [Diagram 2] 1 is an oblique view showing an electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a coaxial cable to which the electrical connector is connected, a mating connector to be coupled to the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a circuit board on which the mating connector is mounted. [Diagram 3] 3 is a perspective view of the electrical connector and the coaxial cable shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector and the coaxial cable shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly and the coaxial cable shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the contact pin shown in FIG. 7 taken along an XZ plane. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the housing shown in FIG. 9 taken along the XZ plane. [Figure 11]11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining press-fitting of contact pins into a housing. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outer contact. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the outer contact shown in FIG. 12 taken along the XZ plane. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a modified example of the outer contact. [Figure 15] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the outer contact, the housing, and the ring member in the YZ plane in a state in which the housing and the ring member are housed within the outer contact. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a modified example of the pressure bonding member. [Figure 17] 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining attachment of an outer contact to a coaxial cable by a crimping member. [Figure 18] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly and the coaxial cable in a YZ plane with the connector assembly attached to the coaxial cable. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] 20 is a perspective view of the case shown in FIG. 19 as seen from a different angle. [Figure 21] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which four coaxial cables to which the connector assemblies are attached are press-fitted into a case. FIG. [Figure 22] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining locking of an electrical connector to a mating connector. [Diagram 23] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector and the mating connector in the YZ plane in a state in which the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector. [Figure 24] 1 is a plan view of an electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a coaxial cable attached to the electrical connector. [Diagram 25] 1 is a bottom view of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a coaxial cable attached to the electrical connector. FIG. [Figure 26] 1 is a front view of an electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a coaxial cable attached to the electrical connector. [Figure 27] 1 is a rear view of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a coaxial cable attached to the electrical connector. FIG. [Figure 28] 1 is a left side view of an electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a coaxial cable attached to the electrical connector. [Figure 29] 1 is a right side view of an electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a coaxial cable attached to the electrical connector. FIG. [Diagram 30] 11 is a perspective view of an electrical connector and a coaxial cable according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 31] 31 is a perspective view of the electrical connector and the coaxial cable, with the case on the tip side beyond the BB line shown in FIG. 30 omitted. [Diagram 32] 10 is a plan view of an electrical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a coaxial cable attached to the electrical connector. FIG. [Diagram 33] 11 is a bottom view of the electrical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention and a coaxial cable attached to the electrical connector. FIG. [Diagram 34] 11 is a front view of an electrical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a coaxial cable attached to the electrical connector. FIG. [Diagram 35] 11 is a rear view of the electrical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention and a coaxial cable attached to the electrical connector. FIG. [Diagram 36] FIG. 11 is a left side view of an electrical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a coaxial cable attached to the electrical connector. [Figure 37] 10 is a right side view of an electrical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a coaxial cable attached to the electrical connector. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The electrical connector of the present invention will be described below based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. The drawings referred to below are schematic diagrams prepared for the purpose of describing the present invention. The dimensions (length, width, thickness, etc.) of each component shown in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions. In addition, the same reference numbers are used for the same or corresponding components in each drawing. In the following description, the positive direction of the Z axis in each drawing is referred to as the "tip side" or "front side", the negative direction of the Z axis is referred to as the "base end side" or "rear side", the positive direction of the Y axis is referred to as the "upper side", the negative direction of the Y axis is referred to as the "lower side", the positive direction of the X axis is referred to as the "front side", and the negative direction of the X axis is referred to as the "rear side". In addition, the Z direction is referred to as the "insertion and removal direction of the electrical connector", the Y direction is referred to as the "height direction", and the X direction is referred to as the "width direction".

[0018] First Embodiment First, the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 2 to 23. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a coaxial cable to which the electrical connector is connected, a mating connector to be coupled with the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a circuit board on which the mating connector is mounted. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the electrical connector and the coaxial cable shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector and the coaxial cable shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly and the coaxial cable shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a contact pin. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the contact pin shown in Fig. 7 in the XZ plane. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a housing. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the housing shown in Fig. 9 in the XZ plane. Fig. 11 is a view for explaining press-fitting of the contact pin into the housing. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an outer contact. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the outer contact shown in Fig. 12 in the XZ plane. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a modified example of the outer contact. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the outer contact, the housing, and the ring member in a state in which the housing and the ring member are housed in the outer contact, in the YZ plane. FIG. 16 is a plan view of a modified example of the crimping member. FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the attachment of the outer contact to the coaxial cable by the crimping member. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly and the coaxial cable in a state in which the connector assembly is attached to the coaxial cable, in the YZ plane. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the case. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the case shown in FIG. 19, seen from another angle. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which four coaxial cables to which the connector assemblies are attached are press-fitted into the case. FIG. 22 is a view for explaining the locking of the electrical connector to the mating connector. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector and the mating connector in a state in which the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector, in the YZ plane.

[0019] 2, the electrical connector 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a plug connector that is inserted into a mating connector (receptacle connector) 200 mounted on a circuit board 100 provided in an arbitrary device and coupled to the mating connector 200. When the electrical connector 1 attached to one end of four coaxial cables 500 is inserted into the mating connector 200 and the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 200 are coupled, an electrical connection is provided between the four coaxial cables 500 and the circuit board 100 via the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 200.

[0020] The coaxial cable 500 has a coaxial structure in which a core wire (inner conductor layer) 510, an inner insulation layer 520 covering the core wire 510, an outer conductor layer (braided layer) 530 covering the inner insulation layer 520, and an outer insulation layer 540 covering the outer conductor layer 530 are concentrically arranged. In particular, the outer conductor layer 530 is formed by weaving thin strands of a highly conductive metal material such as copper into a mesh. Therefore, by unraveling the strands that constitute the outer conductor layer 530, the outer conductor layer 530 can be opened to expose the inner insulation layer 520, and further, by returning the opened strands to their straight state, the inner insulation layer 520 can be covered again with the outer conductor layer 530. The outer conductor layer 530 may further include a conductive thin film that is made of a highly conductive metal material such as aluminum and covers the layer of woven strands.

[0021] Although omitted in FIG. 2, the other end of the coaxial cable 500 is connected to a device other than the device including the circuit board 100. Therefore, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 200 are connected to each other, signal communication between the device including the circuit board 100 and the other device is possible through the coaxial cable 500. Typically, the device including the circuit board 100 is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the operation of an automobile, and the other device to which the other end of the coaxial cable 500 is connected is an in-vehicle device such as a car navigation system, a car audio system, an in-vehicle camera, an in-vehicle GPS, an in-vehicle TV, and an in-vehicle radio. By connecting the electrical connector 1 to the mating connector 200, high-speed signal communication between the in-vehicle device and the ECU through the four coaxial cables 500 is possible. The electrical connector 1 may be a one-pin connector for providing a coaxial connection with one coaxial cable 500, or may be a multi-pin connector for providing a coaxial connection with a plurality of coaxial cables 500. Hereinafter, the electrical connector 1 of this embodiment will be described as a 4-pin connector that provides coaxial connection for four coaxial cables 500.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, particularly Figure 5, the electrical connector 1 includes four connector assemblies 10 each connected to an end of four coaxial cables 500, a cover 2 for holding the four connector assemblies 10, and a pair of fixing members 3 for fixing the four connector assemblies 10 within the cover 2.

[0023] The connector assembly 10 is a cylindrical member attached to an end of a coaxial cable 500. Since all four connector assemblies 10 have the same structure, the structure of one connector assembly 10 will be described in detail below as a representative. As shown in Fig. 6, the connector assembly 10 includes a contact pin 4 connected to a core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500, an insulating housing 5 that holds the contact pin 4 therein, a cylindrical outer contact 6 that covers the housing 5, a ring member 7 for supporting a base end portion 61 of the outer contact 6 from the inside, and a crimping member 8 for attaching the outer contact 6 to the coaxial cable 500.

[0024] The contact pin 4 is made of a conductive material such as a copper alloy, and is a tubular member connected to the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500. As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the contact pin 4 includes a holding portion 41 that holds the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500 therein by crimping, a tubular portion 42 that extends from the tip of the holding portion 41 toward the tip side, and a guide portion 43 that is formed at the tip of the tubular portion 42 and that guides the insertion of a corresponding contact pin 220 (see Fig. 2) of the mating connector 200.

[0025] The holding portion 41 includes a bottom plate 411 and a pair of wall portions 412 that extend upward (in the +Y direction) from the bottom plate 411 and press the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500 onto the bottom plate 411. In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of wall portions 412 are curved so that their tips face downward, but before the contact pin 4 is connected to the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500, the pair of wall portions 412 extend linearly upward from the bottom plate 411 and face each other. The connection of the contact pin 4 to the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500 is performed in the following procedure. First, the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500 is placed on the bottom plate 411. Next, using an appropriate tool such as crimping pliers, the tip portions of the pair of wall portions 412 extending linearly upward from the bottom plate 411 are bent downward to contact the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500, and a crimping process is performed in which the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500 is pressed onto the bottom plate 411. By this procedure, the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500 is firmly held within the holding portion 41, and the contact pin 4 is connected to the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500.

[0026] The cylindrical portion 42 is a portion for receiving a corresponding contact pin 220 of the mating connector 200. The cylindrical portion 42 is formed to extend from the tip end of the holding portion 41 toward the tip side. The cylindrical portion 42 includes three ribs 421 protruding along the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 42 from the outer circumferential surfaces of the base end and tip end of the cylindrical portion 42, a pair of spring portions 422 protruding outward (in the X direction) from the cylindrical portion 42, and a pair of positioning projections 423 protruding upward from the outer circumferential surface of the base end of the cylindrical portion 42.

[0027] The three ribs 421 are formed at equal angular intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the base end of the cylindrical portion 42. Similarly, the three ribs 421 are formed at equal angular intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the tip end of the cylindrical portion 42. The ribs 421 come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the housing 5 when the contact pin 4 is press-fitted into the housing 5. With this configuration, it is possible to ensure the coaxiality of the contact pin 4 and the housing 5 and prevent the contact pin 4 from rattling within the housing 5. Furthermore, by ensuring the coaxiality of the contact pin 4 and the housing 5, it is possible to improve the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, three ribs 421 are formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surfaces of the base end and tip end of the cylindrical portion 42, but the number of ribs 421 formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surfaces of the base end and tip end of the cylindrical portion 42 is not limited to this, and four or more ribs 421 may be formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surfaces of the base end and tip end of the cylindrical portion 42. By forming at least three ribs 421 at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surfaces of the base end and tip end of the cylindrical portion 42, it is possible to obtain the effect of ensuring the coaxiality of the contact pin 4 and the housing 5 described above and the effect of preventing the contact pin 4 from rattling within the housing 5.

[0029] The pair of spring parts 422 are formed to provide a clicking sensation indicating that the contact pin 4 has been pressed into the housing 5 when the contact pin 4 is pressed into the housing 5, and to prevent the contact pin 4 from coming off the housing 5. Each of the pair of spring parts 422 has a tapered shape in which the height gradually increases from the tip side toward the base end side. In addition, each of the pair of spring parts 422 is configured to be elastically deformable inward. When the contact pin 4 is pressed into the housing 5, the pair of spring parts 422 gradually elastically deform inward along their own tapered shape. Thereafter, when the pair of spring parts 422 reach an engagement hole 55 (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10) of the housing 5 described later, they elastically restore outward and engage with the engagement hole 55 of the housing 5. The clicking sensation is provided by the elastic restoration of the pair of spring parts 422 when the pair of spring parts 422 engage with the engagement hole 55 of the housing 5. Furthermore, since the pair of spring portions 422 engage with the engagement holes 55 of the housing 5, the contact pins 4 are prevented from coming off the housing 5.

[0030] The pair of positioning protrusions 423 are formed to execute positioning of the contact pin 4 in the housing 5. The pair of positioning protrusions 423 extend upward from the base end of the cylindrical portion 42 and face each other with a gap therebetween. When the press-fitting of the contact pin 4 into the housing 5 is completed, the pair of positioning protrusions 423 come into contact with an inner tapered surface 523 (see FIG. 10 ) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 5, which will be described later, and the press-fitting of the contact pin 4 into the housing 5 is restricted. With this configuration, the positioning of the contact pin 4 in the housing 5 is executed.

[0031] The guide portion 43 is a portion for guiding the insertion of the corresponding contact pin 220 of the mating connector 200 into the cylindrical portion 42. The guide portion 43 includes three plate-like portions 431 that protrude toward the tip side from the tip surface of the cylindrical portion 42 while being spaced apart from each other, and tapered portions 432 formed at the tips of the three plate-like portions 431.

[0032] Since all three plate-shaped parts 431 have the same structure, the structure of one plate-shaped part 431 will be described in detail below as a representative. The plate-shaped part 431 protrudes from the tip surface of the tubular part 42 toward the tip side. The base end of the plate-shaped part 431 is integrated with the tip surface of the tubular part 42, and the tip of the plate-shaped part 431 is a free end. In addition, the outer surface and the inner surface of the base end of the plate-shaped part 431 are continuous with the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the tubular part 42. The tapered part 432 is formed so as to be inclined from the tip of the plate-shaped part 431 toward the outside. The inner surface of the tapered part 432 is an inclined surface that is inclined from the outside toward the inside. The corresponding contact pin 220 of the mating connector 200 slides on the inner surface of the tapered part 432 and the inner surface of the plate-shaped part 431, so that the insertion of the corresponding contact pin 220 of the mating connector 200 into the tubular part 42 is guided. Moreover, the three plate-like portions 431 are formed at equal angular intervals on the tip surface of the cylindrical portion 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of plate-like portions 431 is three, but the present invention is not limited to this. An embodiment in which four or more plate-like portions 431 are configured to protrude from the tip surface of the cylindrical portion 42 toward the tip side is also within the scope of the present invention.

[0033] The contact pin 4 as described above is press-fitted into the housing 5 and held by the housing 5. Returning to FIG. 6, the housing 5 is a cylindrical member formed of an insulating material having elasticity such as a resin material, and has a function of holding the contact pin 4 therein. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the housing 5 includes a base end 51, a positioning portion 52 extending from the base end 51 toward the tip side, a small outer diameter portion 53 extending from the positioning portion 52 toward the tip side, a guide portion 54 formed at the tip of the small outer diameter portion 53, a pair of engagement holes 55 formed to straddle the positioning portion 52 and the small outer diameter portion 53, and an insertion hole 56 formed to insert the housing 5 in the insertion / removal direction (Z direction) of the electrical connector 1. The base end 51, the positioning portion 52, the small outer diameter portion 53, and the guide portion 54 all have a cylindrical shape and are formed to be concentric.

[0034] The base end 51 is a cylindrical portion located on the base end side of the housing 5. The base end 51 has four ribs 511 formed on its outer circumferential surface so as to extend in the Z direction, and a tapered surface 512 formed on its inner circumferential surface. The four ribs 511 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base end 51 so as to protrude outward. The four ribs 511 are formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the base end 51. When the housing 5 is press-fitted into the outer contact 6, the four ribs 511 come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer contact 6. With this configuration, the coaxiality of the housing 5 and the outer contact 6 is ensured, and the housing 5 can be prevented from rattling in the outer contact 6. Furthermore, by ensuring the coaxiality of the housing 5 and the outer contact 6, the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1 can be improved.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, four ribs 511 are formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the base end 51, but the number of ribs 511 formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the base end 51 is not limited to this, and three or five or more ribs 511 may be formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the base end 51. By forming at least three ribs 511 at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the base end 51, it is possible to obtain the effect of ensuring the coaxiality of the housing 5 and the outer contact 6 as described above, and the effect of preventing rattling of the housing 5 within the outer contact 6.

[0036] Tapered surface 512 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of base end 51. At the location where tapered surface 512 is formed, the inner diameter of base end 51 gradually increases from the tip side toward the base end side. When contact pin 4 is press-fitted into insertion hole 56 of housing 5, tapered portion 432 of guide portion 43 of contact pin 4 slides on tapered surface 512, thereby guiding press-fit of contact pin 4 into insertion hole 56 of housing 5.

[0037] Positioning portion 52 is formed to execute positioning of housing 5 inside outer contact 6. Positioning portion 52 is a tubular portion formed to protrude toward the tip side from the tip end of base end 51. Positioning portion 52 includes tip tapered surface 521a and base tapered surface 521b formed on its outer circumferential surface, flat surface 522 located between tip tapered surface 521a and base tapered surface 521b, and inner tapered surface 523 formed on its inner circumferential surface.

[0038] The tip tapered surface 521a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the positioning part 52 so that the height gradually decreases from the tip side to the base end side. The base tapered surface 521b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end of the positioning part 52 so that the height gradually increases from the tip side to the base end side. The flat surface 522 is a flat surface located between the tip tapered surface 521a and the base tapered surface 521b and extending in the Z direction. The tip tapered surface 521a, the base tapered surface 521b, and the flat surface 522 formed on the positioning part 52 define a recess for receiving a pair of housing fixing parts 623 (see FIG. 12) of the outer contact 6 described later. After the housing 5 is press-fitted into the outer contact 6, the pair of housing fixing parts 623 of the outer contact 6 are bent inward to engage with the tip tapered surface 521a, the base tapered surface 521b, and the flat surface 522 of the housing 5. With this configuration, it is possible to position the housing 5 within the outer contact 6 and prevent the housing 5 from coming off from within the outer contact 6. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the positioning portion 52 at the apexes of the tip tapered surface 521a and the base tapered surface 521b is equal to the outer diameter of the base end portion 51. Therefore, when the housing 5 is press-fitted into the outer contact 6, the apexes of the tip tapered surface 521a and the base tapered surface 521b come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer contact 6.

[0039] The inner tapered surface 523 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base end of the positioning portion 52. At the location where the inner tapered surface 523 is formed, the inner diameter of the positioning portion 52 gradually increases from the tip side toward the base end side. When the contact pin 4 is press-fitted into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5, the tapered portion 432 of the guide portion 43 of the contact pin 4 slides on the inner tapered surface 523. With this configuration, the press-fitting of the contact pin 4 into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5 is guided. Furthermore, when the press-fitting of the contact pin 4 into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5 is completed, the pair of positioning protrusions 423 of the contact pin 4 described above come into contact with the inner tapered surface 523. With this configuration, the press-fitting of the contact pin 4 into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5 is restricted, and the positioning of the contact pin 4 in the housing 5 is performed.

[0040] The small outer diameter portion 53 is a cylindrical portion formed to extend from the tip of the positioning portion 52 toward the tip side. The small outer diameter portion 53 has an enlarged diameter portion 531 formed on its outer circumferential surface. The enlarged diameter portion 531 is a ring-shaped portion formed to protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of the small outer diameter portion 53. The outer diameters of the small outer diameter portion 53 and the enlarged diameter portion 531 are smaller than the outer diameters of the base end portion 51, the positioning portion 52, and the guide portion 54. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, when the housing 5 is press-fitted into the outer contact 6, the small outer diameter portion 53 and the enlarged diameter portion 531 face the outer contact 6 with a gap therebetween. Therefore, a layer of air exists between the outer circumferential surfaces of the small outer diameter portion 53 and the enlarged diameter portion 531 and the inner circumferential surface of the outer contact 6.

[0041] As is well known, the signal transmission characteristics of the contact pins 4 held in the housing 5 and the outer contacts 6 depend on the diameter of the contact pins 4, and the outer diameters and thicknesses of the housing 5 and the outer contacts 6. Furthermore, the diameters of the contact pins 220 and the outer contacts 230 of the mating connector 200 are regulated by industrial standards. Therefore, there is very little freedom in designing the diameter of the contact pins 4 connected to the contact pins 220 of the mating connector 200, and the outer diameter and thickness of the outer contacts 6 connected to the outer contacts 230 of the mating connector 200. On the other hand, there is a problem that the thickness of the housing 5 is too large compared to the diameter of the contact pins 4 determined corresponding to the contact pins 220 of the mating connector 200 regulated by the industrial standards, and the signal transmission characteristics of the contact pins 4, particularly in the high frequency band, are deteriorated. In the electrical connector 1 of the present invention, the housing 5 has a small outer diameter portion 53, and the thickness of the small outer diameter portion 53 is thinner than the thickness of other portions. By providing the housing 5 with such a small outer diameter portion 53, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the signal transmission characteristics of the contact pin 4, particularly in the high frequency band.

[0042] The guide portion 54 is a cylindrical portion formed to extend from the tip of the small outer diameter portion 53 to the tip side. The guide portion 54 has an outer tapered surface 541 formed on its outer peripheral surface and an inner tapered surface 542 formed on its inner peripheral surface. The outer tapered surface 541 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion 54 so that the height gradually increases from the tip side to the base end side. At the top of the outer tapered surface 541, the outer diameter of the guide portion 54 is equal to the outer diameter of the base end portion 51. Therefore, when the housing 5 is press-fitted into the outer contact 6, the top of the outer tapered surface 541 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the outer contact 6. The inner tapered surface 542 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the guide portion 54 so that the diameter of the insertion hole 56 gradually decreases from the tip side to the base end side.

[0043] Each of the pair of engagement holes 55 is a through hole formed so as to straddle the positioning portion 52 and the small outer diameter portion 53 on the same axis. The pair of engagement holes 55 are formed so as to penetrate in the width direction (X direction) so as to be symmetrical about the center of the housing 5. When the contact pin 4 is press-fitted into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5, the pair of spring portions 422 of the contact pin 4 engage with the engagement holes 55 of the housing 5. This configuration prevents the contact pin 4 from coming off the housing 5.

[0044] Next, the press-fitting of the contact pin 4 into the housing 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11A is a cross-sectional view in the XZ plane of the contact pin 4 and the housing 5 at the start of the press-fitting of the contact pin 4 into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5. Fig. 11B is a cross-sectional view in the XZ plane of the contact pin 4 and the housing 5 at an intermediate stage of the press-fitting of the contact pin 4 into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5. Fig. 11C is a cross-sectional view in the XZ plane of the contact pin 4 and the housing 5 at the completion stage of the press-fitting of the contact pin 4 into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 11A, in a state in which the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500 is held in the holding portion 41 of the contact pin 4, the contact pin 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5 from the base end side. As shown in FIG. 11B, as the contact pin 4 is pressed into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5, the pair of spring portions 422 of the contact pin 4 are elastically deformed inward. As shown in FIG. 11C, when the contact pin 4 is further pressed into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5, the pair of spring portions 422 of the contact pin 4 reach the pair of engagement holes 55 of the housing 5 and elastically restore to the outside. When the pair of spring portions 422 of the contact pin 4 elastically restore to the outside, the base ends of the pair of spring portions 422 of the contact pin 4 engage with the pair of engagement holes 55 of the housing 5, respectively. When the base ends of the pair of spring portions 422 of the contact pin 4 engage with the pair of engagement holes 55 of the housing 5, respectively, the press-fitting of the contact pin 4 into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5 is completed. The outward elastic deformation of the pair of spring portions 422 of the contact pin 4 provides a clicking sensation indicating that the press-fitting of the contact pin 4 into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5 is completed. In addition, since the base ends of the pair of spring portions 422 of the contact pin 4 engage with the pair of engagement holes 55 of the housing 5, the contact pin 4 is prevented from coming off from within the housing 5.

[0046] 4, when the contact pin 4 has been completely pressed into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5, the pair of positioning protrusions 423 of the contact pin 4 come into contact with inner tapered surfaces 523 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the positioning portion 52 of the housing 5, thereby restricting the press-fitting of the contact pin 4 into the housing 5. With this configuration, the positioning of the contact pin 4 within the housing 5 is performed.

[0047] Returning to Fig. 6, the outer contact 6 is a tubular member made of a metal material, and functions as an outer conductor layer that covers the housing 5. As shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, the outer contact 6 includes a base end 61 located between the inner insulating layer 520 and the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500, a housing storage section 62 extending from the tip of the base end 61 toward the tip side, and a tip end 63 extending from the tip of the housing storage section 62 toward the tip side. The base end 61, the housing storage section 62, and the tip end 63 all have a tubular shape and are formed to be concentric.

[0048] The base end 61 is a cylindrical portion attached between the inner insulation layer 520 and the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500. The crimping member 8 is crimped to the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 located on the outer circumferential surface of the base end 61. When the crimping member 8 is crimped to the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500, the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the base end 61 and the inner circumferential surface of the crimping member 8, and the outer contact 6 is attached to the coaxial cable 500. The base end 61 has a cylindrical main body 611, four engagement ribs 612 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 611 so as to protrude outward, and a tapered portion 613 connecting the main body 611 and the housing storage portion 62.

[0049] The main body 611 is a cylindrical portion attached between the inner insulating layer 520 and the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500. The main body 611 also has a function of storing the ring member 7 inside. Each of the four meshing ribs 612 is a protrusion extending in the circumferential direction of the main body 611 on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 611. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the four meshing ribs 612 is formed so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the main body 611 except for the upper (+Y direction) part of the outer circumferential surface of the main body 611. The four meshing ribs 612 mesh with meshing recesses 814 (see FIG. 17) formed on the inner circumferential surface of the crimping member 8 described later, and more firmly hold the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 between the outer circumferential surface of the main body 611 and the inner circumferential surface of the crimping member 8. With this configuration, the attachment strength of the outer contact 6 to the coaxial cable 500 can be improved, and the outer contact 6 can be prevented from coming off the coaxial cable 500. The tapered portion 613 is inclined so that the inner diameter and the outer diameter gradually increase from the tip side toward the base end side, and connects the main body portion 611 of the base end portion 61 to the housing storage portion 62. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of meshing ribs 612 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 611 is four, but the present invention is not limited to this. If at least one meshing rib 612 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 611 and meshes with the corresponding meshing recess 814 of the crimping member 8, the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 can be more firmly held between the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 611 and the inner circumferential surface of the crimping member 8.

[0050] The housing storage portion 62 is a cylindrical portion extending from the tip of the tapered portion 613 of the base end portion 61 toward the tip side. The housing storage portion 62 has a function of storing the housing 5 therein. The housing storage portion 62 has a cylindrical main body portion 621, four engagement portions 622 protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 621, a pair of housing fixing portions 623 for fixing the housing 5 in the housing storage portion 62, four spring portions 624 formed at the tip of the housing storage portion 62, contact portions 625 formed on the tips of the four spring portions 624 and contacting the outer contacts 230 of the mating connector 200, and a tapered portion 626 connecting the housing storage portion 62 and the tip portion 63.

[0051] The main body 621 is a cylindrical portion that covers the housing 5. The outer diameter and inner diameter of the main body 621 are smaller than the outer diameter and inner diameter of the main body 611 of the base end 61. The four engagement portions 622 are tapered portions formed to protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body 621. The four engagement portions 622 are formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface. Since all four engagement portions 622 have the same structure, the structure of one engagement portion 622 will be described below as a representative. The engagement portion 622 has a tapered tip surface whose height gradually increases from the tip side to the base end side, and a flat base end surface that is perpendicular to the extension direction (Z direction) of the main body 621. The engagement portion 622 engages with an engagement portion 212 of the cover 2 (described later) (see FIG. 19 and FIG. 20) to prevent the outer contact 6 from coming off the cover 2. Thus, in the electrical connector 1 of the present invention, four engagement portions 622 are formed on the outer surface of the outer contact 6 to engage with the engagement portions 212 of the cover 2 and prevent the outer contact 6 from coming off the cover 2.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, four engaging portions 622 are formed at equal angular intervals so as to protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of main body portion 621, but the number of engaging portions 622 formed at equal angular intervals so as to protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of main body portion 621 is not limited to this, and three, five or more engaging portions 622 may be formed at equal angular intervals so as to protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of main body portion 621. By forming at least three engaging portions 622 at equal angular intervals so as to protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of main body portion 621, it is possible to prevent outer contact 6 from coming off cover 2.

[0053] Conventionally, it has been common to attach a ring-shaped engaging member to the outer circumferential surface of the outer contact 6, and to prevent the outer contact 6 from coming off the cover 2 by engaging the engaging member with the cover 2. In comparison with such a case, in the electrical connector 1 of the present invention, the four engaging portions 622 are integrated with the main body portion 621, so that the number of parts and the number of assembly steps of the electrical connector 1 can be reduced.

[0054] The pair of housing fixing parts 623 are bent inward to engage with the positioning parts 52 of the housing 5 described above, and have the function of fixing the housing 5 in the housing storage part 62. Each of the pair of housing fixing parts 623 is a plate-shaped part formed by cutting out a part of the outer circumferential surface of the main body part 621. One end of each of the pair of housing fixing parts 623 is a fixed end integrated with the outer circumferential surface of the main body part 621, and the other end is a free end. With the housing 5 stored in the main body part 611 of the housing storage part 62, the pair of housing fixing parts 623 are bent inward. By such an operation, the other end of the pair of housing fixing parts 623 engages with the tip tapered surface 521a, the base end tapered surface 521b, and the flat surface 522 of the positioning part 52 of the housing 5 (see FIG. 15), and the housing 5 can be fixed in the main body part 611 of the housing storage part 62.

[0055] Each of the four spring parts 624 is a plate-like part formed by cutting out a part of the outer circumferential surface of the main body part 621. The four spring parts 624 are formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the main body part 621. The four spring parts 624 are formed to reduce the force required to fit the outer contact 6 with the corresponding outer contact 230 of the mating connector 200. Since all of the four spring parts 624 have the same structure, the structure of one spring part 624 will be described below as a representative. The spring part 624 is integrated with the main body part 621 and has one end functioning as a fixed end and the other end functioning as a free end. The other end of the spring part 624 is curved inward.

[0056] The contact portion 625 is a portion that comes into contact with the corresponding outer contact 230 of the mating connector 200. The contact portion 625 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the other end (free end) of each of the four spring portions 624 so as to protrude outward. When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 200 are connected, the four contact portions 625 come into contact with the corresponding outer contacts 230 of the mating connector 200. At this time, the four spring portions 624 elastically deform downward, so that the force required to fit the outer contact 6 with the corresponding outer contact 230 of the mating connector 200 can be reduced.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, all of the four spring parts 624 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body part 621 in such an orientation that the fixed end is located on the base end side and the free end is located on the tip end side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the four spring parts 624 may be formed on the main body part 621 so that the orientations of the four spring parts 624 are alternated. That is, the spring part 624 formed so that the fixed end is located on the base end side and the free end is located on the tip end side, and the spring part 624 formed so that the free end is located on the base end side and the fixed end is located on the tip end side may be alternately provided along the circumferential direction of the main body part 621. In this configuration, the contact area between the outer contact 6 and the corresponding outer contact 230 of the mating connector 200 at the location where the four spring parts 624 of the main body part 621 are formed is increased, and the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1 can be stabilized. In addition, the positions of the contact portions 625 that come into contact with the corresponding outer contacts 230 of the mating connector 200 are dispersed in the insertion / removal direction (Z direction) of the electrical connector 1, which further reduces the force required to mate the outer contacts 6 with the corresponding outer contacts 230 of the mating connector 200. Such an embodiment is also within the scope of the present invention.

[0058] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, four spring portions 624 are formed at equal angular intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 621, but the number of spring portions 624 formed at equal angular intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 621 is not limited to this, and three, five or more spring portions 624 may be formed at equal angular intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 621. By forming at least three spring portions 624 at equal angular intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 621, it is possible to reduce the force required to mate the outer contact 6 with the corresponding outer contact 230 of the mating connector 200.

[0059] The tapered portion 626 is inclined so that the inner diameter and the outer diameter gradually increase from the tip side toward the base side, and connects the main body portion 621 and the tip portion 63 of the housing storage portion 62. The tapered portion 626 functions as a guide when the outer contact 6 is press-fitted into the cover 2. In addition, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 200 are connected, the corresponding outer contact 230 of the mating connector 200 slides on the tapered portion 626, so that the tapered portion 626 also functions as a guide when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 200 are connected.

[0060] The tip portion 63 is a cylindrical portion extending from the tip portion of the tapered portion 626 of the housing storage portion 62 toward the tip side. The outer diameter and inner diameter of the tip portion 63 are smaller than the outer diameter and inner diameter of the main body portion 621 of the housing storage portion 62. Therefore, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 200 are connected, the tip portion 63 is closer to the contact pin 220 of the mating connector 200 than the main body portion 621 of the housing storage portion 62 of the outer contact 6. Therefore, at the location facing the tip portion 63, the separation distance between the contact pin 220 of the mating connector 200 and the outer contact 6 functioning as a ground electrode becomes smaller, so that the signal transmission characteristics can be improved when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 200 are connected.

[0061] Returning to FIG. 6, the ring member 7 is a ring-shaped member made of a hard insulating material. The ring member 7 is housed in the base end 61 of the outer contact 6. The ring member 7 has a function of supporting the base end 61 of the outer contact 6 from the inside and preventing deformation of the outer contact 6 when the crimping member 8 is crimped to the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 located on the base end 61 of the outer contact 6. The ring member 7 prevents deformation of the outer contact 6 when the crimping member 8 is crimped to the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500, thereby preventing deterioration of the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1.

[0062] The ring member 7 has four protruding pieces 71 protruding outward from its outer circumferential surface. The four protruding pieces 71 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 7 at equal angular intervals. Each of the four protruding pieces 71 is a plate-like member having a tip portion which is a fixed end integrated with the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 7, and a base portion which protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 7. When the ring member 7 is stored in the main body portion 611 of the base end portion 61 of the outer contact 6, the base portions of the four protruding pieces 71 engage with the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion 611 of the base end portion 61 of the outer contact 6. With this configuration, the ring member 7 can be fixed in the main body portion 611 of the base end portion 61 of the outer contact 6.

[0063] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, four protruding pieces 71 are formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 7, but the number of protruding pieces 71 formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 7 is not limited to this, and three or more protruding pieces 71 may be formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 7. By forming at least three protruding pieces 71 at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 7, it is possible to fix the ring member 7 within the main body portion 611 of the base end portion 61 of the outer contact 6.

[0064] Furthermore, when the outer contact 6 is attached to the coaxial cable 500, the inner insulation layer 520 of the coaxial cable 500 is held inside the ring member 7 (see FIG. 18). Therefore, by changing the thickness of the ring member 7, it becomes possible to attach the outer contact 6 to coaxial cables 500 of various diameters.

[0065] 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the outer contact 6, the housing 5, and the ring member 7 in the YZ plane in a state in which the housing 5 and the ring member 7 are housed in the outer contact 6. As shown in Fig. 15, the housing 5 and the ring member 7 are housed in the outer contact 6 so as to be concentric with the outer contact 6. More specifically, the housing 5 is housed in the main body portion 621 of the housing housing portion 62 of the outer contact 6. In addition, the ring member 7 is housed in the main body portion 611 of the base end portion 61 of the outer contact 6.

[0066] At this time, the four ribs 511 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 51 of the housing 5 come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 621 of the housing accommodating portion 62 of the outer contact 6. This ensures coaxiality between the outer contact 6 and the housing 5, and prevents the housing 5 from rattling within the main body portion 621 of the housing accommodating portion 62 of the outer contact 6. Furthermore, by ensuring the coaxiality between the outer contact 6 and the housing 5, the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1 can be improved.

[0067] Furthermore, the housing fixing portion 623 of the outer contact 6 engages with the tip tapered surface 521a, the base tapered surface 521b, and the flat surface 522 of the positioning portion 52 of the housing 5. With this configuration, the housing 5 can be fixed within the main body portion 611 of the housing accommodating portion 62. Furthermore, the base ends of the four protruding pieces 71 of the ring member 7 contact the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion 611 of the base end portion 61 of the outer contact 6. With this configuration, the ring member 7 can be fixed within the main body portion 611 of the base end portion 61 of the outer contact 6.

[0068] Returning to Fig. 6, the crimping member 8 is a member for attaching the outer contact 6 to the coaxial cable 500. The crimping member 8 is formed as a separate member from the outer contact 6. The crimping member 8 has a first crimping portion 81 that is crimped to the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 so as to surround the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500, a second crimping portion 82 that is crimped to the outer insulating layer 540 of the coaxial cable 500 so as to surround the outer insulating layer 540 of the coaxial cable 500, and a connecting portion 83 that connects the first crimping portion 81 and the second crimping portion 82.

[0069] The first crimping portion 81 includes a pair of plate-shaped portions 811a, 811b connected to each other at one end, an engagement recess 812 formed in the plate-shaped portion 811a, an engagement protrusion 813 formed in the plate-shaped portion 811b, and four meshing recesses 814 (see FIG. 17) formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of plate-shaped portions 811a, 811b. The pair of plate-shaped portions 811a, 811b are portions that are closed by crimping so as to surround the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500. When the pair of plate-shaped portions 811a, 811b are crimped so as to surround the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 and the first crimping portion 81 is formed into a cylindrical shape, the engagement recess 812 formed in the plate-shaped portion 811a engages with the engagement protrusion 813 formed in the plate-shaped portion 811b. 6, the engaging recess 812 has a shape in which the width gradually increases with increasing distance from the other end of the plate-shaped portion 811a. Meanwhile, the engaging protrusion 813 has a shape in which the width gradually decreases with increasing distance from the other end of the plate-shaped portion 811b, corresponding to the shape of the engaging recess 812. Therefore, even if an external force that would open the pair of plate-shaped portions 811a and 811b is applied to the first crimping portion 81, the pair of plate-shaped portions 811a and 811b is prevented from opening by the engagement between the engaging recess 812 and the engaging protrusion 813. In this way, the engagement between the engaging recess 812 and the engaging protrusion 813 prevents the pair of plate-shaped portions 811a and 811b from opening, thereby improving the tensile strength of the attachment of the outer contact 6 to the coaxial cable 500.

[0070] The configuration of the engagement recesses 812 and the engagement protrusions 813 is not limited to the illustrated configuration as long as the pair of plate-shaped portions 811a, 811b can be prevented from opening. For example, as shown in Fig. 16, a configuration in which a plurality of engagement recesses 812 are formed on both side surfaces of the plate-shaped portion 811a, a plurality of engagement recesses 812 corresponding to the plurality of engagement recesses 812 are formed on the inner side surface of the plate-shaped portion 811b, and the plurality of engagement recesses 812 and the plurality of engagement protrusions 813 engage with each other to prevent the pair of plate-shaped portions 811a, 811b from opening is also within the scope of the present invention.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 17, each of the four meshing recesses 814 is a recess formed on the inner peripheral surface of the pair of plate-shaped parts 811a, 811b so as to extend along the circumferential direction. When the pair of plate-shaped parts 811a, 811b is closed so as to surround the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 located on the outer peripheral surface of the main body part 611 of the base end part 61 of the outer contact 6, the multiple meshing recesses 814 mesh with the four meshing ribs 612 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body part 611 of the base end part 61 of the outer contact 6, respectively, and more firmly hold the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 between the outer contact 6 and the crimping member 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of meshing recesses 814 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the pair of plate-shaped parts 811a, 811b is four, but the present invention is not limited to this. At least one interlocking recess 814 is formed on the inner surface of a pair of plate-shaped portions 811a, 811b, and when it interlocks with a corresponding interlocking rib 612 of the outer contact 6, the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 can be more firmly held between the outer contact 6 and the crimping member 8.

[0072] 6, the second crimping portion 82 has a pair of plate-shaped portions 821a, 821b connected to each other at one end. The pair of plate-shaped portions 821a, 821b are portions that are closed by crimping to surround the outer insulation layer 540 of the coaxial cable 500. The bottom of the first crimping portion 81 and the bottom of the second crimping portion 82 are connected by a connecting portion 83.

[0073] The connector assembly 10 including the components described above is attached to the coaxial cable 500 by the following exemplary procedure. First, the coaxial cable 500 is stripped to expose the core wire 510 and the outer conductor layer 530 at the end of the coaxial cable 500 by a required length. Next, the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500 exposed by the stripping process is placed on the bottom plate 411 of the holding portion 41 of the contact pin 4. As described above, before the contact pin 4 is connected to the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500, the pair of wall portions 412 extend linearly upward from the bottom plate 411. Therefore, using an appropriate tool such as crimping pliers, the tips of a pair of wall portions 412 extending linearly upward from the bottom plate 411 are bent, brought into contact with the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500, the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500 is pressed onto the bottom plate 411, and the contact pin 4 is crimped to the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500.

[0074] Next, the housing 5 is press-fitted into the outer contact 6 from the base end side, and the housing 5 is housed in the housing housing portion 62 of the outer contact 6. Next, the pair of housing fixing portions 623 of the outer contact 6 are bent inward, and the pair of housing fixing portions 623 are engaged with the tip tapered surface 521a, the base tapered surface 521b, and the flat surface 522 of the positioning portion 52 of the housing 5, and the housing 5 is fixed in the housing housing portion 62 of the outer contact 6. Next, the ring member 7 is press-fitted into the outer contact 6 from the base end side, and the ring member 7 is housed in the base end portion 61 of the outer contact 6.

[0075] Next, the exposed wires of the outer conductor layer (braided layer) 530 of the coaxial cable 500 are unwound to open the outer conductor layer 530 outward, exposing the inner insulating layer 520 by a required length. Next, the coaxial cable 500 and the contact pin 4 are inserted into the ring member 7 from the base end side so that the exposed inner insulating layer 520 of the coaxial cable 500 is covered by the ring member 7. Next, the contact pin 4 is pressed into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5 from the base end side. Pressing of the contact pin 4 into the insertion hole 56 of the housing 5 is completed when a clicking sensation is provided by the elastic restoration of the pair of spring parts 422 of the contact pin 4. Next, the wires of the outer conductor layer 530 that are open outward of the coaxial cable 500 are returned to a straight state, and the outer circumferential surface of the main body part 611 of the base end part 61 of the outer contact 6 is covered with the outer conductor layer 530.

[0076] Next, as shown in Fig. 17, a pair of plate-shaped parts 811a, 811b of the first crimping part 81 of the crimping member 8 is closed by using an appropriate tool so as to surround the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 located on the main body part 611 of the base end part 61 of the outer contact 6 (see the arrow indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 17), and the engagement recess 812 and the engagement protrusion 813 of the first crimping part 81 are engaged. By this operation, the first crimping part 81 of the crimping member 8 is crimped to the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 located on the main body part 611 of the base end part 61 of the outer contact 6. Next, a pair of plate-shaped parts 821a, 821b of the second crimping part 82 of the crimping member 8 is closed by using an appropriate tool so as to surround the outer insulator layer 540 of the coaxial cable 500 (see the arrow indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 17). By this operation, the second crimping portion 82 of the crimping member 8 is crimped to the outer insulation layer 540 of the coaxial cable 500. When the first crimping portion 81 of the crimping member 8 is crimped to the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 and the second crimping portion 82 of the crimping member 8 is crimped to the outer insulation layer 540 of the coaxial cable 500, the outer contact 6 is attached to the coaxial cable 500, and the attachment of the connector assembly 10 to the coaxial cable 500 is completed. By the above-mentioned procedure, the connector assembly 10 is attached to the coaxial cable 500. Note that the above-mentioned procedure is merely one example of a procedure for attaching the connector assembly 10 to the coaxial cable 500, and the connector assembly 10 can be attached to the coaxial cable 500 by any appropriate procedure.

[0077] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly 10 and the coaxial cable 500 in the YZ plane in a state in which the connector assembly 10 is attached to the coaxial cable 500. As shown in FIG. 18, the base end 61 of the outer contact 6 is located between the inner insulation layer 520 and the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500. Furthermore, the ring member 7 is located between the base end 61 of the outer contact 6 and the inner insulation layer 520 of the coaxial cable 500. Therefore, the pressure when the first crimping portion 81 of the crimping member 8 is crimped to the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 is received by the base end 61 of the outer contact 6 and is not transmitted to the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500. Therefore, deformation of the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500 caused by the pressure when the first crimping portion 81 of the crimping member 8 is crimped to the coaxial cable 500 can be prevented, and thus deterioration of the signal transmission characteristics of the coaxial cable 500 can be prevented.

[0078] Furthermore, the ring member 7 supports the base end 61 of the outer contact 6 from the inside when the first crimping portion 81 of the crimping member 8 is crimped to the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500. This makes it possible to prevent deformation of the base end 61 of the outer contact 6 caused by pressure when the first crimping portion 81 of the crimping member 8 is crimped to the coaxial cable 500. As a result, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1.

[0079] The above-mentioned connector assemblies 10 are attached to the four coaxial cables 500, respectively, and are held by the cover 2. Returning to Fig. 5, the cover 2 is made of an insulating material such as a resin material, and has a function of holding the four coaxial cables 500 to which the connector assemblies 10 are attached, respectively. As shown in Figs. 19 and 20, the cover 2 includes a box-shaped base end 21, a tubular portion 22 protruding from the base end 21 toward the tip side, four insertion holes 23 that pass through the base end 21 and the tubular portion 22 in the insertion / removal direction (Z direction) of the electrical connector 1, an arch portion 24 formed on the upper surface of the base end 21, and a lever portion 25 formed on the upper surface of the tubular portion 22 and extending toward the base end side.

[0080] The base end 21 has, on each of both side surfaces, an insertion hole 211 for inserting the fixing member 3, and a pair of engagement portions 212 for engaging with the engagement portions 622 of the outer contact 6. The insertion hole 211 is formed so as to penetrate each of both side surfaces of the base end 21 in the width direction (X direction). In addition, the shape of the insertion hole 211 corresponds to the shape of the fixing member 3, so that the fixing member 3 can be inserted into the insertion hole 211.

[0081] Each of the pair of engaging portions 212 is a plate-like portion whose base end is integrated with the base end 21 and whose tip end surface is a flat surface perpendicular to the Z direction. As shown in Fig. 21, when the four coaxial cables 500 to which the connector assembly 10 is attached are press-fitted into the four insertion holes 23 of the cover 2, the base end surface of one of the outer engaging portions 622 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing storage portion 62 of each outer contact 6 engages with the tip surface of the engaging portion 212. With this configuration, the four coaxial cables 500 to which the connector assembly 10 is attached are prevented from coming off the cover 2.

[0082] Furthermore, in this state, the four coaxial cables 500 to which the connector assemblies 10 are attached are fixed inside the cover 2 by inserting a pair of fixing members 3 into insertion holes 211 formed on both side surfaces of the base end 21. As shown in Fig. 5, each of the pair of fixing members 3 has an upper extension portion 31a, a central extension portion 31b, and a lower extension portion 31c that are spaced apart from each other and extend inside the cover 2, and an engagement protrusion 32 that is formed on the tip side (+Z direction side) of the central extension portion 31b and extends inside the cover 2. When the fixing members 3 are inserted into the insertion holes 211 formed on both side surfaces of the base end 21 of the cover 2, the engagement protrusion 32 engages with the inner surface of the base end 21 of the cover 2, and the fixing members 3 are fixed to the cover 2.

[0083] 4, the main body 621 of the housing storage portion 62 of the outer contact 6 attached to the coaxial cable 500 is held between the upper extension 31a and the central extension 31b of the fixing member 3, and between the central extension 31b and the lower extension 31c. Furthermore, the base end surface of the engagement portion 622 of the outer contact 6 held between the upper extension 31a and the central extension 31b engages with the tip surface (end surface in the +Z direction) of the upper extension 31a and the central extension 31b. Similarly, the base end surface of the engagement portion 622 of the outer contact 6 held between the central extension 31b and the lower extension 31c engages with the tip surface (end surface in the +Z direction) of the central extension 31b and the lower extension 31c. With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent the four coaxial cables 500 to which the connector assembly 10 is attached from coming off the cover 2.

[0084] 19 and 20, the cylindrical portion 22 has a function of guiding the insertion of the electrical connector 1 into the mating connector 200. Specifically, when the electrical connector 1 is inserted into the mating connector 200, the four outer contacts 230 of the mating connector 200 slide on the inner circumferential surfaces of the four insertion holes 23 formed in the cylindrical portion 22, respectively, and guide the fitting of the four outer contacts 6 of the electrical connector 1 with the corresponding outer contacts 230 of the mating connector 200.

[0085] The arch portion 24 is an arch-shaped portion formed to protrude upward from the upper surface of the base end portion 21. The lever portion 25 includes a positioning protrusion 251 protruding upward from the tip side of the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 22, a lever portion 252 extending from the upper end of the positioning protrusion 251 toward the base end side, and an engagement recess 253 formed on the upper surface of the lever portion 252. The positioning protrusion 251 is formed to protrude upward from the upper surface of the base end portion 21. The electrical connector 1 can be positioned relative to the mating connector 200 by inserting the electrical connector 1 into the mating connector 200 so that the positioning protrusion 251 of the cover 2 of the electrical connector 1 is inserted into an opening 240 (see FIG. 2) formed on the upper side of the cover 210 of the mating connector 200.

[0086] The lever portion 252 extends from the base end surface of the positioning projection 251 toward the base end side, and further passes through the arch portion of the arch portion 24 to protrude toward the base end side from the arch portion 24. The lever portion 252 faces the base end portion 21 and the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 22 through a gap. One end of the lever portion 252 is a fixed end integrated with the positioning projection 251, and the other end of the lever portion 252 is a free end. The engagement recess 253 is formed on the upper surface of the lever portion 252. When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 200 are connected, the engagement recess 253 engages with the opening 240 of the cover 210 of the mating connector 200 to lock the electrical connector 1 to the mating connector 200.

[0087] Locking of the electrical connector 1 to the mating connector 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 22. Fig. 22A shows the state of the lever portion 252 at the start of coupling the electrical connector 1 to the mating connector 200. Fig. 22B shows the state of the lever portion 252 at an intermediate stage of coupling the electrical connector 1 to the mating connector 200. Fig. 22C shows the state of the lever portion 252 at the complete stage of coupling the electrical connector 1 to the mating connector 200.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 22A, the electrical connector 1 is inserted into the mating connector 200 so that the positioning projection 251 of the cover 2 of the electrical connector 1 is inserted into the opening 240 of the cover 210 of the mating connector 200. As shown in FIG. 22B, when the electrical connector 1 is inserted into the mating connector 200, the lever portion 252 of the cover 2 of the electrical connector 1 comes into contact with the upper surface of the opening 240 of the cover 210 of the mating connector 200 and elastically deforms downward. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 22C, when the connection of the electrical connector 1 to the mating connector 200 is completed, the lever portion 252 of the cover 2 of the electrical connector 1 elastically restores upward, and the engagement recess 253 of the cover 2 of the electrical connector 1 engages with the upper surface of the opening 240 of the cover 210 of the mating connector 200. As a result, the electrical connector 1 is locked to the mating connector 200. On the other hand, when removing the electrical connector 1 from the mating connector 200, the lever portion 252 of the cover 2 of the electrical connector 1 is elastically deformed downward to release the lock of the electrical connector 1 from the mating connector 200. Thereafter, the electrical connector 1 can be removed from the mating connector 200 by pulling the electrical connector 1 away from the mating connector 200.

[0089] As described above, the lever portion 252 of the cover 2 of the electrical connector 1 faces the upper surfaces of the base end portion 21 and the cylindrical portion 22 through a gap, and the other end is a free end. Therefore, due to the shrinkage of the constituent material of the cover 2 during molding of the cover 2, the other end of the lever portion 252 hangs down, and there is a problem that the lock of the electrical connector 1 to the mating connector 200 becomes loose. The deformation of the molded product due to the shrinkage of the constituent material after molding is called molding collapse. The cover 2 of the present invention is obtained by a procedure that prevents the lever portion 252 from hanging down due to molding collapse. Specifically, during molding of the cover 2, the lever portion 252 is molded integrally with the arch portion 24 located above the lever portion 252. After the molding of the cover 2 is completed and the constituent material of the cover 2 is sufficiently cooled and solidified, and the possibility of molding collapse is sufficiently reduced, the connection portion between the lever portion 252 and the arch portion 24 is cut, and the lever portion 252 is separated from the arch portion 24. By manufacturing the cover 2 according to this procedure, it is possible to prevent the lever portion 252 from sagging downward due to the collapse caused by molding as described above.

[0090] FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 200 in the YZ plane in a state in which the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 200. As shown in FIG. 23, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 200 are connected, the corresponding contact pin 220 of the mating connector 200 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42 of the contact pin 4 of the electrical connector 1, and the contact pin 4 of the electrical connector 1 is electrically connected to the corresponding contact pin 220 of the mating connector 200. Similarly, the tip portion 63 and the housing storage portion 62 of the outer contact 6 of the electrical connector 1 are inserted into the corresponding outer contact 230 of the mating connector 200, and the outer contact 6 of the electrical connector 1 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the corresponding outer contact 230 of the mating connector 200. As a result, the outer contact 6 of the electrical connector 1 is electrically connected to the corresponding outer contact 230 of the mating connector 200, and the potential of the outer contact 6 of the electrical connector 1 becomes equal to the potential of the corresponding outer contact 230 of the mating connector 200.

[0091] As described above, in the electrical connector 1 of the present invention, the main body 611 of the base end 61 of the outer contact 6 is located between the inner insulating layer 520 and the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500, and the first crimping portion 81 of the crimping member 8 is crimped to the outer conductor layer 530 of the coaxial cable 500 located on the main body 611 of the base end 61 of the outer contact 6, thereby attaching the outer contact 6 to the coaxial cable 500. Therefore, the pressure during crimping to attach the outer contact 6 to the coaxial cable 500 is received by the outer contact 6 and is not transmitted to the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500. Therefore, deformation of the core wire 510 of the coaxial cable 500 caused by the pressure during crimping of the first crimping portion 81 of the crimping member 8 to the coaxial cable 500 is prevented, and thus deterioration of the signal transmission characteristics of the coaxial cable 500 can be prevented.

[0092] For reference, six-sided views of the electric connector 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1 are shown in Figs. 24 to 29. Fig. 24 is a plan view of the electric connector 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1. Fig. 25 is a bottom view of the electric connector 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1. Fig. 26 is a front view of the electric connector 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1. Fig. 27 is a rear view of the electric connector 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1. Fig. 28 is a left side view of the electric connector 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1. Fig. 29 is a right side view of the electric connector 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1.

[0093] <Second embodiment> Next, an electrical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 30 and Fig. 31. Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the electrical connector and the coaxial cable according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 31 is a perspective view of the electrical connector and the coaxial cable, omitting the case on the tip side beyond the BB line shown in Fig. 30.

[0094] The electrical connector of the second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the electrical connector of the first embodiment, and a description of the similarities will be omitted. The electrical connector of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the electrical connector of the first embodiment, except for the number of coaxial cables that can be attached and the method of holding the coaxial cable 500 to which the connector assembly 10 is attached within the cover 2.

[0095] The electrical connector 1 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 30 is a plug-type one-pin connector for providing a coaxial connection with one coaxial cable 500. In this embodiment, the configuration of the connector assembly 10 attached to the end of the coaxial cable 500 is the same as the configuration of the connector assembly 10 of the electrical connector 1 of the first embodiment, so a description of the configuration of the connector assembly 10 of this embodiment will be omitted.

[0096] 30, in this embodiment, a pair of fixing members 3 is not used to fix the coaxial cable 500 to which the connector assembly 10 is attached within the cover 2 and to prevent the coaxial cable 500 to which the connector assembly 10 is attached from coming off from within the cover 2. Instead of using the pair of fixing members 3, in this embodiment, the configuration of the pair of engaging portions 212 of the cover 2 is changed.

[0097] 31 shows a perspective view of the electrical connector 1 and the coaxial cable 500, in which the cover 2 is omitted on the tip side (+Z direction side) of the line BB shown in FIG. 30 in order to show the tip portions of the pair of engagement portions 212 of the cover 2. As shown in FIG. 31, a receiving portion 213 extending toward the inside of the cover 2 is formed at each tip portion of the pair of engagement portions 212 of the cover 2. The tip surface of the receiving portion 213 is a flat surface perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction (Z direction) of the electrical connector 1. Furthermore, the pair of receiving portions 213 form an opening 214 for inserting the main body portion 621 of the housing storage portion 62 of the outer contact 6. The opening 214 is a circular opening having a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the main body portion 621 of the housing storage portion 62 of the outer contact 6.

[0098] When the coaxial cable 500 to which the connector assembly 10 is attached is inserted from the base end side into the insertion hole 23 of the cover 2 of this embodiment, the main body 621 of the housing storage portion 62 of the outer contact 6 is press-fitted into the opening 214 of the cover 2. Furthermore, the base end surfaces of the four engagement portions 622 extending outward from the main body 621 of the housing storage portion 62 of the outer contact 6 engage with the base end surfaces of the pair of receiving portions 213. With this configuration, the coaxial cable 500 to which the connector assembly 10 is attached is fixed in the cover 2, and the coaxial cable 500 to which the connector assembly 10 is attached can be prevented from coming off from within the cover 2.

[0099] For reference, six-sided views of the electric connector 1 and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention are shown in Figs. 32 to 37. Fig. 32 is a plan view of the electric connector 1 and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 33 is a bottom view of the electric connector 1 and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 34 is a front view of the electric connector 1 and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 35 is a rear view of the electric connector 1 and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 36 is a left side view of the electric connector 1 and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 37 is a right side view of the electric connector 1 and the coaxial cable 500 attached to the electric connector 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Although the electrical connector of each embodiment of the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. Each configuration of the present invention can be replaced with any other configuration that can exert a similar function, or any other configuration can be added to each configuration of the present invention.

[0101] Those skilled in the art in the field and technology to which the present invention pertains will be able to modify the configuration of the described electrical connector of the present invention without significantly departing from the principles, concepts, and scope of the present invention, and electrical connectors having modified configurations are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0102] In addition, the numbers and types of components of the electrical connector shown in the drawings are merely examples for the purpose of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Within the scope of the principles and intent of the present invention, any embodiment in which any component is added or combined, or any component is deleted, is also within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1...electrical connector 2...cover 21...base end 211...insertion hole 212...engagement portion 213...receiving portion 214...opening 22...tubular portion 23...insertion hole 24...arch portion 25...lever portion 251...positioning protrusion 252...lever portion 253...engagement recess 3...fixing member 31a...upper extension portion 31b...central extension portion 31c...lower extension portion 32...engagement protrusion 4...contact pin 41...holding portion 411...bottom plate 412...wall portion 42...tubular portion 421...rib 422...spring portion 423...positioning protrusion 43...guide portion 431...plate portion 432...tapered portion 5...housing 51...base end 511...rib 512...tapered surface 52...positioning 521a...tip tapered surface 521b...base end tapered surface 522...flat surface 523...inner tapered surface 53...small outer diameter portion 531...expanded diameter portion 54...guide portion 541...outer tapered surface 542...inner tapered surface 55...engagement hole 56...insertion hole 6...outer contact 61...base end portion 611...main body portion 612...engagement rib 613...tapered portion 62...housing storage portion 621...main body portion 622...engagement portion 623...housing fixing portion 624...spring portion 625...contact portion 626...tapered portion 63...tip portion 7...ring member 71...projecting piece 8...pressure-bonding member 81...first pressure-bonding portion 811a...plate-shaped portion 811b...plate-shaped portion 812...engagement recess 813...engagement protrusion 814...engagement recess 82...second crimping portion 821a...plate-shaped portion 821b...plate-shaped portion 83...connecting portion 10...connector assembly 100...circuit board 200...mating connector 210...cover 220...contact pin 230...outer contact 240...opening 500...coaxial cable 510...core wire 520...inner insulating layer 530...outer conductor layer 540...outer insulating layer 600...outer contact 610...tubular portion 620...first crimping portion 630...second crimping portion

Claims

1. An electrical connector to be connected to a coaxial cable including a core wire, an inner insulating layer covering the core wire, an outer conductor layer covering the inner insulating layer, and an outer insulating layer covering the outer conductor layer, a contact pin connected to the core wire of the coaxial cable; an insulating housing that holds the contact pins therein; a cylindrical outer contact covering the housing; a crimping member for attaching the outer contact to the coaxial cable, a base end of the outer contact is located between the inner insulation layer and the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable; the outer contact is attached to the coaxial cable by crimping the crimping member to the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable located on the base end of the outer contact, the electrical connector further includes an insulating ring member positioned between the base end of the outer contact and the inner insulation layer of the coaxial cable; The ring member is housed inside the outer contact, The electrical connector is characterized in that the outer contact completely covers the entire outer circumferential surface of the ring member from its tip end to its base end.

2. the crimping member is crimped to the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable so as to surround the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable, 2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable is clamped between the crimping member and the outer contact, thereby attaching the outer contact to the coaxial cable.

3. 3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the crimping member has a first crimping portion that is crimped to the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable so as to surround an outer peripheral surface of the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable.

4. the first crimping portion of the crimping member includes a pair of plate-shaped portions connected to each other at one end and closed to surround the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable, an engagement recess formed in one of the pair of plate-shaped portions, and an engagement protrusion formed in the other of the pair of plate-shaped portions; 4. An electrical connector as described in claim 3, wherein the pair of plate-shaped portions is prevented from opening by engaging the engaging recess formed on one of the pair of plate-shaped portions with the engaging protrusion formed on the other of the pair of plate-shaped portions.

5. the crimping member includes a second crimping portion that is crimped to the outer insulation layer of the coaxial cable so as to surround an outer peripheral surface of the outer insulation layer of the coaxial cable, 5. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein the first crimping portion and the second crimping portion of the crimping member are connected to each other.

6. The insulating housing has a cylindrical shape, 2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said insulating housing and said ring member are concentrically retained within said outer contact.

7. An electrical connector to be connected to a coaxial cable including a core wire, an inner insulating layer covering the core wire, an outer conductor layer covering the inner insulating layer, and an outer insulating layer covering the outer conductor layer, a contact pin connected to the core wire of the coaxial cable; an insulating housing that holds the contact pins therein; a cylindrical outer contact covering the housing; a crimping member for attaching the outer contact to the coaxial cable, a base end of the outer contact is located between the inner insulation layer and the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable; the outer contact is attached to the coaxial cable by crimping the crimping member to the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable located on the base end of the outer contact, the crimping member includes a first crimping portion that is crimped to the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable so as to surround an outer circumferential surface of the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable, the first crimping portion of the crimping member includes a pair of plate-shaped portions connected to each other at one end and closed to surround the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable, an engagement recess formed in one of the pair of plate-shaped portions, and an engagement protrusion formed in the other of the pair of plate-shaped portions; An electrical connector characterized in that the pair of plate-shaped portions are prevented from opening by engaging the engaging recess formed on one of the pair of plate-shaped portions with the engaging protrusion formed on the other of the pair of plate-shaped portions.

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