Shielded Connector

Abstract

To provide a shield connector capable of sufficiently suppressing intrusion of noise generated from a periphery of a terminal of an electric wire into a housing, and improving shield performance.SOLUTION: A shield connector 1 comprises a female and a male connectors 10, 20 to be fitted to each other. One connector 10 of the female and male connectors 10, 20 is provided with one housing 11 for housing a shield terminal 12 connected to a terminal 17a of a shield wire 17. The other connector 20 includes: other housing 21 fitted into the one housing 11; a metallic shield body 23 that is assembled to a rear section of the other housing 21 so as to be connected to the shield terminal 12 and fixed to an end section 41 of a wiring board 40; and a metallic cylindrical shield shell 30 for covering at least one of the other housing 21 and the shield body 23. The shield shell 30 has an earth piece 34 grounded to a wall surface 3b of a housing 2 that houses the wiring board 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shielded connector for high-speed signal transmission that is equipped with a shield shell that blocks electromagnetic noise (hereinafter referred to as "noise"). [Background technology]

[0002] One such shielded connector is described in Patent Document 1. The connector described in Patent Document 1 is attached to a circuit board and includes a plurality of connection terminals fixed to a base, the base, a first protrusion, a second protrusion, and a cylindrical housing (case) formed from a conductive metal plate. The connection terminals and the base are housed and protected inside the housing, and the first and second protrusions connected to the tip of the housing suppress noise radiation from the tip of the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-188353 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional connector, the distance of the conductive path through which noise flows from the connection terminal to the tips of the first and second protrusions is longer than the distance of the conductive path through which noise flows from the connection terminal to the board, making it difficult to sufficiently suppress noise.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shielded connector that can sufficiently suppress the intrusion of noise generated around the terminals of the electric wire into the housing, thereby improving shielding performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A shielded connector according to one aspect of the present invention comprises male and female connectors that are fitted together, one of the connectors comprising a housing that houses a terminal connected to the end of an electric wire, the other of the connectors comprising a housing that fits into the first housing, a metal shield body that is assembled to the rear of the other housing so as to connect to the terminal of the first connector and is fixed to the end of a wiring board, and a metallic tubular shield shell that covers at least one of the other housing and the shield body, the shield shell having an earth piece that is earthed to the wall surface of a housing that houses the wiring board, and the distance of the conductive path along which noise flows from the contact point between the terminal of the first connector and the shield body to the wall surface of the housing and the contact point of the earth piece of the shield shell is set to be shorter than the distance of the conductive path along which noise flows from the contact point between the terminal of the first connector and the shield body to the contact point between the shield body and the wiring board. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a shielded connector that can sufficiently prevent noise generated around the terminals of the electric wire from entering the housing, thereby improving shielding performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a shielded connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the female connector of the shielded connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the male connector of the shielded connector. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shield connector mounted on a wiring board. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a shielded connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the shield connector of the second embodiment mounted on a wiring board. FIG. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the shield connector of the second embodiment mounted on a wiring board. [Figure 7] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the shield connector of the second embodiment mounted on a wiring board, as viewed from the front side. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a perspective view of a rectangular pillar used when fixing a wiring board on which the shielded connector of the second embodiment is mounted to the bottom wall of a housing. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a shield shell used in the shield connector of the second embodiment. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a shield shell used in the shield connectors of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a shield shell used in the shield connectors of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a shield shell used in the shield connectors of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 10D] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a shield shell used in the shield connectors of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 10E] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a shield shell used in the shield connectors of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 10F] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a shield shell used in the shield connectors of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 10G] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a shield shell used in the shield connectors of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a shielded connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12]10 is a cross-sectional view of the shield connector of the third embodiment mounted on a wiring board. FIG. [Figure 13A] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a shield shell used in the shield connector of the third embodiment. [Figure 13B] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another modified example of the shield shell used in the shield connector of the third embodiment. [Figure 13C] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another modified example of the shield shell used in the shield connector of the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a shielded connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the shield connector of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the shielded connector of the fourth embodiment mounted on a wiring board. FIG. [Figure 17A] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a shield shell used in the shield connector of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17B] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a shield shell used in the shield connector of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17C] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a shield shell used in the shield connector of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17D] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a shield shell used in the shield connector of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a shielded connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a wiring board. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the female connector and the shield shell of the shield connector of the fifth embodiment before assembly. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a fitted state of the shield connector of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a shielded connector according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention mounted on a wiring board. [Figure 22]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the female connector and the shield shell of the shield connector of the sixth embodiment before assembly. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a fitted state of the shield connector of the sixth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a shielded connector according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a wiring board. [Figure 25] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the female connector and the shield shell of the shield connector of the seventh embodiment before assembly. [Figure 26] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a fitted state of the shield connector of the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A shielded connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a shielded connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a female connector of the shielded connector. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a male connector of the shielded connector. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shielded connector mounted on a wiring board.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the shielded connector 1 is a high-speed transmission connector for high-speed signal transmission having an electromagnetic shielding structure, and includes a female connector (one connector) 10 and a male connector (the other connector) 20 that mates with the female connector 10. As shown in Fig. 4, a terminal 17a of a shielded electric wire 17, which is an STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) electric wire, is connected to the female connector 10. The male connector 20 is fixed to an end 41 of a wiring board 40 housed in a housing 2. The shielded connector 1, the wiring board 40, the housing 2, and a communication device (not shown) housed in the housing 2 constitute a communication system device A.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the female connector 10 includes an outer housing (one of the housings) 11, a shield terminal (outer terminal) 12, an inner housing 13, a female inner terminal 14, a matching part 15, and inner and outer sleeves 16A, 16B.

[0013] 1 and 2, the outer housing 11 is made of synthetic resin and has a box shape, and has a terminal accommodating portion 11a that accommodates a shield terminal (terminal) 12 serving as an outer terminal. A locking arm 11c is provided on the top surface 11b of the outer housing 11 to maintain the mated state when mated with the male connector 20. A convex locking portion 11d is provided on the locking arm 11c.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, the shield terminal 12, which is an outer terminal, is formed by sheet metal processing using a sheet metal material. The shield terminal 12 has a cylindrical housing accommodating portion 12a as a shield connecting portion that accommodates the inner housing 13 and the matching component 15. The shield terminal 12 also has a pair of braid crimping pieces 12b, 12b that crimp and connect the braid 19 exposed by removing a portion of the sheath 17B of the shielded electric wire 17, and a pair of sheath crimping pieces 12c, 12c that crimp and connect the sheath 17B of the shielded electric wire 17. As shown in Fig. 4, the braid crimping piece 12b of the shield terminal 12 crimps a metal inner sleeve 16A that is crimped to the outer periphery of the braid 19 exposed from the sheath 17B. The braid crimping piece 12b of the shield terminal 12 also crimps and connects the braid 19A folded back at a folded back portion 19a that covers the outer periphery of the inner sleeve 16A. That is, the braid crimping piece 12b is crimped to the outer periphery of the inner sleeve 16A via the braid 19A folded back at the folded-back portion 19a. The braid 19A folded back at the folded-back portion 19a is sandwiched between the braid crimping piece 12b and the inner sleeve 16A and held by the metallic hexagonal cylindrical outer sleeve 16B, thereby electrically connecting the shield terminal 12 and the braid 19. Note that in the shield terminal 12 shown in FIG. 2, the pair of braid crimping pieces 12b, 12b and the pair of sheath crimping pieces 12c, 12c are shown in a crimped shape. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the shield terminal 12 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 11a of the outer housing 11, the locking arm 11e is engaged with the protrusion 12d of the shield terminal 12, thereby maintaining the accommodated state.

[0015] 2 and 4, the inner housing 13 is made of synthetic resin and has an elliptical cylindrical shape, and has a pair of left and right terminal accommodating chambers 13a, 13a on both sides thereof into which female inner terminals 14 connected to ends 17a of the shielded electric wire 17 are inserted. The female inner terminals 14 accommodated in each terminal accommodating chamber 13a are held by locking means (not shown). Furthermore, the upper surface 13b and the lower surface 13c of the inner housing 13 each have an engagement groove (engagement recess) 13d formed in the center of the rear side thereof, into which a pair of upper and lower engagement protrusions 15b, 15b of a resin matching part 15 (described later) are press-fitted.

[0016] The female inner terminal 14 has a contact portion 14a at the front to which the male inner terminal 28 of the male connector 20 is connected, and a pair of core wire crimping pieces 14b, 14b at the rear to which the core wire 18a exposed from the insulating coating 18b of the inner wire 18 of the shielded wire 17 is connected. Note that in the female inner terminal 14 shown in Fig. 2, the pair of core wire crimping pieces 14b, 14b are shown in a crimped shape.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the matching component 15 is a dielectric for impedance adjustment. It is interposed between the inner housing 13 and the inner sleeve 16A to suppress impedance mismatching and improve the transmission performance of the female connector 20 of the shielded connector 1. The impedance-adjusting matching component 15 is formed in a cylindrical resin shape with a pair of insertion holes 15a, 15a through which the untwisted portions of the two internal electric wires 18, 18 crimped and connected to the inner terminals 14 are inserted. Furthermore, the matching component 15 has engagement protrusions (engagement portions) 15b protruding from the front of the upper and lower centers thereof. These engagement grooves 13d, 13d, and engagement protrusions 15b constitute an engagement means for integrating the inner housing 13 and the matching component 15. Instead of the dielectric matching component 15, a conductive metallic member may be used.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the inner sleeve 16A is made of metal and has a C-shaped plate shape before being crimped. The inner sleeve 16A is attached to the outer periphery of the braid 19, which is exposed by removing a portion of the sheath 17B of the shielded electric wire 17. As shown in Figure 4, when the braid crimping portion 12b of the shielded terminal 12 is crimped to the folded-back braid 19A of the shielded electric wire 17, the braid 19A is positioned from the front side of the braid crimping portion 12b to a position adjacent to the front end edge of the sheath crimping portion 12c. That is, the braid 19 is folded back at the folded-back portion 19a at the front end portion 16a of the inner sleeve 16A, which is crimped into a cylindrical shape. The braid 19A folded back at the folded-back portion 19a covers the outer periphery of the cylindrical inner sleeve 16A. Furthermore, the braid crimping portion 12b and the sheath crimping portion 12c of the shielded terminal 12 are covered and held by the hexagonal outer sleeve 16B. In addition, noise is generated from the point where the braid 19 of the shielded wire 17 is crimped by the braided crimping piece 12b of the shielded terminal 12, and enters the housing 2 containing the wiring board 40 through the opening 4 provided in the side wall 3.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 4, the shielded electric wire 17 includes two twisted inner electric wires 18, 18, a metal braid 19 that covers the two inner electric wires 18, 18 via a shielding foil 17A, and a sheath 17B that is a resin outer coating that covers the braid 19. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, each inner electric wire 18 has a metal core wire 18a and a resin insulating coating 18b that covers the core wire 18a. The two inner electric wires 18, 18 exposed on the terminal 17a side of the shielded electric wire 17 are untwisted by the matching part 15, and a pair of core crimping pieces 14b, 14b of the female inner terminal 14 are crimped and connected to the core wires 18a exposed from the insulating coatings 18b by crimping.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the male connector 20 includes an outer housing (the other housing) 21, a metal shield body 23, an inner housing 27, male inner terminals 28, a cover body 29, and a metal rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 that covers the shield body 23.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, outer housing 21 is made of synthetic resin and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, with the front side forming a square tubular hood portion 22 into which female outer housing 11 is housed and fitted. A locking portion 22a is formed on the inner surface of the ceiling of hood portion 22. As shown in Figure 4, when female connector 10 and male connector 20 are mated, locking portion 11d of locking arm 11c of female connector 10 and locking portion 22a of hood portion 22 of male connector 20 are engaged, maintaining the mated state. An oval insertion hole 21a is formed on the lower rear side of outer housing 21 to house mating terminal accommodating portion 25 of shield body 23, which will be described later.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, metal shield 23 is an electromagnetic shield formed from a conductive shielding material in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. It has a housing accommodating section 24 extending from the front to the lower rear, which accommodates inner housing 27. An elliptical cylindrical mating terminal accommodating section 25, which accommodates shield terminal 12 of female connector 10, protrudes downward from the center of the front surface of shield 23 and communicates with housing accommodating section 24. Cylindrical grounding legs 26 protrude from the center to the four rear corners of the bottom surface of shield 23. When male connector 20 is mounted on wiring board 40, grounding legs 26 of shield 23 are inserted into ground circuit holes 42, which serve as grounding through-holes in wiring board 40, and connected by soldering. Note that mating terminal accommodating section 25 may be molded integrally with or separately from shield 23.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the inner housing 27 is made of synthetic resin and has an elliptical cylindrical shape at the front and a rectangular shape at the rear, forming an L-shape overall, and has a pair of terminal accommodating chambers 27a, 27a on both sides into which female inner terminals 28 are inserted.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 3, male inner terminal 28 is formed into an L-shape using a conductive rod-like member. Tip end 28a of male inner terminal 28 is connected to contact portion 14a of female inner terminal 14, and base end 28b is connected to wiring board 40. That is, when male connector 20 is mounted on wiring board 40, base end 28b of male inner terminal 28 of male connector 20 is inserted into communication circuit hole 43, which serves as a communication through-hole in wiring board 40, and connected by soldering. In this mounted state, as shown in Fig. 4, the rear opening of housing accommodation portion 24 of shield 23 is closed by synthetic resin cover 29.

[0025] 1, 3, and 4, the shield shell 30 is made of conductive plate material and is formed into a rectangular tubular shape by upper and lower pieces 31, 32 and both side pieces 33, 33. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 and both side pieces 33, 33 of the rectangular tubular shield shell 30 are formed to a size that covers from the center to a part of the front side of the shield body 23. In other words, from the center to the front end of the outer circumferential surface 23a of the shield body 23, a stepped circumferential surface 23b is formed that is lower by the plate thickness of the rectangular tubular shield shell 30, and the rectangular tubular shield shell 30 is attached to this stepped circumferential surface 23b. When this shield shell 30 is in an exterior state, the outer circumferential surface 23a of the shield body 23 from the center to the rear end is flush with the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 and both side pieces 33, 33 of the shield shell 30.

[0026] 3, the upper piece 31 and the lower piece 32 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 have grounding pieces 34 that are grounded to the inner wall surface (wall surface) 3b of the side wall 3 of the housing 2. Each of these grounding pieces 34 is divided into multiple pieces (in this embodiment, divided into three by providing slits) with the front portion inclined from the center toward the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3 of the housing 2, and is an elastic spring piece that has a convex contact portion 34a at the tip. Each of these elastic grounding pieces 34 presses and urges the convex contact portion 34a into contact with the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3 of the housing 2.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, let the distances of the conductive paths through which noise flows from the contact point T between the shield terminal 12 of the female connector 10 and the mating terminal housing portion 25 of the shield body 23 to the contact portions 34a of the respective ground pieces 34 of the shield shell 30 that contact the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3 be L1 and L2. And if the distance of the conductive path through which noise flows from the contact point T between the shield terminal 12 and the mating terminal housing portion 25 to the contact portion between the leg portion 26 of the shield body 23 and the wiring board 40 is L3, it is set such that L1 and L2 are shorter than L3 (L1 < L3, L2 < L3).

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the wiring board 40 on which the male connector 20 is mounted is a printed wiring board and has a multilayer structure for differential transmission of high-speed signals. That is, the wiring board 40 is formed by laminating, for example, a plurality of copper ground circuit boards between upper and lower resin resists with each insulating substrate made of resin (both are omitted in the drawing) interposed therebetween.

[0029] Also, on the wiring board 40, four ground circuit holes 42 as ground through-holes are formed on the end portion 41 side. On the lower end side of these four ground circuit holes 42, a wiring pattern for an electromagnetic shield circuit (omitted in the drawing) is formed so as to extend to the other end side of the wiring board 40. And the leg portion 26 of the shield body 23 of the male connector 20 is inserted into the ground circuit hole 42 as a ground through-hole and connected by soldering.

[0030] Furthermore, on the wiring board 40, two communication circuit holes 43 as communication through-holes are formed on the end portion 41 side. On the lower end side of these two communication circuit holes 43, a wiring pattern for a communication circuit (omitted in the drawing) is formed so as to extend to the other end side of the wiring board 40. This wiring pattern is used as differential wiring and is formed by tracing a copper foil. And the base end portion 28b of the male inner terminal 28 of the male connector 20 is inserted into the communication circuit hole 43 as a communication through-hole and connected by soldering.

[0031] The housing 2 is a box-shaped metal case with side walls 3 and a bottom wall 5. It accommodates the wiring board 40, the male connector 10 mounted on the wiring board 40, and other electronic devices for high-speed signal transmission (not shown). The side walls 3 of the housing 2 are formed with a rectangular opening 4 for receiving a rectangular cylindrical shielding shell 30. A gap S between the inner edge surface 4a of the opening 4 and the rectangular cylindrical shielding shell 30 is set to a small dimension (e.g., 1 mm to 5 mm). The signal communication circuit of the mated male and female connectors 10, 20 employs a differential transmission system. The communication circuit is connected in the following manner: twisted inner wires 18, female inner terminals 14, male inner terminals 28, and the wiring pattern of the wiring board 40. The shield circuit is connected in the following manner: braid 19, shield terminal 12, mating terminal accommodating portion 25, shield body 23, and a ground circuit board (not shown) of the wiring board 40. Furthermore, the wiring board 40 is attached to the side wall 3 of the housing 2 via an L-shaped bracket or the like (not shown).

[0032] According to the shielded connector 1 of the first embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 4, when the male connector 20 mounted on the wiring board 40 is assembled into the housing 2, the grounding pieces 34 formed on the upper and lower arm portions 31, 32 of the shielded shell 30 come into contact with the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3. Each of these grounding pieces 34 is formed as a plurality of segments on the upper and lower arm portions 31, 32, and is formed to be elastic and inclined toward the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3 of the housing 2, so that the convex contact portion 34a of each grounding piece 34 is pressed against the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3, ensuring reliable contact. In other words, reliable grounding due to the elastic force of the upper and lower grounding pieces 34 enables a stable and satisfactory ground connection over time.

[0033] When the female connector 10 is mated with the male connector 20, the mating terminal accommodating portion 25 of the shield body 23 of the male connector 10 is inserted and fitted between the terminal accommodating portion 11a of the outer housing 11 of the female connector 20 and the housing accommodating portion 12a of the shield terminal 12. This mating brings the outer surface of the housing accommodating portion 12a of the shield terminal 12 into contact with the inner surface of the elliptical cylindrical mating terminal accommodating portion 25 at contact point T shown in FIG. 4. Let L1 and L2 be the distances of the conductive path through which noise flows from this contact point T to the contact points 34a of the upper and lower grounding pieces 34, and L3 be the distance of the conductive path through which noise flows from contact point T to the contact point between the leg portion 26 of the shield body 23 and the wiring board 40. By making L1 and L2 shorter than L3, the resistance values of the conductive path between L1 and L2 can be made smaller than the resistance value of the conductive path between L3. This makes it possible to sufficiently prevent noise generated from the crimped portion of braid 19 of shielded wire 17 from entering housing 2, thereby improving the shielding performance of shielded connector 1. Therefore, noise generated by wired communication can be effectively suppressed, enabling high-performance, high-speed communication.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, by setting the gap S between the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 and the inner edge surface 4a of the opening 4 in the side wall 3 of the housing 2 to a small dimension (for example, 1 mm to 5 mm), it is possible to suppress the intrusion of noise into the housing 2.

[0035] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a shielded connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the shielded connector mounted on a wiring board. Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the shielded connector mounted on a wiring board. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the shielded connector mounted on a wiring board, as seen from the front. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a rectangular pillar used to fix the wiring board to the bottom wall of a housing. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a shielded shell used in the shielded connector.

[0036] The shielded connector 1 of this second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the grounding piece 34 is provided only on the upper piece portion 31 of the shielding shell 30, and the wiring board 40 is fixed to the bottom wall 5 of the housing 2 via a metal rectangular pillar 7. Note that the other configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] In the shielded connector 1 of the second embodiment, a grounding piece 34 is formed only on the upper piece 31 of the shielded shell 30. The wiring board 40 on which the shielded connector 1 is mounted is fixed to a metal rectangular pillar 7 via screws 8 (fastening members), and the rectangular pillar 7 is further fixed to the bottom wall 5 of the housing 2 via screws 9 (fastening members). As a result, even if the lower piece 32 of the shielded shell 30 does not have a grounding piece 34, the rectangular pillar 7 functions as a ground. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, noise generated from the crimped portion of the braid 19 of the shielded electric wire 17 can be sufficiently prevented from entering the housing 2. This improves the shielding performance of the shielded connector 1, effectively suppressing noise generated by wired communication and enabling high-performance, high-speed communication. Furthermore, noise can be suppressed even when the lower piece 32 cannot have a grounding piece 34 due to structural constraints of the housing 2 or the connector.

[0038] 6B, an end surface 41a of the end 41 of the wiring board 40 is attached in contact with the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3 of the housing 2 via an L-shaped bracket or the like (not shown). As a result, even if the lower piece 32 of the shield shell 30 does not have a grounding piece 34, the end surface 41a of the end 41 functions as a ground, and similarly to the first embodiment, noise generated from the crimped portion of the braid 19 of the shielded electric wire 17 can be sufficiently suppressed from entering the housing 2. Furthermore, noise can be suppressed without adding the grounding piece 34 or the rectangular post 7. Therefore, the shielding performance of the shielded connector 1 can be improved, noise generated by wired communication can be effectively suppressed, and high-performance high-speed communication is possible.

[0039] 10A to 10G are perspective views showing modified examples of the shield shell 30 used in the shield connectors 1 of the first and second embodiments. Each of the modified examples will be described below.

[0040] 10A is formed to a size sufficient to cover a stepped peripheral surface 23b formed from the center to the front end of the outer peripheral surface 23a of the shield body 23. The lower piece 32 is provided with a spring-like grounding piece 34 that is formed into a plurality of pieces and has a convex contact portion 34a at its tip. As a result, the convex contact portion 34a of the grounding piece 34 of the lower piece 32 of the shield shell 30 that is fitted onto the stepped peripheral surface 23b of the shield body 23 is pressed against and urged into contact with the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3 of the housing 2.

[0041] The rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 shown in FIG. 10B is sized to cover the entire outer housing 21 and to be flush with the outer peripheral surface 23a of the shield body 23 when fitted to the outer housing 21. Each of the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 is provided with a spring-like grounding piece 34, which is formed as a plurality of pieces and has a convex contact portion 34a at its tip. When this shield shell 30 is fitted to the outer housing 21, the rear end of the shield shell 30 abuts against the front surface of the shield body 23. The shield body 23 does not have a stepped peripheral surface 23b. This allows the convex contact portions 34a of the upper and lower grounding pieces 34 of the shield shell 30 fitted to the outer housing 21 to be pressed against and contact the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3 of the casing 2.

[0042] The rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 shown in FIG. 10C is sized to cover the entire outer housing 21 and to be flush with the outer peripheral surface 23a of the shield body 23 when fitted to the outer housing 21. The upper piece 31 is provided with a spring-like grounding piece 34 that is divided into multiple pieces and has a convex contact portion 34a at its tip. When this shield shell 30 is fitted to the outer housing 21, the rear end of the shield shell 30 abuts against the front surface of the shield body 23. The shield body 23 does not have a stepped peripheral surface 23b. As a result, the convex contact portion 34a of the grounding piece 34 on the upper part of the shield shell 30 fitted to the outer housing 21 is pressed against and urged into contact with the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3 of the casing 2.

[0043] The rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 shown in Fig. 10D is sized to cover the entire outer housing 21 and to be flush with the outer peripheral surface 23a of the shield body 23 when fitted to the outer housing 21. The lower piece 32 is provided with a spring-like grounding piece 34, which is formed into multiple segments and has a convex contact portion 34a at its tip. When this shield shell 30 is fitted to the outer housing 21, the rear end of the shield shell 30 abuts against the front surface of the shield body 23. The shield body 23 does not have a stepped peripheral surface 23b. As a result, the convex contact portion 34a of the grounding piece 34 below the shield shell 30 fitted to the outer housing 21 is pressed against and urged into contact with the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3 of the casing 2.

[0044] 10E , the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 has an upper piece 31 and both side pieces 33, 33 each sized to cover the outer peripheral surface 23a of the outer housing 21 and the shield body 23, and a lower piece 32 sized to cover the outer housing 21. That is, the upper piece 31 and both side pieces 33, 33 each have an extension piece 35 that covers the rear side of the shield body 23. Each extension piece 35 has a plurality of engaging protrusions 35a that engage with engaging recesses (not shown) formed on the upper surface of the shield body 23. Each of the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 is provided with a plurality of spring-shaped grounding pieces 34 each having a protruding contact portion 34a at its tip. This allows the protruding contact portions 34a of the upper and lower grounding pieces 34 of the shield shell 30, which are fitted to the outer housing 21 and the shield body 23, to be pressed against and urged into contact with the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3 of the housing 2. Furthermore, low-resistance contact is achieved by contacting under the force of the extension piece 35. Note that the shield body 23 may not have an engaging recess, and the extension piece 35 may not have an engaging protrusion 35a, but may abut against the outer peripheral surface 23a of the shield body 23. Furthermore, the shield body 23 may not have an engaging recess, and the engaging protrusion 35a may make contact as a convex contact portion. In this case, stable contact resistance can be achieved by breaking down the oxide (sulfide) film of the shell or the like due to stress concentration.

[0045] In the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 shown in FIG. 10F , the upper piece 31 is formed to be large enough to cover the outer peripheral surface 23a of the outer housing 21 and the shield body 23, and the lower piece 32 and both side pieces 33, 33 are formed to be large enough to cover the outer housing 21. That is, the upper piece 31 is formed with an extension piece 35 that covers the rear side of the shield body 23. This extension piece 35 is formed with multiple engaging protrusions 35a that engage with engaging recesses (not shown) formed on the upper surface of the shield body 23. Each of the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 is provided with a plurality of spring-shaped grounding pieces 34 that are divided into multiple pieces and have protruding contact portions 34a at their tips. As a result, the protruding contact portions 34a of the upper and lower grounding pieces 34 of the shield shell 30, which are attached to the upper surfaces of the outer housing 21 and the shield body 23, are pressed and urged into contact with the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3 of the housing 2. Furthermore, the urged contact by the extension piece 35 ensures low-resistance contact. The shield body 23 may not have an engaging recess, and the extension piece 35 may not have an engaging protrusion 35a, but may abut against the outer peripheral surface 23a of the shield body 23. Furthermore, the shield body 23 may not have an engaging recess, and the engaging protrusion 35a may contact as a convex contact portion. In this case, a stable contact resistance can be obtained by breaking an oxide (sulfide) film on the shell or the like due to stress concentration.

[0046] The rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 shown in FIG. 10G has two side pieces 33, 33 sized to cover the outer peripheral surface 23a of the outer housing 21 and the shield body 23, and the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 sized to cover the outer housing 21. That is, each of the two side pieces 33, 33 has an extension piece 35 that covers the rear side of the shield body 23. Each extension piece 35 has multiple engaging protrusions 35a that engage with engaging recesses (not shown) formed on the side of the shield body 23. Each of the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 is provided with multiple, split, spring-shaped ground pieces 34 each having a protruding contact portion 34a at its tip. As a result, the protruding contact portions 34a of the upper and lower ground pieces 34 of the shield shell 30, which are attached to the side surfaces of the outer housing 21 and the shield body 23, are pressed and biased into contact with the inner wall surface 3b of the side wall 3 of the housing 2. Furthermore, the biasing of the extension pieces 35 results in low-resistance contact. The shield body 23 may not have an engaging recess, and the extension piece 35 may not have an engaging protrusion 35a, but may abut against the outer peripheral surface 23a of the shield body 23. Furthermore, the shield body 23 may not have an engaging recess, and the engaging protrusion 35a may contact as a convex contact portion. In this case, a stable contact resistance can be obtained by breaking an oxide (sulfide) film on the shell or the like due to stress concentration.

[0047] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a shielded connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the shielded connector mounted on a wiring board. Fig. 13A is a perspective view of a shielded shell used in the shielded connector. Fig. 13B is a perspective view of another modified example of the shielded shell. Fig. 13C is a perspective view of another modified example of the shielded shell.

[0048] The shielded connector 1 of the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that a cutout portion 23c is formed from the center to the front of the upper surface of the shield body 23, and each of the pieces 31, 32, and 33 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 is formed to a size that covers the cutout portion 23c. This cutout portion 23c is formed from the center to the front of the shield body 23 so that the wall thickness from the upper surface of the shield body 23 to the inner circumferential surface of the housing accommodating portion 24 is the same as the wall thickness from the lower surface of the shield body 23 to the inner circumferential surface of the housing accommodating portion 24. Note that the other configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0049] In the shielded connector 1 of the third embodiment, the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 have grounding pieces 34 and are sized to cover the cutouts 23c of the shield body 23, thereby achieving the same effects and advantages as the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 12 , the distances L1 and L2 of the conductive path along which noise flows from the contact point T between the shield terminal 12 and the shield body 23 to the contact points 34a of the upper and lower grounding pieces 34, which contact the side walls 3 of the respective grounding pieces 34, can be made equal. Furthermore, these distances L1 and L2 are shorter than the distance L3 of the conductive path along which noise flows from the contact point T between the shield terminal 12 and the shield body 23 to the contact points between the leg portions 26 of the shield body 23 and the wiring board 40. This more sufficiently suppresses the intrusion of noise generated from the crimped portions of the braid 19 of the shielded electric wire 17 into the housing 2, thereby improving the shielding performance of the shielded connector 1. This effectively suppresses noise generated during wired communication, enabling high-performance, high-speed communication.

[0050] 13A of the third embodiment, the upper arm portion 31 and the lower arm portion 32 each have the grounding piece 34, but as shown in Fig. 13B, the upper arm portion 31 may have the grounding piece 34 only. Also, as shown in Fig. 13B, the lower arm portion 32 may have the grounding piece 34 only.

[0051] Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a shielded connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the shielded connector, and Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the shielded connector mounted on a wiring board.

[0052] The shielded connector of this fourth embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the mating terminal accommodating portion 25 of the shield body 23 has a guide protrusion 25a, the outer housing 21 has an engagement long groove 21b, and the grounding piece 37 is formed with an arc-shaped notch. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] 14 to 16, guide protrusions 25a are formed to extend in the front-to-rear direction on both sides of mating terminal accommodating portion 25 of shield body 23 of male connector 20. Furthermore, engagement long grooves 21b, into which guide protrusions 25a are inserted, are formed from the center to the rear of both side walls of outer housing 21 of male connector 20 so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction in correspondence with guide protrusions 25a.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 , the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 and the side pieces 33, 33 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 are sized to cover the entire outer housing 21 of the male housing 20, and the shield shell 30 and the shield body 23 are flush with each other in the exterior state. Grounding pieces 36 are formed on the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30. Each grounding piece 36 has a free end 36a and is formed with a notch in an arc shape that is elastically curved outward. This notch is indicated by reference numeral 36b in the drawings, and the contact portion is indicated by reference numeral 36c. As shown in FIG. 16 , the contact portion 36c of the elastic arc-shaped grounding piece 36 is pressed against and urged into contact with the inner edge surface 4a of the rectangular opening 4 formed in the side wall 3 of the housing 2.

[0055] The operation and effect of the shielded connector 1 of the fourth embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 16 , L1 and L2 are the distances of the conductive path along which noise flows from the tip of the guide protrusion 25a to the contact points 36c of the upper and lower arc-shaped grounding pieces 36 of the shield shell 30 and the contact point T on the inner edge surface 4a of the opening 4 in the side wall 3 of the housing 2. Furthermore, if L3 is the distance along which noise flows from the tip of the guide protrusion 25a to the contact point between the leg 26 formed on the shield body 23 and the wiring board 40, distances L1 and L2 are shorter than distance L3. This allows for more sufficient suppression of noise generated from the crimped portion of the braid 19 of the shielded electric wire 17 from entering the housing 2, thereby improving the shielding performance of the shielded connector 1. This effectively suppresses noise generated by wired communication, enabling high-performance, high-speed communication. Furthermore, even if the tolerances of the vertical dimensions of the opening 4 and the wiring board 40 are cumulative, these tolerances are absorbed, ensuring stable grounding reliability.

[0057] 17A to 17D are perspective views showing modified examples of the shield shell 30 used in the shield connector 1 of the fourth embodiment. Each of the modified examples will be described below.

[0058] 17A is formed to a size sufficient to cover the entire outer housing 21 of the male housing 20 and to be flush with the shield body 23 in the exterior state. An arc-shaped grounding piece 36 having a free end 36a and curved outward elastically is cut out only in the upper piece 31 of the square cylindrical shield shell 30. As a result, the contact portion 36c of the arc-shaped grounding piece 36 on the upper piece 31 of the shield shell 30 fitted to the outer housing 21 is pressed against and urged into contact with the inner edge surface 4a of the opening 4 in the side wall 3 of the casing 2. Note that the grounding piece 36 of this modified example may be formed only in the lower piece 32.

[0059] 17B, the upper piece 31 and both side pieces 33, 33 are formed to a size that covers the outer housing 21 and the shield body 23, and the lower piece 32 is formed to a size that covers the outer housing 21. That is, the upper piece 31 and both side pieces 33, 33 are each formed with an extension piece 35 that covers up to the rear side of the shield body 23. Each of these extension pieces 35 is formed with a plurality of engaging protrusions 35a that engage with engaging recesses (not shown) formed on the upper surface of the shield body 23. Furthermore, the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 of the square cylindrical shield shell 30 are each formed with a notch that has a free end 36a and is arc-shaped and curves outward elastically. As a result, the contact portions 36c of the arc-shaped earth pieces 36 of the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 of the shield shell 30 fitted to the outer housing 21 and the shield body 23 are pressed against and urged into contact with the inner edge surface 4a of the opening 4 in the side wall 3 of the housing 2.

[0060] 17C , the upper piece 31 and both side pieces 33, 33 are formed to be large enough to cover the outer housing 21 and the shield body 23, and the lower piece 32 is formed to be large enough to cover the outer housing 21. That is, the upper piece 31 and both side pieces 33, 33 each have an extension piece 35 that covers the rear side of the shield body 23. Each extension piece 35 is formed with a plurality of engaging protrusions that engage with engaging recesses (not shown) formed on the upper surface of the shield body 23. Only the upper piece 31 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 has a notched arc-shaped ground piece 36 that has a free end 36a and is elastically curved outward. As a result, the contact portion 36c of the arc-shaped ground piece 36 of the upper piece 31 of the shield shell 30, which is fitted over the outer housing 21 and the shield body 23, is pressed against and urged into contact with the inner edge surface 4a of the opening 4 in the side wall 3 of the housing 2. The earthing piece 36 of this modified example may be formed only on the lower piece portion 32.

[0061] The rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 shown in FIG. 17D is sized to cover the entire outer housing 21 of the male housing 20 and to be flush with the shield body 23 in the exterior configuration. The upper and lower pieces 31, 32 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 are provided with notches for arch-spring-like grounding pieces 37, each of which is connected at both ends and curves outward. This allows the contact portions 37c of the arch-spring-like, arc-shaped grounding pieces 37 on the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 of the shield shell 30 fitted to the outer housing 21 to be pressed against and contact the inner edge surface 4a of the opening 4 in the side wall 3 of the housing 2. The free ends of the grounding pieces 37 function as antennas, preventing noise from being emitted into the housing 2. The grounding pieces 37 of this modified example may be formed on only one of the upper piece 31 and the lower piece 32.

[0062] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a shielded connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a wiring board, Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the female connector and shield shell of the shielded connector before assembly, and Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the mated state of the shielded connectors.

[0063] The shielded connector 1 of this fifth embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that a rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 has flange-shaped grounding pieces 38 formed by bending them in the vertical direction at the tips of upper and lower pieces 31, 32. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 18, the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 and the side pieces 33, 33 of the rectangular tubular shield shell 30 are formed to a size sufficient to cover the entire outer housing 21 and to be flush with the shield body 23 in the exterior state. As shown in Figs. 18 to 20, grounding pieces 38 are formed by bending the tips of the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 of the rectangular tubular shield shell 30 in the vertical direction so as to form mounting flanges (flange-like). The lower piece 31 of the rectangular tubular shield shell 30 is in contact with the inner edge surface 4a of the opening 4 of the side wall 3 via an indent 6. The grounding piece 38 of this embodiment may be formed on only one of the upper piece 31 and the lower piece 32.

[0065] In the shielded connector 1 of the fifth embodiment, the entire surfaces of the flange-shaped grounding pieces 38 of the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 of the shielded shell 30 contact the outer wall surface 3a around the opening 4 of the side wall 3 of the housing 2, thereby achieving the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment. In other words, it is possible to more sufficiently prevent noise generated from the crimped portion of the braid 19 of the shielded electric wire 17 from entering the housing 2, thereby improving the shielding performance of the shielded connector 1. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress noise generated by wired communication, enabling high-performance, high-speed communication.

[0066] Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a shielded connector according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention mounted on a wiring board, Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the female connector and shield shell of the shielded connector before assembly, and Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing the mated state of the shielded connectors.

[0067] The shielded connector 1 of this sixth embodiment differs from that of the fifth embodiment in that the flange-shaped grounding piece 38 on the upper piece 31 of the rectangular cylindrical shielding shell 30 does not have a mounting hole, and the flange-shaped grounding piece 39 on the lower piece 32 has a mounting hole 39a. Note that the other configuration is the same as in the fifth embodiment, and therefore the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 21 , the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 and the side pieces 33, 33 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 are formed to a size sufficient to cover the entire outer housing 21 and to be flush with the shield body 23 in the exterior state. As shown in Figs. 21 to 23 , grounding pieces 39, 38 are formed by bending the tips of the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 in the vertical direction so as to form mounting flanges (flange-like). The flange-like grounding piece 39 of the upper piece 31 has a mounting hole 39a through which a screw (fastening member) 50 is inserted, and is fixed to a screw hole 3c in the side wall 3 of the housing 2 by the screw 50. The flange-like grounding piece 38 of the lower piece 32 does not have a mounting hole 39a, and its entire surface contacts the outer wall surface 3a around the opening 4 of the side wall 3 of the housing 2. The lower piece 31 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 is in contact with the inner edge surface 4 a of the opening 4 of the side wall 3 via the indent 6 .

[0069] In the shielded connector 1 of the sixth embodiment, the upper flange-shaped grounding piece 39 of the shield shell 30 is fixed to the side wall 3 of the housing 2 with a screw 50, and the entire surface of the lower flange-shaped grounding piece 38 contacts the outer wall surface 3a around the opening 4 of the side wall 3 of the housing 2. This provides the same functions and effects as the fifth embodiment. That is, the intrusion of noise generated from the crimped portion of the braid 19 of the shielded electric wire 17 into the housing 2 can be more sufficiently suppressed, improving the shielding performance of the shielded connector 1. This effectively suppresses noise generated by wired communication, enabling high-performance, high-speed communication. Furthermore, noise suppression can be achieved while avoiding the operational difficulties of bolting the grounding piece 38 of the lower piece 32 to the shielded electric wire 17.

[0070] Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a shielded connector according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a wiring board, Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the female connector and shield shell of the shielded connector before assembly, and Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing the mated state of the shielded connectors.

[0071] The shielded connector 1 of this seventh embodiment differs from that of the sixth embodiment in that each of the flange-shaped grounding pieces 39 on the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 of the rectangular cylindrical shielded shell 30 has a mounting hole 39a. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the sixth embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 24 , the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 and the side pieces 33, 33 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 are formed to a size sufficient to cover the entire outer housing 21 and to be flush with the shield body 23 in the exterior state. As shown in FIGS. 24 to 26 , the ends of the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 are each bent upward and downward to form a mounting flange (flange-like). Each of the flange-like grounding pieces 39 of the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 has a mounting hole 39a through which a screw (fastening member) 50 is inserted, and the flange-like grounding piece 39 is fixed to a screw hole 3c in the side wall 3 of the housing 2 by the screw 50. The lower piece 31 of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell 30 contacts the inner edge surface 4a of the opening 4 in the side wall 3 via an indent 6. Alternatively, the grounding piece 39 of this embodiment may be formed on only one of the upper piece 31 and the lower piece 32.

[0073] In the shielded connector 1 of the seventh embodiment, the flange-shaped grounding pieces 39 on the upper and lower pieces 31, 32 of the shielded shell 30 are fixed to the side wall 3 of the housing 2 with screws 50, respectively. This provides the same effects and advantages as the sixth embodiment. That is, it is possible to more sufficiently prevent noise generated from the crimped portion of the braid 19 of the shielded electric wire 17 from entering the housing 2, thereby improving the shielding performance of the shielded connector 1. This makes it possible to effectively suppress noise generated by wired communication, enabling high-performance, high-speed communication.

[0074] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0075] That is, the ground pieces 36, 37, 38, 39 of the fourth to seventh embodiments may be combined with the first to third embodiments. Further, the extension piece 35 may also be combined with the fourth to seventh embodiments.

[0076] Also, in the fourth embodiment, it may be configured not to have the guide protrusion 25a and the engaging long groove 21b. Furthermore, the guide protrusion 25a and the engaging long groove 21b may be combined with embodiments other than the fourth embodiment.

[0077] Furthermore, in the modified examples of the first and second embodiments among the modified examples shown in FIGS. 10B to 10G, the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, the sixth embodiment, and the seventh embodiment, L1 and L2 may not be less than L3.

[0078] Also, according to the above embodiments, the shield shell is attached to the male connector side, but the shield shell may also be attached to the female connector side.

[0079] Also, according to the first and second embodiments, the ground pieces respectively formed by bending on the upper piece part and the lower piece part of the shield shell are provided in three parts through two slits, but they may be provided in two parts through one slit or in four parts through three slits.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the wiring board is attached to the bottom plate of the housing via a square pillar, or the end face of the end part of the wiring board is abutted against the inner wall surface of the side wall of the housing for attachment, but each of these structures may be applied to the first embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth to seventh embodiments. Also, the square pillar may be provided integrally with the housing.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0081] 1 Shield connector 2 Housing 3 Side wall 3a Outer wall surface (wall surface) 3b Inner wall surface (wall surface) 4 Rectangular opening 4a Inner edge surface 5 Bottom wall 7 Prismatic 10 Female connector (one of the connectors) 11 Outer housing (one of the housings) 12 Shield terminal as outer terminal 12a Cylindrical housing receiving portion 17 Shielded wire Terminal 17a 19 Braid 20 male connector 21 outer housing (other housing) 21b Engagement long groove 23 Shield Body 23a Outer surface 23c Notch 25 Mating terminal housing 25a Guide protrusion 26 Legs 30 Square cylindrical shield shell (cylindrical shield shell) 31 Top piece 32 Lower piece 33,33 Both sides 34 Inclined earth strip 34a Contact part 35 Extension piece 35a Engagement protrusion 36 Arc-shaped earth strip 36a free end 36b Notch 36c Contact part 37 Arch spring earth piece 47b Notch 37c Contact part 38,39 Flanged earth strip 39a Mounting hole 50 Screws (fastening components) T Contact point between one connector terminal and the shield S Gap between the rectangular cylindrical shield shell and the opening in the side wall L1, L2 The distance of the conductive path through which noise flows from the contact point between the terminal of one connector and the shield body to the contact point between the wall of the housing and the earth piece of the shield shell L3: The distance of the conductive path through which noise flows from the contact point between the terminal of one connector and the shield to the contact point between the shield and the wiring board.

Claims

1. The connector includes male and female connectors that mate with each other, One of the male and female connectors includes a housing that houses a shield terminal connected to an end of a shielded electric wire, the shielded wire of the one connector has an inner wire and a braid covering the inner wire, the shield terminal of the one connector is an outer terminal crimped and connected to the braid of the shielded electric wire, The other connector of the male and female connectors comprises a second housing that is fitted into the first housing, a metal shield body that is assembled to the rear of the second housing so as to connect to a shield terminal of the first connector and is fixed to an end of a wiring board, and a metal cylindrical shield shell that covers at least one of the second housing and the shield body, the shield shell has a ground piece that is grounded to a wall surface of a housing that accommodates the wiring board, The tip end of the shield terminal is accommodated in and connected to a mating terminal accommodating portion provided at the tip end of the shield body, guide protrusions are formed on both sides of the mating terminal accommodating portion of the shield body so as to extend in the front-rear direction, The other housing has two side walls formed at their rear ends from the center thereof to the rear thereof, each having an engagement groove into which the guide protrusion is inserted. A shielded connector in which the distance of the conductive path through which noise flows from the contact point between the shield terminal of one of the connectors and the shield body to the contact point between the wall surface of the housing and the earth piece of the shield shell is set to be shorter than the distance of the conductive path through which noise flows from the contact point between the shield terminal of one of the connectors and the shield body to the contact point between the shield body and the wiring board.

2. 2. The shielded connector according to claim 1, wherein the shield shell is formed into a rectangular tube shape by upper and lower pieces and side pieces, and the grounding piece is formed on at least one of the upper and lower pieces.

3. a rectangular opening for receiving the rectangular cylindrical shield shell is formed in a side wall of the housing; 3. The shielded connector according to claim 2, wherein a gap between said rectangular cylindrical shield shell and said opening is set to a small dimension.

4. The earth piece formed on at least one of the upper and lower pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell is divided into a plurality of pieces inclined toward the wall surface of the side wall of the housing, and has a convex contact portion at each tip and is elastic, 3. The shielded connector according to claim 2, wherein the convex contact portions of the resilient grounding pieces are pressed against and biased into contact with the sidewalls of the housing.

5. 3. The shielded connector according to claim 2, wherein the upper and lower pieces and both side pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell are formed to a size that covers a part of the center to the front side of the shield body.

6. 3. The shielded connector according to claim 2, wherein the upper and lower pieces and both side pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shielded shell are formed to a size sufficient to cover the entirety of the other housing.

7. 7. The shielded connector according to claim 6, wherein an extension piece that covers the outer peripheral surface of the shield body is formed on at least one of the upper piece and both side pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell, which is formed to a size that covers the entire other housing.

8. 8. The shielded connector according to claim 7, wherein the extension piece formed on at least one of the upper piece and both side pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shielded shell has an engaging protrusion formed thereon that engages with an engaging recess formed in the shield body.

9. 3. The shielded connector according to claim 2, wherein the upper and lower pieces and both side pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell are formed to a size that covers a notch formed from the center of the shield body to the front side.

10. The upper and lower pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell each have an earth piece, 10. The shielded connector according to claim 9, wherein the distance of the conductive path through which noise flows from the contact point between the shield terminal of said one connector and the shield body to the contact point between the wall surface of said housing and the earth piece on the upper part of said shield shell is set to be the same as the distance of the conductive path through which noise flows from the contact point between the shield terminal of said one connector and the shield body to the contact point between the wall surface of said housing and the earth piece on the lower part of said shield shell.

11. The upper and lower pieces and both side pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell are formed to a size that covers the entire other housing, The earthing piece formed on at least one of the upper and lower pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell has a free end and is notched in an arc shape that is elastically curved outward, 3. The shielded connector according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion of the elastic, arc-shaped earth piece is pressed against and biased to come into contact with an inner edge surface of a rectangular opening formed in a side wall of the housing.

12. 12. The shielded connector according to claim 11, wherein an extension piece for covering the shield body is formed on each of the upper piece and both side pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell.

13. The upper and lower pieces and both side pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell are formed to a size that covers the entire other housing, The earth piece formed on at least one of the upper and lower pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell is cut out to have an arch spring shape with both ends connected and curved outward, 3. The shielded connector according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion of the arch spring-shaped grounding piece is pressed against and biased to contact an inner edge surface of a rectangular opening formed in a side wall of the housing.

14. 2. The shielded connector according to claim 1, wherein the distance of the conductive path through which noise flows from the tip of the guide protrusion to the contact portion of the arc-shaped earth piece of the shield shell and the contact on the inner edge surface of the opening in the side wall of the housing is set to be shorter than the distance of the conductive path through which noise flows from the tip of the guide protrusion to the contact portion between the leg formed on the shield body and the wiring board.

15. The upper and lower pieces and both side pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell are formed to a size that covers the entire other housing, 3. The shielded connector according to claim 2, wherein the earthing piece formed on at least one of the upper and lower pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shielding shell is bent into a flange shape that contacts the outer wall surface surrounding a rectangular opening formed in the side wall of the housing.

16. The flange-shaped grounding piece has a mounting hole through which a fastening member is inserted, 16. The shielded connector according to claim 15, wherein the flange-shaped grounding piece is fixed to the side wall of the housing by the fastening member.

17. The upper and lower pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell each have a flange-shaped earth piece at the tip, 17. The shielded connector according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the upper and lower flange-shaped grounding pieces has the mounting hole.

18. The upper and lower pieces of the rectangular cylindrical shield shell each have a flange-shaped earth piece at the tip, 17. The shielded connector according to claim 16, wherein the upper and lower flange-shaped grounding pieces each have the mounting hole.

19. 2. The shielded connector according to claim 1, wherein the wiring board accommodated in the housing is attached to a bottom wall of the housing via a metal rectangular pillar.

20. 2. The shielded connector according to claim 1, wherein the wiring board accommodated in the housing is attached with the end face of the end portion in contact with an inner wall surface of a side wall of the housing.

Images