connector

Abstract

To enable an outer conductor of a connector to be connected with a connection partner conductor by a compact configuration.SOLUTION: A connector comprises: a terminal module 32 that includes an inner conductor 34, an insulator 36 surrounding the circumference of the inner conductor, and an outer conductor 40 having a cylinder part 42 surrounding the circumference of the insulator and a projection part 44 protruding to the outside of the cylinder part; and a connection partner conductor 50. At least one of the connection partner conductor and the projection part has a spring connection part 53 that is pressed against the other of the connection partner conductor and the projection part elastically at a contact pressure having a force component in an axial direction of the cylinder part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector module including a terminal module with a conductive shell and a shielding case. The bottom of the shielding case has a cylindrical protrusion, and the terminal module is joined to the shielding case with the outer peripheral surface of the conductive shell of the terminal module in surface contact with the inner peripheral surface of the protrusion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-6162 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the protrusion protrudes from the bottom of the shield case, which may result in an increase in the size of the connector module.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to enable the outer conductor of a connector to be connected to a mating conductor in a compact configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure is a connector comprising: a terminal module including an inner conductor, an insulator surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor having a tubular portion surrounding the insulator and a protrusion protruding outside the tubular portion; and a mating connection conductor, wherein at least one of the mating connection conductor and the protrusion has a spring connection portion that is elastically pressed against the other of the mating connection conductor and the protrusion with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the tubular portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the outer conductor of the connector can be connected to the mating conductor in a compact configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a device equipped with a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the second case and the connector from the inside. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the connector from the outside. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the circled portion A in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The connectors of the present disclosure are as follows.

[0011] (1) A connector comprising: a terminal module including an inner conductor, an insulator surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor having a tubular portion surrounding the insulator and a protrusion protruding outside the tubular portion; and a mating connection conductor, wherein at least one of the mating connection conductor and the protrusion has a spring connection portion that is elastically pressed against the other of the mating connection conductor and the protrusion with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the tubular portion.

[0012] In this connector, the spring connection portion is elastically pressed against the protrusion or the mating conductor with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the tubular portion. Therefore, the size of the spring connection portion in the axial direction of the tubular portion can be reduced compared to a configuration in which contact pressure is generated in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular portion. This allows the outer conductor of the connector to be connected to the mating conductor in a compact configuration. Furthermore, since the mating conductor and the outer conductor are electrically connected via the spring connection portion, connection reliability is improved.

[0013] (2) In the connector of (1), the mating conductor may be a shielded conductor, in which case the protrusion of the outer conductor from the shielded conductor can be reduced.

[0014] (3) In the connector of (1) or (2), the mating conductor may have the spring connection portion. In this case, the spring connection portion does not need to be provided on the protruding portion of the outer conductor. This reduces restrictions on manufacturing the outer conductor and makes it easier to manufacture the outer conductor.

[0015] (4) In any one of the connectors (1) to (3), the spring connection portion may include a spring fulcrum and a spring contact, and the protrusion and the mating connection conductor may be fixed at a position closer to the spring fulcrum than the spring contact.

[0016] This allows the positional relationship between the protrusion and the mating conductor to be kept constant at a position closer to the spring fulcrum than the spring contact, making it easier to ensure contact pressure by the spring connection portion.

[0017] (5) In the connector of (4), the protrusion and the mating conductor may be fixed to each other by being pressed together while overlapping each other, thereby making it possible to easily fix the protrusion and the mating conductor.

[0018] (6) In any one of the connectors (1) to (5), a plurality of the spring connection portions may be provided, thereby improving the connection reliability between the outer conductor and the mating connection conductor.

[0019] (7) In the connector of (6), the plurality of spring connection portions may be distributed around the tubular portion. This makes it easier for the outer conductor and the mating conductor to maintain contact via one of the spring connection portions even if the tubular portion is tilted, thereby improving the connection reliability between the outer conductor and the mating conductor.

[0020] (8) In the connector of (7), the plurality of spring connection portions may be distributed at equal intervals around the cylindrical portion, which makes it easier for each spring connection portion to come into contact with the protrusion or the mating conductor in an even state.

[0021] (9) In the connector of any one of (6) to (9), the protrusion and the mating connection conductor may be fixed at multiple locations. This allows the protrusion and the mating connection conductor to maintain a constant positional relationship at multiple locations, making it easier for the multiple spring connection portions to be kept in contact with the protrusion or the mating connection conductor.

[0022] (10) In the connector of (9), the protrusion and the mating conductor may be fixed at multiple locations distributed around the tubular portion. In this case, the protrusion and the mating conductor are maintained in a constant positional relationship at multiple locations distributed around the tubular portion. This makes it easier for the multiple spring connection portions to be maintained in contact with the protrusion or the mating conductor.

[0023] (11) In the connector of (10), the protrusion and the mating conductor may be fixed at multiple locations evenly distributed around the cylindrical portion. In this case, the protrusion and the mating conductor are maintained in a constant positional relationship at multiple locations evenly distributed around the cylindrical portion. This makes it easier for the multiple spring connection portions to be maintained in contact with the protrusion or the mating conductor.

[0024] (12) In the connector of any one of (9) to (11), the plurality of spring connection portions may correspond one-to-one to the plurality of fixing points between the protrusion and the mating connection conductor in the same positional relationship, which makes it easier to uniformize the contact pressure of each spring connection portion and improves connection reliability.

[0025] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0026] [Embodiment] A connector according to an embodiment will now be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a device 10 equipped with a connector 30. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1.

[0027] <Overall equipment configuration> The device 10 is, for example, a camera device. The camera device is, for example, a device for use in a vehicle. The device 10 does not have to be a camera device.

[0028] The device 10 includes a case 12, an electric component 20, and a connector 30. The electric component 20 is housed in the case 12. The connector 30 is a connector for connecting the electric component 20 to an external electric component. For example, the connector 30 is a connector to which a cable connected to the external electric component is connected.

[0029] The case 12 includes a first case 13 and a second case 14. The first case 13 and the second case 14 are formed of, for example, resin. The first case 13 and the second case 14 are combined to form the rectangular box-shaped case 12 that houses the electrical components 20. If the device 10 is a camera device, it is assumed that the first case 13 has a lens or window for capturing images, and the second case 14 has a connector 30.

[0030] The electrical component 20 is, for example, a mounting board on which electronic components are mounted. If the device 10 is a camera device, the electrical component 20 is assumed to be a circuit board 21 and an image sensor 22 mounted on the circuit board 21. The image sensor 22 faces an image capturing lens or window in the first case 13, and captures an image of the outside scenery by rotating the lens or window. Hereinafter, the side of the first case 13 toward which the image sensor 22 faces may be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side, the second case 14 side, may be referred to as the rear side.

[0031] In this embodiment, the electrical component 20 includes a board-side connector 24 located on the surface of the circuit board 21 opposite the imaging element 22. The board-side connector 24 includes, for example, a board-side inner conductor 25, a board-side insulator 26, and a board-side outer conductor 27. The board-side inner conductor 25 is surrounded by the board-side insulator 26. A dielectric can be considered a type of insulator, and the board-side insulator 26 may be a dielectric. The board-side outer conductor 27 is surrounded by the board-side insulator 26. The board-side connector 24 protrudes from the circuit board 21 toward the connector 30.

[0032] A relay connector 90 is connected to the board-side connector 24. The relay connector 90 includes, for example, a movable-side inner conductor 91, a movable-side insulator 92, and a movable-side outer conductor 93. The movable-side insulator 92 surrounds the movable-side inner conductor 91. A dielectric can be considered a type of insulator, and the movable-side insulator 92 may be a dielectric. The movable-side outer conductor 93 surrounds the movable-side insulator 92. The relay connector 90 is connected to the board-side connector 24 with the movable-side inner conductor 91 inserted and connected to the board-side inner conductor 25 and the board-side outer conductor 27 inserted and connected to the movable-side outer conductor 93. The relay connector 90 further protrudes from the board-side connector 24 toward the connector 30. The relay connector 90 relays and connects the board-side connector 24 and the connector 30. The relay connector 90 is connected to the board-side connector 24 and the connector 30 in a manner that allows its position to be changed relative to the board-side connector 24 and the connector 30.

[0033] The connector 30 is provided on the second case 14 side, i.e., on the rear side of the case 12. Inside the case 12, a relay connector 90 is connected to the connector 30. When an external cable is connected to the connector 30, an external electrical component to which the cable is connected is electrically connected to the electrical component 20 inside the case 12.

[0034] <Connector> The connector 30 will now be described in more detail.

[0035] <Overall connector configuration> Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the second case 14 and the connector 30 from the inside. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the connector 30 from the outside. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 30. Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the circled portion A in Fig. 2.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the connector 30 includes a terminal module 32 and a mating conductor 50.

[0037] The terminal module 32 includes an inner conductor 34, an insulator 36, and an outer conductor 40. The insulator 36 surrounds the inner conductor 34. A dielectric can be considered a type of insulator, and the insulator 36 may be a dielectric material. The outer conductor 40 surrounds the insulator 36.

[0038] The mating conductor 50 is a conductor to which the outer conductor 40 is electrically connected, and is made of metal or the like. In this embodiment, the mating conductor 50 is a shielding conductor that electromagnetically shields the electric component 20 from the outside. More specifically, the mating conductor 50 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box with one side open, and is arranged along the inner surface of the second case 14. The mating conductor 50 is positioned behind the electric component 20, thereby providing electromagnetic shielding between the electric component 20 and the outside behind it. The mating conductor 50 surrounds and is positioned behind the board-side connector 24 and the relay connector 90, thereby providing electromagnetic shielding between the board-side connector 24 and the relay connector 90 and the outside around and behind them.

[0039] The mating connection conductor 50 does not necessarily have to have the above-mentioned shape, and for example, the mating connection conductor may be formed in a plate shape that extends along the inner surface of the bottom of the second case 14. The mating connection conductor may extend toward the first case 13. The mating connection conductor may be electrically connected to the shield conductor on the first case 13 side.

[0040] The terminal module 32 is supported on the bottom 15 of the second case 14. The connection mating conductor 50 is also supported within the second case 14. The configuration in which the second case 14 supports the terminal module 32 and the connection mating conductor 50 will be described.

[0041] The bottom 52 of the mating conductor 50 is formed in a shape that extends over the entire inner surface of the bottom 15 of the second case 14, here a rectangular shape. A hole 52h is formed in the bottom 52. A fixing protrusion 15p that can be fitted into the hole 52h is protruded from the inner surface of the bottom 15 of the second case 14. The fixing protrusion 15p is fitted into the hole 52h, thereby supporting the mating conductor 50 within the second case 14. For example, the fixing protrusion 15p may be press-fitted into the hole 52h. For example, with the fixing protrusion 15p inserted into the hole 52h, the tip of the fixing protrusion 15p may be melted by heat or the like, and the melted and solidified portion may be caught on the periphery of the hole 52h in a manner that prevents it from coming out. For example, a retaining projection may be formed at the tip of fixing projection 15p, and elastic deformation of fixing projection 15p or the periphery of hole 52h may be utilized to allow the retaining projection to come out of hole 52h and be inserted into hole 52h. In this case, after fixing projection 15p is inserted into hole 52h, fixing projection 15p or the periphery of hole 52h returns to its original shape, and the retaining projection catches on the periphery of hole 52h.

[0042] The configuration for fixing the mating conductor to the second case 14 is not limited to the above example. For example, the mating conductor may be fixed to the second case 14 by screws, adhesive, or the like.

[0043] A retaining tubular portion 16 protrudes from the bottom portion 15. The retaining tubular portion 16 is cylindrical and protrudes outward from the center of the bottom portion 15. The inner opening of the retaining tubular portion 16 opens into the second case 14, and the outer opening of the retaining tubular portion 16 opens to the outside of the second case 14. A retaining partition portion 17 is formed in the axial middle portion of the retaining tubular portion 16. The retaining partition portion 17 separates the space on the inner opening side of the retaining tubular portion 16 from the space on the outer opening side. A retaining hole 17h is formed in the retaining partition portion 17, and the terminal module 32 is inserted into and held in the retaining hole 17h.

[0044] In this embodiment, a locking protrusion 18a for holding a cable connector attached to the end of a cable is formed on the outer periphery of the holding cylinder portion 16. It is not essential that the locking protrusion 18a be formed.

[0045] <Terminal module> A more detailed description will now be given of the terminal module 32. As described above, the terminal module 32 includes the inner conductor 34, the insulator 36, and the outer conductor 40.

[0046] The inner conductor 34 is formed in the shape of a long, thin rod, and is made of a conductive material such as metal.

[0047] The insulator 36 is made of an insulating material such as resin and surrounds the inner conductor 34. In this embodiment, the insulator 36 is a dielectric material. The insulator 36 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The length of the insulator 36 is shorter than the length of the inner conductor 34. A through hole 36h is formed in the center of the insulator 36 along its extending direction. The inner conductor 34 is inserted into the through hole 36h, and a longitudinal middle portion of the inner conductor 34 is held within the through hole 36h. With the inner conductor 34 held by the insulator 36, both ends of the inner conductor 34 protrude outward from both end surfaces of the insulator 36. The inner conductor 34 may be formed with a locking protrusion that hooks onto the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 36h.

[0048] The outer conductor 40 has a tubular portion 42 and a protruding portion 44, and is made of a conductive material such as metal. The tubular portion 42 is formed in a tubular shape that surrounds the insulator 36. More specifically, the tubular portion 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The length of the tubular portion 42 is greater than the length of the insulator 36. The insulator 36 is held in the middle of the tubular portion 42 in the longitudinal direction, and both ends of the tubular portion 42 protrude outward beyond both ends of the insulator 36. The tubular portion 42 may be formed with locking protrusions that hook onto either the outer circumferential surface or each end face of the insulator 36.

[0049] The protruding portion 44 protrudes outward from the tubular portion 42. More specifically, the protruding portion 44 is formed in a disk shape protruding outward from one end edge of the tubular portion 42 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular portion 42. A recessed portion 45 is formed extending from the outer circumferential edge of the protruding portion 44 toward the inner circumferential side. The recessed portion 45 is a V-shaped recess that gradually narrows from the outer circumferential edge of the protruding portion 44 toward the inner circumferential side. A plurality of recessed portions 45 are formed in the protruding portion 44. The plurality of recessed portions 45 are formed so as to be aligned at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the protruding portion 44. In this embodiment, eight recessed portions 45 are formed at 45-degree intervals around the central axis X of the tubular portion 42. The formation of the recessed portions 45 is not essential.

[0050] The outer conductor 40 may be formed by deep drawing a metal material. If the outer conductor 40 is formed by deep drawing, an outer conductor with reduced seams and slits can be manufactured at low cost. In this case, the recesses 45 can prevent the outer periphery of the protrusions 44 from becoming too thin due to stretching during processing. The outer conductor may be formed by pressing a metal plate, by molding with a die, or by cutting.

[0051] The tubular portion 42 is inserted into the retaining hole 17h of the retaining partition portion 17 from the inside of the second case 14, and a longitudinally intermediate portion of the tubular portion 42 is retained by the retaining hole 17h. The tubular portion 42 may be retained by a frictional retaining force between the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 42 and the inner peripheral surface of the retaining hole 17h. A protrusion that catches on the inner peripheral portion of the retaining hole 17h may be formed on the tubular portion 42. The tubular portion 42 may be fixed to the retaining hole 17h by adhesive, screwing, or the like.

[0052] With the tubular portion 42 held by the holding partition 17, one end of the tubular portion 42 protrudes inward beyond the holding partition 17 and is disposed opposite the outward portion of the bottom 52 of the mating conductor 50. The outer peripheral edge of the protruding portion 44 extends wider than the inner opening of the holding tubular portion 16 and is in contact with the inward-facing surface of the bottom 15 of the second case 14 and the edge of the inner opening of the holding tubular portion 16.

[0053] The movable side outer conductor 93 of the relay connector 90 is inserted and connected to the inner opening of the tubular portion 42, and the inner end of the inner conductor 34 is inserted and connected to the movable side inner conductor 91, thereby connecting the relay connector 90 and the connector 30 within the case 12.

[0054] <Electrical connection structure between the outer conductor and the mating conductor> One of the mating connection conductor 50 and the protruding portion 44 has a spring connection portion 53 that is elastically pressed against the other of the mating connection conductor 50 and the protruding portion 44 with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the tubular portion 42. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the mating connection conductor 50 has a spring connection portion 53 that is elastically pressed against the protruding portion 44 with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the tubular portion 42.

[0055] That is, an opening 54 is formed in the bottom 52 of the mating conductor 50. The opening 54 is formed at a position facing the inner opening of the tubular portion 42. The size of the opening 54 is the same as or larger than the size of the inner opening of the tubular portion 42, and smaller than the protrusion 44. The center of the opening 54 is located on the central axis of the outer conductor 40. The protrusion 44 is arranged around the opening 54 in the outward-facing portion of the bottom 52 so as to face the opening 54.

[0056] A spring connection portion 53 is formed in a portion of the bottom portion 52 facing the protrusion 44. In this embodiment, a slit 53S is formed in the bottom portion 52 so as to extend outward from the edge of the opening 54. The slit 53S extends along the radial direction of the opening 54. The outer peripheral end of the slit 53S is located more inward than the outer edge of the protrusion 44. The spring connection portion 53 is formed between two slits 53S.

[0057] The outer peripheral end of spring connection portion 53 farther from opening 54 is spring fulcrum 53a that is integrally connected to bottom portion 52. The inner peripheral end of spring connection portion 53 closer to opening 54 is free end 53b that displaces in the thickness direction of bottom portion 52 with spring fulcrum 53a as a fulcrum. The middle portion of spring connection portion 53 in the longitudinal direction is bent so as to protrude toward protrusion 44, and the portion of spring connection portion 53 that protrudes most toward protrusion 44 is spring contact point 53c. In this embodiment, spring contact point 53c is located closer to free end 53b than spring fulcrum 53a.

[0058] In this embodiment, slit 53S is a slit of equal width extending along the radial direction of circular opening 54. Therefore, spring connection portion 53 is formed in a trapezoidal shape that is wide on the spring fulcrum 53a side and narrow on the free end 53b side. The slit may be formed in a shape that gradually widens from the opening toward the outer periphery, and the spring connection portion may be formed in a shape that is close to a rectangle.

[0059] The connector 30 is required to include at least one spring connection portion 53. In this embodiment, the connector 30 includes a plurality of spring connection portions 53. Here, the plurality of spring connection portions 53 are distributed around the tubular portion 42. More specifically, the plurality of spring connection portions 53 are distributed at equal intervals around the tubular portion 42. Note that "evenly" includes evenly within a manufacturing tolerance range (for example, intervals varying within a range of ±5 degrees around the central axis X of the tubular portion 42). Preferably, three or more spring connection portions 53 are distributed at equal intervals around the tubular portion 42.

[0060] In this embodiment, eight slits 53S are formed around the opening 54 in the bottom portion 52. The eight slits 53S are formed at equal intervals around the central axis X of the cylindrical portion 42. Therefore, eight spring connection portions 53 of the same shape are formed around the opening 54 at equal intervals.

[0061] In this embodiment, the plurality of spring connection portions 53 and the plurality of recesses 45 are formed at the same positions around the central axis X of the tubular portion 42. Therefore, each spring connection portion 53 is disposed so as to face a portion of the protrusion 44 between the recesses 45.

[0062] With the mating conductor 50 fixed to the second case 14, the tubular portion 42 of the outer conductor 40 is inserted into the retaining hole 17h of the retaining tubular portion 16 and held in a fixed position. In addition, the outer peripheral edge of the protruding portion 44 is sandwiched between the inward surface of the bottom 15 of the second case 14, a portion around the inner opening of the retaining tubular portion 16, and the outward surface of the bottom 52 of the mating conductor 50, a portion around the opening 54. Therefore, the protruding portion 44 of the outer conductor 40 is held in a fixed position relative to the mating conductor 50.

[0063] Therefore, the spring connection part 53 is held in a state of being pressed against the protrusion 44 along the axial direction of the cylindrical part 42. At this time, since the spring connection part 53 extends from the spring fulcrum 53a along a direction intersecting (here, substantially perpendicular to) the axial direction of the cylindrical part 42, the spring contact point 53c is pressed against the spring. Fulcrum 53a The spring connection part 53 is elastically deformed so as to swing around the spring contact point 53c. The spring connection part 53 is elastically restored to its original shape, and a contact pressure is generated between the spring contact point 53c and the protrusion 44. At this time, the spring contact point 53c is pressed against the spring contact point 53c. Fulcrum 53a The spring contact 53c is displaced so as to swing around the cylindrical portion 42, and is displaced mainly in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42. Therefore, the contact pressure between the spring contact 53c and the protruding portion 44 has a force component along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42, and the spring contact 53c is pressed against the protruding portion 44 by this force component.

[0064] In other words, the spring connection portion 53 is a portion designed to press the spring contact point 53c against the protrusion 44 with a force that includes a force component along the axial direction of the tubular portion 42. For this reason, the spring connection portion 53 is a spring that extends along a direction intersecting the axial direction of the tubular portion 42. In order to reduce the size of the tubular portion 42 in the axial direction, the spring connection portion 53 is preferably a spring that intersects the axial direction at an angle closer to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular portion 42 than to the axial direction of the tubular portion 42, and more preferably a spring that extends along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular portion 42.

[0065] As described above, the spring connection portion 53 is pressed against the protrusion 44, whereby the outer conductor 40 and the mating connection conductor 50 come into contact with each other, and a good electrical connection between them is maintained.

[0066] It is not essential that both the holding of the holding tube portion 16 and the clamping of the outer periphery of the protrusion 44 are performed. Furthermore, in cases where a fixing structure is realized by press working, which will be described later, both the holding of the holding tube portion 16 and the clamping of the outer periphery of the protrusion 44 may be omitted.

[0067] The protrusion 44 and the mating conductor 50 may be fixed to each other. In this embodiment, the protrusion 44 and the mating conductor 50 are fixed to each other by being pressed together while overlapping each other. More specifically, when the protrusion 44 and the mating conductor 50 are pressed together while overlapping each other, the fitting recess 50g formed on one of the protrusion 44 and the mating conductor 50 fits into the fitting protrusion 44p formed on the other, thereby fixing the protrusion 44 and the mating conductor 50 to each other in an overlapping state. The fitting recess 50g may be formed before the press working in the overlapping state, or may be formed during the press working. The fitting protrusion 44p may be formed before the press working in the overlapping state, or may be formed during the press working. In any case, it is sufficient that the fitting convex portion 44p fits into the fitting recessed portion 50g by press working in the overlapping state, and that the fitting convex portion 44p is deformed into a shape that makes it difficult to come out of the fitting recessed portion 50g, or that a frictional force that prevents the fitting convex portion 44p from coming out acts between the fitting convex portion 44p and the fitting recessed portion 50g. As described above, the fitting and fixing structure of the convex and concave portions that utilizes plastic deformation of metal may be a fixing structure using a joining method called crimping or a fixing structure using a joining method called clinch crimping.

[0068] In this embodiment, a fitting recess 50g is formed in a portion of the bottom 52 of the connection mating conductor 50 that faces the protruding portion 44. The fitting recess 50g is formed at a position that overlaps the outer periphery of the protruding portion 44. Here, the fitting recess 50g is a square-shaped recess, but it may also be a circular, elliptical, or polygonal recess. The fitting recess 50g may also be a hole that penetrates the bottom 52. A recess is also formed in the inward-facing portion of the bottom 52, but this is not essential.

[0069] An engagement protrusion 44p is formed on the protrusion 44. The engagement protrusion 44p protrudes from the outer peripheral edge of the protrusion 44 toward the bottom 52. In this embodiment, the engagement recess 50g faces the outer peripheral edge of the protrusion 44 and is formed at a position between the recesses 45. The engagement protrusion 44p faces the outer peripheral edge of the protrusion 44 and is formed at a position between the recesses 45 corresponding to the position of the engagement recess 50g.

[0070] For example, a fitting recess 50g is formed in advance in the bottom 52 of the mating conductor 50 by press working or the like, and the protruding portion 44 is then placed on the bottom 52. In this state, a press die 80 (see FIG. 6) is used to protrude the outer periphery of the protruding portion 44, which faces the fitting recess 50g, toward the fitting recess 50g. This causes the outer periphery of the protruding portion 44 to undergo plastic deformation so as to partially protrude, and the fitting protrusion 44p formed by this plastic deformation is fitted into the fitting recess 50g. Note that a die 82 that receives a force may be disposed on the opposite side of the press die 80.

[0071] The fitting protrusions 44p are pressed into the fitting recesses 50g in a direction along the outer circumferential edge of the protrusion 44, for example, and are difficult to remove from the fitting recesses 50g. The fitting protrusions 44p distributed around the tubular portion 42 may be pressed strongly against the side surface of each fitting recess 50g on the tubular portion 42 side, thereby making it difficult for the fitting protrusions 44p to be removed from the fitting recesses 50g.

[0072] Alternatively, the protrusion may be superimposed on the bottom of the mating conductor, and the bottom and protrusion may be simultaneously plastically deformed using a press die to simultaneously press-form the fitting recess and fitting protrusion. Alternatively, the fitting recess may be formed on the protrusion, and the fitting protrusion that fits into the fitting recess may be formed on the bottom of the mating conductor.

[0073] As described above, fitting of fitting convex portion 44p into fitting concave portion 50g fixes protrusion 44 and mating connection conductor 50 at a position closer to spring fulcrum 53a than spring contact point 53c. This allows spring fulcrum 53a of spring connecting portion 53 to be held at a more constant position, allowing contact pressure due to the elastic force of spring connecting portion 53 to act effectively.

[0074] It is not essential that the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 are directly fixed to each other. As described above, when the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 are fixed to each other, the fixing points may be one or more. If the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 are fixed to each other at multiple points, the positional relationship between the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 is stabilized, and the contact state between the spring contact 53c of the spring connection portion 53 and the protrusion 44 is stabilized. If the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 are fixed to each other at multiple points distributed around the tubular portion 42, the contact state becomes more stable, and if the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 are fixed to each other at multiple points distributed evenly around the tubular portion 42, the contact state becomes even more stable.

[0075] Furthermore, if the multiple spring connection portions 53 and the multiple fixing points are associated one-to-one with the same positional relationship, the parts that keep each spring connection portion 53 in a fixed position relative to the protrusion 44 can be aligned to be the same.

[0076] In this embodiment, fitting protrusions 44p are formed at the outer peripheral edge of the protruding portion 44 at respective positions in the centers of the plurality of recesses 45. A plurality of fitting recesses 50g are formed at positions facing the plurality of fitting protrusions 44p, respectively. The position at which each fitting protrusion 44p fits into the corresponding fitting recess 50g is a position away from the spring fulcrum 53a of the spring connection portion 53 toward the radial outside of the tubular portion 42. In other words, for all of the spring connection portions 53, the spring connection portion 53 and the position at which the fitting protrusion 44p fits into the fitting recess 50g are located at the same position in the circumferential direction of a circle centered on the central axis X of the tubular portion 42.

[0077] <Effects, etc.> In the connector 30 configured as described above, the spring connection portion 53 is elastically pressed against the mating connection conductor 50 with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the tubular portion 42. In order for the spring connection portion 53 to generate a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the tubular portion 42, the spring connection portion 53 needs to extend in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the tubular portion 42. This allows the size of the spring connection portion 53 in the direction along the axial direction of the tubular portion 42 to be reduced compared to a configuration in which contact pressure is generated in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular portion. This allows the outer conductor 40 of the connector 30 to be connected to the mating connection conductor 50 in a compact configuration, thereby enabling the overall miniaturization of the device 10. In particular, the size of the device 10 in the front-to-rear direction can be reduced. Furthermore, since the mating conductor 50 and the outer conductor 40 are electrically connected via the spring connecting portion 53, even if the positional relationship between the mating conductor 50 and the outer conductor 40 changes due to assembly errors, thermal expansion and contraction, etc., the spring connecting portion 53 is kept pressed firmly against the protruding portion 44. This improves the connection reliability between the mating conductor 50 and the outer conductor 40.

[0078] Furthermore, if the mating connection conductor 50 is a shield conductor, it is possible to reduce the amount of protrusion of the outer conductor 40 from the mating connection conductor 50 as a shield conductor. This reduces the amount of protrusion of the outer conductor 40 from the device 10.

[0079] Furthermore, if the mating conductor 50 has the spring connecting portion 53, it is not necessary to provide a spring connecting portion on the protruding portion 44 of the outer conductor 40. This reduces restrictions on manufacturing the outer conductor 40, making it easier to manufacture the outer conductor 40.

[0080] For example, if the outer conductor is formed by pressing a metal plate or cutting a metal block, it is possible to form a spring connection portion on the outer conductor. However, if the outer conductor is formed by pressing a metal plate, slits due to seams may occur in the outer conductor, which may affect the electromagnetic shielding performance. Furthermore, if the outer conductor is formed by cutting, the manufacturing cost of the outer conductor increases. If the outer conductor is manufactured by deep drawing, there is no slit, good electromagnetic shielding performance can be obtained, and costs can be reduced compared to outer conductors manufactured by cutting. If the outer conductor is manufactured by deep drawing, the protruding portion may become too thin to be suitable for forming a spring connection portion. However, in this embodiment, since the spring connection portion 53 is formed on the mating conductor 50, a thin protruding portion 44 does not pose a problem. Therefore, by reducing manufacturing constraints on the outer conductor 40, the electromagnetic shielding performance of the outer conductor 40 can be improved and costs can be reduced.

[0081] Furthermore, since the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 are fixed at a position closer to the spring fulcrum 53a than the spring connection portion 53, the positional relationship between the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 can be kept constant at a position close to the spring fulcrum 53a. This makes it easier to ensure contact pressure by the spring connection portion 53.

[0082] Furthermore, because the protrusion 44 and the mating conductor 50 are fixed to each other by pressing them together while they are overlapped, the protrusion 44 and the mating conductor 50 can be fixed more easily than by welding them. By directly fixing the protrusion 44 and the mating conductor 50, the spring fulcrum 53a of the spring connection portion 53 is more reliably held in a fixed position relative to the protrusion 44. For example, even if the second case 14 is deformed due to thermal expansion and contraction, causing the positions at which the tubular portion 42 and the protrusion 44 are held by the second case 14 to shift, the spring fulcrum 53a of the spring connection portion 53 is more reliably held in a fixed position relative to the protrusion 44 by the direct fixing point between the protrusion 44 and the mating conductor 50. This stabilizes the contact pressure of the spring connection portion 53.

[0083] Furthermore, by providing the connector 30 with a plurality of spring connection portions 53, the reliability of connection between the outer conductor 40 and the mating connection conductor 50 can be improved.

[0084] Furthermore, by distributing the multiple spring connection portions 53 around the tubular portion 42, even if the tubular portion 42 tilts, the outer conductor 40 and the mating connection conductor 50 can easily maintain contact via any of the spring connection portions 53. This improves the connection reliability between the outer conductor 40 and the mating connection conductor 50.

[0085] Furthermore, since the multiple spring connection parts 53 are dispersed at equal intervals around the tubular part 42, the multiple spring connection parts 53 tend to come into contact with the protruding part 44 in a uniform state (for example, in terms of positional relationship and force), thereby improving the stability of the connection.

[0086] Furthermore, when the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 are fixed at multiple locations, the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 are more likely to be maintained in a constant positional relationship. This makes it easier for the multiple spring connection portions 53 to be maintained in contact with the protrusion 44.

[0087] Furthermore, when the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 are fixed at multiple locations dispersed around the tubular portion 42 , the multiple spring connection portions 53 are more likely to be kept in contact with the protrusion 44 .

[0088] Furthermore, when the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 are fixed at multiple locations evenly distributed around the tubular portion 42, the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 are likely to be maintained in a constant positional relationship with each other without being biased around the tubular portion 42. This makes it easier for the multiple spring connection portions 53 to be maintained in contact with the protrusion 44.

[0089] Furthermore, the multiple spring connection portions 53 and the multiple fixing points between the protrusion 44 and the mating connection conductor 50 are in one-to-one correspondence with each other in the same positional relationship. This makes it easier to make the contact pressure by each spring connection portion 53 uniform, and the multiple contact points improve connection reliability.

[0090] [Variations] In the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which the spring connection portion 53 is provided on the mating connection conductor 50. As in the modified example shown in FIG. 7 , the outer conductor 140 corresponding to the outer conductor 40 may have a protrusion 144 corresponding to the protrusion 44, and the protrusion 144 may have the spring connection portion 146. The spring connection portion 146 is formed, for example, by cutting the protrusion 144 partially into a U-shape and bending the cut portion so that it protrudes toward the mating connection conductor 150 corresponding to the mating connection conductor 50. The spring connection portion 146 may be connected to the main body of the protrusion 144 at any position relative to the protrusion 144. In FIG. 7 , the spring connection portion 146 is connected to the main body of the protrusion 144 on the outer circumferential side of the protrusion 144.

[0091] In the mating conductor 150, the portion of the bottom 152 corresponding to the bottom 52 around the opening 54 does not have the spring connection portion 53 formed thereon, and is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0092] According to this modification, the spring connection portion 146 is pressed against the outward surface of the bottom portion 152. The spring connection portion 146 intersects with the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42, and in particular, is aligned with the extension direction of the protrusion 144. Therefore, the spring connection portion 146 is elastically pressed against the mating connection conductor 150 with a contact pressure having a force component aligned with the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42.

[0093] This modification also makes it possible to reduce the size of the spring connection portion 146 in the direction along the axial direction of the tubular portion 42. Therefore, except for the effect of providing the spring connection portion 53 on the mating connection conductor 50, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0094] In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the connector 30 is to be connected to a coaxial cable, and an example in which the connector has one inner conductor has been described. subject In the case where the cable has two core wires, the connector may have a plurality of inner conductors.

[0095] The connector 30 may be applied to connecting an electrical component and a cable that is not intended for the device 10.

[0096] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the multiple spring connection portions 53 and the bottom portion 52 and protrusion 44 of the mating conductor 50 are fixed at the same locations in the circumferential direction around the tubular portion 42. However, it is also possible that the fixing locations are provided corresponding to some of the multiple spring connection portions in the circumferential direction around the tubular portion. It is also possible that the spring connection portions are provided at some of the multiple fixing locations in the circumferential direction around the tubular portion. It is also possible that the multiple spring connection portions and the multiple fixing locations are provided at offset positions around the tubular portion. For example, it is also possible that the spring connection portions are provided at 90-degree intervals around the tubular portion, and the fixing locations are provided at 90-degree intervals at positions offset 45 degrees from the spring connection portions.

[0097] The configurations described in the above embodiment and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually contradictory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10 equipment 12 cases 13 Case 1 14 Case 2 15 Bottom 15p fixing protrusion 16 Holding cylinder part 17 Retaining partition 17h holding hole 18a Locking protrusion 20 Electrical Components 21 Circuit Board 22 Image sensor 24 Board side connector 25 Inner conductor on board side 26 Board side insulator 27 Outer conductor on board side 30 connectors 32 terminal modules 34 Inner conductor 36 Insulator 36h through hole 40, 140 outer conductor 42 Cylinder part 44, 144 Protrusion 44p Insertion protrusion 45 recess 50, 150 Mating conductor (shield conductor) 50g fitting recess 52, 152 bottom 52h hole 53, 146 Spring connection 53S Slit 53a Spring fulcrum 53b Free end 53c Spring contact 54 Aperture 80 Press molds 82 Mold 90 Relay connector 91 Movable side inner conductor 92 Movable side insulator 93 Movable outer conductor

Claims

1. a terminal module including an inner conductor, an insulator surrounding the inner conductor, and an outer conductor having a cylindrical portion surrounding the insulator and a protrusion protruding outward from the cylindrical portion; a mating conductor; A connector comprising: At least one of the mating connection conductor and the protruding portion has a spring connection portion that is elastically pressed against the other of the mating connection conductor and the protruding portion with a contact pressure having a force component along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, the spring connection portion includes a spring fulcrum and a spring contact point; The connector, wherein the protrusion and the mating connection conductor are fixed at a position closer to the spring fulcrum than the spring contact.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, A connector, wherein the mating conductor is a shielded conductor.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, A connector, wherein the mating conductor has the spring connection portion.

4. A connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, The connector has the protrusion and the mating conductor overlapping each other and pressed together to be fixed to each other.

5. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, A connector comprising a plurality of the spring connection portions.

6. A connector according to claim 5, The connector, wherein the plurality of spring connections are distributed around the tubular portion.

7. A connector according to claim 6, The plurality of spring connection portions are evenly distributed around the tubular portion.

8. A connector according to claim 5, The connector, wherein the protrusion and the mating connection conductor are fixed at a plurality of locations.

9. The connector according to claim 8, The connector, wherein the protrusion and the mating connection conductor are fixed at a plurality of locations distributed around the tubular portion.

10. The connector according to claim 9, The connector, wherein the protrusion and the mating conductor are fixed at a plurality of locations evenly distributed around the cylindrical portion.

11. The connector according to claim 8, The plurality of spring connection portions and the plurality of fixing points between the protrusion and the mating connection conductor are in one-to-one correspondence with each other in the same positional relationship.

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