Communication Connector

Abstract

To provide a communication connector having a member covering bent portions of contacts and having a structure suitable for miniaturization while maintaining communication performance.SOLUTION: A communication connector includes a contact molded body 50 in which a contact 51 and a resin body 52 are integrally molded. The resin body 52 that constitutes part of the contact molded body 50 is divided into a first resin portion 52a and a second resin portion 52b, and in the middle there is a second contact portion 51b where the contact remains exposed. This contact molded body 50 is bent at the second contact portion 51b after integral molding. A cover member 60 covers the convexly curved region of the exposed second contact portion 51b and plays a role of impedance matching. The cover member 60 includes a canopy portion 63 that is locked to the second resin portion 52b and is placed on a stepped portion 54 formed at the rear end portion of the first resin portion 52a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication connector that relays a communication signal. [Background technology]

[0002] Depending on the connector structure, the connector may contain a molded contact that is bent at a right angle midway and protected by a resin body through insert molding. In this case, if the contact is bent into its final shape before being insert molded, the bent shape at a right angle will result in a larger (bulkier) package (hoop) during transportation, increasing the risk of breakage or other damage during transportation.

[0003] To solve this problem, a straight or flat contact is used before being bent, and the final horizontally extending and vertically extending portions of the contact are insert molded with resin that is separated from each other, leaving the portion to be bent exposed from the resin, and then the contact is bent after transportation to create a contact molded body of the desired shape.

[0004] In this case, the bent part of the contact is not covered with resin and is left exposed. This means that this part is directly exposed to the air, which reduces the dielectric ratio of the surrounding area and causes impedance mismatch, making it difficult to maintain good communication characteristics.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses that the bent portion of the contact is covered with a dielectric material, etc. Patent Document 1 also describes that covering this portion with a dielectric material, etc., is useful for controlling impedance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Special table 2021-500721 ​​publication Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the case of the structure of Patent Document 1 mentioned above, the bent portion of the contact is long, and the dielectric or the like covering this portion is engaged with both the resin covering the horizontally extending portion of the contact and the resin covering the vertically extending portion, making the structure unsuitable for miniaturization.

[0008] In recent years, signals relayed by communication connectors have become increasingly high frequency, which has led to shorter and shorter allowable contact lengths and increasingly smaller molded contact bodies, including resin portions. This inevitably requires that the components covering the bent portions of the contacts also become increasingly smaller. However, no matter how small the components are, they must be designed to effectively control the impedance of the bent portions and be easily and reliably installed.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication connector that has a member that covers the bent portions of the contacts and has a structure that is suitable for miniaturization while maintaining communication performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The communication connector of the present invention that achieves the above object comprises: a contact having a first contact portion extending in the front-rear direction, a second contact portion extending from the rear end of the first contact portion and curved downward, and a third contact portion extending from the bottom end of the second contact portion and extending downward; a first resin portion surrounding the first contact portion of the contact and adhering to the first contact portion to support the first contact portion; and a second resin portion surrounding the third contact portion of the contact and adhering to the third contact portion to support the third contact portion; The connector is characterized by comprising a resin cover member that is engaged with the second resin portion, rests on the rear end of the first resin portion, and covers the convexly curved area of ​​the second contact portion.

[0011] The communication connector of the present invention has a structure in which the above-mentioned cover member is engaged with the second resin part and rests on the rear end of the first resin part, making it suitable for miniaturization while maintaining communication performance.

[0012] Here, in the communication connector of the present invention, it is preferable that the first resin portion has a stepped portion with a reduced height at the rear end of the first resin portion, and the cover member has an eave portion that rests on the stepped portion.

[0013] By forming a step in the first resin portion, forming an eave portion on the cover member, and placing the eave portion on the step, the height of the structure consisting of the molded contact and the cover member can be reduced.

[0014] In the communication connector of the present invention, the cover member preferably has a first cover portion that covers a side surface of the second contact portion.

[0015] When the cover member has a first covering portion, the side surface of the second contact portion is covered, and the impedance of the second contact portion can be matched with higher precision compared to when the cover member has a structure that covers only the convexly curved area of ​​the second contact portion.

[0016] Furthermore, when the cover member has a first covering portion, it is more preferable that the second resin portion further has a second covering portion that covers the rear end portion of the first resin portion and the first covering portion of the cover member from the side.

[0017] In the case where the second resin portion has the second cover portion, the contact portion between the rear end of the first resin portion and the first cover portion of the cover member is blocked, which contributes to more accurate impedance matching.

[0018] In addition, in the communication connector of the present invention, The molded contact body includes two contacts arranged to extend parallel to and spaced apart from each other, the first resin portion has a recessed portion between the two contacts, the recessed portion being open at the rear end with a resin portion remaining between each contact; It is preferable that the cover member has a protrusion that protrudes forward and fits into the recess.

[0019] When two contacts extending parallel to each other are provided, by forming the above-mentioned recess and protrusion and then inserting the protrusion into the recess, the air path that linearly connects the two contacts is blocked, contributing to more accurate impedance matching.

[0020] Here, the communication connector of the present invention further comprises, in addition to the molded contact and the cover member: a conductive tubular member that surrounds the first contact portion and the first resin portion, extends in the front-rear direction, and opens forward; The connector may have a structure including a resin housing that houses the molded contact, the cover member, and the cylindrical member and has a fitting opening formed in the front for receiving insertion of a mating connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, a communication connector having a structure suitable for miniaturization while maintaining communication performance can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a communication connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the communication connector shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3A is a front view of the communication connector shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the mating opening side, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA shown in FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the molded contact immediately after integral molding. [Figure 5] 5A is a plan view of the molded contact immediately after integral molding, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB shown in FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] 1A is a plan view and FIG. 1B is a side view of the molded contact after the contact has been bent. [Figure 7] 1A is an exploded perspective view of a molded contact and a cover member, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the molded contact with the cover member attached thereto. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side view of the molded contact with the cover member attached. [Figure 10] 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in FIG. 9, and FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of a portion of the circle R1 in FIG. 10A. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the molded contact with the cover member attached. [Figure 12] 12A is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow DD shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of the circle R2 portion shown in FIG. 12A. [Figure 13] 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow EE shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of a portion of the circle R3 shown in FIG. 13A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0024] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a communication connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, where Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B are perspective views viewed from different directions.

[0025] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the communication connector shown in FIG.

[0026] 3A is a front view of the communication connector shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the mating opening side, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA shown in FIG. 3A.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, this communication connector 10 is composed of an insulating resin housing 20, a conductive grounding piece 30, a conductive tubular member 40, a contact molded body 50, and a resin cover member 60.

[0028] A mating opening 21 is formed in the front of the resin housing 20. A mating connector (not shown) is inserted into this mating opening 21. A locking hole 22 that connects to the mating opening 21 is also formed in the top surface of the resin housing 20. When the mating connector is inserted into the mating opening 21, the locking portion of the mating connector fits into this locking hole 22, preventing the mating connector from being accidentally removed.

[0029] Furthermore, the ground piece 30 contacts the housing (not shown) of the device to which the communication connector 10 is attached, and plays a role in keeping the ground potential of the communication connector 10 at the same potential as the ground potential of the device housing.

[0030] Furthermore, a first contact portion 51a and a first resin portion 52a (described later) of the molded contact 50 are inserted into the cylindrical member 40. The cylindrical member 40 serves to shield the portion into which the molded contact 50 is inserted.

[0031] The molded contact body 50 is a component made up of conductive contacts 51 and a resin body 52 integrally molded with the contacts 51. The contacts 51 serve to relay signals by contacting contacts of a mating connector inserted through the mating opening 21. In this embodiment, two contacts 51 are arranged extending parallel to each other at a distance from each other, and differential signal transmission is relayed by the two contacts 51. As shown in FIG. 3B or FIG. 10A (described later), the contacts 51 are curved midway and have a portion extending in the front-rear direction and a portion extending in the up-down direction. Here, the portion of the contact 51 extending in the front-rear direction is referred to as a first contact portion 51a, the portion extending downward from the rear end of the first contact portion 51a is referred to as a second contact portion 51b, and the portion extending downward from the bottom end of the second contact portion 51b is referred to as a third contact portion 51c. Furthermore, the resin body 52 integrally molded with the contact 51 is divided into a first resin portion 52a and a second resin portion 52b. The first resin portion 52a surrounds the first contact portion 51a of the contact 51, which extends in the front-rear direction, and is attached to the first contact portion 51a to support the first contact portion 51a. The second resin portion 52b surrounds the third contact portion 51c of the contact 51, which extends in the up-down direction, and is attached to the third contact portion 51c to support the third contact portion 51c. In this way, the first contact portion 51a and the third contact portion 51c of the contact 51 are supported by the first resin portion 52a and the second resin portion 52b, respectively, but the curved second contact portion 51b is not covered by either the first resin portion 52a or the second resin portion 52b, and is exposed.

[0032] The cover member 60 is a component that covers the exposed second contact portion 51b of the contact 51 from the convexly curved side and is responsible for impedance matching.

[0033] Here, a method for manufacturing the molded contact 50 will be described.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the molded contact immediately after integral molding.

[0035] 5A is a plan view of the molded contact immediately after integral molding, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB shown in FIG. 5A.

[0036] 4 and 5 differs from the final form shown in Fig. 3(B) and the like, and is still connected to the carrier 70. However, even though it is not yet in its final form, it will be referred to as the molded contact 50, just like the final form. The same applies to the names of the various parts of the molded contact 50.

[0037] 4 and 5, the contact 51 is integrally molded with resin before the second contact portion 51b is bent. This allows the package (hoop) of the molded contact 50 to be low-profile when transported, reducing the risk of breakage or other damage during transportation.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a plan view (A) and a side view (B) of the molded contact after the contact has been bent.

[0039] 5(B), the second contact portion 51b of the molded contact body 50 is exposed, and can be bent at the second contact portion 51b. Therefore, the second contact portion 51b is bent when the communication connector 10 is assembled.

[0040] FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view of the molded contact and the cover member, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the molded contact with the cover member attached thereto.

[0041] 8 is a perspective view of the cover member, where Figures 8(A) and 8(B) are perspective views of the cover member viewed from different directions.

[0042] The second contact portion 51b of the contact 51 is not covered with resin and is exposed when the molded contact body 50 is used alone. Therefore, a cover member 60 having the shape shown in Fig. 8 is prepared and applied to the exposed second contact portion 51b.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a side view of the molded contact with the cover member attached.

[0044] 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of a portion of the circle R1 shown in FIG. 10A.

[0045] Furthermore, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the molded contact with the cover member attached.

[0046] 12A is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow DD in FIG. 11, and FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of the circle R2 in FIG. 12A.

[0047] Furthermore, FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow EE shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of the circle R3 portion shown in FIG. 13A.

[0048] Here, the features of this embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 8, 10, 12, and 13. FIG.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 8, two recesses 61 are formed in the cover member 60. As shown in Fig. 10, each of the two recesses 61 accommodates one of the second contact portions 51b of the two contacts 51.

[0050] Additionally, the cover member 60 has locking protrusions 62 formed on both side surfaces thereof for fixing the cover member 60 to the molded contact 50. These locking protrusions 62 fit into locking holes 53 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) provided in the second resin portion 52b of the molded contact 50, thereby fixing the cover member 60 to the molded contact 50. When the cover member 60 is fixed to the molded contact 50, the cover member 60 covers the exposed second contact portion 51b of the contact 51 from the convexly curved side, thereby achieving impedance matching.

[0051] Also, a canopy portion 63 that protrudes forward like a canopy is formed on the cover member 60. Meanwhile, a stepped portion 54 (see FIG. 10) with a reduced height is formed at the rear end of the first resin portion 52a of the molded contact 50, and the canopy portion 63 of the cover member 60 is disposed so as to rest on the stepped portion 54.

[0052] In this way, the cover member 60 is not fixed to both the first resin portion 52a and the second resin portion 52b, but is fixed only to the second resin portion 52b, and the eaves portion 63 of the cover member 60 rests on the step portion 54 of the first resin portion 52a. By adopting this structure, the structure is more suitable for a small molded contact 50 and a small communication connector 10 than when a cover member having a structure in which it is fixed to both the first resin portion 52a and the second resin portion 52b is adopted.

[0053] Furthermore, since the eave portion 63 of the cover member 60 is designed to rest on the step portion 54 of the first resin portion 52a, the gap between the cover member 60 and the first resin portion 52a is not linear but hook-shaped, preventing a linear gap from opening up and causing large localized impedance mismatches.

[0054] Furthermore, this cover member has first cover portions 64 provided on the sides of the two recessed portions 61. These first cover portions 64 cover the side surfaces of the second contact portions 51b, as shown in FIG.

[0055] When the cover member 60 has the first covering portion 64, i.e., when the first covering portion 64 of the cover member 60 covers the side surface of the second contact portion 51b, the impedance of the second contact portion 51b can be matched with higher precision compared to when the cover member 60 has a structure that covers only the convexly curved area of ​​the second contact portion 51b.

[0056] 12, the second resin portion 52b constituting the molded contact 50 has a second cover portion 55. This second cover portion 55 covers the rear end portion 52b of the first resin portion 52a and the first cover portion 64 of the cover member 60 from the side.

[0057] Because the second resin portion 52b has this second cover portion 55, the contact portion between the rear end portion 52b of the first resin portion 52a and the first cover portion 64 of the cover member 60 is blocked. In other words, the formation of a linear gap extending to the outside is also prevented on the side surface of the second contact portion 51b of the contact 50, contributing to more accurate impedance matching.

[0058] In the case of the communication connector 10 of this embodiment, the molded contact body 50 includes two contacts 51 that are spaced apart from each other and extend parallel to each other, as shown in FIG.

[0059] 12, the first resin portion 52a constituting the molded contact body 50 has a recessed portion 56 formed between two contacts 51. This recessed portion 56 opens rearward, leaving a resin portion between each contact 51. The cover member 60 has a protrusion 65 formed thereon that protrudes forward and fits into the recessed portion 56.

[0060] This prevents the formation of a linear gap between the two contacts 51, which also contributes to more accurate impedance matching.

[0061] Here, we have used the example of a communication connector 10 that has two contacts 51 and relays differential signals, but the communication connector of the present invention does not require any specific number of contacts, and it does not necessarily have to be a communication connector that relays differential signals; the number of contacts may be one, or three or more. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10. Communication connector 20 Resin housing 21 Mating opening 22 Lock hole 30 Grounding strip 40 Cylindrical member 50 Contact molding 51 Contacts 51a First contact part 51b Second contact part 51c Third Contact 52 Resin body 52a First resin part 52b Second resin part 53 Lock hole 54 Step part 55 Second cover part 56 Recess 60 Cover member 61 Recess 62 Locking protrusion 63 Eaves 64 First Cover 65 Convex part 70 Career

Claims

1. A contact having a first contact portion extending in a first direction, a second contact portion extending from one end of the first contact portion on one side of the first direction and curved toward one side of a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a third contact portion extending from one end of the second contact portion on one side of the second direction and extending toward one side of the second direction; a contact molded body comprising a first resin portion surrounding the first contact portion of the contact and adhering to the first contact portion to support the first contact portion, and a second resin portion surrounding the third contact portion of the contact and adhering to the third contact portion to support the third contact portion; a resin cover member that is engaged with the second resin portion, is disposed on the other side in the second direction of one end of the first resin portion on the one side in the first direction, and covers a convexly curved region of the second contact portion, A communication connector characterized in that the first resin part has a step portion of reduced height at one end of the first resin part, and the cover member has a canopy portion that covers the step portion from the other side in the second direction.

2. A contact having a first contact portion extending in a first direction, a second contact portion extending from one end of the first contact portion on one side of the first direction and curved toward one side of a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a third contact portion extending from one end of the second contact portion on one side of the second direction and extending toward one side of the second direction; a contact molded body comprising a first resin portion surrounding the first contact portion of the contact and adhering to the first contact portion to support the first contact portion, and a second resin portion surrounding the third contact portion of the contact and adhering to the third contact portion to support the third contact portion; a resin cover member that is engaged with the second resin portion, is disposed on the other side in the second direction of one end of the first resin portion on the one side in the first direction, and covers a convexly curved region of the second contact portion, the first resin portion has a recessed portion between the two contacts, the recessed portion being open to one side in the first direction with a resin portion remaining between each contact, a communication connector, wherein the cover member has a protrusion that protrudes to the other side in the first direction and fits into the recess;

3. A contact having a first contact portion extending in a first direction, a second contact portion extending from one end of the first contact portion on one side of the first direction and curved toward one side of a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a third contact portion extending from one end of the second contact portion on one side of the second direction and extending toward one side of the second direction; a contact molded body comprising a first resin portion surrounding the first contact portion of the contact and adhering to the first contact portion to support the first contact portion, and a second resin portion surrounding the third contact portion of the contact and adhering to the third contact portion to support the third contact portion; a resin cover member that is engaged with the second resin portion, is disposed on the other side in the second direction of one end of the first resin portion on the one side in the first direction, and covers a convexly curved region of the second contact portion, In addition to the molded contact and the cover member, a conductive tubular member that surrounds the first contact portion and the first resin portion, extends in the first direction, and opens on the other side in the first direction; A communication connector characterized by having a resin housing that accommodates the contact molded body, the cover member, and the tubular member, and has a mating opening formed on the other side in the first direction to receive insertion of a mating connector.

4. A contact having a first contact portion extending in a first direction, a second contact portion extending from one end of the first contact portion on one side of the first direction and curved toward one side of a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a third contact portion extending from one end of the second contact portion on one side of the second direction and extending toward one side of the second direction; a contact molded body including a first resin portion surrounding the first contact portion of the contact and adhering to the first contact portion to support the first contact portion, and a second resin portion surrounding the third contact portion of the contact and adhering to the third contact portion to support the third contact portion; a resin cover member that is engaged with the second resin portion, is disposed on the other side in the second direction of one end of the first resin portion on the one side in the first direction, and covers a convexly curved region of the second contact portion, the cover member has a first cover portion that covers the second contact portion in the first direction and a third direction that intersects with the second direction, A communication connector characterized in that the second resin part has a second covering part that covers one end of the first resin part on one side of the first direction and the first covering part of the cover member from a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction.

5. A communication connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover member has a first covering portion that covers the second contact portion in the first direction and a third direction that intersects the second direction.

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