Connector

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a connector capable of ensuring a press-fit distance and stably holding a tubular conductor in a housing hole, while minimizing an increase in the amount of materials forming a case. A connector (10) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a case (11) having a housing hole (15); and an outer conductor (21) serving as a tubular conductor that is housed in the housing hole through press-fitting. The housing hole of the case has: an inlet end portion (15a) that is one of the two end portions in the axial direction of the housing hole; and an outlet end portion (15b) that is the other of the two end portions in the axial direction of the housing hole. The outer conductor is inserted into the housing hole from the inlet end portion. The outer conductor has a press-fit protrusion (33) that protrudes toward an outer circumferential side. The outer conductor is fixed to the housing hole by the press-fit protrusion biting into the inner circumferential surface of the housing hole. The housing hole (15) has an extension portion (17) that extends from the outlet end portion (15b) to the outside in the axial direction of the housing hole (15). The press-fit protrusion (33) bites into the extension portion (17).

Description

connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a case having an accommodating hole and a tubular conductor accommodated in the accommodating hole by press-fitting. The accommodating hole of the case has an inlet end, which is one of both axial ends of the accommodating hole, and an outlet end, which is the other of both axial ends of the accommodating hole. The tubular conductor is inserted into the accommodating hole from the inlet end. The tubular conductor has a press-fit protrusion that protrudes outward. The press-fit protrusion bites into the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating hole, thereby fixing the tubular conductor in the accommodating hole.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-174639

[0004] In the connector described above, the inventors discovered that the longer the axial distance from the entrance end of the receiving hole to the position of the press-fit protrusion (hereinafter referred to as the press-fit distance), the more stably the tubular conductor can be held in the receiving hole. Furthermore, the inventors studied how to minimize the increase in the amount of material used to form the case while stably holding the tubular conductor in the receiving hole.

[0005] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can ensure a press-fit distance and stably hold a tubular conductor in a receiving hole while minimizing the increase in the amount of material used to form the case.

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure is a connector comprising a case having an accommodating hole and a tubular conductor accommodated in the accommodating hole by press-fitting, wherein the accommodating hole has an entrance end which is one of the axial ends of the accommodating hole and an exit end which is the other of the axial ends of the accommodating hole, the tubular conductor is inserted into the accommodating hole from the entrance end, the tubular conductor has a press-fit protrusion protruding outward, and the press-fit protrusion bites into the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating hole, thereby fixing the tubular conductor to the case, the accommodating hole has an extension portion extending from the exit end outward in the axial direction of the accommodating hole, and the press-fit protrusion bites into the extension portion.

[0007] According to the connector of the present disclosure, it is possible to secure the press-fit distance and stably hold the tubular conductor in the receiving hole while minimizing the increase in the amount of material used to form the case.

[0008] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a terminal unit according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the connector according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a connector according to a modified example. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the modified example.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. The connector of the present disclosure is: [1] a connector including a case having an accommodating hole and a tubular conductor accommodated in the accommodating hole by press-fitting, the accommodating hole having an inlet end that is one of both axial ends of the accommodating hole and an outlet end that is the other of both axial ends of the accommodating hole, the tubular conductor being inserted into the accommodating hole from the inlet end, the tubular conductor having a press-fit protrusion protruding outward, the press-fit protrusion biting into an inner circumferential surface of the accommodating hole to fix the tubular conductor to the case, the accommodating hole having an extension extending from the outlet end to the outside in the axial direction of the accommodating hole, the press-fit protrusion biting into the extension.

[0010] According to this configuration, the press-fit protrusion of the tubular conductor bites into the extending portion extending from the outlet end of the accommodating hole, thereby ensuring a large press-fit distance from the inlet end of the accommodating hole to the position of the press-fit protrusion. Furthermore, by providing the extending portion in the accommodating hole, it is possible to ensure the press-fit distance while minimizing the increase in the volume of the case. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the press-fit distance and stably hold the tubular conductor in the accommodating hole while minimizing the increase in the amount of material used to form the case. Furthermore, ensuring a large press-fit distance reduces the need to increase the number of press-fit protrusions. Therefore, it is possible to keep the number of press-fit protrusions to a minimum, and as a result, it is possible to obtain the desired communication performance of the tubular conductor.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the cylindrical conductor may be provided with a plurality of press-fit protrusions, and the plurality of press-fit protrusions may be provided at the same positions in the axial direction. With this configuration, the plurality of press-fit protrusions can more stably hold the cylindrical conductor in the accommodating hole.

[0012] [3] In the above [2], the plurality of press-fit protrusions may be provided at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. With this configuration, the plurality of press-fit protrusions provided at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction can hold the cylindrical conductor in the accommodating hole in a balanced manner in the circumferential direction.

[0013] [4] In any of the above [1] to [3], the extending portion may have an annular shape that follows the entire periphery of the accommodating hole. With this configuration, the extending portion has an annular shape that follows the entire periphery of the accommodating hole, which can improve the rigidity of the extending portion. This can more stably hold the tubular conductor by the press-fit protrusion biting into the extending portion.

[0014] [5] In any of the above [1] to [3], the press-fit protrusion may be provided in plurality on the cylindrical conductor, the extension portion may be provided in plurality along the periphery of the accommodating hole, and the extension portions may be provided at positions corresponding to each of the press-fit protrusions.

[0015] According to this configuration, the cylindrical conductor can be stably held in the receiving hole by the plurality of press-fit protrusions that bite into the plurality of extensions, respectively. [6] In the above [5], the case may have a plurality of reinforcing ribs that individually reinforce the plurality of extensions.

[0016] According to this configuration, the reinforcing ribs can improve the rigidity of the extensions, thereby making it possible to more stably hold the tubular conductor by the press-fit convex portions biting into the extensions.

[0017] [7] In any of the above [1] to [6], the connector may include a terminal unit including an outer conductor as the tubular conductor, and the terminal unit may have a dielectric fixed inside the outer conductor and an inner conductor supported by the dielectric.

[0018] This configuration allows the outer conductor constituting the terminal unit to be stably held in the receiving hole. [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of connectors of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. The dimensional ratios of the components may differ between the drawings. Note that the term "cylindrical" used in this specification does not only refer to components having a continuous peripheral wall formed around the entire periphery, but also includes components formed by combining multiple components and components having a notch in the periphery, such as a C-shape. The term "cylindrical" also includes circular, elliptical, and polygonal shapes with pointed or rounded corners.

[0019] 1 is connected to an electrical device (not shown) mounted on a vehicle, such as an in-vehicle camera.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector 10 includes a case 11 and a terminal unit 12 housed in the case 11. (Case 11) The case 11 has a base 13, a fitting tubular portion 14, and a housing hole 15. The fitting tubular portion 14 extends from the base 13 along the axis CL of the connector 10. The fitting tubular portion 14 has, for example, a cylindrical shape centered on the axis CL of the connector 10. In the following description, the direction along the axis CL may be simply referred to as the "axial direction." The fitting tubular portion 14 is fitted into a connector portion of the electrical device.

[0021] 2, the fitting cylindrical portion 14 has, for example, a holding portion 16 on the inner circumferential side of the fitting cylindrical portion 14, which holds the terminal unit 12. The holding portion 16 extends inward from the inner circumferential surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 14. The holding portion 16 has a first end face 16a and a second end face 16b, which are both axial end faces of the holding portion 16.

[0022] (Accommodating Hole 15) The accommodating hole 15 is formed to penetrate the holding portion 16 in the axial direction. The accommodating hole 15 is a through-hole that connects the inside of the fitting tubular portion 14 with the interior of the base portion 13. The accommodating hole 15 has, for example, a circular shape centered on the axis CL. The accommodating hole 15 has an inlet end 15a, which is one of the axial ends of the accommodating hole 15, and an outlet end 15b, which is the other of the axial ends of the accommodating hole 15. The inlet end 15a of the accommodating hole 15 is provided on the first end surface 16a side of the holding portion 16. The outlet end 15b of the accommodating hole 15 is provided on the second end surface 16b side of the holding portion 16. The outlet end 15b is set, for example, on the same plane as the second end surface 16b of the holding portion 16, perpendicular to the axis CL.

[0023] The accommodation hole 15 has an extension portion 17 that extends from the outlet end portion 15b outward in the axial direction of the accommodation hole 15. The extension portion 17 extends in the axial direction from the second end surface 16b of the retaining portion 16 at a position corresponding to the periphery of the accommodation hole 15. The extension portion 17 has, for example, a continuous ring shape that follows the entire periphery of the accommodation hole 15. By forming the extension portion 17 so that it is continuous in the circumferential direction, the rigidity of the extension portion 17 is improved. Note that, for example, a space is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the extension portion 17 and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 14.

[0024] (Terminal unit 12) The terminal unit 12 is inserted into the receiving hole 15 from the entrance end 15a along the axis CL. When the fitting cylindrical portion 14 is fitted into the connector portion of the electrical device, the terminal unit 12 is connected to a terminal (not shown) of the electrical device.

[0025] The terminal unit 12 has an outer conductor 21 as a cylindrical conductor, a dielectric 22, and an inner conductor 23. The outer conductor 21 has a cylindrical shape extending along the axis CL. The outer conductor 21 is made of, for example, metal. The dielectric 22 is fixed to the inside of the outer conductor 21. The dielectric 22 is made of an insulator such as synthetic resin. The inner conductor 23 has, for example, a columnar shape. The inner conductor 23 is made of, for example, metal. The inner conductor 23 is fixed to the dielectric 22 in a manner that penetrates the center of the dielectric 22 in the axial direction. The outer conductor 21 is configured, for example, to electromagnetically shield the inner conductor 23.

[0026] 2 and 3 , the outer conductor 21 has a cylindrical main body 31 extending along the axis CL and a flange 32 provided on the main body 31. The main body 31 has, for example, a cylindrical shape centered on the axis CL. The main body 31 has a tip end 31a in the axial direction. The flange 32 extends, for example, from an axial base end of the main body 31 opposite the tip end 31a to the outer periphery. The flange 32 faces, for example, the first end face 16a of the holding portion 16 in the axial direction.

[0027] (Press-fit protrusions 33) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the outer conductor 21 has press-fit protrusions 33 protruding from the main body 31 toward the outer periphery. In FIG. 4 , only the outer shape of the main body 31 including each press-fit protrusion 33 in the terminal unit 12 is illustrated by a two-dot chain line. A plurality of press-fit protrusions 33 are provided on the outer conductor 21, for example. In this embodiment, for example, six press-fit protrusions 33 are provided on the main body 31 of the outer conductor 21. The press-fit protrusions 33 each have, for example, the same shape as one another. The press-fit protrusions 33 are, for example, provided at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. The press-fit protrusions 33 are, for example, provided at the same positions as one another in the axial direction. Each press-fit protrusion 33 is formed, for example, by pressing a portion of the peripheral wall forming the main body 31 to protrude toward the outer periphery.

[0028] 2 and 4 , the outer conductor 21 is accommodated in the accommodating hole 15 by press-fitting. The outer conductor 21 is inserted into the accommodating hole 15 from the entrance end 15a along the axis CL. When the outer conductor 21 is press-fitted into the accommodating hole 15, each press-fit protrusion 33 bites into the inner circumferential surface of the extension portion 17 of the accommodating hole 15. This fixes the terminal unit 12 including the outer conductor 21 in the accommodating hole 15.

[0029] The operation of this embodiment will now be described. In the connector 10 described above, the press-fit protrusion 33 bites into the extension 17 of the accommodating hole 15, thereby fixing the outer conductor 21 in the accommodating hole 15. This makes it possible to ensure a large press-fit distance D1, which is the axial distance from the entrance end 15a of the accommodating hole 15 to the position of the press-fit protrusion 33, and as a result, it becomes possible to stably hold the outer conductor 21 in the accommodating hole 15. Furthermore, the extension 17 is formed only at a position on the retaining portion 16 that corresponds to the periphery of the accommodating hole 15. This prevents an increase in the volume of the case 11, i.e., an increase in the amount of material used to form the case 11, compared to a configuration in which the axial thickness of the entire retaining portion 16 is increased.

[0030] Furthermore, since the press-fit distance D1 is ensured as in this embodiment, it is not necessary to increase the number of press-fit protrusions 33 to improve the holding force for holding the outer conductor 21. That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to keep the number of press-fit protrusions 33 small. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the desired communication performance of the outer conductor 21.

[0031] The effects of this embodiment are described below. (1) The accommodating hole 15 of the case 11 has an extending portion 17 extending from the outlet end 15b outward in the axial direction of the accommodating hole 15. The press-fit protrusion 33 of the outer conductor 21, which serves as a cylindrical conductor, is wedged into the extending portion 17. With this configuration, the press-fit protrusion 33 of the outer conductor 21 is wedged into the extending portion 17 extending from the outlet end 15b of the accommodating hole 15, thereby ensuring a large press-fit distance D1 from the inlet end 15a of the accommodating hole 15 to the position of the press-fit protrusion 33. Furthermore, providing the extending portion 17 in the accommodating hole 15 makes it possible to ensure the press-fit distance D1 while minimizing an increase in the volume of the case 11. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the press-fit distance D1 and stably hold the outer conductor 21 in the accommodating hole 15 while minimizing an increase in the amount of material used to form the case 11. Furthermore, ensuring a large press-fit distance D1 reduces the need to increase the number of press-fit protrusions 33. Therefore, the number of press-fit protrusions 33 can be reduced, and as a result, the desired communication performance can be obtained in the terminal unit 12 including the outer conductor 21 .

[0032] (2) The outer conductor 21 is provided with a plurality of press-fit protrusions 33. The plurality of press-fit protrusions 33 are provided at the same positions in the axial direction. With this configuration, the plurality of press-fit protrusions 33 can more stably hold the outer conductor 21 in the accommodating hole 15.

[0033] (3) The plurality of press-fit protrusions 33 are provided at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. With this configuration, the plurality of press-fit protrusions 33 provided at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction can hold the outer conductor 21 in the accommodating hole 15 in a balanced manner in the circumferential direction.

[0034] (4) The extending portion 17 has a ring shape that follows the entire periphery of the receiving hole 15, which improves the rigidity of the extending portion 17. This allows the press-fit protrusion 33 to bite into the extending portion 17, thereby more stably holding the outer conductor 21.

[0035] (5) The connector 10 includes a terminal unit 12 including an outer conductor 21 as a cylindrical conductor. The terminal unit 12 has a dielectric 22 fixed inside the outer conductor 21 and an inner conductor 23 supported by the dielectric 22. This configuration allows the outer conductor 21 constituting the terminal unit 12 to be stably held in the receiving hole 15.

[0036] (Modifications) This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0037] The configuration of the extension portion 17, such as its shape, is not limited to that of the above embodiment and may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the connector 10. For example, the extension portion 17 of the above embodiment may be changed to an extension portion 41 as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5 , a plurality of extension portions 41 are provided along the periphery of the accommodation hole 15. For example, the number of extension portions 41 is the same as the number of press-fit protrusions 33 (for example, six). The extension portions 41 have the same shape as one another. For example, the plurality of extension portions 41 are provided at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. That is, the plurality of extension portions 41 are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of press-fit protrusions 33, respectively. The extension portions 41 are provided at intervals from one another in the circumferential direction. That is, the extension portions 41 do not have a ring shape that is continuous in the circumferential direction like the extension portion 17 in the above embodiment.

[0039] 6 , each extension portion 41 extends from the outlet end portion 15b of the accommodation hole 15 to the outside in the axial direction of the accommodation hole 15. In other words, each extension portion 41 extends in the axial direction from the second end surface 16b of the holding portion 16 at a position corresponding to the circumferential edge of the accommodation hole 15.

[0040] The case 11 has, for example, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 42 that individually reinforce each of the plurality of extension portions 41. Each reinforcing rib 42 is provided integrally with each extension portion 41 on the outer periphery of the extension portion 41. Each reinforcing rib 42 is connected to the second end face 16b of the holding portion 16. Each reinforcing rib 42 improves the rigidity of each extension portion 41. In addition, an inclined surface 43 is formed on the surface of each reinforcing rib 42. The inclined surface 43 is inclined so that the thickness in the axial direction of the reinforcing rib 42 decreases toward the outer periphery. By forming the inclined surface 43 on the reinforcing rib 42, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the reinforcing rib 42 while suppressing an increase in the volume of the case 11.

[0041] According to the above modification, the outer conductor 21 can be more stably held in the accommodating hole 15 by the press-fit protrusions 33 that bite into the respective extensions 41. Furthermore, according to the above modification, the reinforcing ribs 42 can improve the rigidity of the respective extensions 41. This makes it possible to more stably hold the outer conductor 21 by the press-fit protrusions 33 biting into the respective extensions 41.

[0042] The press-fit protrusions 33 may be provided at uneven intervals in the circumferential direction. The number of press-fit protrusions 33 provided on the outer conductor 21 is not limited to that in the above embodiment, and may be five or less or seven or more.

[0043] The electrical device to which the connector 10 is connected may be an in-vehicle device other than an in-vehicle camera. The embodiments and modifications disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0044] In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the multiple press-fit protrusions 33 of the terminal unit 12 may be referred to as multiple metal anchor protrusions protruding radially outward. As shown in FIG. 4 , the extension portion 17 of the case 11 in the non-limiting embodiment may be referred to as a single cylindrical or annular extension portion that is spaced apart radially from the radially inward surface of the mating cylindrical portion 14 of the case 11 by a radial distance. The extension portion 17 may have a single radially outward surface that extends continuously in the circumferential direction, a single radially inward surface that extends continuously in the circumferential direction, and an axial height (see FIG. 2 ). The axial height of this single cylindrical or annular extension portion may be determined according to the positions of the multiple press-fit protrusions 33 of the terminal unit 12 when the terminal unit 12 is fully attached to the case 11 (see FIG. 2 ). The single radially inward surface of this single cylindrical or annular extension portion may be referred to as a single anchor receiving surface that receives the multiple press-fit protrusions 33.

[0045] 5 and 6 , the multiple extension portions 41 of the case 11 of the non-limiting embodiment are sometimes referred to as multiple discrete plates that are spaced apart from the radially inward surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 14 of the case 11 by a radial distance and spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the receiving hole 15 of the case 11. Each of the multiple discrete plates may have a radially inward surface and an axial height (see FIG. 6 ). The axial height of the multiple discrete plates can be determined according to the positions of the multiple press-fit protrusions 33 of the terminal unit 12 when the terminal unit 12 is fully attached to the case 11 (see FIG. 6 ). The multiple radially inward surfaces of the multiple discrete plates may be sometimes referred to as multiple anchor receiving surfaces that respectively receive the multiple press-fit protrusions 33.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 , the axial and radial thicknesses of the extension portions 17 and 41 may be smaller than the axial and radial thicknesses of the holding portion 16 .

[0047] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Connector 11 Case 12 Terminal unit 13 Base 14 Fitting cylinder 15 Accommodating hole 15a Inlet end 15b Outlet end 16 Holding portion 16a First end face 16b Second end face 17 Extension portion 21 Outer conductor (cylindrical conductor) 22 Dielectric 23 Inner conductor 31 Main body 31a Tip portion 32 Flange portion 33 Press-fit convex portion 41 Extension portion 42 Reinforcing rib 43 Inclined surface CL Connector axis D1 Press-fit distance

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a case having an accommodating hole; and a tubular conductor accommodated in the accommodating hole by press-fitting, wherein the accommodating hole has an entrance end which is one of both axial ends of the accommodating hole and an exit end which is the other of both axial ends of the accommodating hole, the tubular conductor being inserted into the accommodating hole from the entrance end, the tubular conductor having a press-fit protrusion protruding outward, the press-fit protrusion biting into an inner circumferential surface of the accommodating hole thereby fixing the tubular conductor to the case, the accommodating hole having an extension extending from the exit end to the outside in the axial direction of the accommodating hole, and the press-fit protrusion biting into the extension.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the press-fit protrusions are provided on the cylindrical conductor, and the plurality of press-fit protrusions are provided at the same positions as one another in the axial direction.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of press-fit protrusions are provided at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion is annular and extends along the entire periphery of the receiving hole.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said press-fit protrusions are provided on said tubular conductor, a plurality of said extensions are provided along the periphery of said accommodating hole, and said plurality of extensions are provided at positions corresponding to each of said plurality of press-fit protrusions.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the case has a plurality of reinforcing ribs for individually reinforcing the plurality of extensions.

7. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal unit including an outer conductor as the tubular conductor, the terminal unit having a dielectric fixed inside the outer conductor, and an inner conductor supported by the dielectric.

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