External conductor terminal and shield connector

Abstract

Provided is an external conductor terminal (40) comprising: a body part (41) that opens in a front-back direction; a lid part (42) that closes an opening of a back surface of the body part (41); and a bendable coupling part (43) that connects the body part (41) and the lid part (42). The lid part (42) has left and right lid side parts (58) that are arranged on the outer sides in a left-right direction of the body part (41) in a closed position for closing the back surface of the body part (41). The lid side parts (58) are each provided with a lid lock part (61) protruding inward in the left-right direction. The body part (41) has left and right body side parts (46) arranged on the inner sides in the left-right direction of the lid side parts (58). The left and right body side parts (46) are each provided with a lock part (55) disposed behind the lid lock part (61). A front surface of the lock part (55) includes: a locking surface (56) that comes into contact with a back surface (75) of the lid lock part (61) in the closed position; and an outer chamfered surface (71) that is obliquely continuous with each of the locking surface (56) and the side surfaces on the outer side in the left-right direction of the lock part (55).

Description

Outer conductor terminal and shield connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an outer conductor terminal and a shielded connector.

[0002] Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose shielded connectors having an outer conductor terminal that surrounds an inner conductor terminal via a dielectric.

[0003] The outer conductor terminal described in Patent Document 1 has a main body portion that is open on both the front and rear sides, and a lid portion that closes the opening on the rear surface of the main body portion, and the main body portion and the lid portion are connected. After the dielectric and the inner conductor terminal are housed in the main body portion, the lid portion closes the rear surface of the main body portion by bending the connecting portion. Main body locking portions are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the main body portion. The lid portion has a pair of left and right side portions. The left and right side portions are provided with abutting portions that abut against the main body locking portions. The abutting portions and the main body locking portions abut against each other at the front and rear, thereby maintaining the lid portion in a state where it closes the rear surface of the main body portion.

[0004] JP 2020-140787 A JP 2018-6152 A JP 2020-13748 A

[0005] When the lid is in a closed state covering the rear surface of the main body, if a gap forms between the main body and the lid, the shielding performance deteriorates. In the case of Patent Document 2, the outer plate portion connected to the lid is held in the module accommodating portion by the engagement between the locking portion and the locking recess, which raises concerns about the formation of a gap (play) between the locking portion and the locking recess. Similarly, in Patent Document 3, the side portion connected to the back is held in the outer conductor terminal body by the engagement between the locking portion and the locking receiving portion, which raises concerns about the formation of a gap between the locking portion and the locking receiving portion. In contrast, in Patent Document 1, the abutting state between the main body locking portion and the abutting portion can be maintained, which prevents the formation of a gap between the main body and the lid and prevents the deterioration of shielding performance. Furthermore, the applicant has investigated a structure that, using a different approach from Patent Document 1, can reduce the gap that may form between the main body and the lid and prevent the deterioration of shielding performance.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to prevent deterioration of the shielding performance of an outer conductor terminal having a lid portion.

[0007] The outer conductor terminal of the present disclosure is an outer conductor terminal including a main body portion that opens in the front-to-rear direction, a lid portion that closes the opening on the rear surface of the main body portion, and a bendable connecting portion that connects the main body portion and the lid portion, wherein the main body portion has left and right main body side portions that face each other in the left-to-right direction, the lid portion has left and right lid side portions that are arranged on the outside in the left-to-right direction of the left and right main body side portions when in a closed position that closes the opening on the rear surface of the main body portion, the left and right lid side portions have lid lock portions that protrude inward in the left-to-right direction, and the left and right main body side portions have lock portions that are arranged rearward of the lid lock portions in the closed position, and the front surfaces of the lock portions have engaging surfaces that face and are able to come into contact with the rear surfaces of the lid lock portions in the closed position, and chamfered surfaces that are formed between the engaging surfaces and the outside left-to-right side surfaces of the lock portions.

[0008] The shielded connector of the present disclosure is a shielded connector comprising the outer conductor terminal, a housing that accommodates the outer conductor terminal, a dielectric arranged inside the outer conductor terminal, and an inner conductor terminal arranged inside the dielectric, wherein the lid side portions extend forward from both left and right end edges of the lid main body portion that closes the opening on the rear surface of the main body portion, and opening suppression protrusions that suppress opening deformation of the left and right lid side portions are provided on the inner surface of the housing at positions corresponding to the front ends of the left and right lid side portions.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the shielding performance of an outer conductor terminal having a lid portion.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a shielded connector according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the shielded connector in a state in which an outer conductor terminal, a dielectric, and an inner conductor terminal accommodated in a housing are arranged side by side. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the shielded connector. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a terminal body holding portion of the shielded connector. FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the shielded connector. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the housing. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the vicinity of a terminal body holding portion of the shielded connector. FIG. 8 is a side view showing an outer conductor terminal. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the outer conductor terminal showing the vicinity of a locking portion and a lid locking portion. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged plan view of the outer conductor terminal showing the vicinity of the locking portion and the lid locking portion. FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing a state before the outer conductor terminal, the dielectric, and the inner conductor terminal are accommodated in the housing. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the outer conductor terminal before bending. FIG. 13 is a bottom view showing a state after the outer conductor terminal, the dielectric, and the inner conductor terminal are accommodated in the housing and before bending the outer conductor terminal and the inner conductor terminal.

[0011] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. [1] An outer conductor terminal of the present disclosure includes a main body portion that opens in the front-rear direction, a lid portion that closes the opening on a rear surface of the main body portion, and a bendable connecting portion that connects the main body portion and the lid portion, wherein the main body portion has left and right body side portions that face each other in the left-right direction, the lid portion has left and right lid side portions that are disposed outward in the left-right direction from the left and right main body side portions when in a closed position that closes the opening on the rear surface of the main body portion, the left and right lid side portions have lid lock portions that protrude inward in the left-right direction, the left and right main body side portions have lock portions that are disposed rearward of the lid lock portions in the closed position, and front surfaces of the lock portions have engaging surfaces that face and are contactable with rear surfaces of the lid lock portions in the closed position, and chamfered surfaces that are formed between the engaging surfaces and outer left-right side surfaces of the lock portions. When the lid is placed in the closed position, the lid locking portion moves along the chamfered surface from the outer lateral side of the locking portion to a position where it can contact the locking surface. Unlike the above-mentioned [1], if a right-angled corner is formed between the outer lateral side of the locking portion and the locking surface, at least one of the lid locking portion and the locking portion undergoes significant elastic deformation when the lid locking portion overcomes the corner, making it difficult to close the gap that may form between the rear surface of the lid locking portion and the locking surface. In contrast, the above-mentioned [1] configuration, in which a chamfered surface is formed between the outer lateral side of the locking portion and the locking surface, minimizes the gap between the rear surface of the lid locking portion and the locking surface. Furthermore, springback of the connecting portion or the like can ensure contact between the rear surface of the lid locking portion and the locking surface. As a result, deterioration of the shielding performance of the outer conductor terminal equipped with a lid portion can be prevented. [2] In the outer conductor terminal described in [1] above, it is preferable that the body side portions extend downward from both left and right edges of the upper body constituting the body portion, and the front surface of the locking portion has an inclined surface that extends diagonally rearward as it goes downward from the engaging surface. With this configuration, when the lid portion is placed in the closed position, the lid locking portion can rotate along the inclination of the inclined surface, making it easier to close the gap between the engaging surface of the locking portion and the rear surface of the lid locking portion.[3] The present disclosure provides a shielded connector comprising the outer conductor terminal described in [1] or [2] above, a housing accommodating the outer conductor terminal, a dielectric disposed inside the outer conductor terminal, and an inner conductor terminal attached to the dielectric, wherein the left and right lid side portions extend forward from both left and right end edges of a lid main body portion that closes an opening on the rear surface of the main body, and opening suppression protrusions are provided on the inner surface of the housing at positions corresponding to the front ends of the left and right lid side portions to suppress opening deformation of the left and right lid side portions. With this configuration, the opening suppression protrusions of the housing suppress opening deformation of the left and right lid side portions, thereby stabilizing shielding performance.

[0012] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention 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.

[0013] [Embodiment 1] The shielded connector C of this embodiment 1 is a connector for high-speed communication in an automobile, and is attached to the surface of a circuit board (not shown). As shown in Figure 1, the shielded connector C includes a housing 10, an inner conductor terminal 20, a dielectric 30, and an outer conductor terminal 40. In the following description, the inner conductor terminal 20, the dielectric 30, and the outer conductor terminal 40 may be collectively referred to as a terminal body T. The housing 10 has one terminal body accommodating portion 11.

[0014] In the following description of each component, the side that mates with a mating connector (not shown) is referred to as the front side, and the side on which the circuit board is placed is referred to as the bottom side. In each figure, the positive side of the X axis is the front side, the negative side of the X axis is the back side, the positive side of the Y axis is the left side, the negative side of the Y axis is the right side, the positive side of the Z axis is the top side, and the negative side of the Z axis is the bottom side. The directions are specified for convenience of explanation and do not necessarily coincide with the directions when the shielded connector C is actually used.

[0015] 2, two inner conductor terminals 20 are provided in the shielded connector C. The inner conductor terminals 20 are attached to the dielectric 30.

[0016] The inner conductor terminal 20 is formed by punching a conductive metal plate and then bending it. The inner conductor terminal 20 shown in FIG. 2 is in its shape before bending (the pre-bent state described below). As shown in FIG. 3 , the inner conductor terminal 20 has a mating connection portion 21, a vertical portion 22, and a board connection portion 23. The mating connection portion 21 extends horizontally in the front-to-rear direction. The front portion of the mating connection portion 21 connects to a mating terminal fitting provided on the mating connector when mated with the mating connector. The rear portion of the mating connection portion 21 has multiple protrusions that engage with the dielectric 30. The vertical portion 22 extends downward from the rear end of the mating connection portion 21. The board connection portion 23 extends rearward from the lower end of the vertical portion 22. The board connection portion 23 is arranged along the surface of the circuit board and is connected to a conductive path on the surface of the circuit board by soldering.

[0017] The dielectric 30 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 2 , the dielectric 30 comprises a dielectric main body 31 and left and right dielectric side portions 32. The dielectric main body 31 is shaped like a square block. Dielectric locking receiving portions 35 are provided on the left and right outer surfaces of the dielectric main body 31. The dielectric locking receiving portions 35 are locked to the inner locking portions 54 of the outer conductor terminal 40.

[0018] The dielectric body 31 is formed with two mounting holes 33 penetrating the dielectric body 31 in the front-rear direction (see FIGS. 3 and 4). An inner conductor terminal 20 is attached to each mounting hole 33. A stopper portion 34 is provided on the lower surface of the dielectric body 31 so as to protrude downward.

[0019] The left and right dielectric side portions 32 protrude rearward from both left and right ends of the rear surface of the dielectric main body 31. The left and right dielectric side portions 32 are plate-shaped, face each other in the left-right direction, and extend in the up-down direction along both left and right ends of the rear surface of the dielectric main body 31. As shown in FIG. 4 , an inner inclined portion 36 is provided on the inner surface of the left and right dielectric side portions 32. The inner inclined portion 36 inclines outward in the left-right direction from a midpoint in the up-down direction of the dielectric side portion 32 toward the lower end of the dielectric side portion 32. The upper end of the inner inclined portion 36 is included within the height range of the mounting hole 33 in the up-down direction. The inner inclined portion 36 can function to align the inner conductor terminal 20 when press-fitting it into the mounting hole 33.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 4, outer inclined portions 37 are provided on the outer surfaces of the left and right dielectric side portions 32. The outer inclined portions 37 allow elastic deformation of the main body side portions 46 (described later) inward in the left-right direction. The outer inclined portions 37 are inclined inward in the left-right direction from the upper end portions of the dielectric side portions 32 toward the lower sides.

[0021] The housing 10 is made of synthetic resin, and metal fasteners F are attached to the left and right outer surfaces (see FIG. 5). The left and right fasteners F are soldered to the surface of the circuit board, thereby fixing the housing 10 to the surface of the circuit board.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 6 , the housing 10 includes a hood portion 12, an intermediate wall portion 13, a terminal body holding portion 14, and left and right protective wall portions 15. The intermediate wall portion 13 is a wall portion located in the middle of the housing 10 in the front-to-rear direction (excluding both front-to-rear end portions). The hood portion 12 has a rectangular cylindrical shape that protrudes forward. A mating connector can be fitted inside the hood portion 12. An insertion hole 16 is formed in the intermediate wall portion 13. The insertion hole 16 penetrates the intermediate wall portion 13 in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 3 , the terminal body portion 41 of the outer conductor terminal 40 is fitted into the insertion hole 16. As shown in FIG. 5 , the left and right protective wall portions 15 protrude rearward from the rear surface of the housing 10. The board connection portion 23 of the inner conductor terminal 20 is disposed between the left and right protective wall portions 15.

[0023] The terminal body holding portion 14 holds the terminal body T. As shown in Fig. 4, housing locking receiving portions 17 are provided on the left and right inner surfaces of the terminal body holding portion 14. The outer locking portions 53 of the outer conductor terminals 40 are press-fitted into the housing locking receiving portions 17 and locked therein.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 4, recessed portions 18 are provided on the left and right inner surfaces of the terminal body holding portion 14. The recessed portions 18 are disposed outward in the left-right direction from the housing latch-receiving portions 17. The recessed portions 18 allow elastic deformation of the cover side portions 58 (described later) outward in the left-right direction.

[0025] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, opening prevention protrusions 19 are provided on the left and right inner surfaces of the terminal body holding portion 14. The opening prevention protrusions 19 prevent opening deformation of the left and right cover side portions 58 of the outer conductor terminal 40, which will be described later. The opening prevention protrusions 19 are disposed at the upper corners of the recessed portion 18. As shown in Figure 6, when viewed from the inside in the left-right direction, the opening prevention protrusions 19 have a rib shape that extends vertically along the inner surface of the terminal body accommodating portion 11 that accommodates the terminal body T.

[0026] As shown in Figure 7, the opening-preventing protrusion 19 protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the recessed surface 18. The front end of the opening-preventing protrusion 19 is connected to the intermediate wall portion 13, which includes the rear surface of the terminal body accommodating portion 11. The rear surface of the opening-preventing protrusion 19 slopes inward in the left-right direction from the rear side to the front side. The opening-preventing protrusion 19 is located outside in the left-right direction of the front end portions of the left and right lid side portions 58. The opening-preventing protrusion 19 and the outside left-right surfaces of the front end portions of the lid side portions 58 are close to or abut against each other.

[0027] The outer conductor terminal 40 is made of a conductive metal and is formed from a single metal plate. As shown in Fig. 8, the outer conductor terminal 40 has a terminal body 41, a cover 42, a linking portion 43, and a connecting portion 44.

[0028] A pair of connecting portions 44 are provided on the left and right sides (see FIG. 2). The two connecting portions 44 are bent and extend rearward from the lower end of the lid main body 57. Each connecting portion 44 is disposed along the surface of the circuit board and is connected to the shield circuit of the circuit board by soldering.

[0029] The terminal body 41 has openings on both the front and rear sides. The lid 42 closes the opening on the rear side of the terminal body 41. The connecting portion 43 connects the terminal body 41 and the lid 42. The connecting portion 43 is bent at a right angle or an angle close to a right angle.

[0030] The terminal main body 41 has an upper main body portion 45, left and right main body side portions 46, a lower main body portion 47, and a main body protrusion portion 48. The upper main body portion 45 and the lower main body portion 47 face each other in the vertical direction. The left and right main body side portions 46 face each other in the horizontal direction. The main body protrusion portion 48 extends downward from the rear end of the lower main body portion 47. The main body protrusion portion 48 is connected to the lower main body portion 47 at a right angle or an angle close to a right angle.

[0031] The terminal body 41 is provided with three resilient contact pieces 52 (two resilient contact pieces 52 are shown in FIG. 2 ). The resilient contact pieces 52 are provided on the body top 45 and the left and right body side pieces 46. Each resilient contact piece 52 extends forward in a cantilevered manner. When the outer conductor terminal 40 and the mating terminal are connected, each resilient contact piece 52 resiliently contacts the outer conductor terminal 40 of the mating terminal.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the left and right body side portions 46 extend downward from both left and right edge portions of the upper body portion 45. The left and right body side portions 46 are provided with outer locking portions 53. The outer locking portions 53 are hammered outward to protrude. The outer locking portions 53 are locked into the housing lock receiving portions 17 by press-fitting. As a result, the outer conductor terminals 40 are held in the terminal body holding portions 14 of the housing 10.

[0033] The left and right body side portions 46 are provided with inner locking portions 54. The inner locking portions 54 are formed by cutting and raising a portion of the body side portion 46, thereby protruding inward. The inner locking portions 54 are locked into the dielectric locking receiving portions 35. This allows the dielectric 30 to be held inside the terminal body portion 41.

[0034] As shown in Figure 8, the left and right body side sections 46 have locking sections 55. The locking sections 55 are provided at the rear end sections of the body side sections 46. The locking sections 55 extend downward from the rear end sections of the body side sections 46. The locking sections 55 are plate-shaped and have a rectangular shape when viewed from the left and right.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the rear end of each body side portion 46 has a base end 49 and a tip end 51. The base end 49 of each body side portion 46 is located at the upper end of the body side portion 46 and connects to the left and right ends of the body upper portion 45 at a right angle. The rear end of each body side portion 46 is elastically deformable inward in the left-right direction, with the base end 49 as a fulcrum. The tip end 51 is the lower end of the locking portion 55 and is a free end. As shown in FIG. 3, the locking portion 55 extends downward from the dielectric side portion 32.

[0036] As shown in Figures 9 and 10 , the front surface of the locking portion 55 has a locking surface 56, an outer chamfered surface 71, an inner chamfered surface 72, and an inclined surface 77. The locking surface 56 is located in the center of the front surface of the locking portion 55 in the left-right direction. The locking surface 56 is parallel to the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61 and is located along the left-right direction. The front surface of the locking portion 55 has a tapered shape when viewed from the top and bottom (see Figure 10 ). The outer chamfered surface 71 and the inner chamfered surface 72 are located on the left-right outer sides of the locking surface 56, so that the left-right dimension (width dimension) of the locking surface 56 is smaller than the thickness dimension of the metal plate material forming the outer conductor terminal 40.

[0037] 9, the engaging surface 56 extends downward from the upper end of the locking portion 55. The upper end of the engaging surface 56 is continuous with the lower end of the front main body side portion 46.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 10 , the outer chamfered surface 71 is provided on the outer side of the locking surface 56 in the left-right direction. The outer chamfered surface 71 is formed between the locking surface 56 and the outer surface 73 of the locking portion 55. In the first embodiment, the outer chamfered surface 71 has a C-shaped configuration that is diagonally connected to both the locking surface 56 and the outer surface 73 of the locking portion 55. In other words, the outer chamfered surface 71 extends diagonally rearward from the outer end of the locking surface 56 in the left-right direction toward the outer surface 73 of the locking portion 55. The outer chamfered surface 71 is also inclined with respect to the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61. The lower end of the outer chamfered surface 71 intersects with an inclined surface 77 (described later) and is located below the lower end of the locking surface 56 (see FIG. 8 ).

[0039] The inner chamfered surface 72 is provided on the left-right inner side of the locking surface 56 and has a shape similar to that of the outer chamfered surface 71, with the locking surface 56 sandwiched between them. That is, the inner chamfered surface 72 is inclined with respect to the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61 and extends obliquely rearward from the left-right inner end of the locking surface 56 toward the inner surface 74 of the locking portion 55 (see FIG. 9 ). The inner chamfered surface 72 is formed, for example, by stamping. In the first embodiment, the lengths of the inner chamfered surface 72 and the outer chamfered surface 71 in the inclined direction are the same and are the same as or longer than the left-right length of the locking surface 56.

[0040] As shown in Figure 9, the inclined surface 77 is provided below the engaging surface 56 of the locking portion 55. The inclined surface 77 is formed at the lower end of the front surface of the locking portion 55. The inclined surface 77 is inclined in a direction away from the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61. The inclined surface 77 extends diagonally rearward from the lower end of the engaging surface 56 toward the tip 51 of the locking portion 55.

[0041] 2, the lid 42 has a lid main body 57 and left and right lid side portions 58. The lid main body 57 covers the opening on the rear surface of the terminal main body 41. The left and right lid side portions 58 are disposed outside the terminal main body 41 in the left-right direction.

[0042] As shown in Figure 8, the lid side portions 58 protrude forward from both left and right edges of the lower portion of the lid main body portion 57. The lid side portions 58 are connected to the lid main body portion 57 at a right angle or an angle close to a right angle. The front end of the lid side portions 58 is positioned in a height range that overlaps with the main body protrusion portion 48 in the vertical direction. When viewed from the left and right, the lid side portions 58 have a rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction. The lid side portions 58 are elastically deformable in the left-to-right direction with their rear end portions as a fulcrum.

[0043] 7, each of the cover side portions 58 has a bent portion 59. The bent portion 59 is bent inward in the left-right direction from the front end of the cover side portion 58. The bent portions 59 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the main body protrusion 48.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 7, the front end of the lid side portion 58 is located inside the opening-preventing protrusion 19 of the housing 10 in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 4, approximately the upper half of the front end of the lid side portion 58 is located in a height range that overlaps with the opening-preventing protrusion 19 in the up-down direction. The opening-preventing protrusion 19 prevents the lid side portion 58 from opening outward in the left-right direction.

[0045] As shown in Figure 10, the lid side portion 58 has a lid lock portion 61. The lid lock portion 61 protrudes inward by cutting and raising a portion of the lid side portion 58. A rear surface 75 of the lid lock portion 61 is disposed along a direction perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to an inner surface 76 of the lid side portion 58. The lid lock portion 61 abuts against the engaging surface 56 of the lock portion 55 from the front. The rear surface 75 of the lid lock portion 61 and the engaging surface 56 of the lock portion 55 can come into face-to-face contact with each other in the left-right direction.

[0046] When the lid locking portion 61 and the locking portion 55 are engaged with each other, the outer surface 73 of the locking portion 55 and the inner surface 76 of the lid side portion 58 are arranged parallel to each other. When the lid locking portion 61 and the locking portion 55 are engaged with each other, a gap is formed between the outer surface 73 of the locking portion 55 and the inner surface 76 of the lid side portion 58.

[0047] Next, an example of the assembly process for the shielded connector C will be described. As shown in FIG. 11 , the outer conductor terminal 40, the dielectric 30, and the inner conductor terminal 20 are accommodated in the housing 10 in this order: outer conductor terminal 40, dielectric 30, inner conductor terminal 20. The inner conductor terminals 20 and outer conductor terminals 40 are bent after being accommodated in the housing 10. The state of the inner conductor terminals 20 and outer conductor terminals 40 before being accommodated in the housing 10 is referred to as the pre-bent state. In the pre-bent state, the inner conductor terminal 20 extends in a straight line from the mating connection portion 21 to the board connection portion 23. In the pre-bent state, the connecting portion 43 of the outer conductor terminal 40 is not bent, as shown in FIG. 12 . In the pre-bent state, the lid portion 42 of the outer conductor terminal 40 is in the open position. In the open position, the upper body portion 45, the lid body portion 57, and the connecting portion 44 are flat.

[0048] The outer conductor terminal 40 in its pre-bent state is first inserted into the housing 10. The outer conductor terminal 40 is press-fit into the terminal body holding portion 14 from behind. The main body protrusion 48 of the outer conductor terminal 40 abuts against the rear surface of the intermediate wall portion 13 of the housing 10 (see FIG. 13 ). This stops the outer conductor terminal 40 from moving forward. The outer locking portion 53 of the outer conductor terminal 40 locks into the housing lock-receiving portion 17. This prevents the outer conductor terminal 40 from coming off the housing 10 backward, and the outer conductor terminal 40 is held by the terminal body holding portion 14.

[0049] Next, the dielectric 30 is inserted into the outer conductor terminal 40 held in the housing 10. The dielectric 30 is press-fitted into the terminal main body 41 through the opening on the rear surface of the terminal main body 41. The stopper portion 34 of the dielectric 30 abuts against the main body protrusion 48 (see FIG. 13 ). This stops the forward movement of the dielectric 30. The inner locking portion 54 of the outer conductor terminal 40 locks into the dielectric locking receiving portion 35. This restricts the dielectric 30 from separating rearward from the outer conductor terminal 40 and holds it inside the outer conductor terminal 40.

[0050] Next, the inner conductor terminal 20 is inserted into the dielectric 30 held by the outer conductor terminal 40. The inner conductor terminal 20 in its pre-bent state is press-fitted from behind into each mounting hole 33 of the dielectric 30. The mating connection portion 21 protrudes forward from the dielectric 30. The vertical portion 22 engages with the dielectric body 31. This holds the inner conductor terminal 20 in place in the dielectric 30.

[0051] Next, the inner conductor terminal 20 and the outer conductor terminal 40 are bent into the shape shown in Fig. 3. In the bending process of the outer conductor terminal 40, the lid portion 42 is rotated from the open position to the closed position around the connecting portion 43. The left and right lid side portions 58 gradually overlap the outside of the left and right locking portions 55. The lid locking portions 61 ride on the outside of the locking portions 55 in the left-right direction. The lid side portions 58 elastically deform inward in the left-right direction, and the locking portions 55 elastically deform outward in the left-right direction.

[0052] The protruding end of the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61 (the inner end in the left-right direction, i.e., the lower end of the rear surface 75 shown in FIG. 10 ) moves forward along the outer surface 73 of the locking portion 55. During this movement, the amount of elastic deformation of the lid side portion 58 and the locking portion 55 remains constant. Eventually, the protruding end of the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61 reaches the outer chamfered surface 71 and moves along the slope of the outer chamfered surface 71 from the rear end of the outer chamfered surface 71 to its front end. During this movement, the amount of elastic deformation of the lid side portion 58 and the locking portion 55 gradually decreases. The slope of the outer chamfered surface 71 can take a shape that corresponds to the rotational trajectory of the lid side portion 58 and the locking portion 55 when they elastically return to their original position. Eventually, the protruding end of the lid locking portion 61 reaches the position of the engaging surface 56, and the lid side portion 58 and the locking portion 55 elastically return, so that the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61 and the engaging surface 56 of the locking portion 55 face each other and are able to come into contact with each other in the front-to-rear direction. Unlike the first embodiment, if a right-angled corner exists between the engaging surface and the outer surface of the locking portion, the lid side portion will overcome the corner and elastically return without reducing the amount of elastic deformation of the lid side portion and the locking portion. This makes it difficult to close the gap between the rear surface of the lid locking portion and the engaging surface of the locking portion due to the rotation of the lid side portion and the locking portion during elastic return. In contrast, in the first embodiment, the lid locking portion 61 moves along the outer chamfered surface 71, thereby reducing the amount of elastic deformation of the lid side portion 58 and the locking portion 55, and therefore, the gap between the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61 and the engaging surface 56 of the locking portion 55 can be closed as much as possible in the front-to-rear direction. When the bending process of the connecting portion 43 is completed, the connecting portion 43 springs back in the opening direction, and the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61 can come into contact with the engaging surface 56 of the locking portion 55. This completes the assembly work of the shielded connector C.

[0053] Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described. The outer conductor terminal 40 surrounds the inner conductor terminal 20 via the dielectric 30. The outer conductor terminal 40 includes a terminal body 41, a lid 42, and a connecting portion 43. The terminal body 41 is open in the front-rear direction. The lid 42 closes the opening on the rear surface of the terminal body 41. The connecting portion 43 connects the terminal body 41 and the lid 42. The lid 42 is positioned in a closed position, closing the rear surface of the terminal body 41, by bending the connecting portion 43. The lid 42 includes left and right lid side portions 58 that are positioned laterally outward of the terminal body 41 in the closed position. A lid lock portion 61 protrudes from an inner surface 76 of the lid side portion 58. The terminal body 41 includes left and right body side portions 46 that are positioned laterally inward of the left and right lid side portions 58. Locking portions 55 are formed on the left and right body side portions 46. The locking portions 55 are located rearward of the lid locking portions 61. The front surface of the locking portions 55 has a locking surface 56 and an outer chamfered surface 71. The locking surface 56 locks to a rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61. The outer chamfered surface 71 is formed between the outer surface 73 of the locking portion 55 and the locking surface 56. With this configuration, when the lid portion 42 is placed in the closed position, the lid locking portion 61 moves from the outer surface 73 of the locking portion 55 along the outer chamfered surface 71 and is then positioned in front of the locking surface 56. This makes it possible to reduce the gap between the locking surface 56 of the locking portion 55 and the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61, preventing a deterioration in shielding performance.

[0054] The lid side portions 58 extend forward from both left and right edge portions of the lid main body portion 57 that closes the opening on the rear surface of the terminal main body portion 41. Lid locking portions 61 are provided protruding from the inner surface of the lid side portions 58. Locking portions 55 that engage with the lid locking portions 61 are provided on the left and right main body side portions 46. Opening suppression protrusions 19 that suppress opening deformation of the left and right lid side portions 58 are provided on the inner surface of the housing 10 at positions corresponding to the front ends of the left and right lid side portions 58. With this configuration, the opening suppression protrusions 19 suppress opening deformation of the left and right lid side portions 58, thereby stabilizing shielding performance.

[0055] The body side portions 46 extend downward from both left and right edges of the body upper portion 45 that constitutes the terminal body portion 41. The front surface of the locking portion 55 has an inclined surface 77 that extends diagonally rearward as it extends downward from the engaging surface 56. With this configuration, when the lid portion 42 is placed in the closed position, the lid locking portion 61 can rotate along the inclination of the inclined surface 77, making it easier to close the gap between the engaging surface 56 of the locking portion 55 and the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61.

[0056] [Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The above-described first embodiment disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the above-described first embodiment, the housing 10 has one terminal body accommodating portion 11 and accommodates one terminal body T. However, in other embodiments, the housing may have multiple terminal body accommodating portions and accommodate multiple terminal bodies. In the above-described first embodiment, the outer chamfered surface 71 is inclined relative to the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61. However, in other embodiments, the outer chamfered surface may be parallel to the rear surface of the lid locking portion. In the above-described first embodiment, the outer chamfered surface 71 is inclined relative to the rear surface 75 of the lid locking portion 61. However, in other embodiments, a protrusion such as a crush rib may be formed on the front surface of the locking portion, and a chamfered portion may be formed between the tip surface of the protrusion and the outer surface of the locking portion.

[0057] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Housing 11...Terminal body accommodating portion 12...Hood portion 13...Intermediate wall portion 14...Terminal body holding portion 15...Protective wall portion 16...Insertion hole 17...Housing locking receiving portion 18...Concave portion 19...Opening prevention protrusion 20...Inner conductor terminal 21...Mating connection portion 22...Vertical portion 23...Substrate connection portion 30...Dielectric 31...Dielectric main body portion 32...Dielectric side portion 33...Mounting hole 34...Stopper portion 35...Dielectric locking receiving portion 36...Inner inclined portion 37...Outer inclined portion 40...Outer conductor terminal 41...Terminal main body portion (main body portion) 42...Lid portion 43...Coupling portion 44...Connection portion 45...Main body upper portion 46...Main body side portion 47...Main body lower portion 48...Main body protruding portion 49...Base end 51...Tip 52...Resilient contact piece 53...Outer locking portion 54...Inner locking portion 55...Locking portion 56...Lock surface 57...Lid main body portion 58...Lid side portion 59...Bent portion 61...Lid locking portion 71...Outer chamfered surface (chamfered surface) 72...Inner chamfered surface 73...Outer surface of locking portion (outer side surface of locking portion in the left-right direction) 74...Inner surface of locking portion 75...Rear surface of lid locking portion 76...Inner surface of lid side portion 77...Inclined surface C...Shielded connector F...Fixing device T...Terminal body

Claims

1. An outer conductor terminal comprising a main body portion that opens in the front-to-rear direction, a lid portion that closes the opening on the rear surface of the main body portion, and a bendable connecting portion that connects the main body portion and the lid portion, wherein the main body portion has left and right body side portions that face each other in the left-to-right direction, the lid portion has left and right lid side portions that are arranged on the outside in the left-to-right direction of the left and right main body side portions when in a closed position that closes the opening on the rear surface of the main body portion, the left and right lid side portions have lid lock portions that protrude inward in the left-to-right direction, and the left and right main body side portions have lock portions that are arranged rearward of the lid lock portions in the closed position, and a front surface of the lock portion has an engaging surface that faces and is able to come into contact with the rear surface of the lid lock portion when in the closed position, and a chamfered surface formed between the engaging surface and the outer left-to-right side surface of the lock portion.

2. An outer conductor terminal as set forth in claim 1, wherein the left and right body side portions extend downward from both left and right edges of the upper body portion constituting the body portion, and the front surface of the locking portion has an inclined surface that extends diagonally rearward as it goes downward from the engaging surface.

3. A shielded connector comprising an outer conductor terminal as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, a housing that accommodates said outer conductor terminal, a dielectric placed inside said outer conductor terminal, and an inner conductor terminal attached to said dielectric, wherein said left and right lid side portions extend forward from both left and right end edges of said lid main body portion that closes the opening on the rear surface of said main body portion, and opening suppression protrusions that suppress opening deformation of said left and right lid side portions are provided on the inner surface of said housing at positions corresponding to the front ends of said left and right lid side portions.

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