This application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-190344, filed on Nov. 24, 2021, with the Japan Patent Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
The present invention relates to a shield terminal and a connector.
JP 2013-222684A and JP H5-059773U disclose a shield terminal that includes an outer conductor. The outer conductor includes a main body portion, and a barrel portion that is connected to a shield portion of an electric wire, on the rear side relative to the main body portion.
Note that the outer conductor is referred to as an “outer conductor” in JP 2013-222684A, and a “connecter outer shell portion” in JP H5-059773U. The shield terminal is referred to as an “L-shaped coaxial connector” in JP 2013-222684A, and a “female connector” in JP H5-059773U. The main body portion is referred to as a “tubular portion” in JP 2013-222684A, and a “tubular coupling portion” in JP H5-059773U. The barrel portion is referred to as a “shield wire crimping portion” in JP 2013-222684A, and a “crimp portion” in JP H5-059773U.
The outer conductor is usually a single member obtained by integrating a barrel portion and a main body portion. In contrast, in order to increase, for example, the degree of freedom of the structures of the barrel portion and the main body portion, it is possible to separately configure a first outer conductor on the barrel portion side and a second outer conductor on the main body portion side.
However, when the outer conductor is separated into the first outer conductor and the second outer conductor, and an electric wire connected to the barrel portion of the first outer conductor is pulled rearward in a state where the shield terminal is engaged in a housing, there is a concern that the first outer conductor will be displaced relative to the second outer conductor.
In view of this, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a shield terminal and a connector that can prevent displacement of a first outer conductor and a second outer conductor from each other.
A shield terminal according to the present disclosure includes: a first outer conductor and a second outer conductor that are to be attached to each other, the first outer conductor includes a barrel portion that is connected to a shield portion of an electric wire, and an engaging portion capable of engaging with a housing, the second outer conductor includes a main body portion and an extension portion that extends rearward from the main body portion, a rear end portion of the extension portion is held sandwiched between the barrel portion and the electric wire, a fastener portion is formed on a front side of the second outer conductor relative to the rear end portion of the extension portion, and a fastening portion capable of coming into contact with the fastener portion in a direction of rotation about the engaging portion is formed forward of the engaging portion of the first outer conductor.
According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a shield terminal that can prevent displacement of a first outer conductor and a second outer conductor.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.
First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.
(1) A shield terminal according to the present disclosure includes: a first outer conductor and a second outer conductor that are to be attached to each other, the first outer conductor includes a barrel portion that is connected to a shield portion of an electric wire, and an engaging portion capable of engaging with a housing, the second outer conductor includes a main body portion and an extension portion that extends rearward from the main body portion, a rear end portion of the extension portion is held sandwiched between the barrel portion and the electric wire, a fastener portion is formed on a front side of the second outer conductor relative to the rear end portion of the extension portion, and a fastening portion capable of coming into contact with the fastener portion in a direction of rotation about the engaging portion is formed forward of the engaging portion of the first outer conductor.
When the electric wire is pulled rearward in a state where the shield terminal is accommodated in the housing and the engaging portion is engaged with the housing, there is a concern that the first outer conductor will be displaced relative to the second outer conductor in a direction of rotation (inclination) about the engaging portion engaged with the housing. However, with the above configuration, the fastening portion of the first outer conductor can come into contact with the fastener portion of the second outer conductor in a direction of rotation about the engaging portion, and thus it is possible to prevent displacement of the second outer conductor relative to the first outer conductor.
(2) Preferably, the main body portion intersects the extension portion and extends in an up-down direction, and has a shape that enables insertion into the housing, and the engaging portion opposes the main body portion, rearward of the main body portion, in a state where the first outer conductor and the second outer conductor are attached to each other.
In addition, preferably, in a connector that includes the above shield terminal and the housing, the housing includes an engagement portion to be engaged with the engaging portion, and an insertion portion into which the main body portion is inserted, forward of the engagement portion, and the insertion portion and the engagement portion are aligned with each other in a front-rear direction.
According to the above configuration, when the electric wire is pulled rearward in a state where the shield terminal is accommodated in the housing, a force resulting from the pulling can be taken on by a portion of engagement between the engagement portion and the engaging portion. Accordingly, recession of the main body portion is restrained, and it is possible to avoid a situation where the main body portion interferes with the inner surface (rear surface) of the insertion portion of the housing and is deformed.
(3) Preferably, the first outer conductor includes a base portion that extends forward from the barrel portion, and a pair of rising portions that rise from right and left end portions of the base portion, the engaging portion has a shape obtained by folding a portion of the base portion, the fastening portion is formed at a leading end portion in a rising direction of each of the rising portions, and the rising portions are formed in a plate shape that overlaps an outer surface of the second outer conductor so as to close a gap in the second outer conductor.
According to the above configuration, it is also possible to increase the degree of freedom with which the engaging portion can be formed. In addition, the fastening portion can be easily formed without performing a special process on the leading end portion in the rising direction of the rising portion. Furthermore, as a result of the rising portion closing a gap in the second outer conductor, it is possible to prevent leakage and intrusion of noise.
Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to illustrations of these, but is indicated by the claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
As shown in
Housing
The housing 20 is made of a synthetic resin, and includes an accommodation groove 21 extending in the front-rear direction, and an insertion portion 22 extending downward from the front end portion of the accommodation groove 21, as shown in
A recessed engagement portion 24 is formed in the lower surface of the accommodation groove 21 of the housing 20. The engagement portion 24 is disposed at a position close to the front end portion of the accommodation groove 21, near the rear side of the insertion portion 22.
Electric Wire
As shown in
Shield Terminal
As shown in
As shown in
The first outer conductor 32 is formed by performing a bending process or the like on a metal plate. The first outer conductor 32 includes a barrel portion 35 and a base portion 36 that extends forward from the barrel portion 35. As shown in
The barrel portion 35 is crimped and connected to the electric wire 90, and is bent into a shape having a circular cross-section or a cross-section close to a circular cross-section as a whole while curving the bottom portion 37. The diameters of a portion of the barrel portion 35 corresponding to the intermediate barrel pieces 39 is smaller than the diameters of portions corresponding to the front barrel pieces 38 and the rear barrel pieces 41.
The base portion 36 includes a plate-like portion 42 that is flat in the front-rear direction and the right-left direction, at a position lower than the bottom portion 37. In a central portion of the plate-like portion 42, an engaging portion 43 is formed by folding the plate-like portion 42. Specifically, a notch having a square U-shape is formed in a central portion of the plate-like portion 42, a plate piece portion of the notch is folded downward from the front end thereof, whereby the engaging portion 43 is formed. The engaging portion 43 is formed in a rectangular shape, and is disposed along the up-down direction with the plate surfaces thereof being directed forward and rearward. A reinforcement portion 44 having a triangular pyramid shape is provided at a root portion of the engaging portion 43. The reinforcement portion 44 is shaped by pushing a portion that extends from a root portion of the engaging portion 43 to a front end side of the plate-like portion 42 so as to expand forward.
The first outer conductor 32 includes a pair of rising portions 45 that rise from right and left end portions of the base portion 36. The rising portions 45 are each formed in a plate shape extending along the up-down direction. Rear ends of the rising portions 45 are respectively coupled to the front barrel pieces 38.
On the front end side of each of the rising portions 45, a rising main body portion 46 that is rectangular in a side view is formed to be raised to be higher than the rising portions 45. An upper end of the rising main body portion 46 serves as a fastening portion 47 that can come into contact with a fastener portion 61 of the second outer conductor 33, which will be described later. The fastening portion 47 of the rising main body portion 46 is disposed along the front-rear direction.
The second outer conductor 33 is formed by performing a bending process or the like on a metal plate. As shown in
The main body portion 48 is electrically connected to a partner outer conductor of a partner terminal (not illustrated) while being inserted into the insertion portion 22 of the housing 20. An elastic contact portion 54 (see
As shown in
As shown in
The sub extension portions 58 include a pair of coupling end portions 62 that protrude downward from right and left end portions of the main extension portion 57 in the closed state, and a pair of divided portions 63 that extend rearward from the coupling end portions 62. In the closed state, a rear end portion of the main extension portion 57, a rear end portion of the lower extension portion 51, and the divided portions 63 from a circular shape or a shape close to a circular shape as a whole in a rear view, and are disposed along the outer periphery of the shield portion 93 of the electric wire 90. As shown in
Method and Structure for Attaching Shield Terminal
The second outer conductor 33 is brought into the open state (state shown in
Next, the second outer conductor 33 is brought into the closed state. In the closed state, as shown in
Next, the first outer conductor 32 is attached to the second outer conductor 33 from below. The bottom portion 37 and the base portion 36 of the first outer conductor 32 are disposed along the lower surface of the lower extension portion 51 of the second outer conductor 33. In this state, crimping tools (an anvil and a crimper) are applied to the barrel portion 35, and a crimping process is performed. The front barrel pieces 38, the intermediate barrel pieces 39, and the rear barrel pieces 41 are bent, and crimped and connected to the terminal portion of the electric wire 90. Specifically, the front barrel pieces 38 sandwich a rear end portion of the extension portion 49 therebetween, and are electrically connected to the shield portion 93 of the electric wire 90. The intermediate barrel pieces 39 are directly crimped and electrically connected to the shield portion 93 of the electric wire 90. The rear barrel pieces 41 are mechanically connected to the sheath 94 of the electric wire 90. Note that, in the first embodiment, crimping processes of the front barrel pieces 38, the intermediate barrel pieces 39, and the rear barrel pieces 41 may be performed at the same time or may be performed separately at time intervals.
In a state where the first outer conductor 32 and the second outer conductor 33 are attached to each other, the rising portions 45 of the first outer conductor 32 overlap the outer surface side of the extension portion 49, as shown in
Moreover, as shown in
Structure for Accommodating Shield Terminal in Housing
When the shield terminal 30 is accommodated in the housing 20, the main body portion 48 is inserted and fitted into the insertion portion 22 of the housing 20, and the plate-like portion 42 of the first outer conductor 32 is disposed along the lower surface of the accommodation groove 21 of the housing 20, as shown in
When a force F (see
Incidentally, when the force F acts on the first outer conductor 32, there is a concern that the first outer conductor 32 will be inclined in a direction (upward direction UR, see
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be exerted.
The engaging portion 43 is formed so as to protrude downward from the lower surface of the base portion 36 of the first outer conductor 32, and thus it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the shield terminal 30 in the width direction. In addition, in the housing 20, the engagement portion 24 that receives the engaging portion 43 is formed in the lower surface of the accommodation groove 21, and falls within the width of the accommodation groove 21. Therefore, it is also possible to avoid an increase in the size of the connector 10 in the width direction.
Moreover, the engaging portion 43 is formed by cutting and raising a portion of the base portion 36 positioned between the barrel portion 35 and the main body portion 48, and thus it is easy to ensure positional accuracy and dimensional accuracy of the engaging portion 43, and, furthermore, it is also possible to increase the degree of freedom with which the engaging portion 43 can be formed.
Moreover, both the main body portion 48 and the engaging portion 43 are formed so as to extend in the up-down direction, and the opposing surface 65 of the main body portion 48 opposes the engaging portion 43, and thus the engaging portion 43 does not protrude independently below the shield terminal 30. Therefore, the size of the shield terminal 30 in the up-down direction does not increase due to the presence of the engaging portion 43. In addition, the rib-shaped reinforcement portion 44 is formed at the root portion of the engaging portion 43 on the front surface side of the engaging portion 43, and thus it is possible to avoid a situation where the engaging portion 43 is subjected to plastic deformation.
Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be exerted.
When, due to, for example, the electric wire 90 being pulled rearward, the first outer conductor 32 is about to become displaced relative to the second outer conductor 33 about the upward direction UR with respect to the portion where the engaging portion 43 and the engagement portion 24 are engaged with each other, the fastening portions 47 of the rising main body portions 46 of the first outer conductor 32 can come into contact with the fastener portions 61 of the second outer conductor 33, and thus it is possible to prevent displacement of the second outer conductor 33 relative to the first outer conductor 32.
Moreover, when the electric wire 90 is pulled rearward, the force F resulting from the pulling can be taken on by the portion of engagement between the engagement portion 24 and the engaging portion 43. Accordingly, recession of the main body portion 48 is restrained, and it is possible to avoid a situation where the main body portion 48 interferes with the inner surface of the insertion portion 22 of the housing 20, and is deformed.
Moreover, the fastening portions 47 are formed on the upper ends of the rising main body portions 46, and thus there is no need to perform a special process for forming the fastening portions 47 on the first outer conductor 32. In addition, as a result of the rising portions 45 closing a gap in the first outer conductor 32, it is possible to prevent leakage and intrusion of noise.
The first embodiment disclosed here is to be construed as illustrative and not limiting in all respects.
In the first embodiment, the engaging portion is formed at the base portion of the first outer conductor. However, in other embodiments, the engaging portion may also be formed in a portion of the first outer conductor other than the base portion, such as the barrel portion, as long as the engaging portion is shaped so as not to protrude outward in the width direction of the first outer conductor.
In the first embodiment, the engaging portion is formed by cutting and raising a portion of the base portion. However, in other embodiments, the engaging portion may be formed by folding a protruding portion of the base portion.
In the first embodiment, the main body portion is formed so as to extend in the up-down direction. However, in another embodiment, the main body portion may also be formed so as to extend in the front-rear direction continuous to the extension portion, the base portion, the bottom portion, and the like.
In the first embodiment, the outer conductor is constituted by the first outer conductor and the second outer conductor that are formed separately. However, in another embodiment, the outer conductor may also be a single member in which all of the constituent elements are integrated.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2021-190344 | Nov 2021 | JP | national |