JP2004171830A - Shield connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To compactify a connector housing by improving the lock structure of a metal shell. <P>SOLUTION: A male metal shell 80 is attachable on the outer periphery of an inner housing 61 of a male housing 60 from backward. A pair of lock claws 85 are formed on the lower surface of the male metal shell 80 and are bent inwardly in an oblique attitude in the rear. A lock hole 76 for being locked to the lock claw 85 is formed on the lower surface of the inner housing 61, which is formed by opening part of a bottom wall 74 of a warped space 73 of a lance 63A in a cavity on the lower surface. Since the lock claw 85 is formed by being inwardly louvered, the lock hole 76 can be formed recessed on the outer surface of the inner housing 61, the wall of the outer housing 62 does not need to be a thick wall, and accordingly the male housing 60 can be radially compactified. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shield connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 13 shows an example of a conventional shielded connector. In this case, an inner housing 3 (terminal accommodating portion) having a cavity 2 for accommodating a terminal fitting connected to a terminal of a shielded electric wire is provided inside an outer housing 1, and a shield is provided on the outer periphery of the inner housing 3. For example, a metal shell 4 that can be brought into contact with the braided wire of the electric wire is inserted and attached from behind (left side in the figure). Note that this type of shielded connector is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-219758
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional one, a portion for attaching the metal shell 4 in a retaining state is formed by cutting and raising the locking claw 5 on one surface of the metal shell 4 on the outer surface side, while forming the portion on the opposing inner surface of the outer housing 1. The locking portion 6 is formed in a stepped shape, and ribs 7 are erected on both sides thereof. When the metal shell 4 is inserted into the outer periphery of the inner housing 3 from behind, the locking claw 5 is formed. After passing between the two ribs 7, it goes over the locking portion 6 and locks on the front surface thereof, so that it is prevented from falling off and mounted. The ribs 7 are provided on both sides of the locking portion 6 in order to secure a large catching margin while minimizing the bending deformation of the locking claw 5.
[0005]
However, in such a locking structure, it is necessary to provide the stepped locking portion 6 and the ribs 7 on the inner surface of the outer housing 1, so that the wall thickness of the peripheral wall of the outer housing 1 is increased by that amount, and consequently the connector There was a dislike that the housing would be enlarged in the radial direction.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the size of a connector housing by improving a locking structure of a metal shell.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for achieving the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a terminal accommodating portion having a cavity for accommodating a terminal fitting connected to an end of a shielded electric wire is provided inside a connector housing. In a shield connector in which a metal shell that can be in contact with the braided wire of the shielded wire is inserted and mounted along the axial direction on the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating portion, the metal shell has a locking claw that protrudes toward the inner surface side. On the other hand, it is characterized in that, on the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion, a locking portion for locking the locking claw in a retaining state is formed in a concave shape.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a lance is formed in the cavity of the terminal accommodating portion to lock the terminal fitting in a retaining state, and the lance is excessively deformed. It is characterized in that the locking portion is formed by cutting out a part of the wall that regulates.
[0008]
Function and effect of the present invention
<Invention of claim 1>
Since the locking claws of the metal shell are formed inward, it is possible to form a concave portion on the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion provided inside the connector housing. . Unlike the conventional one in which the locking claws are outwardly facing, there is no need to make the outer wall of the connector housing thicker in providing the locking portion and the like, and the size of the connector housing in the radial direction can be reduced accordingly. it can.
<Invention of Claim 2>
In addition to having a function of restricting excessive deformation of the lance, the connector housing can be downsized in the radial direction.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a pair of male and female connectors F and M that are fitted to each other are provided. In the following, a description will be given of the respective connectors F and M, with the fitting surface side being the front.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the female connector F includes a female connector housing 30 (hereinafter referred to as a female housing) and three female housings 30 fixed to the ends of the shielded wires 10 and housed in the female housing 30. It has a female terminal 20 and a metal shell 50 (hereinafter referred to as a female side metal shell).
[0010]
The shielded electric wire 10 has a known structure, in which a core wire 11, an insulating inner sheath 12, a braided wire 13, and an insulating sheath 14 are arranged concentrically from the inside, and are sequentially exposed at the terminal, and are braided. Is wound rearward, covered over the terminal of the insulating outer cover 14, and processed by being caulked and fixed with a metal tube 15.
The female terminal 20 is formed by pressing a metal plate, has a rectangular tube-shaped connecting portion 22 having a contact piece 21 provided therein for contacting the tab 26 of the mating male terminal 25, and is provided at the rear end. The obtained barrel 23 is crimped to the core wire 11 and the insulating inner skin 12 to be crimped to the end of the shielded electric wire 10.
[0011]
The female housing 30 is formed of a synthetic resin material, and roughly includes an inner housing 31 and an outer housing 32. The inner housing 31 is formed in a horizontally long cross section as shown in FIG. 4, and three cavities 33 shown in the figure are oriented in the front-rear direction in the horizontal direction. In each cavity 33, the female terminal 20 fixed to the end of the above-mentioned shielded electric wire 10 is inserted from the rear, and is locked by a lance 33A provided on the bottom surface, so that the female terminal 20 The exposed portion of the terminal of the insulating endothelium 12 is accommodated in a retaining state.
[0012]
The outer housing 32 is formed to be slightly larger than the inner housing 31 so as to cover the rear end of the inner housing 31 from the rear end thereof. More specifically, a female metal shell 50 is fitted on the outer periphery of the inner housing 31. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. The insertion space 34 of the horizontally long annular female side metal shell 50 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the outer housing 32 and the outer peripheral surface of the rear end of the inner housing 31. The portions of the front end of the housing 32 that overlap each other and the inner peripheral surface are connected by connecting ribs 35 extending in the axial direction at each of the upper and lower portions, so that the inner housing 31 is connected to the connecting ribs inside the outer housing 32. It is supported in a suspended state via 35.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 4, the position of the connecting rib 35 is set on the upper surface side at an end portion near the center cavity 33 in the left and right cavities 33, and on the lower surface side, the width in the left and right both cavities 33. It is set at a position corresponding to the center in the direction.
In addition, a large hood portion 37 reaching the tip of the inner housing 31 is further formed on the outer periphery of the outer housing 32. A lock arm 38 is provided on the upper surface of the outer housing 32 to lock a mating state with a mating male connector housing 60 (hereinafter, referred to as a male housing). On the lower surface of 37, a mounting portion 39 for a bracket (not shown) is formed.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the female side metal shell 50 is formed by press-molding a metal plate into a flat rectangular tube shape. The dovetail-shaped concave portion 52 is fitted and connected. The female side metal shell 50 is fitted on the outer periphery of the inner housing 31 in a region extending from a substantially central portion in the depth direction of the inner housing 31 to a position slightly rearward from a central portion in the depth direction of the outer housing 32. (See FIG. 1).
[0015]
On both upper and lower surfaces of the female side metal shell 50, two upper and lower slits 53 for releasing the connecting rib 35 provided to support the inner housing 31 in the outer housing 32 in a suspended state in the female housing 30 are formed. .
Also, on the rear edge sides of the upper and lower surfaces, three sets of contact pieces 54 folded inward so as to make contact with the metal tube 15 fitted to the outer periphery of the end of the braided wire 13 in each shielded electric wire 10 are provided. They are formed side by side in the left-right direction.
[0016]
On the other hand, contact plates 55 for contacting the inner peripheral surface of a mating male side metal shell 80, which will be described later, are provided at four locations: a center position in the width direction on the front edge side of the upper and lower surfaces and an upper position on the front edge side of the left and right surfaces. Is formed. The contact plate 55 is cut out and formed so as to project rearward, and a contact protrusion 56 is formed on the outer surface of the protruding end so as to protrude.
The front edge of each surface of the female side metal shell 50 is folded inward at a predetermined length inward to form a folded portion 57. As shown in FIG. 12A, when the female side metal shell 50 is fitted on the outer periphery of the inner housing 31, the folded portion 57 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 31, whereby the above-mentioned contact plate is formed. 55 functions so as to form a bending space 55 </ b> A that allows bending deformation inward.
[0017]
A pair of locking claws 58 are formed on the lower surface of the female metal shell 50 on both sides of the contact plate 55 and at a position behind the contact plate 55 by a predetermined distance. As shown in FIG. 2, the locking claw 58 is cut and raised so as to take a rearward and inwardly inclined position.
On the other hand, on the lower surface of the inner housing 31, a locking groove 40 for locking with the locking claw 58 is formed so as to open to the front surface. The locking groove 40 is provided at a position between the cavities 33, as shown in FIG.
[0018]
Next, the male connector M side will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the male connector M includes a male housing 60, three male terminals 25 fixed to the ends of the shielded wires 10 and housed in the male housing 60, and a male metal shell. 80.
The male terminal 25 is also formed by pressing a metal plate, has a tab 26 at the front end, and crimps a barrel 27 provided at the rear end between the core wire 11 and the insulating inner sheath 12 to form the shielded electric wire 10. It is crimped to the terminal.
[0019]
The male housing 60 is also made of a synthetic resin, and similarly includes an inner housing 61 and an outer housing 62. The inner housing 61 is formed to have a horizontally long cross section. The front end of the inner housing 31 of the female housing 30 can be fitted to a front surface of a main body 64 in which three cavities 63 shown in FIG. This is a structure in which a concave portion 65 is provided. In each cavity 63, the male terminal 25 fixed to the end of the shielded electric wire 10 is inserted from the rear, and is locked by the lance 63A provided on the bottom surface, so that the tab 26 projects into the fitting concave portion 65. It is designed to be retained and housed in a state where it is made to fall.
[0020]
The outer housing 62 is formed to be slightly larger and longer than the inner housing 61 so as to cover the front and rear portions of the inner housing 61, and the front end portion whose tall upper surface is raised has a small hood portion. The small hood portion 66 can be fitted into the large hood portion 37 of the female housing 30 described above.
A male-side metal shell 80 is similarly fitted around the outer periphery of the inner housing 61, and therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 61 and the inside of the outer housing 62. The insertion space 68 of the male metal shell 80 in the form of a horizontally long ring is formed between the outer housing 62 and the outer peripheral surface of the central portion in the length direction of the inner housing 61 and the small hood portion of the outer housing 62. The inner housing 61 is connected to the inner peripheral surface at the rear position of 66 by connecting ribs 69 extending in the axial direction at two locations in the upper and lower portions, and therefore, the inner housing 61 is provided inside the outer housing 62 via the connecting rib 69. It is supported in a suspended state.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 9, the position of the connecting rib 69 is set at a position corresponding to the center in the width direction of the left and right cavities 63 on the upper surface side, and is set at the center of the right and left cavities 63 on the lower surface side. It is set on the end side close to the cavity 63.
A lock projection 71 that fits with the lock arm 38 of the female housing 30 is provided on the upper surface of the small hood portion 66 of the outer housing 62, and a mounting portion for a bracket (not shown) is provided on the lower surface. 72 are formed.
[0022]
The male metal shell 80 is similarly formed by press-molding a single metal plate, and can be fitted on the outer periphery of the inner housing 61 as described above, and can be externally fitted on the female metal shell 50 as described above. It has a rectangular cylindrical shape, and has a length protruding a predetermined dimension forward and rearward of the inner housing 61 (see FIG. 1). The portion of the male side metal shell 80 protruding from the front end of the inner housing 61 can be tightly fitted to the front end of the female side metal shell 50 described above. Although not shown, at the butt edge of the bent metal plate, a dovetail-like protrusion and a dovetail-like recess are similarly fitted and connected.
[0023]
On both upper and lower surfaces of the male side metal shell 80, two upper and lower slits 81 are formed at the upper and lower sides of the male housing 60 to release connection ribs 69 provided for supporting the inner housing 61 in the outer housing 62 in a suspended state. .
Also, on the rear edge side of the upper and lower surfaces, three sets of contact pieces 83 folded inward to contact so as to sandwich the metal tube 15 fitted on the outer periphery of the end of the braided wire 13 in each shielded wire 10 are provided. They are formed side by side in the left-right direction.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 10, a pair of locking claws 85 are formed on the lower surface of the male metal shell 80 behind the slit 81 at a position slightly inside the slit 81. As shown in FIG. 7, the locking claw 85 is cut and raised so as to take an oblique posture facing rearward and inward.
On the other hand, a locking hole 76 for locking with the locking claw 85 is formed on the lower surface of the inner housing 61. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom wall 74 of the bending space 73 of the lance 63 </ b> A in the left and right cavities 63 extends to the end side close to the central cavity 63 and to the vicinity of the base end of the lance 63 </ b> A. A dead end-shaped hole 75 that reaches is formed, and a locking hole 76 is formed by opening the inner end of the hole 75 to the lower surface.
A relief groove 77 having a predetermined depth is formed at a position behind the locking hole 76 on the lower surface of the inner housing 61 to reduce the amount of bending of the locking claw 85.
[0025]
As will be described later, when the male side metal shell 80 is properly mounted on the outer periphery of the inner housing 61, the portion of the male side metal shell 80 protruding into the small hood portion 66 of the outer housing 62 as shown in FIG. In addition, a clearance is formed between the small hood portion 66 and the inner peripheral surface.
Therefore, six opening prevention ribs 79 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the small hood portion 66 in order to fill the clearance. As shown in FIG. 8, the opening prevention rib 79 is formed to extend in the front-rear direction corresponding to a region where the male metal shell 80 protrudes into the small hood portion 66. As shown in FIG. 9, the forming positions are set at two positions substantially at positions between the cavities 63 on the upper and lower surfaces, and at one position at the center height position on the left and right surfaces, for a total of six positions. I have.
[0026]
Subsequently, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
The female connector F is assembled as follows. First, the female-side metal shell 50 is inserted from the rear into the outer housing 32 of the female housing 30 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, and subsequently inserted toward the insertion space 34 between the female housing 30 and the inner housing 31. You. When the front end of the female-side metal shell 50 hangs on the insertion space 34, the connecting rib 35 is pushed into the corresponding slit 53 while relatively entering the corresponding slit 53.
[0027]
During this time, the engaging claw 58 is advanced while being bent and deformed by hitting the lower surface of the inner housing 31, and when the connecting rib 35 is pushed to a position where it abuts the rear end of the slit 53, the engaging claw 58 is moved to the position of the engaging groove 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the locking claw 58 is restored and locked in the locking groove 40, and the female metal shell 50 is moved from the rear end of the inner housing 31 to the outer periphery thereof, as shown in FIG. It is attached in the state of retaining. At this time, the front end of the female side metal shell 50 including the portion provided with the contact plate 55 protrudes forward from the front end of the outer housing 32.
Further, as shown in FIG. 12A, a folded portion 57 provided by being folded inward at the front edge of the female side metal shell 50 abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 31 so that the contact plate 55 is formed inside. Thus, a bending space 55A is formed in which bending deformation is allowed.
[0028]
Thereafter, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3, the female terminal 20 fixed to the end of the shielded electric wire 10 is inserted into the cavity 33 of the female housing 30 from behind and locked by the lance 33A. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the metal tube 15 fitted around the outer periphery of the braided wire 13 at the end of each shielded wire 10 is elastically held between the upper and lower contact pieces 54. Subsequently, a collective waterproof rubber stopper 42 is fitted into the rear end of the outer housing 32 and is prevented from falling off by a rubber stopper 43. In the meantime, a seal ring 45 is fitted to the outer periphery of the front end side of the outer housing 32 to take a seal between the male housing 60 of the outer housing 32 and the mating male housing 60.
[0029]
On the male connector M side, the male metal shell 80 is inserted from the rear into the outer housing 62 of the male housing 60 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 68. When the male side metal shell 80 hangs in the middle of the insertion space 68, the connection rib 69 is pushed into the corresponding slit 81 while relatively entering the corresponding slit 81.
During this time, when the locking claw 85 is slightly bent and deformed and advances along the relief groove 77 on the lower surface of the inner housing 61 and the connecting rib 69 is pushed to a position where it abuts against the rear end of the slit 81, the locking claw 85 is engaged. By reaching the position of the stop hole 76, as shown in FIG. 8, the locking claw 85 is restored and locked in the locking hole 76, and the male side metal shell 80 is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 61. The protruding parts are mounted in such a manner as to protrude by a predetermined amount from both front and rear sides.
[0030]
In addition, since the male metal shell 80 is formed in a horizontally long cross-sectional shape, it is highly likely that the metal shell 80 will be opened and deformed, for example, near the center in the width direction of both upper and lower surfaces after molding. Therefore, especially at the front end portion of the outer housing 62 that protrudes into the small hood portion 66, there is a possibility that the front end portion may be kept open due to the clearance around the front end portion. Since the rib 79 is erected, the rib 79 is pressed down and held in a normal closed state.
[0031]
Thereafter, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 8, the male terminal 25 fixed to the end of the shielded electric wire 10 is inserted from the rear into the cavity 63 of the male housing 60 and locked by the lance 63A. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the metal tube 15 fitted to the outer periphery of the braided wire 13 at the end of each shielded wire 10 is elastically held between the upper and lower contact pieces 83. Subsequently, a collective waterproof rubber plug 42 is fitted into the rear end of the outer housing 62 and is prevented from falling off by a rubber plug retainer 43.
[0032]
When the assembly of the male and female connectors F and M is completed, the connectors F and M are fitted to face each other as shown in FIG. The male and female housings 30 and 60 are fitted together while deforming the lock arm 38, and when properly fitted, the lock arm 38 is restored and locked to the lock projection 71 as shown in FIG. This locks the fitting state. In this state, by fitting the inner housing 31 of the female housing 30 into the fitting recess 65 of the outer housing 62 of the male housing 60, the opposed male and female terminal fittings 20, 25 are fitted and connected.
[0033]
At the same time, the front end portion of the male side metal shell 80 is fitted around the outer periphery of the front end portion of the female side metal shell 50. At this time, the front end portion of the male side metal shell 80 is held down by the opening prevention rib 79 and becomes regular. Since both the metal shells 50 and 80 are kept closed, the two metal shells 50 and 80 are fitted smoothly. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12 (B), the front edge of the male metal shell 80 contacts the contact protrusion 56 of the contact plate 55 provided on the female metal shell 50, and the contact plate 55 is bent. 55A, the contact protrusions 56 are firmly pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the mating male metal shell 80 by the restoring elasticity of the respective contact plates 55, and are brought into contact with each other. You.
Thereby, the male and female metal shells 50, electrically connected integrally from the connecting portions of the male and female terminal fittings 20, 25 to the fitting portions of the metal tubes 15 at the ends of the female and male shield wires 10 are provided. 80.
[0034]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, at the portion where the male side metal shell 80 is fitted to the outer periphery of the inner housing 61 of the male housing 60, the retaining claws 85 for retaining are formed by cutting and raising inward. Therefore, it is possible to form the locking hole 76 for locking this in the outer surface side of the inner housing 61. That is, unlike the conventional one in which the locking claws face outward, the wall of the outer housing 62 does not need to be thick in providing the locking holes 76 and the like. Can be achieved.
More specifically, the locking hole 76 uses an end of the bottom wall 74 of the bending space 73 that functions to restrict the lance 63A from excessively bending and deforming, where the lance 63A does not actually contact. Since the lance 63A has the function of restricting excessive deflection of the lance 63A, the above-described male housing 60 can be downsized in the radial direction.
[0035]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and furthermore, besides the following, within the scope not departing from the gist. Can be implemented with various modifications.
(1) The present invention can be similarly applied to a type in which the male metal shell is inserted into the outer periphery of the inner housing from the front.
(2) In the above embodiment, the locking hole is formed only in the area of the bottom wall of the bending space where the lance does not actually touch, but is formed so as to partially extend to the area where the lance hits. You may. As a result, the locking hole, that is, the locking claw can be formed wider, and the locking force can be increased.
[0036]
(3) The male side metal shell is not limited to the one assembled from the single plate illustrated in the above embodiment, but may be a type in which two divided parts are combined.
(4) The present invention can also be applied to a non-waterproof type shielded connector and a device directly connected type shielded connector.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a male and female connector according to an embodiment of the present invention before fitting. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an attaching operation of a female metal shell. FIG. 3 shows an assembling operation of a female connector. FIG. 4 is a front view of the female housing with the female metal shell mounted. FIG. 5 is a side view of the female metal shell. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the female shell. FIG. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mounting operation of the male connector. FIG. 9 is a front view of the male housing with the male side metal shell mounted. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the male side metal shell. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view after the fitting of the male and female connectors is completed. FIG. 12A is a partial sectional view of a state before the connection of the male and female metal shells, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional example.
M: Male connector 10: Shielded electric wire 13: Braided wire 25: Male terminal (terminal fitting)
60 ... male housing (connector housing)
61 ... Inner housing (terminal housing part)
62 outer housing 63 cavity 63A lance 73 bending space 74 (of lance 63A) bottom wall (deflection regulating wall)
76 ... locking hole (locking part)
80: Male side metal shell (metal shell)
83 contact piece 85 locking pawl

Claims (2)

Inside the connector housing, a terminal accommodating portion having a cavity for accommodating a terminal fitting connected to the terminal of the shielded wire is provided, and a metal that can come into contact with the braided wire of the shielded wire on the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating portion. In a shielded connector in which the shell is inserted and mounted along the axial direction,
The metal shell is formed with a locking claw protruding toward the inner surface side, while a locking portion for locking the locking claw in a locking state is formed on an outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion. A shielded connector. In the cavity of the terminal accommodating portion, a lance for locking the terminal fitting in a retaining state is formed, and a part of a wall for restricting excessive bending deformation of the lance is cut out to form the locking portion. The shield connector according to claim 1, wherein the shield connector is formed.

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