Electrical connector with gripping means on housing and engagement member inserted into housing

A connector, to which an end portion of a cable including a plurality of core wires is to be connected, comprises a housing including an arrangement surface section defining an arrangement space in which the cable is arranged through an opening, and an engagement member arranged in the arrangement space to hold the cable in the arrangement space together with the housing. The housing includes a first engagement portion for locking the cable by being displaced upward to project into the arrangement space, thereby pressing an outer surface of the cable arranged in the arrangement space. The engagement member includes a pair of second engagement portions arranged opposite to each other in a left-to-right direction through contact with the arrangement surface section, when the engagement member is arranged in the arrangement space, so as to lock the cable by pressing and sandwiching the outer surface of the cable.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Japanese Application No. 2018-216488 filed on Nov. 19, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a connector.

2. Description of the Related Art

For example, in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3127814 (JP 3127814 U) (Patent Literature 1), a high-frequency transmission plug including a plug housing1, a load bar2, and a cable organizer3is disclosed as illustrated inFIG. 35. In the high-frequency transmission plug, a press-holding block121in a positioning cell12, which is located on an upper rear side of the plug housing1, is pressed downward, and a lower end surface1210of a recessed arc portion1211of the press-holding block121crimps and fixes the plug housing1and a rear side of a cable4to each other.

However, in the high-frequency transmission plug described in Patent Literature 1, in order to firmly fix the cable4, typically, it is required to press the cable4by a strong force. The cable4pressed by the strong force is significantly squeezed. As a result, a gap may be formed between an electric wire of the cable and a sheath of the cable, or damage of the cable such as deformation of the electric wire itself may be caused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a connector capable of firmly fixing a cable while reducing a risk of damaging the cable.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a connector according to this invention a connector to which an end portion of a cable including a plurality of core wires is to be connected, the connector comprising:

a housing including an arrangement surface section defining an arrangement space in which the cable is arranged through an opening, the arrangement space extending in a first direction from an inside of the housing toward the opening; and

an engagement member, which is arranged in the arrangement space, and is configured to hold the cable in the arrangement space together with the housing,

wherein the housing includes a first engagement portion configured to lock the cable in such a manner that the first engagement portion is displaced in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction so as to project into the arrangement space, and thus presses an outer surface of the cable arranged in the arrangement space, and

wherein the engagement member includes a pair of second engagement portions arranged in an opposing manner along a third direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction and intersects the second direction, through contact with the arrangement surface section when the pair of second engagement portions is arranged in the arrangement space, and the pair of second engagement portions is configured to lock the cable by pressing and sandwiching the outer surface of the cable.

The engagement member may further include a core wire holding portion configured to hold the plurality of core wires, and each of the pair of second engagement portions may extend in the first direction from one of end portions of the core wire holding portion along the first direction.

The engagement member may further include a coupling portion configured to couple the core wire holding portion and each of the pair of second engagement portions to each other, and each of the pair of second engagement portions may be rotated about the coupling portion with respect to the core wire holding portion.

The coupling portion may be formed integrally with the core wire holding portion and each of the pair of second engagement portions.

When the pair of second engagement portions is moved through the opening into the housing in a direction opposite to the first direction so as to be arranged in the arrangement space, outer surfaces of the pair of second engagement portions may be brought into contact with the arrangement surface section so that a distance between inner surfaces of the pair of second engagement portions opposed to each other along the third direction is gradually decreased, and the pair of second engagement portions may connect to the one of end portions of the core wire holding portion with the distance

The core wire holding portion may be configured to hold the plurality of core wires while dividing the plurality of core wires into groups each including at least one core wire.

The plurality of core wires may comprise a plurality of pairs of core wires, and the core wire holding portion may include a plurality of dividing portions configured to arrange the core wires along the first direction while dividing the core wires into the groups on a pairwise basis.

Each of the dividing portions may form a through-hole that extends along the first direction and is configured to allow passage of the pair of the core wires.

The connector may further comprise an alignment member configured to align the core wires along the first direction, and arranged in the arrangement space so as to be opposed to another of the end portions of the core wire holding portion along the first direction.

The first engagement portion may include a restricting portion configured to restrict movement of the engagement member in the first direction with respect to the housing through contact with at least one of the pair of second engagement portions under a state in which the first engagement portion locks the cable.

Each of the pair of second engagement portions may include a pressing surface portion forming one of a flat surface and a curved surface configured to press the outer surface of the cable.

The connector may further comprising a conductive shell including a shell body portion to be arranged around the housing; and a shell extending portion extending from the shell body portion toward the arrangement space, the shell extending portion being arranged to be opposed to the first engagement portion and configured to press an outer peripheral surface of the cable arranged in the arrangement space.

Each of the plurality of core wires may be formed of a coated electric wire, and the connector may further comprise a plurality of terminals respectively mounted to the plurality of core wires and arranged in the housing.

According to an aspect of this invention, a connector capable of firmly fixing a cable while reducing a risk of damaging the cable can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Now, with reference to the drawings, a connector according to one embodiment of this invention and a connector assembly are described. The same components are denoted by the same reference symbols in all of the drawings. Directional terms described in this embodiment, such as “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “right”, and “left”, are used for ease of understanding of this embodiment, and do not limit this invention.

A connector100according to one embodiment of this invention is, as illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2being perspective views of the connector100, a connector to which an end portion101_E of a cable101(seeFIG. 3) including a plurality of core wires103is connected. The connector100and a mating connector (not shown) such as a modular jack are fitted to each other. The connector100is fitted to the mating connector, and thus electrically connects the core wires103of the cable101and wires (not shown) connected to the mating connector.

Here,FIG. 1is a perspective view for illustrating the connector100according to this embodiment under a state in which the cable101is connected to the connector100, as seen from an upper right front side of the connector.FIG. 2is a perspective view for illustrating the connector100according to this embodiment under a state in which the cable101is connected to the connector100, as seen from a lower right front side of the connector.

The cable101in this embodiment is a twisted pair cable suitably adopted for differential transmission. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the end portion101_E of the cable101is a portion having a predetermined length L1from a tip of the cable101, and is arranged inside the connector100. The end portion101_E of the cable101includes a sheath member102, eight core wires103, and conductive foil104. Here,FIG. 3is a side view for illustrating the cable101as seen from a direction perpendicular to a length direction of the cable101.

The sheath member102is an insulating member configured to bundle the eight core wires103and sheathe a periphery of the bundled core wires103. In the end portion101_E of the cable101, a portion extending from the tip of the cable101by a predetermined length L2(L2<L1) is not coated with the sheath member102, and the core wires103are uncoated.

Each of the eight core wires103is an electric wire coated with an insulating member. The eight core wires103are paired by twisting every two core wires inside the sheath member102. In this embodiment, the eight core wires103include a pair of a core wire103_A1and a core wire103_A2, a pair of a core wire103_B1and a core wire103_B2, a pair of a core wire103_C1and a core wire103_C2, and a pair of a core wire103_D1and a core wire103_D2. Each pair of core wires103uncoated at the end portion101_E of the cable101is untwisted to extend substantially in parallel to each other.

Here, the core wires103_A1,103_A2,103_B1,103_B2,103_C1,103_C2,103_D1, and103_D2are collectively called the core wires103. When it is not particularly necessary to distinguish the core wires from each other, the core wires103_A1,103_A2,103_B1,103_B2,103_C1,103_C2,103_D1, and103_D2are similarly represented as the core wires103also in the following description.

The conductive foil104is a thin film-like conductor made of, for example, metal. The conductive foil104is wound around an outer peripheral surface of the sheath member102within a predetermined range at the end portion101_E of the cable101. It is preferred that the conductive foil104be fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the sheath member102through, for example, bonding.

The number of the core wires103included in the cable101is not limited to eight. It is only required that a plurality of core wires103be provided. Further, three or more core wires103may be twisted inside the sheath member102, or the core wires103may be individually arranged substantially in parallel to each other without being twisted inside the sheath member102. Moreover, the core wire103is not limited to the coated electric wire configured to send and receive an electric signal. The core wire103may be, for example, an appropriately coated signal wire for sending and receiving an optical signal, or a coated electric wire for supply electric power.

As illustrated in any one ofFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 4toFIG. 7, the connector100includes a housing105, an engagement member106, an alignment member107, eight terminals108, a conductive shell109, and a boot110.

Here,FIG. 4is an exploded perspective view for illustrating the connector100according to this embodiment, as seen from the upper right front side.FIG. 5is an exploded perspective view for illustrating the connector100according to this embodiment, as seen from the lower right front side.FIG. 6is a front view for illustrating the connector100according to this embodiment, as seen from a front side.FIG. 7is a view for illustrating a cross section of the connector100taken along the line VII-VII ofFIG. 6, as seen from a right side of the connector100.

The housing105is a member configured to hold the end portion101_E of the cable101arranged inside the housing105. For example, the housing105is made of a resin and integrally formed by, for example, injection molding. As illustrated inFIG. 5toFIG. 8, the housing105includes a housing body111, a fit-engagement portion112, and a pair of first boot mounting lance portions113_L and113_R.

Here,FIG. 8is a rear view for illustrating the housing105in this embodiment under a state in which the conductive shell109is mounted to the housing105.

The housing body111is a member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in a front-and-rear direction thereof, and has an arrangement space114therein. The cable101is arranged in the arrangement space114through an opening OP formed in a rear end of the housing body111.

Specifically, the housing body111includes a front wall portion115_F, a left wall portion115_L, a right wall portion115_R, an upper wall portion115_U, a lower wall portion115_D, eight terminal receiving portions116, a lower opening portion117, a first engagement portion118, and right and left shell engagement groove portions119.

The front wall portion115_F, the left wall portion115_L, the right wall portion115_R, the upper wall portion115_U, and the lower wall portion115_D are substantially rectangular flat-plate-like portions provided on front, left, right, upper, and lower sides of the housing body111, respectively. An arrangement surface section120, which forms inner surfaces of those wall portions115_F,115_L,115_R,115_U, and115_D, defines the arrangement space114extending in a rearward direction from the inside of the housing body111toward the opening OP. Here, the rearward direction corresponds to a first direction.

The eight terminal receiving portions116are portions defining terminal spaces in which the eight terminals108are to be arranged, respectively. The terminal receiving portions116are provided so as to be aligned in a right-and-left direction of the connector100. At a vicinity of a front end of the lower wall portion115_D and a vicinity of a lower end of the front wall portion115_F, the eight terminal receiving portions116form surfaces that connect outer surface portions of the lower wall portion115_D and the front wall portion115_F to the arrangement surface section120, and thus define the terminal spaces continuously communicating with the arrangement space114.

Here, the “vicinity” of the portion means a predetermined area around the portion.

It is only required that the terminal receiving portions116be provided so as to correspond to the terminals108, respectively. The number of the terminal receiving portions116is not limited to eight.

The lower opening portion117is a portion defining a substantially rectangular opening formed at a vicinity of the rear end of the lower wall portion115_D and elongated in the right-and-left direction, and allows communication between the outside of the housing body111and the arrangement space114. At a portion forming a rear side of the lower opening portion117, the lower opening portion117includes a return preventing portion121configured to prevent the first engagement portion118from returning from a holding position to an initial position.

Here, the “holding position” and the “initial position” respectively refer to a position of the first engagement portion118in a holding state and a position of the first engagement portion118in an initial state with respect to the housing body111. Further, the “holding state” refers to a state in which the end portion101_E of the cable101is held in the connector100so as to be prevented from slipping out of the arrangement space114. The “initial state” refers to a state before the end portion101_E of the cable101is arranged in the arrangement space114.

As illustrated inFIG. 9AandFIG. 9B, the first engagement portion118is a portion configured to lock the cable101in such a manner that the first engagement portion118is displaced in an upward direction so as to project into the arrangement space114in a projecting manner, and thus presses an outer surface of the cable101arranged in the arrangement space114. That is, the first engagement portion118is moved substantially in the upward direction from the initial position, and thus is displaced to the holding position of engagement the cable101.

Here,FIG. 9Ais an enlarged view for illustrating a part ofFIG. 7indicated by the dotted circle D, and is an illustration of the first engagement portion118brought to the initial position.FIG. 9Bis an enlarged view corresponding toFIG. 9A, and is an illustration of the first engagement portion118brought to the holding position.

Here, the upward direction corresponds to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Further, the “engagement” refers to a state in which at least mutual movement of members in one direction is prevented through engagement of the members owing to contact therebetween.

The first engagement portion118in this embodiment has a substantially triangular prism shape extending in the right-and-left direction. In a cross section of the first engagement portion118as seen from a side, the first locking portion118has a triangular shape in which a foremost apex (connection portion122) connects to the lower opening portion117, and an engagement surface portion125forming one of sides including the apex is arranged so as to be directed substantially in the upward direction. Note that a rear surface of the first engagement portion118is curved as described later.

More specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 8,FIG. 9A, andFIG. 9B, the first engagement portion118includes the connection portion122, a first projecting portion123, a second projecting portion124, and the engagement surface portion125.

As described above, the connection portion122is a portion forming the foremost apex as seen from a side of the connector, and connects to a portion of the lower opening portion117forming a front side. The connection portion122is made of a resin and has flexibility. Therefore, the first engagement portion118is moved to rotate about the connection portion122substantially in the upward direction (in a counterclockwise direction as seen from a right side of the connector). Through this rotational movement, the first engagement portion118is displaced from the initial position to the holding position.

The first projecting portion123is a portion forming a lower apex of apexes located on the rear side of the connection portion122as seen from the side of the connector. When the first engagement portion118is at the initial position, the first projecting portion123is positioned below the return preventing portion121(seeFIG. 9A). When the first engagement portion118is displaced to the holding position, the first projecting portion123in the holding state is positioned above the return preventing portion121(seeFIG. 9B).

In the a course of displacement of the first engagement portion118from the initial state to the holding state, the first projecting portion123comes into contact with the return preventing portion121. On this occasion, when the first projecting portion123is pressed in the upward direction so that the first projecting portion123is pressed by the return preventing portion121, the first engagement portion118made of a resin is elastically deformed. Thus, the first projecting portion123can be moved in the upward direction while being held in contact with the return preventing portion121. After passing a front of the return preventing portion121, the first engagement portion118is restored to the same shape as that in the initial state owing to its elasticity. As a result, the first projecting portion123comes into contact with the return preventing portion121, and thus is prevented from moving in a downward direction.

The second projecting portion124is a portion forming an upper apex of the apexes located on the rear side of the connection portion122as seen from the side of the connector. In a course of displacement of the first engagement portion118from the initial position to the holding position, the second projecting portion124is moved substantially in the upward direction, and then is positioned in the arrangement space114in a projecting manner when the first engagement portion118is at the holding position. In this manner, the second projecting portion124brought to the holding position presses and locks the outer surface of the end portion101_E of the cable101. At the initial position, the second projecting portion124is positioned so as to allow the cable101to move above the second projecting portion124.

In this embodiment, when the second projecting portion124at the holding position is seen from a rear side of the connector, as illustrated inFIG. 9C, the second projecting portion124includes an arc-shaped curved portion that is formed at a substantially center thereof in the right-and-left direction to project in the downward direction. Here,FIG. 9Cis a sectional view for illustrating the connector100taken along the line IX_C-IX_C ofFIG. 7when the first engagement portion118is at the holding position, as seen from the rear side. The second projecting portion124includes the curved portion as described above, and hence is indicated by the line rather than the point inFIG. 9AandFIG. 9B.

It is desired that a curvature radius of the curved portion of the second projecting portion124be larger than a curvature radius of the cable101. The curvature radius of the cable101corresponds to a radius of the cable101, in other words, a radius of a circle formed by the outer surface of the cable101in a cross section perpendicular to an extending direction of the cable101.

The engagement surface portion125is, for example, a portion connecting the connection portion122and the second projecting portion124as illustrated inFIG. 8andFIG. 9Afor illustrating the initial state andFIG. 9Bfor illustrating the holding state. The engagement surface portion125forms a substantially rectangular flat surface. However, a rear edge portion of the engagement surface portion125includes a portion curved so as to project toward the inside of the connector.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the engagement surface portion125includes a cable engagement portion126, a left restricting portion127_L, and a right restricting portion127_R. The engagement surface portion125is inclined slightly in the rearward direction and directed in the upward direction at the initial position. The engagement surface portion125is directed upward and forward at the holding position.

At the initial position, the cable engagement portion126is positioned so as to allow the cable101to pass above the cable engagement portion126. At the holding position, the cable engagement portion126presses, together with the second projecting portion124, the outer surface of the cable101arranged in the arrangement space114, and locks the cable101so as to prevent the cable101from moving in the rearward direction with respect to the housing105.

The left restricting portion127_L and the right restricting portion127_R are portions located on left and right sides of the cable engagement portion126, respectively. At the initial position, the restricting portions127_L and127_R are positioned so as to allow the engagement member106(described later in detail) to pass above the restricting portions127_L and127_R. At the holding position, the restricting portions127_L and127_R restrict rearward movement of the engagement member106with respect to the housing105through contact with the engagement member106.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the right and left shell engagement groove portions119are portions forming grooves in a lower surface of the lower wall portion115_D, and are formed between the lower opening portion117and the terminal receiving portions116at substantially the same positions in the front-and-rear direction. In this embodiment, the right and left shell engagement groove portions119form grooves opened rightward and leftward directions, respectively. Only any one of the right and left shell engagement groove portions119may be formed, or a groove continuous in the right-and-left direction may be formed.

As illustrated in, for example,FIG. 1, the fit-engagement portion112is a portion formed on an upper portion of the housing body111. When the connector100is fitted to the mating connector, the fit-engagement portion112removably locks the connector100so as to prevent the connector100from slipping out of the mating connector.

As illustrated in, for example,FIG. 5, each of the pair of first boot mounting lance portions113_L and113_R is a portion extending from the rear end of the lower wall portion115_D in the rearward direction, and includes a lance projecting in the downward direction so as to lock the boot110at the vicinity of the rear end.

The engagement member106is a member arranged in the arrangement space114and configured to hold the cable101in the arrangement space114together with the housing105. For example, the engagement member106is made of a resin and integrally formed by, for example, injection molding.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 10andFIG. 11, the engagement member106includes a core wire holding portion128, coupling portions129_L and129_R, and a pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R.

Here,FIG. 10is a perspective view for illustrating the engagement member106in this embodiment when the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R is at an engagement position (described later in detail), as seen from the upper right front side.FIG. 11is a front view for illustrating the engagement member106in this embodiment when the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R is at the engagement position (described later in detail), as seen from the front side.

The core wire holding portion128is a portion having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is configured to hold, on a pairwise basis, the core wires103of the cable101untwisted after being uncoated from the sheath member102.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 10toFIG. 16, the core wire holding portion128includes four dividing portions131and a pair of fitting groove portions132.

Here,FIG. 12is a sectional view for illustrating the engagement member106in this embodiment taken along a rear surface of the core wire holding portion128, and is an illustration of the core wire holding portion128as seen from the rear side.FIG. 13is a sectional view for illustrating the core wire holding portion128taken along the line XIII-XIII ofFIG. 12, as seen from an upper side of the connector.FIG. 14is a sectional view for illustrating the core wire holding portion128taken along the line XIV-XIV ofFIG. 12, as seen from the upper side of the connector.FIG. 15is a sectional view for illustrating the core wire holding portion128taken along the line XV-XV ofFIG. 12, as seen from the right side of the connector.FIG. 16is a sectional view for illustrating the core wire holding portion128taken along the line XVI-XVI ofFIG. 12, as seen from the right side of the connector.

The four dividing portions131are portions forming through-holes in the front-and-rear direction, and include dividing portions131_U,131_D,131_L, and131_R located on the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the connector, respectively. Here, the dividing portions131_U,131_D,131_L, and131_R located respectively on the upper, lower, left, and right sides are collectively called the dividing portions131. When it is not particularly necessary to distinguish the dividing portions from each other, the dividing portions131_U,131_D,131_L, and131_R are similarly represented as the dividing portions131also in the following description.

The through-hole formed by each of the dividing portions131is a through-hole extending in the front-and-rear direction (that is, extending along the first direction) so as to allow passage of the pair of core wires103. As illustrated by the dotted circles inFIG. 12, the pairs of core wires103are allowed to pass through the dividing portions131. In this manner, the core wires103can be arranged in the front-and-rear direction under a state of being divided into groups including the pairs of core wires103.

It is only required that the core wire holding portion128hold the core wires103while dividing the core wires103into groups. The number of the core wires103in each of the groups is not limited to two. Each of the groups may include one core wire103, or three or more core wires103. Further, the number of the groups for dividing the core wires103is not limited to four, and it is only required that the number of the groups be at least one. Further, it is only required that the dividing portions131be configured to arrange the core wires103in the front-and-rear direction while dividing the core wires103on the pairwise basis. For example, as the dividing portions131, grooves may be formed in an outer surface of the core wire holding portion128.

The pair of fitting groove portions132are portions forming grooves in right and left outer side surfaces of the core wire holding portion128, and extend from the front end of the core wire holding portion128in the rearward direction by a predetermined length.

The coupling portions129_L and129_R are portions coupling the core wire holding portion128and the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R.

Specifically, the coupling portion129_L couples a left end portion of a rear surface portion of the core wire holding portion128and a front end portion of the second engagement portion130_L. The coupling portion129_R couples a right end portion of the rear surface portion of the core wire holding portion128and a front end portion of the second engagement portion130_R.

Here, the rear surface portion of the core wire holding portion128is a portion forming a surface of the core wire holding portion128in this embodiment directed in the rearward direction. The rear surface portion corresponds to one of end portions of the core wire holding portion128along the first direction.

Each of the coupling portions129_L and129_R is elongated in an up-and-down direction of the engagement member106and has a small width in the right-and-left direction. Each of the coupling portions129_L and129_R is made of a resin. Therefore, the coupling portions129_L and129_R can be elastically deformed. Thus, the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are rotated with respect to the core wire holding portion128about the coupling portions129_L and129_R serving as rotation axes (centers) substantially in the up-and-down direction. As illustrated inFIG. 10, each of the coupling portions129_L and129_R in this embodiment has a through-hole in a halfway portion thereof in the up-and-down direction. Thus, each of the coupling portions129_L and129_R can be flexibly deformed as compared to a case without the through-hole. With this configuration, the coupling portions129_L and129_R can be more easily rotated.

The pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R in the holding state is arranged in the arrangement space114. In this case, a left outer surface of the second engagement portion130_L and a right outer surface of the second engagement portion130_R are held in contact with the arrangement surface section120so that the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are arranged in an opposing manner in the right-and-left direction to extend substantially in parallel to each other. Inner surfaces of the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R in the holding state press and sandwich the outer surface of the cable101arranged in the arrangement space114. In this manner, the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R locks the cable101.

Here, the rightward or leftward direction in this embodiment corresponds to a third direction. Arrangement in an opposing manner along the right-and-left direction corresponds to arrangement in an opposing manner along the third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and intersects the second direction.

In this embodiment, the second engagement portion130_L connects to the left end portion of the rear surface portion of the core wire holding portion128through intermediation of the coupling portion129_L, and extends substantially in the rearward direction. The second engagement portion130_R connects to the right end portion of the rear surface portion of the core wire holding portion128through intermediation of the coupling portion129_R, and extends substantially in the rearward direction.

As described above, the second engagement portions130_L and130_R can be rotated with respect to the core wire holding portion128about the coupling portions129_L and129_R serving as the rotation axes. With this configuration, the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are displaced substantially in the right-and-left direction while changing a distance therebetween, and are displaced between an engagement position illustrated inFIG. 10andFIG. 11and an increased width position illustrated inFIG. 17toFIG. 19.

Here, the “engagement position” refers to a position at which the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are in the holding state, and the second engagement portions130_L and130_R extend in the front-and-rear direction in parallel to each other with the distance between the inner surfaces corresponding to a size of the cable101. At the engagement position, the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R sandwiches the cable101arranged therebetween in the front-and-rear direction.

Further, the “increased width position” refers a position at which the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are in the initial state, and the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are respectively displaced substantially in the leftward direction and the rightward direction so that the distance between the inner surfaces is larger than the thickness of the cable101.

FIG. 17is a perspective view for illustrating the engagement member106in this embodiment when the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R is at the increased width position, as seen from the upper right front side.FIG. 18is a plan view for illustrating the engagement member106in this embodiment when the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R is at the increased width position, as seen from the upper side.FIG. 19is a rear view for illustrating the engagement member106in this embodiment when the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R is at the increased width position, as seen from the rear side.

When the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are moved in the forward direction toward the housing105through the opening OP so as to be arranged in the arrangement space114, the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are moved while the outer surfaces thereof are held in contact with the arrangement surface section120. Here, the forward direction corresponds to a direction opposite to the first direction. Further, regarding the outer surfaces of the second engagement portions130_L and130_R, the outer surface of the second engagement portion130_L is directed in the leftward direction, and the outer surface of the second engagement portion130_R is directed in the rightward direction.

With this configuration, the distance between the inner surfaces of the second engagement portions130_L and130_R opposed to each other in the right-and-left direction is gradually decreased. With such distance between the outer surfaces, the second engagement portions130_L and130_R indirectly connect to a rear end portion of the core wire holding portion128through intermediation of the coupling portions129_L and129_R.

Specifically, the second engagement portions130_L and130_R each have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the front-and-rear direction. The second engagement portion130_L includes a pressing surface portion133_L, a restricted portion134_L, and a second boot mounting lance portion135_L. The second engagement portion130_R includes a pressing surface portion133_R, a restricted portion134_R, and a second boot mounting lance portion135_R.

The pressing surface portions133_L and133_R are portions forming curved surfaces configured to press the outer surface of the cable101arranged in the arrangement space114, and are opposed to each other substantially in the right-and-left direction.

Specifically, the pressing surface portion133_L is a belt-shaped curved portion extending in the forward direction from a vicinity of the rear end of the inner surface (surface directed substantially in the rightward direction) of the second engagement portion130_L, and the pressing surface portion133_R is a belt-shaped curved portion extending in the forward direction from a vicinity of the rear end of the inner surface (surface directed substantially in the leftward direction) of the second engagement portion130_R. When the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are brought to the engagement position, the pressing surface portions133_L and133_R extend in the front-and-rear direction substantially in parallel to each other, and are opposed to each other in the right-and-left direction.

More specifically, the curved surface formed by the pressing surface portion133_L has a partial cylindrical shape that is curved to project in the leftward direction. The curved surface formed by the pressing surface portion133_R has a partial cylindrical shape that is curved to project in the rightward direction. The partial cylindrical shape substantially corresponds to a shape obtained by cutting out an outer surface of a cylinder along a plane parallel to an axis of the cylinder.

That is, the curved surface formed by each of the pressing surface portions133_L and133_R has an arc shape as seen from an extending direction of the second engagement portions130_L and130_R. It is desired that a curvature radius of the arc formed by each of the pressing surface portions133_L and133_R be equal to or larger than the curvature radius of the cable101.

Each of the pressing surface portions133_L and133_R may be a flat surface, or have a partial prism shape obtained by connecting a plurality of flat surfaces. The partial prism shape substantially corresponds to a shape obtained by cutting out an outer surface of a prism along a plane parallel to an axis of the prism.

As illustrated in, for example,FIG. 10andFIG. 19, the restricted portions134_L and134_R are portions forming inclined surfaces that are formed at vicinities of the front ends of the lower surface portions of the second engagement portions130_L and130_R and are directed downward and rearward.

The restricted portions134_L and134_R in the holding state are respectively held in contact with the restricting portions127_L and127_R, or are respectively opposed to the restricting portions127_L and127_R substantially in the front-and-rear direction with a predetermined distance. With this configuration, when the engagement member106is moved toward the housing105, the restricting portions127_L and127_R in the holding state are respectively brought into contact with the restricted portions134_L and134_R, thereby restricting rearward movement of the engagement member106with respect to the housing105.

Only any one of the restricted portions134_L and134_R may be formed at a rear lower end of the second engagement portion130_L or the second engagement portion130_R. Even with this configuration, one of the restricted portions134_L and134_R may be brought into contact with the restricting portion127_L or the restricting portion127_R opposed thereto under the holding state, thereby restricting rearward movement of the engagement member106with respect to the housing105.

The second boot mounting lance portions135_L and135_R are formed at vicinities of the rear ends of the second engagement portions130_L and130_R, and form lances projecting in the leftward direction and the rightward direction so as to lock the boot110.

The alignment member107is a member configured to align the core wires103along the front-and-rear direction in front of the engagement member106. The alignment member107is arranged in the arrangement space114so that the rear surface portion of the alignment member107is opposed to the front end portion of the core wire holding portion128at a predetermined distance.

Here, alignment along the front-and-rear direction corresponds to alignment along the first direction. The front end portion of the core wire holding portion128corresponds to another end portion of end portions of the core wire holding portion128along the first direction.

As illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, the alignment member107includes eight alignment hole portions136and a pair of extending portions137.

The eight alignment hole portions136are portions forming holes that are arrayed in the right-and-left direction and pass through the alignment member107in the front-and-rear direction. The eight core wires103are arranged so as to be inserted through the alignment hole portions136in the front-and-rear direction, respectively. When the eight alignment hole portions136are arranged in the arrangement space114, the alignment hole portions136are arranged so as to correspond to positions of the eight terminal receiving portions116in the right-and-left direction, respectively. At least a part of a hole formed by each of the alignment hole portions136is opened in the downward direction so as to communicate with the terminal space formed by corresponding one of the terminal receiving portions116.

Here, alignment hole portions136_1,136_2,136_3,136_4,136_5,136_6,136_7, and136_8formed in the stated order from the left side are collectively called the alignment hole portions136. When it is not particularly necessary to distinguish the alignment hole portions from each other, the alignment hole portions136_1,136_2,136_3,136_4,136_5,136_6,136_7, and136_8are similarly represented as the alignment hole portions136also in the following description.

The pair of extending portions137are portions extending in the rearward direction from a left end and a right end of the alignment member107, and are fitted to the fitting groove portions132corresponding to the extending portions137in the right-and-left direction. When the extending portions137and the fitting groove portions132are fitted to each other so as to be held in contact with each other in the front-and-rear direction, the alignment member107is positioned with respect to the engagement member106.

As illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, the eight terminals108are conductive members to be arranged in the eight terminal receiving portions116, respectively. Specifically, the eight terminals108are respectively fixed to the eight core wires103untwisted at the end portion of the cable101arranged in the arrangement space114, and are held in the housing105.

It is only required that the terminals108be provided so as to correspond to the core wires103of the cable101, respectively. The number of the terminals108is not limited to eight.

As illustrated in, for example,FIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 4toFIG. 8, the conductive shell109is a member to be arranged around the housing105. The conductive shell109is made of a conductive material such as metal and integrally formed. The conductive shell109is formed by, for example, bending a flat plate cut into a predetermined shape.

Specifically, the conductive shell109includes a shell body portion138, a shell extending portion139, and right and left engagement lance portions140.

The shell body portion138is a portion to be arranged around the housing105, and includes substantially rectangular wall portions arranged on the upper, lower, right, and left sides of the housing105.

The left wall portion and the right wall portion of the shell body portion138are portions to be arranged on the left side and the right side of the housing105, respectively. The upper wall portion of the shell body portion138is arranged behind the fit-engagement portion112to connect right and left wall portions of the housing105above the housing105. The lower wall portion of the shell body portion138is arranged between the lower opening portion117and the shell engagement groove portions119to connect the right and left wall portions of the housing105below the housing105.

The shell extending portion139is a portion extending from the shell body portion138toward the arrangement space114. The shell extending portion139is arranged to be opposed to the first engagement portion118in the up-and-down direction, and is configured to press the outer peripheral surface of the cable101arranged in the arrangement space114.

Specifically, the shell extending portion139is curved or bent at the rear end of the shell body portion138to pass the rear side of the upper wall portion115_U, and extends in the forward direction in the arrangement space114through the opening of the housing105. The shell extending portion139is brought into contact with the conductive foil104of the cable101arranged in the arrangement space114, thereby pressing the outer surface of the cable101in the downward direction.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in, for example,FIG. 8, the shell extending portion139is curved in an arc shape projecting in the upward direction as seen from the rear side thereof. It is desired that a curvature radius of the shell extending portion139be larger than the curvature radius of the cable101.

The right and left engagement lance portions140are portions extending from the right wall portion and the left wall portion of the shell body portion138while curving or bending. The left engagement lance portion140extends in the rightward direction to be arranged in the left shell engagement groove portion119. The right engagement lance portion140extends in the leftward direction to be arranged in the right shell engagement groove portion119. In this manner, when the engagement lance portions140are fitted to the corresponding right and left shell engagement groove portions119, respectively, the conductive shell109is fixed to the housing105.

The conductive shell109may be omitted. In this case, the conductive foil104may be omitted in the cable101. Further, a portion corresponding to the shell extending portion139may be formed integrally with the housing105at, for example, the arrangement surface section120of the upper part of the housing body111. Here, the portion corresponding to the shell extending portion139refers to a portion that extends in the forward direction from the vicinity of the opening in the arrangement space114, is arranged to be opposed to the first engagement portion118, and is configured to press the outer peripheral surface of the cable101arranged in the arrangement space114. Similarly to the shell extending portion139, this portion may be curved in an arc shape projecting in the upward direction as seen from the rear side thereof.

As illustrated in, for example,FIG. 4,FIG. 5,FIG. 20, andFIG. 21, the boot110is a member configured to protect the cable101extending from the arrangement space114in the rearward direction, and is made of, for example, a resin.

Here,FIG. 20is a sectional view for illustrating the connector100taken along the line XX-XX ofFIG. 6, as seen from the right side of the connector.FIG. 21is a sectional view for illustrating the connector100taken along the line XXI-XXI ofFIG. 7, as seen from a bottom side of the connector.

Specifically, the boot110has a substantially trapezoidal shape gradually narrowing from a front end portion to a rear end portion thereof, and has a through-hole portion141formed in the rear end portion and configured to allow passage of the cable101. The front end portion of the boot110has a rectangular frame shape, and the boot110has a hollow internal space continuous with the through-hole portion141.

The boot110includes four fitting portions142at a vicinity of the front end portion. As illustrated inFIG. 20andFIG. 21, the four fitting portions142are portions to which the first boot mounting lance portions113_L and113_R and the second boot mounting lance portions135_L and135_R are fitted, respectively. Each of the four fitting portions142forms a hole or a protrusion to which the lance is hooked.

The configuration of the connector100according to this embodiment is described above. Now, a method of assembling the connector100is described.

The method of assembling the connector100is carried out by assembling the components105to110forming the connector100.

The housing105and the engagement member106in the initial state, the alignment member107, the eight terminals108, the conductive shell109including the engagement lance portions140extending in the downward direction, the boot110, and the cable101are prepared.

As illustrated in a perspective view ofFIG. 22, the conductive shell109is mounted to the housing105.

Specifically, the conductive shell109is mounted around the housing105so that positions of the engagement lance portions140and positions of the shell engagement groove portions119correspond to each other in the front-and-rear direction. The right and left engagement lance portions140are bent, and thus are fitted into the right and left shell engagement groove portions119, respectively. In this manner, the conductive shell109is fixed to the housing105.

When the tip of the cable101is allowed to pass through the through-hole portion141from the rear side of the boot110, as illustrated in a perspective view ofFIG. 23, the boot110is mounted to the end portion101_E of the cable101.

A portion of the sheath member102having the length L2from the tip of the cable101is peeled from the cable101. In this manner, portions of the core wires103each having the length L2are uncoated. After that, the uncoated portions of the core wires103are untwisted, and the conductive foil104is mounted to the end portion101_E (seeFIG. 3). On this occasion, the length L2is long enough to allow the core wires103to pass through the engagement member106and the alignment member107and project to the front side of the alignment member107. It is preferred that the pairs of core wires103be distinguished from each other by, for example, colors even after the core wires103are untwisted.

As illustrated in a perspective view ofFIG. 24, the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are brought to the increased width position with the increased distance therebetween, and tips of the core wires103are positioned behind the core wire holding portion128. Then, the core wires103are inserted into the dividing portions131from the rear side so as to pass through the dividing portions131. In this manner, as illustrated in a perspective view ofFIG. 25, the cable101is mounted to the engagement member106.

On this occasion, the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are brought to the increased width position at the time of mounting the cable101. In this manner, as compared to a case in which the distance between the second engagement portions130_L and130_R is small, the cable101can be easily mounted to the engagement member106.

Further, the four pairs of core wires103are each divided and arranged so as to individually pass through predetermined one of the dividing portions131different from each other on a pairwise basis. On this occasion, it is preferred that the dividing portions131configured to allow passage of the core wires103be allocated to prevent application of loads on the core wires103.

For example, the core wires103_A1and103_A2are arranged in the stated order from the left side so as to pass through the dividing portion131_L in a paired manner substantially in parallel to each other. The core wires103_B1and103_C2are arranged in the stated order from the left side so as to pass through the dividing portion131_U in a paired manner substantially in parallel to each other. The core wires103_B2and103_C1are arranged in the stated order from the left side so as to pass through the dividing portion131_D in a paired manner substantially in parallel to each other. The core wires103_D1and103_D2are arranged in the stated order from the left side so as to pass through the dividing portion131_R in a paired manner substantially in parallel to each other.

In order to prevent application of loads on the core wires103, the core wires103_B1and103_C2may be arranged in the stated order from the left side so as to pass through the dividing portion131_D in a paired manner substantially in parallel to each other. In this case, it is preferred that the core wires103_B2and103_C1be arranged in the stated order from the left side so as to pass through the dividing portion131_U in a paired manner substantially in parallel to each other. Further, for example, the core wires103_A1and103_A2, the core wires103_B1and103_B2, the core wires103_C1and103_C2, and the core wires103_D1and103_D2may be arranged in the dividing portions131in the same pairwise combinations as those inside the sheath member102.

As illustrated in a perspective view ofFIG. 26, the core wires103having passed through the dividing portions131are arrayed in the predetermined order substantially in the right-and-left direction and arranged so as to extend in the forward direction. The tips of the core wires103are positioned behind the alignment member107. Then, the engagement member106is moved in the forward direction until the right and left extending portions137are respectively fitted into the corresponding fitting groove portions132from the rear side of the alignment member107and the rear end portions of the extending portions137and the front end portions of the fitting groove portions132are brought into contact with each other.

On this occasion, the eight core wires103extending from the engagement member106in the forward direction pass through the corresponding eight alignment hole portions136, respectively. For example, the core wires103_A1,103_A2,103_B1,103_B2,103_C1,103_C2,103_D1, and103_D2are arrayed in the stated order from the left side, and pass through the alignment hole portions136_1to8, respectively. In this manner, as illustrated in a perspective view ofFIG. 27, the alignment member107is positioned in front of the engagement member106, and is mounted to the engagement member106.

Portions of the core wires103projecting forward from the alignment member107are cut so that the core wires103are flush with a front surface of the alignment member107.

Then, as illustrated in a perspective view ofFIG. 28, the engagement member106, together with the alignment member107, is positioned behind the housing105. Then, as illustrated in a perspective view ofFIG. 29, the alignment member107and the engagement member106are moved toward the housing105in the forward direction until the alignment member107and the engagement member106are brought into contact with the arrangement surface section120located on the front side of the alignment member107through the opening OP. In this manner, as illustrated inFIG. 29, the alignment member107and the engagement member106are arranged in the arrangement space114together with the end portion101_E of the cable101.

Specifically, under a state in which the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are brought to the increased width position (seeFIG. 28), the alignment member107and the engagement member106having the end portion101_E mounted thereto are pushed into the housing105from the rear side of the housing105in the forward direction through the opening OP along the arrangement surface section120.

When the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are moved in the forward direction toward the housing105through the opening OP, the outer surfaces of the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are brought into contact with the rear end of the arrangement surface section120of the housing, and are moved while gradually decreasing the distance in the right-and-left direction. The rear end of the arrangement surface section120is a portion forming the opening OP. In this manner, the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are displaced so as to gradually decrease the distance between the pressing surface portions133_L and133_R.

Then, when the engagement member106is pushed into the housing105until the front end of the alignment member107is brought into contact with the arrangement surface section120located on the front side of the alignment member107, the conductive foil104is positioned below the shell extending portion139, and the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are brought to the engagement position.

The second engagement portions130_L and130_R brought to the engagement position extend in the front-and-rear direction substantially in parallel to each other under a state in which the right and left outer surfaces of the second engagement portions130_L and130_R are held in contact with the arrangement surface section120. Then, as illustrated inFIG. 30, the second engagement portions130_L and130_R sandwich the cable101from the right and left sides of the cable101by the pressing surface portions133_L and133_R, and press the outer surface of the cable101. In this manner, the engagement member locks the cable101in the arrangement space114.

Here,FIG. 30is a plan view for illustrating a state in which the second engagement portions130_L and130_R brought to the engagement position sandwich the cable101in the arrangement space114.

On this occasion, as described above, the alignment hole portions136define spaces communicating with the terminal receiving portions116respectively corresponding to the alignment hole portions136. Therefore, contact with the core wires103, which are respectively arranged in the alignment hole portions136, is allowed from the outside of the housing105and the lower side of the housing105through the terminal spaces.

As illustrated in a perspective view ofFIG. 31, the boot110is mounted to the housing105and the engagement member106.

Specifically, the boot110is moved in the forward direction along the cable101from the rear side of the housing105and the engagement member106. Then, the boot110is pushed into the housing105and the engagement member106so that the first boot mounting lance portions113_L and113_R and the second boot mounting lance portions135_L and135_R are fitted to the corresponding fitting portions142, respectively. In this manner, the boot110is locked to the housing105and the engagement member106so as to be prevented from easily slipping out of the housing105and the engagement member106.

Through use of a pressure-joining tool143as illustrated in perspective views ofFIG. 32andFIG. 33, the eight terminals108are mounted, and the first engagement portion118is brought to the holding position.FIG. 32is a perspective view for illustrating the pressure-joining tool just before the terminals108are mounted and the first engagement portion118is displaced to the holding position.FIG. 33is a perspective view for illustrating the pressure-joining tool when the terminals108are mounted and the first engagement portion118is brought to the holding position.

The pressure-joining tool143is a tool configured to mount the terminals108and displace the first engagement portion118from the initial position to the holding position. The pressure-joining tool143includes two members arranged substantially in the up-and-down direction. The upper member of the pressure-joining tool143is configured to hold the housing105, in which the cable101is arranged in the arrangement space114, and the conductive shell109in addition to the alignment member107and the engagement member106.

The lower member of the pressure-joining tool143includes a holding portion144formed at a vicinity of a front portion of the lower member, and a pressing protrusion145formed at a vicinity of a rear end thereof. The holding portion144is configured to hold the eight terminals108with a relatively small force under a state in which the eight terminals108are arrayed at predetermined intervals in the right-and-left direction. The pressing protrusion145has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and projects in the upward direction.

The upper and lower members of the pressure-joining tool143are pushed against each other so that the eight terminals108are inserted into vicinities of the tips of the core wires103in the terminal spaces of the terminal receiving portions116corresponding to the terminals108, respectively. In this manner, the terminals108are caused to penetrate through insulating members sheathing the core wires103to come into contact with the inside electric wires, and thus are fixed to the core wires103. As a result, the terminals108are electrically connected to the corresponding core wires103, and are fixed in a state of being received in the terminal receiving portions116.

Further, the upper and lower members of the pressure-joining tool143are pushed against each other so that the pressing protrusion145pushes the first engagement portion118in the upward direction. In this manner, as illustrated inFIG. 34being a side sectional view, the first projecting portion123passes the front of the return preventing portion121, and is brought to the holding position above the return preventing portion121.

When the first engagement portion118is at the holding position, all the second projecting portion124, the cable engagement portion126, and the restricting portions127_L and127_R are positioned so as to project into the arrangement space114. A surface formed by the cable engagement portion126and the restricting portions127_L and127_R is directed upward and forward. The cable engagement portion126presses the outer surface of the cable101together with the second projecting portion124.

The first engagement portion118at the holding position locks the end portion101_E of the cable101by sandwiching the cable101from the upper and lower sides of the cable101by the second projecting portion124and the cable engagement portion126together with the shell extending portion139. At the same time, the outer surface of the end portion101_E of the cable101is pressed and locked not only by the first engagement portion118and the shell extending portion139but also by the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R as described above. In this manner, the end portion101_E of the cable101is brought into a holding state of being firmly fixed in the arrangement space114.

Under the holding state in this embodiment, the shell extending portion139and the conductive foil104are held in contact with each other to be electrically connected to each other. Further, the restricting portions127_L and127_R are arranged so as to be opposed to the restricted portions134_L and134_R substantially in the front-and-rear direction, thereby restricting rearward movement of the engagement member106with respect to the housing105.

The downward movement of the first engagement portion118is restrained by the return preventing portion121, and hence the engagement member106is kept in the holding state. Thus, the connector100is completed under a state in which the cable101is connected to the connector100.

One embodiment of this invention is described above. According to this embodiment, the following operations and effects are attained.

According to this embodiment, the connector100includes the housing105including the first engagement portion118, and the engagement member106including the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R. The housing105includes the arrangement surface section120defining the arrangement space114extending from the inside of the housing105toward the opening OP formed on the rear side of the housing105, and the engagement member106is arranged in the arrangement space114. The first engagement portion118is configured to lock the cable101by pressing the outer surface of the cable101in the upward direction. The pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R is configured to lock the cable101by pressing the outer surface of the cable101in the right-and-left direction through contact with the arrangement surface section120.

As described above, the outer surface of the cable101is pressed and locked from different directions, thereby being capable of dispersing a pressing force for engagement the cable101. Accordingly, even when the pressing force applied from each direction is reduced as compared to a pressing force applied, for example, in a case of pressing only by the first engagement portion118in order to fix the cable101in the arrangement space114, the cable101can be firmly fixed. Therefore, the cable can be firmly fixed while reducing a risk of damaging the cable.

According to this embodiment, the engagement member106includes the core wire holding portion128configured to hold the eight core wires103. The pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R extends in the rearward direction from the rear end portion of the core wire holding portion128through intermediation of the coupling portions129_L and129_R.

As described above, the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R is provided so as to extend in the rearward direction from the rear end portion of the core wire holding portion128. With this configuration, the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R and the core wire holding portion128are indirectly connected, thereby being capable of reducing the number of components forming the connector100. Therefore, the connector100can be easily assembled.

According to this embodiment, the engagement member106further includes coupling portions129_L and129_R configured to couple the core wire holding portion128and each of the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R to each other. Each of the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R is rotated about the coupling portions129_L and129_R with respect to the core wire holding portion128.

Thus, the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R, which connects to the core wire holding portion128and is displaced between the increased width position and the engagement position, can be provided with a simple configuration. Therefore, with the simple configuration, the cable can be firmly fixed while reducing the risk of damaging the cable.

According to this embodiment, the coupling portions129_L and129_R are formed integrally with the core wire holding portion128and the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R. Thus, the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R, which connects to the core wire holding portion128and is displaced between the increased width position and the engagement position, can be provided with a simpler configuration. Therefore, with the simpler configuration, the cable can be firmly fixed while reducing the risk of damaging the cable.

According to this embodiment, when the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R is moved through the opening to the front side of the housing105so as to be arranged in the arrangement space114, the outer surfaces of the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R are brought into contact with the arrangement surface section120. With this configuration, the distance between the pressing surface portions133_L and133_R is gradually decreased. With such distance between the outer surfaces, the second engagement portions130_L and130_R connect to a rear end portion of the core wire holding portion128through intermediation of the coupling portions129_L and129_R.

With this configuration, when the cable101is mounted to the engagement member106, the second engagement portions130_L and130_R can be brought to the increased width position at which the distance between the second engagement portions130_L and130_R is larger than the thickness of the cable101. Thus, the cable101can be easily mounted to the engagement member106. Further, the cable101can be locked to the second engagement portions130_L and130_R by only moving the engagement member106through the opening OP to the front side of the housing105. Therefore, the connector100can be easily assembled.

According to this embodiment, the core wire holding portion128is configured to hold the eight core wires103while dividing the core wires103into groups. With this configuration, the core wires103can be arranged while preventing application of loads on the core wires103inside the connector100. Therefore, the cable can be firmly fixed while further reducing the risk of damaging the cable.

According to this embodiment, inside the sheath member102, the eight core wires103include four pairs, that is, the pair of core wires103_A1and103_A2, the pair of core wires103_B1and103_B2, the pair of core wires103_C1and103_C2, and the pair of core wires103_D1and103_D2. The core wire holding portion128includes the four dividing portions131configured to arrange the core wires103in the front-and-rear direction while dividing the core wires103into groups having combinations different from those of the pairs of the core wires103inside the sheath member102.

With this configuration, the core wires103can be arranged while preventing further application of loads on the core wires103inside the connector100. Therefore, the cable can be firmly fixed while further reducing the risk of damaging the cable.

Each of the dividing portions131forms a through-hole configured to allow passage of the pair of the core wires103in the front-and-rear direction. With this configuration, each of the dividing portions131surrounds (the upper, lower, right, and left sides of) the core wires103arranged in a paired manner. Accordingly, unlike a case in which the dividing portions each form, for example, a groove extending in the front-and-rear direction, the pair of core wires103can be reliably arranged and kept in each of the dividing portions131. Therefore, in a course of assembly such as during arrangement of the engagement member106in the arrangement space114, the core wires103do not stick out of the dividing portions131. Thus, the connector100can be easily assembled.

According to this embodiment, the connector100further includes the alignment member107configured to align the core wires103in the front-and-rear direction. The alignment member107is arranged in the arrangement space114so as to be opposed to the front end portion of the core wire holding portion128. With this configuration, while the core wires103are aligned in the right-and-left direction, one ends of the core wires103can be positioned on the front side of the connector100. The core wires103can be arranged on the front side of the connector100in accordance with an array of terminals of the mating connector. Thus, the core wires103can be reliably and easily connected to, for example, the wires connected to the mating connector100.

According to this embodiment, the first engagement portion118includes restricting portions127_L and127_R configured to restrict movement of the engagement member106in the rearward direction with respect to the housing105through contact with the second engagement portions130_L and130_R under a state in which the first engagement portion118locks the cable101(holding state). The first engagement portion118includes the restricting portions127_L and127_R. Thus, with the simple configuration, the engagement member106can be prevented from slipping out of the housing105. Therefore, with this simple configuration, the cable can be firmly fixed while reducing the risk of damaging the cable.

According to this embodiment, the pair of second engagement portions130_L and130_R includes pressing surface portions133_L and133_R forming a curved surface configured to press the outer surface of the cable101. Each of the pressing surface portions133_L and133_R may be a flat surface, and may be configured to press the outer surface of the cable101by a curved surface or a flat surface rather than a linear portion. Accordingly, load concentration on a part of the outer surface of the cable101can be prevented. Therefore, the cable can be firmly fixed while further reducing the risk of damaging the cable.

According to this embodiment, the second projecting portion124and the shell extending portion139are curved as described in the embodiment. Accordingly, load concentration on a part of the outer surface of the cable101can be prevented. Therefore, the cable can be firmly fixed while further reducing the risk of damaging the cable.

According to this embodiment, the connector100further includes the conductive shell109. The conductive shell109includes the shell body portion138to be arranged around the housing105, and the shell extending portion139. The shell extending portion139extends from the shell body portion138toward the arrangement space114, and is arranged to be opposed to the first engagement portion118. The shell extending portion139is configured to press the outer peripheral surface of the cable101arranged in the arrangement space114.

With this configuration, the shell extending portion139can press the outer surface of the cable101. In addition, the conductive foil104formed on the outer surface of the cable101can be electrically connected to the shell extending portion139. For example, when the conductive shell109is connected to reference potential, the conductive foil104can function as an electromagnetic shielding. Therefore, the connector100having high noise resistance can be provided.

According to this embodiment, each of the eight core wires103is formed of a coated electric wire. In general, when the core wires103are damaged in a case in which the core wires103are electric wires, a transmission characteristic is sometimes degraded due to, for example, increase in cross talk or return loss. As described above, the connector100according to this embodiment can reduce the risk of damaging the cable, thereby being capable of suppressing degradation of the transmission characteristic.

The connector100further includes the eight terminals108respectively mounted to the eight core wires103and arranged in the housing105. With this configuration, the core wires103can be connected to, for example, the wires of the mating connector through the terminals108. Therefore, the core wires103can be reliably, easily, and electrically connected to, for example, the wires of the mating connector.

In the above, one embodiment of this invention has been described. However, this invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and may be modified as follows.

Modification Example

It is only required that the pair of second engagement portions be arranged in an opposing manner in the right-and-left direction through contact with the arrangement surface section120when the pair of second engagement portions is arranged in the arrangement space114, and be configured to lock the cable101by pressing and sandwiching the outer surface of the cable101. Such second engagement portions may each be formed of, for example, an individual member separated from the core wire holding portion.

Further, for example, the coupling portions may each be made of, for example, metal or a resin, and be formed of a shaft member such as a pin arranged substantially along the up-and-down direction. Each of the second engagement portions may connect to the rear surface portion of the core wire holding portion128through intermediation of the coupling portion being the shaft member, and may be rotated about the coupling portion with respect to the core wire holding portion.

Moreover, for example, the pair of second engagement portions may directly connect to the rear surface portion of the core wire holding portion without intermediation of the coupling portions. In this case, for example, it is preferred that the pair of second engagement portions in the initial state have a distance larger than the width of the arrangement surface section120, and that the pair of second engagement portions in the engagement state be elastically deformed so as to have the distance substantially equal to the width of the arrangement surface section120, thereby being capable of engagement the cable101. It is preferred that, similarly to the embodiment, also the pair of second engagement portions described above connect to the rear end portion of the core wire holding portion so as to have the distance allowing the outer surfaces of the pair of second engagement portions to come into contact with the arrangement surface section120when the pair of second engagement portions is moved through the opening OP to the front side of the housing so as to be arranged in the arrangement space114. It is preferred that the pair of second engagement portions connect to the rear end portion of the core wire holding portion so that a distance between inner surfaces of the pair of second engagement portions opposed to each other in the right-and-left direction is gradually decreased through contact with the arrangement surface section120accompanied with the movement.

In the above, the embodiment and the modification examples of this invention are described. However, this invention is not limited to the embodiment and modification examples described above. For example, this invention may include a mode in which the embodiment and the modification examples described above are partially or entirely combined in a suitable manner or a mode suitably changed from the mode of combination.