CONNECTOR

A connector includes: a housing fittable to a mating housing; and an assembling member assembled to the housing via an assembling portion. The assembling portion includes: a press-fit groove arranged in one of the housing and the assembling member and extending along a fitting direction of the housing; and a rib arranged at the other of the housing and the assembling member, extending in the fitting direction of the housing, and press-fitted into the press-fit groove.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-067052, filed on Apr. 17, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a connector.

BACKGROUND

JP No. 2019-71272 A discloses a connector having a housing which can be fitted to a mating housing and a plug body as an assembling member which is assembled to the housing via a mechanical connection device as an assembling portion. The mechanical connection device has guide rails that are arranged at the housing and the plug body respectively and can engage with each other. The guide rails extend in a direction orthogonal to a fitting direction of the mating housing and the housing. Due to the guide rails extending in the direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, force generated when the housing is fitted or separated can be received by a mutually engaged part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the connector described above, if the force generated when the housing is fitted or separated is received by the guide rails, stresses that lay the guide rails are applied to proximal ends of the guide rails. If the strength of the housing and the assembling member is weak, the proximal ends of the guide rails may be damaged by the stresses, and an assembling state of the housing and the assembling member may become unstable.

The present disclosure is directed to a connector capable of stably maintaining an assembling state of a housing and an assembling member.

A connector in accordance with some embodiments includes: a housing fittable to a mating housing; and an assembling member assembled to the housing via an assembling portion. The assembling portion includes: a press-fit groove arranged in one of the housing and the assembling member and extending along a fitting direction of the housing; and a rib arranged at the other of the housing and the assembling member, extending in the fitting direction of the housing, and press-fitted into the press-fit groove.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to stably maintain an assembling state of a housing and an assembling member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereafter, a connector1according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the connector1according to the present embodiment is applied to a substrate3on which a circuit is formed and is electrically connected to the substrate3, for example. The connector1can be fitted to a mating connector101which is electrically connected to a device or the like, for example. The substrate3and the device are electrically connected due to the connector1being fitted to the mating connector101.

As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, the mating connector101includes a mating inner terminal105, a mating inner housing107, a mating outer terminal109, and a mating outer housing111as a mating housing, which are arranged at a terminal part of a shield wire103.

A plurality of shield wires103(two in this case) are provided. Each of the shield wires103has an electric wire113, a shield115, and a sheath117. The electric wire113has a core wire which is constituted by a plurality of twisted element wires made of conductive materials, and an insulating coating which is made of an insulating material and covers the outer periphery of the core wire. The shield115is constituted by braiding which is formed by braiding a plurality of element wires made of conductive materials, and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the electric wire113. The shield115may be constituted not only by the braiding but also by a metal foil or the like. The sheath117is made of an insulating material and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the shield115.

At the terminal part of the shield wire103, first a prescribed length of sheath117is peeled off. Next, an annular metal sleeve119is arranged at the outer periphery of the exposed shield115. Next, the shield115exposed from the metal sleeve119is bent toward the sheath117so as to cover the metal sleeve119. Next, a prescribed length of insulating coating of the exposed electric wire113is peeled off, and the core wire of the electric wire113is exposed. The mating inner terminal105is electrically connected to the exposed core wire of the electric wire113of the shield wire103subjected to a terminal treatment, and the mating outer terminal109is electrically connected to the exposed shield115.

A plurality of mating inner terminals105(two in this case) are provided in correspondence with the plurality of shield wires103. Each of the mating inner terminals105is made of a conductive material and includes a female terminal having a cylindrical mating connection portion. Each mating inner terminal105is electrically connected to each electric wire113by crimping a crimping portion constituted by a press-fastening piece to a core wire of each electric wire113. Each mating inner terminal105includes an elastically deformable locking lance. The mating inner housing107houses each mating inner terminal105electrically connected to each electric wire113of each shield wire103.

A plurality of mating inner housings107(two in this case) are provided in correspondence with the plurality of mating inner terminals105. Each of the mating inner housings107is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. Each mating inner housing107is formed into a cylindrical shape so as to be able to house each mating inner terminal105, and includes therein an engaged portion to which a locking lance of each mating inner terminal105is engaged. By engaging a locking lance with an engaged portion, each mating inner terminal105is held by each mating inner housing107. Each mating inner housing107is housed in each mating outer terminal109and maintains insulation between each mating inner terminal105and each mating outer terminal109.

A plurality of mating outer terminals109(two in this case) are provided in correspondence with the plurality of mating inner housings107. Each of the mating outer terminals109is made of a conductive material. Each mating outer terminal109is formed into a cylindrical shape so as to be able to house each mating inner housing107. Engagement portions (not illustrated) are arranged between each mating outer terminal109and each mating inner housing107to engage with each other, and each mating inner housing107is held by each mating outer terminal109due to the engagement by the engagement portion. Each mating outer terminal109is electrically connected to each shield115by crimping a crimping portion constituted by a press-fastening piece to each exposed shield115of each shield wire103.

The mating outer housing111is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The mating outer housing111is formed into a housing shape so as to be able to house the plurality of mating outer terminals109. The mating outer housing111has therein elastically deformable locking lances (not illustrated) which are engaged with the plurality of mating outer terminals109. Each mating outer terminal109is held by the mating outer housing111by engaging with the locking lance. On one side of the mating outer housing111, spacers capable of simultaneously engaging with the plurality of mating outer terminals109are assembled. By engaging each spacer with each mating outer terminal109, each mating outer terminal109is doubly held by the mating outer housing111. When each mating outer terminal109is housed in the mating outer housing111, each shield wire103is drawn out of the mating outer housing111.

The mating outer housing111can be fitted to an outer housing13of the connector1. An elastically deformable lock arm123having a lock121is arranged at an upper part of the mating outer housing111. When the mating outer housing111and the outer housing13are fitted, the lock121of the lock arm123is engaged with a locked portion37of the outer housing13. By engaging the lock121with the locked portion37, the mating connector101and the connector1are held in a fitted state. Fitting between the mating connector101and the connector1can be released by elastically deforming the lock arm123and releasing the engagement between the lock121and the locked portion37.

As illustrated inFIGS.1to8, the connector1is mounted on the substrate3on which a circuit is formed and is electrically connected to the substrate3. The connector1includes an inner terminal5, an inner housing7, an outer terminal9, a shield member11as an assembling member, and an outer housing13as a housing.

As illustrated inFIGS.2and3, a plurality of inner terminals5(two in this case) are provided in correspondence with the plurality of mating inner terminals105. Each of the inner terminals5is made of a conductive material and is arranged on the substrate3. Each inner terminal5is formed into an L-shape and has an inner connection portion15, a substrate connection portion17, and a press-fit portion19.

The inner connection portion15extends along a plane direction of the substrate3to have a rod shape. An extension direction of the inner connection portion15is parallel to a fitting direction of the mating connector101and the connector1. With the mating connector101and the connector1fitted, the inner connection portion15is inserted into a hole in the mating inner housing107and is fitted to the cylindrical mating connection portion of the mating inner terminal105so as to be inserted into the mating connection portion. By fitting the mating connection portion and the inner connection portion15, the mating inner terminal105and the inner terminal5are electrically connected. When the mating inner terminal105and the inner terminal5are electrically connected, the device electrically connected to the mating connector101and the substrate3electrically connected to the connector1are electrically connected.

The substrate connection portion17is formed of a single member continuous with the inner connection portion15. The substrate connection portion17extends vertically toward the substrate3by bending an end of the inner connection portion15toward the substrate3. The substrate connection portion17is electrically connected to a conductive pattern of a circuit formed on the substrate3by means of soldering or the like, and accordingly the inner terminal5is electrically connected to the substrate3.

The press-fit portion19is formed of a single member continuous with the inner connection portion15on the substrate connection portion17side of the inner connection portion15. The press-fit portion19is a projection projecting outwardly from both side surfaces of the inner connection portion15in a width direction. The press-fit portion19is press-fitted against an inner surface of the inner housing7, and the inner terminal5is fixed and held by the inner housing7.

As illustrated inFIGS.2and3, a plurality of inner housings7(two in this case) are provided in correspondence with the plurality of inner terminals5. Each of the inner housings7is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. A part of the inner housing7in which the inner connection portion15and the press-fit portion19of the inner terminal5are housed is a cylindrical portion21which is formed into a cylindrical shape so as to expose a part of the inner connection portion15which is inserted into the mating connection portion. A part of the inner housing7in which the substrate connection portion17of the inner terminal5is housed is formed into a housing shape so as to cover areas of the substrate connection portion17other than an outer surface of the substrate connection portion17opposite to the inner connection portion15. The inner housing7houses the inner connection portion15of the inner terminal5from an opening of the housing shape part toward the cylindrical portion21. At this time, the press-fit portion19of the inner terminal5is press-fitted against an inner surface of the cylindrical portion21, and the inner terminal5is held by the inner housing7. Between the plurality of inner housings7, a sealing member25is arranged which is made of a conductive material electrically connected to a ground pattern formed on the substrate3by means of soldering or the like. The cylindrical portion21of the inner housing7is housed in the outer terminal9, and a part of the cylindrical portion21and the housing shape part are housed in the shield member11. The inner housing7maintains insulation between the inner terminal5located inside, and the outer terminal9and the shield member11located outside.

As illustrated inFIGS.2to6, a plurality of outer terminals9(two in this case) are provided in correspondence with the plurality of inner housings7. Each of the outer terminals9is made of a conductive material. Each outer terminal9is formed into a cylindrical shape so as to be able to fit to each mating outer terminal109therein. On a side of each outer terminal9opposite to each mating outer terminal109, each cylindrical portion21of each inner housing7is housed. An engagement portion (not illustrated) is arranged between each outer terminal9and each inner housing7to make the outer terminal9engage with the inner housing7, and each inner housing7is held by each outer terminal9due to the engagement by the engagement portion. An extension direction of each outer terminal9is parallel to the fitting direction of the mating connector101and the connector1. When the mating connector101and the connector1are fitted, each outer terminal9is fitted to each mating outer terminal109and is electrically connected to each mating outer terminal109. When each mating outer terminal109and each outer terminal9are electrically connected, a shield circuit is formed. By forming the shield circuit, it is possible to prevent intrusion of noise or the like into the mating inner terminal105and the inner terminal5and leakage of noise or the like from the mating inner terminal105and the inner terminal5. A locking portion27engaged with the shield member11is arranged on the inner housing7side of each outer terminal9.

As illustrated inFIGS.1to6, the shield member11is made of a conductive material and is arranged on the substrate3. The shield member11is formed into a housing shape so as to be able to house the plurality of inner housings7therein. The opposite side of the outer housing13and the substrate3side of the shield member11are opened. On the substrate3side of the shield member11, a plurality of fixing portions29(four in this case) are arranged which are fixed to holes of the substrate3by means of press-fitting or the like and protrude toward the substrate3. By fixing the fixing portions29to the substrate3, the shield member11is fixed to the substrate3.

The shield member11includes a hole portion31through which the cylindrical portion21of the inner housing7and the outer terminal9are inserted. When the outer terminal9is inserted into the hole portion31, a part of the outer terminal9fitted to the mating outer terminal109is exposed to the outside of the shield member11. An inner surface of the hole portion31is in contact with an outer surface of the outer terminal9. This electrically connects the shield member11and the outer terminal9. The locking portion27of the outer terminal9is engaged with an opening edge of the hole portion31on an inner side of the shield member11. After the outer terminal9is inserted into the hole portion31, the locking portion27is bent so as to be engaged with the opening edge of the hole portion31. By engaging the locking portion27with the opening edge of the hole portion31, the outer terminal9is held by the shield member11. Above the shield member11, a holding portion33to which a grounding member (not illustrated) is assembled is arranged, the grounding member being grounded to a metal case for housing the connector1, for example. Due to the grounding member assembled to the holding portion33being grounded, the shield member11and the outer terminal9are grounded.

A plurality of press-fit grooves35(two in this case) are arranged in outer surfaces of both side walls of the shield member11in the width direction. Each press-fit groove35extends along the fitting direction of the mating connector101and the connector1. In the fitting direction of the connector1relative to the mating connector101, a front side in the fitting direction of each press-fit groove35is opened and a rear side in the fitting direction of each press-fit groove35is closed. The outer housing13is assembled to the shield member11in which these kinds of the press-fit grooves35are arranged.

As illustrated inFIGS.1to4,7, and8, the outer housing13is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin having lower hardness than the shield member11. The outer housing13is formed into a housing shape so as to be able to be fitted to the mating outer housing111therein. At an upper part in the outer housing13, the locked portion37is arranged, which can engage with the lock121of the lock arm123of the mating outer housing111. An insertion hole39through which the outer terminal9is inserted is arranged on the shield member11side of the outer housing13. At an opening edge on an inner side of the insertion hole39, an anti-detachment portion41is arranged which engages with an outer surface of the outer terminal9.

At both side walls on the shield member11side of the outer housing13in the width direction, extension portions43extending toward the shield member11side are arranged. On the inner surfaces of the extension portions43, a plurality of ribs45(two in this case) are arranged which extend along the fitting direction of the mating connector101and the connector1and project toward the inside. The width of each rib45is set to be larger than the width of each press-fit groove35of the shield member11. Each rib45constitutes, together with each press-fit groove35, an assembling portion47which maintains a state in which the shield member11and the outer housing13are assembled.

Each rib45is inserted into each press-fit groove35and press-fitted into each press-fit groove35by assembling the shield member11and the outer housing13along the fitting direction of the mating connector101and the connector1. At this time, the outer housing13has lower hardness than the shield member11, and therefore each rib45is press-fitted so as to be compressed by an inner surface of each press-fit groove35. By press-fitting each rib45into each press-fit groove35, the outer housing13and the shield member11are assembled, and the assembling state of the outer housing13and the shield member11is maintained. Since the hardness of the outer housing13is lower than that of the shield member11, the rigidity of the outer housing13is lower than that of the shield member11. However, by arranging the ribs45in the outer housing13, the rigidity of the outer housing13can be enhanced by means of the ribs45. The inner connection portion15of the inner terminal5, the cylindrical portion21of the inner housing7, and a part of the outer terminal9fitted to the mating outer terminal109are arranged inside the outer housing13in a state where the shield member11is assembled to the outer housing13.

In this kind of assembling portion47, each press-fit groove35and each rib45are extended along the fitting direction of the mating connector101and the connector1, and each rib45is press-fitted into each press-fit groove35. Therefore, a press-fit surface where each press-fit groove35and each rib45abut receives force applied when the mating connector101and the connector1are fitted or separated, or force applied when the shield wires103are pulled. At this time, stress that lays each rib45is not applied to a proximal end of each rib45. Therefore, the proximal end of each rib45is not damaged, and the assembling state of the outer housing13and the shield member11can be stably maintained.

The outer housing13may be formed of an insulating material having higher hardness than the shield member11. In this case, when each rib45is press-fitted into each press-fit groove35, each rib45is press-fitted into each press-fit groove35such that an outer surface of each rib45presses an inner surface of each press-fit groove35. In addition, if the outer housing13has higher hardness than the shield member11, each rib45may be arranged in the shield member11and each press-fit groove35may be arranged in the outer housing13. In this case, the rigidity of the shield member11can be enhanced.

In assembling this kind of connector1, first, the shield member11is assembled to the outer housing13via the assembling portion47. Next, the outer terminal9is inserted into the insertion hole39and the hole portion31of the shield member11from the anti-detachment portion41side of the insertion hole39until the outer terminal9engages with the anti-detachment portion41in a state before the locking portion27is bent. Next, the locking portion27of the outer terminal9is bent and the locking portion27is engaged with the opening edge of the hole portion31. Next, the inner housing7holding the inner terminal5is housed in the shield member11such that the cylindrical portion21is housed in the outer terminal9. The substrate connection portion17of the inner terminal5is electrically connected to the substrate3, and the fixing portion29of the shield member11is fixed to the substrate3.

When the connector1arranged on the substrate3is fitted to the mating connector101, the mating outer housing111is fitted to the outer housing13such that the mating outer housing111is inserted into the outer housing13. At this time, the inner terminal5is electrically connected to the mating inner terminal105, and the device and the substrate3are electrically connected. Further, the outer terminal9is electrically connected to the mating outer terminal109and a shield circuit is formed.

This kind of connector1includes the outer housing13as a housing that can be fitted to the mating outer housing111as a mating housing, and the shield member11as an assembling member that is assembled to the outer housing13via the assembling portion47. The assembling portion47includes each press-fit groove35that is arranged at the shield member11and extends along the fitting direction of the outer housing13, and each rib45that is arranged in the outer housing13, extends in the fitting direction of the outer housing13, and is press-fitted into each press-fit groove35.

Each press-fit groove35and each rib45of the assembling portion47extend along the fitting direction of the outer housing13, and each rib45is press-fitted into each press-fit groove35. Therefore, a press-fit surface where each press-fit groove35and each rib45abut receives force applied when the mating outer housing111and the outer housing13are fitted or separated. At this time, stress that lays each rib45is not applied to a proximal end of each rib45. Therefore, a proximal end of each rib45is not damaged, and a press-fitted state between each rib45and each press-fit groove35is not affected.

Therefore, in this kind of connector1, the assembling state of the outer housing13and the shield member11can be stably maintained.

The outer housing13and the shield member11have different hardness.

Therefore, when the hardness of each rib45and each press-fit groove35is different and the hardness of each rib45is higher, each rib45is press-fitted into each press-fit groove35in a state where an outer surface of each rib45presses an inner surface of each press-fit groove35. Meanwhile, when the hardness of each rib45is lower, each rib45is press-fitted into each press-fit groove35in a state where each rib45is compressed by an inner surface of each press-fit groove35. By making the hardness of each rib45and each press-fit groove35different in this way, each rib45can be stably press-fitted into each press-fit groove35.

The shield member11has higher hardness than the outer housing13.

Each press-fit groove35is arranged at the shield member11. Each rib45is arranged in the outer housing13. Therefore, the rigidity can be enhanced by arranging each rib45at the member having lower hardness.

The outer housing13is made of an insulating material, and the shield member11is made of a conductive material.

Therefore, the outer housing13can be used as an insulating housing member for housing electrical connection means, and the shield member11can be used as a shield circuit forming member for preventing the influence of noise or the like on electrical connection means.

In the connector1according to the present embodiment, the ribs45are arranged in the housing (the outer housing13), and the press-fit grooves35are arranged in the assembling member (the shield member11), but the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, press-fit grooves may be arranged in the housing and ribs may be arranged at the assembling member.

In the connector1according to the present embodiment, the housing is the outer housing13made of an insulating material and the assembling member is the shield member11made of a conductive material, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The housing and the assembling member may be formed of any material, such as both the housing and the assembling member being made of an insulating material and being assembled via the assembling portion, for example.