Connecting structure for coaxial cable connector and method for connecting the same

A connecting structure of a coaxial cable connector for a coaxial cable one end of which is worked in such a manner that a core wire is exposed by a predetermined length from an insulating inner cover and a braided wire is exposed by a predetermined length from an insulating outer cover, the connecting structure comprises a first contact member for connecting electrically with the core wire, a second contact member for inserting between the insulating inner cover and the braided wire to be electrically connected with the braided wire, a third contact member arranged outside of the second contact member to urge the braided wire against the second contact member, the third contact member being conductive with the second contact member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a connecting structure for a coaxial cable 
connector and a method for connecting the same. 
Conventionally, for example, to connect and fix a coaxial cable connector 
such as a jack connector or the like to a coaxial cable for use in an 
antenna or the like, there is used such a method as shown in FIG. 6. In 
this conventional method, at first, as shown in FIG. 6, in the end portion 
of a coaxial cable 1, an insulating inner cover 3 covering a core wire 2 
is peeled off to thereby expose the core wire 2 by a predetermined length, 
an insulating outer cover 5 is peeled off by a predetermined length to 
thereby expose a braided wire 4 provided on the periphery of the 
insulating inner cover 3, the thus exposed braided wires 4 are collected 
together into a bundle, and the thus formed bundle is treated in such a 
manner that it extends along the outer peripheral face of the insulating 
outer cover 5. 
And, after the core wire 2 is secured and connected to a connecting hole 7 
formed in an inner metal contact 6, the inner metal contact 6 and the end 
portion of the coaxial cable 1 are inserted into a cylindrical-shaped 
outer metal contact (jack) 8, and they are clamped so that the braided 
wire 4 can be contacted with the inner face of a contracted portion 8A 
formed in the base end portion of the outer metal contact 8. 
Now, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the contracted portion 8A of the outer 
metal contact 8 is clamped. Also, FIG. 8 shows a section view taken along 
the line A--A shown in FIG. 7. As can be seen from FIG. 8, since the 
contracted portion 8A of the outer metal contact 8 is clamped, the 
contracted portion 8A and braided wire 4 are electrically connected with 
each other. By the way, although not shown, the inner and outer metal 
contacts 6 and 8 are electrically insulated from each other by an 
insulator. 
However, in the above-mentioned conventional coaxial cable connecting 
structure, because the insulating inner and outer covers 3 and 5 are both 
made of synthetic resin, they are easily affected by heat, and as the 
temperature changes, the insulating inner and outer covers 3 and 5 are 
easy to contract. 
If such contraction occurs, then the pressure contact force between the 
braided wire 4 disposed on the peripheral face of the insulating outer 
cover 5 and the contracted portion 8A of the outer metal contact 8 is 
caused to vary; and, if such variations in the pressure contact force 
occur, then there can be generated a gap between the braided wire 4 and 
the contracted portion 8A of the outer metal contact 8. Due to generation 
of such gap, not only there can occur an electric connection failure, but 
also the braided wire 4 can be easily oxidized, resulting in the 
unstabilized electrical connection. 
Also, since the braided wires 4 are tied up in a single bundle and are 
thereby collected together at a single local portion of the peripheral 
face of the insulating outer cover 5, noises can invade from the portions 
thereof where no braided wire 4 is disposed. 
Further, it is difficult to sort out the braided wires 4 from the periphery 
of the insulating inner cover 3; that is, such sorting operation is poor 
in efficiency. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention aims at eliminating the above drawbacks found in the 
conventional coaxial cable connecting structure and method. Accordingly, 
it is an object of the invention to provide a connecting structure for a 
coaxial cable connector and a method for connecting the same, in which, 
even if the insulating inner and outer covers contract, the electrical 
connection thereof with the braided wire can be held positively and the 
invasion of the noises can be restricted. 
In order to achieve the above object, there is provided a connecting 
structure of a coaxial cable connector for a coaxial cable one end of 
which is worked in such a manner that a core wire is exposed by a 
predetermined length from an insulating inner cover and a braided wire is 
exposed by a predetermined length from an insulating outer cover, the 
connecting structure comprising: a first contact member for connecting 
electrically with the core wire; a second contact member for inserting 
between the insulating inner cover and the braided wire to be electrically 
connected with the braided wire; a third contact member arranged outside 
of the second contact member to urge the braided wire against the second 
contact member, the third contact member being conductive with the second 
contact member. 
Since not only the second contact member is inserted between the insulating 
inner cover and braided wire but also the third contact member presses the 
braided wire against the second contact member, both contact members can 
be positively connected to the braided wire electrically. 
The connecting structure may further comprise a clamping member for 
clamping the insulating outer cover, the clamping member may be formed 
integrally with the third conductive member. 
Since the clamping member is clamped and fixed to the peripheral face of 
the insulating outer cover, the coaxial cable can be fixed to the 
connector for a coaxial cable strongly. 
In the connecting structure, the second contact member may include a pair 
of contact pieces, and leading end portions thereof may be so inclined 
inwardly as to be along the outer peripheral face of the insulating inner 
cover. 
Accordingly, even if the insulating inner cover contracts when heat is 
applied thereto, the contact pieces can be prevented from moving inwardly 
together with the contraction of the insulating inner cover. This 
eliminates the possibility of reducing a contracting force between the 
contact pieces and the third contact member, thereby being able to secure 
their contact with the braided wire positively. 
In the connecting structure, each of the leading end portions of the second 
contact member may be formed thinner than any other portion thereof. 
Accordingly, the respective leading end portions of the contact pieces can 
be easily inserted between the insulating inner cover and braided wire. 
In the connecting structure, a distance between the leading end portions of 
the contact pieces may be set shorter than a diameter of the insulating 
inner cover. 
Accordingly, it is possible not only to separate the braided wire from the 
insulating inner cover easily, but also to increase a contact area of the 
second contact member and the separated braided wire. 
In the present invention, a method for connecting the above connecting 
structure is also adopted. The method comprises the steps of: connecting 
the core wire with the first contact member electrically; inserting the 
second contact member between the insulating inner cover and the braided 
wire of the coaxial cable to separate one portion of the braided wire from 
the insulating inner cover and to connect the braided wire with the second 
contact member electrically; and clamping the third contact member toward 
the braided wire to connect therewith and to urge the separated portion of 
the braided wire against the second contact member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Now, description will be given below in detail of an embodiment of a 
connecting structure for a coaxial cable connector and a method for 
connecting the same according to the invention with reference to FIGS. 1 
to 4. 
At first, description will be given below of the structures of a coaxial 
cable and a coaxial cable connector with reference to FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, 
reference character 11 designates a coaxial cable and 21 stands for a 
coaxial cable connector. To connect and fix the coaxial cable 11 and the 
connector 21 for a coaxial cable to each other, the connecting end portion 
of the coaxial cable 11 is firstly worked in such a manner as shown in 
FIG. 1. That is, the end portion of the coaxial cable 11 is worked in the 
following manner: at first, in order that a core wire 12 consisting of a 
single conductor can be exposed by a predetermined length, an insulating 
outer cover 15 formed of synthetic resin, a braided wire 14 braided over 
the conductor in a net, and an insulating inner cover 13 formed of 
synthetic resin are respectively peeled off, and, next, in order to be 
able to expose the braided wire 14 by a predetermined length, the 
insulating outer cover 15 is peeled off in such a manner that the core 
wire 12 and braided wire 14 are exposed through the insulating inner cover 
13 in a stepped manner. In this state, the braided wire 14 is covering the 
whole of the peripheral face of the insulating inner cover 13. 
Next, description will be given below of the structure of the connector 21 
for a coaxial cable. The connector 21 for a coaxial cable is composed of 
the following components which are formed integrally with each other: in 
particular, two fixed pieces 22 which are respectively disposed in the 
base end portion of the connector 21 on the side thereof to be connected 
to the coaxial cable 11 and can be clamped to the periphery of the 
insulating outer cover 15 of the coaxial cable 11 with the end portion 
thereof worked in the above-mentioned manner; two connecting pieces 23 
which are respectively so formed as to correspond to the exposed, braided 
wire 14 of the coaxial cable 11 with the end portion thereof worked in the 
above-mentioned manner; and, two connecting and clamping pieces 24 which 
are respectively so formed as to enclose the outsides of the above 
connecting pieces 23. 
Also, on the free end side of the two connecting and clamping pieces 24, a 
substantially cylindrical-shaped jack portion 25, which can be fitted with 
a plug (not shown) that is a partner of the connector 21 for a coaxial 
cable, is formed integrally with the two connecting and clamping pieces 
24. By the way, although not shown, in the inner deep portion of the jack 
portion 25, there is provided a core wire connecting portion which is 
electrically insulated from the jack portion 25. 
In the present embodiment, the connecting pieces 23 are structured such 
that, as shown by a section view of the connector 21 for a coaxial cable 
in FIG. 2, namely, the respective leading end portions of the connecting 
pieces 23 are inclined inwardly, and a distance l between the leading end 
portions is set shorter than the diameter L of the insulating inner cover 
13. Also, for easy insertion under the braided wire 14, the leading end 
portions of the connecting pieces 23 are respectively formed thin. 
Next, description will be given below of a method for connecting and fixing 
the connector 21 for a coaxial cable to the end portion of the coaxial 
cable 11 with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. 
At first, the connecting end portion of the coaxial cable is worked in such 
a manner as shown FIG. 1. That is, in order that the core wire 12 can be 
exposed by a predetermined length, the insulating outer cover 15, braided 
wire 14, and insulating inner cover 13 are respectively peeled off; and, 
at the same time, in order to be able to expose the braided wire 14 by a 
predetermined length, the insulating outer cover 15 is peeled off in such 
a manner that the core wire 12 and braided wire 14 are exposed through the 
insulating inner cover 13 in a stepped manner. 
Next, the core wire 12 is engaged and connected with the core wire 
connecting portion of the jack portion 25 of the connector 21 for a 
coaxial cable and the exposed braided wire 14 is situated above the 
connecting pieces 23. And, the connector 21 for a coaxial cable is moved 
in a direction shown by an arrow in FIG. 2 to thereby push the insulating 
inner cover 13 enclosed by the braided wire 14 in between the respective 
leading end portions of the two connecting pieces 23. With such push-in 
operation, the leading end portions of the two connecting pieces 23, as 
shown in FIG. 3, separate the contacted portion of the braided wire 14 
from the insulating inner cover 13 and enter between the braided wire 14 
and the peripheral face of the insulating inner cover 13. In this 
operation, since the distance l between the respective leading end 
portions of the two connecting pieces 23 is set shorter than the diameter 
L of the insulating inner cover 13, with the push-in operation, the two 
connecting pieces 23 are respectively flexed outwardly and, after then, 
with the insulating inner cover 13 remaining inserted between the two 
connecting pieces 23, the two connecting pieces 23 are respectively 
returned to their respective original positions (FIG. 3). Further, since 
the upper portions of the two connecting pieces 23 are inclined inwardly, 
they are allowed to extend over the periphery of the insulating inner 
cover 13 due to the above return operation. 
As, as shown in FIG. 4, not only are the connecting and clamping pieces 24 
clamped and pressed in such a manner that they cover the braided wire 14, 
but also the fixing pieces 22 are clamped and pressed in such a manner 
that they cover the insulating outer cover 15, thereby completing the 
connecting and fixing operation of the coaxial cable 11 and the connector 
21 for a coaxial cable. 
When the coaxial cable 11 and the connector 21 for a coaxial cable are 
connected and fixed to each other in this manner, the connecting and 
clamping pieces 24 press the braided wire 14 against the connecting pieces 
23, there by securing the electrical connection of both of the connecting 
pieces 23 and the connecting and clamping pieces 24 with respect to the 
braided wire 14. 
Especially, in the present embodiment, since the connecting pieces 23 are 
strained inwardly due to the press work, connecting and clamping pieces 
24, when heat is applied thereto, are going to return to their original 
positions. That is, when heat is applied thereto, then the connecting 
pieces 23 are spread outwardly, thereby increasing their contracting 
forces to be applied onto the connecting and clamping pieces 24. 
Therefore, even if the insulating inner cover 13 contracts due to the 
heat, the connection between the coaxial cable 11 and the connector 21 for 
a coaxial cable can be held positively for the above mentioned reason. 
By the way, FIG. 5 shows one example for comparison with the connecting 
structure according to the present embodiment; and, in FIG. 5, there is 
shown a structure in which two connecting pieces 23A are formed such that 
they extend substantially in parallel to each other. In the comparison 
example, since the leading end portions of the two connecting pieces 23A 
are not inclined inwardly, the contact area of the connecting pieces 23A, 
which are inserted along the periphery of the insulating inner cover 13, 
with the braided wire 14 is slightly smaller than the contact area 
obtained in the connecting structure according to the present embodiment. 
Also, in the comparison example, because a distance between the respective 
leading end portions of the connecting pieces 23A are substantially equal 
to the diameter of the insulating inner cover 13, the function to separate 
the braided wire 14 and insulating inner cover 13 from each other is 
lowered when compared the present connecting structure. 
Although description has been given heretofore of the connecting structure 
for the coaxial cable connector and the method for connecting the same 
according to the invention, the present invention is not limited to the 
above embodiment but various changes and modifications are possible 
without departing from the subject matter of the scope of the invention. 
For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the connector 21 for a 
coaxial cable includes the cylindrical-shaped jack portion 25. However, 
according to the invention, the jack portion is not limited to this shape. 
As can be seen clearly from the foregoing description, according to the 
present invention, the connecting pieces as well as the connecting and 
clamping pieces can be positively connected to the braided wire 
(electrically). Also, since the connecting pieces are inserted between the 
insulating inner cover and braided wire, the need to tie the up braided 
wires into a bundle is eliminated and the invasion of noise is restricted. 
According to the present invention, by clamping and fixing the fixing piece 
to the peripheral face of the insulating inner cover, the coaxial cable 
can be strongly fixed to the present connector for a coaxial cable. 
According to the present invention, a contracting force between the 
connecting pieces and connecting and clamping pieces maintains the 
electrical contact with the braided wire. 
According to the present invention, since the respective leading end 
portions of the connecting pieces can be easily inserted between the 
insulating inner cover and braided wire, a connecting operation can be 
facilitated. 
According to the present invention, since a distance between the leading 
end portions of the contact pieces may be set shorter than a diameter of 
the insulating inner cover, it is possible not only to separate the 
braided wire from the insulating inner cover easily, but also to increase 
a contact area of the second contact member and the separated braided 
wire.