An electro-magnetically shielded connector comprises a connector body including at least two housings; an electrically conductive layer formed on a surface of one of the two housings in such a manner that the electrically conductive layer covers a surface of the one housing, and when the two housings are combined with each other, at least a part of the electrically conductive layer on an inner surface of the one housing is exposed; and main electrically connecting device for electrically connecting the electrically conductive layer of the connector body and a shield of a shielded cable to seal an inside of the connector body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the invention 
This invention relates to a shielded connector having an electro-magnetic 
shield function and a water-proof function. 
2. Related art 
FIG. 8 shows a shielded connector which is disclosed, for instance, by 
Unexamined Japanese Utility Patent Application No. 127083/1988. 
The shielded connector 4 comprises: a connector housing 41 of synthetic 
resin; a metal shield 42 formed on the inner surface of the connector 
housing 41; a shielded cable 46 from which sheathed wires 46 are 
protruded, the wires 46 being connected to press-connecting terminals 44 
in the terminal receiving section 43 of the connector housing; and a 
crimping part 48 which is integral with the metal shield 42, being 
connected to the braided shield 47 of the shielded cable 46. 
When the press-connecting terminals 44 connected to the sheathed wires 45 
of the shielded cable 46 are engaged with the connector housing 41, noises 
generated by the latter 41 are magnetically shielded by the metal shield 
42, and grounded through the braided shield 47 and a drain line 49 
provided inside the former. 
FIG. 9 shows the water-proof structure of a conventional shielded connector 
disclosed by Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 182071/1991. In order 
to prevent the entrance of water into the connector through the braided 
shields 50 of shielded wires 52, the shield connector has a rubber member 
55 which is formed on it by molding in such a manner that it covers the 
shielded connector from the bases of the shielded wires 52 to the ends of 
braided wires 51. 
However, the above-described water-proofing structure is disadvantageous in 
the following points: Since the braided wires 51 are covered with the 
rubber member 55, they are difficult to bend, and therefore the engagement 
and disengagement of the terminals 56 are rather troublesome. In addition, 
the formation of the rubber member 55 by molding takes a lot of time and 
labor. 
In the above-described shielded connector 40 shown in FIG. 8, the shielded 
cable 46 is fixed to the metal shield 42 with the crimping part 48 which 
is integral with the metal shield 42. And no water-proofing means is 
provided for the junction between the shielded cable 46 and the connector 
housing 41, and therefore water may go into the connector through the 
junction. 
In order to ground the noises generated by the connector housing 41; that 
is, in order to obtain a shielding function, the metal shield 42 is fitted 
in the connector housing 41. Hence, the shielded connector is relatively 
large in the number of components, and the manufacturing of the components 
and the assembling of them take a lot of time and labor. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing, an object of this invention is to provide an 
electro-magnetically shielded connector in which, at the junction between 
an connector housing and a shielded cable, is satisfactory in electrical 
conduction and has a sufficiently high shielding function, and which is 
positively water-proofed, and in which the number of components is smaller 
than in the prior art, and the components can be manufactured and 
assembled more readily. The invention has been developed to eliminate the 
above-described difficulties and problems. That is, another object of the 
invention is to provide an electro-magnetically shielded connector which 
is light and small, and which is low in manufacturing cost, and which is 
sufficiently water-proofed and dust-proofed. 
The invention is to eliminate the above-described difficulties and 
problems. That is, another object of the invention is to provide an 
electro-magnetically shield connector which is simple in the control of 
manufacturing tolerances, thus being high in yield, and which is low in 
manufacturing cost, and is sufficiently water-proofed and dust-proofed. 
An aspect of the present invention is to provide a shielded connector 
comprising: 
a metal shield is formed in a connector housing of synthetic resin by 
molding, 
a water-proof plug is mounted on a shielded cable connected to an 
electrical terminal, which is inserted into the connector housing, in such 
a manner that the water-proof plug is in close contact with the shield of 
a shielded cable connected, and 
the water-proof plug is provided with electrically conducting means with 
respect to the metal shield. 
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an 
electro-magnetically shielded connector comprising: 
a connector body into which a shielded cable is inserted through the rear 
end opening, the connector body comprises at least two housings, 
an electrically conductive layer which is relatively thin is formed on the 
surface of one of the two housings in such a manner that the electrically 
conductive layer covers the outer surface of the one housing and a part of 
the inner surface of the one housing, and, when the two housings are 
combined with each other, at least a part of the electrically conductive 
layer on the inner surface of the one housing is exposed, and 
the inside of the connector body is sealed with an electrically conductive 
elastic member in such a manner that the shield of the shielded cable and 
the electrically conductive layer exposed inside the connector body are 
electrically connected to each other being pressed by the electrically 
conductive elastic member. 
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an 
electro-magnetically shielded connector comprising: a female connector 
including a first shielding electrical conductor a portion of which is 
exposed in at least a part of the outer surface of the female connector; 
and a male connector including a second shielding electrical conductor a 
portion of which is exposed in at least a part of the inner surface of the 
male connector, the first and second shielding electrical conductors thus 
exposed being electrically connected to each other, the diameter of the 
portion of the second shielding electrical conductor is larger than the 
diameter of the portion of the first shielding electrical conductor, and 
an electrically conductive elastic member is interposed between the 
exposed portions of the first and second shielding electrical conductors, 
thus electrically connecting the first and second electrical conductors to 
each other through the exposed portions. 
In the shielded connector, the metal shield is formed in the connector 
housing of synthetic resin by molding, and the electrically conducting 
means is provided for the water-proof plug mounted on the shielded cable, 
so that the water-proof plug is closely engaged with the metal shield. 
Hence, by inserting the terminal unit connected to the shielded cable into 
the connector housing, the metal shield of the connector housing and the 
braided shield of the shielded cable are electrically connected through 
the water-proof plug to each other, thus providing a shielding function, 
and at the same time, the shielded connector is water-proofed. 
In the electro-magnetically shielded connector, the electrically conductive 
layer which is relatively thin is formed on the surface of one of the two 
housings in such a manner that the electrically conductive layer covers 
the outer surface and a part of the inner surface of the one housing, and, 
when the two housings are combined with each other, at least a part of the 
electrically conductive layer on the inner surface of the one housing is 
exposed. And when the shielded cable is inserted into the connector body 
through the rear end opening and the inside of the connector body is 
sealed with the electrically conductive elastic member, the shield of the 
shielded cable and the electrically conductive layer exposed inside the 
connector body are electrically connected to each other being pressed by 
the electrically conductive elastic member, thus forming a shielding wall 
which is relatively light. At the same time, the shielded connector is 
water-proofed with the electrically conductive elastic member sealingly 
engaged with it. 
The diameter of the exposed portion of the shielding electrical conductor 
of the male connector is larger than that of the exposed portion of the 
shielding electrical conductor of the female connector. Hence, when the 
male connector is engaged with the female connector, a gap is formed 
between the exposed portions of the shielding conductors of the male and 
female connectors. The gap is filled with the electrically conductive 
elastic member, so that the exposed portions of the shielding electrical 
conductors are electrically connected through the electrically conductive 
elastic member to each other, thus forming a shielding wall. The 
electrically conductive elastic member is adjustable in volume. Hence, 
even if the gap is variable in dimension, it can be sufficiently filled 
with the electrically conductive elastic member. Furthermore, the 
electrically conductive elastic member, being held compressed in the gap, 
prevents the entrance of water into the shielded connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
First Embodiment 
A first embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to 
FIGS. 1 through 4. 
As shown in those figures, a shielded connector 1, which constitutes the 
first embodiment of the invention, includes: a connector housing 2 which 
is substantially cylindrical and made of synthetic resin; a metal shield 3 
which is substantially cylindrical and formed inside the connector housing 
2 by molding in such a manner that it is integral with the latter 2; a 
shielded cable 6 connected to an electrical terminal 5 which is inserted 
into an receiving chamber circular in section which is defined by the 
connector housing 2; a locking member of synthetic resin which is engaged 
with the electrical terminal 5; a connecting member 10 which is annular 
and made of electrically conductive metal; and a water-proof plug 13 which 
is substantially tubular and elastic. The connecting member 10 has one end 
portion which is press-connected onto the braided shield 8 of the shielded 
cable 6, and the other end portion including a contact portion 9 which is 
brought into contact with the inner surface of the rear of the metal 
shield 3. The water-proof plug 13 is fixedly mounted on the shielded cable 
6 in such a manner as to cover the latter from the exposed braided shield 
8 till the sheath 11. The water-proof plug 13 is adapted to close the rear 
opening 12 of the receiving chamber 4. The plug 13 is held pushed against 
the inner surface of the contact portion 9 of the connecting member 10 by 
caulking. 
The front end portion of the connector housing 2 is formed into a 
cylindrical portion 14 relatively small in diameter. The cylindrical 
portion 14 has an inserting hole 15 into which the mating terminal of the 
aforementioned electrical terminal 5 is inserted. A locking-member 
inserting hole 16 is formed in the cylinder at the middle in such a manner 
that it is communicated with the receiving chamber 4. The receiving 
chamber 4 is opened in the rear end portion of the connector housing 2; 
that is, the connector housing 2 has a hollow engaging portion 17 at the 
rear end which is larger in diameter than the receiving chamber 4. 
The hollow engaging portion 17 has a receiving step 17a, which is used as 
follows: When the electrical terminal 5 connected to the shielded cable 6 
is inserted into the receiving chamber 4 of the connector housing 2, the 
step 17a allows the water-proof plug 13 to be closely fitted therein, so 
that the junction of the connector housing and the electrical terminal is 
water-proofed and the further insertion of the electrical terminal 5 is 
prevented. 
The metal shield 3 is buried in the connector housing 2 in conformance to 
the configuration of the latter 2. More specifically, the metal shield is 
extended from the front end of the cylindrical portion 14 towards the 
hollow engaging portion 17. The rear end portion of the metal shield 3 is 
positioned before the hollow engaging portion 17: that is, a contact 
portion 18 which is provided on the inner surface of the receiving chamber 
4 in correspondence to the contact portion 9 of the connecting member 10, 
is annularly exposed before the hollow engaging portion 17. 
The contact portion 18 has a tapered portion 19 at the rear end which is 
larger in diameter towards the hollow engaging portion 17. With the 
tapered portion 19, the connecting member 10 can be smoothly guided and 
moved. 
The connecting member 10 comprises: an annular press-contacting portion 20 
which is relatively small in diameter and is mounted on the braided shield 
8 of the shielded cable 6; a sloped (tapered) portion 21 which is extended 
backwardly from the press-contacting portion 20 in such a manner that its 
diameter is larger towards the rear end; and the aforementioned annular 
contact portion 9 which is extended backwardly from the sloped portion 21. 
The water-proof plug 13 is pressed against the inner surface of the contact 
portion 9, so that the latter 9 is urged outwardly at all times; that is, 
it is strongly pushed against the contact portion 18 of the metal shield 
3. 
In the water-proof plug 13, the inner cylindrical surface has a step 22, 
and the outer cylindrical surface also has a step 23 which is tapered. The 
water-proof plug 13 is mounted on the shielded cable 6 with the inner step 
22 abutted against the end of the sheath 11 of the shielded cable 6 and 
with the outer step 23 abutted against the end of the contact portion 9 of 
the connecting member 10. 
The water-proof plug 13 includes a large-diameter portion 24 which has a 
lip 24a on its outer cylindrical surface. The large-diameter portion 14 is 
brought into close contact with the hollow engaging portion 17 of the 
accommodating chamber 4, to prevent the entrance of water into the 
connector housing 2. 
The close contact of the water-proof plug 13 is achieved by inserting the 
terminal unit 5 connected to the shielded cable 6 into the receiving 
chamber 4. In this operation, the contact portion 9 of the connecting 
member 10 is brought into slide contact with the contact portion 18 of the 
metal shield 3, so that the braided shield 8 is connected through the 
connecting member 10 to the metal shield. 
The electrical terminal 5 is pulled out of the connector housing as 
follows: That is, first the locking member 7 is removed from the locking 
member inserting hole 16 of the connector housing 2, and then the shielded 
cable 6 is pulled out. Even if, in this case, the sheathed wire 25 
connected to the electrical terminal 5 is short, it will not affect the 
operation, because the connecting member 10 is separated from the contact 
portion 18 of the metal shield 3. The above description is applicable to 
the case where a plurality of sheathed wires (25) are protruded from the 
shielded cable 6. 
The electrical terminal 5 comprises a pin connecting portion 26 and a wire 
connecting portion 27, and an annular recess 28 between them. The locking 
member 7 is engaged with the annular recess 28 of the electrical terminal 
5, so that the latter 5 is prevented from coming off the connector housing 
2. 
When, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shielded connector 1 is engaged with a 
mating connector 30, the terminal unit 5 is connected with a pin terminal 
31. The connector 30 has a housing 32 including an engaging portion 33. In 
the connector 30, the pin terminal 31 inserted into the cylindrical 
portion 14 of the connector housing 2 is protruded in the engaging portion 
33 of the housing 32. After the electrical terminal 5 is connected with 
the pin terminal 31, the pawl 35 of a rocking arm 34 is locked to an 
engaging protrusion 36 formed on the shielded connector 1. A metal shield 
37 is buried in the housing 32 by molding. An annular packing 38 is set in 
the engaging portion 33, which is engaged with the cylindrical portion 14 
of the connector housing 2 when the shielded connector 1 is engaged with 
the mating connector 30, so that, after the connection of those 
connectors, the entrance of water thereinto is prevented. 
Second Embodiment 
FIGS. 5 through 7 show a second embodiment of the invention. 
In the above-described first embodiment, the connecting member 10 of metal, 
which is brought into close contact with the braided shield 8 of the 
shielded cable 6, is fitted on the water-proof plug 13 mounted on the 
shielded cable 6. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the shielding effect 
is obtained as follows: With the connecting member 10 electrically 
connected to the braided shield 8, the electrical terminal 5 connected to 
the shielded cable 6 is inserted into the connector housing 2 through the 
opening 12 until the connecting member 10 is electrically connected to the 
metal shield 3. At the same time, the entrance of water through the 
shielded cable 6 is prevented by the water-proof plug 13 which is elastic. 
Furthermore, the contact portion 9 of the connecting member 10 is kept 
pressed against the metal shield 3, being urged by the elastic force of 
the water-proof plug 13. 
On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a water-proof plug 13 made of 
electrically conductive rubber is mounted on the shielded cable 6 in such 
a manner that, it covers the latter 6 from the braided shield 8 to the 
sheath 11. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, unlike the first 
embodiment, the connecting member 10 of metal is not employed, and 
instead, the rear end portion of a metal shield 3 buried in the connector 
housing 3 by molding is folded and exposed in the receiving chamber 4; 
that is, a folded portion 3a is formed which is brought into close contact 
with the water-proof plug 13 when the electrical terminal 5 is engaged 
with the connector housing 2. That is, in the second embodiment, the metal 
shield 3 of the connector housing 2 is electrically connected through the 
water-proof plug 13 to the braided shield 8 of the shielded cable 6, to 
form a shielding wall. 
Hence, in the second embodiment, the number of components is reduced, and 
the components can be manufactured and assembled with ease. In addition, 
the second embodiment has the same effects and functions as the first 
embodiment. 
As was described above, in the first and second embodiments of the 
invention, when the shielded cable is connected to the connector housing, 
the water-proof plug having the electrically conducting means is closely 
fitted in the hollow engaging portion of the connector housing in which 
the metal shield is buried by molding. Hence, the shielded connector is 
satisfactory in electrical conduction at the junction between an connector 
housing and a shielded cable, thus having a sufficiently high shielding 
function, and is positively water-proofed. Furthermore, the number of 
components is smaller than in the prior art, and the components can be 
manufactured and assembled more readily. 
However, the first and second embodiments of the invention are limited by 
the following points: A metal mold for burying the metal shield in the 
connector housing is expensive. The metal shield itself is relatively 
heavy. Hence, it is difficult to reduce the weight of the shielded 
connector. 
In addition, it is rather difficult to miniaturize the shielded connector. 
In order to eliminate the above-described difficulties accompanying the 
first and second embodiments, a third embodiment of the invention has been 
developed. 
Third Embodiment 
The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. 
FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing an electro-magnetically shielded 
connector, which constitutes the third embodiment of the invention. 
FIGS. 11(a) to (c) are sectional views showing components of the shielded 
connector. 
As shown in FIG. 10, the shielded connector 101 comprises: a connector body 
102; and a terminal unit 105 fitted in the connector body 102. 
The structure and the assembling of the connector body 102 will be 
described with reference to FIGS. 11(a) and (b). The connector body 102 
comprises an inner housing 121 of resin, and an outer housing 122 of 
resin. The outer surface of the inner housing 121 is partially covered 
with a thin conductive layer 123. 
More specifically, the inner housing 121 is substantially in the form of a 
hollow cylinder which is made of insulating synthetic resin or the like. 
The inner housing 121 is opened wide at the rear end; that is, the rear 
end portion of the inner housing is larger in inside diameter than the 
other portion. A locking hole 125 is formed in the inner housing 121 
slightly before the middle. 
The thin conductive layer 123 is spread over the outer surface of the inner 
housing 121 substantially from the middle towards the rear end. The 
conductive layer 123 thus spread is folded at the rear end of the inner 
housing 121 and extended over the rear end portion of the inner surface. 
That is, the same conductive layer 123 is laid over the substantially half 
of the outer surface and the rear end portion of the inner surface. 
In other words, the inner and outer surfaces of the inner housing 121 are 
selectively covered with the conductive layer 123. 
The thin conductive layer 123 is formed on the predetermined portions of 
the inner and outer surfaces of the inner housing 121 by a variety of 
plating methods such as an electroless plating method, or other methods of 
impregnating and vacuum-depositing electrically conductive material, and 
applying electrically conductive paint. 
The outer housing 122 is formed on the inner housing 121 in such a manner 
that the front end portion 123A of the conductive layer 123 on the outer 
surface of the inner housing 121 is exposed (hereinafter referred to as 
"an exposed portion 123A", when applicable), and the conductive layer 123 
on the inner surface of the inner housing 121 is exposed as indicated at 
123B (hereinafter referred to as "an exposed portion 123B", when 
applicable) (the remaining portions being covered by the outer housing 
122). Thus, the connector body 102 has been formed. 
Now, the structure of the terminal unit 5 will be described with reference 
to the part (c) of FIG. 11. 
The terminal unit 5 comprises: a terminal 116 bearing the conductor 7 of a 
shielded cable 106; and an electrically conductive rubber plug 109. The 
conductive rubber plug 109 has a contact portion 113 which is brought into 
contact with the braided shield 108 of the shielded cable 106. The 
conductive rubber plug 109 is mounted on the shielded cable 116 in such a 
manner as to cover the latter 116. 
The conductive rubber plug 109 has a contact portion 114 on the outer 
surface of its rear half. The contact portion 114 is electrically 
connected to the braided shield 108. 
The engagement of the electrical terminal 5 to the connector body 102 will 
be described with reference to FIG. 10. 
The terminal unit 105 is inserted into the connector body 102 through the 
rear end opening 124 until the terminal 116 abuts against the front 
annular bottom of the inner housing 121. Under this condition, a stopper 
126 is inserted into the locking hole 125 of the connector body 102, to 
position the electrical terminal 5 in place. In this operation, the 
electrically conductive rubber plug 126 is sufficiently pushed in the 
forward direction so that it seals the connector body around the rear end 
opening, thus isolating the inside of the connector body 102 from the 
outside; that is, preventing the entrance of water and dust into the 
connector body. In addition, an outer plug 112 such as a rubber bushing 
may be employed as shown in FIG. 10. 
The contact portion 114 of the conductive rubber plug 109 pushes the 
exposed portion 123B of the conductive layer 123 strongly, so that the 
contact portion 114 is electrically connected to the exposed portion 123B. 
As a result, a shielding wall is formed which is extended from the braided 
shield 108 through the electrically conductive rubber plug 109 to the 
exposed portion 123A of the conductive layer 123. 
As was described above, in the electro-magnetically shielded connector of 
the third embodiment of the present invention, the conductive layer 123, 
unlike the metal shield formed by blanking a metal plate, is in the form 
of a thin film. Hence, the shielded connector is lighter and smaller. 
Furthermore, the shield of the shielded cable can be connected without the 
use of a connecting member such as the one in the shielded connector. 
Therefore, the shielded connector of the invention is smaller in the 
number of components, which reduces the manufacturing cost as much. 
The shielded connector is tightly sealed with the electrically conductive 
rubber plug and the bushing; that is, it is sufficiently water-proofed and 
dust-proofed. 
As was described above, in the electro-magnetically shielded connector of 
the third embodiment of the present invention, the connector body is made 
up of at least two housings, and the electrically conductive layer which 
is thin is formed over the outer surface and the inner surface of one of 
the two housings in such a manner that, when the two housings are combined 
with each other, a part of the conductive layer is exposed over the inner 
surface. When the connector body is sealed with the electrically 
conductive elastic member, the shield of the shielded cable is pressed 
against the exposed part of the conductive layer. Hence, the shielded 
connector is smaller in the number of components, and is reduced in 
manufacturing cost as well as in weight and in size. Furthermore, the 
shielded connector is positively water-proofed and dust-proofed; that is, 
it is prevented from being erroneously operated or from being shortened in 
service life by the entrance of rust or dust thereinto. 
Fourth Embodiment 
FIGS. 15(a) and (b) shows a shielded connector 101, which constitutes a 
fourth embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the part (a) of 
FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view of the shielded connector with male 
and female connectors engaged with each other, and the part (b) of FIG. 15 
is a sectional view for a description of the dimensions of shielding 
electrical conductors in the shielded connector. 
As shown in those figures, the shielded connector 101 comprises: the female 
connector 102 employed in the above-described third embodiment; and a male 
connector 103. The female connector 102 comprises: an inner housing 121 on 
which an electrically conductive layer 123 is formed by plating; an outer 
housing 122, and a terminal unit 105 which bears a shielded cable 123 and 
has an electrically conductive elastic member 109 through which the 
conductive layer 123 is electrically connected to the braided shield 108 
of the shielded cable. On the other hand, the male connector 103 
comprises: an outer housing 103A on which an electrically conductive layer 
131 is formed by plating; and an inner housing 103B. 
The conductive layer 123 of the female connector 102 is a shielding 
conductive layer, and it includes an exposed portion 123A on the outer 
surface of the inner housing. The diameter of the exposed portion 123A is 
Rs. Similarly, the conductive layer 131 of the male connector 103 includes 
an exposed portion 131A on the inner surface of the outer housing 103A. 
The diameter of the exposed portion 123A is slightly larger than Rs. 
When the female connector 102 is engaged with the male connector 103, the 
exposed portion 123A is brought into contact with the contact region 131B 
of the exposed portion 131A; that is, the shielding conductive layers of 
the male and female connectors are electrically connected with each other. 
As a result, the conductive layer 132 is electrically connected to the 
braided shield 8 of the shielded cable, thus forming an 
electro-magnetically shielding wall. 
In the fourth embodiment of the invention, the exposed portion 123A of the 
conductive layer 123 of the female connector 102 is brought directly into 
contact with the exposed portion 131A of the conductive layer 131 of the 
male connector 103. Hence, the shielded connector suffers from the 
following difficulties: That is, the control of manufacturing tolerances 
is rather troublesome, as a result of which the yield is lowered, and the 
manufacturing cost is increased. 
In addition, it is rather difficult to realize the water- proof and 
dust-proof of the shielded connector. 
In order to eliminate the above-described difficulties accompanying the 
fourth embodiment, a third embodiment of the invention has been developed. 
Fifth Embodiment 
A fifth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to 
FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. 
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electro-magnetically 
shielded connector 201, which constitutes the fifth embodiment of the 
invention. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a male 
connector 203 in the shielded connector. The parts (a) through (c) of FIG. 
14 are also longitudinal sectional views showing a female connector 202 in 
the shielded connector. 
The shielded connector 201, the fifth embodiment of the invention, 
comprises: a female connector 202; and a male connector 203. 
First, the structure of the male connector 203 will be described with 
reference to FIG. 13. The male connector comprises: an outer housing 203A 
of resin; and an inner housing 203B of resin. An electrically conductive 
layer 231, which is thin, is formed on the inner surface of the outer 
housing 203A. 
More specifically, the outer housing 203A is made of insulating synthetic 
resin and is substantially in the form of a cup opened at the rear end. 
The conductive layer 231 is formed over the inner surface of the outer 
housing 203A as was described above, and it is exposed, as indicated at 
231A, at the rear end of the outer housing when the latter is engaged with 
the inner housing (hereinafter referred to as "an exposed portion 231A", 
when applicable). The diameter of the exposed portion 231A is Rm, which is 
larger than the diameter Rs of the exposed portion 223A (described later) 
of the conductive layer 223 of the female connector 202. 
The conductive layer 231 is formed by a variety of plating methods such as 
an electroless plating method, or other methods, impregnating and 
vacuum-depositing electrically conductive material, and applying 
electrically conductive paint. 
The inner housing 203B is formed by using a resin which is lower in melting 
point than the resin of the outer housing 203A, in such a manner as to 
cover substantially the front half of the inner surface of the outer 
housing 203A on which the conductive layer 231 has been formed. 
More specifically, the inner housing 203B thus formed covers the conductive 
layer 231 except the aforementioned exposed portion 231A at the rear end 
of the outer housing 203. Thus, the male connector 203 has been 
fabricated. 
Now, the structure of the female connector 202 will be described with 
reference to FIGS. 14. 
The female connector 202 comprises: an inner housing 221 and an outer 
housing 222 as shown in the part (a) of FIG. 14; and a terminal unit 205 
as shown in the part (b) of FIG. 14. 
An electrically conductive layer 223 is formed on the outer surface of the 
inner housing 221, and then the outer housing 222 is formed on the 
conductive layer 223, thus providing exposed portions 223A and 223B as 
shown in the part (a) of FIG. 14. The exposed portion 223A has a diameter 
of Rs. 
The terminal unit 205 is adapted to bear the conductor 207 of a shielded 
cable 206, and has an electrically conductive elastic member 203 which is 
brought into contact with the braided shield 8 of the shielded cable 206 
in such a manner that it covers the latter 206. 
The above-described components are assembled into the female connector 202 
as shown in the part (c) of FIG. 14. 
As the end portion of the terminal unit 205 is engaged with the inner 
housing 221, the electrically conductive elastic member 209 strongly 
presses the exposed portion 223B of the conductive layer 223, thus being 
electrically connected to the latter. As a result, inside the female 
connector 202, a shielding wall is formed which is extended continuously 
from the braided shield 208 through the elastic member 209 to the exposed 
portion 223A of the conductive layer 223. 
When the female connector 202 is engaged with the male connector 203, as 
shown in FIG. 12 the end portion of the female connector 202; i.e., the 
inner housing 221 of the latter is fitted in the inner housing 203B of the 
male connector 203. In this case, at the rear end portion of the male 
connector, a gap is formed between the exposed portion 231A (Rm in 
diameter) of the conductive layer 231 and the exposed portion 223A (Rs in 
diameter) of the conductive layer 223. 
An electrically conductive elastic member 32 is inserted into the gap thus 
formed in such a manner that it is held sufficiently compressed therein. 
As a result, the exposed portion 231A is electrically connected through 
the electrically conductive elastic member 32 to the exposed portion 223A; 
that is, the conductive layer 231 is electrically connected to the 
conductive layer 223. 
Thus, a shielding wall has been formed which is extended from the braided 
shield 208 of the shielded cable 206 through the electrically conductive 
elastic member 209, the conductive layer 223 and the electrically 
conductive elastic member 232 to the conductive layer 231. 
The electrically conductive elastic member 32, which is held sufficiently 
compressed in the aforementioned gap, isolates the inside of the male 
connector 203 from the outside, thus preventing the entrance of water or 
dust into the shielded connector. 
That is, by inserting the electrically conductive elastic member 32 into 
the gap in such a manner that it is held compressed therein, not only the 
shielding wall of the shielded connector is formed, but also the shielded 
connector is prevented from the entrance of water or dust. 
The shielded connector can be further improved in water- proof and in 
dust-proof by sealing the rear end of the male connector 203 with an outer 
plug 233 such as a rubber bushing. After the male and female connectors 
have been combined as described above, a turning arm 234 provided on the 
male connector 203 is turned until its pawl 235 is engaged with a 
protrusion formed on the female connector 202. 
As was described above, in the electro-magnetically shielded connector, the 
fifth embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the exposed portion of 
the electrically conductive layer of the male connector is larger than 
that of the exposed portion of the electrically conductive layer of the 
female connector. Hence, in manufacturing the components, the tolerances 
on them may not be so severe, as a result of which the yield is increased 
as much, and accordingly the manufacturing cost is decreased. 
After the male and female connectors are engaged with each other, the gap 
formed between the exposed portions of the electrically conductive layers 
of the male and female connectors is filled with the electrically 
conductive elastic member, so that the exposed portions are electrically 
connected to each other through the electrically conductive elastic 
member; that is, the conductive layers of the male and female connectors 
are electrically connected to the braided shield of the shielded cable, 
thus forming the shielding wall. The electrically conductive elastic 
member can be adjust in volume. Hence, even if the gap is variable in 
dimension, it can be sufficiently filled with the electrically conductive 
elastic member. Furthermore, the electrically conductive elastic member 
held compressed in the gap prevents the entrance of water or dust into the 
shielded connector. That is, the shielded connector is free from the 
difficulties that because of the formation of rust or the presence of 
dust, the shielded connector is operated erroneously or it is shortened in 
service life.