Patent Publication Number: US-8535095-B2

Title: Clip-type elastic contact piece and shielded connector housing assembly having the same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage Patent Application of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2009/007879 (filed on Dec. 29, 2009) under 35 U.S.C. §371, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2009-0005680 (filed on Jan. 22, 2009) and 10-2009-0009421 (filed on Feb. 5, 2009), which are all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a clip-type elastic contact piece and a shielded connector housing assembly having the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a clip-type elastic contact piece and a shielded connector housing assembly having the same, which has a simple structure allowing easy fabrication, prevents abrasion of a metal housing and plastic deformation of the elastic contact piece due to excessive contact of the elastic contact piece, and ensures a waterproof sealing not to be taken off to ensure stable contact of a terminal installed at an inner side of an inner housing. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Recently, vehicles are digitalized using a plurality of electronic components and sensors, which are electrically connected to cables and also to controllers, drives and power sources via the cables to transfer control signals or power. During such a transfer process, electronic waves are irregularly generated due to electric signals, and accordingly malfunctions happen in sensors or electronic devices controlled by minute signals, which may cause a car accident. 
     In order to prevent a malfunction caused by such electronic waves, a shielded connector installed to a harness of a vehicle and a shielded connector installed to a unit of the vehicle are generally electrically connected to realize a shielding function. In other words, a metal housing of a shielded connector is contacted with a counterpart metal housing of a counterpart shielded connected to ensure electric connection between them. In more detail, a metal housing is assembled between an inner housing and an outer housing, integrated with each other, to configure a shielded connector. At this time, an elastic contact piece is installed to the metal housing to ensure reliable contact with a counterpart metal housing. Also, a waterproof sealing is installed between the metal housing and the outer housing to prevent water from penetrating into the shielded connector. 
     However, a common elastic contact piece installed to the metal housing may be worn away due to various vibration conditions of the shielded connector, and also the metal housing contacted with the elastic contact piece may be worn away. 
     In addition, the elastic contact piece may be plastically deformed due to such excessive contacts and vibrations. 
     Moreover, a structure for fixedly installing the elastic contact piece to the metal housing is complicated. 
     Meanwhile, in a shielding structure using the above shielded connector, the shielded connector has a complicated structure, and a ground connection of a cable installed to the shielded connector is very complicated. To solve this problem, the inner housing and the outer housing are separately fabricated in some cases. 
     However, in such a case, three components such as the inner housing, the outer housing and the metal housing are assembled, which generates tolerances necessary for coupling them, and each housing is severely shaken due to vibration conditions of the vehicle. Accordingly, vibration stresses are applied to connection terminals mounted in the inner housing for electrical connection, which results in unstable electric connection, and therefore the connection terminal may be worn away or deteriorated. Also, the vibrations may separate the inner housing from the metal housing. 
     In addition, water should not be introduced into the shielded connector by means of the sealing mounted to an outer periphery of the metal housing. However, as the outer housing made of insulating plastic material is deformed due to heat or vibrations, the waterproof structure may be broken, which may allow introduction of water into the shielded connector. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention is designed to solve the problems of the prior art, and therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a clip-type elastic contact piece, which has a simple structure allowing easy fabrication and prevents abrasion of a metal housing and the elastic contact piece as well as plastic deformation of the elastic contact piece due to excessive contact of the elastic contact piece; and a shielded connector housing assembly having the same. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a clip-type elastic contact piece, which may be easily fabricated due to a simple assembling structure of an inner housing, an outer housing and a metal housing, couples the housings such that a waterproof sealing mounted to the metal housing is not easily taken off, and thus improves vibration resistance to ensure stable connection of the connection terminal in spite of vibrations of a vehicle, thereby preventing deterioration caused by vibrations; and a shielded connector housing assembly having the same. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a clip-type elastic contact piece, which is mounted to a mount portion formed at a metal housing of a shielded connector for the connection with a counterpart metal housing of a counterpart shielded connector to be coupled with the shielded connector, the clip-type elastic contact piece including a flat plate having a predetermined length; and an elastic part formed by bending one side of the flat plate in a length direction of the flat plate so as to be elastically deformable, wherein the elastic part is spaced apart from a front side of the flat plate based on the bent portion, and the spaced distance is partially smaller than a thickness of the mount portion. 
     Preferably, the elastic part has a plurality of slits formed in a length direction thereof such that the elastic part is partitioned into a contact elastic part and a mount elastic part. 
     Preferably, the elastic part has two slits formed in the length direction thereof such that the contact elastic piece formed between the slits comes into a contact with the counterpart metal housing of the counterpart shielded connector, and the mount elastic parts formed by the slits at both sides of the contact elastic part are spaced apart from the front side of the flat plate based on the bent portion such that the spaced distance is smaller than a thickness of the mount portion. 
     Preferably, the contact elastic part is gradually distanced from the front side of the flat plate along the length direction of the flat plate based on the bent portion and the gradually approaches the front side of the flat plate again after passing over a peat point. 
     Preferably, a projection is formed at the peat point of the contact elastic part and protrusive in a direction opposite to the front side of the flat plate. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a shielded connector housing assembly, which includes an inner housing into which a cable terminal is inserted; a metal housing partially inserted into a counterpart metal housing, the metal housing having mount portions formed at both sides of a front portion thereof, the metal housing being coupled with the inner housing; and a clip-type elastic contact piece having a flat plate with a predetermined length and an elastic part formed by bending one side of the flat plate so as to be elastically deformable, the clip-type elastic contact piece being inserted into and mounted to the mount portions, wherein the elastic part is spaced apart from a front side of the flat plate based on the bent portion, and the spaced distance is partially smaller than a thickness of the mount portion. 
     Preferably, the shielded connector housing assembly further includes a sealing mounted to an outer periphery of the metal housing and inserted into the counterpart metal housing together with the metal housing, wherein the inner housing supports the sealing not to be moved when coupling with the metal housing, and the sealing is closely adhered to an inner periphery of the counterpart metal housing to give a sealed structure when the metal housing is completely inserted into the counterpart metal housing. 
     Preferably, the inner housing includes an insert having a slot to which a connection pin is coupled, the insert being inserted into the metal housing; and a cover formed at an outer side of the insert to surround a front outer side of the metal housing such that the sealing inserted into the outer side of the metal housing is not taken off, wherein the cover has a coupling unit to be coupled with the metal housing. 
     Preferably, the coupling unit has a coupling groove corresponding to a coupling protrusion formed on an outer side of the metal housing such that the coupling groove is coupled with the coupling protrusion, and the coupling unit is elastically deformable such that the coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling groove when the insert is completely inserted into the metal housing. 
     Preferably, the coupling unit has a coupling protrusion corresponding to a coupling groove formed in an outer side of the metal housing such that the coupling protrusion is coupled with the coupling groove, and the coupling unit is elastically deformable such that the coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling groove when the insert is completely inserted into the metal housing. 
     Preferably, the cover has a deformation prevention groove corresponding to the elastic contact part so as to prevent plastic deformation of the elastic contact part, and the deformation plastic groove is formed to expose the elastic contact part outwards. 
     Preferably, the elastic piece has a plurality of slits formed in a length direction thereof such that the elastic piece is partitioned into a contact elastic part and a mount elastic part. 
     Preferably, the elastic part has two slits formed in the length direction thereof such that the contact elastic part formed between the slits comes in contact with the counterpart metal housing of the counterpart shielded connector, and the mount elastic parts formed by the slits at both sides of the contact elastic part are spaced apart from the front side of the flat plate based on the bent portion such that the spaced distance is smaller than a thickness of the mount portion. 
     Preferably, the contact elastic part is gradually distanced from the front side of the flat plate along the length direction of the flat plate and then gradually approaches the front side of the flat plate after passing a peak point. 
     Preferably, the contact elastic part has a projection formed at the peak point and protruding in a direction opposite to the front side of the flat plate. 
     Preferably, a mismatch prevention structure is respectively provided to the insert and the metal housing so as to prevent the insert from being erroneously inserted into the metal housing. 
     Preferably, the mismatch prevention structure includes a guide projection and a mismatch prevention groove corresponding to each other, and the guide projection is inserted into the mismatch prevention groove when the insert is inserted into the metal housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a shielded connector housing assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an inner housing and a metal housing employed in the shielded connector housing assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which are not yet coupled; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the inner housing and the metal housing of  FIG. 2 , which are coupled; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view showing an A portion of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a housing assembly for a waterproof connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is not yet coupled to a counterpart connector; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view showing the housing assembly and the counterpart connector of  FIG. 5 , which are coupled; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing that a coupling unit of the inner hosing of a shielded connector housing assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is inserted into a coupling protrusion; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing that a coupling unit of the inner hosing of a shielded connector housing assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention is inserted into a coupling protrusion; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a clip-type elastic contact piece according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present invention on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation. Therefore, the description proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the invention, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a shielded connector housing assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an inner housing and a metal housing employed in the shielded connector housing assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which are not yet coupled,  FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the inner housing and the metal housing of  FIG. 2 , which are coupled, and  FIG. 4  is an enlarged view showing an A portion of  FIG. 3 . 
     In the present invention, a clip-type elastic contact piece  100  is installed to a metal housing  200  in an easy way to stably contact the elastic contact piece  100  with a counterpart metal housing  22  (see  FIG. 5 ) such that a shielded connector housing assembly  10  may be stably electrically connected to the counterpart metal housing  22  of a counterpart shielded connector  20  (see  FIG. 5 ). Also, the shielded connector housing assembly  10  is configured to have a waterproof structure, thereby improving vibration resistance and ensuring stably coupling. 
     Referring to the figures, the shielded connector housing assembly  10  includes an inner housing  300  into which a cable terminal (not shown) is inserted, a metal housing  200  having a mount portion  210  at both front sides  207  and coupled with the inner housing  300 , a clip-type elastic contact piece  100  inserted into and mounted to the mount portion  210 , and an outer housing  400  coupled to the metal housing  200  to surround the inner housing  300  and the metal housing  200 . 
     The shielded connector housing assembly  10  configured as above is installed at a harness and coupled to the counterpart shielded connector  20  installed at a unit of a vehicle such that the elastic contact piece  100  electrically connects the metal housing  200  with the counterpart metal housing  22 , thereby performing a shielding function. 
     The metal housing  200  is a component made of metal, which is designed to shield electric waves of the shielded connector housing assembly  10 , and the metal housing  200  is perforated in a length direction to partially receive the inner housing  300  and electrically connected to a braided shielding wire (not shown). This metal housing  200  is preferably made of conductive material by means of die-casting. For example, the metal housing  200  may be made of magnesium, copper, steel or steel alloys. 
     In more detail, coupling protrusions  232  are formed on an upper surface  205  at a front outer side of the metal housing  200  and on a lower surface  206  at a front outer side thereof, respectively. Here, a front direction of the metal housing  200  means a direction in which the inner housing  300 , explained later, is inserted. 
     Also, the mount portions  210  are formed at both front sides  207  of the metal housing  200  such that the elastic contact piece  100  is installed thereto for contact and electric connection with the counterpart metal housing  22  of the counterpart shielded connector  20 . At this time, a part of the metal housing  200  is inserted into the counterpart metal housing  22 . In other words, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a front part of the metal housing  200  is inserted into and installed to the counterpart metal housing  22 . 
     The mount portion  210  is stepped from the front side of the metal housing  200 . In other words, the mount portion  210  is formed by depressing outer and inner sides of the metal housing  200  in opposite directions. The clip-type elastic contact piece  100  is mounted to the mount portions  210 . The elastic contact piece  100  is protruded out of both sides  207  of the metal housing  200  and elastically deformable to improve reliable contact with the counterpart metal housing  22 . The clip-type elastic contact piece  100  will be explained below in more detail. 
     The coupling protrusions  232  are prepared for coupling with a coupling unit  330  of the inner housing  300 , as explained later. 
     Meanwhile, a sealing  250  having an O-ring shape is mounted on an outer periphery of the metal housing  200 . In more detail, the sealing  250  is mounted to a front outer periphery of the metal housing  200 , and when the metal housing  200  is inserted into a counterpart metal housing  22 , the sealing  250  is also inserted thereto together. In case the metal housing  200  is coupled with the counterpart metal housing  22 , the sealing  250  is closely adhered to an inner periphery of the counterpart metal housing  22  to give a sealing structure. Also, the sealing  250  plays a role of preventing impurities or water from penetrating between the metal housing  200  and the counterpart metal housing  22 . 
     As the sealing  250  is located and fixed between the metal housing  200  and the counterpart metal housing  22 , a stable waterproof and sealing structure may be maintained, and also it is possible to minimize shaking of the housings  200 ,  300 ,  22  due to vibrations. In addition, the metal housing  200  is substantially not deformed due to heat or vibration, so the waterproof may be maintained more stably. 
     The inner housing  300  is inserted into an front inner portion of the metal housing  200  and coupled to the metal housing  200 , and the inner housing  300  is coupled with a connection pin  21  of the counterpart shielded connector  20  installed at a unit of a vehicle. This inner housing  300  should have heat resistance, mechanical strength and electric insulation. The inner housing  300  includes an insert  310  inserted into a front inner portion of the metal housing  200 , and a cover  320  formed on an outer side of the insert  310  to surround a front outer side of the metal housing  200 . The inner housing  300  may be made by means of injection molding of engineering plastic. 
     A cable terminal (not shown) is concavely formed in a rear side of the insert  310 . In more detail, the insert  310  has a slot  311  into which the connection pin of the counterpart shielded connector  20  is inserted. Also, the insert  310  has an inner configuration for receiving a part of a cable and a connection terminal  301  electrically connected with a bundle of cables (not shown). The connection pin  21  is inserted into the slot  311  and electrically connected to the connection terminal  301 . 
     Meanwhile, a mismatch prevention structure is preferably provided to the insert  310  and the metal housing  200  so as to prevent the upper and lower surfaces of the insert  310  from being erroneously inserted into the metal housing  200 . 
     The mismatch prevention structure is provided to the insert  310  and the metal housing  200  with shapes corresponding to each other. For example, the mismatch prevention structure is provided as a guide projection and a mismatch prevention groove such that the guide projection is inserted into the mismatch prevention groove when the insert  310  is inserted into the metal housing  200 . In more detail, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a mismatch prevention groove  313  is formed in the insert  310  in a direction along which the metal housing  200  is inserted, and a guide projection  213  is formed on the inner side of the metal housing  200  at a position corresponding to the mismatch prevention groove  313 . Thus, when the inner housing  300  is inserted into the metal housing  200 , the guide projection  213  is slid into the mismatch prevention groove  313 . 
     Meanwhile, though it is illustrated that the mismatch prevention groove  313  is formed on the upper surface of the insert  310 , the present invention is not limited thereto. Namely, it is also possible that the mismatch prevention groove  313  is formed in the lower surface of the insert  310 , and the guide projection  213  is formed on the metal housing  200  at a position corresponding to the mismatch prevention groove  313 . Also, it is also possible that a mismatch prevention groove is formed in the metal housing  200 , and a guide projection is formed on the insert  310  at a position corresponding to the mismatch prevention groove. In other words, any structure capable of preventing the inner housing  300  from mismatching the metal housing  200  may be adopted. 
     The cover  320  is formed on an outer surface of the insert  310 . In more detail, the cover  320  is formed along an outer periphery of the insert  310  at a front side and has a protruded shape outwards to surround a front outer side of the metal housing  200 . In other words, the cover  320  is formed greater than a diameter of the outer periphery of the metal housing  200  and formed such that the front portion of the metal housing  200  is located between the cover  320  and the insert  310 . Thus, if the inner housing  300  is coupled with the metal housing  200 , the cover  320  supports the sealing  250  mounted to the outer periphery of the metal housing  200 , so the sealing  250  is not moved or separated. 
     The cover  320  configured as above prevents the sealing  250  mounted to the metal housing  200  from moving due to a coupling work of the metal housing  200 , and also prevents the inner housing  300  from being separated from the metal housing  200  due to vibrations. 
     In order to perform the above roles more easily, the coupling unit  330  is formed at the cover  320  such that the inner housing  300  is securely coupled to the metal housing  200 . The coupling unit  330  has a coupling groove  332  corresponding to the coupling protrusion  232  for the coupling with the coupling protrusion  232 . 
     The coupling unit  330  is elastically deformable, so the coupling protrusion  232  is inserted into the coupling groove  332  when the insert  310  is completely inserted into the metal housing  200 . In more detail, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the coupling unit  330  is formed at a position respectively corresponding to the coupling protrusion  232  formed on the metal housing  200 . Also, as the coupling unit  330  is cut into opposite sides to some extent from an end  322  of the cover  320 , the coupling unit  330  is elastically deformable based on a portion connected with the cover  320 . Thus, when the coupling protrusion  232  is inserted into the coupling groove  332 , a lower portion of the coupling unit  330  is pressed due to the coupling protrusion  232  and thus elastically deformed upwards, and, if the coupling protrusion  232  is inserted into the coupling groove  332 , the coupling unit  330  is restored to its original location. At this time, if the coupling unit  330  is coupled with the coupling protrusion  232 , the end  322  of the cover  320  is contacted with the sealing  250 , so the sealing  250  is supported not to be moved or separated. 
     Meanwhile, though it is illustrated that the coupling unit  330  has the coupling groove  332  and also the coupling protrusion  232  is formed on the metal housing  200  for the coupling with the coupling groove  332 , the present invention is not limited thereto, but it is also possible to form a coupling protrusion on the coupling unit  330  and form a coupling groove in the metal housing  200 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a coupling unit  330 ′ having a coupling protrusion  332 ′ is formed on the cover  320 , and a coupling groove  232 ′ is formed in the metal housing  200  for the coupling with the coupling protrusion  332 ′. At this time, the coupling protrusion  332 ′ is formed at an inner side of the cover  320 . In more detail, the coupling unit  330 ′ is formed at a location respectively corresponding to the coupling groove  232 ′ formed in the metal housing  200 , and, as the coupling unit  330 ′ is cut into opposite sides of the coupling protrusion  332 ′ to some extent from the end  322  of the cover  320 , the coupling unit  330 ′ is elastically deformable based on a portion connected with the cover  320 . Thus, when the coupling protrusion  332 ′ is inserted into the coupling groove  232 ′, the coupling protrusion  332 ′ is pressed from the outer side of the metal hosing  200  and thus elastically deformed upwards. Also, if the coupling protrusion  332 ′ is inserted into the coupling groove  232 ′. the coupling unit  330 ′ is restored to its original location. At this time, if the coupling unit  330 ′ is coupled with the coupling groove  232 ′, the end  322  of the cover  320  is contacted with the sealing  250  and thus supports the sealing  250  not to be separated. 
     Additionally, deformation prevention grooves  321  are formed in both sides of the cover  320  such that the elastic contact pieces  100  installed to both front sides  207  of the metal housing  200  is exposed outwards. In other words, the deformation prevention grooves  321  are formed at locations corresponding to the mount portions  210  of the metal housing  200  and formed in correspondence with the elastic contact pieces  100 . Thus, when the inner housing  300  is coupled to the metal housing  200 , elastic parts of the elastic contact pieces  100  are exposed out of the cover  320 . Since the counterpart metal housing  23  of the counterpart shielded connector  20  is coupled to surround a front outer periphery of the metal housing  200  into which the inner housing  300  is inserted, the above configuration helps the elastic parts  120  to be contacted with the inner side of the counterpart metal housing  22 . Thus, the elastic contact pieces  100  make the metal housing  200  be electrically connected with the counterpart metal housing  22 . The deformation prevention groove  321  configured as above is used for preventing plastic deformation of the clip-type elastic contact piece  100 , as explained later in detail. 
     The outer housing  400  is coupled with the metal housing  200  to surround the inner housing  300  and the metal housing  200 . Also, the outer housing  400  is coupled with the counterpart shielded connector  20  and made of insulating material. Here, the outer housing  400  is securely coupled with the metal housing  200  by means of a coupling unit  410 . The coupling unit  410  is elastically deformable and coupled with a projection  242  formed at a rear side of the metal housing  200 . This coupling structure is substantially identical to the coupling structure between the coupling protrusion  232  of the metal housing  200  and the coupling unit  330  formed at the cover  320 , so it is not explained in detail here. 
     Meanwhile, if the outer housing  400  is coupled to the metal housing  200 , the metal housing  200  and the outer housing  400  are placed as being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. It is because the counterpart metal housing  22  is coupled to surround a front outer periphery of the metal housing  200  (see  FIG. 6 ). In other words, the counterpart metal housing  22  is inserted between the metal housing  200  and the outer housing  400  and then connected to the metal housing  200 . 
     Hereinafter, the clip-type elastic contact piece  100  is explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
     The clip-type elastic contact piece  100  includes a flat plate  110  with a predetermined length and an elastic part  120  formed by bending one side of the flat plate  110  in a length direction of the flat plate  110 . At this time, the bent portion of the flat plate  110  is called a ‘bent portion  113 ’. 
     The flat plate  110  has an area corresponding to the mount portion  210 , so a front side  112  of the flat plate  110  is mounted to come in contact with the mount portion  210  formed in the inner side of the metal housing  200 . The elastic part  120  is mounted to come in contact with the mount portion  210  formed in the outer side of the metal housing  200 . In other words, the flat plate  110  is formed in correspondence with the mount portion  210 , and the elastic part  120  is contacted with the mount portion  210 , so the elastic contact piece  100  may minimize shaking caused by vibrations of the shielded connector housing assembly  10 . 
     The elastic part  120  is formed by bending the flat plate  110  with a predetermined length, so the elastic part  120  is elastically deformable. At this time, the elastic part  120  is spaced apart from the front side  112  of the flat plate  110 . For example, a distance from the front side  112  of the flat plate  110  to the elastic part  120  is partially shorter than a thickness of the mount portion  210 . Thus, if the elastic part  120  is opened and then the mount portion  210  is inserted between the elastic part  120  and the flat plate  110 , the elastic part  120  elastically presses the mount portion  210 . In other words, as the elastic part  120  elastically presses the mount portion  210 , the clip-type elastic contact piece  100  may be stably installed to the mount portion  210 . 
     Meanwhile, the elastic part  120  may be provided in plural. For example, a plurality of slits  111  are formed in a length direction of the elastic part  120 , and the elastic part  120  is partitioned by means of the slits  111 . In more detail, the elastic piece  120  is composed of a contact elastic part  122  formed at the center of the elastic piece  12  to contact with a counterpart metal housing  22  (see  FIG. 5 ) of a counterpart shielded connector  20  (see  FIG. 5 ) and two mount elastic parts  124  partitioned by slits  111  formed in both sides of the contact elastic part  122 . 
     The contact elastic part  122  becomes more distant from the front side  112  of the flat plate  110  along the length direction of the flat plate  110  based on the bent portion  113  of the flat plate  110  and then gradually approaches the front side  112  of the flat plate  110  again after passing over the peak point. At this time, an end of the contact elastic part  122  gradually approaching the front side  112  of the flat plate  110  is formed to gradually approach the front side  112  of the flat plate  110  along the length direction of the flat plate  110  and is then separated from the front side  112  of the flat plate  110  after passing over the bottom point. Thus, when the shielded connector housing assembly  10  is coupled with the counterpart shielded connector  20 , the contact elastic part  122  presses the counterpart metal housing  22  of the counterpart shielded connector  20  to electrically connect the metal housing  200  with the counterpart metal housing  22 . If the coupling between the shielded connector housing assembly  10  and the counterpart shielded connector  20  is released, the contact elastic part  122  is restored to its original location. In other words, the peak point of the contact elastic part  122  is contacted with the counterpart metal housing  22 , and the bottom point is contacted with the mount portion  210  to elastically restore the contact elastic part  122  to its original location. 
     Meanwhile, a projection  126  protruding in a direction opposite to the front side  112  of the flat plate  110  is formed at the peak point of the contact elastic part  122 . In case the elastic contact piece  100  is used for a long time, the elastic restoring force of the contact elastic part  122  may be deteriorated, and in this case, stable contact between the contact elastic part  122  and the counterpart metal housing  22  may not be ensured. The projection  126  complements the elastic restoring force of the contact elastic part  122 , which has been deteriorated due to the long time use of the elastic contact piece  100 , thereby ensuring stable contact between the contact elastic part  122  and the counterpart metal housing  22 . 
     The mount elastic part  124  allows the elastic contact piece  100  to be mounted to the mount portion  210  in a more stable way. In other words, the mount elastic part  124  is spaced apart from the front side  112  of the flat plate  110  based on the bent portion  113 , and the spaced distance is set to be smaller than a thickness of the mount portion  210 . For example, the mount elastic part  124  is configured to gradually approach the front side  112  of the flat plate  110  along the length direction of the flat plate  110  based on the bent portion of the flat plate  110 . Thus, the mount elastic part  124  and the mount portion  210  of the flat plate  110  are pressed to face each other, thereby stably installing the elastic contact piece  100 . 
     Meanwhile, the elastic contact piece  100  installed to the metal housing  200  may be plastically deformed due to physical impacts or excessive vibrations exerted thereto from the outside. Here, the elastic part  120  of the elastic contact piece  100  may be elastically deformed when a physical impact is applied toward the front side  112  of the flat plate  110 , while, if a physical impact is applied to the side of the flat plate  110 , namely perpendicular to the front side  112 , the elastic part  120  is not restored to its original location but plastically deformed. Thus, the deformation prevention groove  321  of the inner housing  300 , explained above, supports the side of the elastic piece  120  so as to prevent plastic deformation of the elastic contact piece  100 . In more detail, the deformation prevention groove  321  is formed at a location corresponding to the elastic contact piece  100  installed at the mount portion  210  and has a width corresponding to the width of the elastic part  120 . Also, deformation prevention groove  321  is partially concave such that the concave portion has a width corresponding to the width of the contact elastic part  122 . In this way, the contact elastic part  122  is fit into the deformation prevention groove  321 . Thus, the concave portion of the deformation prevention groove  321  supports a side of the contact elastic part  122  partially, so the deformation prevention groove  321  may prevent the contact elastic part  122  from being plastically deformed though an external physical impact or excessive vibration is applied to the contact elastic part  122 . 
     Additionally, though it has been illustrated that the elastic contact piece  100  is partitioned into three parts by means of the slits  111 , the present invention is not limited thereto, but the elastic contact piece may be composed of four or more elastic parts or just a single elastic part. In other words, the elastic contact piece  100  may adopt any structure that may be stably mounted to the mount portion  210  and contacted with the counterpart metal housing  22 . 
     As a result, in the present invention, as the clip-type elastic contact piece  100  electrically connects the metal housing  200  of the shielded connector housing assembly  10  with the counterpart metal housing  22  of the counterpart shielded connector  20 , the connection between the metal housing  200  and the counterpart metal housing  22  may be stably maintained, thereby ensuring long time durability. Also, since the elastic contact piece has a simple design capable of being easily attached to or detached from the metal housing  200 , the clip-type elastic contact piece  100  may be easily fabricated and assembled. 
     In addition, in the shielded connector housing assembly  10  as described above, the inner housing  300  is coupled to surround the front outer periphery of the metal housing  200  such that the sealing  250  does not move, the metal housing  200  is coupled with the outer housing  400 , and the counterpart metal housing  22  of the counterpart shielded connector  20  is inserted between the outer housing  400  and the metal housing  200  and tightly assembled thereto. In this way, it is possible to minimize shaking of each housing  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  22  due to vibrations of a vehicle. Thus, abrasion among the housing may be prevented to improve vibration resistance. In addition, as the inner housing  300  is installed to the metal housing  200 , the connection terminal  301  installed in the inner housing  300  may be stably connected to the connection pin  21 . Moreover, since the inner housing  300 , the metal housing  200  and the outer housing  400  are fabricated independently, so they may be easily prepared with simple structures. 
     The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The clip-type elastic contact piece and the shielded connector housing assembly having the same according to the present invention, as explained above, give the following effects. 
     First, the elastic contact piece has a simple structure, so the elastic contact piece may be easily fabricated and also mounted to or separated from a metal housing in an easy and convenient way. 
     Second, it is possible to prevent abrasion of the metal housing and the elastic contact piece caused by excessive vibrations and contact. Thus, the metal housing and the elastic contact piece may ensure long time durability. 
     Third, since plastic deformation of the elastic contact piece is prevented, the connection between the metal housing and the counterpart metal housing may be stably maintained. 
     Fourth, the sealing mounted to the metal housing is not easily taken off to provide a stable waterproof function, and the connection of the connection terminal is stably maintained in spite of vibrations of a vehicle. Thus, it is possible to prevent abrasion of the connection terminal caused by vibrations and also to prevent deterioration of the connection terminal. 
     Fifth, the inner housing and the outer housing may be independently fabricated, which ensures easy production. Also, since the inner housing, the outer housing and the metal housing are tightly coupled, vibration resistance may be improved. 
     Sixth, the present invention may be applied all kinds of connectors that demand a shielded structure.