Patent Description:
For providing an electrical connection between a cable or a device and another cable or another device, a combination of a receptacle connector and a plug connector is widely used. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, Patent Literature <NUM> discloses the plug connector <NUM> for connecting the cable <NUM> to another device. As illustrated in <FIG>, the plug connector <NUM> is attached to the tip of the cable <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a cross-sectional view of the plug connector <NUM> and the cable <NUM> is illustrated. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the state where the plug connector <NUM> is attached to the tip of the cable <NUM>, the contact pin <NUM> of the plug connector <NUM> is electrically connected to the core wire <NUM> of the cable <NUM> via the conductive component <NUM> inside the metal plug shell <NUM> of the plug connector <NUM>. Further, a tip portion of the contact pin <NUM> is exposed inside the circular cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>. Further, a large part of the plug shell <NUM> is covered with the cover <NUM> for protecting the plug shell <NUM>, and the circular cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM> is exposed out of the cover <NUM> toward the tip side (the receptacle connector <NUM> side).

By connecting the plug connector <NUM> as such to the receptacle connector <NUM>, which is attached to another device, it becomes easy to electrically connect the cable <NUM> and another device or another cable. Specifically, by engaging the circular cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM> of the plug connector <NUM> with the metal cylindrical portion <NUM> of the receptacle connector <NUM>, the tip portion of the contact pin <NUM> of the plug connector <NUM> is inserted into the central hole <NUM> of the cylindrical portion <NUM>, so that the plug connector <NUM> and the receptacle connector <NUM> are electrically connected. In this case, the cable <NUM> and another device are electrically connected via the plug connector <NUM> and the receptacle connector <NUM>.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the contact pin <NUM> is held by the insulating housing <NUM> inside the plug shell <NUM>. In the state where the contact pin <NUM> is held by the housing <NUM>, the base end portion of the contact pin <NUM> is in contact with the conductive component <NUM>. Since the conductive component <NUM> is in contact with the core wire <NUM> of the cable <NUM>, the contact pin <NUM> and the core wire <NUM> of the cable <NUM> are electrically connected via the conductive component <NUM>.

When assembling the plug connector <NUM>, multiple components including the contact pin <NUM> and the housing <NUM> need to be inserted into the plug shell <NUM>. Therefore, the insertion port <NUM> for inserting the components into the plug shell <NUM> is formed on the face of base end side (the right side in <FIG>) of the plug shell <NUM>. On the other hand, in order to improve the noise immunity of the plug connector <NUM>, it is preferable that the insertion port <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM> is closed with a conductive member. Therefore, as illustrated in <FIG>, the insertion port <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM> is closed with the lid member <NUM> which is configured with a metal material.

The lid member <NUM> is fixed onto the plug shell <NUM> so as to close the insertion port <NUM>. For fixing the lid member <NUM> onto the plug shell <NUM>, it is often the case that a fixation method with crimping is used. For example, the fixation method with crimping is performed by the procedure illustrated in <FIG> are cross-sectional views of the insertion port <NUM> and lid member <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>. Note that, for ease of explanation of the fixation method with crimping, some parts of the plug shell <NUM> and the lid member <NUM> are omitted or modified in <FIG>.

The fixation method with crimping is performed by bending the tip portions of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> extending from the end faces <NUM> of the insertion port <NUM>, so that the tip portions are pressed toward the lid member <NUM> and thus the lid member <NUM> is nipped. First, as illustrated in <FIG>, the lid member <NUM> is placed on the end faces <NUM> of the insertion port <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>. Thereafter, as illustrated in <FIG>, the tip portions of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> extending from the end faces <NUM> of the insertion port <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM> are bent toward the lid member <NUM>, so that the tip portions of the pair of the hold pieces <NUM> press the lid member <NUM> toward the end faces <NUM> of the insertion port <NUM>. As a result, the lid member <NUM> is held on the end faces <NUM> of the insertion port <NUM>. By the fixation method with crimping as described above, the lid member <NUM> is fixed onto the plug shell <NUM>.

However, if the tip portions of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> are bent toward the lid member <NUM>, a residual stress is generated in the bent sections. Such a residual stress is released if heat is applied to the bent sections. Therefore, if heat is applied to the pair of hold pieces <NUM> after the lid member <NUM> is fixed onto the plug shell <NUM> by bending the tip portions of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, the tip portions of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> will open due to the release of the residual stress and thermal expansion of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>. Further, even if the pair of hold pieces <NUM> are cooled thereafter, the tip portions of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> do not completely return to the pre-heated state. Therefore, a gap is created between the lid member <NUM> and the tip portions of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, which causes a problem that the rocking movement (rattling) of the lid member <NUM> between the end faces <NUM> of the insertion port <NUM> and the pair of hold pieces <NUM> cannot be prevented.

[Patent Literature <NUM>] <CIT>
<CIT> discloses an outer conductor terminal including a body surrounding an outer periphery of an inner conductor terminal and having a rear opening and a lid for closing the opening of the body. <CIT> discloses a waterproof connector having a housing including a terminal accommodating portion capable of accommodating a terminal fitting, a rubber plug accommodating portion communicating with the terminal accommodating portion and capable of accommodating a rubber plug, and two housing locks on both sides across the rubber plug accommodating portion.

The present invention is made in view of the above-described conventional problem, and the object thereof is to provide an electrical connector equipped with a plug shell, with which the rocking movement of a lid member that closes an insertion port into which a contact pin is inserted can be prevented, and a method for mounting the electrical connector.

The present invention provides an electrical connector according to claim <NUM> and a method for mounting the electrical connector according to claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, a lid member can be firmly held on a pedestal. Therefore, even if heat is applied to a pair of hold pieces and the tip portions of the pair of hold pieces open, the rocking movement of the lid member can be prevented.

Hereinafter, an electrical connector and a method for mounting the electrical connector of the present invention will be explained based on preferable embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Note that each of the drawings to be referred to below is a schematic diagram prepared for the explanation of the present invention. The dimensions (length, width, thickness, etc.) of each of the constituting elements illustrated in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions. Further, in each of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are assigned with the same reference numerals. In the following explanations, the positive direction of the Z axis in each of the drawings is referred to as the "tip side", the negative direction of the Z axis is referred to as the "base end side", the positive direction of the Y axis is referred to as the "front side", the negative direction of the Y axis is referred to as the "rear side", the positive direction of the X axis is referred to as the "upper side", and the negative direction of the X axis is referred to as the "lower side".

First, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the electrical connector and a circuit board on which the electrical connector is mounted according to the first embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector illustrated in <FIG> in a cut cross section including contact pins. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a plug shell illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> are a diagram for a detailed description of the hold state of a lid member.

The electrical connector <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in <FIG> is mounted on the circuit board <NUM> which is installed in a given device. If a counterpart connector attached to the tip of an extraneous cable, which is not illustrated in the drawings, is inserted to the connector <NUM> from the tip (+Z direction) side of the electrical connector <NUM>, an electrical connection will be provided between the circuit board <NUM> on which the electrical connector <NUM> is mounted and the extraneous cable. Typically, the connector <NUM> is an HSD (High Speed Data) connector or a FAKR,A (Fachkreis Automobitechnik) connector to be used for connecting an in-vehicle device, such as a car navigation system, car audio, in-vehicle camera, in-vehicle GPS, in-vehicle TV, or in-vehicle radio, to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) which controls operation of an automobile. The electrical connector <NUM> may be a coaxial cable connector with one contact pin to provide a coaxial connection or may be a multi-pin connector to provide a connection of multiple contact pins. Hereinafter, an explanation will be given on the assumption that the electrical connector <NUM> is a four-pin connector with four contact pins to provide a four-pin connection.

The circuit board <NUM> is equipped with the four ground terminals <NUM>, to which the four ground pins <NUM> of the electrical connector <NUM> are inserted, and the four contact pin terminals <NUM>, to which the terminal portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> of the electrical connector <NUM> are inserted. The electrical connector <NUM> is attached to the circuit board <NUM> such that the four ground pins <NUM> and the terminal portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> of the electrical connector <NUM> are inserted to the four ground terminals <NUM> and the four contact pin terminals <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM>, respectively. Thereafter, the reflow for fixing the electrical connector <NUM> onto the circuit board <NUM> is performed, and thus the electrical connector <NUM> will be mounted on the circuit board <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the electrical connector <NUM> includes the four contact pins <NUM>, which make contact with the terminals of a counterpart connector, the insulating housing <NUM>, which holds the four contact pins <NUM> in a state of being insulated from each other, the metal plug shell <NUM> having the cylindrical portion <NUM>, which is to be engaged with the counterpart connector, and the accommodation portion <NUM>, which is for accommodating the four contact pins <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, and the cover <NUM> attached to the tip side of the plug shell <NUM>.

Each of the contact pins <NUM> is configured of a conductive material, such as a copper alloy, and has a function of making contact with the corresponding terminal of the counterpart connector to provide an electrical connection between the counterpart connector and the electrical connector <NUM> when the counterpart connector is inserted to the electrical connector <NUM> from the tip side. Each of the contact pins <NUM> includes the contact point portion <NUM>, which makes contact with the corresponding terminal of the counterpart connector, the extending portion <NUM>, which extends from the contact point portion <NUM> toward the base end side, and the terminal portion <NUM>, which is to be connected to the corresponding terminal of the circuit board <NUM>. Further, the terminal portion <NUM> extends toward the downward direction (the -X direction), and each of the contact pins <NUM> has an L-shape overall.

The contact point portion <NUM> is a cylindrical section that makes contact with the corresponding terminal of the counterpart connector when the counterpart connector is inserted to the electrical connector <NUM> from the tip side. If the electrical connector <NUM> is turned into the engaged state with the counterpart connector, the contact point portion <NUM> makes contact with the corresponding terminal of the counterpart connector, so that an electrical connection between the counterpart connector and the electrical connector <NUM> is provided. The extending portion <NUM> is an L-shaped section that extends horizontally from the base end of the contact point portion <NUM> to the base end side (the Z direction) and then extends downwardly (the -X direction). The horizontally extending sections of the extending portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> are embedded in the housing <NUM>, so that the four contact pins <NUM> are fixedly held by the housing <NUM> in the state of being insulated from each other. The terminal portions <NUM> extend downwardly from the lower end portions of the downwardly extending sections of the extending portions <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the lower end portions of the terminal portions <NUM> are exposed out of the housing <NUM>. The terminal portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> are respectively inserted and connected to the four contact pin terminals <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> is configured of an insulating material such as a resin material and has a function of holding the four contact pins <NUM> in the state of being insulated from each other. Further, the housing <NUM> is accommodated inside the plug shell <NUM> in the state where the four contact pins <NUM> are held. The housing <NUM> is a long member having an outer shape corresponding to the shape of the inner face of the plug shell <NUM>. The housing <NUM> has the base portion <NUM>, the cylindrical portion <NUM> protruding from the tip of the base portion <NUM> to the tip side, the three positioning portions <NUM> protruding from the cylindrical portion <NUM> to the tip side, and the four press-fit holes <NUM> into which four contact pins <NUM> are respectively press-fitted.

The base portion <NUM> is a box-shaped section and, as illustrated in <FIG>, the base portion <NUM> is positioned inside the accommodation portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM> when the housing <NUM> is accommodated inside the plug shell <NUM>. In the state where the four contact pins <NUM> are respectively press-fitted into the four press-fit holes <NUM> and held by the housing <NUM>, the terminal portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> protrude downwardly from the base portion <NUM>. Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the base portion <NUM> has the engagement convex portion <NUM> formed on the upper face of the base portion <NUM>. The engagement convex portion <NUM> is a convex portion extending linearly along the direction in which the electrical connector <NUM> is inserted or pulled out (the Z direction) on the upper face of the base portion <NUM>, so as to be engaged with the engagement groove <NUM> (see <FIG>) formed on the inner face of the accommodation portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> is fixed and accommodated inside the plug shell <NUM> by sliding and inserting the housing <NUM> into the plug shell <NUM> so that the engagement convex portion <NUM> is engaged with the engagement groove <NUM> formed on the inner face of the accommodation portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>. Therefore, the engagement convex portion <NUM> has a function of guiding the housing <NUM> to be inserted into the plug shell <NUM> and positioning the housing <NUM> inside the plug shell <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, the cylindrical portion <NUM> is a cylindrical section extending from the tip of the base portion <NUM>. Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the state where the electrical connector <NUM> is assembled, the base end portion of the cylindrical portion <NUM> is positioned inside the accommodation portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>, and the tip portion of the cylindrical portion <NUM> is positioned inside the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, the three positioning portions <NUM> are sections which are distant from each other and extend from the tip face of the cylindrical portion <NUM> to the tip side. In the state where the electrical connector <NUM> is assembled, the three positioning portions <NUM> are in contact with the inner face of the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>, so that the rocking movement of cylindrical portion <NUM> inside the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM> is prevented.

The four press-fit holes <NUM> are through holes penetrating the base portion <NUM> and the cylindrical portion <NUM> along the direction in which the electrical connector <NUM> is inserted and pulled out (the Z direction). The contact point portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> are respectively press-fitted into the four press-fit holes <NUM> from the base end side of the base portion <NUM>, and the contact point portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> are made to protrude from the cylindrical portion <NUM> to the tip side, and, further, the base end sections and the extending portions <NUM> of the contact point portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> are embedded into the base portion <NUM> and the cylindrical portion <NUM>, so that the four contact pins <NUM> are held by the housing <NUM> in the state of being insulated from each other.

When assembling the electrical connector <NUM>, firstly, the contact point portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> are respectively press-fitted into the four press-fit holes <NUM> of the housing <NUM> from the base end side of the base portion <NUM>, so that the four contact pins <NUM> are held by the housing <NUM>. Thereafter, the housing <NUM> being in the state of holding the four contact pins <NUM> is inserted into the plug shell <NUM>.

The plug shell <NUM> is configured of a conductive material and has a function of accommodating the four contact pins <NUM> and the housing <NUM> therein and shielding the four contact pins <NUM> from being affected by external electromagnetic waves so as to improve the noise immunity of the electrical connector <NUM>. As the conductive material configuring the plug shell <NUM>, a metal material or an alloy of metal materials can be used. Typically, from the standpoint of cost and ease of processing, a zinc alloy is used as the conductive material configuring the plug shell <NUM>. The method for forming the plug shell <NUM> is not particularly limited, but, typically, the plug shell <NUM> can be formed by a casting method, in which a conductive material melted by heating is poured into a metal mold and then the conductive material is solidified by cooling.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the plug shell <NUM> includes the cylindrical portion <NUM> to be engaged with a counterpart connector, the accommodation portion <NUM> which is formed so as to communicate with the cylindrical portion <NUM>, the insertion port <NUM> which is formed in the base end side section of the accommodation portion <NUM> so as to allow the contact pins <NUM> and the housing <NUM> to be inserted into the accommodation portion <NUM>, the lid member <NUM> which closes the insertion port <NUM>, the hold mechanism <NUM> for holding the lid member <NUM>, and the four ground pins <NUM> which protrude downwardly from the lower end face of the accommodation portion <NUM>.

The cylindrical portion <NUM> is a hollow circular cylindrical portion. As illustrated in <FIG>, the tip portion of the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is positioned inside the cylindrical portion <NUM>. Further, inside the cylindrical portion <NUM>, the contact point portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> extend from the tip face of the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> toward the tip side in a state of being distant from the inner face of the cylindrical portion <NUM>. Further, in this state, the contact point portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> are distant from each other. When a counterpart connector is inserted to the electrical connector <NUM> from the tip side, the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM> is engaged with the corresponding cylindrical portion of the counterpart connector.

The cylindrical portion <NUM> includes the attachment portion <NUM> for the cover <NUM> to be attached. The attachment portion <NUM> is formed so as to protrude outwardly from a base end side section on the outer peripheral face of the cylindrical portion <NUM>. By engaging the engagement portion <NUM> of the cover <NUM> with the attachment portion <NUM> of the cylindrical portion <NUM>, the cover <NUM> is attached to the plug shell <NUM>.

The accommodation portion <NUM> is integrally formed on the base end side of the cylindrical portion <NUM> so as to communicate with the cylindrical portion <NUM>. The accommodation portion <NUM> has a function of internally accommodating the housing <NUM>, which holds the four contact pins <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the accommodation portion <NUM> is formed with the upper plate <NUM> and the pair of wall portions <NUM> extending downwardly from the end portions on the rear side and front side of the upper plate <NUM> and is open toward the downward direction (the -X direction) and the base end direction (the -Z direction). The internal space of the accommodation portion <NUM> is defined by the upper plate <NUM> and the pair of wall portions <NUM> of the accommodation portion <NUM>, and the housing <NUM> which holds the four contact pins <NUM> is accommodated inside the internal space. Further, the engagement groove <NUM> is formed on the inner face of the upper plate <NUM>, which defines the accommodation portion <NUM>. The engagement groove <NUM> has a shape corresponding to the engagement convex portion <NUM>, which is formed on the base portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is fixed and accommodated inside the plug shell <NUM> by sliding and inserting the housing <NUM> into the internal space of the plug shell <NUM> so that the engagement convex portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is engaged with the engagement groove <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>.

The insertion port <NUM> is a rectangular opening formed in the base end side section of the accommodation portion <NUM> and is defined by the base end side sections of the upper plate <NUM> and the pair of wall portions <NUM> of the accommodation portion <NUM>. When assembling the electrical connector <NUM>, the housing <NUM> being in the state of holding the four contact pins <NUM> is inserted into the plug shell <NUM> via the insertion port <NUM>.

The lid member <NUM> is configured of a conductive material and is a plate-shaped member having the central portion <NUM> with respect to the width direction (the Y direction) and the pair of end portions <NUM> positioned on both sides of the central portion <NUM> in the width direction. Typically, the lid member <NUM> is configured of a metal material. In the present embodiment, the lid member <NUM> has a flat plate shape of which the central portion <NUM> and the pair of end portions <NUM> are in the same plane in its natural state where no pressing force is applied to the lid member <NUM>. That is, in its natural state where no pressing force is applied to the lid member <NUM>, the lid member <NUM> is not curved or bent.

After the housing <NUM>, which is in a state of holding the four contact pins <NUM>, is inserted into the plug shell <NUM> via the insertion port <NUM>, and the four contact pins <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are accommodated inside the plug shell <NUM>, the insertion port <NUM> is closed with the lid member <NUM>. In this way, in order to enable the housing <NUM>, which is in the state of holding the four contact pins <NUM> inside the plug shell <NUM>, to be inserted when assembling the electrical connector <NUM>, the insertion port <NUM> needs to be formed in the base end side section of the accommodation portion <NUM>. On the other hand, in order to improve the noise immunity of the electrical connector <NUM>, it is necessary that the insertion port <NUM>, which is positioned on the base end side (the Z direction side) of the four contact pins <NUM>, is closed with a conductive member in the state where the electrical connector <NUM> is assembled. For such a reason, the lid member <NUM> is used to close the insertion port <NUM>, so as to improve the noise immunity of the electrical connector <NUM>.

The hold mechanism <NUM> has a function of holding the lid member <NUM> so as to close the insertion port <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the hold mechanism <NUM> is equipped with the pedestal <NUM> for placing the lid member <NUM>, the pair of hold pieces <NUM> that hold the lid member <NUM> by pressing the lid member <NUM> onto the pedestal <NUM>, the upper-side support portion <NUM> that supports the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> from the upper side, the pair of lower-side support portions <NUM> that support the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> from the lower side, and the protrusion portions <NUM> formed on the pedestal <NUM>.

The pedestal <NUM> is a section on which the lid member <NUM> is placed. In the form illustrated in the drawings, the pedestal <NUM> is the base end face of the upper plate <NUM> and the pair of wall portions <NUM> of the accommodation portion <NUM>, which defines the insertion port <NUM>, the present invention is not limited as such. For example, such a form in which one or more plate-shaped portions extending toward the inner side of the plug shell <NUM> are formed on the inner face of the accommodation portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM> so that the plate-shaped portions function as the pedestal <NUM> is also within the range of the present invention.

The pair of hold pieces <NUM> are plate-shaped sections respectively extending from both of the width direction (the Y direction) ends of the pedestal <NUM> toward the base end side. The width (the length in the X direction) of each of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> is approximately equal to the length in the X direction of the lid member <NUM>, and the height (the length in the Z direction) of each of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> is greater than the thickness of the lid member <NUM>. The pair of hold pieces <NUM> are formed on the pedestal <NUM> so that the lid member <NUM>, which is placed on the pedestal <NUM>, is nipped therebetween in the state where the electrical connector <NUM> is assembled. Each of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> has the extending portion <NUM>, which linearly extends from the pedestal <NUM> along the thickness direction (the Z direction) of the lid member <NUM>, and the pressing portion <NUM>, which extends from the tip of the extending portion <NUM> so as to make contact with the upper face of the lid member <NUM>. The distance between the inner faces of the extending portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> is approximately equal to the width (the length in the Y direction) of the lid member <NUM>. Therefore, the lid member <NUM> is placed on the pedestal <NUM> is positioned between the extending portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>. The pair of pressing portions <NUM> hold the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> by pressing the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM>, which is placed on the pedestal <NUM>, toward the pedestal <NUM>.

In stages before the electrical connector <NUM> is assembled, each of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> has the extending portion <NUM> but does not have the pressing portion <NUM>. When assembling the electrical connector <NUM>, a crimping operation for holding the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> is performed on each of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, and thus the pressing portion <NUM> is formed. In the crimping operation, each of the tip portions of the extending portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, which are positioned on both sides of the lid member <NUM>, is bent toward the central portion <NUM> (the inner sides) of the lid member <NUM> so as to press the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> toward the pedestal <NUM>. By such a crimping operation, the pressing portion <NUM> is formed at each of the tip portions of the extending portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>. By performing such a crimping operation, the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM> by the pair of hold pieces <NUM>.

The upper-side support portion <NUM> is a flat plate-shaped portion extending from the upward direction (the +Z direction) end portion of the pedestal <NUM> toward the base end side. The upper-side support portion <NUM> has the pair of support protrusions <NUM> formed on the inner face thereof. When the lid member <NUM> is placed on the pedestal <NUM>, the pair of support protrusions <NUM> of the upper-side support portion <NUM> make contact with the upper-side end face of the lid member <NUM> so as to support the lid member <NUM> from the upper side. The lower-side support portions <NUM> are the pair of block-shaped portions extending from the sections, which are lower (the -X direction) than the parts of the pedestal <NUM> where the pair of hold pieces <NUM> are formed, toward the base end side. When the lid member <NUM> is placed on the pedestal <NUM>, the lower-side support portions <NUM> makes contact with the lower-side end face of the lid member <NUM> so as to support the lid member <NUM> from the lower side.

The protrusion portions <NUM> is a portion below (the -X direction) from the portion where the upper support portion <NUM> of the part of the pedestal <NUM> is formed, and when the lid <NUM> is placed on the pedestal <NUM>, the protrusion portions <NUM> are formed so as to project toward the base end side from the portion facing the central portion <NUM>. The protrusion portions <NUM> are sections formed to push up the central portion <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> in a direction away from the pedestal <NUM> when the pair of pressing portions <NUM> push the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> toward the pedestal <NUM>. With the protrusion portions <NUM> formed on the pedestal <NUM> as described above, the lid member <NUM> can consequently be held on the pedestal <NUM> in a state where the lid member <NUM> is curved and deformed from its natural flat plate-shaped state. Hereinafter, with reference to <FIG>, a detailed description will be given of how it is possible to hold the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> in a state where the lid member <NUM> is curved and deformed from its natural state. Note that, in <FIG>, in order to clearly illustrate the hold mechanism <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM> and the lid member <NUM>, the members other than the pedestal <NUM>, the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, and the protrusion portions <NUM> of the hold mechanism <NUM> as well as the lid member <NUM> are omitted.

When assembling the electrical connector <NUM>, the housing <NUM>, which holds the contact pins <NUM>, is inserted into the plug shell <NUM> via the insertion port <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>, and the contact pins <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are accommodated inside the accommodation portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>. Next, the lid member <NUM> is placed on the pedestal <NUM>. Here, the pressing portions <NUM> are not formed in the pair of hold pieces <NUM> of the hold mechanism <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the cross-sectional view of the pedestal <NUM>, the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, the protrusion portions <NUM>, and the lid member <NUM> in the above-described state is schematically illustrated. As illustrated in <FIG>, the central portion <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> makes contact with the protrusion portions <NUM> formed on the pedestal <NUM>. Therefore, in stages before a crimping operation is performed, only the central portion <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> is in contact with the pedestal <NUM>, and the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are distant from the pedestal <NUM>.

In this state, the crimping operation is performed on the pair of the hold pieces <NUM>, so that the pressing portions <NUM> that presses the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> toward the pedestal <NUM> will be formed in the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, respectively. In <FIG>, the cross-sectional view of the pedestal <NUM>, the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, the protrusion portions <NUM>, and the lid member <NUM> after the crimping operation is performed is schematically illustrated. As illustrated in <FIG>, the pair of end portions <NUM> of the placed lid member <NUM> are pushed down toward the pedestal <NUM> by the pressing force applied from the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>. In this state, the shape of the lid member <NUM> is curved and deformed from the flat plate shape to an upward-convex dome shape. More specifically, as indicated by the arrows in <FIG>, the central portion <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> is pushed up in a direction relatively away from the pedestal <NUM> by the protrusion portions <NUM> formed on the pedestal <NUM>, and the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are pushed down to the pedestal <NUM> side relative to the central portion <NUM> by the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>. As a result, a pressing force in a direction away from the pedestal <NUM> is applied to the central portion <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> whereas a pressing force in a direction toward the pedestal <NUM> is applied to the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM>. Accordingly, the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM> by the pair of hold pieces <NUM> in a state where the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are curved and deformed toward the pedestal <NUM>.

In this way, the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> press the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> toward the pedestal <NUM>, and, accordingly, the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM> in a state of being curved and deformed from its natural state. Therefore, in the state where the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM>, a stress that urges to return to its natural state (the flat plate shape) to make the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> become distant from the pedestal <NUM> is generated in the lid member <NUM> by the elasticity of the conductive material configuring the lid member <NUM>. Since such an internal stress as described above is generated in the lid member <NUM>, even if the pair of hold pieces <NUM> are heated by heat, etc., which is generated in a reflow operation or the like performed for mounting the electrical connector <NUM> onto the circuit board <NUM> so that the pair of hold pieces <NUM> are deformed so as to open the pressing portions <NUM>, the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are elastically restored by the stress generated in the lid member <NUM> so as to follow the deformation of the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the pair of hold pieces <NUM> are heated and deformed so as to open the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, no distance is generated between the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> and the lid member <NUM>. Therefore, the lid member <NUM> can be firmly held on the pedestal <NUM>, so that the rocking movement of the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> can be securely prevented.

Returning to <FIG>, each of the four ground pins <NUM> is a cylindrical section that extends downwardly from the lower-side end face of each of the pair of wall portions <NUM> of the accommodation portion <NUM>. The four ground pins <NUM> are inserted and connected to the four ground terminals <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM>, respectively, when the electrical connector <NUM> is mounted on the circuit board <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> is a hollow cylindrical member configured of an insulating material, such as a resin material, and is attached to the attachment portion <NUM> of the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>. The cover <NUM> has a function of guiding a counterpart connector to be engaged with the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM> and supporting the counterpart connector being engaged with the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>. The cover <NUM> has the engagement portion <NUM>, which is to be engaged with the attachment portion <NUM> of the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>, and the reception portion <NUM>, which is formed so as to communicate with the engagement portion <NUM>.

The engagement portion <NUM> is a section to be engaged with the attachment portion <NUM> of the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>. When the engagement portion <NUM> is engaged with the attachment portion <NUM> of the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>, the cover <NUM> is attached to the plug shell <NUM>. The reception portion <NUM> is a section that accepts the tip portion of a counterpart connector to be connected to the electrical connector <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the tip section of the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM> and the tip portions of the contact point portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> are positioned inside the reception portion <NUM>. When the tip portion of a counterpart connector is inserted into the reception portion <NUM> from the tip side, the insertion of the counterpart connector is guided so that the counterpart connector will be engaged with the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>.

The above-described electrical connector <NUM> is mounted on the circuit board <NUM> by the method for mounting the electrical connector <NUM> of the present invention, which will be described in detail below. Specifically, first, the electrical connector <NUM> is attached to the circuit board <NUM> such that the four ground pins <NUM> and the terminal portions <NUM> of the four contact pins <NUM> of the electrical connector <NUM> are inserted to the four ground terminals <NUM> and the four contact pin terminals <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM>, respectively. Thereafter, the reflow for fixing the electrical connector <NUM> onto the circuit board <NUM> is performed, and thus the electrical connector <NUM> will be mounted on the circuit board <NUM>. In the state where the electrical connector <NUM> is mounted on the circuit board <NUM>, only the section on the base end side relative to the cover <NUM> of the electrical connector <NUM> is positioned on the circuit board <NUM>, and the cover <NUM> of the electrical connector <NUM> protrudes outwardly from the circuit board <NUM>.

As described in detail so far, in the plug shell <NUM> of the present embodiment, the lid member <NUM> for closing the insertion port <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM> in a state of being curved and deformed from its natural state, or more specifically, in a state where the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are curved and deformed toward the pedestal <NUM>. Therefore, in the state where the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM>, a stress that urges the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> to become distant from the pedestal <NUM> is generated in the lid member <NUM>. Therefore, even if the pair of hold pieces <NUM> are heated by heat, etc., which is generated in a reflow step or the like performed for mounting the electrical connector <NUM> onto the circuit board <NUM> so that the pair of hold pieces <NUM> are deformed so as to open the pressing portions <NUM>, the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are elastically restored even more so as to follow the deformation of the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, and thus no separation is generated between the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> and the lid member <NUM>. Therefore, the lid member <NUM> can be firmly held on the pedestal <NUM>, so that the rocking movement of the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> can be securely prevented.

Next, with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, the electrical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a hold mechanism of a plug shell of an electrical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> are a diagram for a detailed description of one example of a lid member of the plug shell of the electrical connector according to the second embodiment and a hold state of the lid member. <FIG> are a diagram for a detailed description of another example of the lid member of the plug shell of the electrical connector according to the second embodiment and the hold state of the lid member. <FIG> are a diagram for a detailed description of a modification example of the hold mechanism of the plug shell of the electrical connector according to the second embodiment and the hold state of the lid member in the hold mechanism.

Hereinafter, regarding the electrical connector of the second embodiment, the differences from the electrical connector of the first embodiment will be mainly explained, and the explanations of the same matters will be omitted. Note that the electrical connector of the present embodiment is mounted on the circuit board <NUM> by the same mounting method as that of the electrical connector of the first embodiment. The electrical connector of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the electrical connector of the first embodiment, except that the configuration for generating a stress in the lid member to urge the pair of end portions of the lid member to become distant from the pedestal in a state where the lid member is held on the pedestal is different.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the plug shell <NUM> of the electrical connector <NUM> of the present embodiment, the protrusion portions <NUM> are not formed on the pedestal <NUM> of the hold mechanism <NUM>. On the other hand, in one example, the lid member <NUM> has a flat plate shape with the protrusion portions <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> in its natural state, and, in another example, the lid member <NUM> has a curved shape as illustrated in <FIG> in its natural state.

Firstly, an explanation will be given of the case in which the lid member <NUM> has a flat plate shape with the protrusion portions <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> in its natural state. In this case, the lid member <NUM> has the protrusion portions <NUM> on the surface of the central portion <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> facing the pedestal <NUM>. The protrusion portions <NUM> are formed in such a position and shape that the protrusion portions <NUM> make contact with the pedestal <NUM> when the lid member <NUM> is placed on the pedestal <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the cross-sectional view of the pedestal <NUM>, the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, and the lid member <NUM> before the crimping operation is performed on the pair of hold pieces <NUM> is schematically illustrated. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the lid member <NUM> is placed on the pedestal <NUM> for assembling the electrical connector <NUM>, the protrusion portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> make contact with the pedestal <NUM>, so that the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are distant from the pedestal <NUM>. If the crimping operation is performed on the pair of hold pieces <NUM> in this state so that the pressing portions <NUM> are formed in the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, respectively, the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM>, which is placed on the pedestal <NUM>, are curved and deformed toward the pedestal <NUM> by the pressing force applied from the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>. In <FIG>, the cross-sectional view of the pedestal <NUM>, the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, and the lid member <NUM> after the crimping operation is performed on the pair of hold pieces <NUM> is schematically illustrated. As illustrated in <FIG>, the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM> by the pair of hold pieces <NUM> in a state where the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are curved and deformed toward the pedestal <NUM>.

Next, an explanation will be given of the case in which the lid member <NUM> has a curved shape as illustrated in <FIG> in its natural state. In this case, the lid member <NUM> has a curved shape in which the pair of end portions <NUM> are positioned on the base end side (the Z direction side) relative to the central portion <NUM> in its natural state. In <FIG>, the cross-sectional view of the pedestal <NUM>, the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, and the lid member <NUM> before the crimping operation is performed on the pair of hold pieces <NUM> is schematically illustrated. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the lid member <NUM> is placed on the pedestal <NUM> for assembling the electrical connector <NUM>, the central portion <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> makes contact with the pedestal <NUM>, and the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are distant from the pedestal <NUM>. If the crimping operation is performed on the pair of hold pieces <NUM> in this state so that the pressing portions <NUM> are formed in the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, respectively, the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> press the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM>, which are distant from the pedestal <NUM>, toward the pedestal <NUM>. Accordingly, the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> placed on the pedestal <NUM> will be curved and deformed toward the pedestal <NUM>. In <FIG>, the cross-sectional view of the pedestal <NUM>, the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, and the lid member <NUM> after the crimping operation is performed on the pair of hold pieces <NUM> is schematically illustrated. As illustrated in <FIG>, the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM> by the pair of hold pieces <NUM> in a state where the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are curved and deformed toward the pedestal <NUM>.

As described above, also according to the present embodiment, the lid member <NUM> for closing the insertion port <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM> in a state of being curved and deformed from its natural state, or more specifically, in a state where the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are curved and deformed toward the pedestal <NUM>. Therefore, in the state where the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM>, a stress that urges the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> to become distant from the pedestal <NUM> is generated in the lid member <NUM>. Therefore, even if the pair of hold pieces <NUM> are heated by heat, etc., which is generated in a reflow step or the like performed for mounting the electrical connector <NUM> onto the circuit board <NUM> so that the pair of hold pieces <NUM> are deformed so as to open the pressing portions <NUM>, the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are elastically restored even more so as to follow the deformation of the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, and thus no separation is generated between the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM> and the lid member <NUM>. Therefore, the lid member <NUM> can be firmly held on the pedestal <NUM>, so that the rocking movement of the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> can be securely prevented.

Note that, in the present embodiment, although the protrusion portions <NUM> are formed in the lid member <NUM> or such a deformation to make the lid member <NUM> have a curved shape in its natural state, etc., is applied to the lid member <NUM> in order to generate a stress in the lid member <NUM> that urges the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> to become distant from the pedestal <NUM> in a state where the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM>, the present invention is not limited as such. For example, as described with reference to <FIG>, the modification example in which, by applying a deformation to the hold mechanism <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>, a stress that urges the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> to become distant from the pedestal <NUM> can be generated in the lid member <NUM> in a state where the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM> is also within the range of the present invention.

In <FIG>, the lid member <NUM> which is held by the hold mechanism <NUM> in the present modification example is illustrated. In <FIG>, the cross-sectional view of the pedestal <NUM>, the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, and the lid member <NUM> before the crimping operation is performed on the pair of hold pieces <NUM> is schematically illustrated. In <FIG>, the cross-sectional view of the pedestal <NUM>, the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, and the lid member <NUM> after the crimping operation is performed on the pair of hold pieces <NUM> is schematically illustrated.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the lid member <NUM> which is held by the hold mechanism <NUM> in the present modification example has a flat plate shape in its natural state as in the first embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the present modification example, the concave portions <NUM> are formed in the section facing the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> of the hold mechanism <NUM> of the plug shell <NUM>. Therefore, when the lid member <NUM> is placed on the pedestal <NUM> for assembling the electrical connector <NUM>, the central portion <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> makes contact with the pedestal <NUM>, and the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are positioned on the upper side of the concave portions <NUM> of the pedestal <NUM>. If the crimping operation is performed on the pair of hold pieces <NUM> in this state so that the pressing portions <NUM> are formed in the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, respectively, the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM>, which is placed on the pedestal <NUM>, are curved and deformed toward the concave portions <NUM> of the pedestal <NUM> by the pressing force applied from the pressing portions <NUM> of the pair of hold pieces <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM> by the pair of hold pieces <NUM> in a state where the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> are curved and deformed toward the concave portions <NUM> of the pedestal <NUM>. Therefore, in the state where the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM>, a stress that urges the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> to become distant from the pedestal <NUM> is generated in the lid member <NUM>. According to such a modification example as described above also, the lid member <NUM> can be firmly held on the pedestal <NUM>, so that the rocking movement of the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> can be securely prevented. Note that, in the modification example illustrated in <FIG>, although the concave portions <NUM> are formed on the pedestal <NUM>, it is also possible that the concave portions <NUM> are through holes penetrating the pedestal <NUM>.

Next, with reference to <FIG>, a plug shell and a connector according to the third embodiment, which is not part of the present invention will be described in detail. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a plug shell of an electrical connector according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, regarding the electrical connector of the third embodiment, the differences from the electrical connector of the first embodiment will be mainly explained, and the explanations of the same matters will be omitted. Note that the electrical connector of the present embodiment is mounted on the circuit board <NUM> by the same mounting method as that of the electrical connector of the first embodiment. The electrical connector of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the electrical connector of the first embodiment, except that the configuration for preventing the rocking movement of a lid member on a pedestal is different.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the plug shell <NUM> of the electrical connector <NUM> of the present embodiment, the lid member <NUM> has a flat plate shape in its natural state as in the first embodiment. Further, as in the second embodiment, the protrusion portions <NUM> are not formed on the pedestal <NUM> of the hold mechanism <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the lid member <NUM> for closing the insertion port <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM> in its natural state by the pair of hold pieces <NUM>. That is, unlike the above-described first embodiment or second embodiment, the plug shell <NUM> of the present embodiment does not have a configuration for generating a stress in the lid member <NUM> that urges the pair of end portions <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> to become distant from the pedestal <NUM> in a state where the lid member <NUM> is held on the pedestal <NUM>. Alternatively, as illustrated in <FIG>, the plug shell <NUM> of the electrical connector <NUM> of the present embodiment includes the viscous material <NUM> which is applied onto the pedestal <NUM>.

The viscous material <NUM> has a function of preventing the rocking movement of the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> in the state where the electrical connector <NUM> is assembled. When assembling the electrical connector <NUM> of the present embodiment, the viscous material <NUM> is applied onto the pedestal <NUM>. Note that, here, the viscous material <NUM> may be applied to the entire surface of the pedestal <NUM> facing the lid member <NUM> or may be applied only to a part of the surface of the pedestal <NUM> facing the lid member <NUM>. Thereafter, the lid member <NUM> is placed on the pedestal <NUM> onto which the viscous material <NUM> is applied. Next, the crimping operation for forming the pressing portions <NUM> is performed on the pair of hold pieces <NUM>, so that the lid member <NUM> is pressed toward the pedestal <NUM> and fixed. In the state where electrical connector <NUM> is assembled, the viscous material <NUM> is positioned between the lid member <NUM> and the pedestal <NUM>.

The viscous material <NUM> prevents the rocking movement of the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> with its own viscosity. As the viscous material <NUM> described above, grease such as one that is in a liquid form at the room temperature or under the usage environment of the electrical connector <NUM> and is generally used for an anti-slip purpose (e.g., Sankei Chemical's "Sankol TKG-<NUM>") or adhesive such as silicon-based adhesive (for example, one that is manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Ltd. ) can be used.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the viscous material <NUM> exists between the lid member <NUM> and the pedestal <NUM>. Therefore, even if the pair of hold pieces <NUM> are heated by heat, etc., which is generated in a reflow step or the like performed for mounting the electrical connector <NUM> onto the circuit board <NUM> so that the pair of hold pieces <NUM> are deformed so as to open the pressing portions <NUM>, it is possible to prevent the rocking movement of the lid member <NUM> on the pedestal <NUM> by the viscosity of the viscous material <NUM>.

Although the electrical connectors of the present invention and the method for mounting the electrical connectors were explained based on the embodiments illustrated in the drawings <NUM>-12C and <NUM>-<NUM>, the present invention is not limited as such. It is possible that each configuration of the present invention is replaced with a given configuration that can exert a similar function, or a given configuration can be added to each configuration of the present invention.

Those skilled in the field and art to which the present invention belongs would be able to implement modifications in the configurations of the electrical connectors of the described invention without significantly departing from the principle, idea, and range of the present invention. Further, the electrical connectors having the modified configurations are also within the range of the present invention.

Further, the number and type of constituent elements of the electrical connectors illustrated in the drawings are merely examples for the explanations, and the present invention is not necessarily limited as such. To the extent that does not depart from the principle and intent of the present invention, forms in which given components are added or combined or in which given components are deleted are also within the range of the present invention.

Claim 1:
An electrical connector (<NUM>) comprising a plug shell (<NUM>),
the plug shell (<NUM>) including
an accommodation portion (<NUM>) accommodating a contact pin (<NUM>) and a housing (<NUM>) that holds the contact pin (<NUM>),
an insertion port (<NUM>) inserting the contact pin (<NUM>) and the housing (<NUM>) into the accommodation portion (<NUM>),
a lid member (<NUM>) closing the insertion port (<NUM>), and
a hold mechanism (<NUM>) holding the lid member (<NUM>),
wherein the hold mechanism (<NUM>) is equipped with a pedestal (<NUM>), on which the lid member (<NUM>) is placed, and a pair of hold pieces (<NUM>), which hold the lid member (<NUM>) on the pedestal (<NUM>) by pressing the lid member (<NUM>) onto the pedestal (<NUM>),
wherein the lid member has a central portion (<NUM>) and end portions <NUM>) which are positioned on both sides of the central portion (<NUM>), It
characterized in that
the lid member (<NUM>) has elasticity
the lid member (<NUM>) and the pedestal (<NUM>) are provided such that the lid member (<NUM>) is placed on the pedestal (<NUM>) so that the central portion (<NUM>) is in contact with the pedestal (<NUM>) and the pair of end portions (<NUM>) is distant from the pedestal (<NUM>), and
the pair of hold pieces (<NUM>) press the end portions (<NUM>) of the lid member (<NUM>) placed on the pedestal, toward the pedestal (<NUM>), respectively, and hold the lid member (<NUM>) in a state where the lid member (<NUM>) is bent and held under a stress that is generated toward the pair of hold pieces (<NUM>) in the lid member (<NUM>).