Patent Description:
At a high-speed transmission cable connector used for a mobile phone, a computer, a PDA and the like, a shell is provided to prevent noise. Patent Literature <NUM> (<CIT>) describes one example of the cable connector provided with the shell. The cable connector includes a housing, two covers, i.e., two shells, covering at least a portion of the housing and formed from, e.g., metal plates, and a cable fixing portion.

The cable fixing portion can fix a cable between a receiving-side fixing portion and a holding-side fixing portion. The receiving-side fixing portion is provided at one shell, and the holding-side fixing portion is provided at the other shell.

At the receiving-side fixing portion provided at one shell, a cable receiving portion configured to receive a main body of the cable and a swaging portion configured to swage the main body of the cable are provided. The swaging portion is swaged in a state in which an external conductor of the cable arranged at the outer periphery of the cable is sandwiched between the swaging portion and the holding-side fixing portion. In other words, the holding-side fixing portion is, by the swaging portion, pressed toward the main body of the cable in the cable receiving portion. In this manner, the swaging portion and the holding-side fixing portion can be electrically connected to the external conductor of the cable, and the cable can be swaged. Document <CIT> relates to a conductive shell and the manner by which the shell is assembled onto an electrical connector to provide EMI and EMF shielding.

In the configuration of Patent Literature <NUM>, when the swaging portion is swaged, the holding-side fixing portion is pressed toward the main body of the cable in the cable receiving portion, and receives tensile force on the side of the main body of the cable. As a result, the other shell, e.g., the main body thereof, also receives the tensile force through the holding-side fixing portion. Due to such tensile force, there is a probability that the other shell is deformed or damaged.

The invention of the present application has been made for solving such problems of the prior art, and an object of the invention of the present application is that when a swaging portion of one shell is swaged to a cable, even in a case where a main body of the other shell receives tensile force through a sandwiching portion sandwiched between the swaging portion and the cable, the risk of pulling the main body of the other shell itself is reduced and deformation and damage of the other shell are prevented.

For solving the above-described problems, a cable connector according to one aspect of the present invention includes a housing configured to hold one end of a cable, a first shell having a main body covering at least a portion of the housing, and a second shell having a main body covering at least a portion of the housing. The first shell has, at a position apart from the main body of the first shell in an axial direction of the cable, a swaging portion to be swaged to the cable. The second shell has, at a position apart from the main body of the second shell in the axial direction of the cable, a sandwiching portion to be swaged together with the cable by the swaging portion with the sandwiching portion being sandwiched between the swaging portion and the cable. The sandwiching portion and the main body of the second shell are connected to each other through an extendable extra length portion at least in the axial direction.

According to the cable connector of this aspect, the extra length portion is provided. Thus, when the swaging portion is swaged to the cable, even in a case where the main body of the second shell receives tensile force through the sandwiching portion, the extra length portion is extended so that the risk of pulling the main body itself can be reduced and deformation and damage of the second shell can be effectively prevented.

In the cable connector of the above-described aspect, the sandwiching portion may be supported in a cantilever shape from the main body of the second shell toward the swaging portion of the first shell.

Moreover, in the cable connector of the above-described aspect, the extra length portion may have a bent portion, and the bent portion may at least include a portion extending in the axial direction and a portion extending in a radial direction of the cable.

With these portions, the extra length portion is extendable.

Further, in the cable connector of the above-described aspect, the bent portion may further include a portion extending in a circumferential direction of the cable.

With the portion extending in the circumferential direction, an extension direction of the extra length portion can be matched to the shape of the cable.

In addition, in the cable connector of the above-described aspect, the main body of the second shell may have a pair of side walls arranged to face each other, and the sandwiching portion may be connected to each of the pair of side walls through the extra length portion.

Moreover, in the cable connector of the above-described aspect, a step portion for narrowing a width between the pair of side walls facing each other may be provided at each side wall.

With the step portion, the sandwiching portion can be placed close to the swaging portion without an increase in the length of the extra length portion.

Further, in the cable connector of the above-described aspect, a slit is preferably provided in the vicinity of a base portion of the extra length portion at each side wall.

With the slit, the extra length portion can be smoothly extended.

In addition, in the cable connector of the above-described aspect, the swaging portion is, in the circumferential direction of the cable, provided continuously to an inner surface of a cable receiving portion on which the cable is to be mounted, and at least a portion of the sandwiching portion is, in the circumferential direction, preferably arranged closer to the swaging portion with respect to a boundary between the cable receiving portion and the swaging portion.

According to the cable connector of this aspect, at least the portion of the sandwiching portion is directly swaged by the swaging portion, and therefore, the first shell and the second shell can be more firmly connected to each other through contact between the sandwiching portion and the swaging portion and physical and electrical connection between these shells can be reliably made.

Moreover, in the cable connector of the above-described aspect, at least some walls of the main body of the first shell are positioned closer to the swaging portion than the base portion is to in the vicinity of the base portion of the extra length portion of the main body of the second shell, and a cutout for avoiding collision with the extra length portion is preferably provided near the base portion at the some walls.

With the cutout, collision of the second shell with the wall of the first shell in the vicinity of the base portion when the swaging portion is swaged to the cable can be prevented.

Further, in the cable connector of the above-described aspect, the swaging portion preferably has two swaging pieces each extending from both ends of the cable receiving portion in the circumferential direction, and at least a portion of the sandwiching portion is preferably swaged by the swaging portion at a portion other than a portion at which the two swaging pieces engage with each other.

Tendency shows that swaging force is weaker at the portion at which the swaging pieces engage with each other. For this reason, the sandwiching portion is swaged at the portion other than the engagement portion so that the first shell and the second shell can be more firmly connected to each other through contact between the sandwiching portion and the swaging portion and physical and electrical connection between these shells can be reliably made.

In the cable connector of the above-described aspect, the sandwiching portion preferably includes at least two sandwiching portions, and the sandwiching portions are preferably arranged substantially bilaterally symmetrically about the cable receiving portion in the section of the cable in the radial direction.

With the sandwiching portions provided at such positions, when the swaging portion is swaged to the cable, even in a case where the main body receives the tensile force through the sandwiching portions, the tensile force can be equally dispersed to the right and left.

According to the cable connector of the invention of the present application, when the swaging portion of one shell is swaged to the cable, even in a case where the main body of the other shell receives the tensile force through the sandwiching portion sandwiched between the swaging portion and the cable, the risk of pulling the main body of the other shell itself can be reduced, and deformation and damage of the other shell can be prevented.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Hereinafter, only the preferred embodiment will be described, but needless to say, is not intended to limit the present invention.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate exploded perspective views of a cable connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a state in which first and second covers 11A, 11B are detached from the cable connector as a completed product to expose first and second shells <NUM>, <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates a state in which the first and second shells <NUM>, <NUM> are further detached from the state of <FIG> to expose a housing <NUM> and to expose thin cables <NUM> embedded in a cable <NUM>. Each of these figures illustrates the state before swaging of the cable connector.

The cable connector mainly includes the resin housing <NUM> configured to hold one end of the cable <NUM>, more specifically one ends of eight thin cables <NUM> embedded in the cable <NUM>, the metal first and second shells <NUM>, <NUM> covering the outside of the housing <NUM>, and the resin first and second covers 11A, 11B covering the outside of the first and second shells <NUM>, <NUM>.

Both of the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> are formed in such a manner that metal thin plates are punched and bent. The first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> are assembled together to sandwich the housing <NUM> therebetween.

The second shell <NUM> mainly includes a main body <NUM>, a substantially-tubular fitting raised portion <NUM> extending toward a front side of the main body <NUM>, i.e., the side of fitting to a partner connector (not shown), and sandwiching portions 43a, 43b provided on a back side of the main body <NUM>.

The fitting raised portion <NUM> is fitted in a predetermined portion of the partner connector upon fitting between the cable connector and the partner connector. By fitting, the cable connector is electrically connected to the partner connector. A portion 61a of the first shell <NUM> is exposed through a window 41a provided at a side surface of the fitting raised portion <NUM>. The exposed portion 61a is a tip end portion of an elastic lock piece <NUM>, and can be elastically locked at the predetermined portion of the partner connector when the fitting raised portion <NUM> is fitted in the predetermined portion of the partner connector.

The main body <NUM> mainly includes a pair of side walls 42a (42aA to 42aC), 42b (42bA to 42bC) arranged to face each other and an upper wall 42c. Each of the side walls 42a, 42b extends along an axial direction (the direction of an illustrated arrow "y") of the cable <NUM>, and is provided with a cutout <NUM> for taking out the elastic lock piece <NUM> of the first shell <NUM>. Contact pieces <NUM> are provided at each of side wall portions 42aA, 42bA of the side walls 42a, 42b positioned on a front side of the cutout <NUM> in the axial direction "y" of the cable <NUM>. The contact piece <NUM> is used for enhancing electrical connection between the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> by conductive connection with a predetermined portion (side walls 62a, 62b) of the first shell <NUM>. On the other hand, a locking piece <NUM> to be locked at a predetermined portion (a locking hole <NUM>) of the first shell <NUM> is provided at each of side wall portions 42aB, 42bB of the side walls 42a, 42b positioned on a back side of the cutout <NUM> in the axial direction "y" of the cable <NUM>.

At side wall portions 42aC, 42bC positioned further on a back side of the locking piece <NUM>, the pair of sandwiching portions 43a, 43b is positioned apart from the main body <NUM> in the axial direction "y" of the cable <NUM>. The sandwiching portions 43a, 43b are swaged with a predetermined portion (a cable fixing portion <NUM>) of the first shell <NUM> together with the cable <NUM>, more specifically an outer cover 4a of the cable <NUM> and an external conductor (a braid) inside the cable <NUM>, for example. With these sandwiching portions 43a, 43b, mechanical connection between the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> can be more enhanced, and the first shell <NUM> can be electrically connected to the second shell <NUM> and the external conductor of the cable <NUM>.

The first shell <NUM> mainly includes a main body <NUM>, the elastic lock pieces <NUM> extending toward a front side of the main body <NUM>, and the cable fixing portion <NUM> provided on a back side of the main body <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> mainly includes the pair of side walls 62a, 62b and a bottom wall 62c. One end 61b of the elastic lock piece <NUM> is coupled to an upper edge of each of the pair of side walls 62a, 62b. The locking hole <NUM> in which the locking piece <NUM> of the second shell <NUM> is to be fitted is provided on a back side of the coupling portion 61b.

The cable fixing portion <NUM> includes a cable receiving portion <NUM> on which the cable <NUM> is to be mounted and a swaging portion <NUM> to be swaged to the cable <NUM>.

The cable receiving portion <NUM> is in a substantially semicircular shape in a section "α-β" in a radial direction, and an inner surface 73a of the cable receiving portion <NUM> is in an arc shape in accordance with the outer surface shape of the cable <NUM>. A portion 73b of the inner surface 73a of the cable receiving portion <NUM> protrudes inwardly, and is placed close to the cable <NUM> to swage the cable <NUM> with stronger force.

At a position apart from the main body <NUM> in the axial direction "y" of the cable <NUM>, the swaging portion <NUM> is provided with the swaging portion <NUM> being coupled to the main body <NUM> through a coupling portion <NUM>. The swaging portion <NUM> includes swaging pieces 71a, 71b provided continuously to the inner surface 73a of the cable receiving portion <NUM> in a circumferential direction (the direction of an illustrated arrow "K") of the cable <NUM> and each extending from both ends in the circumferential direction "K. " With these swaging pieces 71a, 71b and the cable receiving portion <NUM>, the cable fixing portion <NUM> is in a substantially U-shape as illustrated in <FIG> before swaging of the swaging portion <NUM>, and is in a substantially circular shape as illustrated in <FIG> after swaging.

The housing <NUM> mainly includes a main body <NUM> and a fitting protruding portion <NUM> extending toward a tip end of the main body <NUM>.

The fitting protruding portion <NUM> is covered with the fitting raised portion <NUM> of the first shell <NUM>. Multiple contacts <NUM> are arrayed inside the fitting protruding portion <NUM>, and each contact <NUM> is connected to the thin cable <NUM> embedded in the cable <NUM>. The thin cables <NUM> may be held by a terminal holding portion <NUM>. One end side of each thin cable <NUM> is inserted into an insertion hole <NUM> provided at a back portion of the terminal holding portion <NUM> so that the thin cable <NUM> can be fixed to the terminal holding body <NUM>. In this case, the terminal holding portion <NUM> forms a portion of the main body <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> is provided with a housing space <NUM> in which the terminal holding portion <NUM> is to be housed, and is assembled with the terminal holding portion <NUM> housed in the housing space <NUM> to form a substantially rectangular shape as a whole. For fixing the terminal support body <NUM> to the main body <NUM>, locking raised portions <NUM> are provided at the terminal support body <NUM>, and locking holes <NUM> are provided corresponding to the locking raised portions <NUM> at the main body <NUM>. Note that the terminal holding portion <NUM> is not necessarily provided, and the thin cables <NUM> may be directly supported on the main body <NUM> without the use of the terminal holding body <NUM>.

When the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> are attached to the main body <NUM>, side surfaces 21a, 21b of the main body <NUM> are covered with the side walls 62a, 62b of the main body <NUM> of the first shell <NUM>, and these side walls 62a, 62b are further covered with the side walls 42a (42aA to 42aC), 42b (42bA to 42bC) of the main body <NUM> of the second shell <NUM>. On the other hand, an upper portion 21c of the main body <NUM> is covered with the upper wall 42c of the main body <NUM> of the first shell <NUM>, and a bottom portion 21d of the main body <NUM> is covered with the bottom wall 62b of the main body <NUM> of the first shell <NUM>.

The peripheries of the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> are covered with the covers 11A, 11B, except for the fitting raised portion <NUM>. Multiple installation legs 14A, 15A are provided at the cover 11A, and multiple installation recesses 14B, 15B are provided corresponding to the installation legs 14A, 15A at the cover 11B. Similarly, multiple installation legs 16B, 17B are provided at the cover 11B, and multiple installation recesses (not shown) are provided corresponding to the installation legs 16B, 17B at the cover 11A. Semicircular openings 13A, 13B through which the cable <NUM> is led out are each formed at back portions of the covers 11A, 11B. When the cover 11A and the cover 11B are assembled together, the openings 13A, 13B form a circular shape as in the section of the cable <NUM> in the radial direction.

A relationship among the swaging portion <NUM> provided at the first shell <NUM> and the sandwiching portions <NUM> provided at the second shell <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic back view of jigs for swaging the swaging portion <NUM> together with peripheral members of the swaging portion <NUM> and the sandwiching portions <NUM>, <FIG> is a partial enlarged view of the back of the second shell <NUM>, and <FIG> is a partial enlarged perspective view of the back of the first shell <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate a state in which the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> are assembled together, and more specifically, each illustrate a partial enlarged perspective view, a side view, and a plan view of a state right before swaging of the swaging portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the jigs include, for example, a jig 7a configured to support a bottom side of the cable receiving portion <NUM> and a jig 7b to be pressed against the swaging pieces 71a, 71b of the swaging portion <NUM> from above. The jig 7b has an arc-shaped inner wall 7c in accordance with the outer surface shape of the cable <NUM>.

Upon swaging of the swaging portion <NUM>, the sandwiching portions 43a, 43b are sandwiched between the swaging portion <NUM> and the cable <NUM>. As a result, the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> can be firmly connected to each other, and can be electrically connected to each other through conductive contact among the swaging portion <NUM> and the sandwiching portions 43a, 43b.

Moreover, upon swaging of the swaging portion <NUM>, the external conductor (the braid) 4b of the cable <NUM> is taken out of the cable <NUM>, and is placed along the outer cover 4a of the cable <NUM>. As a result, the second shell <NUM> can be electrically connected through the sandwiching portions <NUM> and the external conductor 4b, and the first shell <NUM> can be also electrically connected to the external conductor 4b through connection between the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM>. That is, the external conductor 4b, the first shell <NUM>, and the second shell <NUM> are electrically connected to each other.

The pair of sandwiching portions 43a, 43b is supported in a cantilever shape from the main body <NUM> of the second shell <NUM> toward the swaging portion <NUM> of the first shell <NUM>. The sandwiching portions 43a, 43b may be each connected to the side walls 42a (42aA to 42aC), 42b (42bA to 42bC) forming the main body <NUM> through extra length portions 47A, 47B, for example.

The extra length portions 47A, 47B are extendable at least in the axial direction "y" of the cable <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in the figure, an accordion-shaped bent portion may be provided. The bent portion can be easily manufactured at low cost by bending of a metal plate. The bent portion at least includes portions 47a, 47c extending in the axial direction "y" and a portion 47b extending in the radial direction (the direction of an arrow "m" as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and the like) of the cable <NUM>. Note that as long as the bent portion includes the portions extending in the axial direction "y" and the portion extending in the radial direction "m" of the cable <NUM>, these portions are not necessarily separately provided. For example, it is enough to include a portion extending in the axial direction "y" and extending in the radial direction "m" of the cable <NUM>. With these portions, the length of the extra length portion <NUM> can be longer than that in the case of extending straight toward the swaging portion <NUM>. That is, the extra length portion is extendable.

The extra length portion <NUM> preferably further includes a portion 47d extending in the circumferential direction "K" of the cable <NUM>. With the portion 47d extending in the circumferential direction, an extension direction of the extra length portion <NUM> can be more matched to the shape of the cable <NUM>. Note that as long as the bent portion includes the portion extending in the circumferential direction "K" of the cable <NUM>, the portions are not necessarily separately provided. For example, the bent portion may include a portion extending in the axial direction "γ," extending in the radial direction "m" of the cable <NUM>, and extending in the circumferential direction "K" of the cable <NUM>. Alternatively, the bent portion may include only a portion extending in the axial direction "y" and extending in the radial direction "m" of the cable <NUM> and a portion extending in the circumferential direction "K" of the cable <NUM>. In addition, various combinations can be employed.

For placing the sandwiching portions 43a, 43b close to the swaging portion <NUM> without increasing the lengths of the extra length portions 47A, 47B, step portions <NUM> (49A, 49B) may be each provided at the side walls 42a, 42b. For example, the step portion 49A may be provided between the side wall portion 42aB and the side wall portion 42aC of the side wall 42a, and the step portion 49B may be provided between the side wall portion 42bB and the side wall portion 42bC of the side wall 42b. With the step portions <NUM>, a width between the side wall 42a and the side wall 42b facing each other can be narrowed, and the extra length portions 47A, 47B can be placed close to the swaging portion <NUM>.

Alternatively, slits <NUM> may be provided for the side wall portions 42aC, 42bC in the vicinity of base portions 47a of the extra length portions 47A, 47B. With the slits, the extra length portions 47A, 47B can be more smoothly extended.

Upon swaging of the swaging portion <NUM>, the sandwiching portions <NUM> are sandwiched between the swaging portion <NUM> and the cable <NUM>, and are swaged together with the cable <NUM> and the like by the swaging portion <NUM>. As a result, there is a probability that the main body <NUM> of the second shell <NUM> receives tensile force in the γ-direction through the sandwiching portions <NUM>. In the case of great tensile force or a long tensile distance, deformation of the side walls 42a, 42b of the second shell <NUM> might be caused, and in the worst case, might be damaged. With the crank-shaped extra length portions <NUM> and the step portions <NUM>, such a risk can be reduced. According to the present configuration, in the case of pulling the sandwiching portions 43a, 43b, the extra length portions 47A, 47B are extended without pulling of the main body <NUM> itself, and therefore, deformation and damage of the second shell <NUM> can be effectively prevented.

In the case of extending the extra length portions 47A, 47B as described above, there is a probability that the extra length portions 47A, 47B collide, in the vicinity of the base portions 47a of the extra length portions 47A, 47B at the main body <NUM>, with the side walls 62a of the main body <NUM> of the first shell <NUM> positioned inside the extra length portions 47A, 47B and deform the first shell <NUM>. Moreover, there is a probability that extension of the extra length portions 47A, 47B is interfered due to collision of 47a of the extra length portions 47A, 47B with the side walls 62a of the main body <NUM>. For preventing these situations, cutouts <NUM> are, at positions closer to the swaging portion <NUM> than the base portion 47a is to, preferably provided in the vicinity of the base portions 47a at the side walls 62a of the first shell <NUM>. With the cutouts <NUM>, collision among the extra length portions 47A, 47B and the first shell <NUM> can be effectively prevented.

Upon swaging of the sandwiching portions 43a, 43b by the swaging portion <NUM>, at least a portion of the sandwiching portion 43a, 43b is, in the circumferential direction "K," preferably arranged closer to the swaging portion <NUM> with respect to a boundary 73d between the cable receiving portion <NUM> and the swaging portion <NUM>. In this case, at least the portions of the sandwiching portions 43a, 43b are directly swaged by the swaging portion <NUM>, and therefore, the first shell and the second shell can be more firmly connected to each other through contact among the sandwiching portions 43a, 43b and the swaging portion <NUM> and physical and electrical connection between these shells can be reliably made.

Moreover, when the sandwiching portions 43a, 43b are swaged by the swaging portion <NUM>, at least portions of the sandwiching portions 43a, 43b are preferably swaged at a portion other than a portion <NUM> (see <FIG>) at which two swaging pieces 71a, 71b engage with each other. This is because tendency generally shows that swaging force is weaker at the portion at which the swaging pieces 71a, 71b engage with each other.

The number of sandwiching portions 43a, 43b is not specifically limited, but at least two sandwiching portions are preferably provided. As clearly illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, these two sandwiching portions 43a, 43b are, in the section "α-β" of the cable <NUM> in the radial direction, arranged substantially bilaterally symmetrically about the cable receiving portion <NUM>. Thus, when the swaging portion <NUM> is swaged to the cable <NUM>, even if the main body <NUM> receives the tensile force through the sandwiching portions <NUM>, the tensile force can be equally dispersed to the right and left. Moreover, since the sandwiching portions 43a, 43b are arranged substantially bilaterally symmetrically, a favorable electrical flow of the external conductor 4b and the shells <NUM>, <NUM> through the sandwiching portions 43a, 43b can be realized and electrical characteristics can be improved.

Claim 1:
A cable connector comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) configured to hold one end of a cable (<NUM>);
a first shell (<NUM>) including a main body (<NUM>) covering at least a portion of the housing (<NUM>); and
a second shell (<NUM>) including a main body (<NUM>) covering at least a portion of the housing (<NUM>),
wherein the first shell (<NUM>) has, at a position apart from the main body (<NUM>) of the first shell (<NUM>) in an axial direction (γ) of the cable (<NUM>), a swaging portion (<NUM>) to be swaged to the cable (<NUM>),
the second shell (<NUM>) has, at a position apart from the main body (<NUM>) of the second shell (<NUM>) in the axial direction (γ) of the cable (<NUM>), a sandwiching portion (<NUM>) to be swaged together with the cable (<NUM>) by the swaging portion (<NUM>) with the sandwiching portion (<NUM>) being sandwiched between the swaging portion (<NUM>) and the cable (<NUM>),
the sandwiching portion (<NUM>) and the main body (<NUM>) of the second shell (<NUM>) are connected to each other through an extra length portion (<NUM>) which is extendable at least in the axial direction (γ),
the swaging portion (<NUM>) is, in the circumferential direction (K) of the cable (<NUM>), provided continuously to an inner surface of a cable receiving portion (<NUM>) on which the cable (<NUM>) is to be mounted,
at least a portion of the sandwiching portion (<NUM>) is, in the circumferential direction (K), arranged closer to the swaging portion (<NUM>) with respect to a boundary between the cable receiving portion (<NUM>) and the swaging portion (<NUM>),
characterized in that,
at least some walls (62a, 62b) of the main body (<NUM>) of the first shell (<NUM>) are positioned closer to the swaging portion (<NUM>) than the base portion (47a) of the extra length portion (<NUM>) of the main body (<NUM>) of the second shell (<NUM>), and
a cutout (<NUM>) for avoiding collision with the extra length portion (<NUM>) is provided near the base portion (47a) at the some walls (62a, 62b).