JP2012009358A - Shield case for connector and electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shield case for a connector, which reliably prevents water from intruding from a joined portion of the shield case due to capillary phenomenon.SOLUTION: A shield case for a connector is fitted into an outer peripheral wall of an insulative connector housing, to which contacts of the electrical connector is attached, for electromagnetic shielding. The shield case for the connector 1 is formed by a metal plate having a predetermined size and thickness. The metal plate is bent so as to form a tubular body for forming a hollow hole 1, which has a size that allows the connector housing to be fitted in, inside the tubular body. Further, both edges of the metal plate are butted, and laser welding is performed on a butted joined portion 1b' to form the tubular body in which at least one end portion opens.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector shield case and an electrical connector, and more particularly to a connector shield case having a waterproof structure for a connector shield case and a waterproof electrical connector using the shield case.

  In recent years, electronic and information devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, and information terminals are rapidly spreading. These electronic / information devices incorporate various types of electrical connectors (hereinafter referred to as “connectors”) for connection to external devices, and many of them are adapted to the USB standard. Such a connector is usually used to remove a so-called EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) obstacle that prevents noise from entering from the outside into the electronic circuit and causing damage to an electronic circuit in the electronic device. The insulating housing with the contacts attached is covered with a shield case for electromagnetic shielding.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below describes a receptacle connector having a receptacle shell. The receptacle shell is a shield case. Hereinafter, the connector described in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 shows a receptacle connector described in this patent document, FIG. 15A is a bottom view, and FIG. 15B is a bottom cross-sectional view.

  The connector 20 is a receptacle connector (hereinafter referred to as a receptacle). As shown in FIG. 15, the receptacle 20 includes a plurality of contacts 21, a body 22 that supports these contacts, and a receptacle shell 23 that houses the plurality of contacts 21 and the body 22 inside. The receptacle shell 23 is a shield case. The body 22 is formed of an electrically insulating synthetic resin molded product having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main portion 24 and a rectangular post 25 protruding forward from the front surface of the main portion. A plurality of contacts 21 are insert-molded on the main portion 24 and the post 25. The receptacle shell 23 is formed in a rectangular tube shape by a metal plate material having corrosion resistance, and the edge of the plate material is abutted and joined at the bottom. Reference numeral 23a represents a joint. The body 22 is inserted from the rear end side of the receptacle shell 23, and is fixed by being prevented from coming off by a pair of cut and raised pieces.

  Patent Document 2 below also describes a similar electrical connector. In Patent Document 2, the shield case is expressed as a metal shell. Hereinafter, the electrical connector described in Patent Document 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 16 shows the connector described in this patent document, FIG. 16A is a bottom view, FIG. 16B is a perspective view of one end edge of the metal shell, FIG. 16C is a perspective view of the other end edge, and FIG. FIG.

  The connector 30 has a configuration in which a metal shell 33 is fitted to the outside of an insulating housing 32 in which a plurality of terminals 31 are mounted in parallel at a predetermined pitch. The metal shell 33 uses a band-shaped metal plate 34, and this metal plate is bent and formed into a rectangular tube shape by opening the fitting end and rear end portions of the insulating housing 32. That is, the strip-shaped metal plate 34 constitutes the top portion of the metal shell 33 and the left and right side walls that face each other, and the bottom wall in which the joining portion 35 that overlaps both ends of the metal plate 34 is interposed. It extends in an endless manner from the top to the side wall, the bottom wall, and the entire periphery of the side wall.

  The joining portion 35 is formed so that each end portion is overlapped, and the thickness thereof is substantially the same as the thickness of the metal plate 34. The joint portion 35 is formed with a step-like joint portion 36a in which one end portion 35a is press-molded to half the thickness of the metal plate thickness t (see FIG. 16B), and the other end portion 35c is also the same. A stepped joint edge 36b pressed to half the thickness of the metal plate thickness t is formed (see FIG. 16C), and these joint edge ends 36a, 36b are overlapped and joined together. The thickness of the joint 35 is substantially the same as the thickness t of the metal plate 34. A convex portion 38 is provided by press molding in one joint end edge portion 36a, and a concave portion 37 formed by a hole closely fitting with the convex portion is provided in the other joint end edge portion 36b. The convex portion 38 and the concave portion 37 are fitted in the edge portion 36b when the joining end edges 36a and 36b are overlapped with each other, and the joint end edge portions 36a and 36b are compressed in the thickness direction, thereby causing the convex portion 38 and the concave portion 37 to be compressed. The joint edge portions 36a and 36b are not separated from each other. After caulking, the compressed portion of the metal plate 34 is formed in the opposing portion of the edge portion 39 and the step portion 40 of the joining edge portions 36a and 36b formed on the front and back of the joint portion 35, and the gap between the opposing portions is formed. It is designed to be as narrow as possible. The metal shell having this configuration has no gap on the wall surface, and no protruding portion is formed on the outside or inside of the metal plate.

JP 2009-289618 A (paragraphs [0026] to [0028], FIGS. 1 and 2) Japanese Patent No. 3803837 (paragraphs [0012] to [0015], FIG. 2, FIG. 5 to FIG. 8) JP 2005-228756 A (paragraphs [0033], [0034], FIG. 2)

  The connectors as found in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are used by being incorporated in various electronic / information devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, and information terminals. In general, these electronic / information devices are roughly classified into a stationary type that is used with little movement and a portable type that is portable and used. When such a connector is incorporated into a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, for example, the use environment is significantly different from that of a stationary device, and depending on the use situation, it is used in an environment that is not desirable for the electronic device. There will be a lot of opportunities. For example, it is used in places where sweat such as hands is transmitted, where there is a lot of moisture and dust or rain, and it is immersed in spilled water and then dropped into water. In addition, they are often used in an unexpected environment, and these are all used in a severe environment for electronic devices.

  For this reason, when the portable electronic device is placed in such an environment, there is a risk that water may enter the device through the connector. For example, since the connector of Patent Document 1 has a structure in which the joining portion of the shield case just abuts the edge of the plate material, a gap is formed in the abutting portion, and water droplets and dust enter the inside through this gap. There is a fear. In addition, such a connector is usually immersed in a solder bath and mounted on a circuit wiring board or the like. However, if there is a gap in the joint, the insulating housing will thermally expand to further open the gap, and more water or the like. It becomes easy to enter. As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to weld the joint portion with a stronger mechanical connection, for example, welding. However, if the welding is spot welding, a high waterproof effect cannot be expected. In addition, if a joint part is superposed | polymerized and a spot welding is carried out, a joint part will protrude, it will become difficult to contact with other waterproof members, for example, packing, and a waterproof effect cannot be anticipated.

  In addition, the joint portion of the connector of Patent Document 2 is press-molded with both ends overlapped, and the thickness thereof is substantially the same as the thickness of the metal plate. The waterproof effect sufficient for use under such severe environment is not exhibited. In particular, it is difficult to prevent flooding due to the capillary joint phenomenon. This joint has half the thickness of each end of the metal plate and is press-molded with uneven portions at these plate thicknesses, so it is extremely difficult to machine and requires special processing equipment. In addition to this, processing man-hours are also required. Further, the joint portion having this structure may be brought into contact with or separated from the joint portion when it is twisted when connected to the mating connector.

  Assuming use in such an environment, a portable electronic device having a waterproof structure is also known. However, such electronic devices generally use general-purpose connectors, and most of these general-purpose connectors are waterproofed. May invade. For this reason, if water or the like enters the electronic device through the connector, the electronic circuit component may be damaged and cause a failure.

  Despite the fact that portable electronic devices, especially mobile phones, are used in harsh environments, the connectors are not waterproof, so portable electronic devices with a waterproof cover attached to the connector mounting location have been proposed. Yes. For example, Patent Document 3 describes an electronic device in which an opening of a device housing provided with a connector is hermetically sealed with a terminal protection cover. This electronic device is a mobile phone. This mobile phone has a structure in which a connector is incorporated in a device casing and a connector mounting hole is sealed with a terminal protective cover. According to this electronic device, the connector mounting hole can be sealed with the terminal protection cover when the connector is not used, so that intrusion of water and the like can be prevented, but a special structure terminal protection cover is required and this protection cover can be attached. Thus, the design change of the equipment casing is essential. For this reason, there is a possibility that the terminal protection cover may come off and be lost from the device casing, and the cost of the device as a whole will be increased. Note that such a waterproof cover is now exchanged for a fee once every two years in order to maintain waterproofness.

  Moreover, although the connector of the said patent document 1 is not a thing of a waterproof structure, a waterproof connector is well-known in the connector field | area, and the waterproof technique generally uses a waterproof packing. Therefore, it can be easily considered to divert this waterproof technology to a connector as seen in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above. However, even if such waterproofing technology is diverted, it cannot withstand use under the severe environment as described above, and in particular, it is not possible to prevent water infiltration due to capillary action. In other words, a connector incorporated in an electronic / information device may have a part of the connector, particularly the tip of the shield case, exposed from the casing of the electronic / information device, and may enter from the exposed portion by capillary action.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shield case for a connector that can reliably prevent flooding with a simple structure, and a waterproof case using the shield case. The object is to provide an electrical connector of the type. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shield case for a connector that can surely prevent water and the like from entering from the joint portion of the shield case by capillary action.

In order to solve the above-described problem, in the connector shielding case according to the first aspect of the present invention, the connector shield is electromagnetically shielded by being fitted to the outer peripheral wall of the electrically insulating connector housing to which the contact of the electrical connector is mounted. A case,
The shield case for the connector is bent into a tubular shape so that a hollow hole having a size that allows the connector housing to be fitted therein is formed inside the metal plate material having a predetermined size and thickness, and both end edges of the metal plate material are abutted against each other. The abutted joint is laser welded to form a tubular body having at least one end opened.

  In the shield case for a connector according to the second aspect, the joining portion is temporarily laser-welded by temporarily fixing the butted portion with temporary fixing means.

  In the shield case for a connector according to the third aspect, the temporary fixing means includes a locking projection protruding from one edge of the two plate material edges and the locking to the other edge. It is characterized by comprising a locking groove into which the protrusion is fitted.

  In the connector shield case of the fourth aspect, the tubular body is provided with an opening at the other end facing the opening, and the opening is closed by a back cover provided with a ground terminal. Features.

  In the electrical connector according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the connector shielding case according to any of the first to fourth aspects is fitted to the outer peripheral wall of the electrically insulating connector housing to which the contact is attached. It is characterized by that.

  In the electrical connector of the sixth aspect, a housing waterproof means for preventing water from entering from the outside between the connector housing and the connector shielding case, and a similar penetration between the connector housing and the contact. Contact waterproofing means for blocking is provided.

  In the electrical connector of the seventh aspect, the contact waterproof means is a waterproof means by insert molding the contact into the connector housing, and the housing waterproof means is interposed between the connector housing and the shield case. It is an elastic member.

  Further, in the electrical connector of the eighth aspect, a housing waterproof means is provided in a gap between the outer wall of the connector shielding case and the mounting hole of the device housing for mounting the connector. To do.

  In the electrical connector of the ninth aspect, the housing waterproof means is formed of an elastic member.

  In the present invention, in the connector shielding case according to the first aspect, both end edges of the metal plate are abutted and the abutted joining portion is laser-welded. Therefore, the end edge of the joining portion is melted and closely adhered. In addition, it is possible to provide a shield case for a connector that can reliably prevent water and the like from entering from the joint portion. In particular, water that tends to enter due to capillary action can be reliably prevented. Further, when the connector is used for an electrical connector and mounted on a circuit wiring board or the like, the joint portion of the connector shield case does not open even if it is immersed in a solder bath.

  Moreover, according to the shield case for connectors of the 2nd aspect, since the butted part of a junction part is temporarily fixed, laser welding can be implemented correctly, without raise | generating a position shift.

  Moreover, according to the shield case for connectors of the 3rd aspect, since the temporary fix | stop means was comprised with the latching protrusion and the latching groove, it can form by simple metal processing.

  According to the shield case for a connector of the fourth aspect, according to the invention of claim 4, since the opening is closed with the back cover at the other end of the tubular body, there is no unwanted matter from the other end opening into the tubular body. Intrusion can be prevented, and fixing to a circuit wiring board or the like can be easily performed using the ground terminal provided on the back cover.

  In addition, according to the electrical connector of the fifth aspect, since the connector shield case having the above-described effects is used, it is possible to provide an electrical connector that can prevent intrusion of water or the like from the joint portion of the connector shield case.

  Further, according to the electrical connector of the sixth aspect, in addition to the connector shield case, the waterproof means for preventing water from entering is provided between the connector housing and the connector shield case and between the connector housing and the contact. Further, the waterproof effect can be enhanced.

  Further, according to the electrical connector of the seventh aspect, the contact and the housing waterproof means can be configured by simple means.

  Further, according to the electric connector of the eighth aspect, a waterproof cover or the like that is necessary in the prior art becomes unnecessary, and the cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, according to the electrical connector of the ninth aspect, the housing waterproof means can be configured with simple means.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a connector shielding case according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1A is a front perspective view, and FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view. 2 is a detailed view of the shield case of FIG. 1, FIG. 2A is a front view, FIG. 2B is a top view, FIG. 2C is a bottom view, FIG. 2D is one side view, FIG. 2E is the other side view, and FIG. It is a rear view. FIG. 3 shows the joint of the shield case, FIG. 3A is a bottom view in a welded state, FIG. 3B is a photograph of a plan view of the prototype of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is a photograph of an enlarged sectional view of the joint before welding, FIG. 3D is a photograph of an enlarged cross-sectional view after welding of FIG. 3C. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a laser welding apparatus. FIG. 5 shows an external appearance of an electrical connector using the shield case for connectors of FIG. 1, FIG. 5A is a front perspective view, and FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view. 6 is a detailed view of the electrical connector of FIG. 5, FIG. 6A is a front view, FIG. 6B is a top view, FIG. 6C is a bottom view, FIG. 6D is a side view, and FIG. 7 shows the appearance of the connector housing of FIG. 5, FIG. 7A is a front perspective view, and FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view. 8 is a detailed view of the connector housing of FIG. 7, FIG. 8A is a front view, FIG. 8B is a top view, FIG. 8C is a bottom view, FIG. 8D is one side view, FIG. 8E is the other side view, and FIG. It is a rear view. FIG. 9 shows an external appearance of an electrical connector according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9A is a front perspective view, and FIG. 9B is a rear perspective view. 10 is a detailed view of the electrical connector of FIG. 9, FIG. 10A is a front view, FIG. 10B is a top view, FIG. 10C is a bottom view, FIG. 10D is one side view, FIG. 10E is the other side view, and FIG. It is a rear view. 11 shows the appearance of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 9 attached to the equipment housing, FIG. 11A is a front perspective view, and FIG. 11B is a rear perspective view. 12 is a detailed view of the electrical connector of FIG. 11, FIG. 12A is a front view, FIG. 12B is a top view, FIG. 12C is a bottom view, FIG. 12D is a side view, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12A. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 12A. 15 shows a conventional electrical connector, FIG. 15A is a bottom view, and FIG. 15B is a bottom cross-sectional view. 16 shows another conventional electrical connector, FIG. 16A is a bottom view, FIG. 16B is a perspective view of one end edge of the shield case, FIG. 16C is a perspective view of the other end edge, and FIG. 16D is a front view of the joint. It is.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment shown below exemplifies a shield case for a connector for embodying the technical idea of the present invention and an electrical connector using the shield case, and the present invention is specified to these. It is not intended and is equally applicable to other embodiments within the scope of the claims.

  A connector shield case (hereinafter referred to as a shield case) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used for various types of electrical connectors, and is particularly suitable for an electrical connector described later. First, an explanation will be given with reference to an outline of an electrical connector suitable for using this shield case.

  This electrical connector (hereinafter referred to as “connector”) 2 is a connector that is attached to a housing of an information terminal such as a cellular phone and is detachably connected to a mating connector (not shown) that conforms to the USB standard. It has become. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the connector 2 includes a plurality of, for example, five electrically conductive contacts 3 and an electrically insulating connector housing (hereinafter referred to as an insulating housing) to which these contacts are attached. 4), the shield case 1 is electromagnetically shielded by being fitted around the outer periphery of the insulating housing. The connector 2 is attached to a circuit wiring board or the like using a reinforcing member 8.

  The connector 2 includes (a) water between the contact 3 and the insulating housing 4, (b) water between the insulating housing 4 and the shield case 1, and (c) a plate material joint of the shield case 1. Alternatively, a waterproof / dustproof means (hereinafter referred to as a waterproof means) for preventing entry of dust or the like is provided. This connector is particularly characterized by a structure that can prevent water from entering from the joint of the shield case due to the capillary phenomenon. When this connector is attached to a casing of an electromagnetic device such as a mobile phone, a waterproof cover or the like that seals and waterproofs the connector insertion port required in the prior art by the waterproof means (a) to (c) above. It becomes unnecessary.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-2, the shield case which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. 1 shows the appearance of the shield case for connectors according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1A is a front perspective view, FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view, and FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the shield case of FIG. 2B is a top view, FIG. 2C is a bottom view, FIG. 2D is one side view, FIG. 2E is the other side view, and FIG. 2F is a rear view.

The shield case 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a front opening 1 ₁ to end the insulating housing 4 is inserted, the insulating housing 4 inside toward from the opening to the back the amount of space 1 ₂ but to be housed, and a Okufuta 1e having a terminal connected to the ground electrode such as rear circuit wiring board closes the opening 1 _3, slightly longer squamous an insulating housing 4 It is made of a tubular body, and is formed by cutting a metal plate material such as a stainless steel plate into a predetermined length and bending it. That is, the shield case 1 is surrounded by upper and lower plate portions 1a and 1b and left and right plate portions 1c and 1d that are in contact with the upper and lower and left and right wall surfaces of the insulating housing 4, and has a space (hollow hole) inside and openings 1 ₁ and 2 at both ends. 1 ₃ has a rear opening 1 ₃ is closed by Okufuta 1e, it has a slightly longer flat tubular body of an insulating housing 4.

Upper plate 1a, a pair of cut-and-raised projection 1a ₁ is formed on both sides of the front opening 1 ₁ side of the surface. Further, the upper plate portion 1a, the reinforcing member 8 is in the area in contact with the space 1a 'between these cut-and-raised projection 1a ₁ and the rear opening 1 _3. Right and left plate portions 1c, 1d, the guide piece _1c 1, 1d ₁ to facilitate the insertion of the mating connector (not shown) is formed in front of the opening _{1 1.} Further, Okufuta 1e is being extended and bent from the upper plate portion 1a, a plate-like body having a substantially occlude size behind the opening 1 _3, a pair of terminals 1e ₁ to the plate-like body is formed Has been. The shield case 1, by the slightly longer than the insulated housing 4, the contact portion of the contact 3 is that the contact support section 6 of the insulating housing 4 is disposed in said contact support section retracted to slightly back from the opening 1 ₁ of the front It is protected without being exposed to the outside and without an obstacle colliding (see FIG. 5A).

  The shield case 1 is manufactured by the following method. This manufacturing method will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 shows the joint part of the shield case, FIG. 3A is a bottom view in a welded state, FIG. 3B is a photograph of a plan view of the prototype of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is an enlarged sectional view of the joint part before welding. 3D is a photograph of an enlarged cross-sectional view after welding in FIG. 3C, and FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a prototype laser welding apparatus. 3C and 3D are views cut along the line XX, YY, and ZZ in FIG. 3A.

First, using a large-sized metal plate having a predetermined thickness (not shown), for example, a stainless steel plate, the metal plate is punched into a predetermined shape to produce one or a plurality of shield case plates before processing the shield case. This shield case plate has a shape obtained by expanding and extending the shield case 1 shown in FIG. That is, this shield case plate has a strip-shaped piece composed of a pair of opposing long sides and short sides, and a back lid 1e extending outward from one long side of the strip-shaped piece, Temporary fixing means 1b ₁ is provided for abutting a pair of opposing short sides and temporarily fixing the abutted joint 1b ′. Although this temporary fixing means 1b ₁ may be arbitrary, in this embodiment, it is composed of a locking projection a and a locking groove b into which the locking projection is fitted. When such a temporary fixing means 1b ₁ is provided, the welding operation can be accurately and easily performed when the cut portions of the opposing short sides (edges) are brought into contact with each other.

Next, the shield case plate is bent and processed into a shield case 1 made of a flat tubular body having a size that can be fitted into the insulating housing 4. In this processing, the temporary short-stop means 1b ₁ abuts the cut surfaces of the opposing short sides of the belt-like piece to temporarily fix them. If the shield case 1 is temporarily fixed, the temporary fixing is easily removed when the shield case 1 is fitted to the insulating housing 4. Therefore, it is necessary to fix the shield case 1 so as not to be removed. However, any fixing means can be adopted as long as the temporary fixing is fixed so as not to be removed. In this shield case, (d) waterproofing of the joint and (e) insulating housing and joint It is necessary to make waterproofing effective. That is, in the above (d), it is necessary to prevent water from entering due to capillarity, and in the above (e), in order to prevent water from entering between the housing main body and the inner wall surface of the joint. It should be ensured that there are no steps. Therefore, in consideration of the above (d) and (e), the fixing means is limited.

Therefore, the inventors have verified with various welding techniques. As a result, it has been discovered that, among various welding techniques, CO ₂ laser welding has the following characteristics (f) and (g) and conforms to the above (d) and (e). That is, CO ₂ laser welding has a very narrow welding width compared to (f) arc welding and the like, and the penetration depth can be considerably deepened. As a result, welding with a very narrow heat-affected zone is possible. g) Since the thermal deformation of the welded portion can be reduced, joint welding as intended, that is, high-precision welding can be performed, and in particular, when laser light having a wavelength and phase aligned is used as the heat source for welding, The laser beam can be focused and focused on a small diameter so that the heat input density (power density) can be considerably increased. Further, it has features such as high-precision welding with almost no deformation of the welded portion.

However, on the other hand, this laser welding has a problem that bubbles and solidification cracks are generated in the welded portion, which becomes a welding defect. This problem is said to be caused by the shape of the keyhole formed in the weld pool in the weld zone during laser welding. That is, when the metal to be welded is irradiated with CO ₂ laser light, the laser light has a high heat input density, and therefore, when the metal is rapidly heated, a part of the metal is vaporized and the metal vapor is ejected. The recoil force acts on the molten pool formed in the molten metal part. As a result, the tip of the portion irradiated with the laser light is pushed down to form an elongated hollow portion in the molten pool, and this hollow portion is called a keyhole. The problem bubbles are generated when the hollow portion of the keyhole shape is deformed, for example, constricted. That is, when the keyhole becomes unstable, bubbles are generated. Therefore, in this laser welding, (h) stabilization of the keyhole is essential.

  Therefore, laser welding is performed using a laser welding apparatus in consideration of the above (d), (e), and (f) to (h). Any laser welding apparatus may be used, but as shown in FIG. 4, a laser welding apparatus L including a laser light generation apparatus L1, a laser head portion L2, a laser control apparatus L3, and the like is used. The laser head portion L2 includes a controller L2a, a scan head L2b, a driver L2c, and the like. 4 is an enlarged view in which the laser head portion is enlarged, and since such a laser welding apparatus L is well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Using this laser welding apparatus L, welding is performed along the temporarily joined joint 1b ′. In the laser welding, the above (h) is important. That is, it is essential to stabilize the keyhole. Stabilization of the keyhole prevents the generation of bubbles by periodically vibrating the laser output. This keyhole stabilization is performed by pulse control of laser output light. That is, welding is performed by pulse control that alternately outputs a high laser output portion and a low laser output portion. Laser welding is performed with, for example, a high output of pKW, a low output of about half of it, for example, 1/2 pKW, and a pulse interval of approximately the same (duty of time ratio between high output and low output = 50%). According to this pulse control welding, the keyhole is stabilized and the pores are hardly generated when the frequency (modulation frequency) of the laser pulse output is a predetermined frequency.

  This keyhole stabilization is presumed to be due to the following phenomenon. That is, in pulse control, when the output increases rapidly to a large output, the weld metal spouts out of the keyhole, creating a wave on the surface of the molten pool, and the traveling wave at this time is reflected at the end of the molten pool and the solidified part. Bounce. When this bounced reflected wave reaches the keyhole, it flows into the keyhole. When the molten metal that has flowed in is rapidly heated by a laser beam, metal vapor is suddenly generated and the shape of the keyhole is disturbed, so that the reflected wave enters the keyhole so that this disorder does not occur. When irradiated with intense laser light, the amount of metal vapor generated increases due to rapid heating, and the traveling wave of molten metal that overflows is pushed back to maintain the keyhole and stabilize.

  As a result of laser welding La, the joint was in the following state. That is, FIG. 3 shows the joint part of the shield case, and before laser welding, the joint part 1b ′ has a gap as seen in FIG. 3C, but as shown in FIG. 3A, the joint part 1b When laser welding is performed along ', welding is performed as seen in FIGS. 3B and 3D. In particular, the gap (see FIG. 3C) of the joint 1b ′ before welding is joined without gap as seen in FIG. 3D. Is done. The weld La of the joint 1b ′ is preferably joined with no gap between the XX line, the YY line, and the ZZ line of FIG. Or it may be welding at one place.

  By this laser welding, there is no gap in the joint portion, and it is possible to prevent the intrusion of water and the like, and in particular, to prevent the infiltration due to the capillary phenomenon. Moreover, even if it is twisted at the time of a connection with the other party connector, it will not contact / separate in the junction part of this structure.

  The shield case 1 is used for an electrical connector. Hereinafter, an electrical connector using this shield case will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 shows the appearance of the electrical connector using the shield connector, FIG. 5A is a front perspective view, FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view, FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the electrical connector in FIG. 5, and FIG. 5B is a top view, FIG. 5C is a bottom view, FIG. 5D is a side view, and FIG. 5E is a rear view.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the connector 2 includes a plurality of electrically conductive, for example, five contacts 3 and an electrically insulating connector housing (hereinafter referred to as an insulating housing) to which these contacts are attached. 4), and the shield case 1 is fitted around the outer periphery of the insulating housing.

  The insulating housing will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 shows the appearance of the insulating housing, FIG. 7A is a front perspective view, FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view, FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the insulating housing in FIG. 7, FIG. 8A is a front view, and FIG. 8C is a bottom view, FIG. 8D is one side view, FIG. 8E is the other side view, and FIG. 8F is a rear view.

As shown in FIG. 7, the insulating housing 4 includes a housing main body 5 in which each contact fixing portion of the plurality of contacts 3 is attached and the shield case 1 is fitted on the outer wall surface. A contact support portion 6 that protrudes forward by a predetermined length and is provided with a contact portion of the contact. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the housing body 5 is composed of a substantially flat rectangular parallelepiped block surrounded by upper and lower walls 5a and 5b, front and rear walls 5c and 5d, and left and right side walls 5e and 5f. It is formed of an electrically insulating synthetic resin molding. The upper and lower walls 5a and 5b and the front and rear walls 5c and 5d are each formed by a substantially rectangular substantially flat surface having a pair of opposed long and short sides. The left and right side walls 5e and 5f are formed with curved surfaces that slightly bulge outward. The housing body 5, the upper and lower walls 5a, 5b and left and right side walls 5e, recess grooves 5 ₁ ring-shaped packing 7 on the outer peripheral wall surface of the 5f is fitted is formed. The recess grooves 5 ₁ is provided in the front wall 5c side. The packing 7 is made of an elastic member such as rubber and serves as a waterproof means for preventing water and the like from entering from between the corners between the insulating housing 4 and the shield case 1 of (b).

As shown in FIG. 7, the front wall 5c of the housing body 5 is formed of a substantially rectangular substantially flat surface having a pair of opposed long and short sides, and the contact support portion 6 extends outward from the flat surface. A predetermined length is extended. That is, the contact support portion 6 is a relatively thin plate-like piece having a predetermined length and a width that protrudes from a part of a flat surface in a substantially horizontal direction. This on the back side of the plate-like pieces, a plurality of inverse recessed groove ₆₁ which contacts 3a (see FIG. 14) is disposed in contact is formed.

  A plurality (5) of contacts 3 are attached to the insulating housing 4. Each contact 3 has the same configuration, and as shown in FIG. 14, a contact portion 3a that is contact-connected to the contact of the mating connector, and a fixed portion that extends from this contact portion and is fixed in the insulating housing 4 It has a portion 3b and a connecting portion 3c that is further extended from the fixing portion and is solder-connected to an electrode on the surface of the circuit wiring board, and is made of an electrically conductive material. This contact 3 has an arbitrary shape, for example, a rod-shaped body having a predetermined length and thickness cut into a predetermined length and bent, or a plate-shaped body is cut into a predetermined size. Use a bent product.

These contacts 3, the contact portion 3a of the contact in the insulating housing 4 is housed in the opposite recess groove 6 in _1, waterproof means on the fixed portion 3b of the contacts are mounted decorated with it. The waterproof means may be any means, but it is preferable to use a so-called mold molding in which the contacts are embedded in the molding resin and integrally molded when the insulating housing 4 is molded. Further, at the time of molding, a so-called creepage distance is increased by increasing the contact area with the molding resin material by providing a rough surface such as an uneven surface or a narrow groove on the surface of the fixed portion 3b of the contact. Molding can effectively prevent water and the like from entering. The narrow groove or the like is formed by laser processing or the like. The waterproof means is not limited to molding, and other means, for example, an insulating housing may be made of an elastic member, and the contact may be forcibly inserted into the elastic member. When the contact is molded into the insulating housing in this way, a waterproof means is provided between the contact 3 and the insulating housing 4 in (a), and water or the like does not enter through this space. In particular, when the contact is molded, water does not enter due to the capillary phenomenon.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the reinforcing member 8 includes a flat portion 8a that abuts the upper plate portion 1a of the shield case 1, and a predetermined length depending from both ends of the flat portion, and the left and right plate portions 1c of the shield case. 1d with opposing drooping portions 8b abutting on the ends of each drooping portion 8b. Legs 8c are provided for fixing to a circuit wiring board or the like. The reinforcing member 8 is formed by bending a metal strip having a predetermined thickness and length.

  The connector 2 is assembled by fitting the shield case 1 after attaching the ring-shaped packing 7 to the outer peripheral wall of the insulating housing 4 to which a plurality (5) of contacts 3 are attached. The assembled connector 2 is mounted on a circuit wiring board (not shown). In order to make this mounting firm, it is preferable to fix with the reinforcing member 8. The terminal of the shield case 1 is soldered to a ground electrode such as a circuit wiring board. This connector 2 has (a) the contact 3 and the insulating housing 4, (b) the insulating housing 4 and the shield case 1, and (c) the plate material joint of the shield case 1 sealed by respective waterproof means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from entering the inside through the connector 2. In particular, since the joint portion of the shield case is laser-welded by predetermined laser control, it is possible to prevent water from entering from this portion due to the capillary phenomenon. A waterproof cover or the like that seals and waterproofs the insertion port of the connector required in the prior art becomes unnecessary.

  With reference to FIGS. 9-14, the electrical connector which concerns on other embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. 9 shows the appearance of an electrical connector according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9A is a front perspective view, FIG. 9B is a rear perspective view, and FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the electrical connector of FIG. 10B is a top view, FIG. 10C is a bottom view, FIG. 10D is one side view, FIG. 10E is the other side view, FIG. 10F is a rear view, and FIG. 11A is a front perspective view, FIG. 11B is a rear perspective view, FIG. 12 is a detailed view of the electrical connector of FIG. 11, FIG. 12A is a front view, FIG. 12B is a top view, and FIG. 12D is a side view, FIG. 12E is a rear view, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12A, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG.

  A connector 2 </ b> A according to another embodiment of the present invention is a connector in which a waterproof member 9 that waterproofs the connector 2 is mounted on the connector 2. That is, the connector 2A is the same as the connector 2 except that the waterproof member 9 is attached. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, the duplicate description is omitted, and different components will be described in detail.

The connector 2A has a configuration in which a waterproof member 9 is provided on the shield case 1 of the connector 2 to waterproof between the electronic device casings 10A and 10B. The waterproof member 9 has an annular flange 9a bulging outward at one end and a cover 9b extending rearward from the annular flange 9a, and a through hole 9 into which the shield case 1 is fitted at the center. _It consists of a cylindrical body having ₀ and is formed of an elastic member, for example, a rubber member. Annular flange portion 9a has a predetermined wall thickness extending a predetermined length outwardly from the through-hole 9 _0, the pair of apparatus housing 10A, mounting hole 10a formed between 10B, is fitted to 10b It is formed with an annular body of a certain size. The annular flange portion 9a, the outer wall of the front opening 1 ₁ side of the shield case 1, that is, close contact mounted vertically and the left and right plate portions 1a~1d of the shield case 1. In order to make this adhesion better, it is preferable to provide a plurality of ring-shaped protrusions on the inner wall of the through hole. This ring-shaped protrusion increases the creepage distance and makes it difficult to flood. When this ring-shaped protrusion is provided on the outer periphery of the annular portion, the close contact with the device casing is improved and the same effect can be obtained. Cover 9b, the rest of the front opening 1 ₁ outer wall of the shield case 1, i.e. covering the rear portion from the annular portion in close contact with the vertical and horizontal plate portions 1a~1d of the shield case 1. Thereby, waterproofing of a rear part can be performed.

After the connector 2A is mounted on the wiring board P, the connector 2A is fixed to the device housing such that the waterproof member 9 is sandwiched between the pair of device housings 10A and 10B. According to this connector 2A, as shown in FIG. 14, (a) between the contact 3 and the insulating housing 4, (b) between the insulating housing 4 and the shield case 1 (W ₁ ), and (c) a shield case. Since the plate material joint portion and the space (W ₂ ) between the shield case 1 and the housings 10A and 10B are sealed by the respective waterproofing means, it is possible to prevent intrusion of water or the like through the connector. As a result, a waterproof cover or the like that seals and waterproofs the connector insertion port required in the prior art becomes unnecessary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector shield case 1b Lower board part 1b 'Joint part 1b ₁ Temporary fixing means 2, 2A Electrical connector 3 Contact 3a Contact part 3b Fixing part 4 Insulation housing (connector housing)
5 Housing body part 6 Contact support part 7 Packing (elastic member)
8 Reinforcing member 9 Waterproof member 10A, 10B Electrical equipment casing P Circuit wiring board

Claims (9)

A shield case for a connector that is electromagnetically shielded by being fitted to an outer peripheral wall of an electrically insulating connector housing on which contacts of an electrical connector are mounted,
The shield case for the connector is bent into a tubular shape so that a hollow hole having a size that allows the connector housing to be fitted therein is formed inside the metal plate material having a predetermined size and thickness, and both end edges of the metal plate material are abutted against each other. A shield case for connectors, wherein the butted joint is laser welded to form a tubular body having at least one end opened.   2. The shield case for a connector according to claim 1, wherein the joining portion is temporarily laser-welded by temporarily fixing the butted portion with a temporary fixing means.   The temporary fixing means is constituted by a locking projection protruding from one edge of the two plate material edges and a locking groove into which the locking projection is fitted on the other edge. The connector shielding case according to claim 2.   2. The shield case for a connector according to claim 1, wherein the tubular body is provided with an opening at the other end facing the opening, and the opening is closed by a back cover provided with a ground terminal.   An electrical connector, wherein the shield case for a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is fitted to an outer peripheral wall of an electrically insulating connector housing on which a contact is mounted.   Between the connector housing and the connector shielding case, there is provided a housing waterproof means for preventing water from entering from the outside to the inside, and a contact waterproof means for preventing similar penetration between the connector housing and the contact. The electrical connector according to claim 5.   8. The contact waterproof means is a waterproof means by insert molding the contact into the connector housing, and the housing waterproof means is an elastic member interposed between the connector housing and the shield case. Electrical connector as described in.   The housing waterproof means is provided in the clearance gap between the attachment hole of the apparatus housing | casing which mounts a connector in the outer wall of the said shield case for connectors, The Claim 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Electrical connector.   The electrical connector according to claim 4, wherein the casing waterproof means is made of an elastic member.