JP2013235771A - Electric connector and manufacturing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy-to-manufacture electric connector in which the strength is enhanced by including a member which protects a shell for shielding electromagnetic waves.SOLUTION: In an electric connector 10 including a shell 24, the shell has an upper plate, a lower plate, a pair of side plates 24d cooperating with the upper plate and lower plate to define a fitting frontage 24c, and an outward flange 24e provided for the fitting frontage. Furthermore, an outer housing 11 defining a housing section 14 housing the shell is provided. The outer housing has a latching part 26, and a slit 27 extending from the housing section up to the outer surface of the outer housing on the side closer to the fitting frontage than the latching part. The slit can guide a flange. The shell has a latch 24n engaging with the latching part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connector having a shell that shields electromagnetic waves, and a method of manufacturing the same.

  A universal serial bus connector (hereinafter referred to as “USB connector”) is known as an example of an electrical connector. The USB connector may be provided not only in a consumer electronic device such as a personal computer installed in a stationary state at home, but also in a vehicle electronic device such as a navigation device installed in an automobile recently. Some of these USB connectors have two insertion ports arranged in parallel (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  These USB connectors are referred to herein as two-stage USB connectors, and will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. The illustrated two-stage USB connector includes an insulating body 1 and three shielding members 2, 3, and 4. The shielding members 2, 3 and 4 are attached to the insulating body 1 to constitute a shell. Thus, a two-stage USB connector having two insertion ports 5 and 6 and having a shell that shields electromagnetic waves is obtained. Here, the surface portions of the two insertion ports 5 and 6 are formed by the shielding members 2 and 3. That is, the shielding members 2 and 3 constitute the outlines of the insertion ports 5 and 6, respectively.

JP 2003-272773 A

  When connecting a connection partner to the two-stage USB connector shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the connection partner is fitted inside the shielding members 2 and 3 with respect to the two insertion ports 5 and 6. If this fitting operation is performed appropriately, for example, if the connection partner is fitted while being moved substantially along the axis of the insertion ports 5 and 6, there will be almost no problem.

  However, when the fitting operation is performed improperly, for example, when the connection partner is forcibly fitted from the direction inclined with respect to the axis of the insertion ports 5 and 6, or during or after fitting When a hitting force is applied to the other party, the shielding members 2 and 3 may be deformed or destroyed.

  In particular, in the case of automobile electronic devices, it is assumed that the fitting operation is performed by a groping operation or a rough operation. Also, it is assumed that a large external force is applied to the USB connector due to the impact or vibration of the automobile electronic device itself. In those cases, the shielding members 2 and 3 may be deformed or destroyed.

  In addition, the fitting work other than the appropriate fitting work is referred to as “meaning fitting” for convenience here.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-manufacture electrical connector that includes a member that protects a shell that shields electromagnetic waves and has increased strength.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method that can easily manufacture an electrical connector including a member that protects a shell that shields electromagnetic waves.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, an upper plate, a lower plate, a pair of side plates that cooperate with the upper plate and the lower plate to define a fitting opening, and an outward facing provided in the fitting opening. An electrical connector including a shell having a flange, and further including an external housing that defines an accommodating portion that accommodates the shell, wherein the external housing is fitted to the latch engagement portion and the latch engagement portion more than the latch engagement portion. A slit extending from the housing portion to the outer surface of the outer housing, the slit can guide the flange, and the shell includes a latch engaged with the latch locking portion. An electrical connector characterized by having it is obtained.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shell having an outward flange provided at a fitting front and a latch separated from the fitting front, an accommodating portion extending in a first direction, and a latch member. Providing an outer housing having a stop and a slit extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and reaching the outer surface between the latch locking portion and the accommodating portion; The shell is moved in the second direction while guiding the flange, the fitting opening is opposed to the housing portion in the first direction, and then the shell is moved in the first direction. A method of manufacturing an electrical connector is obtained, which includes moving and accommodating in the accommodating portion and engaging the latch with the latch engaging portion.

  The electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a member that protects a shell portion that shields electromagnetic waves, has high strength, and is easy to manufacture.

  The manufacturing method according to another aspect of the present invention facilitates the manufacture of an electrical connector including a member that protects a shell portion that shields electromagnetic waves.

1 is an external perspective view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front view of the electrical connector of FIG. The cross-sectional enlarged view obtained along the III-III line of FIG. The exploded view which decomposed | disassembled the electrical connector of FIG. 1 into the outer housing and the internal element. FIG. 4B is an enlarged front view of the main part of the external housing shown in FIG. 4A exaggerated. FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the internal element shown in FIG. 4A. The perspective view for demonstrating the 1st procedure of the assembly of the internal element shown in the decomposition | disassembly state in FIG. The perspective view for demonstrating the 2nd procedure of the assembly of the internal element shown in the decomposition | disassembly state in FIG. The perspective view for demonstrating the 3rd procedure of the assembly of the internal element shown in the decomposition | disassembly state in FIG. The perspective view for demonstrating the 4th procedure of the assembly of the internal element shown in the decomposition | disassembly state in FIG. The perspective view seen from the back surface side for demonstrating the 1st procedure of the assembly of the electrical connector shown by the exploded state to FIG. 4A. The perspective view seen from the back surface side for demonstrating the 2nd procedure of the assembly of the electrical connector shown by the exploded state to FIG. 4A. FIG. 15 is a plan sectional view corresponding to FIG. 14 in the state of FIG. 11. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional plan view corresponding to FIG. 14, showing a state where the internal element is being inserted into the external housing from the state of FIG. FIG. 14 is a plan sectional view showing a state in which the internal element is completely inserted into the outer housing from the state of FIG. 13 (cross sectional view obtained along XIV-XIV in FIG. 2). A three-dimensional exploded view of an electrical connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-272773). The three-dimensional combination figure of the electrical connector of FIG.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the whole structure of the electrical connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  The illustrated electrical connector 10 is a two-stage USB connector mounted on an automotive electronic device, and includes two USB connectors called “USB 2.0 Type-A”. The electrical connector 10 includes an insulating outer housing 11 integrally formed of plastic or the like, and an inner element 12 accommodated inside the outer housing 11.

  The outer housing 11 has two upper and lower storage portions that extend from the front end surface in the horizontal first direction A1, that is, the upper storage portion 13 and the lower storage portion 14 that are aligned in the vertical second direction A2. have. On the inner surface of the wall portion 15 forming the upper stage accommodating portion 13 and the lower stage accommodating portion 14, a plurality of grooves 13a, 14a extending between both ends in the first direction A1, and a small dowel between these grooves 13a, 14a 13b and 14b (exaggerated in the figure) are formed. The functions of these grooves 13a and 14a and dowels 13b and 14b will be clarified later. In addition, the line 16 extended horizontally along the outer surface of the wall part 15 in the position corresponding between the upper stage accommodating part 13 and the lower stage accommodating part 14 is a groove | channel for improving the design effect. If a groove is formed at this position, the mold can be divided when the outer housing 11 is resin-molded at this position, and the dividing line remaining in the outer housing 11 is inconspicuous because it is behind the groove. Furthermore, since it also serves as a gas venting path during resin molding, the finish of the front surface of the outer housing 11 becomes clean, and the effect that the design effect is enhanced is obtained.

  The internal element 12 includes an insulating internal housing 21 integrally formed of plastic or the like, a plurality of conductive signal terminals 22 held by the internal housing 21, and a first conductive first mounted on the internal housing 21. A shell 23 and a second shell 24 are included. The inner housing 21 includes a main body portion 21a and upper and lower convex portions 21b and 21c that protrude in parallel from the main body portion 21a to the front. Each signal terminal 22 has a contact portion 22a protruding to the lower surface side of the convex portions 21b and 21c, a terminal portion 22b bent from the rear portion of the inner housing 21 to the lower surface side, and connected to a substrate (not shown). Have The first shell 23 is attached to the inner housing 21 so as to surround the upper convex portion 21b with a gap. The second shell 24 is attached to the inner housing 21 so as to surround the lower convex portion 21c with a gap. When mounted on the inner housing 21, the first shell 23 and the second shell 24 are electrically connected to each other through partial contact.

  The first shell 23 is formed according to the USB standard, and a connection partner such as a USB plug is fitted in cooperation with the upper plate 23a, the lower plate 23b, and the upper plate 23a and the lower plate 23b. And a pair of side plates 23d defining a rectangular insertion port or fitting opening 23c. In the fitting opening 23c, the upper plate 23a, the lower plate 23b, and the pair of side plates 23d are respectively provided with outward flanges 23e for guiding a connection partner. The first shell 23 is made of a single metal plate, and is configured to maintain the fitting opening 23c in a predetermined shape by coupling the caulking portion 23f. Further, each of the upper plate 23a and the lower plate 23b is provided with a plurality of friction locks 23g protruding to the inner surface side in the vicinity of the fitting opening 23c.

  The second shell 24 is also formed in conformity with the USB standard. The second shell 24 cooperates with the upper plate 24a, the lower plate 24b, the upper plate 24a and the lower plate 24b, and is inserted in a rectangular shape in which a connection partner is fitted. And a pair of side plates 24d that define a receiving port or fitting opening 24c. The fitting opening 24c is provided with an outward flange 24e for guiding a connection partner to the upper plate 24a, the lower plate 24b, and the pair of side plates 24d. The second shell 24 is also made of a single metal plate, and is configured to maintain the fitting opening 24c in a predetermined shape by coupling the caulking portion 24f. Further, each of the upper plate 24a and the lower plate 24b is provided with a plurality of friction locks 24g protruding inward in the vicinity of the fitting opening 24c.

  The first shell 23 and the second shell 24 will be described later.

  Next, the procedure for assembling the internal element 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the signal terminal 22 is assembled in advance to the inner housing 21. After that, the first shell 23 is slid in the first direction A1 while being attached to the inner housing 21, and the locking latch 23i of the first shell 23 is locked to the locking portion 21d of the inner housing 21. Thus, the first shell 23 is fixed to the inner housing 21. At this time, the noise shielding panel 23h provided at the rear end of the first shell 23 is on the extension of the upper plate 23a and the side plate 23d.

  Next, while the second shell 24 is slid in the first direction A1, it is mounted on the inner housing 21 as shown in FIG. 21e is locked. Thus, the second shell 24 is fixed to the inner housing 21. At this time, the shell connection portion 24 i of the second shell 24 contacts the shell connection portion 23 k of the first shell 23.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9, the noise shielding panel 23h is bent downward at a right angle, and the locking latch 23p of the first shell 23 is locked to the locking portion 24p of the second shell 24 to prevent spring back. To do. Thus, the assembly of the internal element 12 is completed, and a state in which the first shell 23 and the second shell 24 surround the upper and lower convex portions 21b and 21c and the main body portion 21a is obtained. In this state, the signal terminal 22 is insulated from the first shell 23 and the second shell 24 by the inner housing 21. Also, the portions 23l and 24k of the first shell 23 and the second shell 24 can be used as ground terminals. The second shell 24 includes a plurality of noise shielding panels 241 at the rear part thereof.

  According to the internal element 12, the noise shielding panel 23h exists on the rear surface of the internal element 12, and the first shell 23 and the second shell 24 are connected to the shell connecting portions 23k and 24i, the locking latch 23p, and the locking portion. 24p are electrically connected to each other. Therefore, a good noise shielding effect can be obtained for the signal terminal 22 by connecting at least one of the first shell 23 and the second shell 24 to the ground.

  In the internal element 12 described above, ground contact portions 23m, 24m and latches 23n, 24n are formed on the side plate 23d of the first shell 23 and the side plate 24d of the second shell 24. The ground contact portions 23m and 24m are portions for contacting the shells of the mating connection ports 23c and 24c when the connection partner is fitted. The latches 23n and 24n will be clarified later.

  Next, assembly of the outer housing 11 and the inner element 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 10 is a view seen from the back side for explaining a first procedure for assembling the outer housing 11 and the inner element 12. A rear housing portion 25 that is open to the lower housing portion 14 side (the upper surface side in FIG. 10) is formed at the rear portion of the outer housing 11. Each of the upper housing portion 13 and the lower housing portion 14 communicates with the rear housing portion 25. Of the wall portion 15 corresponding to the rear housing portion 25, a latch engaging portion 26, a slit 27, and a taper portion 28 are provided at portions facing each other in the third direction A 3 orthogonal to the first and second directions A 1 and A 2. And are formed.

  The latch engaging portion 26 is located at a position slightly away from the openings at the rear ends of the upper stage accommodating portion 13 and the lower stage accommodating portion 14. The slit 27 is located between the latch engaging portion 26 and the upper-stage accommodating portion 13 and the lower-stage accommodating portion 14 and extends from the rear accommodating portion 25 to the outer surface (bottom surface) of the outer housing 11 in the second direction A2. . Specifically, the slit 27 is formed adjacent to the latch locking portion 26 and has a groove shape having a bottom portion on the outer side in the third direction A3. The taper portion 28 is raised while being inclined inward in the third direction A3 at a position adjacent to the latch locking portion 26.

  In the assembly, first, as shown in FIG. 10, the internal element 12 is made to face the open surface of the rear housing portion 25 on the lower housing portion 14 side of the outer housing 11. Then, the flanges 23e and 24e are inserted into the slit 27, and the internal element 12 is moved in the second direction A2 while the slit 27 guides the flanges 23e and 24e. Thus, the front part of the internal element 12 is accommodated in the rear accommodating part 25, and the states shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are obtained. In this state, the flange 24e (23e) is in a position corresponding to each of the grooves 14a (13a) of the outer housing 11.

  Subsequently, the internal element 12 is pushed forward in the first direction A <b> 1 and inserted into the upper stage accommodating part 13 and the lower stage accommodating part 14. At this time, the flange 24e (23e) moves along the groove 14a (13a) of the outer housing 11, respectively. FIG. 13 shows a state where the internal element 12 is being inserted into the external housing 11. In this state, the latch 24 n (23 n) is about to ride on the tapered portion 28.

  When the inner element 12 is further moved forward in the first direction A1, the inner element 12 is completely inserted into the outer housing 11 as shown in FIG. As a result, the latch 24n (23n) gets over the tapered portion 28, engages with the latch engaging portion 26 in the first direction A1, and fixes the inner element 12 to the outer housing 11. In this state, as shown in FIG. 1, the fitting opening 23 c of the first shell 23 and the fitting opening 24 c of the second shell 24 both pass through the openings at the front ends of the upper housing portion 13 and the lower housing portion 14. Exposed outside the connector. Thus, the electrical connector 10 is easily manufactured.

  The electrical connector 10 can obtain a desired electrical connection by inserting a connection partner into the fitting opening 23 c of the first shell 23 and / or the fitting opening 24 c of the second shell 24. At this time, the insertion of the connection partner to the fitting openings 23c, 24c is guided smoothly by the flanges 23e, 24e, and thus is performed smoothly.

  Further, when the internal element 12 is moved forward from the rear housing portion 25, the first shell 23 and the second shell 24 are accompanied by crushing the dowels 13b and 14b exaggerated in FIG. 4B. The upper housing portion 13 and the lower housing portion 14 are press-fitted. As a result, the first shell 23 and the second shell 24 are backed by the wall portion 15 of the outer housing 11. Therefore, the electrical connector 10 has a sufficiently high strength against the above-mentioned meander fitting.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment of the two-stage USB connector, and the same action / effect can be achieved even with the one-stage USB connector, and part or all of the same is as described below. Can be described in, but not limited to.

(Appendix 1)
An upper plate (23a, 24a), a lower plate (23b, 24b), and a pair of side plates (23d, 24d) that define a fitting opening (23c, 24c) in cooperation with the upper plate and the lower plate; An electrical connector (10) including a shell (23, 24) having outward flanges (23e, 24e) provided in the fitting frontage,
And an outer housing (11) that defines a housing (13, 14) housing the shell,
The external housing includes a latch locking portion (26) and a slit (27) extending from the housing portion to the outer surface of the external housing on the fitting front side of the latch locking portion.
The slit is capable of guiding the flange,
The electrical connector (10), wherein the shell has a latch (23n, 24n) engaged with the latch locking portion.

(Appendix 2)
The connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper plate and the lower plate includes a friction lock (23g, 24g) protruding to the inner surface side, and the latch is provided on an outer surface side of the pair of side plates. .

(Appendix 3)
The accommodating portion is formed to penetrate in a first direction (A1) to expose the fitting front to the outside of the connector, and the slit is in a second direction (A2) intersecting the first direction. The connector according to appendix 1 or 2, which is extended.

(Appendix 4)
The outer housing has a wall portion (15) integrally formed to face all of the upper plate, the lower plate, and the pair of side plates, and the flange is received on the inner surface of the wall portion. The connector according to appendix 3, wherein grooves (13a, 14a) are formed, and the grooves extend to the slit in the first direction.

(Appendix 5)
At least one dowel is formed on the inner surface of the wall, and the shell is press-fitted with at least one of the upper plate, the lower plate, and the pair of side surfaces crushing the dowel. The connector according to appendix 4.

(Appendix 6)
The connector according to any one of appendices 1-5, further comprising an inner housing (21) disposed inside the shell and at least one signal terminal (22) insulated from the shell by the inner housing. .

(Appendix 7)
The connector according to any one of supplementary notes 1-6, wherein the outer housing is an integral part having a plurality of the accommodating portions in an independent form, and the shell is accommodated in each of the plurality of accommodating portions.

(Appendix 8)
The connector according to appendix 7, wherein the shells accommodated in the plurality of accommodating portions are electrically connected to each other.

(Appendix 9)
The connector according to appendix 7 or 8, wherein a groove (16) is provided between the plurality of accommodating portions on a front surface of the outer housing.

(Appendix 10)
Providing a shell (23, 24) having an outward flange provided in the fitting front opening (23c, 24c) and a latch (23n, 24n) separated from the fitting front opening;
The accommodating portion (13, 14) extending in the first direction (A1), the latch engaging portion (26), and the second intersecting the first direction between the latch engaging portion and the accommodating portion. Preparing an external housing (11) having a slit (27) extending in the direction (A2) to the outer surface;
Moving the shell in the second direction while guiding the flange in the slit, and making the fitting front face the accommodating portion in the first direction; and
Thereafter, the shell is moved in the first direction so as to be accommodated in the accommodating portion, and the latch is engaged with the latch engaging portion.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insulation body 2-4 Shield member 5, 6 Insertion port 10 Electrical connector 11 External housing 12 Internal element 13 Upper stage accommodating part 13a Groove 13b Dowel 14 Lower stage accommodating part 14a Groove 14b Dowel 15 Wall part 16 Groove 21 Internal housing 21a Main body part 21b Protruding portion 21c Protruding portion 21d Locking portion 21e Locking portion 22 Signal terminal 22a Contact portion 22b Terminal portion 23 First shell 23a Upper plate 23b Lower plate 23c Fitting opening 23d Side plate 23e Flange 23f Clamping portion 23g Friction lock 23h Noise shielding panel 23i Locking latch 23k Shell connection part 23l Part of the first shell (ground terminal)
23m Ground contact portion 23n Latch 23p Locking latch 24 Second shell 24a Upper plate 24b Lower plate 24c Fitting front 24d Side plate 24e Flange 24f Clamping portion 24g Friction lock 24h Locking latch 24i Shell connection portion 24k Second shell Part of (ground terminal)
24l Noise shielding panel 24m Ground contact portion 24n Latch 24p Locking portion 25 Rear housing portion 26 Latch locking portion 27 Slit 28 Tapered portion A1 First direction A2 Second direction A3 Third direction

Claims (10)

An electrical connector including a shell having an upper plate, a lower plate, a pair of side plates that cooperate with the upper plate and the lower plate to define a fitting opening, and an outward flange provided in the fitting opening. Because
And an external housing that defines a housing portion that houses the shell,
The external housing includes a latch locking portion and a slit extending from the housing portion to the outer surface of the external housing on the fitting front side of the latch locking portion.
The slit is capable of guiding the flange,
The electrical connector, wherein the shell has a latch engaged with the latch locking portion.   2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper plate and the lower plate includes a friction lock protruding toward an inner surface, and the latch is provided on an outer surface side of the pair of side plates.   The said accommodating part is penetratingly formed in the 1st direction, the said fitting front is exposed to the connector exterior, The said slit is extended in the 2nd direction which cross | intersects the said 1st direction. Or the connector of 2.   The outer housing has a wall portion integrally formed to face all of the upper plate, the lower plate, and the pair of side plates, and a groove that receives the flange is formed on the inner surface of the wall portion. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the groove extends to the slit in the first direction.   At least one dowel is formed on the inner surface of the wall, and the shell is press-fitted with at least one of the upper plate, the lower plate, and the pair of side surfaces crushing the dowel. The connector according to claim 4.   The connector according to claim 1, further comprising an inner housing disposed inside the shell, and at least one signal terminal insulated from the shell by the inner housing.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the outer housing is an integral part having a plurality of the accommodating portions in an independent form, and the shell is accommodated in each of the plurality of accommodating portions.   The connector according to claim 7, wherein the shells accommodated in the plurality of accommodating portions are electrically connected to each other.   The connector according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a groove is provided between the plurality of accommodating portions on a front surface of the outer housing. Providing a shell having an outward flange provided at the fitting front and a latch separated from the fitting front;
An accommodating portion extending in the first direction, a latch engaging portion, and a slit extending in the second direction intersecting the first direction and reaching the outer surface between the latch engaging portion and the accommodating portion. Providing an outer housing having,
Moving the shell in the second direction while guiding the flange in the slit, and making the fitting front face the accommodating portion in the first direction; and
Thereafter, the shell is moved in the first direction so as to be accommodated in the accommodating portion, and the latch is engaged with the latch engaging portion.

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