TW201933686A - Connector, connector assembly and assembly method of the same capable of maintaining high waterproof capability and exhibiting high shielding performance in simple configuration - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a connector and a connector assembly, which may maintain high waterproof capability and exhibit high shielding performance in a simple configuration. The connector according to the present invention is configured with a conductive terminal, a middle insulator for receiving the terminal, a conductive outer conductor (61) for receiving the middle insulator, and an inner sealing material made of hot-melt adhesive. The terminal comprises a relay portion extending forwardly from the front end of the middle insulator and a contact portion extending forwardly from the front end of the relay portion and in contact with a mating terminal. The outer conductor (61) comprises a space portion for receiving the middle insulator and a contact arm extending forwardly from the front end of the outer conductor and surrounding the periphery of the contact portion and in contact with a mating outer conductor. The inner sealing material is disposed around the relay portion and moved further forward with respect to the middle insulator in the space portion.

Description

Connector, connector assembly and assembly method of connector assembly

The present invention relates to a connector and a connector assembly.

Generally, a connector such as a cable connector is used to connect a wire such as a coaxial cable to a module, such as a sensor module including a light receiving sensor of an infrared sensor or the like, CCD or CMOS image sensing. A camera module in which an imaging element such as a device is integrated with an optical element such as a lens, an acoustic element module such as a microphone, and the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional connector.

In the figure, 871 denotes a base of a connector made of an insulating resin, and the base is connected to one end of a coaxial cable (not shown) and combined with a casing 911 of a module. A flange is formed at a front end of a substantially cylindrical body. Further, a substantially cylindrical outer conductor 861 is held inside the base 871, and a rod-shaped inner conductor 851 is held inside the outer conductor 861 by a dielectric 811. Note that the outer conductor 861 and the inner conductor 851 are held at the front end of the body of the base 871 by a potting material 818 made of a waterproof resin.

The module is a camera module and is provided with a lens 941 held by a housing 911. Further, a first circuit substrate 931 and a second circuit substrate 932 surrounded by a cylindrical mask member 971 are held inside the casing 911. Further, an imaging element 942 that converts light incident from the lens 941 into an electrical signal is mounted on the first circuit substrate 931. A contact portion is formed on the surface of the second circuit substrate 932, and the outer conductor 861 of the connector and the front end of the inner conductor 851 are connected to the contact portion by a relay terminal 951. Further, the rear end of the housing 911 is connected to the flange of the base 871 of the connector by a gasket 912, thereby achieving waterproofing of the housing 911.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP2015-170515A

However, in the above conventional connector, the outer conductor 861 and the inner conductor 851 are held at the front end of the body of the base 871 by the potting material 818, and therefore, in order to obtain a predetermined waterproof performance, it is necessary to perform complicated such as centrifugal separation. The work is such that the potting material 818 penetrates between the components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector of high reliability and a connector assembly which solves the above-mentioned problems, can maintain high watertightness by a simple structural form and exhibit a high mask ( Shielding) performance.

Therefore, a connector according to the present invention is provided with a conductive terminal, an intermediate insulator for accommodating the terminal, a conductive outer conductor for accommodating the intermediate insulator, and an inner seal made of a hot melt adhesive. The terminal includes a relay portion extending forward from a front end of the intermediate insulator and a contact portion extending forward from a front end of the relay portion and contacting a mating terminal; the outer conductor includes a space portion for receiving the intermediate insulator and a contact arm extending forward from a front end of the outer conductor, surrounding the contact portion and contacting a mating outer conductor; The inner sealing material is disposed around the relay portion and further forward of the intermediate insulator in the space portion.

Further, in another connector, the contact arm includes: a flange portion extending radially inward from a front end of the outer conductor; and a slit dividing the flange portion, the slit including An extension of the front end of the outer conductor extending rearward; and the inner sealing material is disposed in the space portion between the flange portion and the intermediate insulator.

In still another connector, the inner sealing material is an annular component.

A connector assembly in accordance with the present invention is provided with a connector of the present invention, a connector base on which the connector is mounted, and an outer sealing material made of a hot melt adhesive. The connector base includes: an outer conductor holding portion formed with an outer conductor insertion hole into which the outer conductor is inserted; and a front outer conductor receiving cavity formed in front of the outer conductor holding portion and having a larger diameter than The outer conductor is inserted into a cross section of the hole. a connector integrally formed with the outer conductor and soldered to a front surface of the outer conductor holding portion, the connector being fixed to the connector base, and the outer sealing material being disposed at the The front outer conductor receiving cavity is located around the outer conductor.

In another connector assembly, the outer sealing material is an annular member.

In still another connector assembly, the inner sealing material and the outer sealing material are joined to each other.

In still another connector assembly, the periphery of the outer conductor in the front outer conductor receiving cavity is further filled with a potting material.

A method of assembling a connector assembly, the connector assembly comprising the connector of the present invention and a connector base, the connector being mounted to the connector base, the connector base comprising: an outer conductor a holding portion formed with an outer conductor insertion hole; and a front outer conductor receiving cavity formed in front of the outer conductor holding portion and having a cross section larger than the outer conductor insertion hole, the assembling method comprising the steps of: An outer conductor of the connector is inserted into the outer conductor insertion hole; a tab integrally formed with the outer conductor is soldered to a front surface of the outer conductor holding portion; and is made of a hot melt adhesive An outer sealing material is disposed in the front outer conductor receiving cavity around the outer conductor; and the inner sealing material and the outer sealing material are melted by heating.

Another method of assembling the connector assembly further includes the step of filling a periphery of the outer conductor within the front outer conductor receiving cavity with a potting material.

According to the present invention, the connector has high watertightness, masking performance, and reliability while having a simple configuration.

The present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing a connector system according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the connector system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the connector assembly according to the present embodiment. Note that in Figs. 1 and 2, (a) is a view as seen from the rear of the connector assembly, and (b) is a view as seen from the front of the connector assembly.

In the figure, 1 denotes a connector as a cable connector of the present embodiment, and the connector 1 is used in a state of being connected to one end of a cable (not shown) such as a signal cable or the like. Here, for convenience of explanation, a waterproof coaxial connector based on the FAKRA standard and connected to the end of a cable is explained with a connector connected from the rear (negative X-axis direction) of the connector 1. Further, 2 denotes a connector assembly according to the present embodiment, and the connector assembly 2 is provided with a connector 1 and a rear base 71 as a connector base, wherein the connector 1 is mounted to the rear base 71. Further, 3 denotes a connector system according to the present embodiment, and the connector system 3 is provided with a connector assembly 2 and a module side connector 101 as a mating connector, and the module side connector 101 is connected to the connector The front of the component 2 (positive X-axis direction). Note that the module side connector 101 is included in a module 110 as a component of the connected object.

The module 110 is, for example, an imaging element (such as a CCD or CMOS image sensor) and a camera module integrated with an optical component (such as a lens). However, the module can be any kind of module. A sensor module such as a light receiving sensor including an infrared sensor or the like, or an acoustic component module such as a microphone. In addition, the connector 1 is used to mount the module 110 to a device such as a car. However, the connector 1 can be used for mounting to any type of device, for example, including a mobile phone, a PDA, a computer, a game machine, and a digital device. Electronic equipment such as cameras, and installations for monitoring devices.

Further, such as upper, lower, left, right, front, rear, and the like, are used to explain the directions of operation and configuration of the components of the connector 1, the connector assembly 2, the connector system 3, and the module 110 in the present embodiment. The description is not absolute but relative, and although the connectors 1, the connector assembly 2, the connector system 3, and the components of the module 110 are in the orientation shown in the figures, these expressions are appropriate, but when the connector is 1. When these orientations of the connector assembly 2, the connector system 3, and the module 110 are changed, these directions should vary in interpretation corresponding to the changes.

The module 110 includes: a housing 111 integrally formed of a conductive metal such as an aluminum alloy; a substrate 191 (such as a printed circuit board) disposed in the housing 111; and an element 192 (such as an imaging element) a surface mounted on the front side of the substrate 191; and a module side connector 101 mounted as a mating connector on the surface of the rear side of the substrate 191. The housing 111 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-like member and includes: a substantially rectangular flat front panel 112; four flat side panels 113 connected to the four sides of the front panel 112 and in the front-rear direction (X-axis) The direction) extends; and a module inner space 114 surrounded by the front panel 112 and the four side panels 113 and the rear is open. Further, the substrate 191 is housed in the module inner space 114. In addition, the front panel 112 is provided with an opening 112a and is constructed such that the element 192 disposed in the inner space 114 of the module can receive light incident through the opening 112a and from the outside. Note that in order to prevent foreign matter such as water, dust, and the like from entering the inside of the module space 114 from the outside, a lens or screen made of a transparent material is preferably provided at the opening 112a.

The module side connector 101 is provided with a matching inner conductor 151 as a mating terminal, made of a conductive metal such as a copper alloy, and standing on the surface of the rear side of the substrate 191 and protruding rearward; And a matching outer conductor 161 made of a conductive metal such as a copper alloy having a cylindrical shape formed around the circumference of the inner conductor 151 and standing on the surface of the rear side of the substrate 191 And stand back. Further, a fitting fitting space 161a is formed in the inner side of the outer conductor 161, and a contact arm 62 of an outer conductor 61 of the connector 1 enters the fitting fitting space 161a and contacts the outer conductor 161, and is engaged with the outer conductor 161. The rear end (negative X-axis direction end) forms a tapered portion 161b whose shape is enlarged outward, so that the contact arm 62 can smoothly enter the fitting fitting space 161a. Note that the fitting outer conductor 161 is a member having a fitting fitting space 161a having a length of about 4.0 mm in the front-rear direction and an inner diameter of about 2.5 mm, however, these dimensions can be appropriately changed.

Further, a plurality of attachment pieces 161c are formed at a front end (the positive X-axis direction end) of the mating outer conductor 161, and the attachment piece 161c is electrically and mechanically connected to the rear of the substrate 191 by means such as soldering. A connection pad (not shown) on the side surface. Note that in Fig. 2(a), 156 denotes a tail portion that fits the inner conductor 151. The tail portion 156 protrudes outward at the front end of the mating outer conductor 161 in a state of being electrically insulated from the mating outer conductor 161, and is electrically and mechanically connected to the surface formed on the rear side of the substrate 191 by means such as soldering. A connection pad (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 1 is provided with an inner conductor 51 which extends in the front-rear direction as an elongated rod-shaped terminal and is made of a conductive metal such as a copper alloy, and an outer conductor 61 which is composed of A conductive metal such as a copper alloy has a substantially cylindrical shape formed around the circumference of the inner conductor 51 and extends in the front-rear direction. Further, the connector 1 is a so-called bullet connector having a substantially bullet-like shape as a whole, and is attached to a rear base 71 as a connector base integrally formed of a conductive metal such as an aluminum alloy. Thereby the connector assembly 2 is formed. Note that the outer conductor 61 is a member having a length of about 12.0 mm in the front-rear direction and an outer diameter of about 3.7 mm, however, these dimensions may be appropriately changed.

The rear base 71 is provided with a substantially cylindrical main body portion 72, and a substantially rectangular flat plate-shaped flange portion 73 integrally connected to the front end (the positive X-axis direction end) of the main body portion 72. The flange portion 73 also serves as a lid member for closing the rear of the module inner space 114 of the module 110. Further, the positioning projections 74 projecting forward are formed at the four corners of the surface of the front side of the flange portion 73, and the adjacent positioning projections 74 are protruded forward by the surface from the front side of the flange portion 73. The convex walls 74b are coupled. The outer side surface of the connecting convex wall 74b and the outer side surface of the positioning convex portion 74 are formed to be flush with each other, and as shown in FIG. 1, the flange portion 73 is attached to the housing 111 to close the module inner space 114 of the module 110. Rear, and in that state, the flange portion 73 approaches or abuts and faces the inner side faces of the four side panels 113, and the gap between the flange portion 73 and the housing 111 is sealed in a waterproof manner. Further, in a state where the flange portion 73 is attached to the casing 111, a front end peripheral surface 73a of the flange portion 73 and a rear end surface 113a of the four side panels 113 abut each other and are joined by welding. Therefore, the flange portion 73 and the housing 111 are firmly connected in a waterproof manner.

Note that a front end surface 74a of the positioning convex portion 74 is a flat surface, and serves as a positioning surface for maintaining a module between the connector 1 and the substrate 191 or on a surface mounted on the rear side of the substrate 191. The spacing between the side connectors 101. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the flange portion 73 is attached to the casing 111, the front end surface 74a of the positioning convex portion 74 abuts against the surface of the rear side of the substrate 191, and by making a bolt, A front end of a rod-shaped member (not shown) such as a rivet is inserted and fixed through a substrate 191 in a fixing hole 74c formed in the front end surface 74a, and the substrate 191 is positioned and fixed to the front end surface 74a.

The main body portion 72 includes a rear outer conductor receiving cavity 72a open to the rear end of the main body portion 72, and a front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b open to the front end (i.e., open to the front surface of the flange portion 73). The rear outer conductor accommodating chamber 72a and the front outer conductor accommodating chamber 72b are cylindrical spaces extending in the front-rear direction, and house the connector 1. The main body portion 72 further includes an outer conductor holding portion 75 located between the rear outer conductor receiving cavity 72a and the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b and holding the outer conductor 61. The outer-side conductor holding portion 75 is a member that protrudes inward in the radial direction of the main body portion 72 with respect to the inner side surface of the rear outer-side conductor accommodating chamber 72a and the front outer-side conductor accommodating chamber 72b, and is formed at the center thereof in the front-rear direction and rearward. An outer conductor insertion hole 75a that communicates with the outer conductor receiving cavity 72a and the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b. The outer conductor insertion hole 75a has a space which is smaller in cross section than the rear outer conductor accommodating cavity 72a and the front outer conductor accommodating cavity 72b, and the outer conductor 61 is inserted therein. When a waterproof coaxial connector connected to one end of a cable (not shown) is connected to the connector 1, at least a portion of the end of the coaxial connector enters the rear outer conductor receiving cavity 72a.

Further, in a state where the outer conductor 61 is inserted into the outer conductor insertion hole 75a, the connector 1 is fixed by welding a tab 63 formed on the outer conductor 61 to the front surface 75b of the outer conductor holding portion 75, thereafter An outer sealing material 42 made of a hot melt adhesive (for example, a polyester resin) is attached around the outer conductor 61 in the front outer conductor housing cavity 72b. Note that the outer sealing material 42 is an annular member whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b and whose inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the outer conductor 61, and the outer sealing material 42 is in a subsequent step. The medium is heated and melted, and is integrated with components such as the outer conductor 61 and the front outer conductor accommodating chamber 72b and penetrates between the respective members to exhibit waterproof performance. Further, as shown in FIG. 2(b), when the connector 1 is in a state of being fixed to the rear base 71, the contact arm 62 formed to protrude forward from the front end of the outer conductor 61 is positioned such that at least the front end thereof is located oppositely convex The front surface of the rim portion 73 is further forward. Thereby, when the flange portion 73 and the casing 111 are attached as shown in FIG. 1, the contact arm 62 can enter the fitting fitting space 161a of the module side connector 101.

Next, the configuration of the connector 1 will be described in detail. First, the configuration of the outer conductor 61 will be explained.

4 is a perspective view showing an outer conductor of a connector according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a six-side view showing an outer conductor of the connector according to the present embodiment. Note that, in Fig. 4, (a) is a perspective view from the rear of the outer conductor, and (b) is a perspective view from the front of the outer conductor; and in Fig. 5, (a) is the outer conductor A side view, (b) is a side view of the state in which the outer conductor of (a) is rotated 45 degrees in a direction about a central axis, and (c) is the outer conductor of (a) in another state around the central axis a side view of a state rotated 45 degrees in one direction, (d) is a front view of the outer conductor of (c), (e) is a rear view of the outer conductor of (c), and (f) is (c) A side cross-sectional view of the outer conductor.

In the present embodiment, the outer conductor 61 is, for example, a member integrally formed by forming a sheet of a predetermined outer shape by punching and bending a flat metal sheet. More specifically, the relevant portion of the flat plate of a predetermined outer shape is bent into a cylindrical shape, and the mutually facing ends are butted together and joined to form a joint extending in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 5(b) 67, and the outer conductor 61 is formed to include the joint portion 67. Note that both ends are clinched at the joint fixing portion 67a and fixed to each other.

Further, the outer conductor 61 further includes a front portion 61a close to the front, a rear portion 61b near the rear, and a space portion 61c which is a cylindrical space formed to extend in the front-rear direction. The contact arm 62 around the contact portion 52 of the inner conductor 51 is integrally connected to the front end of the front portion 61a. The contact arm 62 includes a flange portion 62d which is a substantially flange-like or annular plate member and extends from the front end of the front portion 61a toward the radially inner side of the outer conductor 61; an arm member 62a which is from the flange The inner end of the portion 62d extends forward; and a curved portion 62c that is coupled to the front end of the arm member 62a and bent to bulge outward in the radial direction of the outer conductor 61. The inner side of the arm member 62a forms a front space portion 62e. The front space portion 62e is a columnar space that is smaller in diameter than the space portion 61c and has a front end open and a rear end connected to the space portion 61c.

Note that the flange portion 62d, the arm member 62a, and the curved portion 62c are extended from the front end of the contact arm 62 in the front-rear direction to the plurality of slits 62b at the front end of the front portion 61a (six in the example shown in the drawing) ) is divided into a plurality of (in the example shown in the figure, six) in the circumferential direction of the outer conductor 61. Thereby, each of the arm members 62a can be elastically deformed flexibly, and when the contact arm 62 enters the fitting fitting space 161a of the module side connector 101, the arm member 62a is deformed in accordance with the shape of the inner side surface of the outer conductor 161. Moreover, the state of being in contact with the inner side surface can be maintained.

Further, at least one (three in the example shown in the drawing) slit 62b includes: an extension portion 63a which is a portion which is extended rearward from the front end of the front portion 61a. The extension portion 63a is a slit which is formed in a track shape by cutting a part of the wall surface of the cylindrical front portion 61a to form a tab 63 extending outward in the radial direction of the outer conductor 61. Note that the space portion 61c and the front space portion 62e communicate with the outer peripheral outer side of the outer conductor 61 by the slit 62b and the extended portion 63a.

At least one (two in the example shown in the drawing) elongated groove portions 65 extending in the circumferential direction of the outer conductor 61 are formed in the front portion 61a. The groove portion 65 serves as a reservoir section for the molten outer sealing material 42. Note that the groove portion 65 is formed to be located later in the tab 63 with respect to the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). Further, a convex portion 65a is formed at a position corresponding to the groove portion 65 of the inner wall surface of the space portion 61c. The convex portion 65a serves as a positioning portion that abuts against the front end of an intermediate insulator 11 to be described later, and is positioned in the front-rear direction of the intermediate insulator 11.

Further, at least one (three in the example shown in the drawing) caulking portion 64 as a fixing portion to fix the intermediate insulator 11 is formed in the front portion 61a. The caulking portion 64 is a through hole 64a extending in the circumferential direction of the outer conductor 61 and penetrating through the wall surface of the front portion 61a, and is formed in the groove portion 65 and the convex portion 65a with respect to the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). A slender part of the rear. Further, after the intermediate insulator 11 is housed in the space portion 61c, the caulking portion 64 is deformed so as to protrude inward in the radial direction of the outer conductor 61, and the intermediate insulator 11 is caulked.

Next, the configuration of the inner conductor 51 and the intermediate insulator 11 will be described.

Fig. 6 is a four-side view showing the inner conductor and the intermediate insulator of the connector according to the embodiment. Note that, in Fig. 6, (a) is a side view of the inner conductor and the intermediate insulator, (b) is a front view of the inner conductor and the intermediate insulator of (a), and (c) is the inner side of (a) A rear view of the conductor and the intermediate insulator, and (d) is a side view of a state in which the inner conductor of the (a) and the intermediate insulator are rotated by 90 degrees in one direction about the central axis.

In the present embodiment, as shown, the inner conductor 51 and the intermediate insulator 11 are integrated by a method called insert molding or overmolded molding, and the intermediate insulator 11 is extended in the front-rear direction. A substantially cylindrical member. More specifically, at least a portion of the inner conductor 51 is covered by the intermediate insulator 11 formed of an insulating resin.

The inner conductor 51 includes an elongated body portion 55 extending in the front-rear direction, a relay portion 53 extending forward from the front end of the body portion 55, and a contact portion 52 extending forward from the front end of the relay portion 53. And a connecting tail portion 54, which extends rearward from the rear end of the body portion 55. The body portion 55 is a portion that is rectangular in cross section and is housed in the intermediate insulator 11 and held by the intermediate insulator 11. Further, the relay portion 53 is a portion whose cross section is rectangular and which is further exposed forward with respect to the front end of the intermediate insulator 11. Note that a concave portion 53a as an anchor part is formed on the side surface of the relay portion 53. Further, the contact portion 52 is a portion having a rectangular cross section and located in the front space portion 62e of the outer conductor 61, and when the connector 1 and the module side connector 101 are fitted together, the contact portion 52 is in contact with the inner side. The conductor 151 is also capable of being turned on. Further, the connection tail portion 54 is a portion exposed in a housing recess 11d of the intermediate insulator 11, and when a waterproof coaxial connector connected to the end of a cable (not shown) is connected to the connector 1, the tail portion is connected 54 contacts the terminal of the waterproof coaxial connector and is capable of conducting.

In addition, the intermediate insulator 11 includes a front portion 11a near the front, a rear portion 11b near the rear, a locking recess 11c between the front portion 11a and the rear portion 11b, and a receiving recess 11d formed in the rear portion 11b. A cylindrical space extending in the front-rear direction. The front portion 11a and the rear portion 11b are cylindrical portions having substantially the same outer diameter, and the locking concave portion 11c is a cylindrical portion having an outer diameter smaller than that of the front portion 11a and the rear portion 11b. Note that, in the figure, 11e denotes an inner conductor receiving hole for accommodating the main body portion 55 of the inner conductor 51.

Next, a configuration for attaching the inner conductor 51 to the outer conductor 61 will be described.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a connector according to the present embodiment, Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the connector according to the present embodiment, and Fig. 9 is a three-side view of the connector according to the present embodiment. In Fig. 9, (a) is a bottom view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow A-A of (a).

The intermediate insulator 11 integrated with the inner conductor 51 is inserted into the space portion 61c of the outer conductor 61 from the rear of the outer conductor 61. At this time, the inner seal material 41 made of a hot melt adhesive is attached around the relay portion 53 of the inner conductor 51 in front of the front portion 11a of the intermediate insulator 11. Note that the inner seal material 41 is an annular member whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the space portion 61c and whose inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the relay portion 53, and the inner seal material 41 is heated in a subsequent step. It is melted and integrated with members such as the outer conductor 61, the inner conductor 51, and the intermediate insulator 11, and penetrates between the members, thereby exhibiting waterproof performance. Further, when the front end of the intermediate insulator 11 (i.e., the front end of the front portion 11a) abuts against the convex portion 65a, the positioning of the intermediate insulator 11 with respect to the outer conductor 61 in the front-rear direction is achieved, and the intermediate insulator 11 is blocked. Thereby, the inner seal material 41 is housed in the space portion 61c and is located in a space between the front portion 11a of the intermediate insulator 11 and the flange portion 62d of the outer conductor 61.

Subsequently, when the operator deforms the caulking portion 64 to protrude inward in the radial direction of the outer conductor 61 using a tool or the like, the caulking portion 64 abuts against the rear end of the front portion 11a, and the intermediate insulator 11 is caulked. Thereby, the connector 1 can be obtained. In this state, as shown in Fig. 9(c), the positions of the rear end of the intermediate insulator 11 and the rear end of the outer conductor 61 substantially coincide in the front-rear direction, and the front end of the inner conductor 51 (i.e., the front end of the contact portion 52) is opposed. The front end of the outer conductor 61 (i.e., the front end of the contact arm 62) is located further rearward.

Next, the configuration for attaching the connector 1 to the rear base 71 will be explained.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a state before the outer sealing material is attached to a rear base to which the connector according to the present embodiment is attached, and Figure 11 is a view showing the outer sealing material and the connector to which the present embodiment is attached A two-side view of the state before the rear base is mounted, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the outer sealing material is attached to the rear base to which the connector according to the present embodiment is attached, and FIG. 13 is a view showing the outer sealing material and the attached A double-sided view of a state in which the rear base of the connector according to the present embodiment is attached, and FIG. 14 is a view showing the outer seal material and the inner seal material of the rear base to which the connector of the present embodiment is attached. A cross-sectional view of the state, and Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a module is attached to the rear base of the embodiment. Note that, in Fig. 11, (a) is a bottom view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow BB of (a); in Fig. 13, (a) is a bottom view, and (b) Is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow CC of (a); in Fig. 14, (a) is a side sectional view of the connector and the rear base, and (b) is the connector (a) and the rear base are A side cross-sectional view of a state in which one side of the central axis is rotated upward by 90 degrees; and in FIG. 15, (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a substrate is attached to the rear base, and (b) is a view A cross-sectional view of a state in which a housing is further attached.

In the present embodiment, the connector 1 is held by, for example, an operator's finger or the like, and is inserted from the front of the rear base 71 and passed through the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b of the rear base 71 and inserted into the outer conductor insertion hole 75a. More specifically, the outer conductor 61 of the connector 1 is inserted into the outer conductor insertion hole 75a from the rear end, and when the rear surface of the tab 63 abuts against the front surface 75b of the outer conductor holding portion 75, the connector 1 is realized with respect to the rear. The base 71 is positioned in the front-rear direction, and the connector 1 is blocked.

Subsequently, the operator preferably uses a fiber laser to illuminate the front surface of the tab 63 with a laser beam and to solder and fix the tab 63 to the outer conductor holding portion 75. Thereby, the outer conductor 61 and the rear base 71 are electrically connected, and therefore, in the case where the outer conductor 61 is electrically connected to a ground line or the like, high mask performance can be obtained. Note that the convex portion 65a that abuts the front end of the intermediate insulator 11 to position the intermediate insulator 11 is formed to be located further rearward with respect to the rear surface of the tab 63, and thus the front end of the intermediate insulator 11 (ie, the front portion 11a) The front end of the opposite side of the tab 63 (i.e., the front surface 75b of the outer conductor holding portion 75) is located further rearward and lower. Therefore, even when the laser beam is spread around the tab 63, the intermediate insulator 11 is not burned by the laser beam.

In order to fix the connector 1 and the rear base 71 more firmly, it is advantageous to fill with a potting material. For example, a resin potting (resin buildup) apparatus may be used to fill the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b with a potting material injected therein by a potting material (for example, epoxy resin) in a molten state. The potting material in a molten state exhibits fluidity and even enters a minute gap between the outer peripheral surface of the outer conductor 61 of the connector 1 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer conductor insertion hole 75a of the rear base 71. The potting material has adhesiveness, and thus the connector 1 is reliably fixed to the rear base 71 by the potting material filled therein and solidified.

Subsequently, the operator inserts the annular outer sealing material 42 into the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b from the front of the rear base 71, and the outer sealing material 42 is mounted in the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b and located around the outer conductor 61. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the inner seal material 41 and the outer seal material 42 are mounted on the inner and outer sides of the outer conductor 61 at substantially the same position in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) of the connector assembly 2.

Next, the operator heats the connector assembly 2 in a heating bath or a high temperature bath of about 200 ° C for about 10 minutes, for example, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, thereby making the inner sealing material 41 and the outer sealing material 42. Melt. When this step is completed, the hot-melt adhesive of the inner seal material 41 and the outer seal material 42 in the molten state exhibits fluidity, and thus, as shown in FIG. 14, the slit 62b is formed and the outer conductor 61 is formed. The integrated sealing material 43 that is internally and externally connected not only fills a space defined by the outer surface of the front portion 61a of the outer conductor 61, the inner surface of the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b, and the front surface 75b of the outer conductor holding portion 75, but also fills The front end of the front portion 11a of the opposite intermediate insulator 11 in the front portion 61a of the outer conductor 61 is further advanced to a space. The sealing material 43 has adhesiveness, and thus the connector 1 is reliably fixed to the rear base 71 by the sealing material 43 filled and solidified therein, and the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b and the rear outer conductor receiving cavity 72a The space between the spaces is sealed in a waterproof manner. Note that the groove portion 65 formed in the vicinity of the tab 63 on the outer peripheral surface of the outer conductor 61 serves as a storage portion for the sealing material 43, and thus the sealing material 43 shrinks even when it is cured because the sealing material 43 Since it is supplied from the inside of the groove portion 65, problems such as cracking and peeling of the sealing material 43 do not occur.

Further, since the sealing material 43 filled in the concave portion 53a exerts a so-called anchoring effect, the concave portion 53a is formed as an anchor portion on the side surface of the relay portion 53 of the inner conductor 51 and locks the inner conductor 51. Therefore, the inner conductor 51 is also fixed to the rear base 71 by the sealing material 43. Further, the sealing material 43 exhibits fluidity in a molten state, and thus enters a minute gap between the inner peripheral surface of the outer conductor insertion hole 75a and the outer peripheral surface of the front portion 61a of the outer conductor 61, and the front portion of the outer conductor 61 a small gap between the inner circumferential surface of 61a and the outer circumferential surface of the front portion 11a of the intermediate insulator 11 and a small gap between the inner circumferential surface of the inner conductor receiving hole 11e and the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 55 of the inner conductor 51, Thus, the space between the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b and the rear outer conductor receiving cavity 72a is sealed in a more waterproof manner.

In addition, the operator can also fill with a potting material if necessary. For example, a resin potting (resin accumulation) device may be used to fill the inside of the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b with a potting material (for example, an epoxy resin) in a molten state by injecting a potting material therein. The front surface (the surface in the positive X-axis direction) of the sealing material 43 is covered. The potting material exhibits fluidity in a molten state, and even enters a region such as a small gap between the sealing material 43 and each member, and thus the components in the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b are sealed in a more waterproof manner. . The potting material has adhesiveness, and thus the connector 1 will be more reliably fixed to the rear base 71 by the potting material filled and cured therein.

Next, the substrate 191 on which the module side connector 101 is mounted is held by the operator's finger or the like, and the substrate 191 is relatively moved rearward from the front of the rear base 71, and abuts against the front end surface 74a of the positioning convex portion 74, and The substrate 191 is fixed to the positioning convex portion 74 by a rod-like member (not shown) such as a bolt or a rivet. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the substrate 191 is attached to the rear base 71. At this time, the connector 1 and the module side connector 101 are fitted together, and the contact arm 62 of the outer conductor 61 enters the mating fitting space 161a of the module side connector 101 and contacts the outer conductor 161 and is electrically connected thereto, and The contact portion 52 of the inner conductor 51 contacts and is electrically connected to the inner conductor 151. Note that in the example shown in the drawing, the contact portion 52 of the inner conductor 51 is rod-shaped and configured to enter and contact the inside inner conductor 151 which is hollow and has an open end. However, the inner conductor 151 may also be rod-shaped and may be configured to enter a contact portion 52 of a hollow inner conductor 51 having an open end.

Next, the casing 111 is gripped by the operator's finger or the like, the casing 111 is relatively moved rearward from the front of the rear base 71, and the rear end surface 113a of the four side panels 113 and the front end peripheral surface 73a of the flange portion 73 abut against each other. , welded and fixed. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the casing 111 is attached to the rear base 71.

Note that, here, although only the case where the connector assembly 2 is heated and at the same time the inner seal material 41 and the outer seal material 42 are melted, the connector shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 may be heated if necessary. 1 to melt the inner sealing material 41, and the molten inner sealing material 41 may be dispersed in a space between the front portion 11a of the intermediate insulator 11 and the flange portion 62d of the outer conductor 61. In this case, when the connector assembly 2 is heated, the inner seal material 41 is again melted and fluidized, and joined and integrated with the molten outer seal material 42 to form the seal material 43.

In this manner, in the present embodiment, the connector 1 is provided with a conductive inner conductor 51, an intermediate insulator 11 accommodating the inner conductor 51, a conductive outer conductor 61 accommodating the intermediate insulator 11, and a hot-melt adhesive. The inner sealing material 41 is made. Further, the inner conductor 51 includes a relay portion 53 extending forward from the intermediate insulator 11 and a contact portion 52 extending forward from the front end of the relay portion 53 and contacting the inner conductor 151; the outer conductor 61 includes a housing for accommodating the intermediate insulator 11. a space portion 61c and a contact arm 62 extending forward from the front end of the outer conductor 61 to surround the contact portion 52 and contacting the outer conductor 161; and the inner sealing material 41 is disposed around the relay portion 53, The intermediate insulator 11 in the opposing space portion 61c is further forward.

In this manner, the inner sealing material 41 is disposed around the relay portion 53 of the inner conductor 51 and further forwards with respect to the intermediate insulator 11 in the space portion 61c of the outer conductor 61, and therefore, can be maintained by a simple configuration High water tightness. Further, the inner conductor 51 is housed in the outer conductor 61, and the contact portion 52 of the inner conductor 51 is also surrounded by the contact arm 62 of the outer conductor 61, and thus exhibits high sealing property and improved reliability.

Further, the contact arm 62 includes a flange portion 62d extending radially inward from the front end of the outer conductor 61, and a slit 62b dividing the flange portion 62d. The slit 62b includes an extension extending rearward from the front end of the outer conductor 61. The inner seal member 41 is disposed in the space portion 61c and between the flange portion 62d and the intermediate insulator 11. Therefore, when the inner sealing material 41 is melted, the minute gap between the respective members including the intermediate insulator 11, the inner conductor 51, and the outer conductor 61 is sealed in a waterproof manner.

Further, the inner sealing material 41 is an annular member. Therefore, it is easy to handle and the connector 1 can be easily assembled and manufactured.

Further, in the present embodiment, the connector assembly 2 is provided with a rear base 71 on which the connector 1 is mounted and an outer sealing material 42 made of a hot melt adhesive. Further, the rear base 71 includes an outer conductor holding portion 75 formed with an outer conductor insertion hole 75a into which the outer conductor 61 is inserted, and a front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b formed in front of the outer conductor holding portion 75 and having a larger outer side a cross section of the conductor insertion hole 75a; the connector 1 is fixed to the rear base 71 by a tab 63 integrally formed with the outer conductor 61 and welded to the front surface 75b of the outer conductor holding portion 75; and the outer sealing material 42 is disposed in the front outer conductor housing cavity 72b and is located around the outer conductor 61. Therefore, the connector 1 can be reliably fixed to the rear base 71, and the high watertightness can be reliably maintained.

Further, the outer sealing material 42 is an annular member. Further, the inner seal material 41 and the outer seal material 42 are joined to each other by heating and melting. In this manner, the inner seal material 41 and the outer seal material 42 are fused and joined to each other, and thus the connector assembly 2 can maintain a very high watertightness.

Further, the periphery of the outer conductor 61 in the front outer conductor accommodating chamber 72b may be further filled with a potting material. Thereby, the connector 1 can be more reliably fixed to the rear base 71.

Further, in the present embodiment, the assembling method of the connector assembly 2 includes the steps of inserting the outer conductor 61 of the connector 1 into the outer conductor insertion hole 75a; and welding the tab 63 integrally formed with the outer conductor 61 to the outer conductor. a front surface 75b of the portion 75; an outer sealing material 42 made of a hot melt adhesive is disposed in the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b and located around the outer conductor 61; and the inner sealing material 41 and the outer seal are sealed by heating Material 42 melts.

Therefore, a connector assembly 2 having high watertightness can be obtained easily and reliably.

Further, the assembling method of the connector assembly 2 may further include a step of filling the periphery of the outer conductor 61 in the front outer conductor receiving cavity 72b with a potting material. Thereby, the connector 1 can be more reliably fixed to the rear base 71.

It is to be noted that the present invention is only an example, and thus any suitable modifications that may be made by those skilled in the art and which can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art are within the scope of the present invention. The width, thickness and shape of the various parts shown in the figures are schematically shown and are not intended to limit the explanation of the invention.

It is noted that the disclosure of the present specification describes features related to the preferred embodiment and the exemplary embodiment. Various other embodiments, modifications, and variations of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

1‧‧‧Connector

2‧‧‧Connector components

3‧‧‧Connector System

11‧‧‧Intermediate insulator

11a, 61a‧‧‧ front

11b, 61b‧‧‧ rear

11c‧‧‧Lock recess

11d‧‧‧ containment recess

11e‧‧‧Inside conductor receiving hole

41‧‧‧Inner sealing material

42‧‧‧Outer sealing material

43‧‧‧ Sealing material

51‧‧‧Inside conductor

52‧‧‧Contacts

53‧‧‧Relay Department

53a‧‧‧ recess

54‧‧‧Connecting the tail

55, 72‧‧‧ Body Department

61‧‧‧Outer conductor

61c‧‧‧ Space Department

62‧‧‧Contact arm

62a‧‧‧arm components

62b‧‧‧slit

62c‧‧‧Bend

62d, 73‧‧‧Flange

62e‧‧‧Front Space Department

63‧‧‧1

63a‧‧‧Extension

64‧‧‧Filling Department

64a‧‧‧through hole

65‧‧‧ Groove

65a‧‧‧ convex

67‧‧‧Combination

67a‧‧‧ Combined with the fixed department

71‧‧‧Back base

72a‧‧‧ rear outer conductor receiving cavity

72b‧‧‧ front outer conductor receiving cavity

73a‧‧‧ front side

74‧‧‧ positioning convex

74a‧‧‧ front face

74b‧‧‧Connecting convex wall

74c‧‧‧Fixed holes

75‧‧‧Outer conductor retention

75a‧‧‧Outer conductor insertion hole

75b‧‧‧ front surface

101‧‧‧Module side connector

110‧‧‧ modules

111‧‧‧Shell

112‧‧‧ front panel

112a‧‧‧ Opening

113‧‧‧ side panel

113a‧‧‧ rear end face

114‧‧‧Modular space

151‧‧‧With inner conductor

156‧‧‧ tail

161‧‧‧With outer conductor

161a‧‧‧With fitting space

161b‧‧‧ Tapered

161c‧‧‧ Attachment

191‧‧‧Substrate

192‧‧‧ components

Other features and effects of the present invention will be apparent from the embodiments of the drawings, in which:

1 is a perspective view showing a connector system according to the present embodiment, wherein (a) is a perspective view from the rear of the connector assembly, and (b) is a perspective view from the front of the connector assembly.

2 is an exploded view of the connector system according to the present embodiment, wherein (a) is an exploded view as seen from the rear of the connector assembly, and (b) is an exploded view as seen from the front of the connector assembly.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the connector assembly in accordance with the present embodiment.

4 is a perspective view showing an outer conductor of a connector according to the present embodiment, wherein (a) is a perspective view from the rear of the outer conductor, and (b) is a perspective view from the front of the outer conductor. .

Figure 5 is a six-side view showing the outer conductor of the connector according to the present embodiment, wherein (a) is a side view of the outer conductor, and (b) is the outer conductor of (a) on a side surrounding a central axis a side view of a state rotated upward by 45 degrees, (c) is a side view of a state in which the outer conductor of (a) is rotated by 45 degrees in the other direction around the central axis, and (d) is the outer side of (c) A front view of the conductor, (e) is a rear view of the outer conductor of (c), and (f) is a side cross-sectional view of the outer conductor of (c).

Figure 6 is a four-side view showing the inner conductor and the intermediate insulator of the connector according to the present embodiment, wherein (a) is a side view of the inner conductor and the intermediate insulator, and (b) is the inner conductor and the middle of (a) A front view of the insulator, (c) is a rear view of the inner conductor and the intermediate insulator of (a), and (d) is a one of the inner conductor of the (a) and the intermediate insulator rotated 90 degrees in a direction about the central axis. A side view of the state.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the connector according to the embodiment.

Figure 9 is a three-side view of the connector according to the present embodiment, wherein (a) is a bottom view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow A-A of (a).

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a state before the outer sealing material is attached to a rear base to which the connector according to the embodiment is attached.

Figure 11 is a two-side view showing a state before the outer sealing material is attached to the rear base to which the connector of the present embodiment is attached, wherein (a) is a bottom view and (b) is an arrow along (a) A cross-sectional view made by BB.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the outer sealing material is attached to the rear base to which the connector according to the embodiment is attached.

Figure 13 is a two-side view showing a state in which the outer sealing material is attached to the rear base to which the connector according to the present embodiment is attached, wherein (a) is a bottom view and (b) is the edge of (a) A cross-sectional view made by the arrow CC.

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the outer seal material and the inner seal material of the rear base to which the connector of the present embodiment is attached are melted, wherein (a) is a side sectional view of the connector and the rear base, And (b) is a side cross-sectional view of the state in which the connector (a) and the rear base are rotated by 90 degrees in one direction about the central axis.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a module is attached to the rear base of the embodiment, wherein (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a substrate is attached to the rear base, and (b) Is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a casing is further attached.

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional connector.

Claims (9)

A connector that includes: a conductive terminal, an intermediate insulator accommodating the terminal, a conductive outer conductor accommodating the intermediate insulator, and an inner sealing material made of a hot melt adhesive, The terminal includes a relay portion extending forward from a front end of the intermediate insulator and a contact portion extending forward from a front end of the relay portion and contacting a mating terminal, The outer conductor includes a space portion for receiving the intermediate insulator and a contact arm extending forward from a front end of the outer conductor, surrounding the contact portion and contacting a mating outer side conductor, And the inner sealing material is disposed around the relay portion and further forward of the intermediate insulator in the space portion. The connector of claim 1, wherein the contact arm comprises: a flange portion extending radially inward from a front end of the outer conductor; and a slit dividing the flange portion, the narrow The slit includes an extension extending rearward from a front end of the outer conductor; and the inner sealing material is disposed in the space portion between the flange portion and the intermediate insulator. The connector of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner sealing material is an annular member. A connector assembly comprising: A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a connector base on which the connector is mounted, and an outer sealing material made of a hot melt adhesive, The connector base includes: an outer conductor holding portion formed with an outer conductor insertion hole into which the outer conductor is inserted; and a front outer conductor receiving cavity formed in front of the outer conductor holding portion and having a larger diameter than a cross section of the outer conductor insertion hole, The connector is fixed to the connector base by a tab integrally formed with the outer conductor and soldered to a front surface of the outer conductor holding portion. And the outer sealing material is disposed in the front outer conductor receiving cavity and around the outer conductor. The connector assembly of claim 4, wherein the outer sealing material is an annular member. The connector assembly of claim 4, wherein the inner seal material and the outer seal material are coupled to each other. The connector assembly of claim 4 or 5, wherein the periphery of the outer conductor in the front outer conductor receiving cavity is further filled with a potting material. A method of assembling a connector assembly, the connector assembly comprising the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a connector base, the connector being mounted to the connector base, the connection The base of the apparatus includes: an outer conductor holding portion formed with an outer conductor insertion hole; and a front outer conductor receiving cavity formed in front of the outer conductor holding portion and having a cross section larger than the outer conductor insertion hole, The assembly method comprises the steps of: Inserting an outer conductor of the connector into the outer conductor insertion hole; Welding a tab integrally formed with the outer conductor to a front surface of the outer conductor holding portion; An outer sealing material made of a hot melt adhesive is disposed in the front outer conductor receiving cavity around the outer conductor; The inner seal material and the outer seal material are melted by heating. The method of assembling the connector assembly of claim 8, further comprising the step of filling a periphery of the outer conductor in the front outer conductor receiving cavity with a potting material.