JP2024028421A - electrical connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to improve bonding strength while making it possible to downsize.
[Solution] An electrical connector includes a housing and a contact made of a conductive member attached to the housing, to which the terminal portion of the center conductor of the coaxial cable is connected by applying ultrasonic vibration, and the center conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to the terminal portion of the center conductor of the coaxial cable. The terminal part has a shape in which the cross section in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the central conductor has at least three sides, one side of the cross-sectional shape of the terminal part is connected to the contact, and both ends of one side are connected to the contact. The distance between the pair of other sides becomes narrower in the direction away from the contact, and the contact has gold plating at the part where the center conductor of the coaxial cable is connected, The terminal portion of the center conductor has silver plating at a portion connected to the gold plating of the contact, and the gold plating and silver plating are connected.
[Selection diagram] Figure 16

Description

The present invention relates to electrical connectors.

In general, in various electronic or electrical devices such as smartphones and tablet computers, it is widely practiced to connect a coaxial cable for signal transmission to a wiring board via an electrical connector. In such electrical connectors, it has been proposed, for example, in the following patent documents, to apply ultrasonic vibration when performing the process of connecting the center conductor of the coaxial cable to a conductive contact (terminal). In the manufacturing method disclosed in the patent document, the contact (terminal) is first fixed to the housing, and then the center conductor of the coaxial cable is brought into contact with the contact (terminal), and then jigs such as the horn and anvil are attached to the housing. The center conductor and contacts (terminals) of the coaxial cable are sandwiched between the horn and the anvil, and ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the coaxial cable.

JP2018-60727A

However, as mentioned above, if a jig such as a horn or anvil that applies ultrasonic vibration is inserted into the housing, it is necessary to insert the jig such as the horn or anvil when designing the housing. As a result, the degree of freedom in design is reduced, and, for example, it may be difficult to downsize the device. In addition, when designing jigs such as horns and anvils that apply ultrasonic vibrations, there are restrictions based on the structure of the housing. It is also conceivable that the design may become impossible and sufficient bonding strength between the center conductor of the coaxial cable and the contact cannot be obtained.

In particular, in recent years, electric connectors have been required to be significantly smaller in addition to higher signal frequencies, so there is a tendency for the bonding strength between the center conductor of a coaxial cable and a contact to decrease. Therefore, there is a need for a structure that allows the center conductor of the coaxial cable to be joined to the contact with high strength to improve electrical connection stability while reducing the size of the electrical connector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector that is miniaturized and allows the center conductor of a coaxial cable to be joined to a contact with high strength.

On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1, a housing made of an insulating member and an end portion of a center conductor of a coaxial cable are connected by applying ultrasonic vibration, and a conductive In the electrical connector, the terminal portion of the center conductor of the coaxial cable has a shape in which a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the center conductor has at least three sides; One of the three sides constituting the cross-sectional shape of the terminal portion of is connected to the contact, and the pair of other sides extending from both ends of the one side is the distance between the other sides of the pair. However, a configuration is adopted in which the width becomes narrower in the direction away from the contact.

According to an electrical connector with such a configuration, when joining the center conductor of the coaxial cable and the contact, ultrasonic vibration is efficiently applied through a jig such as a horn or anvil. High bonding strength between the center conductor and the contact can be easily obtained.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 2, the housing made of an insulating member and the end portion of the central conductor of the coaxial cable in the extending direction are connected by applying ultrasonic vibration to the housing. In the electrical connector, the terminal portion of the center conductor of the coaxial cable has a first surface portion and a second surface portion facing each other in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the center conductor. a surface portion, one of the first surface portion and the second surface portion is connected to the contact, wherein the first surface portion is a single or The second surface part includes a plurality of flat surfaces, and the second surface part includes either a single or multiple flat surfaces extending in the extending direction, or a single or multiple curved surfaces extending in the extending direction. It has been adopted.

Even in electrical connectors with such a configuration, ultrasonic vibrations are efficiently applied through jigs such as horns and anvils when joining the center conductor of the coaxial cable and the contacts. Sufficient bonding strength between the conductor and the contact can be easily obtained.

At this time, as in the invention according to claim 3, each of the plurality of flat surfaces constituting the first surface portion has one end edge and the other end edge extending in the extending direction. It is desirable that one edge of each flat surface is connected directly or indirectly through another surface.

In this way, the plurality of flat surfaces constituting the first surface of the center conductor of the coaxial cable are connected to the contacts, thereby expanding the contact area between the center conductor of the coaxial cable and the contacts. Sufficient bonding strength can be easily obtained when bonding is performed using ultrasonic vibration.

Further, in this case, as in the invention according to claim 4, the first surface portion is composed of two flat surfaces extending in an inclined state in a direction intersecting the extending direction, and Each of the two flat surfaces constituting the surface section 1 has one end edge and the other end edge extending in the extending direction, and the one end edges of each of the two flat surfaces are opposite to each other. , it is possible to have a directly connected configuration.

Moreover, as in the invention according to claim 5, each of the plurality of flat surfaces or curved surfaces constituting the second surface portion has one end edge and the other end edge extending in the extending direction. It is possible to have a configuration in which one edge of each flat surface or curved surface is connected directly or indirectly through another surface.

Furthermore, as in the invention according to claim 6, the outermost edges of the first surface portion in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction and the outermost edges of the second surface portion in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction. It is possible to have a configuration in which both outer edges are connected directly or indirectly through another surface.

Furthermore, as in the invention according to claim 7, the center conductor of the coaxial cable has a maximum dimension H in a direction in which the first surface portion and the second surface portion face each other. It is possible to have a configuration in which the maximum dimension W in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the surface portions of the two sides face each other is smaller than the maximum dimension W (H<W).

Moreover, as in the invention according to claim 8, the contact has a connecting portion to which the center conductor of the coaxial cable is connected, and the connecting portion has a groove extending along the extending direction. It is possible to do so.

Furthermore, as in the invention according to claim 9, the groove portion of the contact may have a cross section in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction having a V-shape, an arc shape, or a polygonal shape. .

Moreover, as in the invention according to claim 10, the contact has gold plating at a portion to which the center conductor of the coaxial cable is connected, and the terminal portion of the center conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to the gold plating of the contact. It is desirable to have silver plating in the area where the metal is to be used.

According to an electrical connector having such a configuration, greater bonding strength can be obtained, and variations in bonding strength can be reduced.

Moreover, as in the invention according to claim 11, a connection portion between the contact and the center conductor of the coaxial cable may be buried inside the housing.

Furthermore, as in the invention according to claim 12, a shield shell made of a conductive member is attached to the housing and is arranged to cover an outer surface of the housing, and the shield shell is arranged to cover the outer surface of the coaxial cable. The contact is an internal conductor contact disposed in a region covered by the shield shell, and the internal conductor contact is electrically connected to a terminal portion of the center conductor of the coaxial cable. A wiring portion, which is an electrical connection portion, may be arranged in the area of the shield shell.

As described above, the present invention can improve the bonding strength while reducing the size of the electrical connector.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective explanatory view showing a state in which a coaxial cable is connected to an electrical connector (plug connector) according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above from the front. 2 is an explanatory plan view of the electrical connector (plug connector) shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the electrical connector (plug connector) shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in an initial state before contacts are attached, viewed from the rear and above. 5 is an explanatory plan view of the electrical connector (plug connector) shown in FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 2 is an external perspective explanatory view showing a state in which the terminal portions of the coaxial cable are disposed facing each other above the internal conductor contacts (signal contact members), viewed from above from the front. FIG. 2 is an explanatory side view showing a state in which an internal conductor contact (signal contact member) is set on an anvil. FIG. 8 is an explanatory rear view of the state shown in FIG. 7; Place the terminal part of the center conductor (signal line) of the coaxial cable above the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) held on the anvil, and place the horn opposite above the center conductor (signal line) of the coaxial cable. FIG. 3 is an explanatory side view showing a state before joining, in which the parts are arranged as shown in FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 9. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory side view showing the process of lowering the horn after the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) of the coaxial cable is brought into contact with the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) held on the anvil from above. 12 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 11. FIG. By lowering the horn from the state shown in Figure 11, the tip end surface (lower end surface) of the horn is pressed against the terminal part of the center conductor (signal line) of the coaxial cable, and bonding is performed by applying ultrasonic vibration through the horn. It is a side explanatory view showing the state in which the process is performed, and the horn has reached the lower end. 14 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram taken along the line XIV-XIV in FIG. 13. FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the horn raised from the state shown in FIG. 14; FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory external appearance view from above, showing a state where the center conductor (signal line) of the coaxial cable has been joined to the rear end portion of the internal conductor contact (signal contact member). The contact assembly, in which the center conductor (signal wire) of the coaxial cable is joined to the inner conductor contact (signal contact member), is placed facing above the electrical connector (plug connector) in its initial state, as seen from above from the rear. FIG. From the state shown in Fig. 17, the contact assembly is inserted into the contact accommodation space of the electrical connector (plug connector) in the initial state, and the inner conductor contact (signal contact member) is press-fitted into the housing. FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of the external appearance viewed from above. FIG. 19 is an explanatory side view showing a state in which the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) of the contact assembly is attached to the electrical connector (plug connector) shown in FIG. 18; FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which a coaxial cable is connected to an electrical connector (plug connector) according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory external perspective view of a terminal portion of a coaxial cable according to still another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front and above. FIG. 22 is an explanatory front view of the coaxial cable according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, in which horns are disposed facing each other above the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line). FIG. 7 is an explanatory external perspective view of a terminal portion of a coaxial cable according to still another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front and above. FIG. 24 is an explanatory front view in which a horn (or other molding die) is placed facing above the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) of the coaxial cable according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 23; FIG. 7 is an explanatory external perspective view of a terminal portion of a coaxial cable according to still another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front and above. FIG. 26 is an explanatory front view in which horns (or other molding molds) are placed oppositely above the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) of the coaxial cable according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 25; FIG. 7 is an explanatory external perspective view of a terminal portion of a coaxial cable according to still another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front and above. FIG. 28 is an explanatory front view in which a horn (or other molding die) is placed facing above the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) of the coaxial cable according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 27; Appearance of a single internal conductor contact (signal contact member) to which the center conductor (signal line) of a coaxial cable according to another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 21 to 29 is viewed from above. It is a perspective explanatory view. FIG. 30 is an explanatory perspective view of the external appearance of a single internal conductor contact (signal contact member) according to another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 29 when viewed from above and behind. 31 is an external perspective explanatory view showing a state in which a shield shell is attached to the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, viewed from the rear and above. FIG. FIG. 32 is an external perspective explanatory view showing a state in which the center conductor (signal line) of the coaxial cable is joined to the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) of FIG. 31, viewed from above and behind. FIG. 33 is a side explanatory view showing a completed electrical connector according to another embodiment of the present invention with the shield shell in the closed state from the state shown in FIG. 32; 34 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram taken along line XXXIV-XXXIV in FIG. 33. FIG.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electrical connector for a coaxial cable will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[About the overall structure of electrical connectors]
First, a terminal portion of a coaxial cable SC is connected to a plug connector 10 constituting an electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The plug connector 10 to which the SC is connected is inserted from above into a mating electrical connector (not shown), such as a receptacle connector, mounted on the main surface of a predetermined wiring board (not shown). , or is configured to be removed from the fitted state. At this time, the operation of fitting and removing the plug connector 10 with respect to a mating electrical connector (such as a receptacle connector) is performed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main surface of the wiring board.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the fitting portion disposed at the front portion of the plug connector 10 described above is formed to have a substantially cylindrical shape; The end portion of the coaxial cable SC is connected to the fitting portion from one direction (backward) in the radial direction. Then, after the above-described mating part of the plug connector 10 is placed above the mating part of the mating electrical connector (receptacle connector, etc.) facing the mating part, the entire plug connector 10 is By being lowered in a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer surface (principal surface) of the printed wiring board, the lower end of the mating portion of the plug connector 10 is brought into contact with the upper end of the mating portion of the mating electrical connector. It is placed in a fitted state.

In this way, the plug connector 10 is inserted from above into the mating electrical connector (receptacle connector, etc.) and the coaxial cable SC is connected to the mating electrical connector (receptacle connector, etc.). The device is connected to the conductive path of the wiring pattern on the wiring board via a connector (such as a connector), and signals are transmitted.

Here, the direction in which the plug connector 10 is inserted into the above-mentioned mating electrical connector (receptacle connector, etc.) is defined as the "downward direction" (the negative direction of the Z-axis shown in the figure), and the direction in which the plug connector is removed in the opposite direction is defined as the "upward direction". (positive direction of the Z-axis shown). Further, the coaxial cable SC is assumed to extend from the "back" of the plug connector 10 in a "horizontal direction" parallel to the surface of the wiring board, and the direction in which the coaxial cable SC extends from the plug connector 10 is The "backward" direction (the negative direction of the Y-axis in the figure) is defined as the "front" direction (the positive direction of the Y-axis in the figure). Furthermore, the direction orthogonal to both the "vertical direction" (the positive/negative direction of the Z axis in the drawing) and the "front/back direction" (the positive/negative direction of the Y axis in the drawing) is defined as the "horizontal direction" (the positive/negative direction of the X axis in the drawing). .

[About coaxial cable]
As particularly shown in FIG. 6, the coaxial cable SC at this time has a center conductor (signal line) SCa made of a conducting wire in the center part of the coaxial cable SC, and the center conductor (signal line) ) An external conductor (shielded wire) SCb is coaxially stacked on the outside of SCa in the radial direction with an annular dielectric SCc interposed therebetween. Further, the outer surface of the outer conductor (shielded wire) SCb is covered with a peripheral covering material SCd.

At the terminal portion of the coaxial cable SC having such a configuration, the outer sheathing material SCd is peeled off to expose the outer conductor (shielded wire) SCb, and the outer conductor (shielded wire) SCb is exposed to the outside. By peeling off the shield line (shield line) SCb and the dielectric SCc, the center conductor (signal line) SCa is exposed to the outside. Then, the terminal portion of the center conductor SCa arranged along the central axis of the coaxial cable SC is joined to the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 mounted on the insulating housing 11, and is electrically connected. A signal circuit is constructed by doing this.

Here, the center conductor SCa of the coaxial cable SC in this embodiment is formed from a linear conductive member mainly composed of copper, and the outer surface of the center conductor SCa is plated with silver. has been done. As shown in FIG. 6 in particular, the terminal portion of the silver-plated center conductor SCa, that is, the portion exposed to the outside by peeling, is the inner conductor contact mounted on the insulating housing 11. (Signal contact member) By being joined to 12 by the manufacturing method described later, the cross section in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the center conductor SCa is made into a "polygonal shape". As a specific shape of the "polygonal shape" in this embodiment, a substantially triangular shape is adopted, and one side (lower side) of the three sides forming the substantially triangular shape is the internal conductor contact (signal contact) described above. It is joined to the "front" flat surface of the flat plate portion 12c of the member) 12.

Moreover, one side of the "approximately triangular shape" that constitutes the cross-sectional shape of the terminal portion of the center conductor SCa of such a coaxial cable SC, more specifically, the inner conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 A pair of other sides extend obliquely upward from both ends of one side (lower side), and the distance between these pair of other sides is in the direction away from the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12. It is continuously shrinking in the upward direction.

At this time, the cross section of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the above-mentioned coaxial cable SC in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis in the figure) may have a shape having at least three sides. Among the three sides constituting the cross-sectional shape, the side sandwiched by two sides may be straight or curved, or may be angular.

In this way, the cross-sectional shape of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC, more specifically, the cross-sectional shape in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure) is made into a "substantially triangular shape". In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 in particular, the inner conductor contact (signal contact The lower surface of the member) 12 connected to the flat plate portion 12c is a "first surface portion." The “first surface portion” in this embodiment is a single flat surface extending in the direction in which the center conductor (signal line) SCa extends (in the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis in the drawing), and the “first surface portion” is A "second surface section" arranged to face the center conductor (signal line) SCa from above is composed of two flat surfaces extending in the direction in which the center conductor (signal line) SCa extends (in the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure). .

Each of the three flat surfaces constituting the "first surface part" and the "second surface part" has one end extending in the extending direction of the coaxial cable SC (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure). It has two edges, one edge and the other edge, and one edge of each flat surface is directly connected to each other.

That is, initially, the center conductor SCa of the coaxial cable SC extending with a circular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, a method using ultrasonic vibration is employed to join from above and, as a result, to form the center conductor SCa of the coaxial cable SC into a "substantially triangular" cross-sectional shape. However, the specific bonding method, the method of mounting the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 on the insulating housing 11, etc. will be explained in detail later as the gist of the present invention.

[About insulation housing]
The insulating housing 11 according to this embodiment is formed from a base frame-shaped member made of an insulating material, and the insulating housing 11 has the above-mentioned internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 and a ground contact. A shield shell 13 as a member is installed in an insulated state. The structure for mounting these will be described later, but the insulating housing 11 according to the present embodiment has a structure in which no jig such as a horn or anvil for applying ultrasonic vibration is inserted inside, so there is a high degree of freedom in design. It has a high composition.

That is, as particularly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the above-described insulating housing 11 has a substantially cylindrical fitting body portion 11a, and a rear end portion of the fitting body portion 11a. From (the negative direction portion of the Y-axis in the figure), the wire connection support portion 11b projects substantially horizontally toward the "rear" (the negative direction of the Y-axis in the figure). In the fitting main body portion 11a and the wire connection support portion 11b, a contact accommodation space 11c for accommodating the above-mentioned internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 is opened “upward” (in the positive direction of the Z-axis in the figure). It is formed in a state of

More specifically, first, the fitting main body 11a is formed from a hollow, substantially cylindrical body, and the hollow portion formed through the radial center portion of the fitting main body 11a is as described above. It constitutes a part of the contact accommodation space 11c. Further, the wire connection support portion 11b is formed in the shape of a gutter with a substantially rectangular cross section that opens “upward” (in the positive direction of the Z-axis in the figure), and the inner space portion of the wire connection support portion 11b is shaped like a gutter as described above. It constitutes the main part of the contact accommodation space 11c. In this way, the contact housing space 11c is composed of a space portion that communicates from the wire connection support portion 11b to the fitting main body portion 11a in a gutter shape.

An internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 extending approximately horizontally is provided on a bottom wall surface 11d of the inner wall surfaces of the connection support portion 11b and the fitting main body portion 11a that constitute the contact accommodation space 11c. By being press-fitted, it is brought into the installed state.

[About signal contact parts]
Here, as described above, the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 that is press-fitted into the insulating housing 11 has a function as a connection terminal made of a conductive member, and is shown in FIG. As shown, the flat plate portion 12c is constituted by a strip-like member extending in an elongated shape along the "front-back direction" (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis in the figure).

Approximately at the center of the flat plate portion 12c of the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 in the extending direction (the front-rear direction indicated by the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis in the figure), there is a pair of latches that are press-fitted into the insulating housing 11. Pieces 12a, 12a are formed. These locking pieces 12a, 12a protrude outward in a plate shape from both end edges of the flat plate portion 12c in the "left and right direction" (the plate width direction represented by the positive and negative directions of the X-axis in the figure). By engaging the locking pieces 12a, 12a so as to bite into the inner wall surface of the wire connection support portion 11b of the insulating housing 11, the entire internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 is kept in a fixed state. It is designed to be maintained. (The state after fixation is shown in Figures 18 and 19)

The terminal portion of the center conductor SCa of the above-mentioned coaxial cable SC is attached to the flat portion of the flat plate portion 12c of the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 on the “rear” side (in the negative direction of the Y-axis in the figure). '' (in the positive direction of the Z-axis in the figure) and are joined by a method described later. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, a portion of the flat plate portion 12c of the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 that is closer to the "front" (positive direction of the Y-axis in the figure) is located in the "horizontal direction" (the A pair of elastic spring parts 12b, 12b integrally extend "downward" (in the negative direction of the Z-axis in the drawing) from both end edges in the board width direction, which are the positive and negative directions of . As shown in FIG. 3 showing the state after completion, both of these elastic spring parts 12b, 12b are inserted into the through hole provided in the fitting body part 11a of the insulating housing 11, and are inserted into the fitting body part 11a of the insulating housing 11. Inside the through hole in the combined body portion 11a, both elastic spring portions 12b, 12b are arranged to face each other with an interval in the “left and right direction” (the positive and negative directions of the X-axis in the drawing).

When the lower portion of the mating main body portion 11a of the insulating housing 11 is inserted into a mating mating electrical connector (receptacle connector, etc.), the mating mating electrical connector (receptacle connector, etc.) is provided with a A signal conductive contact (not shown) in the form of a pin or the like is inserted in contact with the portion between the above-mentioned elastic spring portions 12b, 12b, thereby creating an electrical connection. A signal transmission circuit is formed.

The flat plate portion 12c in this embodiment has a flat shape from the rear end portion where the pair of elastic spring portions 12b extend integrally to the front end portion (the end portion in the positive direction of the Y-axis in the figure). Although the elastic spring portions 12b and 12b extend in a straight line, they may be configured to extend through a step from the elastic spring portions 12b, 12b.

[About shield shell]
On the other hand, the outer peripheral portion of the insulating housing 11 is covered with a shield shell 13 made of a thin metal member, and the outer conductor SCb surrounding the center conductor SCa of the coaxial cable SC mentioned above comes into contact with the shield shell 13. Thus, the shield shell 13 functions as a conductive member for grounding, and a ground circuit is formed.

The shield shell 13 made of a thin metal member that covers the outer surface of the insulating housing 11 in this way is designed to cover the fitting body portion 11a of the insulating housing 11 and the connection support, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in particular. It is composed of an outer conductor shell 13a and a shell protrusion 13b, each partially covering the portion 11b. The outer conductor shell 13a mainly constitutes a substantially hollow cylindrical ground contact member that annularly covers the fitting main body portion 11a of the insulating housing 11 from the outside in the radial direction.

That is, the outer conductor shell (ground contact member) 13a is arranged so as to surround the above-mentioned inner conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 from the outside, and the outer conductor shell (ground contact member) 13a is The lower portion has a substantially cylindrical shape that is fitted onto the outer portion in the radial direction of a mating electrical connector (such as a receptacle connector). A fitting engagement portion 13d consisting of an annular groove provided in the lower part of the outer conductor shell (ground contact member) 13a is connected to a connecting locking portion 13d provided in a mating mating electrical connector (receptacle connector, etc.). (not shown) so that the electrical connection is made by elastically fitting the part (not shown).

Further, the above-mentioned fitting main body portion 11a and wire connection support portion 11b of the insulating housing 11 are provided in the annular “upper” (positive direction of the illustrated Z-axis) opening portion that constitutes the upper edge of the outer conductor shell 13a. A shell lid part 13c that covers from "above" (the positive direction of the Z-axis in the figure) is connected so as to be openable and closable. That is, the shell lid portion 13c of the shield shell 13 is opened and closed via a connecting member 13c1 made of a narrow plate-like member at the “front” (positive direction of the Y-axis in the figure) edge portion of the outer conductor shell 13a. In the initial state before the coaxial cable SC is connected, as shown in Figs. Being in a state.

Although the details will be explained later, especially in the open state (initial state) of the shield shell 13 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner conductor contact after the center conductor SCa of the coaxial cable SC is joined ( A member constituting a contact assembly CA (see FIG. 16), which will be described in detail later, is placed inside the contact housing space 11c provided in the insulating housing 11 from "above" (positive direction of the Z-axis in the figure). The internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 is placed in a fitted state by being inserted and press-fitted in this manner. Thereafter, the above-mentioned connecting member 13c1 is bent at a substantially right angle, and the shell lid portion 13c of the shield shell 13 is pushed down to a substantially horizontal state, whereby the fitting main body portion 11a and the wire connection support portion 11b of the insulating housing 11 are bent. The entire structure is covered from above by a shell lid portion 13c, so that the shield shell 13 is placed in a closed state (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

At this time, when the shell lid portion 13c is pushed down to a substantially horizontal state and closed as described above, it is placed over the opening portion of the outer conductor shell 13a “above” (in the positive direction of the Z-axis in the figure). However, the portion of the shell lid portion 13c that is pushed down to a substantially horizontal state that is closer to the “rear” (in the negative direction of the Y-axis in the figure) is the rear cover portion 13c2, and the rear cover portion 13c is 13c2 is configured to cover the connection support portion 11b of the insulating housing 11, the shell protruding portion 13b of the shield shell 13, and the outer conductor (shield wire) SCb of the coaxial cable SC from above.

As described above, this rear cover portion 13c2 constitutes a portion of the shell lid portion 13c that is closer to the “rear” (the negative direction of the Y-axis in the drawing), but the rear cover portion 13c2 constitutes a portion of the shell lid portion 13c that is closer to the “horizontal direction” (the negative direction of the Y-axis in the drawing). A first fixed holding plate 13c3 and a second fixed holding plate 13c4, which are a pair of tongue-shaped members, are provided in the shape of a flange plate on both side edges in the positive and negative directions of the shaft. The first fixed holding plate 13c3 is bent and fixed by caulking so as to cover the fixed shell portion 13b of the shield shell 13 from the outside.

That is, both flange plates constituting the pair of first fixing and holding plates 13c3, 13c3 move in the "left-right direction" in the shell protruding part 13b of the shield shell 13 when the shell lid part 13c is pushed down to a substantially horizontal state. '' (in the positive and negative directions of the X-axis in the figure), and is bent inward into the connector along both outer wall surfaces of the shell protrusion 13b so as to perform caulking from that state, thereby making the outer conductor The shell lid part 13c is fixed to the shell 13a, and the shell protruding part 13b that covers the outer surface of the wire connection support part 11b of the insulating housing 11 is fixed to the shell lid part in the "left-right direction" (the positive and negative directions of the X-axis in the drawing). 13c.

Further, these first fixing and holding plates 13c3, 13c3 are provided with convex portions 13c5, 13c5 that protrude inward of the connector in the "left-right direction" (the positive and negative directions of the X-axis in the drawing) (see FIG. 4). ), formed so that when the first fixed holding plates 13c3, 13c3 are bent inward of the connector, the convex portions 13c5, 13c5 come into contact with a part of the outer conductor (shielded wire) SCb of the coaxial cable SC. has been done.

Further, the second fixing and holding plate 13c4 is provided adjacent to and in parallel to the “back” (in the negative direction of the Y-axis in the figure) of the first fixing and holding plate 13c3, and is made of a relatively small flange plate. It is formed. The second fixing and holding plate 13c4 is bent so as to cover the outer conductor (shielded wire) SCb of the coaxial cable SC from the outside and fixed by caulking.

That is, both flange plates constituting the second fixed holding plate 13c4 are positioned outside the outer conductor (shielded wire) SCb of the coaxial cable SC when the shell lid part 13c is pushed down to a substantially horizontal state. From this position, the connector is bent inward to perform caulking. As a result, the shell cover 13c is fixed to the outer conductor (shielded wire) SCb of the coaxial cable SC, and the outer conductor SCb comes into contact with the second fixing and holding plate 13c4, so that the ground circuit by the shield shell 13 is fixed. It is now configured.

Although the outer conductor SCb in this embodiment is in contact with the second fixing and holding plate 13c4, a further front fixing and holding plate may be provided to fix the outer circumferential covering material SCd.

[About the method of forming the contact assembly and the method of assembling the inner conductor contact]
Next, a contact assembly is formed by joining the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC to the aforementioned internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 by joining using ultrasonic vibration using an anvil and a horn. Embodiments relating to a method for attaching a contact assembly formed by bonding using ultrasonic vibration to an insulating housing 11 will be specifically described based on the drawings.

First, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 and an anvil TA that serves as a receiving member for ultrasonic vibration are prepared, and the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 is prepared. The upper end surface of the anvil TA is brought into contact with the lower surface of the anvil TA.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC and the horn TH are prepared, and each is placed "above" the anvil TA (in the positive direction of the Z axis shown). Place it so that it faces. Then, the end of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC is connected to the flat part of the flat plate part 12c of the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 that is closer to the "rear" (negative direction of the Y-axis in the figure). After placing the parts facing each other from "above" (in the positive direction of the Z-axis shown in the figure) (the state shown in FIGS. 9 and 10), move the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC in the negative direction of the Z-axis shown in the figure. By lowering the inner conductor contact (signal contact member) 12, the terminal part of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC is connected to the flat part of the inner conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 at the rear (in the negative direction of the Y-axis in the figure). The contact is made from the positive direction of the Z-axis shown in the figure.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the center conductor (signal Line) The tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH that applies ultrasonic vibration is lowered in the negative direction of the Z-axis shown in the figure, and abuts against the terminal part of the SCa from "above" (the positive direction of the Z-axis shown in the figure). The state is as follows. In particular, in the state shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the gap between the horn TH and the anvil TA, which face each other vertically, is set to a predetermined "α", and the state with the gap α By starting applying ultrasonic vibration accompanied by heating and pressurization using the horn TH and gradually lowering the horn TH, the state shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, that is, the state between the horn TH and the anvil TA is achieved. The gap is changed until it reaches a predetermined value "β".

In this way, necessary ultrasonic vibrations are generated through the horn TH from the state where the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 and the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC are sandwiched between the horn TH and the anvil TA. By applying this, a bonding process using ultrasonic vibration is performed. After performing such a bonding process, as shown in FIG. Contact assembly CA in which the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC is firmly joined to the inner conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 as shown in FIG. will be formed.

At this time, the tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH that contacts the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the above-mentioned coaxial cable SC from "above" (the positive direction of the Z-axis in the figure) has the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC A recess THa is provided to accommodate the conductor (signal line) SCa. The recess THa provided on the tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH is formed from a groove-shaped portion extending along the extending direction (front-back direction) of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC. The groove forming the recess THa has a groove opening having a groove width corresponding to the outer diameter of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC on the tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH. It also has groove side wall portions THb, THb consisting of a pair of tapered surfaces extending from the groove opening toward the bottom of the groove portion (upward in FIG. 10).

More specifically, the groove forming the recess THa on the tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH described above is a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC. The shape is V-shaped. Specifically, the distance between the groove side wall portions THb, THb, which are composed of a pair of tapered surfaces constituting the groove-shaped portion of the recess THa, is set to the maximum groove width at the groove opening at the lower end, The groove is configured to continuously contract upward from the groove opening toward the bottom of the groove.

These groove side wall portions THb, THb are composed of two flat surfaces extending along the "front-back direction" (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis in the drawing). Each of the two flat surfaces constituting each groove side wall portion THb has two edges consisting of one edge and the other edge extending in the extension direction (positive/negative direction of the Y axis). One of these two edges is directly connected to each other.

In this way, if the cross-sectional shape of the recess THa provided on the tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH is V-shaped, the center conductor (signal line) SCa and the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) of the coaxial cable SC ) 12, ultrasonic vibrations are efficiently transmitted through the groove side wall portions THb, THb formed of the tapered surfaces of the horn TH.

In the present embodiment in which the contact assembly CA is formed using the horn TH having the recess THa as described above, the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC in the contact assembly CA is connected to the recess of the horn TH. Since it is formed by plastic deformation into a cross-sectional shape corresponding to THa, the cross section in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the center conductor SCa has a polygonal shape (substantially triangular shape). (See FIGS. 14 and 16) That is, the pair of other sides extending from both ends of one side (the side in contact with the internal conductor contact 12) of the center conductor (signal line) SCa, in the direction away from the internal conductor contact 12, Continuously narrowing.

In this case, if the terminal part of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC is a single wire, a part of it will be plastically deformed and formed into a polygonal shape (approximately triangular shape), but if it is a single wire, a part of it will be plastically deformed and formed into a polygonal shape (approximately triangular shape), In the case of lines, each line is plastically deformed integrally to form a polygonal shape (approximately triangular shape).

In the case of the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion on the tip surface of the horn TH is V-shaped, but the distance between the pair of groove side wall portions THb, THb is from the groove opening to the groove bottom. It may have a different shape as long as it becomes narrower towards the end. For example, the groove side wall portion THb may be formed in a stepped shape. Further, the groove bottom of the horn TH may be square, curved, or straight. The end portion of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC that is formed as a result reflects the cross-sectional shape of the groove-shaped portion on the tip surface of the horn TH.

Next, an assembly process is performed in which the contact assembly CA formed by the above-described bonding process using ultrasonic vibration is taken out from the anvil TA, which serves as a member for receiving ultrasonic vibration, and is mounted on the insulating housing 11. In this assembly process, first, as shown in FIG. (in the positive direction of the Z-axis shown in the figure), and the inner conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 of the contact assembly CA is inserted toward the inside of the contact housing space 11c. As a result, as particularly shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the contact assembly CA is attached, but the attachment of the contact assembly CA at this time is performed inside the interior of the contact assembly CA. This is done by biting the locking portion 12a of the conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 into the insulating housing 11 and press-fitting it.

According to this method of manufacturing the plug connector 10, jigs such as the horn TH and anvil TA for applying ultrasonic vibration are used in an independent location apart from the insulating housing 11, and the insulating housing 11 is It will no longer be used by inserting it inside the . Therefore, the restrictions when designing the insulating housing 11 are correspondingly reduced, and the degree of freedom in design is increased, so that the plug connector 10 can be easily miniaturized. In addition, the horn TH and anvil TA, which are the jigs that apply ultrasonic vibration, are no longer restricted by the structure of the insulating housing 11, so they can be designed to obtain the optimal resonance point, making it possible to achieve efficient design. Sufficient bonding strength can be easily obtained by applying ultrasonic vibration.

For the semi-finished product of the plug connector 10 obtained as described above (see FIGS. 18 and 19), the connecting member 13c1 is bent at a substantially right angle to close the shield shell 13, and the first fixing The electrical connector 10 is completed by bending and caulking the holding plate 13c3 and the second holding plate 13c4 so as to cover them from the outside.

At this time, the terminal portion of the center conductor SCa of the coaxial cable SC in this embodiment is "silver plated" as described above, but the inner conductor contact (signal contact member) 12 to be joined is The flat plate portion 12c is "gold plated" at least at a portion where the center conductor SCa of the coaxial cable SC is joined. When bonding is performed using ultrasonic vibration in a combination of gold (Au) and silver (Ag), as shown in Table 1 below, other combinations of metals ( Compared to the case of ultrasonic vibration bonding (Au-Sn, Ni-Ag, Ni-Sn), greater bonding strength (AVe.) is obtained and the variation in bonding strength (σ) is reduced. This has been found through experiments by the present inventors.

Next, the configuration of another embodiment shown in FIG. 20 will be described, which is represented by adding "10" to the reference numerals assigned to the same members as those in the above-described embodiment.

That is, in the other embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the connecting portion between the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 22 and the center conductor SCa, which is the signal line of the coaxial cable CA, is formed into an insulating housing by insert molding. 21 is buried inside the connection filling part 21e.

When insert molding a configuration in which an electrical connection part is buried inside the connection filling part 21e of the insulating housing 21, first, the inner conductor contact (signal contact member) 22 and the center conductor of the coaxial cable SC are (Signal line) SCa is joined by applying ultrasonic vibration similar to the above-described embodiment to form a contact assembly CA, and the contact assembly CA is placed inside a mold prepared in advance. Manufactured by setting and performing insert molding.

According to another embodiment having such a configuration, the connection portion between the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 22 and the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC is held by the insulating housing 21. Therefore, the electrical connection state of the electrical connector is stabilized and the strength is improved.

[Other embodiments regarding the center conductor (signal line) of coaxial cable]
Here, as described above, the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC is formed by being plastically deformed into a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the recess THa of the horn TH. The center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC is formed by forming a recess in the anvil TA placed opposite to the THa, or by using a mold other than the horn TH or the anvil TA. It is possible to make the terminal portion of the cross-sectional shape shown in each of the following embodiments.

That is, in each embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 to 28, each terminal portion of the center conductors (signal lines) SCa1 to SCa4 of the coaxial cables SC1 to SC4 is connected to the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 to SCa4. It has first surface portions SCa11 to SCa41 and second surface portions SCa12 to SCa42 that face each other in a direction (positive and negative directions of the Z axis in the drawing) that are orthogonal to the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y axis in the drawing). Then, one of the first surface portions SCa11 to SCa41 and the second surface portions SCa12 to SCa42 is configured to be connected to the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 shown in FIGS. 29 and 30. There is.

Among them, first, in the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. The cross-sectional shape in the direction perpendicular to (the positive and negative directions of the Z-axis shown in the figure) is "diamond-shaped." More specifically, the lower surface connected to an internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32, which will be described later, is a first surface portion SCa11 consisting of two flat surfaces, and a The second surface portion SCa12 arranged to face each other from above is also formed from two flat surfaces.

Each of the two flat surfaces constituting the first surface portion SCa11 and the second surface portion SCa12 respectively extends in the extending direction of the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1 (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure). It extends in the positive and negative directions of the illustrated Y-axis in a state of being inclined in a direction that intersects with the Y-axis (direction), specifically, in a direction that intersects at about 45 degrees. Each of these two flat surfaces has two edges consisting of one edge and the other edge extending in the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure), and each of the flat surfaces The central conductor (signal line) SCa1 has a "diamond-shaped" cross-sectional shape in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure) because one of the edges of the center conductor (signal line) is directly connected to each other. is being done.

The tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH1 (or other molding die) forming the upper surface of the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1 having a "diamond-shaped" cross-sectional shape is It has the same configuration as the form. For example, the end surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH1 (or other molding die) shown in FIG. A recessed portion THa1 is provided, which is a groove-like portion having a “V-shaped” cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the direction (positive and negative directions of the Z-axis shown in the figure).

That is, the distance between the groove side wall parts THb1, THb1, which are made up of a pair of tapered surfaces constituting the groove-like part of the recess THa1 in the horn TH1 (or other molding die) described above, is at its maximum at the groove opening at the lower end. The width of the groove is continuously reduced in the upward direction from the opening of the groove toward the bottom of the groove. The groove side wall portions THb1, THb1 of the horn TH1 are composed of two flat surfaces extending along the “back and forth direction” (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis in the figure); Each of the two flat surfaces has two edges, one edge and the other edge extending in the direction of extension (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis), and One end edge is directly connected to another.

Although not shown, the center of the coaxial cable SC1 is also placed on the receiving surface of the anvil (or other mold) that forms the lower surface (contact connection surface) of the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1. A groove-like recess whose cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the conductor (signal line) SCa1 has a "V-shape" is formed, and constitutes the groove-like recess. The distance between the groove side walls consisting of a pair of tapered surfaces is set to the maximum groove width at the groove opening at the upper end, and continuously decreases downward from the groove opening toward the bottom of the groove. It is configured.

That is, the groove side wall portion of the anvil (or other molding die) according to the present embodiment is also composed of two flat surfaces extending along the "back and forth direction" (the positive and negative directions of the Y axis in the drawing), Each of the two flat surfaces has two edges consisting of one edge and the other edge extending in the "back and forth direction", and one edge of these two edges is They are configured in a directly connected configuration. The configuration of the receiving surface of this anvil (or other molding die) is the same in the following embodiments.

In this way, if the cross-sectional shape of the recess THa1 provided on the tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH1 (or other molding die) is V-shaped, the horn Ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted via the groove side wall portions THb1 and THb1 consisting of the tapered surfaces of TH1 to the first surface portion SCa11 in the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1, and the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 described later. is efficiently communicated.

Further, two flat surfaces forming the first surface portion SCa11 of the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1 form a lower surface connected to an internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32, which will be described later. Therefore, the contact area between the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1 and the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 is expanded, and sufficient bonding strength is ensured when bonding is performed using ultrasonic vibration. easily obtained.

The center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 has a first surface portion SCa11 constituting the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) SCa1. is connected to the connecting portion 32d provided in the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 while being placed from “above” (positive direction of the Z-axis shown). Ru. At that time, the connection portion 32d of the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 is connected to A groove portion 32d1 is provided that extends.

The groove portion 32d1 provided in the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 has a shape corresponding to the first surface portion SCa11 constituting the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1 described above. Specifically, the cross section of the coaxial cable SC1 in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis in the drawing) of the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 has a "V-shape". Then, the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1 makes surface contact with the groove 32d1 provided in the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 in the "vertical direction" (the positive and negative directions of the Z-axis shown in the figure). After being placed in such a state, the connection is made by applying ultrasonic vibrations.

Note that the first surface part SCa11 of the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1 connected to the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 may have a different cross section, such as an "arc shape" or a "polygon shape". Correspondingly, when the groove portion 32d1 of the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 has a shape and extends, the cross-sectional shape in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction is “arc-shaped”. It will be made into a "polygonal shape".

For the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1 shown in FIG. To make the connection, as shown in FIG. 31, in the uncompleted plug connector 30, the inner conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 is attached in advance to the insulating housing 31 attached to the shield shell 33. Attach it by press-fitting or insert molding. That is, in this state, the connecting portion 32d of the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 is exposed on the bottom wall surface 31d of the contact accommodation space 31c of the insulating housing 31.

Next, after arranging the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1 above the connection portion 32d of the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 described above, as shown in FIG. After lowering the entire coaxial cable SC1 and bringing the center conductor (signal line) SCa1 of the coaxial cable SC1 into contact with the connection part 32d of the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32, use the horn TH and anvil described above. The two members are sandwiched together and fixed by ultrasonic vibration.

In the semi-finished product of the plug connector 30 obtained as described above, the connecting member 33c1 of the shield shell 33 is bent at a substantially right angle to bring the shield shell 33 into a closed state. By bending and caulking the fixing holding plate 33c4 so as to cover it from the outside, the electrical connector 30 is completed as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34.

[Regarding still other embodiments regarding the center conductor (signal line) of the coaxial cable]
On the other hand, in the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 of the coaxial cable SC2 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. The cross-sectional shape in the orthogonal direction is "fan-shaped". More specifically, the first surface portion SCa21 constituting the lower surface connected to the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 described above is aligned in the extending direction of the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 (of the Y-axis shown in the figure). It has two flat surfaces extending in the positive and negative directions.

Each of the two flat surfaces constituting the first surface portion SCa21 extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure) of the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 of the coaxial cable SC2, specifically are inclined at about 45 degrees in the directions that intersect with each other, and extend in the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure. Each of these two flat surfaces has two edges consisting of one edge and the other edge extending in the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure), and each of the flat surfaces One edge of the two is directly connected to each other.

Further, the second surface portion SCa22 constituting the upper surface of the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 of the coaxial cable SC2 according to the present embodiment is arranged in the extending direction of the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 (Y-axis shown in the figure). The external shape forming the cross section in the direction perpendicular to the positive and negative directions) is a single "curved surface", more specifically, an "arc shape"; The curved surface thus formed extends in the direction in which the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 extends (in the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis in the drawing). The outermost edges of the second surface portion SCa22 having such an "arc-shaped" cross section in the radial direction orthogonal to the extending direction are perpendicular to the extending direction of the first surface portion SCa21 described above. It is directly connected to both the outermost edges in the radial direction.

In this way, the tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH2 (or other molding die) forming the upper surface of the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 of the coaxial cable SC2 having a "fan-shaped" cross-sectional shape is, for example, As shown in 24, a groove-shaped portion having a recessed cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis in the figure) of the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 of the coaxial cable SC2 has an "arc-shaped" shape. It has a recess THa2 consisting of. More specifically, the distance between the groove side wall portions THb2, THb2, which are made of curved surfaces concave with an arcuate cross section and constitute the groove-like portion of the recess THa2, is the maximum groove width at the groove opening at the lower end. In addition, the groove is configured to contract in a continuous curved line upwardly from the groove opening toward the bottom of the groove.

As in this embodiment, if the recess THa2 provided on the tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH2 (or other molding die) has a cross-sectional shape having an "arc-shaped" curved surface, ultrasonic vibration When performing the joining, from the arc-shaped curved surface of the horn TH2 to the first surface part SCa21 of the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 of the coaxial cable SC2 and the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32, which will be described later. Ultrasonic vibrations are efficiently transmitted through the groove side wall portion THb2.

Furthermore, in the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 of the coaxial cable SC2 according to the present embodiment, the first surface portion SCa21 constituting the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 is shown in FIGS. 29 and 30. The coaxial cable SC2 is connected to the connection part 32d provided on the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 by being placed from "above" (the positive direction of the Z-axis in the figure). Since the two flat surfaces forming the first surface portion SCa21 of the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 form the lower surface connected to the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 described above, the coaxial Since the contact area between the center conductor (signal line) SCa2 of the cable SC2 and the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 is expanded, sufficient bonding strength can be easily obtained when bonding is performed using ultrasonic vibration. .

[Regarding still other embodiments regarding the center conductor (signal line) of the coaxial cable]
Next, in the center conductor (signal line) SCa3 of the coaxial cable SC3 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the cross-sectional shape in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the center conductor (signal line) SCa3 is It is made into a polygonal shape. More specifically, the first surface portion SCa31 of the center conductor (signal line) SCa3 forming the lower surface connected to the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 described above is connected to the center conductor (signal line) SCa3. It has two flat surfaces extending in the direction of extension (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis in the drawing). In addition, a second surface part SCa32 constituting the upper surface of the center conductor (signal line) SCa3 has three flat surfaces extending in the extending direction of the center conductor (signal line) SCa3 (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure). have.

Each of the two flat surfaces constituting the first surface portion SCa31 of the center conductor (signal line) SCa3 described above is arranged in the extending direction of the center conductor (signal line) SCa3 of the coaxial cable SC3 (in the Y-axis shown in the figure). It extends in the positive and negative directions of the illustrated Y-axis in a state of being inclined in a direction that intersects the positive and negative directions (positive and negative directions), specifically, in a direction that intersects at about 45 degrees. Each of these two flat surfaces has two edges consisting of one edge and the other edge extending in the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure), and each of the flat surfaces One edge of the two is directly connected to each other.

Furthermore, each of the three flat surfaces constituting the second surface portion SCa32 of the center conductor (signal line) SCa3 has one end edge and the other end extending in the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure). It has two edges consisting of a rim, and one edge of each flat surface is directly connected to each other.

In this way, the tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH3 (or other molding die) forming the upper surface of the center conductor (signal line) SCa3 of the coaxial cable SC3 having a "polygonal" cross-sectional shape is, for example, As shown in 26, a groove-shaped portion is depressed in a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure) of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC. It has a recess THa3 consisting of. More specifically, the distance between the groove side wall portions THb3, THb3, which are composed of a pair of mutually opposing tapered surfaces and constitute the groove-like portion of the recess THa3, reaches the maximum groove width at the groove opening at the lower end. The upper edges of the groove side wall portions THb3 and THb3 are connected to the internal conductor contact (signal contact). The member) 32 is indirectly connected via a separate flat surface THb3 extending substantially parallel to the member) 32.

That is, the groove side wall portions THb3, THb3, THb3 of the horn TH3 (or other molding die) according to the present embodiment are three flat surfaces extending along the "back and forth direction" (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis in the figure). The two edges of each of the three flat surfaces, consisting of one edge and the other edge extending in the extending direction, are directly connected to each other. ing.

As in this embodiment, if the cross-sectional shape of the recess THa3 provided on the tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH3 (or other molding die) is set to a "trapezoidal" shape, when bonding is performed using ultrasonic vibration. In addition, with respect to the first surface portion SCa31 of the center conductor (signal line) SCa of the coaxial cable SC and the above-mentioned internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32, a groove side wall portion THb3 consisting of three flat surfaces of the horn TH3, Ultrasonic vibrations are efficiently transmitted via THb3, THb3.

Further, in the center conductor (signal line) SCa3 of the coaxial cable SC3 according to the present embodiment, the first surface portion SCa31 constituting the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) SCa3 is shown in FIGS. 29 and 30. The coaxial cable SC3 is connected to the connection part 32d provided on the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 by being placed from "above" (the positive direction of the Z-axis in the figure). Since the two flat surfaces constituting the first surface part SCa31 of the center conductor (signal line) SCa3 constitute the lower surface connected to the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32, the coaxial cable SC Since the contact area between the center conductor (signal line) SCa and the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 is expanded, sufficient bonding strength can be easily obtained when bonding is performed using ultrasonic vibration.

[Regarding still other embodiments regarding the center conductor (signal line) of the coaxial cable]
Furthermore, in the coaxial cable SC4 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the cross-sectional shape in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure) of the center conductor (signal line) SCa4 is "polygonal". The first surface portion SCa41, which constitutes the lower surface connected to the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32, is aligned in the extending direction of the center conductor (signal line) SCa (Y-axis shown in the figure). It has two flat surfaces extending in the positive and negative directions). Each of the two flat surfaces constituting the first surface portion SCa41 is arranged in a direction intersecting the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure) of the center conductor (signal line) SCa4 of the coaxial cable SC4. are inclined at about 45 degrees in the directions that intersect with each other, and extend in the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure. Each of these two flat surfaces has two edges consisting of one edge and the other edge extending in the extending direction (the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure), and each of the flat surfaces One edge of the two is directly connected to each other.

Further, the second surface part SCa42 constituting the upper surface of the center conductor (signal line) SCa4 of the coaxial cable SC4 according to the present embodiment is arranged in the extending direction of the center conductor (signal line) SCa (in the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis shown in the figure). ), and the outermost edges of the single flat surface (horizontal surface) in the width direction (the positive and negative directions of the X-axis in the drawing) are connected to a pair of other surface parts It is indirectly connected to both outermost edges of the above-described first surface portion SCa41 via SCa43, SCa43.

Here, in the center conductor (signal line) SCa4 of the coaxial cable SC4 according to the present embodiment, the "vertical direction" is the direction in which the first surface part SCa41 and the second surface part SCa42 face each other (the positive and negative directions of the Z axis shown in the figure) The maximum dimension H in the direction) is smaller than the maximum dimension W in the "left-right direction" (the positive and negative directions of the X-axis in the drawing) that is perpendicular to the direction in which the first surface portion SCa41 and the second surface portion SCa42 face each other (H<W). Being in a state of being. In other words, the center conductor (signal line), which had a circular cross section before processing, is compressed in the "vertical direction" (the positive and negative directions of the Z-axis in the figure); The same applies to other embodiments as to the point of compression in the positive and negative directions of the Z-axis (in the illustrated Z-axis).

As described above, the tip surface (lower end surface) of the horn TH4 (or other molding die) forming the upper surface of the center conductor (signal line) SCa4 of the coaxial cable SC4 having a "polygonal" cross-sectional shape is, for example, 28, the horn TH4 has a flat surface having no recesses, and the first surface portion SCa41 is directly formed by the flat surface of the horn TH4, and the amount of pressure (pressing down) of the horn TH4 is By appropriately adjusting the amount), the other surface portion SCa43 described above is formed.

Further, in the center conductor (signal line) SCa4 of the coaxial cable SC4 according to the present embodiment, the first surface portion SCa41 constituting the terminal portion of the center conductor (signal line) SCa4 is shown in FIGS. 29 and 30. The coaxial cable SC4 is connected to the connection part 32d provided on the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 by being placed from "above" (the positive direction of the Z-axis in the figure). Since the two flat surfaces constituting the first surface part SCa41 of the center conductor (signal line) SCa4 constitute the lower surface connected to the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 described later, the coaxial Since the contact area between the center conductor (signal line) SCa4 of the cable SC4 and the internal conductor contact (signal contact member) 32 is expanded, sufficient bonding strength can be easily obtained when bonding is performed using ultrasonic vibration. .

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically explained based on the embodiments above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. Needless to say.

For example, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 20, the contact assembly CA is attached by press-fitting with the insulating housing 11 already assembled to the shield shell 13. After the assembly CA is attached, the shield shell 13 with the insulating housing 11 and the contact assembly CA attached thereto may be assembled.

Furthermore, in the case where the insulating housing 21 is manufactured by insert molding as in the embodiment shown in FIG. By assembling the shell 23 with the insulating housing 21 and the contact assembly CA, the mold structure can be simplified.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a single-core coaxial cable connector as in the embodiment described above, but also includes a coaxial cable connector in which a plurality of internal conductor contacts are arranged at predetermined intervals, and a coaxial cable connector in which a plurality of internal conductor contacts are arranged at predetermined intervals. The present invention can be similarly applied to electrical connectors of a type in which a plurality of insulated cables are mixed.

As described above, this embodiment can be widely applied to a wide variety of electrical connectors used in various electrical devices.

10,20 Plug connector (electrical connector)
11, 21 Insulating housing 11a, 21a Insulating main body portion 11b, 21b Connection support portion 11c, 21c Contact housing space 11d Bottom wall surface 21e Connection filling portion 12, 22 Internal conductor contact (signal contact member)
12a, 22a Locking piece 12b, 22b Elastic spring portion 12c, 22c Flat plate portion 13, 23 Shield shell 13a, 23a Outer conductor shell (ground contact member)
13b, 23b Shell protruding part 13c, 23c Shell lid part 13c1, 23c1 Connecting member 13c2, 23c2 Rear cover part 13c3, 23c3 First fixed holding plate 13c4, 23c4 Second fixed holding plate 13d, 23d Fitting engagement part SC Coaxial cable (cable-like signal transmission medium)
SCa center conductor (signal line)
SCb External conductor (shielded wire)
SCc Dielectric SCd Peripheral covering material TA Anvil TH Horn THa Recess THb Groove side wall CA Contact assembly 30 Plug connector (electrical connector)
31 Insulating housing 31a Insulating main body part 31b Wiring support part 31c Contact accommodation space 31d Bottom wall surface 32 Internal conductor contact (signal contact member)
32a Locking piece 32b Elastic spring part 32c Flat plate part 32d Connection part 33 Shield shell 33a Outer conductor shell (ground contact member)
33b Shell protruding portion 33c Shell lid portion 33c1 Connecting member 33c2 Rear cover portion 33c3 First fixed holding plate 33c4 Second fixed holding plate 33d Fitting engagement portion SC1 to SC4 Coaxial cable (cable-shaped signal transmission medium)
SCa1 to SCa4 Center conductor (signal line)
SCa11 to SCa41 First surface SCa12 to SCa42 Second surface SCa43 Other surface SCb1 to SCb4 External conductor (shielded wire)
SCc1 to SCc4 Dielectric SCd1 to SCd4 Outer covering material 32 Internal conductor contact (signal contact member)
32a Locking piece 32b Elastic spring portion 32c Flat plate portion 32d Connection portion

Claims (11)

a housing made of an insulating member;
a contact made of a conductive member attached to the housing, to which an end portion of a center conductor of a coaxial cable is connected by applying ultrasonic vibration;
In an electrical connector with
The terminal portion of the center conductor of the coaxial cable has a shape in which a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the center conductor has at least three sides,
One side of the three sides constituting the cross-sectional shape of the terminal portion of the center conductor is connected to the contact,
In the pair of other sides extending from both ends of the one side, the distance between the pair of other sides becomes narrower in the direction away from the contact,
The contact has gold plating at a portion to which the center conductor of the coaxial cable is connected,
An electrical connector characterized in that a terminal portion of the center conductor of the coaxial cable has silver plating at a portion connected to the gold plating of the contact, and the gold plating and the silver plating are connected. a housing made of an insulating member;
a contact made of a conductive member attached to the housing, the terminal portion of the central conductor of the coaxial cable in the extending direction being connected by applying ultrasonic vibration;
In an electrical connector with
The terminal portion of the center conductor of the coaxial cable has a first surface portion and a second surface portion facing each other in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the center conductor,
Either one of the first surface portion and the second surface portion is connected to the contact,
The first surface portion includes a single or a plurality of flat surfaces extending in the extending direction, and
The second surface portion includes either a single or multiple flat surfaces extending in the extending direction, or a single or multiple curved surfaces extending in the extending direction,
The contact has gold plating at a portion to which the center conductor of the coaxial cable is connected,
An electrical connector characterized in that a terminal portion of the center conductor of the coaxial cable has silver plating at a portion connected to the gold plating of the contact, and the gold plating and the silver plating are connected. Each of the two flat surfaces constituting the first surface portion has one edge and the other edge extending in the extending direction,
3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein one edge of each of the two flat surfaces is connected directly or indirectly through another surface. 4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein one edge of each of the two flat surfaces is directly connected to each other. Each of the plurality of flat surfaces or curved surfaces constituting the second surface portion has one end edge and the other end edge extending in the extending direction,
3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein one edge of each flat surface or curved surface is connected directly or indirectly through another surface. The outermost edges of the first surface in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction and the outermost edges of the second surface in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction are directly or 3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein the electrical connector is indirectly connected via a surface portion. The center conductor of the coaxial cable has a maximum dimension H in the direction in which the first surface portion and the second surface portion face each other, and a maximum dimension H in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first surface portion and the second surface portion face each other. The electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the dimension is smaller than W (H<W). The contact has a connection portion to which a center conductor of the coaxial cable is connected,
3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion has a groove extending along the extending direction. 9. The electrical connector according to claim 8, wherein a cross section of the groove portion of the contact in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction has a V-shape, an arc shape, or a polygonal shape. 10. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein a connecting portion between the contact and the center conductor of the coaxial cable is buried inside the housing. A shield shell made of a conductive member disposed to cover the outer surface of the housing is attached to the housing, and the shield shell is electrically connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable,
the contact is an internal conductor contact disposed in a region covered by the shield shell,
11. Any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a connection portion that is an electrical connection portion between the inner conductor contact and a terminal portion of the center conductor of the coaxial cable is disposed in the region of the shield shell. Electrical connector described in Crab.