JP2012009357A - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electrical connector that can reliably prevent the invasion of unnecessary objects such as water and dust with a simple structure.
A metal plate having a predetermined size and thickness is bent into a tubular shape so that a hollow hole of a predetermined size is formed therein, and both ends of the metal plate are joined and at least one end is opened. This is an electrical connector that has a shield case 6 made of a tubular body and an electrically insulating connector housing fitted with an electrically conductive contact, and is electromagnetically shielded by inserting the connector housing into the hollow hole of the shield case. The housing waterproof means for preventing water from entering from the outside to the inside between the connector housing 3 and the contact 2, the contact waterproof means for preventing the same entry between the connector housing 3 and the shield case 6, and the shield case 6 is provided with a joint waterproof means for preventing the same intrusion at the joint 6b ′ joined by abutting both end edges of the metal plate. The
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to a waterproof electrical connector provided with a shield case.

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

  This type of connector is generally provided with a contact, an insulating housing to which the contact is mounted, and a metal shield case covering the outside of the housing, as shown in, for example, Patent Document 1 below. After a predetermined number of contacts are mounted on the insulating housing, the insulating housing is covered with a shield case.

  Further, Patent Document 2 below also describes the same type of connector. Hereinafter, the connector described in Patent Document 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 shows a receptacle connector described in this patent document, FIG. 15A is a bottom view, and FIG. 15B is a bottom cross-sectional view. The connector 20 is a receptacle connector (hereinafter referred to as a receptacle). As shown in FIG. 15, the receptacle 20 includes a plurality of contacts 21, a body 22 that supports these contacts, and a receptacle shell 23 that houses the plurality of contacts 21 and the body 22 inside. The receptacle shell 23 is a shield case. The body 22 is formed of an electrically insulating synthetic resin molded product having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main portion 24 and a rectangular post 25 protruding forward from the front surface of the main portion. A plurality of contacts 21 are insert-molded on the main portion 24 and the post 25. The receptacle shell 23 is formed in a rectangular tube shape by a metal plate material having corrosion resistance, and the edge of the plate material is abutted and joined at the bottom. Reference numeral 23a represents a joint. The body 22 is inserted from the rear end side of the receptacle shell 23, and is secured by a pair of cut and raised pieces.

  Patent Document 3 below also describes a similar electrical connector. In this patent document, the shield case is expressed as a metal shell. Hereinafter, the electrical connector described in Patent Document 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 16 shows the connector described in Patent Document 3. FIG. 16A is a bottom view, FIG. 16B is a perspective view of one end edge of the metal shell, FIG. 16C is a perspective view of the other end edge, and FIG. It is a front view of a part.

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

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

JP 2002-298984 A (paragraphs [0020] to [0024], FIG. 1) JP 2009-289618 A (paragraphs [0026] to [0028], FIGS. 1 and 2) Japanese Patent No. 3803837 (paragraphs [0012] to [0015], FIG. 2, FIG. 5 to FIG. 8) JP 2005-228756 A (paragraphs [0033], [0034], FIG. 2)

  The connectors found in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are used by being incorporated into various electronic / information devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, and information terminals. In general, these electronic / information devices are roughly classified into a stationary type that is used with little movement and a portable type that is portable and used. When such a connector is incorporated into a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, for example, the use environment is significantly different from that of a stationary device, and depending on the use situation, it is used in an environment that is not desirable for the electronic device. There will be a lot of opportunities. For example, it is used in places where sweat such as hands is transmitted, where there is a lot of moisture and dust or rain, and it is immersed in spilled water and then dropped into water. In addition, these are often used in an unexpected environment, and these are all used in a severe environment for electronic devices.

  For this reason, when the portable electronic device is placed in such an environment, there is a risk that water may enter the device through the connector. For example, the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not have a waterproof structure, so that water or the like easily enters. Moreover, since the connector of Patent Document 2 has a structure in which the joining portion of the shield case just abuts the edge of the plate material, a gap is formed in the abutting portion, and water droplets and dust enter the inside through this gap. There is a fear. In addition, such a connector is usually immersed in a solder bath and mounted on a circuit wiring board or the like. However, if there is a gap in the joint, the insulating housing will thermally expand to further open the gap, and more water or the like. It becomes easy to enter. As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to weld the joint portion with a stronger mechanical connection, for example, welding. However, if the welding is spot welding, a high waterproof effect cannot be expected. In addition, if a joint part is superposed | polymerized and a spot welding is carried out, a joint part will protrude, it will become difficult to contact with other waterproof members, for example, packing, and a waterproof effect cannot be anticipated.

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

  In addition, the joint portion of the connector of Patent Document 3 is press-molded with both end portions overlapped, and the thickness thereof is substantially the same as the metal plate thickness. The waterproof effect sufficient for use under such severe environment is not exhibited. In particular, it is difficult to prevent flooding due to the capillary joint phenomenon. This joint has half the thickness of each end of the metal plate and is press-molded with uneven portions at these plate thicknesses, so it is extremely difficult to machine and requires special processing equipment. In addition to this, processing man-hours are also required. Further, the joint portion having this structure may be brought into contact with or separated from the joint portion when it is twisted when connected to the mating connector.

  Despite the fact that portable electronic devices, especially mobile phones, are used in harsh environments, the connectors are not waterproof, so portable electronic devices with a waterproof cover attached to the connector mounting location have been proposed. Yes. For example, Patent Document 4 describes an electronic device in which an opening of a device housing provided with a connector is hermetically sealed with a terminal protection cover. This electronic device is a mobile phone. This mobile phone has a structure in which a connector is incorporated in a device casing and a connector mounting hole is sealed with a terminal protective cover. According to this electronic device, the connector mounting hole can be sealed with the terminal protection cover when the connector is not used, so that intrusion of water and the like can be prevented, but a special structure terminal protection cover is required and this protection cover can be attached. Thus, the design change of the equipment casing is essential. For this reason, there is a possibility that the terminal protection cover may come off and be lost from the device casing, and the cost of the device as a whole will be increased. Note that such a waterproof cover is now exchanged for a fee once every two years in order to maintain waterproofness.

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

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for a terminal protection cover or the like that is required in the prior art, and to eliminate the need for water, dust, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector that can reliably prevent the entry of objects with a simple structure. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector using a shield case having a structure capable of reliably preventing water and the like from entering from the joint portion of the shield case by capillary action.

In order to solve the above problems, in the electrical connector according to the first aspect of the present invention, the metal plate having a predetermined size and thickness is bent into a tubular shape so that a hollow hole of a predetermined size is formed therein. A shield case made of a tubular body in which both ends of a metal plate are joined and at least one end of which is open; and an electrically insulating connector housing fitted with an electrically conductive contact, the hollow of the shield case In the electrical connector that electromagnetically shields by inserting the connector housing in the hole,
Housing waterproof means for preventing water from entering from the outside to the inside between the connector housing and the contact, contact waterproof means for preventing similar penetration between the connector housing and the shield case, and the shield case, In addition, a joint waterproof means for preventing similar intrusion is provided at a joint where both end edges of the metal plate are abutted and joined.

  Further, in the electrical connector of the second aspect, the contact waterproofing means is a waterproof means by insert molding the contact into the connector housing, and the housing waterproof means is interposed between the connector housing and the shield case. It is an elastic member, The said joint part waterproof means is comprised by the waterproof means by abutting the said both-ends edge and laser-welding.

  In the electrical connector according to the third aspect, the joint waterproof means is temporarily welded to the butt joint by the temporary fastening means and is laser welded.

  In the electrical connector of the fourth aspect, the temporary fixing means includes a locking protrusion protruding from one end of the two plate material edges and the locking protrusion on the other edge. It is comprised by the latching groove | channel fitted.

  In the electrical connector of the fifth aspect, the tubular body is provided with an opening at the other end facing the opening, and the opening is closed with a back cover provided with a ground terminal. To do.

  In the electrical connector of the sixth aspect, the shield case is characterized in that a case waterproof means is provided in a gap between the shield case and a mounting hole of a device case for mounting the connector on the outer wall.

  In the electrical connector of the seventh aspect, the housing waterproof means is constituted by an elastic member.

  In the present invention, the electrical connector according to the first aspect is provided with waterproof means between the connector housing and the contact, between the connector housing and the shield case, and at the joint portion of the shield case. An electrical connector that can reliably prevent entry of water or dust can be provided. In particular, it is possible to prevent water from entering the shield case through a capillary phenomenon. Further, when this electrical connector is attached to a housing such as a cellular phone, a waterproof cover for sealing and waterproofing the connector insertion port required in the prior art becomes unnecessary.

  Further, according to the electrical connector of the second aspect, the contact and housing waterproofing means can be constituted by simple means. In addition, since the joint waterproofing means abuts both ends of the metal plate material and laser welds the joined joint, the edge of the joined part is melted and closely adhered, and water or the like enters from the joined part. Can be reliably prevented. In particular, water that tends to enter due to capillary action can be reliably prevented.

  Further, according to the electrical connector of the third aspect, laser welding can be performed accurately without causing a positional shift by temporarily fixing the butted portion of the joint portion with the temporary fixing means.

  In addition, according to the electric connector of the fourth aspect, the temporary fixing means is constituted by the locking protrusion and the locking groove, and therefore can be formed by simple metal processing.

  Further, according to the electrical connector of the fifth aspect, since the opening is closed at the other end of the tubular body with the back cover, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of unwanted objects from the other end opening into the tubular body, and to the back cover. Using the provided ground terminal, it can be easily fixed to a circuit wiring board or the like.

  In addition, according to the electrical connector of the sixth aspect, a waterproof cover or the like required in the prior art becomes unnecessary, and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, according to the electrical connector of the seventh aspect, the casing waterproof means can be configured with simple means.

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

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment shown below exemplifies an electrical connector for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to specify the present invention. It is equally applicable to the other embodiments included.

  With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the outline | summary of the electrical connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. 1 shows the appearance of the electrical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1A is a front perspective view, FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view, FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the electrical connector of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a top view, FIG. 2C is a bottom view, FIG. 2D is a side view, and FIG. 2E is a rear view.

  An electrical connector (hereinafter referred to as “connector”) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a connector that is attached to a housing of an information terminal such as a mobile phone, and is detachably connected to a mating connector that is not shown. It conforms to the standard. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 1 includes a plurality of, for example, five electrically conductive contacts 2 and an electrically insulating connector housing (hereinafter referred to as an insulating housing) to which these contacts are attached. ) 3 and a metal shield case 6 that is fitted around the outer periphery of the insulating housing and shields electromagnetically. The connector 1 is attached to a circuit wiring board or the like using a reinforcing member 8.

  The connector 1 includes water (a) between the contact 2 and the insulating housing 3, (b) between the insulating housing 3 and the shield case 6, and (c) at the plate material joint of the shield case 6. Alternatively, a waterproof / dustproof means (hereinafter referred to as a waterproof means) for preventing entry of dust or the like is provided. This connector 1 is particularly characterized by a structure that can prevent water from entering from the joint of the shield case 6 due to the capillary phenomenon. When this connector is attached to a casing of an electromagnetic device such as a mobile phone, a waterproof cover or the like that seals and waterproofs the connector insertion port required in the prior art by the waterproof means (a) to (c) above. It becomes unnecessary. Hereinafter, individual components of the connector will be described.

  The insulating housing will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 shows the appearance of the insulating housing, FIG. 3A is a front perspective view, FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view, FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the insulating housing in FIG. 3, FIG. 4A is a front view, and FIG. 4C is a bottom view, FIG. 4D is one side view, FIG. 4E is the other side view, and FIG. 4F is a rear view.

As shown in FIG. 3, the insulating housing 3 includes a housing main body 4 in which each contact fixing portion of the plurality of contacts 2 is attached and a shield case 6 is fitted on the outer wall surface, and the housing main body 4. And a contact support portion 5 in which a contact portion of the contact 2 is disposed so as to protrude forward by a predetermined length. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing body 4 is composed of a substantially flat rectangular parallelepiped block surrounded by upper and lower walls 4 a and 4 b, front and rear walls 4 c and 4 d and left and right side walls 4 e and 4 f. It is formed of an electrically insulating synthetic resin molding. The upper and lower walls 4a and 4b and the front and rear walls 4c and 4d are formed of a substantially rectangular substantially flat surface having a pair of opposed long and short sides. The left and right side walls 4e, 4f are formed with curved surfaces that slightly bulge outward. The housing body 4, upper and lower walls 4a, 4b and left and right side walls 4e, recessed grooves 4 ₁ ring-shaped packing 7 on the outer peripheral wall surface of the 4f is fitted is formed. The recessed grooves 4 ₁ are provided in the front wall 4c side. The packing 7 is made of an elastic member such as rubber, and serves as a waterproof means for preventing water and the like from entering from between the corners between the insulating housing 3 and the shield case 6 in (b).

As shown in FIG. 3, the front wall 4 c of the housing body 4 is formed of a substantially rectangular substantially flat surface having a pair of opposed long sides and short sides, and the contact support portion 5 extends outward from the flat surface. A predetermined length is extended. That is, the contact support portion 5 is a relatively thin plate-like piece having a predetermined length and a width that is projected in a substantially horizontal direction from a part of the flat surface. This on a rear surface of the plate-like pieces, a plurality of inverse recessed groove 5 ₁ contacts 2a (see FIG. 14) is disposed in contact is formed.

  A plurality (5) of contacts 2 are attached to the insulating housing 3. Each contact 2 has the same configuration, and as shown in FIG. 14, a contact portion 2a that is contact-connected to the contact of the mating connector, and a fixing that extends from this contact portion and is fixed in the insulating housing 3 It has a portion 2b and a connection portion 2c that is further extended from the fixing portion and is solder-connected to an electrode on the surface of the circuit wiring board, and is made of a material having a good electrical conductivity. The contact 2 may be of any shape, for example, a rod-shaped body having a predetermined length and thickness cut into a predetermined length and bent, or a plate-shaped body is cut into a predetermined size. Use a bent product.

These contacts 2 are formed in an insulating housing 3 in which contact contact portions 2 a are reversely recessed grooves 5.
₁ is accommodated, and a waterproof means is applied to the fixing portion 2b of the contact 2 and attached. The waterproof means may be any means, but it is preferable to use so-called mold molding, in which the contacts are embedded in the molding resin and integrally molded when the insulating housing 3 is molded. Further, at the time of molding, the surface of the contact fixing portion 2b is roughened, for example, an uneven surface or a fine groove, so as to increase the contact area with the molded resin material, thereby increasing the so-called creepage distance. Molding can effectively prevent water and the like from entering. The narrow groove or the like is formed by laser processing or the like. The waterproof means is not limited to molding, and other means, for example, an insulating housing may be made of an elastic member, and the contact may be forcibly inserted into the elastic member. When the contact is molded into the insulating housing in this way, a waterproof means is provided between the contact 2 and the insulating housing 3 in (a), and water or the like does not enter through this space. In particular, when the contact is molded, water does not enter due to capillary action.

  The shield case will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 shows the appearance of the shield case, FIG. 5A is a front perspective view, FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view, FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the shield case in FIG. 5, FIG. 6A is a front view, and FIG. 6C is a bottom view, FIG. 6D is one side view, FIG. 6E is the other side view, and FIG. 6F is a rear view.

The shield case 6, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the front opening ₆₁ of the insulating housing 3 is inserted into one end, internal to the size of the insulating housing 3 is accommodated toward from the opening to the back and space 6 _2, and a Okufuta 6e provided with a terminal connected to the ground electrode such as a circuit wiring board closes the rear opening 6 ₃ slightly consists long flat tubular body from the insulating housing 3, the metal sheet For example, a stainless plate is cut into a predetermined length and formed by bending. That is, the shield case 6 is surrounded by upper and lower plate portions 6a and 6b and left and right plate portions 6c and 6d that are in contact with the upper and lower and left and right wall surfaces of the insulating housing 3, and has a space (hollow hole) therein and openings 6 _{1 at} both ends. has 6 _3, the rear of the opening 6 ₃ is closed by Okufuta 6e, and has a slightly longer flat tubular body of an insulating housing.

The upper plate portion 6a, a pair of cut-and-raised projection 6a ₁ are formed on both sides of the front opening ₆₁ side of the surface. Further, the upper plate portion 6a, the reinforcing member 8 is in the area in contact with the space 6a 'between these cut-and-raised projection 6a ₁ and a rear opening 6 _3. Right and left plate portions 6c, 6d, the guide piece _6c 1, 6d ₁ to facilitate the insertion of the mating connector (not shown) is formed in front of the opening ₆₁ side. Further, Okufuta 6e is being extended and bent from the upper plate portion 6a, a plate-like body having a substantially occlude size behind the opening 6 _3, a pair of terminals 6e ₁ to the plate-like body is formed Has been. The shield case 6, by the slightly longer than the insulating housing 3, the contact portions of the contacts 2 of the contact support 5 of the insulating housing 3 is disposed in said contact support section retracted to slightly deeper from the front of the opening ₆₁ It is protected without being exposed to the outside and without an obstacle colliding (see FIG. 1A).

  The shield case 6 is manufactured by the following method. This manufacturing method will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 shows the joint part of the shield case, FIG. 7A is a bottom view in a welded state, FIG. 7B is a photograph of the prototype of FIG. 7A, FIG. 7C is an enlarged photograph cross-sectional view of the joint part before welding, and FIG. Is an enlarged photograph cross-sectional view after welding in FIG. 7C, and FIG. 8 is a photograph of the prototype laser welding apparatus. 7C and 7D are views cut along the line XX, YY, and ZZ in FIG. 7A.

First, using a large-sized metal plate having a predetermined thickness (not shown), for example, a stainless steel plate, the metal plate is punched into a predetermined shape to produce one or a plurality of shield case plates before processing the shield case. This shield case plate has a shape obtained by expanding and extending the shield case 6 shown in FIG. That is, this shield case plate has a strip-shaped piece composed of a pair of opposed long sides and short sides, and a back cover 6e extending outward from one long side of the strip-shaped piece. against a pair of opposing short sides, the temporary fixing means 6b ₁ is provided for temporarily fixing the butt joints 6b '. The temporary fixing means 6b ₁ may be arbitrary, but in this embodiment, is constituted by a locking protrusion a and a locking groove b into which the locking protrusion is fitted. When such temporary fixing means 6b ₁ is provided, the welding operation can be performed accurately and easily when the opposed short side (edge) cut portions are butted.

Next, the shield case plate is bent and processed into a shield case made of an endless flat tubular body having a size that can be fitted into the insulating housing 3. In this processing, temporarily fixed against a cut surface of the opposite short sides of the strip by the temporary fixing means 6b _1. If the shield case 6 is temporarily fixed, the temporary fixing is easily removed when the shield case 6 is fitted to the insulating housing 3. Therefore, it is necessary to fix the shield case 6 so as not to be removed. However, any fixing means can be adopted as long as the temporary fixing is fixed so as not to be removed. In this shield case, (d) waterproofing of the joint and (e) insulating housing and joint It is necessary to make waterproofing effective. That is, in the above (d), it is necessary to prevent water from entering due to capillarity, and in the above (e), in order to prevent water from entering between the housing main body and the inner wall surface of the joint. It should be ensured that there are no steps. Therefore, in consideration of the above (d) and (e), the fixing means is limited.

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

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

  Therefore, laser welding is performed using a laser welding apparatus in consideration of the above (d), (e), and (f) to (h). Although any laser welding apparatus may be used, as shown in FIG. 8, a laser welding apparatus including a laser light generation device L1, a laser head portion L2, a laser control device L3, and the like is used. The laser head portion L2 includes a controller L2a, a scan head L2b, a driver L2c, and the like. 8 is an enlarged view in which the laser head portion is enlarged, and since such a laser welding apparatus L is well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Using this laser welding apparatus L, welding is performed along the temporarily joined joint 6b ′. In the laser welding, the above (h) is important. That is, it is essential to stabilize the keyhole. Stabilization of the keyhole prevents the generation of bubbles by periodically vibrating the laser output. This keyhole stabilization is performed by pulse control of laser output light. That is, welding is performed by pulse control that alternately outputs a high laser output portion and a low laser output portion. Laser welding is performed with, for example, a high output of pKW, a low output of about half of it, for example, 1/2 pKW, and a pulse interval of approximately the same (duty of time ratio between high output and low output = 50%). According to this pulse control welding, the keyhole is stabilized and the pores are hardly generated when the frequency (modulation frequency) of the laser pulse output is a predetermined frequency. This keyhole stabilization is presumed to be due to the following phenomenon. That is, in pulse control, when the output increases rapidly to a large output, the weld metal spouts out of the keyhole, creating a wave on the surface of the molten pool, and the traveling wave at this time is reflected at the end of the molten pool and the solidified part. Bounce. When this bounced reflected wave reaches the keyhole, it flows into the keyhole. When the molten metal that has flowed in is rapidly heated by a laser beam, metal vapor is suddenly generated and the shape of the keyhole is disturbed, so that the reflected wave enters the keyhole so that this disorder does not occur. When irradiated with intense laser light, the amount of metal vapor generated increases due to rapid heating, and the traveling wave of molten metal that overflows is pushed back to maintain the keyhole and stabilize.

  As a result of laser welding La, the joint was in the following state. That is, FIG. 7 shows the joint part of the shield case, and before laser welding, the joint part 6b ′ has a gap as seen in FIG. 7C, but as shown in FIG. 7A, the joint part 6b When laser welding is performed along ', welding is performed as shown in FIG. 7B and FIG. 7D. In particular, the gap (see FIG. 7C) of the joint 6b ′ before welding is joined without gap as shown in FIG. 7D. Is done. It is preferable that the weld La of the joint portion 6b ′ is joined with no gap between the XX line, the YY line, and the ZZ line of FIG. 7, that is, the entire joint portion. Or it may be welding at one place.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reinforcing member 8 includes a flat portion 8 a that contacts the upper plate portion 6 a of the shield case 6, and a left and right plate portion 6 c of the shield case that hangs down a predetermined length from both ends of the flat portion. , 6d, and a leg portion 8c fixed to a circuit wiring board or the like is provided at an end of each drooping portion 8b. The reinforcing member 8 is formed by bending a metal strip having a predetermined thickness and length.

  The connector 1 is assembled by fitting the shield case 6 after attaching the ring-shaped packing 7 to the outer peripheral wall of the insulating housing 3 to which a plurality (5) of contacts 2 are attached. The assembled connector is mounted on a circuit wiring board (not shown). In order to make this mounting firm, it is preferable to fix with the reinforcing member 8. The terminals of the shield case 6 are soldered to a ground electrode such as a circuit wiring board. In this connector 1, (a) between the contact 2 and the insulating housing 3, (b) between the insulating housing 3 and the shield case 6, and (c) a plate material joint of the shield case is sealed by respective waterproof means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from entering the inside through the connector. In particular, since the joint portion of the shield case is laser-welded by predetermined laser control, it is possible to prevent water from entering from this portion due to the capillary phenomenon.

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

  A connector 1A according to another embodiment of the present invention is a connector in which a waterproof member 9 that waterproofs the connector 1A from the electronic device housing is mounted on the connector 1. That is, the connector 1A is the same as the connector 1 except that the waterproof member 9 is attached. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, the duplicate description is omitted, and different components will be described in detail.

The connector 1 </ b> A has a configuration in which a waterproof member 9 is provided on the shield case 6 of the connector 1 to waterproof between the electronic device housings 10 </ b> A and 10 </ b> B. The waterproof member 9 has an annular flange portion 9a bulging outward at one end and a cover portion 9b extending rearward from the annular flange portion 9a, and a through-hole into which the shield case 6 is fitted at the center. made tubular body having a 9 _0, is formed of an elastic member, such as rubber members. Annular flange portion 9a has a predetermined wall thickness extending a predetermined length outwardly from the through-hole 9 _0, the pair of apparatus housing 10A, mounting hole 10a formed between 10B, is fitted to 10b It is formed with an annular body of a certain size. The annular flange portion 9a, the outer wall of the front opening ₆₁ side of the shield case 6, that is, close contact mounted vertically and the left and right plate portions 6a~6d of the shield case 6. In order to make this adhesion better, it is preferable to provide a plurality of ring-shaped protrusions on the inner wall of the through hole. This ring-shaped protrusion increases the creepage distance and makes it difficult to flood. When this ring-shaped protrusion is provided on the outer periphery of the annular portion, the close contact with the device casing is improved and the same effect can be obtained. Cover portion 9b covers the remaining portion, i.e., the rear portion from the annular portion in close contact with the vertical and horizontal plate portions 6a~6d of the shield case of the front opening ₆₁ side outer wall of the shield case 6. Thereby, waterproofing of a rear part can be performed.

After the connector 1A is mounted on the wiring board P, the connector 1A is fixed to the device housing such that the waterproof member 9 is sandwiched between the pair of device housings 10A and 10B. According to this connector 1A, as shown in FIG. 14, (a) between the contact 2 and the insulating housing 3, (b) between the insulating housing 3 and the shield case 6 (W ₁ ), and (c) a shield case. Since the plate material joint and the space between the shield case 6 and the housings 10A and 10B (W ₂ ) are sealed by the respective waterproofing means, it is possible to prevent water and the like from entering the inside through the connector. As a result, a waterproof cover or the like that seals and waterproofs the connector insertion port required in the prior art becomes unnecessary.

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

Claims (7)

From a tubular body in which a metal plate material of a predetermined size and thickness is bent into a tubular shape so that a hollow hole of a predetermined size is formed inside, and both ends of the metal plate material are joined and at least one end portion is opened. A shield case, and an electrically insulative connector housing fitted with electrically conductive contacts, and an electrical connector that electromagnetically shields by inserting the connector housing into a hollow hole of the shield case,
Housing waterproof means for preventing water from entering from the outside to the inside between the connector housing and the contact, contact waterproof means for preventing similar penetration between the connector housing and the shield case, and the shield case, An electrical connector characterized in that a joint waterproof means for preventing similar intrusion is provided at a joint joined by abutting both end edges of the metal plate.   The contact waterproof means is a waterproof means by insert molding the contact into the connector housing, the housing waterproof means is an elastic member interposed between the connector housing and the shield case, and the joint waterproof means is the The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is constituted by waterproof means formed by laser welding with both end edges butted.   The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein the joint waterproof means is temporarily welded to the butt joint by a temporary fastening means and is laser welded.   The temporary fixing means is constituted by a locking projection protruding from one edge of the two plate material edges and a locking groove into which the locking projection is fitted on the other edge. The electrical connector according to claim 2.   The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the tubular body is provided with an opening at the other end facing the opening, and the opening is closed with a back cover provided with a ground terminal.   6. The electricity according to claim 1, wherein the shield case is provided with a case waterproof means in a gap between a mounting hole of a device case for mounting the connector on the outer wall thereof. connector.   7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein the casing waterproof means is constituted by an elastic member.