Electric connector, train-information transmission/reception system, and method for connecting electric connector

A train-information transmission/reception system comprising:

• information transmission/reception apparatuses that are incorporated in a plurality of vehicles constituting a train and transmit and receive train information in an interconnecting manner;
• an in-vehicle cable that is arranged in the plurality of vehicles and includes a plurality of signal lines that transmit the train information and an electrically-conductive shielded layer surrounding the signal lines;
• and
• an electric connector that is interposed between the in-vehicle cable and the information transmission/reception apparatus, wherein
• the in-vehicle cable includes a plurality of signal lines that transmit the train information and the electrically-conductive shielded layer surrounding the signal lines,
• one end of a ground line is connected to the electrically-conductive shielded layer,
• the signal lines are connected to connector pins that are installed in an electrically-conductive connector case, which is a casing of the electric connector with a width in a lateral direction narrower than a width in a longitudinal direction, and that are electrically insulated from the electrically conductive connector case,
• a casing ground is provided to a casing of the information transmission/reception apparatus, and a plurality of contact pins electrically insulated from the casing of the information transmission/reception apparatus and electrically connected to the connector pins are provided in the casing of the information transmission/reception apparatus, and
• the other end of the ground line is connected to the electrically-conductive connector case in a detachable manner, and the electrically-conductive connector case is electrically connected to the casing of the information transmission/reception apparatus in a state where the contact pins and the connector pins are respectively connected to each other,
• a terminal block is provided on a side surface of the electrically-conductive connector case to be interposed between an electrically-conductive terminal provided to the other end of the ground line and the electrically-conductive connector case and fixes the terminal by using a fixing member, and
• the electrically-conductive terminal has the fixing member inserted through at a central portion thereof and is formed in a shape of a flat plate.

A method for connecting an electric connector that is, for allowing information transmission/reception apparatuses incorporated in a plurality of vehicles constituting a train to transmit and receive train information in an interconnecting manner via an in-vehicle cable, interposed between the in-vehicle cable and the information transmission/reception apparatus, the method comprising:

• a step of connecting one end of a predetermined ground line to an electrically-conductive shielded layer internally included in the in-vehicle cable;
• a step of connecting a plurality of signal lines for transmitting the train information included in the in-vehicle cable to connector pins that are installed in an electrically-conductive connector case, which is a casing of the electric connector with a width in a lateral direction narrower than a width in a longitudinal direction, and that are electrically insulated from the electrically-conductive connector case;
• a step of connecting a flat-plate electrically-conductive terminal connected to the other end of the ground line to a terminal block formed on a side surface of the electrically-conductive connector case by using a fixing member in a detachable manner;
• a step of providing a casing ground of the information transmission/reception apparatus;
• and
• a step of electrically connecting the casing of the information transmission/reception apparatus and the electrically-conductive connector case in a state where a plurality of contact pins, which are electrically insulated from the casing of the information transmission/reception apparatus and electrically connected to the connector pins, and the connector pins are respectively engaged with each other.