Electrical connectors, electrical connector assemblies, electrical connectors with circuit boards, and electrical connector assemblies with circuit boards.

Abstract

This invention provides an electrical connector, an electrical connector assembly, an electrical connector with a circuit board, and an electrical connector assembly with a circuit board that can effectively reduce crosstalk between different signal transmission paths. The signal transmission paths are pairs (22, 24) of transmission paths (22, 24) positioned at intervals in the arrangement direction of the signal transmission paths (22, 24). Each pair (22, 24) has two types of pairs: straight pairs (22) and staggered pairs (24). These straight pairs (22) and staggered pairs (24) are alternately arranged in the aforementioned arrangement direction. The signal transmission paths arranged in the aforementioned arrangement direction form a signal transmission path column. Multiple signal transmission path columns are provided. At least a portion of the height direction of the transmission path pairs (22, 24) of one of two adjacent signal transmission path columns is offset relative to the transmission path pairs (22, 24) of the other signal transmission path column in the aforementioned arrangement direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to electrical connectors, electrical connector assemblies, electrical connectors with circuit boards, and electrical connector assemblies with circuit boards. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connector having blades arranged with multiple signal terminals and mounted on a circuit board. In each blade, straight pairs and interleaved pairs are arranged alternately as signal transmission paths formed by two adjacent signal terminals. Here, the signal terminals forming straight pairs are called "straight pair terminals," and the signal terminals forming interleaved pairs are called "interleaved pair terminals." In Patent Document 1, a pair of straight pair terminals extends parallel to each other at intervals along the entire length of the terminal, and a pair of interleaved pair terminals intersects each other at the midpoint along the length of the terminal. The straight pair terminals and interleaved pair terminals are soldered to corresponding signal pads on the circuit board via connecting portions formed at one end.

[0003] Patent Document 1 shows the positions of signal pads on a circuit board where the connection portions of straight-pair terminals and the connection portions of staggered-pair terminals are soldered (see Patent Document 1, Figure 11(b)). The signal pads, shown by white circles in Figure 11(b) of Patent Document 1, are arranged in rows of signal pads spaced apart in the terminal arrangement direction. The signal pads in all rows are positioned at the same location in the column direction (the direction consistent with the terminal arrangement direction), forming a grid-like arrangement. Furthermore, in adjacent rows of signal pads, the signal pads positioned at the same location in the column direction are provided as pads corresponding to paired terminals of different types.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, multiple pads soldered to terminal rows of straight-pair terminals and staggered-pair terminals are represented by white circles as signal pad rows arranged at intervals. In adjacent signal pad rows, a connection point for a straight-pair terminal from another signal pad row is positioned between the connection points of two adjacent straight-pair terminals in one signal pad row along the column direction. For the connection points of staggered-pair terminals, the pads are positioned in the same manner; in the column direction, the straight-pair terminals of one signal pad row and the staggered-pair terminals of another signal pad row are in the same position.

[0005] Thus, in Patent Document 1, by soldering the connection portions of the straight-pair terminals and the connection portions of the staggered-pair terminals to the signal pads of the circuit board in an alternatingly positioned state in the same column, the crosstalk, i.e., far-end crosstalk (FEXT), generated between pairs of terminals whose signal transmission directions are in the same direction is reduced.

[0006] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, ground (grounding) pads are shown as a series of ground pads arranged at intervals between two adjacent signal pad columns, as circled in black in Figure 11(b) of Patent Document 1. Although not explicitly stated in the specification of Patent Document 1, it is shown that each pad in this ground pad column can be soldered to a connection portion for mounting a grounding plate or grounding terminal. This reduces crosstalk, or near-end crosstalk (NEXT), that occurs between signals transmitted in opposite directions.

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5592402

[0008] As described in Patent Document 1, a ground pad column is disposed on the circuit board between two adjacent signal pad columns, thereby reducing near-end crosstalk (NEXT) between different signal transmission path columns (paired terminal columns) in the electrical connector. However, the ground pads in the ground pad column are distributed in the column direction, i.e., there are gaps between the ground pads. Therefore, there is room for considerable near-end crosstalk (NEXT) to occur between signal pairs connected to different signal pad columns, and there is room for improvement in reducing near-end crosstalk.

[0009] Furthermore, in the case where solder pads are formed on the mounting surface of the circuit board instead of solder pads and vias are formed within the thickness range of the circuit board, there is also room for near-end crosstalk (NEXT) to be generated across the rows of vias. There is also room for improvement in reducing near-end crosstalk. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In view of the above situation, the object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector, an electrical connector assembly, an electrical connector with a circuit board, and an electrical connector assembly with a circuit board that can effectively reduce crosstalk between different signal transmission paths or between vias.

[0011] According to the present invention, the above-mentioned problems are solved by the electrical connector according to the first invention, the electrical connector assembly according to the second invention, the electrical connector for circuit boards according to the third invention, and the electrical connector assembly for circuit boards according to the fourth invention.

[0012] <First Invention>

[0013] The electrical connector of the first invention has a plurality of signal transmission paths arranged at intervals along a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board.

[0014] In this electrical connector, in the first invention, the signal transmission path is characterized by being a pair of transmission paths positioned at intervals in the arrangement direction. The transmission path pairs have two types: straight pairs and staggered pairs, which are alternately arranged in the arrangement direction. The straight pairs extend at intervals across the entire range from one end to the other. When viewed along a width direction parallel to the mounting surface and perpendicular to the arrangement direction, the middle portion of the staggered pair located between one end and the other end bends in a manner that approaches each other in the arrangement direction and is located in an overlapping position. The signal transmission paths arranged in the arrangement direction form a signal transmission path column, with multiple signal transmission path columns arranged at intervals in the width direction. The transmission path pairs of one of two adjacent signal transmission path columns are configured such that at least a portion in the height direction perpendicular to the mounting surface is positioned offset from the transmission path pairs of the other signal transmission path column in the arrangement direction.

[0015] In the first invention, the transmission path pairs include both straight pairs and interleaved pairs, thereby reducing far-end crosstalk (FEXT). Furthermore, in the first invention, at least a portion of the transmission path pairs in the height direction of one of two adjacent signal transmission path sequences is offset relative to the transmission path pairs of the other signal transmission path sequence in the aforementioned arrangement direction. Considering any specific transmission path pair (here denoted as "specific pair") in one of two adjacent signal transmission path sequences, there are two transmission path pairs in the other signal transmission path sequence that are close to the specific pair. Here, these two transmission path pairs are respectively designated as "first proximity pair" and "second proximity pair". At this time, the first proximity pair and the second proximity pair are located adjacent to each other in the same signal transmission path sequence. The first proximity pair is offset to one side relative to the specific pair in the aforementioned arrangement direction, and the second proximity pair is offset to the other side relative to the specific pair in the aforementioned arrangement direction. The first proximity pair and the second proximity pair are pairs of different types. That is, one of the first and second closest pairs is a pair of the same kind as the specific pair, and the other is a pair of a different kind from the specific pair.

[0016] If signals are transmitted through each transmission pair, the polarity is reversed between transmission pairs of different types, and not reversed between transmission pairs of the same type. That is, for a specific pair, the polarity is reversed with one of the first and second proximity pairs, and not reversed with the other. As a result, in a structure where at least a portion of the height direction of a specific pair is positioned offset from the first and second proximity pairs relative to the aforementioned arrangement direction, when the signal transmission directions of the specific pair are opposite to those of the first and second proximity pairs, the near-end crosstalk (NEXT) signal from the first proximity pair and the NEXT signal from the second proximity pair arrive at the specific pair with their waveform peaks offset within the aforementioned height direction range. Therefore, the overlap of waveform peaks of the NEXT signals from the first and second proximity pairs is avoided, and correspondingly, the near-end crosstalk (NEXT) in the specific pair is reduced.

[0017] Alternatively, based on the first invention, at least a portion of the transmission path pair of one signal transmission path is located in the height direction at the center of adjacent transmission path pairs in another signal transmission path in the arrangement direction. By positioning at least a portion of the transmission path pair of one signal transmission path in this way, the peaks of the waveforms of the signals from the first and second proximity pairs for the specific pair described above can be staggered to the maximum extent in that portion, thereby enabling a better reduction of NEXT in the specific pair.

[0018] <Second Invention>

[0019] The second invention relates to an electrical connector assembly having a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector that is fitted and connected to the first electrical connector.

[0020] In this electrical connector assembly, in the second invention, the first electrical connector is characterized by having a plurality of first signal transmission paths arranged at intervals along a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board. The first signal transmission paths are pairs of first transmission paths positioned at intervals along the arrangement direction. Each pair of first transmission paths has two types: straight pairs and staggered pairs. These straight pairs and staggered pairs are alternately arranged along the arrangement direction. The straight pairs extend at intervals across the entire range from one end to the other. When viewed along a width direction parallel to the mounting surface and perpendicular to the arrangement direction, the staggered pairs are positioned such that the middle portion between one end and the other end... The second electrical connector is bent in a manner that approaches each other in the above-mentioned arrangement direction and is located in an overlapping position. The second signal transmission path is a pair of second transmission paths that are positioned at intervals in the above-mentioned arrangement direction. The pairs of second transmission paths form a straight pair. The second signal transmission paths arranged in the above-mentioned arrangement direction form a signal transmission path column. A plurality of signal transmission path columns are provided at intervals in the above-mentioned width direction. The second transmission path pair of one of the two adjacent signal transmission path columns is configured such that at least a portion of the second transmission path pair of the other signal transmission path column is positioned offset from the second transmission path pair of the other signal transmission path column in the above-mentioned arrangement direction in the height direction that is perpendicular to the above-mentioned mounting surface.

[0021] In the second invention, as described with respect to the first invention, the waveform peaks of the NEXT signals from two adjacent second transmission pairs of another signal transmission path are prevented from overlapping with the second transmission pair of one of the adjacent signal transmission paths, thereby correspondingly reducing near-end crosstalk (NEXT) in the second transmission pair of one signal transmission path.

[0022] Alternatively, based on the second invention, at least a portion of the second transmission pair of one signal transmission path in the height direction is located at the center of adjacent second transmission pairs in another signal transmission path in the arrangement direction. By positioning at least a portion of the second transmission pair of one signal transmission path in this way, the peaks of the waveforms of the NEXT signals transmitted from two adjacent second transmission pairs of another signal transmission path can be staggered to the maximum extent, thereby enabling a better reduction of NEXT in the second transmission pair of one signal transmission path.

[0023] <Third Invention>

[0024] The third invention relates to an electrical connector with a circuit board on which a plurality of signal transmission paths are arranged at intervals in a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board.

[0025] In this electrical connector with a circuit board, in a third invention, the signal transmission path is characterized by being a pair of transmission paths positioned at intervals in the arrangement direction. The transmission path pairs have two types: straight pairs and interlaced pairs, which are alternately arranged in the arrangement direction. The straight pairs extend at intervals from one end to the other. When viewed along a width direction parallel to the mounting surface and perpendicular to the arrangement direction, the middle portion of the interlaced pair located between one end and the other end bends in a manner that brings them closer together in the arrangement direction and is located in an overlapping position. The circuit board has... A signal circuit section is provided for soldering the aforementioned signal transmission path. The signal circuit section has a plurality of solder pads located on the mounting surface of the circuit board corresponding to the signal transmission path and for soldering the signal transmission path, and a plurality of vias located within the board thickness of the circuit board corresponding to each solder pad and electrically connected to the solder pad. The plurality of vias are arranged in the aforementioned arrangement direction to form a via array. Two vias that are adjacent to each other and positioned corresponding to the aforementioned transmission path pair form a via pair. The via array is provided with a plurality of vias spaced apart in the aforementioned width direction. The via pairs in one of the two adjacent via arrays are positioned offset relative to the via pairs in the aforementioned arrangement direction.

[0026] As in the third invention, by positioning two adjacent via columns staggered from each other in the above-mentioned arrangement direction, the waveform peak of the NEXT signal transmitted from two adjacent via columns of another via column is avoided to overlap with the via pair of one of the via columns in the adjacent via column, thereby correspondingly reducing near-end crosstalk (NEXT) in the via pair of one via column.

[0027] Alternatively, based on the third invention, the via pairs of one via array are positioned in the aforementioned arrangement direction at the center between adjacent via pairs in another via array. By positioning the via pairs of one via array in this way, the peaks of the waveforms of the NEXT signals transmitted from two adjacent via pairs in another via array can be staggered to the maximum extent, thereby improving the reduction of NEXT in the via pairs of one via array.

[0028] <The Fourth Invention>

[0029] The fourth invention relates to an electrical connector assembly with a circuit board, which has a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector that is fitted and connected to the first electrical connector, and a circuit board for mounting the second electrical connector.

[0030] In this electrical connector assembly with a circuit board, in the fourth invention, the first electrical connector is characterized by having a plurality of first signal transmission paths arranged at intervals along a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board. The first signal transmission paths are pairs of first transmission paths positioned at intervals along the arrangement direction. Each pair of first transmission paths has two types: straight pairs and staggered pairs, which are alternately arranged along the arrangement direction. The straight pairs extend at intervals from one end to the other. When viewed along a width direction parallel to the mounting surface and perpendicular to the arrangement direction, the middle portion of the staggered pair located between one end and the other end bends towards each other in the arrangement direction and is located in an overlapping position. The second electrical connector... The connector includes a plurality of second signal transmission paths arranged at intervals in the aforementioned arrangement direction. The second signal transmission paths are pairs of second transmission paths positioned at intervals in the aforementioned arrangement direction. The pairs of second transmission paths form a straight pair. The circuit board includes a signal circuit section for soldering the signal transmission paths. The signal circuit section has a plurality of solder pads located on the mounting surface of the circuit board corresponding to the second signal transmission paths and for soldering the signal transmission paths, and a plurality of vias located within the board thickness of the circuit board corresponding to each solder pad and electrically connected to the solder pad. The plurality of vias are arranged in the aforementioned arrangement direction to form via rows. Two vias positioned adjacent to each other corresponding to the pairs of second transmission paths form via pairs. The via pairs in one of the two adjacent via rows are positioned offset relative to the via pairs in the aforementioned arrangement direction.

[0031] As in the fourth invention, the two adjacent via columns are positioned by offsetting each other in the above-described arrangement direction, thereby avoiding the overlap of the waveform peak of the NEXT signal from two adjacent via columns of another via column with the via pair of one of the via columns in the adjacent via column, as in the third invention described above, and correspondingly reducing the near-end crosstalk (NEXT) in the via pair of one via column.

[0032] Alternatively, based on the fourth invention, the via pairs of one via array are positioned in the aforementioned arrangement direction at the center between adjacent via pairs in another via array. By positioning the via pairs of one via array in this way, the waveform peaks of the NEXT signal transmitted from two adjacent via pairs in another via array can be staggered to the maximum extent, thereby improving the reduction of NEXT in the via pairs of one via array.

[0033] In this invention, not only is far-end crosstalk (FEXT) well reduced, but near-end crosstalk (NEXT) is also well reduced, thereby effectively reducing crosstalk between different signal transmission paths or between vias. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the relay connector and the object connector according to the embodiments of the present invention together, showing the state before mating.

[0035] Figure 2 (A) is represented by a monomer. Figure 1 A 3D view of the blades of a relay connector. Figure 2 (B) only indicates Figure 2 The front view of the signal terminal pair and ground terminal of the blade (A).

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of a portion of the blades in a relay connector, with a portion shown in magnification.

[0037] Figure 4 (A) is represented by a monomer. Figure 1 A perspective view of the terminal retainer of the object connector. Figure 4 (B) is to Figure 4 A perspective view showing the individual components of the terminal holder of (A) separated.

[0038] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of a portion of the terminal retainer in the connector, with a portion shown in magnification.

[0039] Figure 6 It is a bottom view showing only a portion of the vias in the circuit board for mounting the object connector.

[0040] Figure 7 (A) is a perspective view of the relay circuit board of the modified relay connector, represented by a single unit. Figure 7 (B) means Figure 7 The front view of the conductive pattern and ground via of the relay circuit board of (A).

[0041] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0042] 1…Relay connector (first electrical connector); 2…Target connector (second electrical connector); 3…Target connector (second electrical connector); 10…Housing; 22, 122…Linear pair (first signal transmission path); 23, 123…Linear terminals; 24, 124…Interleaved pair (first signal transmission path); 25, 125…Interleaved terminals; 23A, 123A…Signal connection part; 25A, 125A…Signal connection part; 52…Signal terminal pair (second signal transmission path); 53…Target linear terminal; 53C…Signal connection part; 54…First target ground plate; 54C…First ground connection part; 55…Second target ground plate; 55C…Second ground connection part; C…Circuit board; VS…Signal via; VG…Ground via. Detailed Implementation

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the relay connector 1 (hereinafter referred to as "relay connector 1"), which is the first electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with the object-side electrical connectors 2 and 3 (hereinafter referred to as "object connector 2" and "object connector 3," respectively), which are the second electrical connectors, showing their state before mating. In this embodiment, the relay connector 1 and the object connectors 2 and 3 constitute a connector assembly for transmitting high-speed differential signals. The object connectors 2 and 3 are electrical connectors for circuit boards respectively disposed on different circuit boards (not shown), and are mated with the relay connector 1 in a position where the surface of each circuit board is vertical, that is, perpendicular to the connector height direction (Z-axis direction). Specifically, the object connector 2 is mated with the relay connector 1 from above (Z1 side) and the connecting object connector 3 is mated with the relay connector 1 from below (Z2 side), thereby connecting the object connectors 2 and 3 to each other via the relay connector 1. In this embodiment, the object connectors 2 and 3 are configured as electrical connectors with exactly the same shape.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the relay connector 1 has a plurality of blades 20 (described later) forming a plate shape (also refer to...). Figure 2 (A)), a housing 10 made of an electrically insulating material such as resin, which holds and supports multiple blades 20 at predetermined intervals in the thickness direction (X-axis direction), and two connecting parts 30 made of metal plates, which will be described later.

[0046] The housing 10 is formed in a generally cuboid shape with the long side direction (hereinafter referred to as the "connector length direction") of the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of the blades 20. The housing 10 has an upper housing 11 that supports the upper portion of the blades 20 and a lower housing 12 that supports the lower portion of the blades 20. As described later, the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are connected via a connecting member 30.

[0047] The upper housing 11 has a peripheral wall 11A that forms a four-sided frame when viewed from above and surrounds a plurality of blades 20, and a plurality of intermediate walls (not shown) for positioning the plurality of blades 20 at predetermined intervals in the connector length direction (X-axis direction). The peripheral wall 11A has two side walls 11B extending in the connector length direction (X-axis direction), and two end walls 11C extending in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the connector length direction and connecting the ends of the two side walls 11B to each other. The intermediate walls are plate-shaped within the space surrounded by the peripheral wall 11A, having a plate surface perpendicular to the connector length direction, and connecting the inner wall surfaces of the two side walls 11B to each other, arranged at predetermined intervals in the connector length direction.

[0048] A blade receiving space (not shown) is formed by a slit-like space extending vertically between adjacent intermediate walls or between an intermediate wall and an end wall 11C, for accommodating the upper portion of the blade 20. Additionally, on the lower part of the side wall 11B, a plurality of upper locking holes 11B-1 are formed at predetermined intervals along the connector length direction (X-axis direction), extending through the side wall 11B in its wall thickness direction (Y-axis direction). The upper locking holes 11B-1 can engage with the upper locking tab of the connecting member 30, which will be described later.

[0049] The peripheral wall 11A extends upward beyond the upper end of the intermediate wall. The space surrounded by this upwardly extending portion, that is, the space that opens upward and communicates with the aforementioned blade receiving space, is formed as an upper receiving portion 11D for receiving the object connector 2 from above. When the blade 20 is contained within the blade receiving space, as... Figure 1 As shown, the upper end portion of the blade 20 protrudes from the upper opening of the blade receiving space and is located within the upper receiving portion 11D.

[0050] The lower housing 12 has the same shape as the upper housing 11 described above, and is arranged in a vertically symmetrical position relative to the upper housing 11. It accommodates the lower portion of the blade 20 within a slit-shaped blade receiving space (not shown). The corresponding parts of the lower housing 12 and the upper housing 11 are labeled with reference numerals beginning with "1" in the upper housing 11. Furthermore, the description of the lower housing 12 is omitted by replacing "upper" with "lower" in the names of the parts of the upper housing 11.

[0051] The connecting member 30 is formed by perforating and partially bending a metal plate component. The connecting member 30 extends along the connector's length direction (X-axis direction) as its long side, and is positioned so that its thickness direction coincides with the connector's width direction (Y-axis direction) on both sides of the blade 20 in the connector's width direction. At the upper end of the connecting member 30, at a position corresponding to the upper locking hole 11B-1 of the upper housing 11 along the connector's length direction, a portion of the connecting member 30 is cut to form an upper locking piece (not shown) that enters the upper locking hole 11B-1 and locks in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). At the lower end of the connecting member 30, similar to the upper locking piece (not shown), a lower locking piece (not shown) is provided that locks in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) with the lower locking hole 12B-1 of the lower housing 12.

[0052] Figure 2 (A) is a three-dimensional diagram representing the blade 20 as a single unit. Figure 2 (B) indicates that it is set only in Figure 2 The front view of the signal terminal pairs 22, 24 and ground terminal 26 of blade 20 (A), described later. Figure 2 As shown in (A), the blade 20 has a resin substrate 21 forming a plate shape, a plurality of signal terminal pairs 22, 24 arranged and held on the substrate 21 to form a first transmission path pair as a first signal transmission path, a plurality of ground terminals 26 arranged and held on the substrate 21 in the same row as the signal terminal pairs 22, 24, and a first ground plate 27 and a second ground plate 28 (hereinafter, without distinction between the two, they are collectively referred to as "ground plates 27, 28") made of metal plates mounted on the plate surfaces (surfaces extending in the YZ direction) on both sides of the substrate 21. Figure 2 (A) shows a first grounding plate 27 mounted on the X1 side of the substrate 21. Additionally, in Figure 1 The image shows a second grounding plate 28 mounted on the X2 side of the substrate 21.

[0053] On the substrate 21, two supported protrusions 21A are formed near the center of both end edges extending in the vertical direction. The supported protrusions 21A are supported in the vertical direction by stepped portions (not shown) formed on the inner wall surfaces of the side walls 11B of the upper housing 11 and 12B of the lower housing 12. On the substrate 21, at the same position as the ground terminal 26 along the connector width direction (Y-axis direction), and at multiple positions along the vertical direction, retaining protrusions 21B are formed from the plate surfaces on both sides of the substrate 21 to retain the ground plates 27 and 28. Figure 2 In (A), the retaining protrusion 21B that holds the first ground plate 27 is shown.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown in (B), signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 and ground terminal 26 are formed by perforating a metal plate in the thickness direction and partially bending it. The overall shape is formed as a strip extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 have two types: straight pairs 22 and staggered pairs 24. In this embodiment, as... Figure 2 As shown in (B), the straight pairs 22 and staggered pairs 24 are alternately arranged in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction), and ground terminals 26 are arranged at positions between the straight pairs 22 and staggered pairs 24, and at positions on the outer sides of both sides of the arrangement range of the straight pairs 22 and staggered pairs 24. That is, as Figure 2 As shown in (B), ground terminal 26, staggered pair 24, ground terminal 26 and straight pair 22 are arranged in sequence from the Y1 side, with ground terminal 26 located at both ends of the terminal row.

[0055] The linear pair 22 has a pair of linear terminals 23 that extend at intervals from one end to the other in the vertical direction over the entire range. For example... Figure 2 As shown in (B), when viewed along the thickness direction (X-axis direction) of the linear terminals 23, the pair of linear terminals 23 form a shape that is symmetrical about both sides and vertically. The linear terminals 23 have signal connection portions 23A at both ends in the vertical direction for connection with the object linear terminals 53 of the object connectors 2 and 3, which will be described later.

[0056] The interleaved pair 24 has a pair of interleaved terminals 25. When viewed along the thickness direction (X-axis direction) of the interleaved terminals 25, the pair of interleaved terminals 25 are positioned in an overlapping position by bending towards each other in the width direction (Y-axis direction) at the midpoint between one end side and the other end side in the vertical direction. At this overlapping position, the pair of interleaved terminals 25 are bent in the thickness direction (X-axis direction) in a manner that separates them from each other, crossing without contacting each other. Figure 2 As shown in (B), when viewed along the thickness direction (X-axis direction) of the staggered terminals 25, the pair of staggered terminals 25 form a shape that is symmetrical about both sides and vertically. The staggered terminals 25 have signal connection portions 25A at both ends in the vertical direction for connection with the object straight terminals 53 of the object connectors 2 and 3, which will be described later.

[0057] like Figure 2 As shown in (B), the ground terminal 26 is wider than the straight terminal 23 and the staggered terminal 25 in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction). The ground terminal 26 has ground connection portions 26A at both ends in the vertical direction for connection with the first target ground plate 54 of the target connectors 2 and 3, which will be described later.

[0058] Straight pair 22, staggered pair 24, ground terminal 26 are in Figure 2 The (B) components are molded and held in place on the substrate 21 in a sequential arrangement. With the straight pair 22, staggered pair 24, and ground terminal 26 held on the substrate 21, as shown... Figure 2 As shown in (A), signal connection portions 23A, 25A and ground connection portion 26A are exposed from the X1 side of the substrate 21 and can contact the object linear terminal 53 of the object connectors 2 and 3 or the first object ground plate 54 on their exposed surfaces.

[0059] Grounding plates 27 and 28 are mounted to the substrate 21, for example, by ultrasonic welding, in a manner that covers almost the entire surface of the substrate 21. In this embodiment, the first grounding plate 27 is formed slightly shorter than the substrate 21 in the vertical direction, resulting in, as Figure 2 As shown in (A), the upper and lower signal connection portions 23A, 25A and the ground connection portion 26A are exposed from the X1 side of the substrate 21. On the other hand, the second ground plate 28 is formed to be almost the same length as the substrate 21 in the vertical direction, in other words, longer than the first ground plate 27. The upper and lower ends of the second ground plate 28 are located at positions almost identical to the upper and lower ends of the substrate 21. On the ground plates 27 and 28, at the same position as the ground terminal 26 in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction), protrusions 27A and 28A are formed, protruding towards the ground terminal 26 in the thickness direction (X-axis direction) of the blade 20 and extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). These protrusions 27A and 28A can contact the surface of the ground terminal 26 at their protruding tops to achieve electrical conduction. Figure 2 (A) shows the protrusion 27A of the first ground plate 27, in Figure 1 The image shows the protrusion 28A of the second grounding plate 28.

[0060] For the multiple blades 20 arranged in the length direction (X-axis direction) of the relay connector 1, adjacent blades 20 are positioned offset from each other in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the connector. Figure 3 The three blades 20 are magnified to show the middle portion of the connector in the width direction (Y-axis direction). In this embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown, in each blade 20, adjacent signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 are arranged with a distance P between them. Here, the distance P is the distance between the center positions of the straight terminals 23 in the straight pair 22 and the center positions of the interlaced terminals 25 in the adjacent interlaced pair 24.

[0061] In addition, such as Figure 3As shown, the distance between the center position of the ground terminal 26 and the center position of the signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 adjacent to the ground terminal 26 is 0.5P (half a pitch), which is half a pitch P. In other words, the straight terminal 23, the staggered terminal 25, and the ground terminal 26 are arranged at equal intervals, with a gap of 0.5P (half a pitch). In this embodiment, the arrangement of the signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 in each blade 20 is referred to as a "signal transmission path".

[0062] In this embodiment, in each signal transmission path, straight pairs 22 and interleaved pairs 24 are alternately configured, thereby reducing far-end crosstalk (FEXT).

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 of one of any two adjacent signal transmission paths along the connector's length direction (X-axis direction) are positioned at the center of the other signal transmission path's signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 along the connector's width direction (Y-axis direction). That is, the signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 of one signal transmission path are offset by 0.5P (half a pitch) relative to the signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 of the other signal transmission path.

[0064] For example, in Figure 3 In the three signal transmission paths shown in the upper, middle, and lower diagrams, when "one signal transmission path" is used as the signal transmission path in the middle diagram and "the other signal transmission path" is used as the signal transmission path in the upper diagram, the signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 of the signal transmission path in the middle diagram are positioned 0.5P (half a pitch) offset from the signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 of the signal transmission path in the upper diagram in the Y2 direction of the connector width.

[0065] For example, in focusing on being in Figure 3 When any specific signal terminal pair 22 (here referred to as "specific pair S") is in the signal transmission path shown in the middle diagram, there are two signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 in the signal transmission path shown in the upper diagram that are close to specific pair S. Here, these two signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 are respectively referred to as "first proximity pair T1" and "second proximity pair T2". Figure 3 In the diagram, specific pairs S, the first proximity pair T1, and the second proximity pair T2 are represented by dashed lines.

[0066] like Figure 3As shown, the first proximity pair T1 and the second proximity pair T2 are positioned adjacent to each other on the same signal transmission path (signal transmission path in the diagram above). The first proximity pair T1 is offset by 0.5P (half a pitch) relative to the specific pair S in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) towards the Y1 side, and the second proximity pair T2 is offset by 0.5P (half a pitch) relative to the specific pair S in the connector width direction towards the Y2 side. That is, the specific pair S is located in the center between the first proximity pair T1 and the second proximity pair T2 in the connector width direction. Therefore, the distance between the specific pair S and the first proximity pair T1 is equal to the distance between the specific pair S and the second proximity pair T2.

[0067] The first proximity pair T1 is a straight pair 22, and the second proximity pair T2 is an interleaved pair 24. That is, the first proximity pair T1 is the same type as the specific pair S, and the second proximity pair T2 is a different type of pair from the specific pair S. If signals are transmitted through each signal terminal pair 22, 24, the polarity of the signal terminal pairs 22, 24 of different types is reversed, while the polarity of the signal terminal pairs 22, 24 of the same type is not reversed. That is, in the specific pair S, the polarity is reversed with the second proximity pair T2, and the polarity is not reversed with the first proximity pair T1. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the signal transmission directions in the specific pair S and the first proximity pair T1 and the second proximity pair T2 are opposite to each other, the near-end crosstalk (NEXT) signal from the first proximity pair T1 and the NEXT signal from the second proximity pair T2 arrive at the specific pair S with their waveform peaks staggered. Therefore, the waveform peaks of the NEXT signals from the first proximity pair T1 and the second proximity pair T2 are avoided, thereby reducing near-end crosstalk (NEXT) in a specific pair S.

[0068] In addition, in this embodiment, the specific pair S is located in the center between the first proximity pair T1 and the second proximity pair T2 in the connector width direction. The distance between the specific pair S and the first proximity pair T1 and the distance between the specific pair S and the second proximity pair T2 are equal. Therefore, the peaks of the waveforms of the NEXT signals from the first proximity pair T1 and the second proximity pair T2 for the specific pair S can be staggered to the maximum extent, thereby reducing the NEXT in the specific pair S more effectively.

[0069] Next, the structure of object connectors 2 and 3 will be described. For example... Figure 1 As shown, object connectors 2 and 3 have identical structures; therefore, the following description will focus on the structure of object connector 3. The reference numerals for object connector 2 are the same as those for object connector 3 and will be omitted. Figure 1As shown, the object connector 3 has a housing 40 formed by a cubic shape of the lower receiving part (not shown) of the lower housing 12 of the relay connector 1, a plurality of terminal holders 50 arranged and held in the housing 40, and two metal plate fixing members 60 described later.

[0070] The housing 40 is made of an electrically insulating material such as resin, and is formed into a generally cuboid shape with the long side (connector length direction) being the arrangement direction of the terminal holders 50 (X-axis direction). The housing 40 has an upper housing 41 and a lower housing 42 formed by being divided in the vertical direction. The upper housing 41 and the lower housing 42 are connected via a fixing member 60. The housing 40 accommodates and holds a plurality of terminal holders 50 arranged in the connector length direction.

[0071] The upper housing 41 has a peripheral wall 41A that forms a four-sided frame when viewed along the vertical direction, and a plurality of intermediate walls 41D extending in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) within the space surrounded by the peripheral wall 41A. The peripheral wall 41A has two side walls 41B extending in the connector length direction (X-axis direction), and two end walls 41C extending in the connector width direction as the short side direction perpendicular to the connector length direction and connecting the ends of the two side walls 41B to each other. The plurality of intermediate walls 41D extend in the connector width direction and connect the inner wall surfaces of the two side walls 41B to each other. On the side walls 41B, at a plurality of positions spaced at predetermined intervals along the connector length direction, upper connecting grooves (not shown) extending through in the vertical direction are formed.

[0072] The lower housing 42 holds a plurality of terminal holders 50 that are equally spaced along the connector length direction (X-axis direction). On the two side walls 42A of the lower housing 42, at the same position as the upper connecting groove of the upper housing 41 in the connector length direction, a groove-shaped lower connecting groove (not shown) is formed that extends through in the vertical direction and communicates with the upper connecting groove.

[0073] A fixing member 60 is formed by perforating a metal plate component extending in the connector length direction (X-axis direction) and bending it in the plate thickness direction. The fixing member 60 extends along the connector length direction over the entire area of ​​the terminal retainer 50 and is positioned at both ends of the target connector 3 in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction). The fixing member 60 has a press-in portion (not shown) at the same position as the upper connecting groove of the upper housing 41 and the lower connecting groove of the lower housing 42 on a side plate portion (not shown) having a plate surface perpendicular to the connector width direction. By pressing this press-in portion into both the upper and lower connecting grooves from below, it is held in the housing 40. In addition, a fixing portion 61 is formed at the lower part of the fixing member 60, which bends in the plate thickness direction and extends outward in the connector width direction, and can be fixed to the corresponding portion of the mounting surface of the circuit board by welding.

[0074] Figure 4 (A) is a perspective view of the terminal retainer 50 of the connector 3, represented by a single unit. Figure 4 (B) is to Figure 4 A perspective view showing the individual components of the terminal holder 50 of (A) separated. Figure 4 As shown in (A) and (B), the terminal retainer 50 has a retaining member 51 made of an electrically insulating material such as resin, a pair of signal terminals 52 made of multiple metal plates arranged in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) and held by the retaining member 51, forming a second transmission path pair as a second signal transmission path, and a first grounding plate 54 and a second grounding plate 55 made of metal plates that serve as grounding members on the plate surfaces (surfaces extending in the YZ direction) on both sides of the retaining member 51 (hereinafter, without distinguishing between the two, they are collectively referred to as "grounding plates 54 and 55").

[0075] The retaining member 51 is formed in a plate shape extending within the terminal arrangement range in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction). The retaining member 51 has retaining protrusions and retaining holes 51B for retaining the target ground plates 54 and 55. The retaining protrusions protrude from the plate surfaces on both sides of the retaining member 51 at the same positions in the connector width direction as the retaining holes 54A-1 and 55A-1 (described later) of the target ground plates 54 and 55. Figure 4 (B) shows a retaining protrusion 51A for retaining the first object ground plate 54. A retaining hole 51B is formed in the connector width direction at the same position as the retained protrusions 54A-2 and 55A-2 described later for the object ground plates 54 and 55, and passes through the retaining member 51 along the X-axis direction.

[0076] Multiple signal terminal pairs 52 are second signal terminal pairs corresponding to signal terminal pairs 22 and 24, which are provided as first signal terminal pairs in the relay connector 1, which is a first electrical connector, and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction). For example... Figure 4 As shown in (B), each signal terminal pair 52 has a pair of target straight terminals 53 that extend at intervals along the vertical direction over the entire range from one end to the other, forming a straight pair. The target straight terminal 53 has a straight holding portion 53A that is integrally molded and held in the holding member 51, a signal elastic arm portion 53B that extends upward from the holding portion 53A, and a signal connection portion 53C that extends downward from the holding portion 53A.

[0077] like Figure 4 As shown in (B), the signal elastic arm 53B is formed with a terminal width dimension (width dimension in the Y-axis direction) that is wider than the held portion 53A, and can elastically displace in its thickness direction (X-axis direction). At the upper end of the signal elastic arm 53B, a signal contact portion 53B-1 is formed by bending in a manner protruding towards the X2 side for contacting the signal connection portion 23A provided on the signal terminal pairs 22, 24 of the repeater connector 1. As shown... Figure 4 As shown in (B), the signal connection portion 53C is formed in a straight line with the same terminal width dimension as the held portion 53A. The signal connection portion 53C is soldered to the signal circuit portion of the circuit board.

[0078] The first grounding plate 54 is mounted on the plate surface of the retaining member 51 on the X1 side, and has a first base 54A extending along the plate surface, a first grounding elastic arm portion 54B extending upward from the first base 54A at multiple locations in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction), and a first grounding connection portion 54C extending downward from the first base 54A at multiple locations in the connector width direction.

[0079] like Figure 4 As shown in (B), in the first base 54A, retaining holes 54A-1 and retaining protrusions 54A-2 are alternately formed at predetermined intervals in the connector width direction. The retaining hole 54A-1 is a through-hole in the shape of a quadrilateral, formed at a position corresponding to the first ground wire elastic arm 54B adjacent in the connector width direction. The retaining protrusions 54A-2 protrude in a quadrilateral shape towards the X2 side from both sides of the retaining hole 54A-1. The retaining hole 54A-1 and the retaining protrusions 54A-2 are retained by integral molding while engaging with the retaining protrusions 51A and retaining hole 51B of the retaining member 51, respectively.

[0080] like Figure 4As shown in (A) and (B), the first ground wire elastic arm 54B extends upward from the upper edge of the first base 54A and is formed to the same length as the signal elastic arm 53B of the target linear terminal 53. Two adjacent and paired first ground wire elastic arms 54B are located on either side of a pair of signal elastic arms 53B in the connector width direction. The first ground wire elastic arms 54B are capable of elastic displacement in their thickness direction (X-axis direction). At the upper end of the first ground wire elastic arm 54B, two first ground wire contact portions 54B-1 are formed by bending in a manner protruding towards the X2 side for contacting the ground terminal 26 of the blade 20 of the relay connector 1. Figure 4 As shown in (A), the first ground contact 54B-1 and the signal contact 53B-1 of a pair of target linear terminals 53 are positioned in the same row in the connector width direction.

[0081] like Figure 4 As shown in (B), the first ground connection portion 54C extends downward from the lower edge of the first base portion 54A at the same position as the first ground elastic arm portion 54B in the connector width direction. The first ground connection portion 54C is located on both sides of the two signal connection portions 52C of the signal terminal pair 52 in the connector width direction (see also...). Figure 5 The first ground connection part 54C is soldered to the ground circuit part of the circuit board.

[0082] The second grounding plate 55 is mounted on the plate surface of the retaining member 51 on the X2 side, and has a second base 55A extending along the plate surface, two second grounding elastic arms 55B extending upward from the second base 55A at multiple locations in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction), and a second grounding connection portion 55C extending downward from the second base 55A at multiple locations in the connector width direction.

[0083] like Figure 4As shown in (B), in the second base 55A, retaining holes 55A-1 and retaining protrusions 55A-2 are alternately formed at predetermined intervals in the connector width direction. The retaining holes 55A-1 are through-holes in a circular shape, and are formed at two positions in the vertical direction corresponding to the central position of the second ground wire elastic arm 55B in the connector width direction. The retaining protrusions 55A-2 protrude in a quadrilateral shape towards the X1 side from both sides of the retaining holes 55A-1. The retaining holes 55A-1 and retaining protrusions 55A-2 are retained by integral molding while engaging with the retaining protrusions (not shown) and retaining holes 51B of the retaining member 51, respectively. In addition, in this embodiment, when the target ground plates 54 and 55 are held in the holding member 51, the held protrusion 54A-2 of the first target ground plate 54 and the held protrusion 55A-2 of the second target ground plate 55 are in direct contact and can be electrically connected.

[0084] like Figure 4 As shown in (B), the second ground wire elastic arm 55B extends upward from the upper edge of the second base 55A. Two adjacent and paired second ground wire elastic arms 55B are configured such that their upper ends are positioned close to each other compared to their lower ends, and are connected at two positions in the vertical direction by a connecting portion 55D extending in the connector width direction. The second ground wire elastic arm 55B is capable of elastic displacement in its thickness direction (X-axis direction). At the upper end of the second ground wire elastic arm 55B, two second ground wire contact portions 55B-1 are formed by bending in a manner protruding towards the X1 side for contacting the second ground wire plate 28 of the blade 20 of the repeater connector 1. These two second ground wire contact portions 55B-1 are located at the same positions in the connector width direction and vertical direction as the signal contact portions 53B-1 of a pair of signal elastic arms 53B, as shown in the diagram. Figure 4 As shown in (A), it is opposite to the two signal contact parts 53B-1.

[0085] like Figure 4 As shown in (B), the second ground connection portion 55C extends downward from the lower edge of the second base portion 55A at a position corresponding to both sides of the pair of second ground elastic arms 55B in the connector width direction. The second ground connection portion 55C is located on both sides of the two signal connection portions 53C of the signal terminal pair 52 in the connector width direction, and is located at the same position as the first ground connection portion 54C of the first target ground plate 54 (see also...). Figure 5 The second ground connection part 55C is soldered to the ground circuit part of the circuit board.

[0086] For the terminal retainer 50 provided on the object connector 3, the terminal retainers 50 adjacent to each other in the connector length direction (X-axis direction) are positioned offset from each other in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction). Figure 5 The magnified view of the middle portion of the connector in the width direction (Y-axis direction) is shown for the three terminal retainers 50. Figure 5 In the diagram, dashed lines represent the signal connection part 53C, the first ground connection part 54C, and the second ground connection part 55C, on which the solder ball B is mounted. In this embodiment, as... Figure 5 As shown, in each terminal holder 50, adjacent signal terminal pairs 52 are arranged with a distance P between them. Here, the distance P is the distance between the center position of the target linear terminals 53 in a signal terminal pair 52 and the center position of the target linear terminals 53 in the adjacent signal terminal pair 52.

[0087] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, the distance between the ground connection portions 54C and 55C of the target ground plates 54 and 55 and the distance between the center position of the ground connection portions 54C and 55C and the center position of the signal terminal pair 52 adjacent to the ground connection portions 54C and 55C is half a pitch P, i.e., 0.5P (half a pitch). In other words, the target linear terminal 53 and the ground connection portions 54C and 55C are arranged at equal intervals with a gap of 0.5P (half a pitch). For the terminal holder 50, similar to the blade 20 of the repeater connector 1 already described, the arrangement of the signal terminal pairs 52 in each terminal holder 50 is referred to as a "signal transmission path".

[0088] like Figure 5 As shown, in each terminal holder 50, in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction), between two signal terminal pairs 52, a first ground connection portion 54C and a second ground connection portion 55C are positioned side-by-side in the connector length direction, in other words, in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the terminal holder 50. Furthermore, the first ground connection portion 54C and the second ground connection portion 55C are positioned in a line-symmetrical manner with respect to the straight line (an imaginary line extending in the Y-axis direction) where the signal terminal pairs 52 are arranged. Therefore, as... Figure 5 As shown, in the aforementioned width direction (X-axis direction), the width range WG between the two ends of the ground wire connection portions 54C and 55C exceeds the width range WS of the signal connection portion 53C.

[0089] Thus, in this embodiment, since the width range WG of the ground connection portions 54C and 55C exceeds the width range WS of the signal connection portion 53C, the width range of the ground connection portion is larger than that of the signal connection portion compared to the conventional case where the signal terminal and the ground terminal have the same shape and the ground connection portion of only one ground terminal is located between the signal connection portions of adjacent signal terminals. As a result, crosstalk such as that between adjacent signal connection portions surrounding the ground connection portion can be reduced.

[0090] In addition, in this embodiment, multiple signal terminal pairs 52 in each signal transmission path of the object connector 3 are connected to two types of signal terminal pairs 22, 24, namely, straight pair 22 and interleaved pair 24, which are alternately arranged in the repeater connector 1, thereby reducing far-end crosstalk (FEXT).

[0091] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the signal terminal pair 52 of one of any two adjacent signal transmission paths along the connector's length direction (X-axis direction) is positioned at the center of the other signal transmission path's signal terminal pair 52 along the connector's width direction (Y-axis direction). That is, the signal terminal pair 52 of one signal transmission path is offset by 0.5P (half a pitch) relative to the signal terminal pair 52 of the other signal transmission path.

[0092] For example, in Figure 5 In the three signal transmission paths shown in the upper, middle, and lower diagrams, when "one signal transmission path" is used as the signal transmission path in the middle diagram and "the other signal transmission path" is used as the signal transmission path in the upper diagram, the signal terminal pair 52 of the signal transmission path in the middle diagram is positioned by offsetting it by 0.5P (half a pitch) relative to the signal terminal pair 52 of the signal transmission path in the upper diagram in the connector width direction towards the Y2 side.

[0093] like Figure 5 As shown, when focusing on any specific signal terminal pair 52 (here referred to as "specific pair Q") in the signal transmission path of the middle diagram, there are two signal terminal pairs 52 that are close to specific pair Q in the signal transmission path of the upper diagram. Here, these two signal terminal pairs 52 are referred to as "first proximity pair R1" and "second proximity pair R2", respectively. Figure 5 In the diagram, specific pairs Q, first proximity pairs R1, and second proximity pairs R2 are represented by dashed lines.

[0094] like Figure 5As shown, the first proximity pair R1 and the second proximity pair R2 are positioned adjacent to each other on the same signal transmission path (signal transmission path in the diagram above). The first proximity pair R1 is offset by 0.5P (half a pitch) relative to the specific pair Q in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) towards the Y1 side. The second proximity pair R2 is offset by 0.5P (half a pitch) relative to the specific pair Q in the connector width direction towards the Y2 side. That is, the specific pair Q is located in the center between the first proximity pair R1 and the second proximity pair R2 in the connector width direction. Therefore, the distance between the specific pair Q and the first proximity pair R1 is equal to the distance between the specific pair Q and the second proximity pair R2.

[0095] The specific pair Q is connected to either the straight pair 22 or the interleaved pair 24 of the repeater connector 1. Furthermore, when the first proximity pair R1 is connected to the same type of pair as the pair connecting the specific pair Q, the second proximity pair R2 is connected to a different type of pair than the pair connecting the specific pair Q. Therefore, for the specific pair Q, the polarity is reversed with the second proximity pair R2, but not reversed with the first proximity pair R1. As a result, in this embodiment, when the signal transmission directions in the specific pair Q and the first and second proximity pairs R1 are opposite, the near-end crosstalk (NEXT) signal from the first proximity pair R1 and the NEXT signal from the second proximity pair R2 arrive at the specific pair Q with their waveform peaks staggered. Therefore, the waveform peaks of the NEXT signals from the first and second proximity pairs R1 are avoided from overlapping, and correspondingly, the near-end crosstalk (NEXT) in the specific pair Q is reduced.

[0096] In addition, in this embodiment, the specific pair Q is located in the center between the first proximity pair R1 and the second proximity pair R2 in the connector width direction. The distance between the specific pair Q and the first proximity pair R1 is equal to the distance between the specific pair Q and the second proximity pair R2. Therefore, the peaks of the waveforms of the NEXT signals from the first proximity pair R1 and the second proximity pair R2 for the specific pair Q can be staggered to the maximum extent, thereby reducing the NEXT in the specific pair Q more effectively.

[0097] Figure 6This is a bottom view showing the through holes in a portion of the circuit board C on which the target connector 3 is mounted. The circuit board C has a signal circuit section for connecting the target linear terminal 53 of the target connector 3, and a ground circuit section for connecting the target ground plates 54 and 55. The signal circuit section has multiple signal pads (not shown) on the mounting surface of the circuit board C as mounting surfaces for soldering the signal connection portions 53C of the target linear terminal 53, and multiple signal through holes VS located within the thickness of the circuit board C corresponding to each signal pad and electrically connected to the signal pads. The ground circuit section has multiple ground pads (not shown) on the mounting surface of the circuit board C as mounting surfaces for soldering the ground connection portions 54C and 55C of the target ground plates 54 and 55, and multiple ground through holes VG located within the thickness of the circuit board C corresponding to each ground pad and electrically connected to the ground pads.

[0098] On the mounting surface of the circuit board C, signal pads and ground pads are each formed into a circular shape and arranged on the mounting surface of the circuit board C in a positional relationship corresponding to the connection portions 53C, 54C, and 55C. When viewed along the vertical direction, the signal via VS and the ground via VG (hereinafter, without distinction between the two, they are collectively referred to as "via VS and VG") are located in the center of their respective signal pads and ground pads, forming a cylindrical shape extending vertically within the thickness of the circuit board.

[0099] like Figure 6 As shown, for the through holes VS and VG, along the connector width direction (Y-axis direction), the two signal through holes VS corresponding to the two signal connection portions 53C are positioned side by side with the ground through holes VG corresponding to a first ground connection portion 54C and a second ground connection portion 55C respectively in the connector length direction (X-axis direction), in other words, in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the terminal holder 50.

[0100] In this embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, adjacent signal vias VS are arranged with a distance P between them, and adjacent signal vias VS and ground vias VG are arranged with a distance P between them in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction). Hereinafter, the arrangement of signal vias VS in the connector width direction corresponding to a terminal holder 50 will be referred to as a "via row". In addition, in each via row, a pair of signal vias corresponding to the signal terminal pair 52 will be referred to as a "via pair".

[0101] The two ground wire vias VG arranged side-by-side in the aforementioned width direction are positioned in a line-symmetrical manner with respect to the straight line (an imaginary line extending in the Y-axis direction) on which the signal vias VS are arranged. That is, in the aforementioned width direction (X-axis direction), the width range WVG between the two ends of the two ground wire vias VG exceeds the width range WVS of the signal connection portion.

[0102] Thus, in this embodiment, since the width range WVG of the ground via VG exceeds the width range WVS of the signal via VS, compared to the conventional case where the signal via and the ground via have the same shape and only one ground via is located between adjacent signal vias, the width range of the ground via is larger than that of the signal via. As a result, crosstalk around the ground via can be reduced between adjacent signal vias sandwiching the ground via.

[0103] In addition, in this embodiment, multiple via pairs VS in each via array correspond to two types of signal terminal pairs 22, 24, namely, straight pair 22 and interleaved pair 24, which are alternately arranged in the repeater connector 1, thereby reducing far-end crosstalk (FEXT).

[0104] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, in any two adjacent via columns along the connector's length direction (X-axis direction), the via pairs from one via column are positioned at the center of the via pairs from the other via column along the connector's width direction (Y-axis direction). That is, the via pairs from one via column are positioned offset by 0.5P (half a pitch) relative to the via pairs from the other via column.

[0105] For example, in Figure 6 In the three via columns shown in the top, middle, and bottom diagrams, when "one via column" is used as the via column in the middle diagram and "the other via column" is used as the via column in the top diagram, the via pairs in the via column in the middle diagram are positioned by offsetting the via pairs in the via column in the top diagram by 0.5P (half a pitch) towards the Y2 side in the connector width direction.

[0106] like Figure 6 As shown, when focusing on any specific pair of vias in the via column in the middle diagram (here, referred to as "specific pair M"), there are two via pairs in the via column in the upper diagram that are close to specific pair M. Here, these two via pairs are referred to as "first proximity pair N1" and "second proximity pair N2", respectively. Figure 5 In the diagram, specific pairs M, first proximity pairs N1, and second proximity pairs N2 are represented by dashed lines.

[0107] In the via pairs on the circuit board C, also based on Figure 3 and Figure 5 The descriptions for relay connector 1 and object connector 3 are the same, such as... Figure 6 As shown, a specific pair M is located in the center between the first proximity pair N1 and the second proximity pair N2 in the connector width direction, and the distance between the specific pair M and the first proximity pair N1 and the distance between the specific pair M and the second proximity pair N2 are equal.

[0108] Furthermore, for a specific pair M, when the polarity is reversed with one of the first proximity pair N1 and the second proximity pair N2 (e.g., the first proximity pair N1), the polarity is not reversed with the other (e.g., the second proximity pair N2). As a result, similar to the cases described for relay connector 1 and target connector 3, waveform peak overlap of the NEXT signals from both the first proximity pair R1 and the second proximity pair R2 for the specific pair M is avoided, correspondingly reducing near-end crosstalk (NEXT) in the specific pair M.

[0109] In addition, in this embodiment, the specific pair M is located in the center between the first proximity pair N1 and the second proximity pair N2 in the connector width direction. The distance between the specific pair M and the first proximity pair N1 and the distance between the specific pair M and the second proximity pair N2 are equal. Therefore, the peaks of the waveforms of the NEXT signals from the first proximity pair N1 and the second proximity pair N2 for the specific pair M can be staggered to the maximum extent, thereby reducing the NEXT in the specific pair Q more effectively.

[0110] The connector mating operation of repeater connector 1 and target connectors 2 and 3 will be explained. First, target connectors 2 and 3 are soldered to different circuit boards (not shown) for installation. Next, as... Figure 1 As shown, the target connector 3 is positioned such that the signal contact 53B-1, ground contact 54B-1, and 55B-1 are located on the upper side, and the relay connector 1 is positioned above the target connector 3.

[0111] Next, move repeater connector 1 downwards (refer to...) Figure 1(As indicated by the arrow), insert each blade 20 from above into the terminal retainer 50 of the corresponding target connector 3 and connect them. Once the relay connector 1 and the target connector 3 are engaged, the signal connection portions 23A and 25A of the signal terminal pairs 22 and 24 and the ground connection portion 26A of the ground terminal 26 on each blade 20 contact with the signal contact portion 53B-1 of the signal terminal pair 52 and the first ground contact portion 54B-1 of the first target ground plate 54 on the target connector 3 under contact pressure, and become electrically connected. Additionally, the second ground plate 28 of each blade 20 contacts with the second ground contact portion 55B-1 of the second target ground plate 55 of the target connector 3 under contact pressure, and becomes electrically connected. At this time, the signal contact portion 53B-1 and the ground contact portions 54B-1 and 55B-1 of the target connector 3 are elastically displaced in the thickness direction (X-axis direction) by the pressing pressure from the blade 20.

[0112] Next, the object connector 2 is reversed in an upside-down orientation relative to the object connector 3. Figure 1 (As shown in the posture) the connection is made from above relative to repeater connector 1 (refer to...) Figure 1 (The arrow). The method of mating connection of object connector 2 is the same as that described for object connector 3.

[0113] Thus, by fitting object connector 2 and object connector 3 into relay connector 1, object connector 2 and object connector 3 are electrically connected via relay connector 1.

[0114] In the repeater connector 1 described in this embodiment, a plurality of blades 20 are arranged in the connector's length direction (X-axis direction), and the signal transmission path provided in each blade 20 consists of a plurality of terminals, namely straight terminals 23 and staggered terminals 25, arranged in the connector's width direction. However, the signal transmission path in this invention is not limited to terminals; for example, as a variation, it may also be... Figure 7 Conductive patterns formed on the relay circuit substrate as shown in (A) and (B).

[0115] Figure 7 (A) is a perspective view of the relay circuit board of the modified example, showing the relay connector as a single unit. Figure 7 (B) means Figure 7 A front view of the conductive pattern and ground via of the relay circuit board in (A). In this modified example, the relay connector (not shown) has multiple... Figure 7 The relay circuit board 120 shown in (A) is housed in a housing (not shown).

[0116] The relay circuit board 120 has a substrate 121 made of an electrically insulating material such as resin, and conductive patterns (conductive pattern pairs 122 and 124 described later) formed on the substrate 121 to form a transmission path pair as a signal transmission path, a plurality of ground wire vias 126 located between the conductive pattern pairs 122 and 124, and ground wire layers 127 and 128 (first ground wire layer 127 and second ground wire layer 128 described later) formed in a manner that covers both sides of the substrate 121 (the surfaces that are perpendicular to the thickness direction (Z-axis direction)).

[0117] like Figure 7 As shown in (A), on the substrate 121, two supported protrusions 121A are formed near the center of both end edges extending in the vertical direction, and are supported on the housing by means of these supported protrusions 121A. Additionally, on the substrate 121, a plurality of conductive patterns in a strip shape extending in the vertical direction are arranged in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) (see reference). Figure 7 (B)). Multiple conductive patterns have conductive pattern pairs 122 and 124 that serve as transmission path pairs. The conductive pattern pairs 122 and 124 have two types of pairs: straight pairs 122 and interleaved pairs 124. In this embodiment, as... Figure 7 As shown in (B), the straight pair 122 and the staggered pair 124 are alternately arranged in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction).

[0118] The straight line pair 122 has a pair of straight line patterns 123 that extend at intervals along the vertical direction over the entire range from one end to the other. Along the thickness direction of the substrate 121 (in... Figure 7 When viewed in (B) along the X-axis (perpendicular to the paper), the pair of straight line patterns 123 form a shape that is symmetrical about both sides and vertically. The straight line pattern 123 has a signal connection portion 123A for connection with an object connector (not shown), a plurality of thin strip portions 123B that are divided and extended in the vertical direction, and a plurality of signal through holes (not shown) extending along the thickness direction (X-axis direction) within the thickness of the substrate 121.

[0119] like Figure 7 As shown in (B), the signal connection part 123A is located at both ends of the linear pattern 123 in the vertical direction, as follows: Figure 7 As shown in (A), the strip 123B protrudes from the X1 side of the substrate 21. In this embodiment, the thin strip 123B forms two layers within the thickness of the substrate 121. Specifically, as shown... Figure 7 As shown in (B), the thin strip 123B is divided into three parts in the vertical direction, having a long thin strip 123B-1 located in the upper and lower regions respectively, and a short thin strip 123B-2 located in the middle region.

[0120] In this embodiment, two elongated thin strips 123B-1 are formed in the thickness direction of the substrate 121 (in Figure 7 (B) On the X-axis direction perpendicular to the paper, located on the X1 side (in Figure 7 In layer (B) near the anterior side, the short, thin strip 123B-2 is formed on the X2 side (in Figure 7 (B) is the inner layer.

[0121] Signal vias (not shown) are formed in a cylindrical shape at both ends of each of the three portions of the thin strip 123B in the vertical direction and extend in the thickness direction (X-axis direction) of the substrate 121. The signal vias electrically connect the three portions of the thin strip 123B to each other, and also connect the upper and lower ends of the thin strip 123B to the signal connection portion 123A. As a result, a signal transmission path is formed by a straight line pattern 123 formed by the signal connection portion 123A, the thin strip 123B, and the signal vias.

[0122] In this embodiment, as described above, by including the signal extending across both layers in the straight pattern 123 with vias, the signal transmission path in the straight pattern 123 is adjusted to be almost the same length as the signal transmission path in the interlaced pattern 125 described later for the interlaced pair 124.

[0123] The interlacing pair 124 has a pair of interlacing patterns 125. The pair of interlacing patterns 125 are buckled in the thickness direction of the substrate 121 at their midpoint in the vertical direction, such that they are separated from each other in the thickness direction (X-axis direction). Figure 7 As shown in (B), they do not contact each other but cross. Along the thickness direction of substrate 121 (in... Figure 7 When viewed in the X-axis direction (perpendicular to the paper surface) of (B), the pair of interlaced patterns 125 form a shape that is asymmetrical both horizontally and vertically. The interlaced patterns 125, like the straight pattern 123, also have a signal connection portion 125A for connection with an object connector (not shown), a plurality of thin strip portions 125B that are divided and extended in the vertical direction, and a plurality of signal through holes (not shown) extending along the thickness direction (X-axis direction) within the thickness of the substrate 121.

[0124] In the interlaced pattern 125, except for the thin strip portion 125B, the structure is common to the previously described straight pattern 123. Therefore, the common part is marked by adding "2" to the corresponding part of the reference numerals in the straight pattern 123, and the description is omitted. The thin strip portion 125B of the interlaced pattern 125 has two long thin strip portions 123B-1 and one short thin strip portion 123B-2 connected by signal through holes.

[0125] like Figure 7 As shown in (B), among the four long strips 125B-1 in the pair of interlaced patterns 125 forming the interlaced pair 124, only one long strip 125B-1 located on the Y2 side and the upper (Z1) side is formed to be slightly longer than the other three long strips 125B-1. Specifically, the aforementioned long strip 125B-1 forms an extended inclined portion 125B-1A in such a way that its lower end is inclined towards the Y1 side, and this inclined portion 125B-1A is longer than the other long strips 125B-1.

[0126] All the elongated strips 125B-1 of a pair of interlaced patterns 125 are formed in the thickness direction of the substrate 121 (in Figure 7 (B) On the X-axis direction perpendicular to the paper, located on the X1 side (in Figure 7 (B) is the layer near the front side. On the other hand, the short, thin strip 125B-2 is formed on the X2 side (in Figure 7 (B) is the inner layer.

[0127] In this embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown in (B), a short, thin strip 125B-2 connected to the previously described inclined portion 125B-1A extends vertically without inclination, and is formed to be shorter than the other short, thin strip 125B-2 described later. On the other hand, the other short, thin strip 125B-2 extends in a manner that inclinates towards the Y2 side as it faces downward when viewed along the thickness direction (X-axis direction) of the substrate 121, and intersects with the inclined portion 125B-1A. The aforementioned other short, thin strip 125B-2 is formed to be slightly longer than the inclined portion 125B-1A.

[0128] In a pair of interlaced patterns 125, the inclined portion 125B-1A of the long thin strip 125B-1 intersects with the other short thin strip 125B-2, thus avoiding mutual contact. Furthermore, by means of the portion located on the X2 side (in...) Figure 7 The layer (B) on the inner side forms a short strip 125B-2, thereby increasing the number of signal vias. As a result, the signal transmission paths of the two interlaced patterns 125 forming the interlaced pair 124 are almost the same length.

[0129] like Figure 7As shown in (B), a plurality of grounding vias 126 are arranged vertically between the straight pairs 122 and the staggered pairs 124 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the connector. The grounding vias 126 are cylindrical, extending along the thickness direction (X-axis direction) within the thickness of the substrate 121, connecting the first ground layer 127 and the second ground layer 128 (described later). The greater the number of grounding vias 126 arranged vertically, the better the effect of reducing crosstalk between adjacent straight pairs 122 and staggered pairs 124.

[0130] Ground layers 127 and 128 are formed as metallic layers, with the first ground layer 127 covering the X1 side of the substrate 121 and the second ground layer 128 covering the X2 side of the substrate 121. Ground layers 127 and 128 are formed from the upper end to the lower end of the substrate 121, but in ground layer 127, as... Figure 7 As shown in (A), at the upper and lower ends, cuts are made in portions corresponding to the signal connection portions 123A and 125A of the conductive patterns 122 and 124 in the connector width direction, resulting in the exposure of the signal connection portions 123A and 125A. Ground connection portions 127A for connection to the ground component (not shown) of the target connector are formed in the uncut portions of the upper and lower ends of the first ground layer 127. On the other hand, ground connection portions 128A for connection to the ground component (not shown) of the target connector are formed in any portion of the upper and lower ends of the second ground layer 128.

[0131] exist Figure 7 In the modified example shown, multiple relay circuit boards 120 with such a structure are arranged along the length direction of the connector, and adjacent relay circuit boards are based on... Figures 1-6 The blades 20 in the described embodiments are the same, but are offset by half a pitch in the connector width direction, thereby reducing near-end crosstalk (NEXT).

[0132] In this embodiment and its variations, an example of applying the invention to a so-called three-piece connector in which two electrical connectors (object connectors) are electrically connected to each other via a relay connector (relay connector) has been described. However, the number of connected electrical connectors is not limited to three. For example, the invention can also be applied to a so-called two-piece connector consisting of only two connectors that are interlocked. In the case of applying the invention to a two-piece connector, one connector is a first connector and the other connector is a second connector.

[0133] In this embodiment, in relay connector 1, the linear terminal 23, the interleaved terminal 25, the ground terminal 26, and the ground plates 27 and 28 are configured as part of the blade 20 held in the housing 10. Furthermore, in the target connectors 2 and 3, the target linear terminal 53 and the target ground plates 54 and 55 are configured as part of the terminal retainer 50 held in the housing 40. Additionally, in... Figure 7 In the variations shown in (A) and (B), the straight pattern 123, the interlaced pattern 125, the ground via 126, and the ground layers 127 and 128 constitute a part of the relay circuit board 120 held in the housing. That is, in this embodiment and the variations, the signal transmission path and ground components are indirectly held in the housing in the relay connector and the target connector, but alternatively, the signal transmission path and ground components may be directly held in the housing.

[0134] In this embodiment and its variations, in the relay connector and the target connector, the transmission pairs of one signal transmission path in two adjacent signal transmission paths are positioned offset by 0.5 spacing in the connector width direction. However, as long as NEXT can be sufficiently reduced, the offset size is not limited to 0.5 spacing and can be set appropriately.

[0135] In this embodiment and its variations, the signal transmission paths of adjacent repeater connectors are positioned such that the entire transmission path pair, covering the entire vertical area, is offset from each other. Correspondingly, the signal transmission paths in the target connector, the solder pads in the circuit board, and the vias are also offset. That is, in this embodiment, an example of offsetting the signal path extending from one circuit board to another over the entire vertical direction has been described. However, even if only a portion of the signal path is offset in the vertical direction, the effect of reducing near-end crosstalk (NEXT) can be achieved within that portion. For example, the transmission path pair may be shaped such that a portion of the transmission path pair of the repeater connector or the target connector is bent in the vertical direction, thereby offsetting that portion relative to the other portions.

[0136] Furthermore, even if the transmission paths of the repeater connector or the target connector are not separated from each other, in the circuit board, the solder pads can be arranged without offsetting them, and only the vias of adjacent via rows can be offset from each other. In this case, when viewed along the vertical direction, each via is offset from the center of the solder pad within the range of the solder pad.

[0137] In this embodiment, the mounting surface of the circuit board is a solder pad connected to a via, but the shape of the mounting surface is not limited to this. For example, it can also be a pad disposed on the mounting surface of the circuit board and connected to a so-called pattern. In this case, in the connector mounted on the circuit board, adjacent signal transmission paths are arranged to be staggered from each other, and the pad rows on the circuit board serving as the mounting surface are also staggered in position corresponding to the aforementioned signal transmission paths.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising a plurality of signal transmission paths arranged at intervals along a direction parallel to the mounting surface of a circuit board, characterized in that, The signal transmission path is a pair of transmission paths positioned at intervals in the arrangement direction. The transmission path pair has two types of pairs: straight pairs and interleaved pairs, which are arranged alternately in the arrangement direction. The straight lines extend at intervals across the entire range from one end to the other. When viewed along a width direction that is parallel to the mounting surface and perpendicular to the arrangement direction, the middle portions of the staggered pairs located between one end and the other end buckle in a manner that brings them closer to each other in the arrangement direction and are located in an overlapping position. The transmission path pair has a signal connection portion connected to the circuit board. The signal transmission paths arranged in the stated direction form a signal transmission path array. The signal transmission paths are arranged in multiple intervals along the width direction. In two adjacent signal transmission paths, the signal connection portion of one signal transmission path is positioned offset relative to the signal connection portion of the other signal transmission path in the arrangement direction. The electrical connector has a ground wire component corresponding to each signal transmission path. The grounding component has a grounding connection portion that is connected to the circuit board. The ground connection is located between the signal connections of adjacent transmission path pairs in each signal transmission path column along the arrangement direction, and is positioned offset relative to the signal connection in the width direction. The distance in the width direction between the signal connection portion of one signal transmission path and the ground connection portion corresponding to the other signal transmission path in two adjacent signal transmission paths is less than the distance in the width direction between the signal connection portion of one signal transmission path and the signal connection portion of the other signal transmission path.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal connection portion of one signal transmission path is located in the arrangement direction at the center between the signal connection portions of adjacent transmission pairs in another signal transmission path.

3. An electrical connector assembly comprising a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector that is fitted and connected to the first electrical connector, characterized in that, The first electrical connector has a plurality of first signal transmission paths arranged at intervals along a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board. The first signal transmission path is a pair of transmission paths positioned at intervals in the arrangement direction. The first transmission path pair has two types of pairs: straight pairs and interleaved pairs, which are arranged alternately in the arrangement direction. The straight lines extend at intervals across the entire range from one end to the other. When viewed along a width direction that is parallel to the mounting surface and perpendicular to the arrangement direction, the middle portions of the staggered pairs located between one end and the other end buckle in a manner that brings them closer to each other in the arrangement direction and are located in an overlapping position. The second electrical connector has a plurality of second signal transmission paths arranged at intervals in the arrangement direction. The second signal transmission path is a pair of transmission paths positioned at intervals in the arrangement direction. The second transmission path pair forms a straight pair and has a signal connection portion connected to the circuit board. The second signal transmission paths arranged in the stated arrangement direction form a signal transmission path array. The signal transmission paths are arranged in multiple intervals along the width direction. In two adjacent signal transmission paths, the signal connection portion of one signal transmission path is positioned offset relative to the signal connection portion of the other signal transmission path in the arrangement direction. The second electrical connector has a ground wire component corresponding to each signal transmission path. The grounding component has a grounding connection portion that is connected to the circuit board. The ground connection is located between the signal connections of the second transmission path pairs that are adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction in each signal transmission path column, and is positioned offset relative to the signal connection in the width direction. The distance in the width direction between the signal connection portion of one signal transmission path and the ground connection portion corresponding to the other signal transmission path in two adjacent signal transmission paths is less than the distance in the width direction between the signal connection portion of one signal transmission path and the signal connection portion of the other signal transmission path.

4. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The signal connection portion of one signal transmission path is located in the arrangement direction at the center between the signal connection portions of the adjacent second transmission path pairs in another signal transmission path.

5. An electrical connector with a circuit board, wherein the circuit board is equipped with a plurality of signal transmission paths arranged at intervals along a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board, characterized in that, The signal transmission path is a pair of transmission paths positioned at intervals in the arrangement direction. The transmission path pair has two types of pairs: straight pairs and interleaved pairs, which are arranged alternately in the arrangement direction. The straight lines extend at intervals across the entire range from one end to the other. When viewed along a width direction that is parallel to the mounting surface and perpendicular to the arrangement direction, the middle portions of the staggered pairs located between one end and the other end buckle in a manner that brings them closer to each other in the arrangement direction and are located in an overlapping position. The signal transmission paths arranged in the stated direction form a signal transmission path array. The signal transmission paths are arranged in multiple intervals along the width direction. The electrical connector has a ground wire component corresponding to each signal transmission path. The circuit board includes a signal circuit section for soldering the signal transmission path and a ground circuit section for soldering the ground wire component. The signal circuit section has a plurality of signal pads located on the mounting surface of the circuit board corresponding to the signal transmission path and for which the signal transmission path is soldered, and a plurality of signal vias located within the board thickness of the circuit board corresponding to each signal pad and electrically connected to the signal pad. The plurality of signal vias are arranged in the arrangement direction to form a via column, and two signal vias that are positioned adjacent to each other corresponding to the transmission path pair form a via pair. The array of through holes is provided at intervals along the width direction. The via pairs in one of two adjacent via columns are positioned offset relative to the via pairs in the other via column in the arrangement direction. The ground circuit section has a plurality of grounding pads located on the mounting surface of the circuit board corresponding to the grounding component and for which the grounding component is soldered, and a plurality of grounding vias located within the board thickness of the circuit board corresponding to each grounding pad and electrically connected to the grounding pad. The ground wire via is located between adjacent pairs of vias in each via row along the arrangement direction, and is positioned offset relative to the via pairs in the width direction. The distance in the width direction between the signal via of one of two adjacent via columns and the ground via corresponding to the other via column is less than the distance in the width direction between the signal via of one via column and the signal via of the other via column.

6. The electrical connector with a circuit board according to claim 5, characterized in that, The via pairs in one via column are located in the arrangement direction at the center between adjacent via pairs in another via column.

7. An electrical connector assembly with a circuit board, comprising a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector that is fitted and connected to the first electrical connector, and a circuit board for mounting the second electrical connector, characterized in that, The first electrical connector has a plurality of first signal transmission paths arranged at intervals along a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board. The first signal transmission path is a pair of transmission paths positioned at intervals in the arrangement direction. The first transmission path pair has two types of pairs: straight pairs and interleaved pairs, which are arranged alternately in the arrangement direction. The straight lines extend at intervals across the entire range from one end to the other. When viewed along a width direction that is parallel to the mounting surface and perpendicular to the arrangement direction, the middle portions of the staggered pairs located between one end and the other end buckle in a manner that brings them closer to each other in the arrangement direction and are located in an overlapping position. The second electrical connector has a plurality of second signal transmission paths arranged at intervals in the arrangement direction. The second signal transmission path is a pair of transmission paths positioned at intervals in the arrangement direction. The second transmission path pair forms a straight pair. The second signal transmission paths arranged in the stated arrangement direction form a signal transmission path array. The signal transmission path is arranged in multiple intervals along the width direction. The second electrical connector has a ground wire component corresponding to each signal transmission path. The circuit board includes a signal circuit section for soldering the signal transmission path and a ground circuit section for soldering the ground wire component. The signal circuit section has a plurality of signal pads located on the mounting surface of the circuit board corresponding to the second signal transmission path and for which the signal transmission path is soldered, and a plurality of signal vias located within the board thickness of the circuit board corresponding to each signal pad and electrically connected to the signal pad. The plurality of signal vias are arranged in the arrangement direction to form a via column, and two signal vias that are positioned adjacent to each other corresponding to the second transmission path pair form a via pair. The array of through holes is provided at intervals along the width direction. The via pairs in one of two adjacent via columns are positioned offset relative to the via pairs in the other via column in the arrangement direction. The ground circuit section has a plurality of grounding pads located on the mounting surface of the circuit board corresponding to the grounding component and for which the grounding component is soldered, and a plurality of grounding vias located within the board thickness of the circuit board corresponding to each grounding pad and electrically connected to the grounding pad. The ground wire via is located between adjacent pairs of vias in each via row along the arrangement direction, and is positioned offset relative to the via pairs in the width direction. The distance in the width direction between the signal via of one of two adjacent via columns and the ground via corresponding to the other via column is less than the distance in the width direction between the signal via of one via column and the signal via of the other via column.

8. The electrical connector assembly with circuit board according to claim 7, characterized in that, The via pairs in one via column are located in the arrangement direction at the center between adjacent via pairs in another via column.

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