Electric connector

Abstract

The invention provides an electric connector capable of preventing an upper side socket assembly from moving in a housing and improving contact reliability of the electric connector. An electrical connector (1) includes: a lower socket assembly (2L); an upper socket assembly (2U) located above the lower socket assembly (2L); a shield member (3) located between the lower socket assembly (2L) and the upper socket assembly (2U); holding the lower socket assembly (2L); an upper socket assembly (2U); and a metal housing (4) for shielding the member (3). The shield member (3) engages with a cylindrical portion (221) of an upper housing (22U) of the upper socket assembly (2U).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly, to an electrical connector for providing a coaxial connection with a coaxial cable. Background Art

[0002] In order to provide an electrical connection between an electronic device and other electronic devices through a cable, a combination of a socket connector and a plug connector is widely used. In addition, with the improvement of the processing power of electronic devices in recent years, the amount of data sent from one electronic device to other electronic devices through a cable is also increasing. In order to send a large amount of data in a short time, it is necessary to send a high-frequency signal through a cable, and there is a demand for improving the signal transmission characteristics of the cable, especially the signal transmission characteristics of the cable in the high-frequency band. In response to such a demand, coaxial cables with higher signal transmission characteristics in the high-frequency band are widely used. As is well known, a coaxial cable has a coaxial structure in which a core wire for transmitting a signal, an inner insulating layer covering the core wire, an outer conductor layer (braided layer) covering the insulating layer, and an outer insulating layer covering the outer conductor layer are concentrically arranged.

[0003] In order to provide a coaxial connection with such a coaxial cable, an electrical connector is widely used, which includes a contact pin electrically connected to the core wire of the coaxial cable, an insulating shell that holds the contact pin inside, and a metal shell that covers the shell from the outside. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a Figure 1 A socket-type electrical connector 500 is shown. Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the electric connector 500 .

[0004] The electrical connector 500 includes: a socket assembly 530, which is composed of a contact pin 510 and an insulating shell 520 that holds the contact pin 510 inside; a metal shell 540 that holds the socket assembly 530 in a manner that covers it from the outside; and an insulating cover 550 that covers the shell 540 from the outside. The electrical connector 500 is mounted on a circuit board of an arbitrary device, and the terminal portion 511 of the contact pin 510 and the ground terminal 541 of the shell 540 are connected to corresponding terminals respectively. The plug-type counterpart connector connected to the end of the coaxial cable is connected from the front end side ( Figure 1 The left side of the housing 540 is inserted into the electric connector 500 to connect the electric connector 500 to the counterpart connector. When the electric connector 500 is connected to the counterpart connector, the contact portion 512 of the contact pin 510 contacts the contact pin of the counterpart connector, and further, the cylindrical portion 542 of the housing 540 contacts the metal external contact of the counterpart connector. Thus, the coaxial connection between the circuit substrate on which the electric connector 500 is mounted and the coaxial cable connected to the counterpart connector is provided through the electric connector 500 and the counterpart connector.

[0005] In such an electrical connector 500, when the counterpart connector is inserted into the electrical connector 500 from the front end side, the counterpart connector contacts the horizontal extension portion 521 of the housing 520 and exerts a force toward the base end side ( Figure 1 At this time, the socket assembly 530 moves to the base end side in the housing 540. This movement makes the position of the contact pin 510 in the insertion hole 546 of the housing 540 unstable, reducing the contact reliability of the electrical connector 500.

[0006] To address this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses Figure 2 As shown, a pair of engaging protrusions 544 are respectively provided on the inner surfaces 543 of a pair of side walls of the housing 540. By engaging the pair of engaging protrusions 544 of the housing 540 with the outer surfaces of the lower extension 522 of the shell 520, the holding force of the socket assembly 530 inside the housing 540 can be improved, and the aforementioned movement of the socket assembly 530 inside the housing 540 can be prevented.

[0007] On the other hand, depending on the specifications of the device to which the electrical connector 500 is used, there may be a case where the number of ports of the electrical connector 500, that is, the number of coaxial cables electrically connected to the circuit board through the electrical connector 500 and the counterpart connector is set to two or more (see the structure of the electrical connector of Patent Document 2). For example, the electrical connector 500 used includes: Figure 3 More than two are shown, and in the illustrated example, six socket assemblies 530 are included. In this case, the housing 540 has six cylindrical portions 542 corresponding to the six socket assemblies 530, respectively, and the six socket assemblies 530 are held by the housing 540 in a manner of being exposed in two rows, one above the other, in the cover 550. Hereinafter, each of the three socket assemblies 530 held by the housing 540 and exposed in the lower row in the cover 550 is referred to as a lower socket assembly 530L, and each of the three socket assemblies 530 exposed in the upper row in the cover 550 is referred to as an upper socket assembly 530U.

[0008] Figure 4 The cross-sectional perspective view of the housing 540 of the electrical connector 500 is shown. The housing 540 is formed by a metal mold. When the housing 540 is formed by the mold, it is necessary to Figure 4 Insert the cylindrical mold for the insertion hole 546 for the upper socket assembly 530U into the frame mold corresponding to the outer shape of the housing 540 in the direction of the dotted arrow A in the figure, and further, Figure 4 The cylindrical mold for the insertion hole 546 for the lower socket assembly 530L is inserted into the frame mold in the direction of the dotted arrow B in FIG. In addition, in order to form the engaging protrusion 544 on the inner surface 543 of the pair of side walls of the housing 540, it is necessary to Figure 4Insert the mold for the engaging protrusion 544 into the frame mold in the direction of the dotted arrow C (downward).

[0009] In order to improve the holding force of the upper socket assembly 530U inside the housing 540, it is necessary to realize the engagement of the aforementioned engaging protrusion 544 of the housing 540 with the outer surface of the lower extending portion 522 of the housing 520 at a position as close as possible to the horizontal extending portion 521 of the housing 520 to which the external force is applied. Figure 4 As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 5 , it is necessary to provide an engaging protrusion 544 on the upper inner surface 545 of the housing 540 which is opposite to the upper part of the lower extension 522 of the housing 520. However, as described above, during the molding of the housing 540, the engagement protrusion 544 is formed. Figure 4 Since the cylindrical mold is inserted into the frame mold in the direction of the dotted arrow B in FIG. 5 , the mold for the engaging protrusion 544 inserted from the lower side cannot reach the upper inner surface 545, and the engaging protrusion 544 cannot be formed on the upper inner surface 545. Therefore, when the electrical connector 500 is configured to include the upper socket assembly 530U and the lower socket assembly 530L, there is a problem that the upper socket assembly 530U cannot be prevented from moving inside the housing 540, and the contact reliability of the electrical connector 500 is reduced.

[0010] Prior art literature

[0011] Patent Literature

[0012] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-103602

[0013] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-149019 Summary of the invention

[0014] Technical issues

[0015] The present invention is proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its object is to provide an electrical connector, which includes an upper socket assembly and a side socket assembly, and can prevent the upper socket assembly from moving inside a housing.

[0016] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0017] Such an object is achieved by the present invention defined by the following (1).

[0018] (1) An electrical connector, comprising: a lower socket assembly; an upper socket assembly, which is located above the lower socket assembly; a shielding component, which is located between the lower socket assembly and the upper socket assembly; and a metal shell, which holds the lower socket assembly, the upper socket assembly, and the shielding component, the lower socket assembly and the upper socket assembly respectively having contact pins and an insulating shell that holds the contact pins inside, the contact pins having a horizontal extension portion extending in a straight line in the front-to-back direction, and a lower extension portion extending downward from the base end of the horizontal extension portion. The outer shell comprises: a cylindrical portion, which extends linearly along the front-to-back direction, and the horizontal extension portion of the contact pin is located inside the cylindrical portion; and a downward extension portion, which extends from the base end portion of the cylindrical portion toward the downward direction, and the downward extension portion of the contact pin is located inside the downward extension portion, and the shielding component is held by the shell in a manner of being located between the downward extension portion of the contact pin of the lower socket assembly and the downward extension portion of the contact pin of the upper socket assembly, and the shielding component is engaged with the cylindrical portion of the outer shell of the upper socket assembly.

[0019] Effects of the Invention

[0020] In the electrical connector of the present invention, the shield member pressed into the housing engages with the cylindrical portion of the outer shell of the upper socket assembly, thereby preventing the upper socket assembly from moving inside the housing and improving the contact reliability of the electrical connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector in the prior art.

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a housing of an electrical connector is shown.

[0023] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing an example of an electrical connector including a plurality of socket assemblies.

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A sectional perspective view of a housing of an electrical connector is shown.

[0025] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the electric connector of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional view of the electrical connector of the present invention viewed from another angle.

[0027] Figure 7 Yes Figure 5A cross-sectional view of a contact pin of an electrical connector taken along a YZ plane is shown.

[0028] Figure 8 Yes means including Figure 5 A sectional perspective view of a contact pin of an electrical connector taken along a YZ plane is shown.

[0029] Fig. 9 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the electrical connector shown.

[0030] Fig.10 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the upper socket assembly of the electrical connector is shown.

[0031] Fig.11 It means looking from another angle Fig.10 A perspective view of the housing of the upper socket assembly is shown.

[0032] Fig.12 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the lower socket assembly of the electrical connector is shown.

[0033] Fig.13 It means looking from another angle Fig.12 A perspective view of the housing of the lower side socket assembly is shown.

[0034] Fig.14 From another perspective Fig. 9 A perspective view of the housing is shown.

[0035] Fig.15 yes Fig. 9 A cutaway perspective view of the housing is shown.

[0036] Fig.16 From another perspective Fig. 9 A perspective view of the hood is shown.

[0037] Reference numerals

[0038] 1-electrical connector, 2U-upper socket assembly, 21U-upper contact pin, 211-horizontal extension, 212-lower extension, 213-contact portion, 214-terminal portion, 215-protrusion, 22U-upper housing, 221-cylindrical portion, 222-lower extension, 2221-front plate, 2222-side wall portion, 2223-central wall portion, 223-through hole, 224-first pressing rib, 224a-lower back portion, 2 24b-middle back, 224c-high back, 225-second pressing rib, 225a-low back, 225b-high back, 226-block, 2261-recess, 227-engaging recess, 2L-lower socket assembly, 21L-lower contact pin, 22L-lower housing, 228-cutout, 228a-first recess, 228b-second recess, 229-engaging protrusion, 3-shielding component, 31-main body, 32-fixed Positioning protrusion, 33-insertion portion, 4-housing, 41-main body, 411-front plate, 412-side wall, 413-top plate, 414-central wall, 42-cylindrical portion, 43-through hole, 44-ground terminal, 45-wall, 46-cover receiving portion, 47-engaging wall, 48-engaging protrusion, 49-slit, 491-limiting portion, 5-cover, 51-main body, 52-through hole, 53-protruding piece, 54-engaging protrusion, 50 0-electrical connector, 510-contact pin, 511-terminal portion, 512-contact portion, 520-housing, 521-horizontal extension portion, 522-lower extension portion, 530-socket assembly, 530L-lower socket assembly, 530U-upper socket assembly, 540-housing, 541-ground terminal, 542-cylindrical portion, 543-inner surface, 544-engaging protrusion, 545-upper inner surface, 546-through hole, 550-cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The electrical connector of the present invention is described below based on the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition, the figures referred to below are schematic diagrams prepared for illustrating the present invention. The dimensions (length, width, thickness, etc.) of each component shown in the figures do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions. In addition, in each figure, the same figure mark is marked for the same or corresponding elements. In the following description, the positive direction of the Z axis in each figure is sometimes referred to as the "front end side" or "front side", the negative direction of the Z axis is referred to as the "base end side" or "rear side", the positive direction of the Y axis is referred to as the "upper side", the negative direction of the Y axis is referred to as the "lower side", the positive direction of the X axis is referred to as the "near front side", and the negative direction of the X axis is referred to as the "depth side". In addition, the Z direction is sometimes referred to as the "front and rear direction", the Y direction is referred to as the "height direction", and the X direction is referred to as the "width direction".

[0040] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the electric connector of the present invention. Figure 6It is a three-dimensional view of the electrical connector of the present invention viewed from another angle. Figure 7 Yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a contact pin of an electrical connector taken along a YZ plane is shown. Figure 8 Yes Figure 5 A sectional perspective view of a contact pin of an electrical connector taken along a YZ plane is shown. Fig. 9 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the electrical connector shown. Fig.10 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the upper socket assembly of the electrical connector is shown. Fig.11 From another perspective Fig.10 A perspective view of the housing of the upper socket assembly is shown. Fig.12 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the lower socket assembly of the electrical connector is shown. Fig.13 From another perspective Fig.12 A perspective view of the housing of the lower side socket assembly is shown. Fig.14 From another perspective Fig. 9 A perspective view of the housing is shown. Fig.15 yes Fig. 9 A sectional perspective view of the housing. Fig.16 From another perspective Fig. 9 A perspective view of the hood is shown.

[0041] The electric connector 1 of the present invention is a socket connector mounted on a circuit board provided in any device. When a counterpart connector (plug connector) mounted on the front end of four coaxial cables each having a pair of core wires is inserted into the electric connector 1 from the front end side and the electric connector 1 is connected to the counterpart connector, electrical connection between the four coaxial cables and the circuit board is provided through the electric connector 1 and the counterpart connector.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 1 includes two pairs of upper socket assemblies 2U and lower socket assemblies 2L arranged side by side in the height direction of the electrical connector 1, but the electrical connector 1 is not limited thereto, and only needs to include at least one pair of upper socket assemblies 2U and lower socket assemblies 2L arranged side by side in the height direction. Figure 3 As shown, the electrical connector 1 may also include three pairs of upper receptacle assemblies 2U and lower receptacle assemblies 2L arranged side by side in the width direction.

[0043] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, in the electrical connector 1, the upper socket assembly 2U includes a pair of upper contact pins 21U, and the lower socket assembly 2L includes a pair of lower contact pins 21L, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The embodiment in which the two upper socket assemblies 2U each include one or more upper contact pins 21U, and further, the two lower socket assemblies 2L each include one or more lower contact pins 21L also falls within the scope of the present invention. In the following, the electrical connector 1 is provided as a multi-pin connector (8-pin connector) for automotive Ethernet, which includes two pairs of upper socket assemblies 2U and lower socket assemblies 2L arranged side by side in a horizontal direction, the upper socket assemblies 2U each include a pair of upper contact pins 21U, and further, the lower socket assemblies 2L each include a pair of lower contact pins 21L.

[0044] like Figures 5 to 9 As shown, especially Fig. 9 As shown, the electrical connector 1 includes two lower socket assemblies 2L, two upper socket assemblies 2U located above and on the base end side of the two lower socket assemblies 2L, two shielding components 3 located between the lower socket assemblies 2L and the upper socket assemblies 2U, a metal shell 4 that holds the two lower socket assemblies 2L, the two upper socket assemblies 2U and the two shielding components 3, and a cover 5 installed on the front end side portion of the shell 4 to guide the connection between the counterpart side connector and the electrical connector 1.

[0045] The two lower receptacle assemblies 2L and the two upper receptacle assemblies 2U are held by the housing 4 and are connected to corresponding plug assemblies of the counterpart connector. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, one lower socket assembly 2L and one upper socket assembly 2U are arranged in the height direction as a pair while being held by the housing 4. The upper socket assembly 2U is held by the housing 4 so as to be located above and on the base end side of the corresponding lower socket assembly 2L.

[0046] Since the two upper socket assemblies 2U have the same structure, one upper socket assembly 2U will be described in detail below as a representative. Fig.10 As shown, the upper receptacle assembly 2U includes a pair of upper contact pins 21U that are in contact with corresponding contact pins of the mating connector, and an upper housing 22U that maintains insulation of the pair of upper contact pins 21U.

[0047] The pair of upper contact pins 21U are L-shaped members made of a conductive material such as copper alloy. The upper contact pins 21U have a function of contacting corresponding contact pins of the counterpart connector when the electrical connector 1 is connected to the counterpart connector, and providing electrical connection between the counterpart connector and the electrical connector 1. In addition, since the pair of upper contact pins 21U have the same structure, the structure of the upper contact pins 21U typically located on the X direction side will be described in detail below.

[0048] The upper contact pin 21U includes a horizontal extension portion 211 extending linearly along the front-to-back direction (Z direction), a lower extension portion 212 extending linearly downward from the base end of the horizontal extension portion 211, a contact portion 213 extending linearly from the front end portion of the horizontal extension portion 211 to the front end side, a terminal portion 214 extending linearly downward from the lower end portion of the lower extension portion 212, and two pairs of protrusions 215 extending from the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal extension portion 211 along the height direction (Y direction, outside).

[0049] The horizontal extension portion 211 is a plate-shaped portion extending linearly in the front-rear direction. The downward extension portion 212 is a plate-shaped portion extending linearly downward from the base end of the horizontal extension portion 211. Figure 7 and 8 As shown, when the upper contact pin 21U is pressed into the corresponding insertion hole 223 formed in the cylindrical portion 221 of the upper shell 22U, the horizontal extension portion 211 is located on the inner side of the cylindrical portion 221, and further, the lower extension portion 212 is located in the lower extension portion 222 of the upper shell 22U.

[0050] Return to Fig.10 The contact portion 213 is a cylindrical portion extending linearly from the front end of the horizontal extension portion 211 toward the front end. In addition, when the upper contact pin 21U is held by the upper housing 22U, the contact portion 213 protrudes toward the front end from the cylindrical portion 221 of the upper housing 22U and is exposed. When the counterpart connector is connected to the electrical connector 1, the contact portion 213 contacts the corresponding contact pin of the counterpart connector, providing electrical connection between the counterpart connector and the electrical connector 1.

[0051] The terminal portion 214 is a substantially pyramidal portion that protrudes downward from the lower end of the lower extension portion 212. When the upper contact pin 21U is held by the upper housing 22U, the terminal portion 214 extends downward from the lower extension portion 222 of the upper housing 22U and is exposed. The terminal portion 214 is connected to a corresponding terminal of a circuit board on which the electrical connector 1 is mounted.

[0052] The two pairs of protrusions 215 are portions that protrude from the upper surface and the lower surface of the horizontal extension portion 211 in the height direction (Y direction, outer side). The two upper protrusions 215 protrude from the upper surface of the horizontal extension portion 211 in the +Y direction, and the two lower protrusions 215 protrude from the lower surface of the horizontal extension portion 211 in the -Y direction. Each pair of upper protrusions 215 and lower protrusions 215 are formed at mutually opposing positions across the horizontal extension portion 211. Each of the two pairs of protrusions 215 is strongly pressed by the inner side surface of the insertion hole 223 when the upper contact pin 21U is pressed into the insertion hole 223 of the upper housing 22U, and has the function of increasing the locking force of the upper contact pin 21U in the insertion hole 223 due to its frictional force.

[0053] In addition, the mutually opposing surfaces ( Fig.10 The horizontal extension portion 211 and the +X direction side surface of the lower extension portion 212 of the upper contact pin 21U on the -X direction side, and Fig.10 The horizontal extension portion 211 and the -X direction side surface of the upper contact pin 21U on the +X direction side in the upper contact pin 21U are formed as flat surfaces. With this structure, the spacing distance between the mutually opposing surfaces of the horizontal extension portion 211 and the lower extension portion 212 of the pair of upper contact pins 21U can be made constant, and the transmission characteristics of the signal transmitted through the pair of upper contact pins 21U, especially the transmission characteristics of high-frequency signals, can be improved.

[0054] The upper contact pin 21U as described above is pressed into the insertion hole 223 of the upper housing 22U and is held by the upper housing 22U. The upper housing 22U is made of an elastic insulating material such as a resin material (for example, liquid crystal polymer (LCP)). Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the upper housing 22U includes a cylindrical portion 221 extending in the front-rear direction (Z direction) and a downward extending portion 222 extending downward from a base end portion of the cylindrical portion 221 .

[0055] The cylindrical portion 221 is a cylindrical portion extending in a straight line in the front-to-back direction. The cylindrical portion 221 has a rectangular planar shape with rounded corners when viewed from the Z direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the length of the cylindrical portion 221 in the width direction (X direction) is greater than the length in the height direction (Y direction). The upper side surface and the lower side surface of the cylindrical portion 221 are flat surfaces separated from each other and extending in the front-to-back direction, and the two side surfaces of the cylindrical portion 221 in the X direction are curved surfaces separated from each other and extending in the front-to-back direction.

[0056] The cylindrical portion 221 includes a pair of insertion holes 223 that penetrate the cylindrical portion 221 in the front-to-back direction, four first pressing ribs 224 that are respectively located on the upper side and the lower side of the cylindrical portion 221 and extend in the front-to-back direction, a pair of second pressing ribs 225 that are respectively located on the two side surfaces in the X direction of the cylindrical portion 221 and extend in the front-to-back direction, a block portion 226 that is provided on the lower surface of the cylindrical portion 221 in a manner protruding downward, and a snap-fitting recess 227 that is formed on the block portion 226 in a manner opening downward.

[0057] The pair of insertion holes 223 are arranged side by side in the width direction and extend linearly in the front-rear direction away from each other. The pair of insertion holes 223 penetrate the cylindrical portion 221 in the front-rear direction. The pair of upper contact pins 21U are pressed into the pair of insertion holes 223. The insertion holes 223 have a shape corresponding to the horizontal extension portion 211 of the upper contact pin 21U, and have a substantially rectangular planar shape when viewed from the Z direction.

[0058] Each of the four first pressing ribs 224 includes a low back portion 224a located at the front end of the cylindrical portion 221, and a middle back portion 224b extending from the base end of the low back portion 224a to the base end side. The low back portion 224a is a protrusion located at the front end of the cylindrical portion 221 and extending from the front end to the base end side by a predetermined height. Figure 7 As shown, when the upper housing 22U is held by the case 4 , the height (length in the Y direction) of the low back portion 224 a is set so that the low back portion 224 a does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 43 of the case 4 .

[0059] Return to Fig.10 and Fig.11 , the middle back portion 224b is located at the base end side of the low back portion 224a. The front end portion of the middle back portion 224b is an inclined portion whose height gradually increases from the front end side to the base end side, and the front end surface of the middle back portion 224b is an inclined surface that inclines from the inside to the outside as it moves from the front end side toward the base end side. The front end portion of the front end surface is continuous with the base end portion of the low back portion 224a. The portion of the middle back portion 224b excluding the front end portion is a protrusion that extends toward the base end side to a predetermined height. The height of the middle back portion 224b (the amount of protrusion in the Y direction) is greater than the height of the low back portion 224a. Figure 7 As shown, in a state where the upper housing 22U is held by the housing 4, the height (length in the Y direction) of the middle back portion 224b is set so that the outer side surface (surface orthogonal to the Y direction) of the middle back portion 224b contacts the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 43 of the housing 4. In addition, the base end portions of the middle back portions 224b of the two first pressing ribs 224 formed on the lower side surface of the cylindrical portion 221 are connected to the front end surface of the block portion 226.

[0060] In the natural state where no external force is applied to the upper shell 22U, the total length of the outer diameter of the height direction (Y direction) of the cylindrical portion 221 and the height (protrusion) of the pair of middle back portions 224b is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 43 of the housing 4 in the Y direction. With this structure, when the cylindrical portion 221 is inserted into the insertion hole 43, the outer side surface of the middle back portion 224b contacts the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 43 and is pressed inward, so that the upper shell 22U is held by the housing 4. Furthermore, since the upper shell 22U is made of an insulating material having elasticity, the cylindrical portion 221 can be elastically deformed toward the inside. Therefore, when the upper shell 22U is inserted into the insertion hole 43, the outer side surface of the middle back portion 224b of the four first pressing ribs 224 is pressed inward by the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 43, and as a result, the portion of the cylindrical portion 221 where the middle back portion 224b is formed is elastically deformed inward. This allows the inner side surface of the insertion hole 223 of the upper housing 22U to more strongly contact the protrusion 215 of the upper contact pin 21U, thereby preventing the upper contact pin 21U from moving inside the insertion hole 223 and coming out of the insertion hole 223 .

[0061] The pair of second pressing ribs 225 are formed to prevent the base end side of the upper contact pin 21U in the insertion hole 223 of the upper shell 22U from moving or escaping when the cylindrical portion 221 of the upper shell 22U is inserted into the insertion hole 43 of the housing 4, and to prevent the cylindrical portion 221 from escaping from the insertion hole 223. The pair of second pressing ribs 225 are protrusions that are separated from each other and extend in a straight line in the front-to-back direction. The pair of second pressing ribs 225 are opposite to each other at an angle of 180 degrees across the pair of insertion holes 223. The pair of second pressing ribs 225 are respectively formed on both side surfaces (both side surfaces in the X direction) of the cylindrical portion 221.

[0062] The pair of second pressing ribs 225 each include a low back portion 225a located at the front end of the cylindrical portion 221, and a high back portion 225b extending from the base end of the low back portion 225a toward the base end side. The low back portion 225a is a protrusion located at the front end of the cylindrical portion 221 and extending from the front end to the base end side to a predetermined height. When the upper shell 22U is held by the shell 4, the height (length in the X direction) of the low back portion 225a is set to prevent the low back portion 225a from contacting the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 43 of the shell 4.

[0063] The high back portion 225b is located at the base end side compared to the low back portion 225a. The front end portion of the high back portion 225b is an inclined portion whose height gradually increases from the front end side toward the base end side, and the front end surface of the high back portion 225b is an inclined surface that tilts from the inside to the outside as it moves from the front end side toward the base end side. The front end portion of the front end surface is continuous with the base end portion of the low back portion 225a. The portion of the high back portion 225b excluding the front end portion is a protrusion extending toward the base end side by a predetermined height. The height of the high back portion 225b (the amount of protrusion in the X direction) is greater than the height of the low back portion 225a.

[0064] The high back portion 225b is provided to contact the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 43 of the shell 4 when the upper shell 22U is held by the shell 4, so as to prevent the cylindrical portion 221 of the upper shell 22U from being separated from the insertion hole 223. In addition, in a natural state where no external force is applied to the upper shell 22U, the total length of the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 221 in the width direction (X direction) and the height (protrusion amount) of a pair of high back portions 225b is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 43 in the width direction of the shell 4. With this structure, when the cylindrical portion 221 is inserted into the insertion hole 43, the outer side surface of the high back portion 225b contacts the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 43 and is pressed inwardly, so that the upper shell 22U is held by the shell 4. Further, as described above, the cylindrical portion 221 can be elastically deformed inwardly. Therefore, when the upper housing 22U is inserted into the insertion hole 43, the outer side surface of the high back portion 225b contacts the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 223 and is pressed inward, and the portion of the cylindrical portion 221 where the high back portion 225b is formed elastically deforms inward. As a result, the inner side surface of the insertion hole 223 of the upper housing 22U contacts the upper contact pin 21U more strongly, and the upper contact pin 21U in the insertion hole 223 can be prevented from moving and detaching from the insertion hole 223.

[0065] The block portion 226 is a block-shaped portion formed on the lower surface of the cylindrical portion 221 in a manner of protruding downward from the base end portion adjacent to the lower extension portion 222. The front end surface of the block portion 226 is connected to the base end portions of the middle back portions 224b of the two first pressing ribs 224 formed on the lower side surface of the cylindrical portion 221. Furthermore, the base end surface of the block portion 226 is connected to the lower extension portion 222. The front end surface of the block portion 226 is a flat surface orthogonal to the front-to-back direction, and the lower side surface of the block portion 226 is a flat surface orthogonal to the height direction. In addition, a recessed portion 2261 is formed on the portion of the front end surface of the block portion 226 adjacent to the base end portions of the middle back portions 224b of the two first pressing ribs 224, so that the lower end portion of the block portion 226 can be elastically deformed (flexed) in the front-to-back direction.

[0066] The engagement recess 227 is a rectangular recess formed on the lower surface of the block 226 in a manner that opens downward. Fig.11As shown, the engaging recess 227 extends linearly along the width direction (X direction) on the lower surface of the block 226. Both ends of the engaging recess 227 in the width direction are not closed and are open to the outside. The width of the engaging recess 227 in the Z direction is approximately equal to the thickness of the shielding component 3. The inner surface of the front end side and the inner surface of the base end side of the engaging recess 227 are flat surfaces orthogonal to the front-back direction. Furthermore, the upper inner surface of the engaging recess 227 is a flat surface orthogonal to the height direction.

[0067] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in the state where the electrical connector 1 is assembled, the insertion portion 33 (refer to Fig. 9 ) is inserted into the engaging recess 227. In this state, the insertion portion 33 contacts the inner surface of the front end side and the inner surface of the base end side of the engaging recess 227. On the other hand, the insertion portion 33 does not contact the upper inner surface of the engaging recess 227, and is opposed to each other with a gap therebetween. As described later, the shielding component 3 is pressed into the slit 49 of the shell 4 and is fixed relative to the shell 4 so as not to move in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, by inserting the shielding component 3 into the engaging recess 227 and engaging the cylindrical portion 221 of the upper shell 22U with the shielding component 3, the upper shell 22U can be reliably prevented from moving toward the base end side in the shell 4. Through this structure, the movement of the upper socket assembly 2U inside the shell 4 can be prevented, the position of the upper contact pin 21U in the shell 4 can be stabilized, and the contact reliability of the electrical connector 1 can be improved.

[0068] Return to Fig.10 and Fig.11 The lower extension portion 222 is a portion that accommodates the lower extension portion 212 of the upper contact pin 21U when the upper housing 22U holds the upper contact pin 21U. The lower extension portion 222 includes: a front plate 2221 that extends downward from the lower portion of the base end of the cylindrical portion 221; a pair of side wall portions 2222 that extend from both ends of the front plate 2221 in the width direction (X direction) toward the base end; and a central wall portion 2223 that is separated from the pair of side wall portions 2222 and extends from the center of the front plate 2221 in the width direction toward the base end.

[0069] The front plate 2221 is a plate-like portion extending downwardly from the lower portion of the base end of the cylindrical portion 221. The pair of side wall portions 2222 are plate-like portions extending from both ends of the front plate 2221 in the width direction (X direction) toward the base end. The base end surface of the front plate 2221, the inner side surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 2222, and the outer side surface of the central wall portion 2223 define two internal spaces for accommodating the lower extension portion 212 of each of the pair of upper contact pins 21U. Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, when the pair of upper contact pins 21U are held by the upper housing 22U, the lower extension portion 212 of each of the pair of upper contact pins 21U is located in the two internal spaces of the lower extension portion 222. The central wall portion 2223 is a plate-shaped portion extending from the center of the width direction (X direction) of the front plate 2221 toward the base end side. The central wall portion 2223 is located between the pair of side wall portions 2222 and faces the pair of side wall portions 2222 with a gap therebetween. The central wall portion 2223 divides the aforementioned two internal spaces.

[0070] Next, refer to Fig.12 and Fig.13 The two lower socket assemblies 2L are described in detail. Since the two lower socket assemblies 2L have the same structure, one lower socket assembly 2L is used as a representative for detailed description. Fig.12 As shown, the lower receptacle assembly 2L includes a pair of lower contact pins 21L that are in contact with corresponding contact pins of a mating connector, and a lower housing 22L that maintains insulation of the pair of lower contact pins 21L.

[0071] Each of the pair of lower contact pins 21L has the same structure as the aforementioned upper contact pin 21U except that the length of the horizontal extension portion 211 and the lower extension portion 212 are shortened, so the description of the upper contact pin 21U is also applied to each of the pair of lower contact pins 21L.

[0072] In addition, similar to the pair of upper contact pins 21U, the mutually opposing surfaces ( Fig.12 The horizontal extension portion 211 and the surface of the lower extension portion 212 of the lower contact pin 21L on the -X direction side, and the +X direction side, and Fig.12 The horizontal extension portion 211 and the lower extension portion 212 of the lower contact pin 21L on the +X direction side in the -X direction are formed as flat surfaces. With this structure, the spacing distance between the mutually opposing surfaces of the horizontal extension portion 211 and the lower extension portion 212 of the pair of lower contact pins 21L can be made constant, and the transmission characteristics of the signal transmitted through the pair of lower contact pins 21L, especially the transmission characteristics of high-frequency signals, can be improved.

[0073] The lower housing 22L has the same structure as the upper housing 22U except that the lengths of the cylindrical portion 221 and the lower extension portion 222 are shortened, the four first pressing ribs 224 are further provided with a high back portion 224c, the lower extension portion 222 is further provided with a cutout portion 228 and an engaging protrusion 229, and the block portion 226 and the engaging recess 227 are omitted. The differences between the lower housing 22L and the upper housing 22U will be described in detail below, and the description of the common points between the lower housing 22L and the upper housing 22U will be omitted.

[0074] Each of the four first pressing ribs 224 of the lower housing 22L further includes a high back portion 224c. The high back portion 224c is located at the base end side compared to the middle back portion 224b, and extends from the base end of the middle back portion 224b toward the base end side by a predetermined height, and protrudes toward the outside. The lower end of the front end of the high back portion 224c is continuous with the base end of the middle back portion 224b. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in a state where the lower shell 22L is held by the housing 4, the height (length in the Y direction) of the high back portion 224c is set to prevent the outer side surface (surface orthogonal to the Y direction) of the high back portion 224c from contacting the inner side surface of the main body portion 41 of the housing 4. In addition, the base end portions of the high back portions 224c of the two first pressing ribs 224 formed on the lower side surface of the cylindrical portion 221 are connected to the front end surface of the front plate 2221 of the lower extension portion 222.

[0075] Return to Fig.12 and Fig.13 The lower extension portion 222 of the lower housing 22L further includes a cutout portion 228 and an engaging protrusion 229 formed on the outer side surface of each of the pair of side wall portions 2222. The cutout portion 228 is a recessed portion formed on the lower side portion of the outer side surface of each of the pair of side wall portions 2222 in the front-to-back direction. The cutout portion 228 extends from a substantially central portion in the height direction of the side wall portion 2222 to the lower end portion, and extends from the front end portion of the side wall portion 2222 to the base end portion. The cutout portion 228 includes a first recessed portion 228a formed on the front end side of the cutout portion 228, and a second recessed portion 228b formed on the base end side relative to the first recessed portion 228a. The first recessed portion 228a and the second recessed portion 228b are separated by the engaging protrusion 229.

[0076] The engaging protrusion 229 is a protrusion that is elongated in the height direction (Y direction) and is formed on the outer side surface of the cutout portion 228 of the pair of side wall portions 2222 and between the first recess 228a and the second recess 228b. The engaging protrusion 229 has an engaging protrusion 48 (see FIG. 1 ) formed on the inner side surface of the main body portion 41 of the housing 4. Fig.14 and Fig.15 ) and the lower housing 22L is locked inside the housing 4. The locking protrusion 229 extends linearly in the up-down direction from the upper end to the lower end of the cutout portion 228. When the cylindrical portion 221 of the lower housing 22L is inserted into the insertion hole 43 of the housing 4, the locking protrusion 48 is located in the second recess 228b and further, is engaged with the locking protrusion 229. With this structure, the lower socket assembly 2L can be prevented from moving inside the housing 4, the position of the lower contact pin 21L in the housing 4 is stabilized, and the contact reliability of the electrical connector 1 can be improved.

[0077] Return to Fig. 9 The two shielding members 3 are respectively pressed into the slits 49 of the housing 4 from below the housing 4 and have the function of preventing electromagnetic interference between the lower contact pins 21L and the upper contact pins 21U adjacent in the front-to-back direction. By preventing electromagnetic interference between the lower contact pins 21L and the upper contact pins 21U adjacent in the front-to-back direction, the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1 can be improved.

[0078] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the shielding member 3 is a plate-shaped member made of a metal material, which is pressed into the slit 49 and is held by the housing 4 in a manner such that it is located between the lower extension portion 212 of the lower contact pin 21L and the lower extension portion 212 of the upper contact pin 21U. Fig. 9 As shown, the shield member 3 includes a plate-shaped main body portion 31 , a pair of positioning protrusions 32 , and an insertion portion 33 .

[0079] The main body 31 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the XY plane. A pair of positioning protrusions 32 are formed at the lower ends of both side surfaces of the main body 31 in the X direction in a manner protruding outward. When the shielding member 3 is pressed into the slit 49 of the housing 4, the pair of positioning protrusions 32 and the pair of stoppers 491 (see Fig.15 ) abuts against the shielding member 3 to perform positioning in the slit 49. The insertion portion 33 is formed on the upper end surface of the main body 31 in a manner protruding upward. Figure 8 As shown in the figure, when the shielding member 3 is pressed into the slit 49 of the shell 4, the upper end of the insertion portion 33 is inserted into the engagement recess 227 of the lower shell 22L. At this time, the insertion portion 33 contacts and engages with the inner surface of the front end side and the inner surface of the base end side of the engagement recess 227, thereby engaging the shielding member 3 with the cylindrical portion 221 of the upper shell 22U. Through this engagement, the upper socket assembly 2U can be prevented from moving inside the shell 4, and the position of the upper contact pin 21U in the shell 4 can be stabilized, and the contact reliability of the electrical connector 1 can be improved.

[0080] In addition, if Figure 7 As shown, when the shielding member 3 is pressed into the slit 49 of the housing 4, the spacing distance from the upper end surface of the insertion portion 33 to the lower surface of the horizontal extension portion 211 of the upper contact pin 21U is equal to the spacing distance from the inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 42 of the housing 4 to the lower surface of the horizontal extension portion 211 of the upper contact pin 21U. With this structure, the distance from the lower surface of the horizontal extension portion 211 of the upper contact pin 21U to the conductive member (housing 4 and shielding member 3) can be made equal, and the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1 can be improved.

[0081] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 1 includes two shielding members 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A configuration in which one shielding member 3 is formed with a wide width in the lateral direction in a manner that opposes the lower extensions 212 of the lower contact pins 21L of the two lower socket assemblies 2L arranged side by side in the lateral direction and the lower extensions 212 of the upper contact pins 21U of the two upper socket assemblies 2U arranged side by side in the lateral direction also falls within the scope of the present invention. In this embodiment, the shielding member 3 is a plate-shaped member that is located between the lower extensions 212 of the lower contact pins 21L of the two lower socket assemblies 2L and the lower extensions 212 of the upper contact pins 21U of the two upper socket assemblies 2U, and prevents electromagnetic interference between the two pairs of lower contact pins 21L and upper contact pins 21U adjacent in the front-rear direction, thereby improving the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1. In addition, in this case, the shape of the slit 49 of the housing 4 is appropriately changed according to the width of the shielding member 3.

[0082] Return to Fig. 9 The housing 4 has the function of serving as a shell for accommodating the components of the electrical connector 1, and also serves as an electrical path for electrically connecting the ground terminals on the circuit board on which the electrical connector 1 is mounted. Fig.14 and 15 As shown, the housing 4 is a box-shaped member made of a metal material.

[0083] The shell 4 includes: a main body 41 composed of a front plate 411, a pair of side walls 412, a top plate 413, and a central wall portion 414; four cylindrical portions 42 extending from the front end surface of the front plate 411 of the main body 41 to the front end side; four insertion holes 43 for inserting the upper shell 22U or the lower shell 22L; four grounding terminals 44 extending downward from the lower end of the main body 41; a pair of wall portions 45 formed on each of the pair of side walls 412 of the main body 41 in a manner separated from each other and extending in the Z direction; a cover receiving portion 46 formed on the outer side surface of each of the pair of side walls 412; an engaging wall 47 extending in the height direction inside the cover receiving portion 46; four engaging protrusions 48 protruding from the inner side surfaces of the pair of side walls 412 and the two side surfaces of the central wall portion 414; and two slits 49 formed on the lower surface of the main body 41.

[0084] The main body 41 includes a front plate 411, a pair of side walls 412 extending from the ends of the front plate 411 in the width direction to the base end side, a top plate 413 extending from the upper end of the front plate 411 to the base end side, and a central wall portion 414 located between the pair of side walls 412, and has a box-like shape open to the base end side and the lower side. In addition, two storage spaces are formed by the inner side surfaces of the pair of side walls 412 and the two side surfaces of the central wall portion 414. A pair of lower socket assemblies 2L and upper socket assemblies 2U are stored in one storage space. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in the storage space, the horizontal extension portion 211 of the upper shell 22U is located above the horizontal extension portion 211 of the lower shell 22L, and further, the lower extension portion 212 of the upper shell 22U is located on the base end side compared to the lower extension portion 212 of the lower shell 22L.

[0085] Return to Fig.14 and Fig.15 The four cylindrical parts 42 are cylindrical parts that protrude from the front end side of the front plate 411 of the main body 41 in a 2×2 matrix. The cylindrical part 42 functions as an external conductor that covers the cylindrical part 221 of the upper shell 22U or the lower shell 22L from the outside. In addition, when the counterpart connector is connected to the electric connector 1, the cylindrical part 42 contacts the corresponding external contacts of the counterpart connector, respectively, so that the ground potentials of the electric connector 1 and the counterpart connector are equal.

[0086] The four insertion holes 43 are elliptical through holes extending linearly in the front-to-back direction, so that the cylindrical portion 221 of the upper shell 22U or the lower shell 22L is inserted. Each of the two insertion holes 43 on the upper side is formed to penetrate the main body 41 and the cylindrical portion 42 on the upper side in the front-to-back direction. In addition, inside the main body 41, the lower surface side of the two insertion holes 43 on the upper side is cut open to the bottom. On the other hand, each of the two insertion holes 43 on the lower side is formed to penetrate the cylindrical portion 42 on the lower side in the front-to-back direction. The width of the inner diameter of each insertion hole 43 (the length in the X direction) is greater than the height of the inner diameter of the insertion hole 43 (the length in the Y direction), and corresponds to the rounded rectangular planar shape of the cylindrical portion 221 of the upper shell 22U or the lower shell 22L.

[0087] like Figure 7 As shown, when the cylindrical portion 221 of the upper shell 22U or the lower shell 22L is inserted into the insertion hole 43, the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 43 contacts the outer side surface of the middle back 224b of the four first pressing ribs 224 of the upper shell 22U or the lower shell 22L. As a result, the outer side surface of the middle back 224b of the four first pressing ribs 224 is pressed inward, and the portion of the cylindrical portion 221 where the middle back 224b is formed is elastically deformed inward. Further, when the cylindrical portion 221 of the upper shell 22U or the lower shell 22L is inserted into the insertion hole 43, the outer side surface of the high back 225b of the pair of second pressing ribs 225 of the upper shell 22U or the lower shell 22L is pressed inward by the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 43, so that the portion of the cylindrical portion 221 where the high back 225b is formed is elastically deformed inward. By the elastic deformation of the cylindrical portion 221 inward, the upper contact pin 21U or the lower contact pin 21L can be locked in the insertion hole 223 of the upper housing 22U or the lower housing 22L.

[0088] Return to Fig.14 and Fig.15 The four grounding terminals 44 are respectively connected to the corresponding grounding terminals of the circuit board on which the electrical connector 1 is mounted. The housing 4 is electrically connected to the grounding terminal of the circuit board through the grounding terminal 44, and the grounding potential of the electrical connector 1 is equal to the grounding potential of the circuit board.

[0089] The pair of wall portions 45 are formed to form a pair of protruding pieces 53 (see Fig.16 ) is provided on a pair of side walls 412 of the main body 41. One of the pair of wall portions 45 is formed on the upper side (+Y direction) of each of the pair of side walls 412, and the other is formed on the lower side (-Y direction) of each of the pair of side walls 412, and they are opposed to each other through each of the pair of cover receiving portions 46. The inner side surface (inner side surface in the Y direction) of each of the pair of wall portions 45 is connected by the engaging wall 47.

[0090] Each of the pair of cover receiving portions 46 is formed between the pair of wall portions 45 on the outer side surfaces of the pair of side walls 412 of the main body portion 41, and has the function of respectively receiving the pair of protruding pieces 53 of the cover 5. The cover receiving portion 46 is defined by the outer side surfaces of the side walls 412 of the main body portion 41 and the inner side surfaces of the pair of wall portions 45. The engaging wall 47 is formed in the cover receiving portion 46 in a manner extending in the height direction, and is formed for mounting the cover 5 to the housing 4.

[0091] The four engaging protrusions 48 are protrusions that protrude inward from the inner side surfaces of the pair of side walls 412 and the two side surfaces of the central wall portion 414, respectively, which are opposed to the pair of side wall portions 2222 of the lower extension portion 222 of the lower housing 22L. Each engaging protrusion 48 is formed at a position to engage with the engaging protrusion 229 of the lower extension portion 222 of the lower housing 22L when the cylindrical portion 221 of the lower housing 22L is inserted into the insertion hole 43 of the housing 4. The engaging protrusion 48 has a tapered shape in which the width in the front-rear direction (Z direction) gradually decreases as it moves away from the inner side surfaces of the side walls 412 or the side surfaces of the central wall portion 414. When the cylindrical portion 42 of the lower housing 22L is inserted into the insertion hole 43, each engaging protrusion 48 engages with the engaging protrusion 229 while being located in the second recess 228b of the downward extension portion 222 of the lower housing 22L, thereby increasing the holding force of the lower socket assembly 2L in the housing 4.

[0092] The two slits 49 are portions for respectively pressing in the two shielding members 3. The two slits 49 are formed on the inner side surfaces of the pair of side walls 412 and the both side surfaces of the central wall portion 414 in a manner extending upward from the lower surface of the main body portion 41. The slits 49 are formed at positions where the shielding members 3 are located between the lower extension portion 222 of the upper housing 22U and the lower extension portion 222 of the lower housing 22L when the shielding members 3 are pressed into the slits 49. In addition, the slits 49 are divided into left and right parts by the storage space of the main body portion 41.

[0093] The slit 49 has a pair of stoppers 491 protruding inward from two opposite side surfaces (side surfaces in the X direction) of the slit 49. The pair of stoppers 491 protrude inward from two opposite side surfaces of the slit 49 in the slit 49. Therefore, the depth of the portion of the slit 49 where the pair of stoppers 491 are formed is shallower than that of other portions. In addition, the lower end surface of the stopper 491 is a flat surface orthogonal to the height direction. Therefore, when the shielding component 3 is pressed into the slit 49, the upper surfaces of the pair of positioning protrusions 32 of the shielding component 3 abut against the lower surfaces of the pair of stoppers 491 in the slit 49, thereby positioning the shielding component 3 in the slit 49.

[0094] Return to Fig. 9 The cover 5 is mounted on the front end side of the housing 4 and has the function of guiding the connection between the electrical connector 1 and the counterpart connector. Fig.16 As shown, the cover 5 includes a square cylindrical main body 51, four insertion holes 52 formed on the base end surface of the main body 51, a pair of protruding pieces 53 extending from the main body 51 toward the base end side, and a pair of engaging protrusions 54 extending inward from the base end side edges of the inner side surfaces of the pair of protruding pieces 53.

[0095] The main body 51 has a bottomed square tube shape that is open toward the front end. The connection between the electrical connector 1 and the connector on the other side is guided by inserting the connector on the other side into the front end opening of the main body 51. Four insertion holes 52 are formed on the base end surface of the main body 51, and are formed to be inserted into each of the four cylindrical portions 42 of the housing 4. The cover 5 is mounted on the front end side portion of the housing 4 from the front end side in such a manner that the four cylindrical portions 42 of the housing 4 are respectively inserted into the four insertion holes 52.

[0096] The pair of protruding pieces 53 are plate-like portions extending from the base end portions of a pair of opposing side surfaces (wall portions) in the X direction of the main body portion 51 to the base end side. The pair of protruding pieces 53 are opposed to each other with a gap therebetween. The pair of protruding pieces 53 have shapes corresponding to each of the pair of cover receiving portions 46 of the aforementioned housing 4, and when the cover 5 is mounted on the housing 4, the pair of protruding pieces 53 are respectively received in the pair of cover receiving portions 46.

[0097] The pair of engaging protrusions 54 engage with the engaging wall 47 formed in the housing 4 and are formed to attach the cover 5 to the housing 4. The pair of engaging protrusions 54 are tapered portions that protrude inward from the base end side edge portions of the inner side surfaces of the pair of protruding pieces 53. The base end side surface of the engaging protrusion 54 is formed as an inclined surface, and the front end side surface of the engaging protrusion 54 is formed as a flat surface orthogonal to the front-rear direction.

[0098] When the cover 5 is mounted on the housing 4, the pair of protruding pieces 53 of the cover 5 are respectively inserted into the pair of cover receiving parts 46 of the housing 4. When the cover 5 is pushed toward the housing 4 in this state, the pair of engaging walls 47 of the housing 4 slide on the base end side surfaces of the pair of protruding pieces 53, and the pair of protruding pieces 53 are opened outward. When the pair of protruding pieces 53 pass over the pair of engaging walls 47, the pair of protruding pieces 53 elastically return to the inside and engage with the pair of engaging walls 47. The cover 5 is fixed to the housing 4 by this snap fit.

[0099] Thus, in the electrical connector 1 of the present invention, the shielding member 3 pressed into the slit 49 of the housing 4 is inserted into the engaging recess 227 of the cylindrical portion 221 of the upper housing 22U, so that the shielding member 3 engages with the cylindrical portion 221 of the upper housing 22U. With this structure, the shielding member 3 prevents electromagnetic interference between the lower contact pin 21L and the upper contact pin 21U adjacent in the front-back direction, and prevents the upper socket assembly 2U from moving inside the housing 4. Furthermore, in the electrical connector 1 of the present invention, the engaging protrusion 229 of the lower housing 22L engages with the engaging protrusion 48 of the housing 4. With this structure, the lower socket assembly 2L can be prevented from moving inside the housing 4. Therefore, according to the present invention, the positions of the upper contact pin 21U and the lower contact pin 21L in the housing 4 can be stabilized, and the contact reliability of the electrical connector 1 can be improved.

[0100] Furthermore, in the electrical connector 1 of the present invention, since the shielding member 3 is located between the lower extension portion 222 of the lower contact pin 21L and the lower extension portion 222 of the upper contact pin 21U adjacent in the front-to-back direction, the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1 can be improved by preventing electromagnetic interference between the lower contact pin 21L and the upper contact pin 21U adjacent in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the mutually opposing surfaces of the horizontal extension portion 211 and the lower extension portion 212 of a pair of upper contact pins 21U of each upper socket assembly 2U are formed as flat surfaces. Similarly, the mutually opposing surfaces of the horizontal extension portion 211 and the lower extension portion 212 of a pair of lower contact pins 21L of each lower socket assembly 2L are formed as flat surfaces. By means of such a structure, the spacing distance between the mutually opposed surfaces of the horizontal extension portion 211 and the lower extension portion 212 of the pair of upper contact pins 21U of each upper socket assembly 2U and the spacing distance between the mutually opposed surfaces of the horizontal extension portion 211 and the lower extension portion 212 of the pair of lower contact pins 21L of each lower socket assembly 2L can be made constant, and the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1, especially the transmission characteristics of high-frequency signals, can be improved. Thus, in the electrical connector 1 of the present invention, the electromagnetic interference prevention achieved by the shielding member 3 and the structure of making the spacing distance between the mutually opposed surfaces of the horizontal extension portion 211 and the lower extension portion 212 of the pair of upper contact pins 21U of each upper socket assembly 2U and the spacing distance between the mutually opposed surfaces of the horizontal extension portion 211 and the lower extension portion 212 of the pair of lower contact pins 21L of each lower socket assembly 2L constant can significantly improve the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector 1, especially the transmission characteristics of high-frequency signals.

[0101] Although the electrical connector of the present invention is described above based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. The various components of the present invention may be replaced with any components capable of performing similar functions, or any components may be added to the various components of the present invention.

[0102] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to modify the structure of the electrical connector of the present invention as described without departing significantly from the principle, concept and scope of the present invention, and the electrical connector with the modified structure also falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0103] also, Figures 5 to 16 The number and type of components of the electrical connector shown are only examples for explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Without departing from the principle and intent of the present invention, embodiments in which any component is added or combined or any component is deleted also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, characterized in that: include: lower socket assembly; an upper socket assembly, which is located above the lower socket assembly; a shielding member located between the lower socket assembly and the upper socket assembly; and a metal housing that holds the lower socket assembly, the upper socket assembly, and the shielding member, The lower socket assembly and the upper socket assembly each include a contact pin and an insulating housing that holds the contact pin inside. The contact pin includes a horizontal extension portion extending linearly in the front-rear direction, and a downward extension portion extending downward from a base end portion of the horizontal extension portion. The housing includes: a cylindrical portion extending linearly along the front-rear direction, and the horizontally extending portion of the contact pin is located inside the cylindrical portion; and a downward extending portion extending from the base end portion of the cylindrical portion toward the downward direction, wherein the downward extending portion of the contact pin is located inside the downward extending portion, The shielding member is held by the housing in such a manner as to be located between the lower extending portion of the contact pin of the lower socket assembly and the lower extending portion of the contact pin of the upper socket assembly. The shield member is engaged with the cylindrical portion of the housing of the upper socket assembly.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylindrical portion of the housing of the upper socket assembly has an engaging recessed portion on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion that opens toward the downward direction. When the shield member is inserted into the engagement recess, the shield member is engaged with the cylindrical portion of the housing of the upper socket assembly.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The shielding member includes a plate-shaped main body portion and an insertion portion extending upward from an upper end surface of the main body portion. The insertion portion of the shield member is inserted into the engagement recess and contacts an inner surface on a front end side of the engagement recess.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The shielding member has a plate-like shape, The housing has a slit for inserting the shielding member into the housing from the lower side.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The shielding member is pressed into the slit of the housing.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The shielding member includes a plate-shaped main body and a pair of positioning protrusions extending outward from both side surfaces of the main body. The slit of the housing has a pair of stoppers protruding inward from two opposite side surfaces of the slit. The upper surfaces of the pair of positioning protrusions of the shielding member abut against the lower surfaces of the pair of stoppers of the slit of the housing.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical connector comprises: Two lower socket assemblies arranged side by side in a transverse manner; and The two upper socket assemblies are arranged side by side in the transverse direction, The upper socket assembly on one side is located above the lower socket assembly on one side, The upper socket assembly of the other party is located above the lower socket assembly of the other party.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The electrical connector comprises two shielding components, The shielding member on one side is held by the housing in such a manner as to be located between the downward extending portion of the contact pin of the lower socket assembly on the one side and the downward extending portion of the contact pin of the upper socket assembly on the one side, The other shield member is held by the housing so as to be located between the downward extending portions of the contact pins of the other lower socket assembly and the downward extending portions of the contact pins of the other upper socket assembly.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The shielding member is a plate-shaped member, The shield member is configured such that the downwardly extending portions of the two lower socket assemblies arranged side by side in the lateral direction face the downwardly extending portions of the two upper socket assemblies arranged side by side in the lateral direction.

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