Connector module and electronic device
By designing a specific contact layout and fitting structure in the connector module, the problem of miniaturized connector impedance is solved, and the effect of improving impedance while maintaining firmness and reliability is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380053738.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-07-22
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-25
AI Technical Summary
The existing miniaturized connectors tend to decline in impedance, and it is difficult to improve impedance while maintaining firmness and reliability.
A connector module is designed to increase impedance by utilizing a specific layout and structure of the first contact and the second contact by fitting the structure between the first connector and the second connector. Specific measures include in the fitting state, the first contact point and the second contact point are in contact with one side with the first side wall as the boundary, separated on the other side, and increasing the retaining force of the insulator to the contact point by insert molding.
It realizes the improvement of impedance in a miniaturized connector while maintaining firmness and reliability, and is suitable for thin and short-term electronic devices.
Smart Images

Figure CN119698734A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Japanese patent application No. 2022-117506 filed on July 22, 2022, and the entire disclosure of that application is incorporated herein for reference purposes. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a connector module and an electronic device. Background Art
[0004] In recent years, electronic devices such as mobile devices, led by smartphones, have been required to be thinner and shorter. Along with this, connectors installed inside such electronic devices are also required to be smaller and lower in height. In addition, the related technology of connectors mounted on different circuit boards and used to electrically connect these circuit boards is widely known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector that can obtain good transmission characteristics for high-frequency signals even in a low-height state.
[0005] Prior art literature
[0006] Patent Literature
[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6686145 Summary of the invention
[0008] A connector module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first connector and a second connector that fit into each other;
[0009] The first connector comprises:
[0010] A first insulator having a first side wall of a first peripheral wall, wherein the first insulator and the second connector are engaged with each other;
[0011] A plurality of first contacts are mounted on the first side wall, wherein the first contacts have a first mounting portion and a first free end located at an opposite side of the first mounting portion.
[0012] The second connector comprises:
[0013] A second insulator having a second side wall of a second peripheral wall, wherein the second insulator is engaged with the first connector;
[0014] A plurality of second contacts are mounted on the second side wall, wherein the second contacts have a second mounting portion and a second free end located at an opposite side of the second mounting portion.
[0015] In a mating state where the first connector and the second connector are mated with each other,
[0016] The first contact and the second contact are bounded by the first side wall, contacting on one side, i.e., the center side of the first connector, and separated on the other side;
[0017] The first free end and the second free end are both located on the one side.
[0018] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned connector module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Figure 1 The figure is a perspective view of the appearance of a connector module according to an embodiment, showing a state in which a first connector and a second connector are connected to each other, from a top view.
[0020] Figure 2 The figure is a perspective view of the appearance of the connector module according to one embodiment, showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector are separated from each other, as seen from above.
[0021] Figure 3 It is shown from a bird's-eye view Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the appearance of a second connector single piece.
[0022] Figure 4 From a bird's-eye view Figure 3 The second connector is exploded and shown in a perspective view.
[0023] Figure 5 is along Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of arrow VV.
[0024] Figure 6 It is shown from a bird's-eye view Figure 1 A three-dimensional appearance diagram of a first connector single piece.
[0025] Figure 7 From a bird's-eye view Figure 6 The first connector is exploded and shown in a perspective view.
[0026] Figure 8 is along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along the Ⅷ-Ⅷ arrows.
[0027] Fig. 9 Is magnification Figure 8 An enlarged sectional view of the dotted line frame portion IX.
[0028] Fig.10 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of first contacts and second contacts connected to each other.
[0029] Fig.11 is along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along the Ⅺ-Ⅺ arrows. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] On the other hand, there is also a demand to adjust the impedance in the connector to a higher value in order to match the expected value. Generally speaking, there is a tendency for the impedance to decrease in miniaturized connectors. In such miniaturized connectors, it is not easy to increase the impedance while maintaining firmness and reliability.
[0031] According to the connector module and the electronic device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve impedance even in a miniaturized connector.
[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The front and rear, left and right, and up and down directions in the following description are based on the directions of the arrows in the drawings. Figures 1 to 5 as well as Figures 8 to 11 In the figure, the directions of the arrows are consistent between the different figures. Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 In the drawings, the directions of the arrows are consistent with each other in different drawings. In the drawings, for the sake of simplicity, the circuit boards CB1 and CB2 described later are omitted.
[0033] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the appearance of the connector module 1 according to one embodiment, showing a state in which the first connector 50 and the second connector 10 are connected to each other in a plan view. Figure 2 The figure is a perspective view of the appearance of the connector module 1 according to one embodiment, showing a state in which the first connector 50 and the second connector 10 are separated from each other, in a plan view.
[0034] For example, Figure 2 As shown, the connector module 1 has a first connector 50 and a second connector 10 that can be mated with each other. The second connector 10 is connected to the first connector 50 as a connection object. The second connector 10 has a second insulator 20 and a second contact 30 mounted on the second insulator 20. The second connector 10 has a second metal member 40a and a third metal member 40b mounted on the second insulator 20.
[0035] The first connector 50 and the second connector 10 are engaged. The first connector 50 has a first insulator 60, and in the engaged state where the first connector 50 and the second connector 10 are engaged with each other, the first insulator 60 is engaged with the second insulator 20. The first connector 50 has a first contact 70 mounted on the first insulator 60. In the engaged state where the first insulator 60 and the second insulator 20 are engaged with each other, the first contact 70 is in contact with the second contact 30. The first connector 50 has a first metal member 80 mounted on the first insulator 60. In the engaged state, the first metal member 80 is in contact with the second metal member 40a. At this time, the second metal member 40a is elastically deformed.
[0036] In the following, for example, the second connector 10 of one embodiment is described as a socket connector. For example, the first connector 50 is described as a plug connector. The second connector 10 in which the second contact 30 is elastically deformed in the mating state where the second insulator 20 and the first insulator 60 are mated with each other is described as a socket connector. The first connector 50 in which the first contact 70 is not elastically deformed in the mating state is described as a plug connector. The types of the second connector 10 and the first connector 50 are not limited to these. For example, the second connector 10 may function as a plug connector and the first connector 50 may function as a socket connector.
[0037] The following describes how the first connector 50 and the second connector 10 are mounted on the circuit boards CB1 and CB2, respectively. The first connector 50 and the second connector 10 are connected to each other, and electrically connect the circuit board CB1 and the circuit board CB2. The circuit boards CB1 and CB2 may be rigid boards or any other circuit boards. For example, at least one of the circuit boards CB1 and CB2 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPC).
[0038] The following describes the connection between the first connector 50 and the second connector 10 in a direction perpendicular to the circuit boards CB1 and CB2. As an example, the first connector 50 and the second connector 10 are connected to each other in the up-down direction. The connection method is not limited to this. The first connector 50 and the second connector 10 may also be connected to each other in a direction parallel to the circuit boards CB1 and CB2. The first connector 50 and the second connector 10 may also be connected to each other in a manner that one is perpendicular to the installed circuit board and the other is parallel to the installed circuit board.
[0039] In the present disclosure, the "mating direction" corresponds to the up-down direction as an example. The "long side direction" corresponds to the left-right direction as an example. The "arrangement direction" corresponds to the left-right direction as an example. The "short side direction" corresponds to the front-back direction as an example. The "mating side" corresponds to the lower side as an example. The "unplugging side" corresponds to the upper side as an example. The "circuit board CB2 side" corresponds to the lower side as an example. The "side opposite to the circuit board CB2" corresponds to the upper side as an example. The "inside" corresponds to the direction toward the center of the first connector 50 or the second connector 10. For example, the inside in the front-back direction corresponds to the direction toward the center of the front-back direction of the first connector 50 or the second connector 10. Not limited to this, the inside may not be the direction completely toward the center of the front-back direction, but may also correspond to the direction slightly inclined toward the center. The same applies to other directions.
[0040] "Outside" is the opposite of inside.
[0041] Figure 3 It is shown from a bird's-eye view Figure 1 As an example, the third metal member 40b and the second insulator 20 are integrally formed by insert molding, and the second contacts 30 and the second metal member 40a are press-fitted into the second insulator 20, thereby obtaining the second connector 10.
[0042] Figure 4 From a bird's-eye view Figure 3 The third metal member 40b and the second insulator 20 are integrally formed by insert molding. Figure 4 In order to facilitate understanding, the second insulator 20 and the third metal member 40b are imaginarily separated and represented as separate parts. In conjunction with this, for example, the third metal member holding portion 25 of the second insulator 20 described later is named in this way for convenience, but it should be noted that among these structural parts, the third metal member 40b and the second insulator 20 are actually integrally molded by insert molding, and are not the structures originally possessed by the second insulator 20.
[0043] The second insulator 20 constituting the second connector 10 is a member formed of an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The second insulator 20 extends in a plate-like shape in the left-right direction. The second insulator 20 has a bottom plate portion 21 constituting a lower portion. The second insulator 20 has a mating protrusion 22 protruding upward from the central portion of the bottom plate portion 21 in the front, back, left, and right directions. The second insulator 20 has an outer peripheral wall 23 surrounding the mating protrusion 22. The outer peripheral wall 23 is provided on the outer periphery of the second connector 10. The outer peripheral wall 23 surrounds the mating protrusion 22 from four directions, front, back, left, and right. The outer peripheral wall 23 has a short side wall 23a and a long side wall 23b. The short side wall 23a extends in the front-back direction. The long side wall 23b extends in the left-right direction.
[0044] The second insulator 20 has a second contact assembly groove 24, which is provided across the inner surface of the long side wall 23b in the front-to-back direction, the bottom plate portion 21, and the inner surface of the fitting protrusion 22 in the front-to-back direction. The second contact assembly groove 24 is provided with a second contact 30. A plurality of second contact assembly grooves 24 are provided corresponding to the number of second contacts 30. The plurality of second contact assembly grooves 24 are arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of second contacts 30.
[0045] The second insulator 20 has a third metal member holding portion 25, and the third metal member holding portion 25 extends from the end of the fitting protrusion 22 in the left-right direction to the short side wall 23a via the bottom plate portion 21. The third metal member holding portion 25 has a first portion 251 recessed in the end of the fitting protrusion 22 in the left-right direction. The third metal member holding portion 25 has a second portion 252 provided in a manner penetrating the bottom plate portion 21. The third metal member holding portion 25 has a third portion 253 recessed in the lower surface of the short side wall 23a. The third metal member holding portion 25 is equipped with a third metal member 40b. The third metal member holding portion 25 extends in the left-right direction in a manner connecting the fitting protrusion 22 and the short side wall 23a.
[0046] The second insulator 20 has a second metal fitting portion 26 provided across the left-right end of the long side wall 23b and the short side wall 23a. The second metal fitting 40a is fitted to the second metal fitting portion 26.
[0047] The second metal fitting assembly 26 has a first wall portion 261, which is arranged at the center of the short side wall 23a in the front-back direction and protrudes outward in the left-right direction. The third part 253 of the third metal fitting holding part 25 is recessed on the lower surface of the first wall portion 261. The second metal fitting assembly 26 has a second wall portion 262, which is arranged at the corner of the short side wall 23a of the second insulator 20. The second metal fitting assembly 26 has a third wall portion 263, which is separated from the second wall portion 262 in the left-right direction and is arranged on the long side wall 23b. The first wall portion 261, the second wall portion 262 and the third wall portion 263 form the outermost shape of a rectangle in the front-back, left-right directions in the second insulator 20.
[0048] The second metal fitting portion 26 has a first fitting groove 264 disposed between the first wall portion 261 and the second wall portion 262 . The second metal fitting portion 26 has a second fitting groove 265 disposed between the second wall portion 262 and the third wall portion 263 .
[0049] The second metal fitting assembly 26 has a fourth wall portion 266, which extends linearly in the left-right direction between the third wall portion 263 and the short side wall 23a, and has a height in the vertical direction that is lower than other portions of the long side wall 23b. The second metal fitting assembly 26 has a contacted portion 267, which is continuously provided on the inner side of the outer peripheral wall 23 in the fourth wall portion 266.
[0050] The contacted portion 267 is provided on the inner side of the outer peripheral wall 23 on the mating side relative to the removal side where the first connector 50 is removed from the second connector 10. For example, the contacted portion 267 has an inclined surface 267a, which is inclined toward the inner side of the front-rear direction of the outer peripheral wall 23 at the fourth wall portion 266, i.e., the long side wall 23b, as it moves toward the mating side. The contacted portion 267 including the inclined surface 267a extends in the left-right direction along the substantially entire fourth wall portion 266 from the short side wall 23a to the third wall portion 263.
[0051] The second insulator 20 has a protrusion 27, and the protrusion 27 is provided between the second contact fitting grooves 24 in the bottom plate 21. The protrusion 27 has a plate thickness greater than the plate thickness of the bottom plate 21 at both ends in the left-right direction in the up-down direction. A plurality of protrusions 27 are provided corresponding to the number of second contact fitting grooves 24. The plurality of protrusions 27 are arranged in the arrangement direction of the plurality of second contacts 30. In the bottom plate 21, the second contact fitting grooves 24 and the protrusions 27 are alternately arranged in the left-right direction.
[0052] Figure 5 is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of the VV arrow. Main reference Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 , mainly describing the structure of the second contact 30.
[0053] The second contact 30 is formed by, for example, using a progressive die (pressing) to form a thin plate of a copper alloy or a Corson-based copper alloy having spring elasticity and containing phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The surface of the second contact 30 is provided with a base by nickel plating, and then gold plating or tin plating is performed.
[0054] The second contact 30 has a mounting portion 31 that extends outward in an L-shape in the front-rear direction. The second contact 30 has a stopper 32 that continues upward from the upper end of the mounting portion 31. The stopper 32 is wider than the mounting portion 31 in the left-right direction. The second contact 30 has a bent portion 33 that protrudes upward from the stopper 32 in a U-shape.
[0055] The second contact 30 has an elastic contact piece 34, and the elastic contact piece 34 and the curved portion 33 are continuously arranged in an S-shape. The second contact 30 has an extension portion 34a, which is located at the lower part of the elastic contact piece 34 and extends linearly from the lower end of the curved portion 33 in the front-to-back direction. The second contact 30 has an elastic contact portion 35, and the elastic contact portion 35 is arranged at the curved portion of the end of the elastic contact piece 34 toward the outside in the front-to-back direction. The second contact 30 has a free end 36 located on the opposite side of the mounting portion 31. The free end 36 is located at the end of the elastic contact piece 34 on the opposite side of the portion continuous with the curved portion 33 in the front-to-back direction.
[0056] Main reference Figure 4 , mainly describing the structure of the second metal member 40a.
[0057] The second metal member 40a is formed by processing a thin plate of any metal material into a Figure 4 The second metal member 40a is formed into a member of the shape shown in the figure. The processing method of the second metal member 40a includes a step of bending the member in the plate thickness direction after punching. Without being limited to this, the second metal member 40a may also be processed by a step including drawing.
[0058] The second metal member 40a has a first base 41a, and the first base 41a extends in the front-to-back direction. The second metal member 40a has a second base 42a, and the second base 42a extends from both ends of the first base 41a in the front-to-back direction to one side in the left-to-right direction. The second metal member 40a has a protruding piece 43a that extends linearly downward at the front and rear of the first base 41a. A recess is provided by the opposite edge portions of a pair of protruding pieces 43a separated from each other in the front-to-back direction and the end edge portions of the first base 41a in the left-to-right direction. The second metal member 40a has a first mounting portion 44a, and the first mounting portion 44a is located at the lower end of the protruding piece 43a. The second metal member 40a has a first stopper 45a, and the first stopper 45a is provided in the protruding piece 43a so that the width is wider in the front-to-back direction than other parts.
[0059] The second metal member 40a has a bending portion 46a, and the bending portion 46a is bent from the central portion in the front-back direction to one side in the left-right direction at the end edge portion on one side of the left-right direction of the first base 41a. The second metal member 40a has a first engaging portion 46a1, and the first engaging portion 46a1 is provided on the left-right direction surface of the bending portion 46a on one side facing the left-right direction. The first engaging portion 46a1 has a convex portion, and the convex portion protrudes to one side in the left-right direction on the surface of the bending portion 46a. The second metal member 40a has a second engaging portion 46a2, and the second engaging portion 46a2 is provided on the surface of the bending portion 46a just below the first engaging portion 46a1. The second engaging portion 46a2 has a concave portion, and the concave portion is recessed to the other side in the left-right direction on the surface of the bending portion 46a.
[0060] The second metal member 40a has a second stopper 47a, which extends downward from the outer edge of the second base 42a in the front-back direction, across substantially the entire left-right direction. The second stopper 47a has a portion that is wider than the width of the second base 42a in the left-right direction. The second metal member 40a has a second mounting portion 48a, which extends across substantially the entire left-right direction at the lower end of the second stopper 47a.
[0061] The second metal member 40a has a protruding portion 49a, which protrudes from the edge portion on the side opposite to the second stop portion 47a in the second base 42a to the inner side of the second metal member 40a. The protruding portion 49a is bent and protruded obliquely downward from the end portion on one side in the left-right direction at the edge portion on the inner side of the second base 42a in the front-back direction. The protruding portion 49a protrudes to a position corresponding to the lower side of the central portion in the up-down direction of the second stop portion 47a. The protruding portion 49a is inclined from the top to the bottom and toward the inner side in the front-back direction. The protruding portion 49a can be elastically deformed toward the second stop portion 47a side in the front-back direction by applying contact pressure from a free state in which no contact pressure is applied to the first connector 50. The protruding portion 49a has spring elasticity.
[0062] The second metal member 40a has a first engaging portion 49a1, which is disposed on a surface of the extension portion 49a in the front-to-back direction facing the side opposite to the second stop portion 47a. The first engaging portion 49a1 has a convex portion, which protrudes on the surface of the extension portion 49a toward the side opposite to the second stop portion 47a. The second metal member 40a has a second engaging portion 49a2, which is disposed on the surface of the extension portion 49a just below the first engaging portion 49a1. The second engaging portion 49a2 has a concave portion, which is concave toward the second stop portion 47a side on the surface of the extension portion 49a.
[0063] Main reference Figure 4 , mainly describing the structure of the third metal part 40b.
[0064] The third metal member 40b is formed by processing a thin plate of any metal material into a Figure 4 The processing method of the third metal member 40b includes a process based on punching and bending in the plate thickness direction. Not limited to this, the third metal member 40b can also be processed by a process including deep drawing so that each surface of the first base 41b described later in the front, rear, left, right and upper directions is continuous without gaps.
[0065] The third metal member 40b is provided in a crank shape as a whole. More specifically, a first base portion 41b and a second base portion 42b described later are provided integrally so as to form a crank shape as a whole.
[0066] The third metal member 40b has a first base 41b. The first base 41b extends linearly from the bottom to the top, and is bent at its upper end toward one side in the left-right direction. The first base 41b is set in an L shape. The third metal member 40b has a second base 42b, and the second base 42b extends linearly from the lower end of the first base 41b to the other side in the left-right direction. The width of the second base 42b in the front-to-back direction is the same as the width of the first base 41b in the front-to-back direction that is continuous with the second base 42b.
[0067] The third metal member 40b has a wide portion 43b, and the wide portion 43b extends in a forked shape to the other side in the left-right direction in a manner that the width becomes wider in the front-rear direction from the end of the other side of the second base 42b in the left-right direction. The third metal member 40b has a mounting portion 44b, and the mounting portion 44b extends linearly to the other side in the left-right direction from the center portion in the front-rear direction of the wide portion 43b arranged in a forked shape. The mounting portion 44b is bent obliquely downward from the wide portion 43b, and then extends linearly to the other side in the left-right direction. The mounting portion 44b is located one step below the second base 42b and the wide portion 43b.
[0068] like Figure 5 As shown, the second contact 30 is pressed in from below the second insulator 20. At this time, the locking portion 32 is locked to the inner wall surface in the left-right direction of the second contact mounting groove 24. Thus, the second contact 30 is held in the second contact mounting groove 24. The second contact 30 is mounted on the long side wall 23b.
[0069] When the second contact 30 is held in the second contact assembly groove 24 of the second insulator 20, the elastic contact portion 35 is exposed from the second contact assembly groove 24 between the fitting protrusion 22 and the long side wall 23b. At this time, the elastic contact piece 34 can be elastically deformed in the front-to-back direction in the second contact assembly groove 24. The free end 36 is arranged to overlap with the upper end of the fitting protrusion 22 just above it. The end of the mounting portion 31 in the front-to-back direction is located at approximately the same front-to-back position as the long side wall 23b.
[0070] like Figure 4 As shown, the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b are different components from each other. The second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b are separated from each other. The second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b are opposite to each other in the left-right direction in a state of being separated from each other. The strengths of the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b are different from each other. The strength of one of the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b is higher than the strength of the other. For example, the strength of the third metal member 40b may be higher than the strength of the second metal member 40a. For example, the strength of the material of the third metal member 40b may also be higher than the strength of the material of the second metal member 40a. In this specification, "strength" includes, for example, tensile strength.
[0071] The material of the third metal member 40b may be different from the material of the second metal member 40a. For example, the material of the third metal member 40b may be stainless steel, while the material of the second metal member 40a may be phosphor bronze. Without limitation thereto, the material of the second metal member 40a and the material of the third metal member 40b may be selected from a candidate material group in any combination in which the strength of the third metal member 40b is higher than that of the second metal member 40a. In this specification, the "candidate material group" includes, for example, stainless steel, phosphor bronze, iron, Corson copper, titanium copper, beryllium copper, and aluminum.
[0072] As long as the strength of the third metal member 40b is higher than that of the second metal member 40a, the material of the third metal member 40b may be the same as that of the second metal member 40a. For example, even if the third metal member 40b is the same material such as phosphor bronze, the strength of the third metal member 40b may be higher than that of the second metal member 40a due to the difference in alloy number, type symbol, quality, etc. For example, even if the third metal member 40b is the same material such as phosphor bronze, the strength of the third metal member 40b may be higher than that of the second metal member 40a due to the fact that the plate thickness of the third metal member 40b is greater than that of the second metal member 40a as described later.
[0073] For example, the strength of the second contact 30 may be substantially the same as the strength of the second metal member 40a. In addition to the second metal member 40a, the strength of the third metal member 40b may be higher than the strength of the second contact 30. The material of the second metal member 40a, the material of the third metal member 40b, and the material of the second contact 30 may also be selected from the candidate material group in any combination that satisfies the above strength relationship between the second metal member 40a, the third metal member 40b, and the second contact 30.
[0074] The pair of third metal pieces 40b are respectively mounted on both ends of the fitting protrusion 22 in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 10. The third metal piece 40b extends along the longitudinal direction of the second connector 10 from the fitting protrusion 22 to the short side wall 23a where the second metal piece 40a is mounted.
[0075] For example, the third metal member 40b is formed integrally with the third metal member holding portion 25 of the second insulator 20 by insert molding. At this time, the first base portion 41b is formed integrally with the fitting protrusion 22 from the upper surface to the side surface at the end portion in the left-right direction of the fitting protrusion 22. For example, the first base portion 41b is formed integrally with the first portion 251 of the third metal member holding portion 25. The first base portion 41b covers the entire end portion in the left-right direction of the fitting protrusion 22 from the outside.
[0076] The second base portion 42b is integrally formed with the bottom plate portion 21. The second base portion 42b is integrally formed with a portion of the second portion 252 of the third metal member holding portion 25. The wide portion 43b is integrally formed with the remaining portion of the second portion 252 of the third metal member holding portion 25. The mounting portion 44b is integrally formed with the third portion 253 of the third metal member holding portion 25. In this state, the left-right end of the mounting portion 44b is exposed to the outside in the left-right direction from the first wall portion 261 of the short side wall 23a.
[0077] When the third metal member 40b and the second insulator 20 are integrally formed by insert molding, the second base portion 42b and the wide portion 43b extend along the long side direction of the second connector 10. The second base portion 42b and the wide portion 43b extend from the fitting protrusion 22 to the short side wall 23a to which the second metal member 40a is mounted. The lower surface of the mounting portion 44b is located one step below the bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 21 of the second insulator 20. The mounting portion 44b is located directly below the short side wall 23a in the left-right direction.
[0078] The second metal member 40a is pressed in from above the second insulator 20. The second metal member 40a is assembled to the outer peripheral wall 23 in such a manner that the first wall portion 261 is sandwiched in a recessed portion formed by the opposing edge portions of a pair of protruding pieces 43a separated from each other in the front-rear direction and the end edge portion of the first base portion 41a in the left-right direction.
[0079] At this time, the first stopper 45a is stopped on the first wall portion 261 of the second metal fitting assembly portion 26 on the outside of the short side wall 23a in the left-right direction. The pair of protruding pieces 43a separated from each other in the front-back direction are assembled in the first assembly groove 264. Similarly, the second stopper 47a is stopped on the second wall portion 262 and the third wall portion 263 of the second metal fitting assembly portion 26 on the outside of the long side wall 23b in the front-back direction. The second stopper 47a is assembled in the second assembly groove 265. Thus, the second metal fitting 40a is retained in the second metal fitting assembly portion 26.
[0080] The first base 41a and the second base 42a of the second metal member 40a are arranged along the outer peripheral wall 23. More specifically, the first base 41a is arranged along the short side wall 23a. The second base 42a is arranged along the long side wall 23b. The extension 49a extends from the second base 42a to the inner side of the outer peripheral wall 23. The extension 49a is located on the long side wall 23b.
[0081] The convex portion included in the first engaging portion 49a1 of the extended portion 49a protrudes on the surface of the extended portion 49a to the side opposite to the outer peripheral wall 23. In the pair of extended portions 49a provided in the front-back direction, the convex portions of the pair of first engaging portions 49a1 face each other in the front-back direction across the left-right end portions of the fitting convex portion 22. The pair of first engaging portions 49a1 are provided in the second metal member 40a at the same left-right position and up-down position.
[0082] The recessed portion included in the second engaging portion 49a2 of the extended portion 49a is provided from the surface of the extended portion 49a toward the outer peripheral wall 23. In the pair of extended portions 49a provided in the front-back direction, the recessed portions of the pair of second engaging portions 49a2 are opposite to each other in the front-back direction across the left-right end portions of the fitting protrusion 22. The pair of second engaging portions 49a2 are provided in the second metal member 40a at the same left-right position and up-down position.
[0083] When the second metal member 40a is held in the second metal member assembly portion 26 of the second insulator 20, the second metal member 40a covers the entire short side wall 23a and the left-right end of the long side wall 23b. At this time, the second metal member 40a surrounds the first base 41b, the second base 42b, and the wide width portion 43b of the third metal member 40b from both the front and rear sides and the outside in the left-right direction. More specifically, the second base 42a of the second metal member 40a is arranged on both the front and rear sides of the first base 41b, the second base 42b, and the wide width portion 43b of the third metal member 40b. The first base 41a, the protruding piece 43a, and the bent portion 46a of the second metal member 40a are arranged to overlap with the left-right outer end of the wide width portion 43b of the third metal member 40b and the mounting portion 44b in the left-right direction.
[0084] The first mounting portion 44a is provided along the outer surface of the short side wall 23a in the left-right direction. The first mounting portion 44a extends downwardly compared to the lower end of the short side wall 23a. The first mounting portion 44a is provided on both sides of the mounting portion 44b of the third metal member 40b in the short side direction of the second connector 10. A pair of first mounting portions 44a is located at positions where the mounting portion 44b of the third metal member 40b is sandwiched from both sides in the front-to-back direction. For example, a pair of first mounting portions 44a are respectively provided at positions symmetrical in the front-to-back direction with respect to the mounting portion 44b of the third metal member 40b.
[0085] The second mounting portion 48a is arranged along the outer surface of the long side wall 23b in the front-to-back direction. The second mounting portion 48a extends downwardly compared to the lower end of the long side wall 23b. The second mounting portion 48a is arranged on both sides of the third metal member 40b in the short side direction of the second connector 10. A pair of second mounting portions 48a is located at a position where the first base portion 41b, the second base portion 42b, and the wide portion 43b of the third metal member 40b are clamped from both sides in the front-to-back direction. For example, a pair of second mounting portions 48a are respectively arranged at positions symmetrical in the front-to-back direction relative to the first base portion 41b, the second base portion 42b, and the wide portion 43b.
[0086] In the second connector 10 of the above structure, the mounting portion 31 of the second contact 30 is welded to the circuit pattern provided on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB2. The first mounting portion 44a and the second mounting portion 48a of the second metal member 40a and the mounting portion 44b of the third metal member 40b are welded to the pattern provided on the mounting surface. Thus, by mounting each mounting portion on the circuit board CB2, the second connector 10 is mounted to the circuit board CB2. Electronic components different from the second connector 10, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a controller, and a memory, are mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB2.
[0087] Main reference Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 The structure of the first connector 50 will be described.
[0088] Figure 6 It is shown from a bird's-eye view Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a single piece of the first connector 50. As an example, the first contact 70 and the first insulator 60 are integrally formed by insert molding, and the first metal member 80 is pressed into the first insulator 60 from above, thereby obtaining the first connector 50.
[0089] Figure 7 From a bird's-eye view Figure 6 The first connector 50 is exploded and shown in a perspective view. In fact, although the first contact 70 and the first insulator 60 are integrally formed by insert molding, Figure 7 In order to facilitate understanding, the first insulator 60 and the first contact 70 are virtually separated and represented as separate parts. In conjunction with this, for example, the first contact holding portion 64 of the first insulator 60 described later is named as such for convenience, but it should be noted that among these structural parts, the first contact 70 and the first insulator 60 are actually integrally molded by insert molding, and the first insulator 60 does not originally have a structure.
[0090] The first insulator 60 is a plate-shaped member extending in the left-right direction by injection molding of an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The first insulator 60 has a bottom plate portion 61 constituting a lower portion. The first insulator 60 has an annular outer peripheral wall 62, and the outer peripheral wall 62 protrudes upward along the outer periphery of the bottom plate portion 61 in front, back, left, and right directions. The outer peripheral wall 62 has a short side wall 62a and a long side wall 62b. The short side wall 62a extends in the front-back direction. The long side wall 62b extends in the left-right direction. The first insulator 60 has a fitting recess 63, and the fitting recess 63 is surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 62 from four directions in front, back, left, and right directions.
[0091] The first insulator 60 has a first contact holding portion 64, and the first contact holding portion 64 is arranged across the long side wall 62b and the bottom plate portion 61. The first contact 70 is mounted on the first contact holding portion 64. A plurality of first contact holding portions 64 are provided corresponding to the number of first contacts 70. The plurality of first contact holding portions 64 are arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of first contacts 70.
[0092] The first insulator 60 has a first metal fitting portion 65 which is provided from the left-right end of the long side wall 62 b to the short side wall 62 a . The first metal fitting 80 is fitted to the first metal fitting portion 65 .
[0093] The first metal fitting assembly 65 has a first wall portion 651, and the first wall portion 651 is provided at the corner of the first insulator 60 on the short side wall 62a. The first metal fitting assembly 65 has a second wall portion 652, and the second wall portion 652 is separated from the first wall portion 651 in the left-right direction and provided on the long side wall 62b. The first wall portion 651 and the second wall portion 652 form the outermost shape of a rectangle in the front-back left-right direction in the first insulator 60. The upper surface of the portion of the first metal fitting assembly 65 that extends linearly in the left-right direction between the first wall portion 651 and the second wall portion 652 is located at the same height position as the upper surface of the first contact 70 held in the first insulator 60.
[0094] The first metal fitting portion 65 has a first fitting groove 653 disposed between the pair of first wall portions 651 . The first metal fitting portion 65 has a second fitting groove 654 disposed between the first wall portion 651 and the second wall portion 652 .
[0095] The first insulator 60 has an outer wall 66, and the outer wall 66 extends in the left-right direction along the long side wall 62b in a manner that connects a pair of second wall portions 652 located on both sides in the left-right direction. The outer wall 66 extends in parallel with the long side wall 62b in the entire arrangement area of the plurality of first contact holding portions 64 along the arrangement direction of the plurality of first contact holding portions 64. The outer wall 66 is located outside the long side wall 62b in the front-back direction, and covers a portion of the first contact holding portion 64 from the outside in the front-back direction.
[0096] The structure of the first contact 70 will be mainly described.
[0097] The first contact 70 is formed by, for example, using a progressive die (pressing) to form a thin plate of a copper alloy containing phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper, or a Corson-based copper alloy. Figure 7 The surface of the first contact 70 is plated with nickel to provide a base, and then plated with gold or tin.
[0098] The first contact 70 has a mounting portion 71, and the mounting portion 71 extends outward in an L shape in the front-rear direction. The first contact 70 has an extension portion 72, and the extension portion 72 is connected to the mounting portion 71. The extension portion 72 extends straightly upward from the upper end of the mounting portion 71 with a width substantially the same as that of the mounting portion 71. The first contact 70 has a folding portion 73, and the folding portion 73 is folded upward from the upper end of the extension portion 72 in an inverted J shape. In the arrangement direction of the plurality of first contacts 70, the width of the extension portion 72 is smaller than the width of the folding portion 73. The left-right width of the extension portion 72 is smaller than the left-right width of the folding portion 73.
[0099] The first contact 70 has a contact portion 74 provided in the folded portion 73. The contact portion 74 is configured to include an inner surface of the folded portion 73 on the central side facing the front-rear direction of the first connector 50. The first contact 70 has a free end 75, and the free end 75 is located on the opposite side of the mounting portion 71. The free end 75 is located directly below the contact portion 74 in the folded portion 73. The free end 75 is connected to the extension portion 72 via the folded portion 73. The folded portion 73 connects the extension portion 72 and the free end 75.
[0100] The structure of the first metal member 80 will be mainly described.
[0101] The first metal member 80 is formed by processing a thin plate of any metal material into a Figure 7 The processing method of the first metal member 80 includes a step of bending the first metal member 80 in the plate thickness direction after punching.
[0102] The first metal member 80 has a first base 81 extending in the front-to-back direction. The first metal member 80 has a second base 82 extending from both ends of the first base 81 in the front-to-back direction to one side in the left-to-right direction. The first metal member 80 has a first protruding piece 83 extending linearly downward from substantially the entire end edge portion of the other side of the first base 81 in the left-to-right direction.
[0103] The first metal member 80 has a first engaging portion 831, which is provided on the left-right surface of the first protruding piece 83 that faces the other side in the left-right direction. The first engaging portion 831 has a convex portion that protrudes on the surface of the first protruding piece 83 to the other side in the left-right direction. The first metal member 80 has a second engaging portion 832, which is provided on the surface of the first protruding piece 83 just below the first engaging portion 831. The second engaging portion 832 has a concave portion that is recessed on the surface of the first protruding piece 83 to one side in the left-right direction.
[0104] The first metal member 80 has a first mounting portion 84, which is located at the lower end of the first protruding piece 83. The first metal member 80 has a first stopper portion 85, which is provided with a width in the front-to-back direction wider than other portions in the first protruding piece 83. The first metal member 80 has a bent portion 86, which is bent from the center portion in the front-to-back direction to one side in the left-to-right direction at an end edge portion on one side of the first base portion 81 in the left-to-right direction.
[0105] The first metal member 80 has a second protruding piece 87, which extends downward from the outer edge portion in the front-back direction of the second base 82 across substantially the entire left-right direction. The first metal member 80 has a first engaging portion 871, which is provided on the surface of the second protruding piece 87 that faces the outer side in the front-back direction. The first engaging portion 871 has a convex portion that protrudes outward in the front-back direction on the surface of the second protruding piece 87. The first metal member 80 has a second engaging portion 872, which is provided on the surface of the second protruding piece 87 just below the first engaging portion 871. The second engaging portion 872 has a concave portion that is recessed inward in the front-back direction on the surface of the second protruding piece 87.
[0106] The first metal member 80 has a second mounting portion 88 located at the lower end of the second protruding piece 87. The first metal member 80 has a second locking portion 89 provided in the second protruding piece 87 to be wider in the left-right direction than other portions.
[0107] like Figure 6As shown, the first contact 70 is integrally formed with the first contact holding portion 64 of the first insulator 60 by insert molding. The first contact 70 is assembled on the long side wall 62b. At this time, the contact portion 74 is arranged along the inner surface of the long side wall 62b in the front-to-back direction. The mounting portion 71 penetrates the bottom plate portion 61 and extends outward in the front-to-back direction. The end of the mounting portion 71 in the front-to-back direction is located outside the long side wall 62b in the front-to-back direction.
[0108] The first metal member 80 is pressed in from above the first insulator 60. The first metal member 80 is assembled to the outer peripheral wall 62. At this time, the first stopper 85 is engaged with the first wall portion 651 of the first metal member assembly portion 65 on the outside in the left-right direction of the short side wall 62a. The first protruding piece 83 is assembled in the first assembly groove 653. Similarly, the second stopper 89 is engaged with the first wall portion 651 and the second wall portion 652 of the first metal member assembly portion 65 on the outside in the front-back direction of the long side wall 62b. The second protruding piece 87 is assembled in the second assembly groove 654. Thus, the first metal member 80 is retained in the first metal member assembly portion 65.
[0109] The first base 81 and the second base 82 of the first metal member 80 are provided along the outer peripheral wall 62. More specifically, the first base 81 is provided along the short side wall 62a, and the second base 82 is provided along the long side wall 62b.
[0110] The convex portion included in the first engaging portion 871 of the second protruding piece 87 protrudes on the surface of the second protruding piece 87 to the side opposite to the outer peripheral wall 62. In the pair of second protruding pieces 87 provided in the front-to-back direction, the convex portions of the pair of first engaging portions 871 are provided along the outer surfaces of the long side walls 62b in the front-to-back direction facing each other. The pair of first engaging portions 871 are provided in the first metal member 80 at the same left-right positions and up-down positions.
[0111] The recessed portion included in the second engaging portion 872 of the second protruding piece 87 is provided from the surface of the second protruding piece 87 toward the outer peripheral wall 62 side. In the pair of second protruding pieces 87 provided in the front-to-back direction, the recessed portions of the pair of second engaging portions 872 are provided along the outer surface of the long side wall 62b in the front-to-back direction facing each other. The pair of second engaging portions 872 are provided in the first metal member 80 at the same left-right position and the same up-down position.
[0112] When the first metal member 80 is held in the first metal member assembly portion 65 of the first insulator 60, the first metal member 80 covers the entire short side wall 62a and the left-right end of the long side wall 62b. The first mounting portion 84 is provided along the left-right outer surface of the short side wall 62a. The first mounting portion 84 extends downwardly from the lower end of the short side wall 62a. The second mounting portion 88 is provided along the front-back outer surface of the long side wall 62b. The second mounting portion 88 extends downwardly from the lower end of the long side wall 62b.
[0113] The end surface of the first metal member 80 in the mating direction is located on the mating side of the first connector 50 to be mated to the second connector 10, compared to the end surface of the first contact 70 in the mating direction. The upper surface of the first metal member 80 mounted on the first insulator 60 is located above the upper surface of the first contact 70 mounted on the first insulator 60.
[0114] In the first connector 50 of the above structure, the mounting portion 71 of the first contact 70 is welded to the circuit pattern provided on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB1. The first mounting portion 84 and the second mounting portion 88 of the first metal member 80 are welded to the pattern arranged on the mounting surface. Thus, the first connector 50 is mounted on the circuit board CB1. Electronic components different from the first connector 50, such as a camera module, are mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB1.
[0115] Reference Figures 8 to 11 , the structure of the connector module 1 in the mating state where the first connector 50 and the second connector 10 are mated with each other will be mainly described. Figure 8 is along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along the Ⅷ-Ⅷ arrows. Fig. 9 Is magnification Figure 8 An enlarged sectional view of the dotted line frame portion IX. Fig.10 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 connected to each other.
[0116] For example, in using Figure 8 In the state where the first connector 50 shown in the figure is oriented in the opposite direction in the up-down direction, the front-back position and the left-right position of the second connector 10 and the first connector 50 are roughly consistent and are opposite to each other in the up-down direction. Then, the first connector 50 is moved downward. As a result, the second connector 10 and the first connector 50 are connected to each other, and the connection state of the connector module 1 is obtained. At this time, the first insulator 60 and the second connector 10 are engaged. The second insulator 20 and the first connector 50 are engaged. The engaging protrusion 22 of the second insulator 20 and the engaging recess 63 of the first insulator 60 are engaged with each other.
[0117] like Fig. 9As shown, in the mating state, the elastic contact portion 35 of the second contact 30 contacts the contact portion 74 of the first contact 70, and the elastic contact piece 34 with spring elasticity is elastically deformed toward the inner side in the front-rear direction. The first contact 70 contacts the second contact 30 on one side, i.e., the center side of the first connector 50, with the center line of the long side wall 62b in the front-rear direction as the boundary, and is separated on the other side. The first contact 70 and the second contact 30 contact at a position formed by the elastic contact portion 35 and the contact portion 74 located on one side. At this time, the free end 75 of the first contact 70 and the free end 36 of the second contact 30 are both located on one side.
[0118] The free end 75 of the first contact 70 and the free end 36 of the second contact 30 are both located on the removal side, i.e., the upper side, of the first connector 50 relative to the second connector 10, relative to the contact position of the elastic contact portion 35 and the contact portion 74. The free end 75 is located closer to the removal side than the free end 36, and is integrally formed with the bottom plate portion 61 and the long side wall 62b. The free end 75 is buried inside the bottom plate portion 61. The free end 36 is arranged on the inner surface of the front-to-back direction of the engaging protrusion 22 in the second contact assembly groove 24. The free end 36 is arranged to be displaceable in the second contact assembly groove 24 along the front-to-back direction as the elastic contact piece 34 is elastically deformed.
[0119] The second contact 30 is bent in an L-shape in the mounting portion 31 and extends linearly upward in the locking portion 32. The second contact 30 is bent in a U-shape in the bending portion 33 and is provided in an S-shape in the elastic contact piece 34. The first contact 70 is bent in an L-shape in the mounting portion 71 and extends linearly downward in the extension portion 72. The first contact 70 is bent in a U-shape in the folding portion 73 and extends linearly upward. By providing the U-shaped portion of the first contact 70 in the folding portion 73, the holding force of the first insulator 60 when holding the first contact 70 by insert molding is improved.
[0120] from Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 It can be understood that the outer wall 66 of the first insulator 60 extends parallel to the long side wall 62b on the other side than the extension 72 of the first contact 70 in the entire area in the arrangement direction of the plurality of first contacts 70. The extension 72 of the first contact 70 is formed integrally with the long side wall 62b and the outer wall 66 while being sandwiched therebetween. The outer wall 66 is located between the extension 72 of the first contact 70 and the bent portion 33 of the second contact 30 in the front-rear direction.
[0121] like Fig. 9As shown, in the mating state, the outer wall 66 of the first insulator 60 is provided on the other side at the end of the unplugging side where the first connector 50 is unplugged relative to the second connector 10 in the region R where the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 are opposite to each other, and is provided at a position closer to the unplugging side than the end. The outer wall 66 is provided at a height position higher than the height of the upper end of the region R. The end of the mating side of the outer wall 66 is separated from the protrusion 27 along the mating direction. The end of the mating side of the outer wall 66 is provided at the same upper and lower positions as the bent portion 33, or at the upper and lower positions closer to the unplugging side than the bent portion 33. The outer wall 66 is provided between the upper and lower regions extending from just below the mounting portion 71 of the first contact 70 to the protruding portion 72. Most of the region R between the folded portion 73 and the bent portion 33 is composed of air, not of the insulator including the first insulator 60.
[0122] The extension portion 34a of the second contact 30 is provided so as to be separated from and opposed to the folded portion 73 of the first contact 70 in the mating state from the side where the first connector 50 is to be pulled out from the second connector 10. The protrusion 27 of the second insulator 20 protrudes toward the side where the first connector 50 is to be pulled out from the second connector 10, more than the extension portion 34a of the second contact 30.
[0123] The protrusion 27 is provided at a different position from the second contact 30 in the left-right direction. The protrusion 27 is provided to be adjacent to the extension 34a of the second contact 30 in the left-right direction. In the bottom plate 21, the extension 34a and the protrusion 27 are alternately arranged in the left-right direction.
[0124] The protrusion 27 contacts the portion of the long side wall 62b of the first insulator 60 between the plurality of first contacts 70 from below. At this time, no second insulator 20 is sandwiched in the space between the folded portion 73 and the extended portion 34a. The second insulator 20 also does not exist below except above the extended portion 34a.
[0125] Fig.11 is along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along the Ⅺ-Ⅺ arrows.
[0126] In the fitted state, the first metal member 80 and the second metal member 40a are in contact with each other. For example, the extension portion 49a of the second metal member 40a is in contact with the second protruding piece 87 of the first metal member 80. More specifically, the first engaging portion 49a1 of the extension portion 49a and the second engaging portion 872 of the second protruding piece 87 are engaged with each other based on the concave-convex structure. The second engaging portion 49a2 of the extension portion 49a and the first engaging portion 871 of the second protruding piece 87 are engaged with each other based on the concave-convex structure.
[0127] At this time, the extension portion 49a having spring elasticity is elastically deformed outward in the front-rear direction. The extension portion 49a contacts the first metal member 80 in the fitted state and elastically deforms toward the outer peripheral wall 23 of the second insulator 20. The second metal member 40a and the first metal member 80 are in contact at two locations on both the front and rear sides through the extension portion 49a and the second protruding piece 87.
[0128] When the extension 49a is elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 in the mating state, the contacted portion 267 of the second insulator 20 contacts the surface of the extension 49a facing the outer peripheral wall 23. More specifically, the inclined surface 267a of the contacted portion 267 contacts the lower edge of the surface of the extension 49a facing the outer peripheral wall 23. In this way, the corner of the tip of the extension 49a on the outer peripheral wall 23 side is separated from the inclined surface 267a of the contacted portion 267 in the non-mated state, and contacts the inclined surface 267a of the contacted portion 267 in the mating state.
[0129] The first metal member 80 receives a force from the extension portion 49a elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23, which is directed toward the side opposite to the outer peripheral wall 23. The extension portion 49a elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 and in contact with the contacted portion 267 receives resistance from the inclined surface 267a of the contacted portion 267. The contact pressure of the second metal member 40a on the first metal member 80 is obtained by such force and resistance.
[0130] The upper surface of the second base portion 42b of the third metal member 40b is flush with the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 21. The upper surface of the second base portion 42b is exposed upward from the second portion 252 of the bottom plate portion 21.
[0131] exist Fig.11 In the embodiment, the thickness of the third metal member 40b is substantially the same as the thickness of the second metal member 40a. Without limitation thereto, the thickness of the third metal member 40b may be greater than the thickness of the second metal member 40a, so that, for example, even when the third metal member 40b and the second metal member 40a are formed of the same material, the strength of the third metal member 40b is higher than that of the second metal member 40a.
[0132] In the fitted state, the first metal member 80 and the second metal member 40a are in contact with each other. For example, the bent portion 46a of the second metal member 40a is in contact with the first protruding piece 83 of the first metal member 80. More specifically, the first engaging portion 46a1 of the bent portion 46a and the second engaging portion 832 of the first protruding piece 83 are engaged with each other based on the concave-convex structure. The second engaging portion 46a2 of the bent portion 46a and the first engaging portion 831 of the first protruding piece 83 are engaged with each other based on the concave-convex structure.
[0133] At this time, the bent portion 46a having spring elasticity is elastically deformed outward in the left-right direction. The bent portion 46a contacts the first metal member 80 in the fitted state and is elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 of the second insulator 20. The second metal member 40a and the first metal member 80 are in contact at one position in the left-right direction through the bent portion 46a and the first protruding piece 83.
[0134] According to the connector module 1 of one embodiment described above, the impedance can be improved even in the miniaturized first connector 50 and the second connector 10. In the connector module 1, the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 are in contact with each other on one side with the long side wall 62b as the boundary, and are separated on the other side. At this time, the free end 75 and the free end 36 are both located on one side like the contact parts of the first contact 70 and the second contact 30. Through this structure, the connector module 1 can make the free end 75 and the free end 36 close to each other in the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 and make the stub shorter. More specifically, the connector module 1 can shorten the distance from the above-mentioned contact part of the first contact 70 to the free end 75. The connector module 1 can shorten the distance from the above-mentioned contact part of the second contact 30 to the free end 36. Through the above, the connector module 1 can improve the impedance in the first contact 70 and the second contact 30.
[0135] In the connector module 1, the width of the extension portion 72 is made smaller than the width of the return portion 73 in the arrangement direction of the plurality of first contacts 70, so that the inductance component L of the first contact 70 can be increased. Therefore, the connector module 1 can increase the impedance in the first contact 70. Assuming that the first contact 70 is pressed into the first insulator 60, considering the structure having a wide locking portion for locking the first insulator 60, there is a possibility that the impedance in the locking portion can be reduced. Since the first contact 70 is integrally molded with the first insulator 60 by insert molding, the first connector 50 does not have such a wide locking portion, and the width of the extension portion 72 can be reduced.
[0136] In the connector module 1, in the first contact 70, the folded portion 73 is provided to be wider than the extended portion 72 in the left-right direction, thereby increasing the area of the metal portion of the end surface of the long side wall 62b of the first insulator 60 on the mating side. Thus, in the connector module 1, the strength of the first connector 50 can be improved.
[0137] The first connector 50 has an outer wall 66, and the outer wall 66 is extended and arranged in parallel with the long side wall 62b on the other side compared to the extension portion 72. Therefore, in the connector module 1, when the first connector 50 and the second connector 10 are engaged, the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 can be maintained in a state where the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 are separated in the front-to-back direction on the other side. Therefore, the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 can contact each other only on one side relative to the long side wall 62b. Therefore, compared with the case where the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 contact each other on both sides of the front-to-back direction on one side and the other side, the path length through which the transmission signal flows can be substantially extended, and the L component can be increased. In addition, the short stub generated during engagement is reduced. Through the above, the impedance in the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 can be improved.
[0138] In the connector module 1, by separating the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 in the front-rear direction, the same effect as a capacitor can be obtained between the bent portion 33 and the extended portion 72 and the folded portion 73. If the electrostatic capacitance is C, most of the region R is composed of air, so that the dielectric constant is reduced and the C component becomes smaller. As a result, the impedance in the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 can be increased.
[0139] In the connector module 1, the first connector 50 has the outer wall 66, so that the holding strength of the first insulator 60 by insert molding to the first contact 70 is improved. Therefore, the first connector 50 can stably hold the first contact 70 through the first insulator 60. In addition, in the connector module 1, even in a miniaturized state, the solder rising from the mounting portion 71 of the first contact 70 can be reduced. Therefore, in the connector module 1, the reliability can be improved.
[0140] The first connector 50 has an outer wall 66. Thus, in the connector module 1, for example, when the first connector 50 is mated to the second connector 10, even if the first connector 50 is tilted relative to the second connector 10 in a plane extending in the front-rear and left-right directions, the first insulator 60 can first hit the second insulator 20. In the connector module 1, even in such an inclined mating, the contact between the first contact 70 and the second insulator 20 and the second contact 30 can be reduced, thereby reducing damage to the second connector 10. Therefore, in the connector module 1, the reliability as a product can be improved.
[0141] The first insulator 60 has the outer wall 66, so that the outer wall 66 and the long side wall 62b can be provided integrally. In the connector module 1, the outer wall 66 of the first connector 50 can be easily provided, so that the first connector 50 can be easily manufactured.
[0142] In the mating state, the outer wall 66 is provided at the end of the region R on the extraction side and at a position on the extraction side relative to the end, so that most of the region R is composed of air. As a result, the dielectric constant of the region R is reduced and the C component is reduced. As a result, the impedance of the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 can be increased.
[0143] In the connector module 1, the second connector 10 has a protrusion 27 that protrudes toward the extraction side compared to the protruding portion 34a, so that the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 can be easily separated in the vertical direction. In the connector module 1, by separating the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 in the vertical direction, the same effect as a capacitor can be obtained between the protruding portion 34a and the folded portion 73. If the electrostatic capacitance is C, since the space between the folded portion 73 and the protruding portion 34a is composed of air, the dielectric constant decreases and the C component becomes smaller. As a result, the impedance in the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 can be increased.
[0144] In the connector module 1, the second insulator 20 is not present below the extension portion 34a, so that the height of the second connector 10 can be kept low and the distance from the upper surface of the extension portion 34a to the upper surface of the protrusion 27 can be increased. Therefore, the interval between the folded portion 73 and the extension portion 34a in the mating direction is also increased. As a result, the interval between the capacitors is increased and the electrostatic capacitance C is reduced, so that the impedance of the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 can be increased.
[0145] In the connector module 1, the second connector 10 has the protrusion 27, so when the first connector 50 is mated to the second connector 10, the deflection of the central portion of the first insulator 60 in the left-right direction can be reduced, thereby reducing the damage of the first insulator 60. In the connector module 1, not only the second metal member 40a of the second connector 10 but also the protrusion 27 can abut against the first insulator 60 of the first connector 50 during mating. As a result, the load applied to the first insulator 60 during mating can be reduced.
[0146] The second insulator 20 has the protrusion 27, so that the protrusion 27 can be provided integrally with the bottom plate portion 21. In the connector module 1, the protrusion 27 of the second connector 10 can be easily provided, so that the second connector 10 can be easily manufactured.
[0147] In the connector module 1, the end surface in the mating direction of the first metal member 80 that contacts the second metal member 40a in the mating state is located closer to the mating side than the end surface in the mating direction of the first contact 70, so that it is easy to separate the first contact 70 from the second contact 30. In the connector module 1, even if the second connector 10 does not have the protrusion 27, the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 can be separated.
[0148] In addition, in the connector module 1, the length of the first metal member 80 and the second metal member 40a in the mating direction can be increased. In the connector module 1, the effective mating length of the first metal member 80 and the second metal member 40a can be extended. The effective mating length of the first metal member 80 corresponds to, for example, the upper and lower width of the surface from the second engaging portion 872 to the mating side of the second base 82. The effective mating length of the second metal member 40a corresponds to, for example, the width along the extension portion 49a from the first engaging portion 49a1 to the surface of the extraction side of the second base 42a.
[0149] As described above, the spring length of the extension portion 49a having spring elasticity in the second metal member 40a is also increased, thereby improving the contact reliability between the first metal member 80 and the second metal member 40a in the mating state. In the connector module 1, even when the first contact 70 and the second contact 30 are in contact at one location, the contact reliability of the entire connector module 1 can be maintained.
[0150] The first contact 70 is integrally formed with the first insulator 60 by insert molding, thereby improving the holding strength of the first insulator 60 on the first contact 70 .
[0151] The second insulator 20 has the contacted portion 267, and the extension portion 49a elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 in the mating state contacts the contacted portion 267. Thus, the contact pressure of the second metal member 40a on the first metal member 80 is increased by the force applied to the side opposite to the outer peripheral wall 23 by the extension portion 49a elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 and the resistance received by the extension portion 49a elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 and contacting the contacted portion 267. The second connector 10 can stably hold the first connector 50.
[0152] The contacted portion 267 has the inclined surface 267a, so that it can contact the extended portion 49a elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 at an earlier stage in the mating process than when the contacted portion 267 is arranged perpendicular to the plane of the bottom plate portion 21. As a result, in the second connector 10, the above-mentioned effect related to holding the first connector 50 is more significantly achieved.
[0153] In the second connector 10, the first engaging portion 49a1 has a convex portion, so that when the second connector 10 is engaged with the first connector 50, the first engaging portion 871 of the first metal member 80 of the first connector 50 and the convex portion of the first engaging portion 49a1 engage, which can improve the click feeling. In addition, in the second connector 10, the extraction force when the first connector 50 is extracted from the second connector 10 in the engaged state can also be improved.
[0154] The second metal member 40a has an elastically deformable extension 49a that contacts the first metal member 80 in the fitted state, so that the elastic force of the extension 49a can stably maintain the connection state with the first metal member 80. Therefore, the conduction between the second metal member 40a and the first metal member 80 can be stably maintained in the fitted state.
[0155] In the second connector 10, the third metal member 40b assembled on the mating protrusion 22 and the second metal member 40a assembled on the peripheral wall 23 are different components. As a result, compared with the prior art in which the metal member is manufactured integrally, the influence of the contact between the metal member and the first connector 50 during the mating process is reduced. For example, even if the metal member and the first connector 50 contact each other on one side of the mating protrusion 22 and the peripheral wall 23, the influence of the contact on the other side can be reduced. As a result, the damage of the metal members including the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b can be reduced. By reducing the damage of the metal members, the damage of the second insulator 20 equipped with the metal members can also be reduced. As a result, the reliability of the second connector 10 as a product is improved.
[0156] Assuming that even if the first connector 50 is mated with the position offset relative to the second connector 10, the first connector 50 contacts the second metal member 40a on the outer peripheral wall 23 side during the process, and the second metal member 40a and the outer peripheral wall 23 are deformed in a manner tilted outward in the left-right direction, the influence on the mating protrusion 22 side can be reduced. The second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b are different components, thereby reducing the deformation of the third metal member 40b. Assuming that even if the first connector 50 contacts the third metal member 40b on the mating protrusion 22 side during the mating process, and the third metal member 40b and the mating protrusion 22 are deformed in a manner concave inward in the left-right direction, the influence on the outer peripheral wall 23 side can be reduced. The second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b are different components, thereby reducing the deformation of the second metal member 40a. In this way, on one side of the mating protrusion 22 and the outer peripheral wall 23, the respective metal members act independently. Therefore, the transmission of the action to the other side can be reduced. As a result, the metal component as a whole can stably perform a desired function, thereby reducing damage.
[0157] As described above, since the damage of the metal parts and the second insulator 20 can be reduced, the misalignment between the second connector 10 and the first connector 50 in the long side direction of the second connector 10 during and after the mating process can be reduced. As a result, the conduction between the second contact 30 and the first contact 70 can be correctly achieved according to the original design. In addition, the looseness of the connector module 1 after mating can be reduced. The function of limiting the position of one of the second connector 10 and the first connector 50 relative to the other can be maintained. As a result, one is not easily detached from the other, and the reliability of the connector module 1 as a product is improved.
[0158] In the second connector 10, the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b are different components, so that the strength of one of the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b can be made higher than the strength of the other. In the second connector 10, for the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b that are assembled for different purposes at different locations such as the mating protrusion 22 and the outer peripheral wall 23, each metal member can be manufactured with an appropriate strength suitable for the location and purpose. For example, if the metal member is manufactured integrally as in the prior art, when the strength of the metal member has to be reduced on one side of the mating protrusion 22 and the outer peripheral wall 23, the strength of the metal member on the other side is also reduced.
[0159] For example, the third metal member 40b mounted on the fitting protrusion 22 has the main purpose of improving the firmness of the fitting protrusion 22. On the other hand, one of the purposes of the second metal member 40a mounted on the outer peripheral wall 23 is to achieve conduction by contacting with the first metal member 80 in the fitting state. For this purpose, the second metal member 40a is provided with an elastically deformable extension 49a.
[0160] Therefore, the second metal member 40a may be made of a material that can obtain spring-like strength, while the third metal member 40b may be made of a material with higher strength. In the second connector 10, the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b may be made of a suitable strength suitable for their respective purposes. For example, if the metal members are made integrally as in the prior art, the strength of the entire metal member is reduced due to the provision of an elastically deformable contact piece on the outer peripheral wall side, and the firmness of the mating protrusion is also reduced.
[0161] The material of the third metal member 40b is different from that of the second metal member 40a, so that the strength of one of the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b is higher than that of the other, and the metal members can be easily manufactured. For example, the material of each metal member can be appropriately selected according to the purpose corresponding to the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b described above.
[0162] The strength of the material of the third metal member 40b is higher than that of the material of the second metal member 40a, thereby improving the firmness of the fitting protrusion 22 equipped with the third metal member 40b. Therefore, the damage of the fitting protrusion 22 of the second insulator 20 equipped with the third metal member 40b can be reduced. As a result, the reliability of the second connector 10 as a product is improved.
[0163] The thickness of the third metal member 40b is greater than that of the second metal member 40a, so even when the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b are made of the same material, the strength of the third metal member 40b is higher than that of the second metal member 40a. Thus, the firmness of the fitting protrusion 22 to which the third metal member 40b is attached is improved in the same manner as described above.
[0164] In the second connector 10, the third metal member 40b has a mounting portion 44b mounted on the circuit board CB2, thereby improving the firmness of the third metal member 40b. Even if a load is applied to the third metal member 40b, its deformation can be reduced, and the shape and dimensional accuracy of the second connector 10 can be maintained even during the mating process. For example, the firmness of the mating protrusion 22 equipped with the third metal member 40b can be improved. Therefore, the deformation and other damage of the mating protrusion 22 can be reduced, and the effects related to the above-mentioned misalignment and looseness of the second connector 10 in the long side direction can be obtained.
[0165] The mounting portion 44b includes a bottom surface on the circuit board CB2 side, so that the mounting portion 44b can block the external force acting on the third metal member 40b. The mounting portion 44b is mounted on the circuit board CB2 to fix the third metal member 40b to the circuit board CB2. Even if an external force acts on the third metal member 40b, its impact will be absorbed by the mounting portion 44b. Therefore, the firmness of the third metal member 40b along the long side direction of the second connector 10 is improved. As a result, the firmness of the fitting protrusion 22 along the long side direction of the second connector 10 is also improved.
[0166] The first base 41b and the second base 42b are integrally provided in a crank shape as a whole, so that the entire third metal member 40b is integrated with the second insulator 20 along the shape of the end of the fitting protrusion 22 and the bottom plate 21. Therefore, the holding strength of the third metal member 40b to the second insulator 20 is improved.
[0167] The first mounting portion 44a of the second metal member 40a is disposed on both sides of the third metal member 40b in the short side direction of the second connector 10. The second mounting portion 48a of the second metal member 40a is disposed on both sides of the third metal member 40b in the short side direction of the second connector 10. Thus, the mounting strength of the second metal member 40a relative to the circuit board CB2 is improved. Thus, the firmness of the second metal member 40a and the short side wall 23a in the left-right direction is improved.
[0168] A pair of first mounting portions 44a are arranged at substantially the same left and right positions as the mounting portions 44b, whereby the three mounting portions are located on a straight line along the front-rear direction. Thus, the mounting strength of the second connector 10 relative to the circuit board CB2 is improved. For example, even if the first connector 50 is engaged with the second connector 10 in a state where the first connector 50 is offset at a predetermined angle with the up-down direction as an axis, the mounting of the second connector 10 relative to the circuit board CB2 can be maintained. Similarly, even if the circuit board CB2 to which the second connector 10 is mounted rotates after engagement, the mounting of the second connector 10 relative to the circuit board CB2 can be maintained. Therefore, the firmness of the second connector 10 mounted on the circuit board CB2 is improved.
[0169] The pair of second metal parts 40a are respectively mounted on the pair of short side walls 23a, thereby improving the firmness of the short side walls 23a at both ends in the left-right direction of the outer peripheral wall 23. Therefore, the damage of the short side walls 23a of the second insulator 20 equipped with the pair of second metal parts 40a can be further reduced. As a result, the reliability of the second connector 10 as a product is further improved.
[0170] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be implemented in other specific ways other than the above-described embodiments without departing from its spirit or essential features. Therefore, the foregoing description is exemplary and not limited thereto. The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the foregoing description but by the appended claims. All modifications within the scope of their equivalents are included therein.
[0171] For example, the shape, size, arrangement, orientation and number of the above-mentioned structural parts are not limited to the above-mentioned description and the contents shown in the drawings. The shape, size, arrangement, orientation and number of each structural part can be arbitrarily configured as long as it can achieve its function.
[0172] The assembly method of the second connector 10 and the first connector 50 is not limited to the contents of the above description. The assembly method of the second connector 10 and the first connector 50 may be any method as long as they can be assembled in a manner that enables each function to be exerted. For example, in the second connector 10, at least one of the second contact 30 and the second metal member 40a may be integrally formed with the second insulator 20 by insert molding instead of by press-in. The third metal member 40b may be assembled to the second insulator 20 by press-in instead of by insert molding. For example, in the first connector 50, the first contact 70 may be mounted to the first insulator 60 by press-in instead of by insert molding. The first metal member 80 may also be integrally formed with the first insulator 60 by insert molding instead of by press-in.
[0173] In the above embodiment, the first contact 70 is described as having a folded portion 73, and the folded portion 73 connects the extended portion 72 and the free end 75, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first contact 70 may not have the folded portion 73. In this case, the first contact 70 may be provided as a whole in an L-shape. The first contact 70 may also be formed as a whole based on the mounting portion 71 extending outward in an L-shape in the front-rear direction and the extended portion 72 extending upward in a straight line from the upper end of the mounting portion 71.
[0174] In the above embodiment, the free end 36 of the second contact 30 is located at a position closer to one side than the elastic contact portion 35, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the elastic contact piece 34 of the second contact 30 may not be arranged in an S-shape. The elastic contact piece 34 may also extend to one side to a greater extent and bend upward, and then bend back to the other side so that the elastic contact portion 35 and the free end 36 are arranged at approximately the same front and rear positions.
[0175] In the above embodiment, the width of the extended portion 72 is described as being smaller than the width of the folded portion 73 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the width of the extended portion 72 may be substantially the same as the width of the folded portion 73 .
[0176] In the above embodiment, the first connector 50 has the outer wall 66 in the entire region in the arrangement direction of the first contacts 70, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first connector 50 may have the outer wall 66 in a partial region in the arrangement direction of the first contacts 70, or may not have the outer wall 66 at all.
[0177] In the above embodiment, the first insulator 60 is described as having the outer wall 66, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead of or in addition to the outer wall 66 constituting a part of the first insulator 60, the outer wall 66 may be formed independently of the first insulator 60 based on other components such as resin or metal.
[0178] In the above embodiment, the outer wall 66 is provided at the end of the region R on the extraction side or at a position on the extraction side relative to the end, but the invention is not limited thereto.
[0179] In the above embodiment, the second connector 10 has the protrusion 27 in the entire area in the arrangement direction of the second contacts 30 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. The second connector 10 may have the protrusion 27 in a part of the area in the arrangement direction of the second contacts 30 , or may not have the protrusion 27 at all.
[0180] In the above embodiment, the second insulator 20 is described as having the protrusion 27, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead of or in addition to the protrusion 27 constituting a part of the second insulator 20, the protrusion 27 may be formed independently of the second insulator 20 based on other components such as resin or metal.
[0181] In the above embodiment, it is described that the outer wall 66 protruding in the front-rear direction is provided in the first insulator 60, and the protrusion 27 protruding in the vertical direction is provided in the second insulator 20, but it is not limited to this. The structure corresponding to the outer wall 66 protruding in the front-rear direction can also be provided in the second insulator 20. For example, the structure can also be extended in the left-right direction along the inner side of the long side wall 23b of the second insulator 20. The structure corresponding to the protrusion 27 protruding in the vertical direction can also be provided in the first insulator 60. For example, instead of setting the upper surface of the long side wall 62b to be coplanar with the upper surface of the return portion 73 of the first contact 70 as in the above embodiment, it is also possible to protrude a section upward compared to the upper surface of the return portion 73 of the first contact 70, and this structure can also be obtained as such a protruding portion.
[0182] In the above embodiment, the first contact 70 is configured such that the fracture surface of all the structural parts faces the left-right direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first contact 70 may also be configured such that the rolled surface of all the structural parts faces the left-right direction, or a portion of the fracture surface faces the left-right direction and another portion of the rolled surface faces the left-right direction.
[0183] In the above embodiment, the second contact 30 is configured such that the fracture surface of all the structural parts faces the left-right direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The second contact 30 may also be configured such that the rolled surface of all the structural parts faces the left-right direction, or a portion of the fracture surface faces the left-right direction, and another portion of the rolled surface faces the left-right direction.
[0184] The end surface of the first metal member 80 in the mating direction is described as being located on the mating side compared to the end surface of the first contact 70 in the mating direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The end surface of the first metal member 80 in the mating direction may be the same plane as the end surface of the first contact 70 in the mating direction, or may be located on the extraction side compared to the end surface of the first contact 70 in the mating direction.
[0185] In the above embodiment, the upper surface of the portion of the first metal fitting assembly 65 that extends linearly in the left-right direction between the first wall portion 651 and the second wall portion 652 is described as being located at the same height as the upper surface of the first contact 70 held by the first insulator 60, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The upper surface of the portion may be located higher than the upper surface of the first contact 70 held by the first insulator 60 so that the end surface of the first metal fitting 80 in the mating direction is located on the mating side relative to the end surface of the first contact 70 in the mating direction.
[0186] In the above embodiment, the second metal member 40a is provided with a pair of extensions 49a, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Two or more pairs of extensions 49a may be provided at any position of the second metal member 40a, or any number of extensions 49a may be provided at any position without being provided in pairs.
[0187] In the above embodiment, the extension 49a is described as being located on the long side wall 23b, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The extension 49a may be located on the short side wall 23a instead of the long side wall 23b, or on the short side wall 23a in addition to the long side wall 23b.
[0188] In the above embodiment, the second insulator 20 is described as having the contacted portion 267, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The second insulator 20 may not have the contacted portion 267. The extension portion 49a of the second metal member 40a may not contact the second insulator 20 in the fitted state.
[0189] In the above embodiment, the contacted portion 267 is described as having the inclined surface 267a, which is inclined toward the inner side of the long side wall 23b as it moves toward the mating side, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The contacted portion 267 may also have any other structure provided on the mating side further inside the outer peripheral wall 23. For example, instead of a structure such as the inclined surface 267a that continuously inclines toward the inner side of the outer peripheral wall 23, the contacted portion 267 may also have a structure that changes in a step-like manner as it moves toward the mating side.
[0190] The contacted portion 267 may not be arranged on the inner side of the outer peripheral wall 23 on the mating side. For example, the contacted portion 267 may have a plane perpendicular to the bottom plate portion 21 instead of the inclined surface 267a. The contacted portion 267 may also be arranged to be a curved surface with an arbitrary curvature raised in a mountain shape instead of the vertical plane and the inclined surface 267a. In addition, the contacted portion 267 may not be arranged on the long side wall 23b but on the short side wall 23a, or in addition to being arranged on the long side wall 23b, it may also be arranged on the short side wall 23a.
[0191] In the above embodiment, the corner portion on the side of the outer peripheral wall 23 that contacts the contacted portion 267 in the extended portion 49a is set to a right angle, but it is not limited thereto. The corner portion may also have an R shape. As a result, the damage of the second insulator 20 caused by the contact between the second metal member 40a and the second insulator 20 of the contacted portion 267 can be reduced. Therefore, the contact pressure applied from the extended portion 49a to the first connector 50 can be maintained for a longer period of time. The firmness of the second connector 10 is improved, and the reliability of the second connector 10 as a product is improved.
[0192] In the above-mentioned embodiment, it is described that the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b are separated from each other, but it is not limited to this. The second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b may also be connected instead of being separated from each other. At this time, the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b may also be manufactured so that their respective strengths are different from each other in the integrated metal member as a whole. For example, the integrated metal member including the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b may also be manufactured from a tilting functional material. More specifically, the material of the third metal member 40b may also be a material different from that of the second metal member 40a, so that its strength is higher than that of the material of the second metal member 40a. For example, the integrated metal member including the second metal member 40a and the third metal member 40b may also be manufactured in a manner in which the plate thickness varies. More specifically, the plate thickness of the third metal member 40b may also be greater than the plate thickness of the second metal member 40a.
[0193] In the above embodiment, it is described that the strength of the third metal member 40b is higher than the strength of the second metal member 40a, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The strength of the second metal member 40a may also be higher than the strength of the third metal member 40b.
[0194] In the above embodiment, it is described that the thickness of the third metal member 40b can be made larger than the thickness of the second metal member 40a so that the strength of the third metal member 40b is higher than the strength of the second metal member 40a, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the thickness of the third metal member 40b can be smaller than the thickness of the second metal member 40a, or the strength of the third metal member 40b can be higher than the strength of the second metal member 40a. Conversely, the thickness of the third metal member 40b can be larger than the thickness of the second metal member 40a, or the strength of the third metal member 40b can be lower than the strength of the second metal member 40a.
[0195] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 44b is described as being located directly below the short side wall 23a, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The mounting portion 44b may be located adjacent to the fitting protrusion 22 so as to be close to a position in the third metal member 40b where external force is likely to act.
[0196] In the above embodiment, the second metal member 40a is described as being attached to the short side wall 23a, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the second metal member 40a may be attached only to the long side wall 23b instead of the short side wall 23a.
[0197] In the above embodiment, it is described that the first mounting portion 44a of the second metal member 40a is arranged on both sides of the third metal member 40b in the short side direction of the second connector 10, and the second mounting portion 48a is arranged on both sides of the third metal member 40b in the short side direction of the second connector 10, but it is not limited thereto. Alternatively, one of the first mounting portion 44a and the second mounting portion 48a may be arranged on both sides of the third metal member 40b in the short side direction of the second connector 10. Instead of two first mounting portions 44a, only one first mounting portion 44a may be arranged, or more than three first mounting portions 44a may be arranged. Similarly, instead of two second mounting portions 48a, only one first mounting portion 48a may be arranged, or more than three second mounting portions may be arranged.
[0198] The above connector module 1 is mounted on an electronic device including a circuit board CB1 and a circuit board CB2. The electronic device includes, for example, communication terminal devices such as smart phones, wearable devices such as smart watches, wireless headphones, and smart glasses, and any information processing devices such as personal computers, copiers, printers, fax machines, and multifunction machines. In addition, the electronic device includes any industrial equipment.
[0199] In such an electronic device, in the connector module 1 , impedance can be increased even when the connector module 1 is miniaturized.
[0200] According to the present disclosure, the following concepts can be extracted. (1)
[0202] A connector module including a first connector and a second connector that fit into each other;
[0203] The first connector comprises:
[0204] A first insulator having a first side wall of a first peripheral wall, wherein the first insulator and the second connector are engaged with each other;
[0205] A plurality of first contacts, mounted on the first side wall, wherein the first contacts have a first mounting portion and a first free end located on an opposite side of the first mounting portion;
[0206] The second connector comprises:
[0207] A second insulator having a second side wall of a second peripheral wall, wherein the second insulator is engaged with the first connector;
[0208] A plurality of second contacts mounted on the second side wall, wherein the second contacts have a second mounting portion and a second free end located on an opposite side of the second mounting portion;
[0209] In a mating state where the first connector and the second connector are mated with each other,
[0210] The first contact and the second contact are bounded by the first side wall, contacting on one side, i.e., the center side of the first connector, and separated on the other side;
[0211] The first free end and the second free end are both located on the one side. (2)
[0213] According to the connector module described in (1) above,
[0214] The first contact comprises: a first extension portion connected to the first mounting portion; and a return portion connecting the first extension portion and the first free end;
[0215] In an arrangement direction of the plurality of first contacts, a width of the first extending portion is smaller than a width of the folded portion. (3)
[0217] According to the connector module described in (2) above,
[0218] The first connector has an outer wall in at least a portion of a region in an arrangement direction of the plurality of first contacts, and the outer wall is extended on the other side relative to the first protruding portion. (4)
[0220] According to the connector module described in (3) above,
[0221] The first insulator has the outer wall. (5)
[0223] According to the connector module described in (3) or (4) above,
[0224] The outer wall is provided in a region in a fitting direction extending from the first mounting portion of the first contact to the first extending portion. (6)
[0226] The connector module according to any one of (2) to (5) above,
[0227] The second contact has a second extension portion, and in the mating state, the second extension portion and the return portion of the first contact are separated from and opposed to each other from a removal side where the first connector is removed relative to the second connector;
[0228] The second connector has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the removal side relative to the second extending portion. (7)
[0230] According to the connector module described in (6) above,
[0231] The second insulator has the protruding portion. (8)
[0233] The connector module according to any one of (1) to (7) above,
[0234] The first connector further comprises a first metal member, the first metal member being assembled to the first outer peripheral wall;
[0235] The second connector further comprises a second metal member, the second metal member being assembled to the second outer peripheral wall and being in contact with the first metal member in the engaged state;
[0236] An end surface of the first metal member in the mating direction is located on a mating side where the first connector is mated to the second connector, relative to an end surface of the first contact in the mating direction. (9)
[0238] The connector module according to any one of (1) to (8) above,
[0239] The first contact is integrally formed with the first insulator by insert molding. (10)
[0241] An electronic device comprises the connector module described in any one of (1) to (9) above.
[0242] Explanation of symbols
[0243] 1 Connector module
[0244] 10 Second connector
[0245] 20 Second Insulator
[0246] 21 Bottom plate
[0247] 22 fitting convex part
[0248] 23 outer peripheral wall (second outer peripheral wall)
[0249] 23a Short side wall
[0250] 23b Long side wall (second side wall)
[0251] 24 Second contact assembly slot
[0252] 25 third metal member holding portion
[0253] 251 Part 1
[0254] 252 Part 2
[0255] 253 Part III
[0256] 26 Second metal parts assembly part
[0257] 261 first wall
[0258] 262 Second wall
[0259] 263 Third wall
[0260] 264 first assembly slot
[0261] 265 Second assembly slot
[0262] 266 Fourth Wall
[0263] 267 Contacted
[0264] 267a Inclined surface
[0265] 27 Protrusion
[0266] 30 Second contact
[0267] 31 Mounting portion (second mounting portion)
[0268] 32 stopper
[0269] 33 bending part
[0270] 34 elastic contact piece
[0271] 34a Extension (second extension)
[0272] 35 Elastic contact part
[0273] 36 Free end (second free end)
[0274] 40a Second metal member
[0275] 41a First base
[0276] 42a Second base
[0277] 43a protruding piece
[0278] 44a first mounting portion
[0279] 45a first locking portion
[0280] 46a bending part
[0281] 46a1 first engaging portion
[0282] 46a2 Second engagement portion
[0283] 47a Second locking portion
[0284] 48a Second mounting portion
[0285] 49a Extension
[0286] 49a1 first engaging portion
[0287] 49a2 Second engagement portion
[0288] 40b Third metal part
[0289] 41b First base
[0290] 42b Second base
[0291] 43b wide section
[0292] 44b Installation
[0293] 50 First Connector
[0294] 60 First Insulator
[0295] 61 Bottom plate
[0296] 62 outer peripheral wall (first outer peripheral wall)
[0297] 62a Short side wall
[0298] 62b Long side wall (first side wall)
[0299] 63 fitting recess
[0300] 64 first contact holding portion
[0301] 65 First metal parts assembly part
[0302] 651 First Wall
[0303] 652 Second wall
[0304] 653 first assembly slot
[0305] 654 second assembly slot
[0306] 66 outer wall
[0307] 70 First contact
[0308] 71 mounting portion (first mounting portion)
[0309] 72 extension portion (first extension portion)
[0310] 73 Turnaround
[0311] 74 Contact Department
[0312] 75 Free end (first free end)
[0313] 80 First Metal Parts
[0314] 81 First base
[0315] 82 Second base
[0316] 83 First protruding piece
[0317] 831 first engaging portion
[0318] 832 second engaging portion
[0319] 84 first installation part
[0320] 85 First stopper
[0321] 86 Bending section
[0322] 87 second protruding piece
[0323] 871 first engaging portion
[0324] 872 second engaging portion
[0325] 88 Second installation part
[0326] 89 Second stopper
[0327] CB1 Circuit Board
[0328] CB2 Circuit Board
[0329] R area.
Claims
1. A connector module, comprising a first connector and a second connector that fit into each other; The first connector comprises: A first insulator having a first side wall of a first peripheral wall, wherein the first insulator and the second connector are engaged with each other; A plurality of first contacts, mounted on the first side wall, wherein the first contacts have a first mounting portion and a first free end located on an opposite side of the first mounting portion; The second connector comprises: A second insulator having a second side wall of a second peripheral wall, wherein the second insulator is engaged with the first connector; A plurality of second contacts mounted on the second side wall, wherein the second contacts have a second mounting portion and a second free end located on an opposite side of the second mounting portion; In a mating state where the first connector and the second connector are mated with each other, The first contact and the second contact are bounded by the first side wall, contacting on one side, i.e., the center side of the first connector, and separated on the other side; The first free end and the second free end are both located on the one side.
2. The connector module according to claim 1, wherein the first contact has: A first extension portion, connected to the first mounting portion; a folding portion connecting the first extending portion and the first free end; In an arrangement direction of the plurality of first contacts, a width of the first extending portion is smaller than a width of the folded portion. 3 . The connector module according to claim 2 , wherein the first connector has an outer wall in at least a portion of a region in an arrangement direction of the plurality of first contacts, and the outer wall is extended on the other side than the first protruding portion. The connector module according to claim 3 , wherein the first insulator has the outer wall. 5 . The connector module according to claim 3 , wherein the outer wall is provided in a region in a mating direction extending from the first mounting portion of the first contact to the first extending portion.
6. The connector module according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second contact has a second extension portion, and in the mating state, the second extension portion and the return portion of the first contact are separated from and opposed to a removal side of the first connector relative to the second connector; The second connector has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the removal side relative to the second extending portion. The connector module according to claim 6 , wherein the second insulator has the protrusion.
8. The connector module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The first connector further comprises a first metal member, the first metal member being assembled to the first outer peripheral wall; The second connector further comprises a second metal member, the second metal member being assembled to the second outer peripheral wall and being in contact with the first metal member in the engaged state; An end surface of the first metal member in the mating direction is located on a mating side where the first connector is mated to the second connector, relative to an end surface of the first contact in the mating direction. 9 . The connector module according to claim 1 , wherein the first contact is integrally formed with the first insulator by insert molding. 10 . An electronic device comprising the connector module according to claim 1 .
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Thermally conductive sheet
JP2022117506A