Connector and substrate assembly and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a connector and substrate assembly capable of detecting breakage of a socket connector, and an electronic device. An assembly (12) of a connector and a substrate is provided with a receptacle connector (26) and a substrate (28) to which the receptacle connector (26) is mounted. The socket connector (26) has a tongue portion (34) provided with an electrode (42) at a substantially middle portion in the vertical direction in which the plug is inserted into the hollow portion (30b). The tongue section (34) is provided with insulating layers (40) above and below a metal plate (38), and electrodes (42) are provided on the surfaces of the upper and lower insulating layers (40). The metal plate (38) has a first portion (48a) and a second portion (48b) which extend from the base end side toward the opening side and which are conductive to each other on the opening side. The first portion (48a) is connected to a signal input port (28aa) in a substrate (28) and is connected to a power source (P) via a pull-up resistor (50), and the second portion (48b) is connected to ground (G).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and substrate assembly including a socket connector and a substrate on which the socket connector is mounted, and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] A notebook or tablet computer has a socket connector on the side of a flat-shaped housing. The socket connector is mostly mounted on the edge of a motherboard. The socket connector sometimes has a tongue portion having electrodes at a substantially middle portion in the vertical direction where a plug is inserted into a hollow portion (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-36484

[0004] However, if an excessive force greater than assumed is applied to the socket connector, the tongue portion is damaged, and functions related to the socket connector in the motherboard (such as a charging function) cannot be performed. In a case where it is difficult to identify a failure portion by visual observation or the like, the motherboard itself is replaced, and there is a concern that the cost burden on the user becomes large. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a connector and substrate assembly and an electronic device capable of detecting damage to a socket connector.

[0006] The connector and substrate assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention is a connector and substrate assembly including a socket connector and a substrate on which the socket connector is mounted. The socket connector has a tongue portion at a substantially middle portion in the vertical direction where a plug is inserted into a hollow portion. The tongue portion has electrodes. The tongue portion has a first ground-level conductor and a second ground-level conductor that extend from the base end side toward the opening side of the socket connector and are electrically connected to each other at the opening side. The first ground-level conductor is connected to a signal input port of a detection and judgment unit in the substrate and is connected to a power supply via a pull-up resistor. The second ground-level conductor is connected to ground.

[0007] The electronic device according to the second aspect of the present invention is an electronic device including a socket connector and a substrate on which the socket connector is mounted. The socket connector has a tongue portion at a substantially middle portion in the vertical direction where a plug is inserted into a hollow portion. The tongue portion has electrodes. The tongue portion has a first ground-level conductor and a second ground-level conductor that extend from the base end side toward the opening side of the socket connector and are electrically connected to each other at the opening side. The first ground-level conductor is connected to a signal input port of a detection and judgment unit in the substrate and is connected to a power supply via a pull-up resistor. The second ground-level conductor is connected to ground in the substrate.

[0008] According to the above method of the present invention, damage to the socket connector can be detected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook PC according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of the socket connector.

[0011] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the socket connector.

[0012] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is Figure 3 a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

[0013] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a view of the socket connector as viewed from the outside.

[0014] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the socket connector.

[0015] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of the socket connector.

[0016] Figure 8 FIG. 8 is a view showing a part of the circuit in the metal plate and the substrate to which the metal plate is connected.

[0017] Figure 9 FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of the front end of the tongue portion in the socket connector according to the first modification, (a) is a view showing the normal state, (b) is a view showing the first abnormal state, and (c) is a view showing the second abnormal state.

[0018] Figure 10 FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of the socket connector according to the first modification.

[0019] Figure 11 FIG. 11 is a view showing the bottom surface of the socket connector according to the first modification and a part of the circuit in the substrate to which the socket connector is connected.

[0020] Figure 12 FIG. 12 is a view showing the bottom surface of the socket connector according to the second modification and a part of the circuit in the substrate to which the socket connector is connected.

[0021] Figure 13 FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of the front end of the tongue portion in the socket connector according to the second modification.

[0022] DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0023] 10... Notebook PC; 12... Assembly of connector and substrate; 26, 26A... Socket connectors; 28... Substrate; 28aa... Signal input port; 30... Plug holding cylinder; 32... Housing; 34, 34A... Tongues; 38... Metal plate; 38A... Metal plate (second ground level conductor); 40... Insulating layer; 42... Electrodes; 42a... Ground electrode; 42b... High-speed transmission electrode; 42c... High-speed reception electrode; 44... Mounting terminals; 44a... Ground terminal; 46... Notch; 48a... First part (first ground level conductor); 48b... Second part (second ground level conductor); 50... Pull-up resistor; 52... Capacitor; 56... Abnormality detection electrode (first ground level conductor); 58... Contact part; 60... Abnormality detection terminal. Detailed implementation

[0024] Hereinafter, based on the drawings, embodiments of the connector and substrate assembly and the electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

[0025] Hereinafter, based on the drawings, embodiments of the connector and substrate assembly and the electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

[0026] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the electronic device, that is, the notebook PC (electronic device) 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The notebook PC 10 includes the connector and substrate assembly 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The connector and substrate assembly 12 is assembled inside the housing 14 of the notebook PC 10. The electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to the notebook PC 10, and may be, for example, a desktop PC, a mobile tablet terminal, etc.

[0027] In the notebook PC 10, the lid 16 can be opened and closed relative to the housing 14 by the hinge 18, and becomes small when the lid 16 is closed, which is suitable for mobile use.

[0028] A keyboard device 20 and a touchpad 22 are provided on the housing 14. On the front surface of the lid 16, a display device 24 that occupies most of its area and speakers and a camera (not shown) are provided.

[0029] The assembly 12 of the connector and the substrate is assembled to the housing 14. The assembly 12 of the connector and the substrate includes a socket connector 26 and a substrate 28. The substrate 28 is the main substrate in the notebook PC 10 and is disposed inside the housing 14 substantially across the left and right ends. A CPU (detection and judgment unit) 28a that controls the entirety of the notebook PC 10 is mounted on the substrate 28. In the assembly 12 of the connector and the substrate, the substrate 28 on which the socket connector 26 is mounted may also be a sub-substrate different from the main substrate. The socket connector 26 is in a so-called top-mounting manner with respect to one surface of the substrate 28, but may also be mounted in a so-called middle-mounting manner such as being embedded in a notch formed in the substrate 28. The mounting manner of the socket connector 26 with respect to the substrate 28 is not limited to soldering, and may also be a detachable pin contact type or the like.

[0030] For ease of explanation, the side of the housing 14 is set as the outside and the inside of the housing 14 is set as the inside around the socket connector 26. In addition, based on the substrate 28, the side on which more components are mounted is set as the upper side and the opposite side is set as the lower side. The upper and lower reference may be opposite to the housing 14, and the side where the keyboard device 20 is provided becomes the lower side. These directional designations are for ease of explanation, and the invention is not limited thereto.

[0031] Figure 2 It is a perspective schematic view of the socket connector 26. Figure 3 It is a sectional side view of the socket connector 26. Figure 4 It is Figure 3 a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 5 a view of the socket connector 26 observed from the outside (opening side).

[0032] The socket connector 26 is, for example, a small connector of a so-called standard USB Type-C and is used for data transmission and charging. The socket connector 26 may also be an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface (registered trademark)) or the like. The socket connector 26 is formed based on a flat plug holding cylinder 30 with rounded corners. The plug holding cylinder 30 is generally made of metal. A connector hole 14a is formed on the side surface of the housing 14 (refer to Figure 1) The plug-holding cylinder 30 has a plug insertion opening 30a from which the plug of the plug-holding cylinder 30 protrudes from the connector hole 14a. A plug connector (not shown) is inserted and connected into a plug insertion hollow portion 30b corresponding to the inside of the plug insertion opening 30a. The plug connector can be inserted in the opposite up-and-down direction. The plug-holding cylinder 30 is mounted in a state where its lower surface is placed on the upper surface of the substrate 28, and its side surface and upper surface are covered by a metal housing 32. The housing 32 is in a flat horseshoe shape and is mounted on the substrate 28. The housing 32 is substantially integrated with the plug-holding cylinder 30 and is regarded as a part of the socket connector 26. The plug-holding cylinder 30 and the housing 32 are electrically conductively connected to the ground of the substrate 28 and have an electromagnetic shielding effect.

[0033] The socket connector 26 has a tongue portion 34 at a substantially middle portion in the up-and-down direction in the plug insertion hollow portion 30b of the plug-holding cylinder 30. The tongue portion 34 is in a plate shape and extends outward from the inner molded base portion 36 in the socket connector 26 inside the plug-holding cylinder 30. The tongue portion 34 has substantially the same degree of clearance from the upper, lower, left, and right walls of the plug-holding cylinder 30 when viewed from the outside (refer to Figure 5 ). The front end portion 34b of the tongue portion 34, which is closer to the outside than the inner base end portion 34a, is slightly thinner (refer to Figure 3 ), and an inclined step 34c is formed therebetween. The front end of the tongue portion 34 is slightly closer to the inside than the outside end of the plug-holding cylinder 30.

[0034] A metal plate 38 is provided at the upper and lower middle portions of the tongue portion 34, and insulating layers 40 made of a resin material are provided above and below the metal plate 38. The metal plate 38 and the upper and lower insulating layers 40 have substantially the same thickness. The outer ends 38a of the metal plate 38 slightly protrude from the insulating layer 40 and contact the ground terminals of the plug connector. Two mounting terminals 38ba and 38bb are formed at the inner ends of the metal plate 38 (also refer to Figure 6 ). The mounting terminals 38ba and 38bb are bent downward at the inner portion. The mounting terminal 38ba is electrically connected to the detection line D of the substrate 28 (refer to Figure 8 ), and the mounting terminal 38bb is electrically connected to the ground G of the substrate 28 (refer to Figure 8 ).

[0035] A plurality of electrodes 42 are provided on the tongue portion 34. The electrodes 42 are exposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the front end portion 34b and contact the electrodes of the plug connector. In this embodiment, 12 electrodes 42 are provided on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the front end portion 34b, for a total of 24 electrodes. The electrodes 42 pass through the inside of the base end portion 34a and are bent downward inside the molded base portion 36, and their lower ends become mounting terminals 44 that are electrically connected to the substrate 28.

[0036] Figure 6It is a bottom view of the socket connector 26. The mounting terminals 44 are slightly staggered in the inner and outer directions and arranged in two columns. Among them, the mounting terminals in the outer column are connected to the lower surface side of the tongue portion 34, and the mounting terminals in the inner column are connected to the upper surface side of the tongue portion 34. The inner column and the outer column are slightly staggered in the vertical direction of the paper surface of Figure 6 The total of four ends of the inner column and the outer column of the mounting terminals 44 are ground terminals 44a, which are electrically connected to the ground of the substrate 28. The ground terminal 44a is connected to the ground electrode 42a.

[0037] Four mounting terminals 32a protrude from the lower edge of the housing 32 and are electrically connected to the ground of the substrate 28. The plug holding cylinder 30 is in contact with the housing 32 and becomes electrically equipotential with the housing 32. In addition, the mounting terminal 32a, the mounting terminal 38bb, and the ground terminal 44a that become the ground level are not connected to each other inside the socket connector 26 and are connected via the ground of the substrate 28.

[0038] Figure 7 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the socket connector 26. Electrodes 42 are provided in two stages above and below the tongue portion 34, and both ends of each stage are ground electrodes 42a. The ground electrode 42a and the metal plate 38 are shown by thin dot patterns. The ground electrode 42a is longer than other electrodes (refer to Figure 4 ). Two adjacent electrodes of the ground electrodes 42a on the left side of the upper stage and the right side of the lower stage are high-speed transmission electrodes 42b. Two adjacent electrodes of the ground electrodes 42a on the right side of the upper stage and the left side of the lower stage are high-speed reception electrodes 42c. Closer to the inside of the high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c are power supply electrodes 42d. The power supply electrodes 42d are shown by thick dot patterns. The power supply electrodes 42d are shorter than the ground electrodes 42a and longer than other electrodes 42 (refer to Figure 4 ). Adjacent to each other of the power supply electrodes 42d on the left side of the upper stage and the right side of the lower stage are plug direction detection electrodes 42e. Adjacent to each other of the power supply electrodes 42d on the right side of the upper stage and the left side of the lower stage are extension electrodes 42f. Adjacent to each other of the plug direction detection electrodes 42e on the left side of the upper stage and the right side of the lower stage are low-speed transmission electrodes 42g. Adjacent to each other of the extension electrodes 42f on the right side of the upper stage and the left side of the lower stage are low-speed reception electrodes 42h.

[0039] The high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c are electrodes for signals that form a pair for communication. The low-speed transmission electrode 42g and the low-speed reception electrode 42h are electrodes for signals that form a pair for communication. The communication based on the high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c is faster than the communication based on the low-speed transmission electrode 42g and the low-speed reception electrode 42h. In other words, the high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c become the highest-speed signal line electrodes in the socket connector 26.

[0040] The high-speed transmission electrodes 42b, high-speed reception electrodes 42c, plug direction detection electrodes 42e, extension electrodes 42f, low-speed transmission electrodes 42g, and low-speed reception electrodes 42h of the upper and lower segments are surrounded by the plug holding cylinder 30 at the ground potential and the ground electrode 42a, with less electromagnetic leakage. In addition, the upper and lower segments are separated by the metal plate 38, with less mutual interference. The metal plate 38 also serves to ensure the strength of the tongue portion 34. The high-speed transmission electrodes 42b and high-speed reception electrodes 42c are more likely to generate noise compared to the low-speed transmission electrodes 42g and low-speed reception electrodes 42h, but with both sides in positions clamped by the ground electrode 42a and the power supply electrode 42d, there is less electromagnetic leakage.

[0041] Figure 8 FIG. is a diagram showing a part of the circuit in the metal plate 38 and the substrate 28 to which the metal plate 38 is connected. The metal plate 38 is generally square, with the inner ends 38c bulging outwards on both sides and the outer ends 38a slightly protruding. The plurality of holes 38d provided in the metal plate 38 are holes for integral molding with the insulating layer 40 (refer to Figure 3 ). The inner ends 38c of the metal plate 38 are disposed inside the base end portion 34a (refer to Figure 3 ), and the other parts are disposed inside the front end portion 34b. The mounting terminals 38ba, 38bb are connected to the ends of the inner ends 38c. The mounting terminal 38ba is connected to the upper side of the paper surface in Figure 8 among the two inner ends 38c, and the mounting terminal 38bb is connected to the lower side of the paper surface.

[0042] A thin slit-like notch 46 extending in the inner and outer directions and opening inward is formed in the metal plate 38. The notch 46 is located Figure 8 near the upper side of the paper surface in Figure 8 , separating the metal plate 38 into a first part (first ground level conductor) 48a with a narrow width on the upper side and a second part (second ground level conductor) 48b with a wide width on the lower side. The portion of the first part 48a formed at the inner end 38c is slightly wider, and the portion closer to the outer side is thinner. The inner end 46a of the notch 46 is inclined at about 45° in a manner of approaching the upper side inward. The outer end 46b of the notch 46 communicates with one of the holes 38d. The metal plate 38 including the notch 46 and the holes 38d is cut out from the plate material by a single punching process, so there is no need for special processing to form the notch 46 and the holes 38d, and there is almost no increase in cost.

[0043] The first part 48a and the second part 48b respectively extend from the base end side towards the plug insertion opening 30a side (outer side) and are electrically connected to each other at the outer part. Since the mounting terminal 38bb is connected to the ground G, the first part 48a and the second part 48b are both at 0 potential, that is, the ground level, under normal conditions.

[0044] The first part 48a is connected to the signal input port 28aa of the CPU 28a in the substrate 28 via the mounting terminal 38ba and the detection line D, and is connected to the power supply P via the pull-up resistor 50. In addition, a capacitor 52 is provided between the detection line D and the ground G. The signal input port 28aa is, for example, a GPIO (General-Purpose Input / Output), and is detected as 0 when the input voltage is at the ground G level and as 1 when it is at the power supply P level. The capacitor 52 shorts the first part 48a and the ground G with respect to the AC component, and thus has a ground return effect for high-speed noise overlapping with the first part 48a.

[0045] The first part 48a is normally at the ground level. Therefore, as shown by the arrow A, "0" is detected in the CPU 28a, and the socket connector 26 is recognized as normal. On the other hand, if an excessive force exceeding the assumption is applied to the socket connector 26 via a plug connector or the like, it is also considered that the tongue portion 34 is damaged. For example, as Figure 3 shown by the imaginary line, it is bent at the step 34c or the like. In this case, there is a concern that the first part 48a, which is sufficiently thinner than the second part 48b in the metal plate 38, is cut off. An example of the portion where cutting is a concern is schematically shown by the reference numeral 54.

[0046] If the first part 48a is cut off at the portion of the reference numeral 54, there is no conduction with the second part 48b. Therefore, the potential of the detection line D becomes the same potential as the power supply P via the pull-up resistor 50. Thus, as shown by the arrow B, "1" is detected in the CPU 28a, and the breakage of the socket connector 26 can be detected.

[0047] In addition, if the first part 48a and the second part 48b have the same thickness, it is also possible that neither of them is cut off and the abnormality cannot be detected. However, as in this embodiment, by setting the first part 48a and the second part 48b to have different thicknesses, the thinner side is cut off and the abnormality can be detected. It is considered that the metal plate 38 is cut off at the thin first part 48a, but the same detection is possible even when the thick second part 48b or the boundary portion between the first part 48a and the second part 48b is cut off. In the first part 48a and the second part 48b, by making the second part 48b directly connected to the ground G relatively thick, the electromagnetic shielding effect is appropriately maintained.

[0048] When the signal detected by the signal input port 28aa is "1", the CPU 28a displays "connector abnormality" or the like on the display device 24 to notify the user and the operator. In addition, when the signal detected by the signal input port 28aa is "0", no special corresponding action is required, and the display device 24 can also display "connector normal" or the like according to the specifications. Basically, the CPU 28a always investigates the abnormality of the socket connector 26 through the signal input port 28aa, but it can also be performed at system startup, at a specified interval, or at a specified timing (for example, when an abnormality investigation request is made by the user). The state detection of the detection line D is not necessarily limited to software-based digital processing, and a buzzer sound or lighting can also be performed through an analog circuit.

[0049] In addition, sometimes only the thin first part 48a is cut off, which hardly hinders the electrical functions of the socket connector 26, and charging, communication, etc. can continue. Especially when the detection of the signal input port 28aa is not always "1", but is approximately "0" and rarely "1", the CPU 28a can also display "connector attention", "connector check", etc. instead of "connector abnormality" according to its judgment.

[0050] When charging and communication based on the socket connector 26 cannot be performed in the notebook PC 10, if the display device 24 displays "connector abnormality", the user and the operator can determine the failure location and can focus on adjusting and repairing the socket connector 26. In addition, by replacing the socket connector 26, it is not necessary to replace the relatively expensive motherboard itself, which can reduce the cost burden on the user.

[0051] Return to Figure 7 The notch 46 is formed thin enough so as not to reduce the function of grounding the metal plate 38. In this embodiment, in Figure 7 the range from the right ends of the high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c to the right end of the ground electrode 42a. When observing in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the tongue portion 34 ( Figure 7 observing the up and down directions of the paper surface in ), at least a part of the notch 46 overlaps with the upper and lower ground electrodes 42a. In addition, there is no metal plate 38 in the part of the notch 46, but the upper and lower ground electrodes 42a correspondingly supplement the electromagnetic leakage function. Even if a part or all of the position of the notch 46 overlaps with the power supply electrode 42d, the power supply electrode 42d also plays a role in preventing electromagnetic leakage.

[0052] That is, when viewed in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the tongue portion 34, the notch 46 is formed so as not to overlap with the high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c which are the signal line electrodes with the highest speed among the electrodes 42. Thereby, the metal plate 38 is not disconnected at the portion where the notch 46 faces the high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c, and the path (echo path) of the echo current of the high-frequency signal can be appropriately ensured to reduce noise. If the notch 46 overlaps with the electrodes 42b and 42c of the high-speed signal, deterioration of echo loss is a concern. Therefore, considering reasons such as processing, if a certain width is required, it is preferably set at a position overlapping with the ground electrode 42a. In addition, the noise emitted by the high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c in the vertical direction is shielded by the plug holding cylinder 30 or the metal plate 38. And since the metal plate 38 separates between the high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c, mutual interference can be prevented.

[0053] Next, the socket connector 26A according to the first modification example and the circuit of the socket connector 26A will be described.

[0054] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front end of the tongue portion 34A in the socket connector 26A, (a) is a diagram showing the normal state, (b) is a diagram showing the first abnormal state, and (c) is a diagram showing the second abnormal state. Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the socket connector 26A. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the bottom surface of the socket connector 26A and a part of the circuit in the substrate 28 to which the socket connector 26A is connected. In the description of the socket connector 26A, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the socket connector 26, and the detailed description is omitted.

[0055] The socket connector 26A has a tongue portion 34A and a metal plate 38A corresponding to the above-mentioned tongue portion 34 and metal plate 38. The metal plate (second ground level conductor) 38A does not have the notch 46 in the above-mentioned metal plate 38. In the tongue portion 34A, one of the four ground electrodes 42a is used as an abnormality detection electrode (first ground level conductor) 56. The front end portion of the abnormality detection electrode 56 serves as a contact portion 58 to contact and conduct with the metal plate 38A. In other words, the tongue portion 34A has the abnormality detection electrode 56 and the metal plate 38A which extend from the base end side toward the opening side and are conductively connected to each other at the opening side. The abnormality detection electrode 56 is connected to the signal input port 28aa and is connected to the power supply P via the pull-up resistor 50, and the metal plate 38A is connected to the ground G.

[0056] As Figure 9As shown in (a) thereof, the front end of the electrode 42 is inclined so as to approach the metal plate 38 toward the outside, and this portion is covered by a part of the insulating layer 40 and protected. The front end portion of the abnormality detection electrode 56 is inclined to contact the metal plate 38 to form a contact portion 58. The contact portion 58 is formed by crimping or welding or the like and is integrally formed with the insulating layer 40 for protection. The abnormality detection electrode 56 is sufficiently thinner than the metal plate 38.

[0057] In the socket connector 26A, the mounting terminal 38bb is electrically connected to the ground G (refer to Figure 11 ) in the same manner as in the above example. In addition, the mounting terminal 38ba is also connected to the ground G.

[0058] In the socket connector 26A, one of the four ground terminals 44a connected to the abnormality detection electrode 56, that is, the abnormality detection terminal 60, is connected to the detection line D. Therefore, in the socket connector 26A, the abnormality detection electrode 56 has the same function as the first portion 48a in the above example. That is, as Figure 9 shown in (b) thereof, if the abnormality detection electrode 56 is cut off in the middle, there is no conduction with the metal plate 38, and thus the potential of the detection line D becomes the same potential as the power supply P via the pull-up resistor 50. Therefore, as indicated by the arrow B, “1” is detected in the CPU 28a, and the breakage of the socket connector 26A can be detected.

[0059] In addition, the front end of the electrode 42 is covered by the insulating layer 40 and protected, but if a strong stress other than the assumed one is applied due to the insertion and removal of the plug connector, as Figure 9 shown in (c) thereof, it is considered that the resin is peeled off. In this case, the front end of the abnormality detection electrode 56 is exposed and away from the metal plate 38, and there is no conduction with the metal plate 38. Therefore, Figure 9 similar to the case of (b) thereof, the breakage of the socket connector 26A can be detected.

[0060] Next, the socket connector 26B according to the second modification and the circuit of the socket connector 26B will be described.

[0061] Figure 12 FIG. is a diagram showing a part of the bottom surface of the socket connector 28B and the circuit in the substrate to which the socket connector 28B is connected. Figure 13 FIG. is a cross-sectional schematic view of the front end of the tongue portion 38B in the socket connector 26B.

[0062] The socket connector 26B has a tongue portion 34B corresponding to the above-mentioned tongue portion 34 and a metal plate 38B corresponding to the metal plate 38. Among the four ground electrodes 42a in the tongue portion 34B, one is used as the same abnormality detection electrode 56 as described above, and further two are used as abnormality detection electrodes 56a and 56b. The abnormality detection electrode 56 and the abnormality detection electrodes 56a and 56b are on opposite sides. As Figure 13 shown, the front ends of the abnormality detection electrodes 56a and 56b are in contact at the contact portion 58a. This contact portion 58a does not contact the metal plate 38B.

[0063] In the socket connector 26B, the abnormality detection terminal 60a connected to the abnormality detection electrode 56a among the four ground terminals 44a is connected to the detection line D. In addition, the abnormality detection terminal 60b connected to the abnormality detection electrode 56b is connected to the abnormality detection electrode 56. That is, the abnormality detection electrodes 56, 56a, and 56b are connected in series. If such a socket connector 26B is used, when any one of the three abnormality detection electrodes 56, 56a, and 56b is cut off midway, there is no conduction with the metal plate 38, so the potential of the detection line D becomes the same potential as the power supply P via the pull-up resistor 50. Therefore, the detection accuracy of abnormalities is improved.

[0064] The four ground electrodes 44a can also be used as abnormality detection electrodes and read in at the signal input port 28aa via a 4-input 1-output OR circuit. In addition, a four-port signal input port 28aa can be prepared and read in independently.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can of course be freely changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector and substrate assembly, comprising a socket connector and a substrate on which the socket connector is mounted, characterized in that: The socket connector has a tongue portion at a substantially middle portion in the vertical direction of the plug insertion hollow portion, and the tongue portion has an electrode. The tongue portion includes a first grounding conductor and a second grounding conductor extending from a base end side toward an opening side of the receptacle connector and conducting with each other at the opening side. The first ground level conductor is connected to a signal input port of the detection and judgment unit of the substrate and is connected to a power source via a pull-up resistor. The second ground level conductor is connected to ground.

2. The connector and substrate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tongue is provided with insulating layers above and below the metal plate, and the electrodes are provided on the surfaces of the upper and lower insulating layers. The first ground level conductor and the second ground level conductor are separated by a slit-shaped notch formed in the metal plate.

3. The connector and substrate assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the tongue portion, the notch does not overlap with the highest-speed signal line electrode among the electrodes.

4. The connector and substrate assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: A ground electrode is provided on the tongue portion adjacent to the highest-speed signal line electrode. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the tongue portion, the notch overlaps the ground electrode along the highest-speed signal line electrode.

5. The connector and substrate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tongue is provided with insulating layers above and below the metal plate, and the electrodes are provided on the surfaces of the upper and lower insulating layers. The first ground level conductor is a ground electrode among the electrodes, The second ground level conductor is the metal plate.

6. The connector and substrate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first ground level conductor is thinner than the second ground level conductor.

7. An electronic device comprising a socket connector and a substrate on which the socket connector is mounted, characterized in that: The socket connector has a tongue portion at a substantially middle portion in the vertical direction of the plug insertion hollow portion, and the tongue portion has an electrode. The tongue portion includes a first grounding conductor and a second grounding conductor extending from a base end side toward an opening side of the receptacle connector and conducting with each other at the opening side. The first ground level conductor is connected to a signal input port of the detection and judgment unit in the substrate and is connected to a power source via a pull-up resistor. The second ground level conductor is connected to ground in the substrate.

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