Connector system and connector

Abstract

A connector system (1) includes a connector (2) and a connector (3). The connector (2) has an insulating housing (100), a contact (200), and a housing (300). The connector 3 has: a mating insulating housing 520; a mating contact (530); and a mating housing (600) that cooperates with the housing (300) to form a surrounding body (900) that surrounds the contact (200) and the mating contact (530) around an axis along the fitting direction (D12). In the circumferential direction, the length of each of the portion where the housing 300 constitutes the surrounding body 900 without overlapping the mating housing 600 and the portion where the mating housing 600 constitutes the surrounding body 900 without overlapping the housing 300 is longer than the total length of the portion where the housing 300 constitutes the surrounding body 900 without overlapping the mating housing 600.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector system and a connector. Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a socket connector connected to a plug connector is disclosed. The plug connector includes: a conductive signal contact member connected to the inner conductor of the cable; and a conductive outer shell portion surrounding the signal contact member. The socket connector includes: a conductive contact member connected to the signal contact member of the plug connector; and a conductive outer shell portion surrounding the contact member and connected to the outer shell portion of the plug connector.

[0003] [Prior Art Documents]

[0004] [Patent Documents]

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-075315 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0007] The present disclosure provides a connector system that effectively balances the reliability of signal transmission and miniaturization.

[0008] [Technical Means for Solving the Problems]

[0009] A connector system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a connector and a mating connector. The connector has: an insulating housing; conductive contacts held by the insulating housing; and a conductive outer shell held by the insulating housing so as to be disposed around the contacts. The mating connector has: a mating insulating housing that fits with the insulating housing along the fitting direction; conductive mating contacts held by the mating insulating housing and contacting the contacts when the mating insulating housing is fitted to the insulating housing; and a conductive mating outer shell held by the mating insulating housing, which, when the mating insulating housing is fitted to the insulating housing, cooperates with the outer shell to form an enclosure that surrounds the contacts and the mating contacts along an axis in the fitting direction. And in the circumferential direction around the axis, the lengths of the portions of the outer shell and the mating outer shell that form the enclosure without overlapping with each other are longer than the total length of the portion of the enclosure formed by the overlapping of the outer shell and the mating outer shell.

[0010] An enclosure surrounding the contacts and the mating contacts can be formed while reducing the overlapping portion of the outer shell and the mating outer shell. Therefore, the reliability of signal transmission and miniaturization are effectively balanced.

[0011] It is feasible that the connector further has: a conductive second contact, which is held by the insulating housing in a manner that the arrangement direction is perpendicular to the fitting direction and the second contact is arranged along with the contacts; a conductive second housing, which is held by the insulating housing in a manner that it is disposed around the second contact; the mating connector further has: a conductive mating second contact, which is held by the mating insulating housing in a manner that the mating second contact is arranged along with the mating contacts in the arrangement direction, and contacts the second contact when the mating insulating housing is fitted to the insulating housing; and a conductive mating second housing, which is held by the mating insulating housing and, when the mating insulating housing is fitted to the insulating housing, cooperates with the second housing to form a second enclosure that surrounds the second contact and the mating second contact along the axis in the fitting direction; and in the circumferential direction around the axis, the lengths of the portions of the second housing and the mating second housing that do not overlap to form the second enclosure are each longer than the total length of the portion of the second housing and the mating second housing that overlaps to form the second enclosure. It is also possible to form the second enclosure with the second contact and the mating second contact while reducing the overlapping portion of the second housing and the mating second housing. Therefore, the reliability of signal transmission and miniaturization can be more effectively balanced.

[0012] It is feasible that the contact and the second contact are electrically connected to the first signal line and the second signal line of the circuit substrate, and the mating contact and the mating second contact are electrically connected to the first signal conductor and the second signal conductor of one or more cables. This is effective for miniaturizing the machine equipped with the circuit substrate.

[0013] It is feasible that the insulating housing has an opposing surface that faces the circuit substrate, and the arrangement direction and the fitting direction are parallel to the opposing surface. This is effective for miniaturizing the connector relative to the circuit substrate.

[0014] The housing may include a contact portion that contacts the mating housing at the portion where the housing and the mating housing overlap to form the enclosure. By the contact between the housing and the mating housing, the reliability of signal transmission can be further improved.

[0015] The enclosure may continuously surround the contact and the mating contact. By the contact between the housing and the mating housing, the reliability of signal transmission can be further improved.

[0016] The lengths of the portions of the housing and the mating housing that do not overlap to form the enclosure may each account for more than 1 / 4 of the entire circumference of the enclosure. This is more effective for miniaturization.

[0017] It is feasible that the portion of the housing that does not overlap with the mating housing to form the enclosure includes: a pair of side portions that face each other in the opposing direction perpendicular to the fitting direction; and a base portion that connects the pair of side portions; the portion of the mating housing that does not overlap with the housing to form the enclosure includes a mating base portion that faces the base portion. This is more effective for miniaturization.

[0018] It is feasible that the housing has a pair of overlapping portions respectively connected to a pair of side portions, and the mating housing has a pair of mating overlapping portions which face each other in the facing direction and overlap the pair of overlapping portions from the inside respectively, and are kept in contact with the housing. It can more effectively balance the reliability of signal transmission and miniaturization.

[0019] The housing can overlap with the mating housing along the circumferential direction around the axis. It is more effective for miniaturization.

[0020] It is feasible that the housing has a wall portion formed with a slot along the fitting direction, and the mating housing has a mating wall portion which is inserted into the slot intersecting with the wall portion and is kept in contact with the housing along the circumferential direction. It can more effectively balance the reliability of signal transmission and miniaturization.

[0021] It is feasible that the mating housing further has a mating cross wall portion intersecting with the mating wall portion, a mating slot is formed in the mating cross wall portion along the fitting direction, the housing has a cross wall portion which is inserted into the mating slot intersecting with the mating cross wall portion and is kept in contact with the mating housing along the circumferential direction. It can more effectively balance the reliability of signal transmission and miniaturization.

[0022] A connector according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a connector connected to a mating connector, the mating connector having: a mating insulating housing; conductive mating contacts held in the mating insulating housing; and a conductive mating housing held in the mating insulating housing so as to be disposed around the mating contacts; and the connector including: an insulating housing which is fitted with the mating insulating housing along the fitting direction; conductive contacts held in the insulating housing and contacting the mating contacts in a state where the insulating housing is fitted into the mating insulating housing; and a conductive housing held in the insulating housing, and in a state where the insulating housing is fitted into the mating insulating housing, cooperating with the mating housing to form an enclosure surrounding the contacts and the mating contacts around an axis along the fitting direction; and in the circumferential direction around the axis, the lengths of the portions of the housing and the mating housing that form the enclosure without overlapping with each other respectively are longer than the total length of the portion of the housing and the mating housing that form the enclosure with overlapping with each other.

[0023] [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present disclosure, a connector system can be provided which can effectively balance the reliability of signal transmission and miniaturization. Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 It is a perspective view illustrating the connector system.

[0026] Figure 2 It is viewed from belowFigure 1 Perspective view of the connector system.

[0027] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line III-III in Figure 1 the III-III line in

[0028] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the mating connector in Figure 3 is fitted into the connector.

[0029] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the connector in Figure 1 viewed from below.

[0030] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the Figure 5 connector disassembled.

[0031] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a partially enlarged view.

[0032] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the connector housing viewed from above.

[0033] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the connector housing viewed from below.

[0034] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the Figure 1 mating connector disassembled.

[0035] Figure 11 is Figure 10 a partially enlarged view.

[0036] Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the mating housing of the mating connector viewed from above.

[0037] Figure 13 is an enlarged view of the mating housing of the mating connector viewed from below.

[0038] Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating the combination of the housing and the mating housing.

[0039] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the enclosure.

[0040] Figure 16 is a perspective view showing a variation example of the housing and the mating housing.

[0041] Figure 17 is a perspective view showing a variation example of the enclosure. Detailed implementation mode

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements or elements having the same function, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0043] [Connector System]

[0044] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The connector system 1 shown is used for connecting the circuit substrate 10 ( Figure 3 shown) to a plurality of cables 20 in applications where high-frequency signals are to be transmitted with less degradation and in a low-profile manner. As an example of such an application, an information processing system can be cited in which signals on the circuit substrate 10 are transmitted through a plurality of cables 20 instead of printed wirings on the circuit substrate 10. By making each of the plurality of cables 20 a shielded cable or the like, signals can be transmitted using signal transmission characteristics higher than those of printed wirings. The signal transmission characteristics refer to the amount of signal degradation during signal transmission, and high signal transmission characteristics mean less signal degradation during signal transmission. As a specific example of signal degradation, noise mixing due to crosstalk or the like and signal attenuation can be cited.

[0045] In order to further improve the signal transmission characteristics of the plurality of cables 20, it is necessary to bring the connection portion between the circuit substrate 10 and the plurality of cables 20 closer to circuit elements (e.g., a processor) on the circuit substrate 10. In order to position the connection portion between the circuit substrate 10 and the plurality of cables 20 near the circuit elements, it is necessary to avoid interference with heat sinks or the like provided for the circuit elements. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the height of the connector system 1.

[0046] The connector system 1 includes a connector 2 and a connector 3. The connector 2 is, for example, a socket connector and is connected to the circuit substrate 10. The connector 3 is, for example, a plug connector and is connected to the plurality of cables 20. The connector 3 can be connected to the connector 2. By connecting the connector 3 to the connector 2, the plurality of cables 20 are electrically connected to the circuit substrate 10. The connector 2 and the connector 3 are mutually engaged along a mating direction D12 parallel to the circuit substrate 10. Hereinafter, the connector 3 may sometimes be referred to as the "mating connector" with respect to the connector 2, but not necessarily only the connector 3 corresponds to the "mating connector", and the connector 2 is the "mating connector" with respect to the connector 3.

[0047] The connector 2 includes: a plurality of contacts 200, a plurality of housings 300, and an insulating housing 100. The plurality of contacts 200 are held by the insulating housing 100 in a manner arranged along an arrangement direction D11 that is parallel to the main surface of the circuit substrate 10 and perpendicular to the fitting direction D12. Each of the plurality of contacts 200 is electrically connected to the circuit substrate 10 and contacts the signal contacts of the mating connector (connector 3). The plurality of housings 300 are each held by the insulating housing 100 so as to be disposed around at least one contact 200. For example, each of the plurality of housings 300 is held by the insulating housing 100 so as to surround at least one contact 200 about an axis along the fitting direction D12.

[0048] The plurality of contacts 200 transmit a variety of signals. The plurality of housings 300 can be provided for each of the variety of signals. In this case, within the region surrounded by each of the plurality of housings 300, only one signal is transmitted and no other signals are transmitted. As an example, each of the plurality of contacts 200 can transmit one signal based on the ground potential. In this case, the plurality of housings 300 are provided for each of the plurality of contacts 200. Each of the plurality of housings 300 surrounds only one contact 200 and does not surround other contacts 200. The plurality of contacts 200 can include multiple pairs of contacts 200 that respectively transmit a variety of differential signals. In this case, the plurality of housings 300 are provided for each of the multiple pairs of contacts 200. Each of the plurality of housings 300 surrounds only one pair of contacts 200 and does not surround other contacts 200.

[0049] The insulating housing 100 integrally holds the plurality of contacts 200 and the plurality of housings 300. The insulating housing 100 holds the plurality of contacts 200 in a mutually insulated state, holds the plurality of housings 300 in a mutually insulated state, and holds the plurality of contacts 200 and the plurality of housings 300 in a mutually insulated state.

[0050] The connector 3, as Figure 1 and Figure 10 shown, includes a base unit 500 and a plurality of housings 600. The base unit 500 has a connector base 510, a plurality of insulating housings 520 that are insulating, and a plurality of contacts 530 that are conductive. The connector base 510 extends along the arrangement direction D11 (D21). The plurality of insulating housings 520 are arranged along the arrangement direction D11 and respectively project from the connector base 510 in the same direction along the fitting direction D12 (D22).

[0051] The plurality of contacts 530 are held by the plurality of insulating housings 520 in a manner arranged along the arrangement direction D11. Each of the plurality of contacts 530 is electrically connected to any one of a plurality of cables 20 and contacts the contacts 200 of the mating connector (connector 2). Each of the plurality of insulating housings 520 holds at least one contact 530.

[0052] A plurality of contacts 530 transmit the various signals described above, and a plurality of insulating housings 520 may be provided for each of the various signals. In this case, among the plurality of insulating housings 520, only one signal is transmitted and other signals are not transmitted. As an example, each of the plurality of contacts 530 may transmit one signal with respect to the ground potential as a reference. In this case, the plurality of insulating housings 520 are provided for each of the plurality of contacts 530. Each of the plurality of insulating housings 520 holds only one contact 530 and does not hold other contacts 530. The plurality of contacts 530 may include multiple pairs of contacts 530 that respectively transmit various differential signals. In this case, the plurality of insulating housings 520 are provided for each of the multiple pairs of contacts 530. Each of the plurality of insulating housings 520 holds only one pair of contacts 530 and does not hold other contacts 530.

[0053] A plurality of outer housings 600 respectively correspond to the plurality of insulating housings 520. Each of the plurality of outer housings 600 surrounds the corresponding insulating housing 520 around an axis along the fitting direction D12 (D22).

[0054] The plurality of insulating housings 520 respectively correspond to the plurality of outer housings 300. As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, each of the plurality of insulating housings 520 is inserted into the corresponding outer housing 300 along the fitting direction D12. Each of the plurality of outer housings 600 is fitted into the corresponding outer housing 300 along the fitting direction D12. Each of the plurality of contacts 530 contacts the corresponding contact 200 within the corresponding outer housing 300. Thereby, a plurality of cables 20 are electrically connected to the circuit substrate 10.

[0055] According to the connector system 1, by providing individual outer housings 300 for the plurality of contacts 200, the relationship between the contacts 200 and the outer housings 300 can be individually optimized. In addition, the outer housing 300 surrounds the contact 200 around an axis along the fitting direction D12 parallel to the circuit substrate 10. Thereby, the fitting direction of the connector 3 with respect to the connector 2 is regulated to a direction parallel to the circuit substrate 10. Therefore, a reduction in height (reduction in height with respect to the surface of the circuit substrate 10) of the connection portion formed by the connector 2 and the connector 3 can be achieved. Therefore, an effective balance between an improvement in signal transmission characteristics and a reduction in height can be achieved.

[0056] By reducing the height, for example, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, interference with the radiator 12 or the like can be avoided, and the connector 2 can be arranged near the circuit element 11. Therefore, a further improvement in signal transmission characteristics can be achieved.

[0057] Each of the plurality of outer shells 300 can assist the corresponding outer shell 600 in surrounding the insulating housing 520. For example, the outer shell 300 can surround the portion of the periphery of the insulating housing 520 that is not surrounded by the outer shell 600. Thus, by reducing the overlap between the outer shell 600 and the outer shell 300, further reduction in height can be achieved.

[0058] Hereinafter, the configurations of the connector 2 and the connector 3 will be illustrated in more detail.

[0059] [First Connector]

[0060] In the description of the connector 2, for convenience, the direction toward the surface of the circuit substrate is set as "downward", and the direction away from the surface of the circuit substrate is set as "upward". Figure 5 is a perspective view of the connector 2 as viewed from below, Figure 6 is Figure 5 in which the connector 2 is disassembled and shown as a perspective view. As Figure 5 shown, the connector 2 has an insulating housing 100 made of insulating material, a plurality of conductive contacts 200, and a plurality of conductive outer shells 300.

[0061] As Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the insulating housing 100 has an opposing surface 101, a recessed surface 102, and a plurality of protrusions 110. The opposing surface 101 faces the circuit substrate 10. The arrangement direction D11 and the fitting direction D12 are parallel to the opposing surface 101. The recessed surface 102 faces the circuit substrate 10 at a position away from the circuit substrate 10 in a state where the opposing surface 101 faces the circuit substrate 10. The plurality of protrusions 110 are arranged along the arrangement direction D11 parallel to the opposing surface 101 and protrude from the recessed surface 102 respectively.

[0062] The plurality of protrusions 110 respectively correspond to the plurality of outer shells 300. The plurality of outer shells 300 are respectively held by the corresponding protrusions 110. In addition, at least one contact 200 surrounded by each of the plurality of outer shells 300 is also held by the protrusion 110. For example, a pair of contacts 200 surrounded by each of the plurality of outer shells 300 are held by the protrusion 110 in a manner arranged along the arrangement direction D11. The insulating housing 100 is formed by molding a resin material or the like.

[0063] A part of the protrusion 110, the corresponding outer shell 300, and a pair of contacts 200 constitute a set of signal transmission portions TP1. The connector 2 includes a plurality of sets of signal transmission portions TP1 respectively corresponding to the plurality of protrusions 110. The plurality of sets of signal transmission portions TP1 are arranged along the arrangement direction D11 and respectively transmit the above-mentioned various signals. Hereinafter, representing the plurality of sets of signal transmission portions TP1, the configurations of two sets of signal transmission portions TP1, namely the first set and the second set from the left side in the drawing, will be illustrated in more detail.

[0064] The configurations of multiple signal transmission units TP1 are common. For ease of explanation, the protrusion 110, the contact 200, and the housing 300 belonging to the first group of signal transmission units TP1 starting from the left side in the figure are designated as the first protrusion 110A, the first contact 200A, and the first housing 300A, and the protrusion 110, the contact 200, and the housing 300 belonging to the second group of signal transmission units TP1 starting from the left side in the figure are designated as the second protrusion 110B, the second contact 200B, and the second housing 300B to be distinguished from each other.

[0065] In particular, as Figure 7 shown, the first contact 200A and the second contact 200B are held by the insulating housing 100 in a manner arranged along the arrangement direction D11. The first contact 200A and the second contact 200B are electrically connected to a pair of signal lines 13 on the circuit substrate 10. The "pair of signal lines 13" to which the first contact 200A and the second contact 200B are respectively connected transmit different signals. In the case where the first protrusion 110A includes a pair of first contacts 200A and the second protrusion 110B includes a pair of second contacts 200B, for example, the pair of first contacts 200A are held by the first protrusion 110A in a manner arranged along the arrangement direction D11, the pair of second contacts 200B are held by the second protrusion 110B in a manner arranged along the arrangement direction D11, and corresponding to the arrangement of the first protrusion 110A and the second protrusion 110B, the pair of first contacts 200A and the pair of second contacts 200B are arranged along the arrangement direction D11.

[0066] The pair of first contacts 200A are electrically connected to a pair of signal lines 13 that transmit the first differential signal in the circuit substrate 10. The pair of second contacts 200B are electrically connected to a pair of signal lines 13 that transmit a second differential signal different from the first differential signal in the circuit substrate 10.

[0067] Each of the pair of first contacts 200A has a connection portion 201 (first connection portion) and a contact portion 202 (first contact portion). The connection portion 201 is electrically connected to the circuit substrate 10. For example, the connection portion 201 is connected to a conductive signal terminal formed on the circuit substrate 10 by welding or the like. The contact portion 202 protrudes from the connection portion 201 along the fitting direction D12 that is parallel to the opposing surface 101 and perpendicular to the arrangement direction D11. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the protruding direction of the contact portion 202 with respect to the connection portion 201 is referred to as "front", and the opposite direction is referred to as "rear". The first contact 200A is bent in a crank shape between the connection portion 201 and the contact portion 202 so that the contact portion 202 is located at a position away from the circuit substrate 10. The first contact 200A is formed, for example, by stamping and bending a thin metal plate.

[0068] A pair of second contacts 200B are each configured in the same manner as the first contact 200A, having a connection portion 201 (second connection portion) and a contact portion 202 (second connection portion). The connection portion 201 of the second contact 200B is connected by welding or the like to a conductive signal terminal formed on the circuit substrate 10 differently from the signal terminal to which the connection portion 201 of the first contact 200A is connected.

[0069] The first housing 300A is held by the insulating housing 100 so as to be disposed around the pair of first contacts 200A. For example, the first housing 300A is held by the insulating housing 100 so as to surround the pair of first contacts 200A around an axis along the fitting direction D12, and is electrically connected to the circuit substrate 10 in a state where the opposing surface 101 faces the circuit substrate 10.

[0070] In the fitting direction D12, the first housing 300A can locally surround the pair of first contacts 200A. For example, the first housing 300A surrounds at least the contact portion 202 of the pair of first contacts 200A.

[0071] Inside the first housing 300A, no signal other than a certain signal transmitted through at least one of the first contacts 200A is transmitted. The certain signal is the only signal transmitted inside the first housing 300A. For example, inside the first housing 300A, only the above-mentioned first differential signal is transmitted, and no other signals are transmitted. The first housing 300A only surrounds the pair of first contacts 200A and does not surround other contacts 200.

[0072] The shape surrounding the pair of first contacts 200A is not particularly limited. The first housing 300A can surround the pair of first contacts 200A in a circular shape or can surround the pair of first contacts 200A in a polygonal shape. As an example, the first housing 300A can surround the first contacts 200A in a rectangular shape. For example, the first housing 300A has a pair of side wall portions 310 (first side wall portions) and a base portion 320 (first base portion) (refer to Figure 8 ).

[0073] The pair of side wall portions 310 face each other along the arrangement direction D11. The contact portions 202 of the pair of first contacts 200A are located between the pair of side wall portions 310. The base portion 320 extends in parallel with the opposing surface 101 and connects the pair of side wall portions 310. In a state where the opposing surface 101 faces the circuit substrate 10, the base portion 320 can be located between the contact portion 202 and the circuit substrate 10.

[0074] As Figure 6As shown, a receiving space IS (first receiving space) is formed between a pair of side wall portions 310. Inside the receiving space IS, a mating first housing (any one of a plurality of insulating housings 520) of a mating connector (connector 3) is inserted along the fitting direction D12. The mating housing (housing 600A) of the mating connector is fitted to the first housing 300A, and the contact portion 202 where the mating signal contacts (contacts 530A) of the mating first housing are in contact with the first contacts 200A is in contact (refer to Figure 4 ). For example, the contact portions 202 of a pair of contacts 530A and a pair of first contacts 200A are in contact with each other respectively.

[0075] As Figure 8 shown, the first housing 300A may further have a pair of protruding portions 340 (first protruding portions) extending rearward from the pair of side wall portions 310 respectively. The connecting portions 201 of the pair of first contacts 200A are located between the pair of protruding portions 340.

[0076] The first housing 300A may further have a pair of housing connection portions 341 (first housing connection portions), and the housing connection portions 341 (first housing connection portions) are respectively formed on the pair of protruding portions 340 in a manner of being electrically connected to the circuit substrate 10 in a state where the opposing surface 101 faces the circuit substrate 10. For example, each of the pair of housing connection portions 341 is formed at the lower edge of the corresponding protruding portion 340 and is connected to the conductive ground terminals formed on the circuit substrate 10 individually from the above-mentioned signal terminals by welding or the like. In the circuit substrate 10, a ground potential is given to the ground terminals. Hereinafter, the same applies to the ground terminals to which other portions of the housing connection portion 341 are connected.

[0077] The first housing 300A may further have: an anchoring portion 350 (first anchoring portion), and an intermediate connecting portion 360 (first intermediate connecting portion) (refer to Figure 9 ). The anchoring portion 350 extends rearward from the base portion 320 and is held by the first convex portion 110A. The intermediate connecting portion 360 is formed on the base portion 320 in a manner of being electrically connected to the circuit substrate 10 in a state where the opposing surface 101 faces the circuit substrate 10. For example, the intermediate connecting portion 360 is formed at the rear end portion of the anchoring portion 350 and protrudes from the rear end portion of the anchoring portion 350 in a direction away from the retreat surface 102. As an example, the intermediate connecting portion 360 protrudes rearward and downward from the rear end portion of the anchoring portion 350 and is connected to the ground terminals formed on the circuit substrate 10 by welding or the like.

[0078] The first housing 300A is formed, for example, by stamping and bending a thin metal plate.

[0079] The second housing 300B is held by the insulating housing 100 so as to be disposed around a pair of second contacts 200B. The second housing 300B is held by the insulating housing 100 so as to surround the pair of second contacts 200B around an axis along the fitting direction D12, and is electrically connected to the circuit substrate 10 in a state where the opposing surface 101 faces the circuit substrate 10. For example, the second housing 300B surrounds at least the contact portions 202 of the pair of second contacts 200B. Inside the second housing 300B, signals other than a certain signal transmitted through at least one of the second contacts 200B are not transmitted. The certain signal is the only signal transmitted inside the second housing 300B. For example, inside the second housing 300B, only the second differential signal described above is transmitted, and no other signals are transmitted. The second housing 300B only surrounds a pair of second contacts 200B and does not surround other contacts 200.

[0080] The second housing 300B is configured in the same manner as the first housing 300A and has a pair of side wall portions 310 (second side wall portions) and a base portion 320 (second base portion). The contact portions 202 of the pair of second contacts 200B are located between the pair of side wall portions 310.

[0081] A receiving space IS (second receiving space) is formed between the pair of side wall portions 310. In the receiving space IS, a mating second housing (any one of the plurality of insulating housings 520) of the mating connector (connector 3) is inserted along the fitting direction D12. A mating housing (housing 600B) surrounding the mating second housing is fitted to the second housing 300B, and the mating signal contacts (contacts 530B) held by the mating second housing come into contact with the contact portions 202 of the second contacts 200B (see Figure 4 ). For example, the pair of contacts 530B come into contact with the contact portions 202 of the pair of second contacts 200B, respectively.

[0082] Similar to the first housing 300A, the second housing 300B may further have a pair of protruding portions 340 (second protruding portions) and a pair of housing connection portions 341. The connection portions 201 of the pair of second contacts 200B are located between the pair of protruding portions 340. Similar to the pair of housing connection portions 341 of the first housing 300A, the pair of housing connection portions 341 of the second housing 300B are connected to the ground terminals formed on the circuit substrate 10 by welding or the like.

[0083] Similar to the first housing 300A, the second housing 300B may further have an anchoring portion 350 and an intermediate connection portion 360. The anchoring portion 350 protrudes rearward from the base portion 320 and is held by the second convex portion 110B. The intermediate connection portion 360 is connected to the ground terminals formed on the circuit substrate 10 by welding or the like.

[0084] As Figure 7As shown, the first convex portion 110A protrudes from the rear surface 102 and is located between a pair of protruding portions 340 of the first housing 300A, holding the pair of first contacts 200A and the first housing 300A. For example, the first convex portion 110A has a pair of contact holding holes 111 (above the first convex portion 110A) and an anchoring hole 112. The pair of contact holding holes 111 are arranged along the arrangement direction D11 and penetrate the first convex portion 110A along the fitting direction D12 respectively. In the pair of contact holding holes 111, the contact portions 202 of the pair of first contacts 200A are inserted from the rear respectively. The ends of the contact portions 202 of the pair of first contacts 200A protrude forward from the first convex portion 110A and are surrounded by the first housing 300A. The anchoring hole 112 is located below the pair of contact holding holes 111 and penetrates the first convex portion 110A along the fitting direction D12. In the anchoring hole 112, the anchoring portion 350 of the first housing 300A is inserted from the front.

[0085] A slot 113 (first slot) can be formed in the first convex portion 110A. The slot 113 allows the displacement of the intermediate connecting portion 360 along the fitting direction D12. For example, the slot 113 is formed along the fitting direction D12 throughout the entire length of the lower part of the anchoring hole 112, and the intermediate connecting portion 360 is disposed in the slot 113. Since the slot 113 extends along the fitting direction D12, the displacement of the intermediate connecting portion 360 along the fitting direction D12 is allowed.

[0086] The insulating housing 100 can further have a first support portion 114A. The first support portion 114A protrudes forward from the first convex portion 110A and is located between the contact portion 202 and the base portion 320. For example, the first support portion 114A protrudes forward from the first convex portion 110A between the pair of contact holding holes 111 and the anchoring hole 112.

[0087] The second convex portion 110B protrudes from the rear surface 102 and is located between a pair of protruding portions 340 of the second housing 300B, holding the pair of second contacts 200B and the second housing 300B. For example, similar to the first convex portion 110A, the second convex portion 110B has a pair of contact holding holes 111 (above the second convex portion 110B) and an anchoring hole 112. In the pair of contact holding holes 111, the contact portions 202 of the pair of second contacts 200B are inserted from the rear respectively. The ends of the contact portions 202 of the pair of second contacts 200B protrude forward from the second convex portion 110B and are surrounded by the second housing 300B. In the anchoring hole 112, the anchoring portion 350 of the second housing 300B is inserted from the front. Similar to the first convex portion 110A, a slot 113 (second slot) can be formed in the second convex portion 110B. In the slot 113, the intermediate connecting portion 360 of the second housing 300B is disposed.

[0088] The insulating housing 100 may further have a second support portion 114B that is the same as the first support portion 114A. The second support portion 114B extends forward from the second convex portion 110B and is located between the contact portion 202 and the base portion 320. For example, the second support portion 114B extends forward from the second convex portion 110B between a pair of contact holding holes 111 and the anchoring hole 112.

[0089] Return Figure 5 and Figure 6 Further, the connector 2 may include an electrically conductive outer housing 400. The insulating housing 100 has a back surface 103 of the facing surface 101, and the outer housing 400 covers the back surface 103.

[0090] For example, the outer housing 400 has a main board portion 410, a pair of outer side wall portions 420, and a pair of anchoring portions 430, and is formed by stamping and bending a thin metal plate. The main board portion 410 extends so as to cover at least a part of the back surface 103. The pair of outer side wall portions 420 are respectively provided at both end portions of the main board portion 410 in the arrangement direction D11. For example, the pair of outer side wall portions 420 are bent downward with respect to the main board portion 410 at both end portions of the main board portion 410 and face each other along the arrangement direction D11. The pair of anchoring portions 430 are also respectively provided at both end portions of the main board portion 410 in the arrangement direction D11 and are located behind the pair of outer side wall portions 420. For example, the pair of anchoring portions 430 are bent downward with respect to the main board portion 410 at both end portions of the main board portion 410 and face each other along the arrangement direction D11. When viewed from the front, the plurality of outer housings 300 are located between the pair of outer side wall portions 420 and also between the pair of anchoring portions 430.

[0091] The pair of anchoring portions 430 are held by the insulating housing 100. For example, the insulating housing 100 further has a pair of outer holding holes 121 respectively corresponding to the pair of anchoring portions 430. The pair of outer holding holes 121 penetrate the insulating housing 100 vertically. The pair of anchoring portions 430 are respectively inserted into the pair of outer holding holes 121 from above.

[0092] The pair of outer side wall portions 420 may extend further forward than the front surface of the insulating housing 100. Thereby, the connector 3 is smoothly guided along the fitting direction D12.

[0093] At both end portions of the main board portion 410, a pair of protruding portions 412 that extend further forward than the front surface of the insulating housing 100 are respectively formed, and a pair of locking openings 411 are respectively formed in the pair of protruding portions 412. When viewed from below, the pair of locking openings 411 are respectively located between the plurality of outer housings 300 and the pair of outer side wall portions 420. A pair of locking claws 814 of the connector 3 described later are respectively engaged with the pair of locking openings 411.

[0094] The outer shell 400 may further have a pair of outer connection portions 421. The pair of outer connection portions 421 are respectively formed on a pair of outer side wall portions 420 in such a manner that they are electrically connected to the circuit substrate 10 in a state where the opposing surface 101 faces the circuit substrate 10. For example, each of the pair of outer connection portions 421 is formed at the lower edge of the corresponding outer side wall portion 420 and is connected to a ground terminal formed on the circuit substrate 10 by welding or the like.

[0095] [Second Connector]

[0096] As described above, the connector 3 is connected to a plurality of cables 20. In particular, as Figure 11 shown, each of the plurality of cables 20 has at least one signal conductor 24. One cable 20 transmits one type of signal. For example, the cable 20 transmits a differential signal. For example, one cable 20 has: a pair of electric wires 21, an outer conductor 22, and an insulating outer sheath 23. Each of the pair of electric wires 21 has a signal conductor 24 and an insulating inner sheath 25 that covers the signal conductor 24. Hereinafter, the signal conductors 24 of the pair of electric wires 21 will be referred to as a pair of signal conductors 24. The above-mentioned differential signal is transmitted through the pair of signal conductors 24. The outer conductor 22 surrounds the pair of electric wires 21, and the outer sheath 23 covers the outer conductor 22.

[0097] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the connector 3 disassembled, Figure 11 is Figure 10 a partial enlarged view of Figure 10 As shown, the connector 3 has a base unit 500 and a plurality of outer shells 600. As Figure 11 shown, the base unit 500 has a connector base 510, a plurality of insulating housings 520, and a plurality of conductive contacts 530.

[0098] The connector base 510 has an opposing surface 511. The opposing surface 511 faces the outer periphery of the ends of the plurality of cables 20 arranged along the arrangement direction D21. The plurality of insulating housings 520 correspond to the plurality of cables 20 respectively. The plurality of insulating housings 520 are arranged along the arrangement direction D21 and project in a direction away from the ends of the corresponding cables 20 along a fitting direction D22 that is parallel to the opposing surface 511 and perpendicular to the arrangement direction D21. The plurality of insulating housings 520 are fitted to the insulating housing 100 along the fitting directions D12 and D22 in a state where the fitting direction D12 and the fitting direction D22 coincide. For example, each of the plurality of insulating housings 520 is fitted into the space between the plurality of convex portions 110 and the retreat surface 102.

[0099] Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the direction facing the opposing surface 511 is set as "upward", and the opposite direction is set as "downward". In addition, the direction in which the plurality of insulating housings 520 protrude from the connector base 510 is set as "front", and the opposite direction is set as "rear". According to the above definition, the plurality of cables 20 extend rearward from the connector base 510. In a state where the connector 3 is fitted to the connector 2, the up and down in the description of the connector 2 are the same as those in the description of the connector 3. In addition, the front in the description of the connector 3 corresponds to the rear in the description of the connector 2, and the rear in the description of the connector 3 corresponds to the front in the description of the connector 2.

[0100] The plurality of contacts 530 include a plurality of pairs of contacts 530 respectively corresponding to the plurality of insulating housings 520. The plurality of pairs of contacts 530 are each held by the corresponding insulating housing 520, and come into contact with the plurality of pairs of contacts 200 in a state where the insulating housing 520 is fitted to the insulating housing 100. In each of the plurality of pairs of contacts 530, the above-mentioned pair of signal conductors 24 are respectively connected.

[0101] The plurality of outer housings 600 respectively correspond to the plurality of insulating housings 520. The plurality of outer housings 600 are each held by the insulating housing 520, and cooperate with the outer housing 300 in a state where the insulating housing 520 is fitted to the insulating housing 100 to form an enclosure that surrounds the contacts 200 and the contacts 530 along the axes of the fitting directions D12 and D22. Details of the enclosure will be described later.

[0102] The connector 3 includes a plurality of sets of signal transmission portions TP2 respectively corresponding to the plurality of insulating housings 520. The plurality of sets of signal transmission portions TP2 are arranged along the arrangement direction D21 and respectively transmit the above-mentioned various signals. Hereinafter, representing the plurality of sets of signal transmission portions TP2, for the two sets of signal transmission portions TP2 of the first set and the second set from the right side in the illustration ( Figure 10 and Figure 11 in the illustration), the constitution will be more specifically exemplified. In addition, the first set of signal transmission portions TP2 from the right side in the illustration corresponds to the first set of signal transmission portions TP1 from the left side in Figure 7 . The second set of signal transmission portions TP2 from the right side in the illustration corresponds to the second set of signal transmission portions TP1 from the left side in Figure 7 .

[0103] The constitution of the plurality of sets of signal transmission portions TP2 is common. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the ones belonging to Figure 11The insulating housing 520, the contacts 530, and the outer housing 600 of the first set of signal transmission parts TP2 starting from the right side are designated as the first insulating housing 520A, the first contacts 530A, and the first outer housing 600A, and the insulating housing 520, the contacts 530, and the outer housing 600 of the second set of signal transmission parts TP2 starting from the right side are designated as the second insulating housing 520B, the second contacts 530B, and the second outer housing 600B to be distinguished from each other. In addition, the cable 20 corresponding to the first set of signal transmission parts TP2 starting from the right side is designated as the first cable 20A, and the cable 20 belonging to the second set of signal transmission parts TP2 starting from the right side is designated as the second cable 20B to be distinguished from each other.

[0104] The first insulating housing 520A and the second insulating housing 520B are arranged along the arrangement direction D21 and protrude forward from the connector base 510 along the fitting direction D22.

[0105] As Figure 11 shown, the first contacts 530A and the second contacts 530B are electrically connected to a pair of electric wires 21. For example, the first contacts 530A are electrically connected to the signal conductors 24 of the electric wires 21 of the first cable 20A, and the second contacts 530B are electrically connected to the signal conductors 24 of the electric wires 21 of the second cable 20B. The pair of first contacts 530A are held in the first insulating housing 520A and are respectively connected to the signal conductors 24 of the pair of electric wires 21 of the first cable 20A. Each of the pair of first contacts 530A has a connection part 531 (first connection part) and a contact part 532 (first contact part) arranged in sequence forward.

[0106] The first insulating housing 520A holds the pair of first contacts 530A in such a way that the connection part 531 is exposed upward and the contact part 532 is exposed downward (refer to Figure 3 ). Thus, the signal conductor 24 can be connected to the connection part 531 from above, and the contact part 532 can contact the first contact 200A of the mating connector (connector 2) from above (refer to Figure 4 ).

[0107] At the part of the front end of the first cable 20A corresponding to the connection part 531, the outer sheath 23, the outer conductor 22, and the inner sheath 25 are removed, and the exposed pair of signal conductors 24 are respectively connected to the connection part 531.

[0108] The first contacts 530A are formed, for example, by stamping and bending a thin metal plate.

[0109] A pair of second contacts 530B are held by a second insulating housing 520B in a manner arranged along an arrangement direction D21 with respect to a pair of first contacts 530A, and are respectively connected to signal conductors 24 of a pair of electric wires 21 of a second cable 20B. Similar to the first insulating housing 520A, each of the pair of second contacts 530B has a connection portion 531 (second connection portion) and a contact portion 532 (second contact portion).

[0110] The second insulating housing 520B holds the pair of second contacts 530B such that the connection portion 531 is exposed upward and the contact portion 532 is exposed downward (see Figure 3 ). Thereby, the signal conductor 24 can be connected to the connection portion 531 from above, and the contact portion 532 can contact a second contact 200B of a mating connector (connector 2) from above (see Figure 4 ).

[0111] At a portion of the front end portion of the second cable 20B corresponding to the connection portion 531, the outer sheath 23, the outer conductor 22, and the inner sheath 25 are removed, and the exposed pair of signal conductors 24 are respectively connected to the connection portion 531.

[0112] A first housing 600A is fixed to the connector base 510 so as to surround the first insulating housing 520A around an axis along the fitting direction D22. For example, the first housing 600A has a cable holding portion 610 (first cable holding portion) and a fitting portion 620 (first fitting portion).

[0113] The cable holding portion 610 surrounds the first cable 20A and is fixed to the connector base 510. At a portion of the front end portion of the first cable 20A corresponding to the cable holding portion 610, the outer sheath 23 is removed. The cable holding portion 610 surrounds the outer conductor 22 exposed by the removal of the outer sheath 23. The shape of surrounding the outer conductor 22 is not particularly limited. The cable holding portion 610 may surround the outer conductor 22 in a circular shape or may surround the outer conductor 22 in a polygonal shape. As an example, the cable holding portion 610 may surround the outer conductor 22 in a rectangular shape. For example, the cable holding portion 610 has a pair of side wall portions 611 (first base side wall portions) and a base portion 612 (first base portion). The pair of side wall portions 611 face each other along the arrangement direction D21. The outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A is located between the pair of side wall portions 611 of the first housing 600A. The base portion 612 extends in parallel with the opposing surface 511 and connects the pair of side wall portions 611.

[0114] The fitting portion 620 extends forward from the cable holding portion 610 along the fitting direction D22 and surrounds the first insulating housing 520A. The shape of surrounding the first insulating housing 520A is not particularly limited. The fitting portion 620 may surround the first insulating housing 520A in a circular shape or may surround the first insulating housing 520A in a polygonal shape. As an example, the fitting portion 620 may surround the first insulating housing 520A in a rectangular shape. For example, the fitting portion 620 has a pair of side wall portions 621 (first side wall portions) and a base portion 622 (first base portion). The pair of side wall portions 621 are connected to the pair of side wall portions 611. The base portion 622 is connected to the base portion 612 and connects the pair of side wall portions 621.

[0115] Compared with the gap 614 between the pair of side wall portions 611, the gap 623 of the pair of base portions 622 is small (refer to Figure 12 ). With respect to the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A existing in the cable holding portion 610, the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A does not exist in the fitting portion 620. By reducing the gap 623 at the position where the outer conductor 22 does not exist compared with the gap 614 at the position where the outer conductor 22 is located, the uniformity of the arrangement relationship between the pair of signal conductors 24 and the metal body surrounding the ground potential of the pair of signal conductors 24 is improved, and the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved.

[0116] Return Figure 11 , the fitting portion 620A is fitted to the upper side portion of the first housing 300A. For example, the pair of side wall portions 621 respectively overlap with the inner surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 310 of the first housing 300A. When the fitting portion 620A is fitted to the first housing 300A in this way, the first housing 300A assists the fitting portion 620A in surrounding the first insulating housing 520A. For example, the lower side portion of the first insulating housing 520A not surrounded by the fitting portion 620A is surrounded by the first housing 300A.

[0117] Each of the pair of side wall portions 621 may have an elastic contact portion 624 (first elastic contact portion) (refer to Figure 12 and Figure 13 ). The elastic contact portion 624 approaches the first insulating housing 520A by the application of an external force and moves away from the first insulating housing 520A by the removal of the external force. The elastic contact portions 624 of the pair of side wall portions 621 respectively contact the inner surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 310 of the first housing 300A. Thereby, the surrounding of the first insulating housing 520A by the fitting portion 620A is more firmly assisted by the first housing 300A.

[0118] The second housing 600B is fixed to the connector base 510 so as to surround the second insulating housing 520B along the axis in the fitting direction D22. For example, similar to the first housing 600A, the second housing 600B has a cable holding portion 610 (second base portion) and a fitting portion 620 (second end portion).

[0119] The cable holding portion 610 surrounds the second cable 20B and is fixed to the connector base 510. Similar to the cable holding portion 610 of the first housing 600A, the cable holding portion 610 of the second housing 600B has a pair of side wall portions 611 (second base side wall portions) and a base portion 612 (second base base portion). At the portion corresponding to the cable holding portion 610 in the front end portion of the second cable 20B, the outer sheath 23 is removed. The cable holding portion 610 surrounds the outer conductor 22 exposed by the removal of the outer sheath 23.

[0120] The fitting portion 620 extends forward from the cable holding portion 610 along the fitting direction D22 and surrounds the second insulating housing 520B. Similar to the cable holding portion 610 of the first housing 600A, the fitting portion 620 of the second housing 600B has a pair of side wall portions 621 (second end side wall portions) and a base portion 622 (second end base portion).

[0121] The fitting portion 620B fits into the upper side portion of the second housing 300B. For example, a pair of side wall portions 621 respectively overlap with the inner surfaces of a pair of side wall portions 310 of the second housing 300B. In this way, when the fitting portion 620B fits into the second housing 300B, the second housing 300B assists the fitting portion 620B in surrounding the second insulating housing 520B. For example, the lower side portion of the second insulating housing 520B not surrounded by the fitting portion 620B is surrounded by the second housing 300B.

[0122] Similar to the pair of side wall portions 621 of the first housing 600A, each of the pair of side wall portions 621 of the second housing 600B may have an elastic contact portion 624 (second elastic contact portion).

[0123] The connector base 510 may have a conductive base plate 512 and an insulating base housing 513. The base plate 512 extends along the opposing surface 511 and supports a plurality of cables 20 from below. The base housing 513 holds the base plate 512, the first insulating housing 520A, and the second insulating housing 520B. The base unit 500 is formed by insert molding in a state where the base plate 512 and a plurality of contacts 530 are arranged, and by molding the base housing 513 and a plurality of insulating housings 520 with a resin material or the like.

[0124] The cable holding portion 610 of the first housing 600A surrounds the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A through a pair of side wall portions 611, a base portion 612, and a base plate 512, and is fixed to the base plate 512. The cable holding portion 610 of the second housing 600B surrounds the outer conductor 22 of the second cable 20B through a pair of side wall portions 611, a base portion 612, and a base plate 512, and is fixed to the base plate 512. The base plate 512 electrically connects the cable holding portion 610 of the first housing 600A and the cable holding portion 610 of the second housing 600B.

[0125] Within the cable holding portion 610 of the first housing 600A, the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A is electrically connected to the base plate 512. For example, the outer conductor 22 is fixed to the base plate 512 by welding or the like. Within the cable holding portion 610 of the second housing 600B, the outer conductor 22 of the second cable 20B is electrically connected to the base plate 512. For example, the outer conductor 22 is fixed to the base plate 512 by welding or the like.

[0126] The base plate 512 may have a plurality of fixing holes 514 corresponding to the plurality of cables 20 respectively. The plurality of fixing holes 514 are arranged along the arrangement direction D21 and penetrate the base plate 512 in the up-and-down direction perpendicular to the opposing surface 511. Each of the plurality of fixing holes 514 exposes the outer conductor 22 of the corresponding cable 20 downward.

[0127] The plurality of fixing holes 514 include a first fixing hole 514A corresponding to the first cable 20A and a second fixing hole 514B corresponding to the second cable 20B. The first fixing hole 514A exposes the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A downward, and the second fixing hole 514B exposes the outer conductor 22 of the second cable 20B downward.

[0128] Regarding the first housing 600A and the second housing 600B, as described above, each of the plurality of housings 600 has a pair of side wall portions 611, so the connector 3 has a plurality of pairs of side wall portions 611 arranged along the arrangement direction D21. In contrast, the base plate 512 may have a plurality of housing fixing holes 515 corresponding to the plurality of pairs of side wall portions 611 respectively.

[0129] The plurality of fixing holes 514 and the plurality of housing fixing holes 515 are arranged in a row along the arrangement direction D21. In this arrangement, one fixing hole 514 is disposed between each of the plurality of housing fixing holes 515. Each of the plurality of housing fixing holes 515 penetrates the base plate 512 in the up-and-down direction, exposing the corresponding pair of side wall portions 611 downward. Thus, the plurality of pairs of side wall portions 611 and the outer conductors 22 of the plurality of cables 20 are exposed downward in a row state. Therefore, the plurality of pairs of side wall portions 611 and the outer conductors 22 of the plurality of cables 20 can be fixed to the base plate 512 by welding or the like from below all at once.

[0130] The multiple pairs of housing fixing holes 515 include a pair of first housing fixing holes 515A corresponding to the pair of side wall portions 611 of the first housing 600A respectively, and a pair of second housing fixing holes 515B corresponding to the pair of side wall portions 611 of the second housing 600B respectively. The first fixing hole 514A is located between the pair of first housing fixing holes 515A, and the second fixing hole 514B is located between the pair of second housing fixing holes 515B.

[0131] Each of the multiple pairs of side wall portions 611 may have a fixing piece 613 inserted into the corresponding housing fixing hole 515. For example, each of the pair of side wall portions 611 of the first housing 600A may have a fixing piece 613 (first fixing piece) inserted into the corresponding first housing fixing hole 515A. Each of the pair of side wall portions 611 of the second housing 600B may have a fixing piece 613 (second fixing piece) inserted into the corresponding second housing fixing hole 515B. Thus, before fixing by welding or the like, the multiple housings 600 can be positioned and temporarily fixed relative to the base plate 512, thereby improving the workability when fixing the multiple pairs of side wall portions 611 and the outer conductors 22 of the multiple cables 20 to the base plate 512. The fixing piece 613 is fixed to the base plate 512 by welding or the like in a state of being inserted into the corresponding housing fixing hole 515.

[0132] Return Figure 10 , the connector 3 may further include an insulating outer housing 700. The outer housing 700 houses and fixes the connector base 510 including the multiple housings 600 including the first housing 600A and the second housing 600B. The outer housing 700 may have a front wall portion 710 perpendicular to the fitting direction D22. The front wall portion 710 may have multiple openings 711 corresponding to the multiple insulating housings 520 respectively. Each of the multiple insulating housings 520 projects forward from the outer housing 700 through the corresponding opening 711 in a state of being surrounded by the housing 600.

[0133] The multiple openings 711 include a first opening 711A corresponding to the first insulating housing 520A and a second opening 711B corresponding to the second insulating housing 520B. The first insulating housing 520A projects forward from the outer housing 700 through the first opening 711A in a state of being surrounded by the first housing 600A. The second insulating housing 520B projects forward from the outer housing 700 through the second opening 711B in a state of being surrounded by the second housing 600B.

[0134] The connector 3 may further include an insulating separator 730 which is fixed to the outer housing 700 and regulates the spacing between a plurality of cables 20 including the first cable 20A and the second cable 20B. The separator 730 is located behind the connector base 510 and holds the plurality of cables 20 from outside the outer sheath 23. The connector base 510 is disposed between the front wall portion 710 and the separator 730. The separator 730 has a plurality of openings 731 corresponding to the plurality of cables 20 respectively (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ). The plurality of openings 731 are arranged along the arrangement direction D21. Each of the plurality of openings 731 penetrates the separator 730 along the fitting direction D22. Each of the plurality of cables 20 is held within the corresponding opening 731. By the separator 730, the distance between the cables 20 can be appropriately maintained, and the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved. In addition, the fixing strength of the plurality of cables 20 relative to the connector 3 can be improved by the separator 730.

[0135] The separator 730 is formed by two-color molding of resin in a state where the base unit 500, the plurality of outer housings 600, and the outer housing 700 are mounted on the ends of the plurality of cables 20. The separator 730 may also be formed by resin sealing using potting. In a state where the preformed separator 730 is mounted on the plurality of cables 20, the base unit 500, the plurality of outer housings 600, and the outer housing 700 can be mounted on the ends of the plurality of cables 20. In this case, the separator 730 can be formed by dividing it into an upper part and a lower part with the plurality of openings 731 as the center, and the upper part and the lower part can be combined in a manner that sandwiches the plurality of cables 20. The separator 730 can be mounted on the base unit 500 or integrally formed with the base unit 500. Thereby, the fixing strength of the plurality of cables 20 relative to the connector 3 can be further improved.

[0136] The connector 3 may further include a locking member 800. The locking member 800 prevents the connector 3 fitted to the connector 2 from becoming disengaged. The locking member 800 has a pair of locking portions 810 and a locking knob 820. The pair of locking portions 810 are held by the outer housing 700 in a manner corresponding to the plurality of locking openings 411 of the connector 2 respectively (see Figure 5 ). The outer housing 700 further has a pair of locking receiving portions 720 which open upward and rearward at both ends in the arrangement direction D21, and a pair of holding rods 721 corresponding to the pair of locking receiving portions 720 respectively. The pair of locking portions 810 are respectively received in the pair of locking receiving portions 720. Each of the pair of holding rods 721 is located above the rear end portion of the corresponding locking receiving portion 720 and holds the locking portion 810 within the locking receiving portion 720.

[0137] Each of the pair of locking portions 810 includes a locking base 811, a locking plate 812, and an elastic connecting portion 813. The locking base 811 extends along the fitting direction D22 and abuts against the bottom surface of the locking receiving portion 720. The locking plate 812 extends along the fitting direction D22 at a position away from the bottom surface of the locking receiving portion 720 and faces the locking base 811 in the vertical direction. On the upper surface of the locking plate 812, a locking claw 814 that engages with the locking opening 411 of the connector 2 is formed. The elastic connecting portion 813 connects the front end portion of the locking base 811 and the front end portion of the locking plate 812 in such a manner that the locking claw 814 can be elastically displaced in the vertical direction.

[0138] The locking state in which the locking claw 814 engages with the locking opening 411 and the release state in which the locking claw 814 does not engage with the locking opening 411 can be switched by the locking portion 810. For example, when an external force acts on the locking plate 812 from above and the locking plate 812 approaches the locking base 811, the locking claw 814 descends below the main board portion 410, becoming the above-described release state. In this state, when the connector 3 is fitted to the connector 2, the locking claw 814 is disposed below the locking opening 411, the external force on the locking plate 812 is removed, and the locking plate 812 is elastically restored in a direction away from the locking base 811, whereby the locking claw 814 is disposed in the locking opening 411. Thereby, the locking claw 814 engages with the inner periphery of the locking opening 411, and the release state is switched to the locking state. When an external force acts on the locking plate 812 from above again, the locking plate 812 approaches the locking base 811, and the locking claw 814 descends, whereby the locking state is switched to the release state again.

[0139] The locking knob 820 is an operating portion for applying an external force for switching the locking state to the release state to the locking plates 812 of the pair of locking portions 810 simultaneously. The locking knob 820 extends along the arrangement direction D21, connects the locking plates 812 of the pair of locking portions 810, and projects rearward so as to press above the plurality of cables 20. By pressing the locking knob 820 against the plurality of cables 20, an external force from above acts on the locking plates 812 of the pair of locking portions 810 simultaneously, and the locking state can be switched to the release state. The locking member 800 is formed by stamping and bending a thin metal plate.

[0140] Since the pair of locking receiving portions 720 are provided at both end portions of the outer housing 700 in the arrangement direction D21, when viewed from the front, the plurality of insulating housings 520 are arranged between the pair of locking portions 810. By arranging the pair of locking portions 810 at positions not overlapping with the plurality of insulating housings 520, it is possible to achieve both the reliability of the connection of the connector 3 to the connector 2 and the low height of the connector system 1.

[0141] [Assembly Steps of the Second Connector]

[0142] Next, as an example of an assembly method of the connector, the assembly steps of the connector 3 are illustrated. The steps include: facing the outer periphery of the first cable 20A to the opposing surface 511 and connecting the signal conductor 24 of the first cable 20A to the first contact 530A; facing the outer periphery of the second cable 20B to the opposing surface 511 and connecting the signal conductor 24 of the second cable 20B to the second contact 530B; in a state where the signal conductor 24 of the first cable 20A is connected to the first contact 530A, arranging the first housing 600A so as to surround the first insulating housing 520A around an axis along the fitting direction D22; fixing the first housing 600A to the connector base 510; in a state where the signal conductor 24 of the second cable 20B is connected to the second contact 530B, arranging the second housing 600B so as to surround the second insulating housing 520B around an axis along the fitting direction D22; and fixing the second housing 600B to the connector base 510.

[0143] The connection of the signal conductor 24 of the first cable 20A to the first contact 530A and the connection of the signal conductor 24 of the second cable 20B to the second contact 530B can be performed simultaneously. The fixing of the first housing 600A to the connector base 510 and the fixing of the second housing 600B to the connector base 510 can be performed simultaneously.

[0144] The assembly steps of the connector 3 may further include housing the connector base 510 to which the first housing 600A and the second housing 600B are fixed in the insulating outer housing 700.

[0145] Preferably, fixing the first housing 600A to the connector base 510 includes: welding the first housing 600A to the base plate 512 via the first housing fixing hole 515A and welding the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A to the base plate 512 via the first fixing hole 514A; fixing the second housing 600B to the connector base 510 includes: welding the second housing 600B to the base plate 512 via the second housing fixing hole 515B and welding the outer conductor 22 of the second cable 20B to the base plate 512 via the second fixing hole 514B.

[0146] The welding of the first housing 600A to the base plate 512, the welding of the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A to the base plate 512, the welding of the second housing 600B to the base plate 512, and the welding of the outer conductor 22 of the second cable 20B to the base plate 512 can be performed simultaneously.

[0147] [Enclosure]

[0148] As Figure 14 and Figure 15As shown, the outer shell 600 and the outer shell 300 cooperate to form an enclosure 900 that surrounds the contact 200 and the contact 530 along the axis Ax1 in the fitting directions D12 and D22. For example, the first outer shell 600A and the first outer shell 300A cooperate to form the first enclosure 900A, and the second outer shell 600B and the second outer shell 300B cooperate to form the second enclosure 900B. The first enclosure 900A surrounds the first contact 200A and the first contact 530A along the first axis Ax11 in the fitting directions D12 and D22. The second enclosure 900B surrounds the second contact 200B and the second contact 530B along the second axis Ax12 in the fitting directions D12 and D22.

[0149] In the circumferential direction around the axis Ax1, the lengths of the portions of the outer shell 300 that form the enclosure 900 without overlapping with the outer shell 600 (hereinafter referred to as "non-overlapping portion 912") and the portions of the outer shell 600 that form the enclosure 900 without overlapping with the outer shell 300 (hereinafter referred to as "non-overlapping portion 913") are each longer than the total length of the portion of the outer shell 300 and the outer shell 600 that form the enclosure 900 with overlapping (hereinafter referred to as "overlapping portion 911").

[0150] As Figure 15 shown, the non-overlapping portion 912 includes the above-mentioned base portion 320 and a part of the pair of side wall portions 310 (a pair of side portions 311). The pair of side portions 311 face each other in the facing direction perpendicular to the fitting directions D12 and D22 (for example, the arrangement direction D11 and the arrangement direction D21). The base portion 320 connects the pair of side portions 311. The non-overlapping portion 913 includes the above-mentioned base portion 622. The base portion 622 faces the base portion 320.

[0151] In the overlapping portion 911, a part of the pair of side wall portions 310 (a pair of overlapping portions 312 respectively connected to the pair of side portions 311) and the pair of side wall portions 621 (a pair of mating overlapping portions) overlap at two locations arranged along the arrangement direction D11. For example, the pair of side wall portions 621 face each other in the above-mentioned facing direction and overlap the pair of overlapping portions 312 from the inside, maintaining a state of contacting the outer shell 300. For example, the pair of side wall portions 621 contact the overlapping portions 312 in a state of being elastically displaced inward through the elastic contact portions 624, and maintain a state of contacting the outer shell 300. Thus, the outer shell 300 includes a contact portion 313 (the portion contacting the elastic contact portion 624) that contacts the outer shell 600 at the overlapping portion 911.

[0152] The enclosure 900 continuously surrounds the contact 200 and the contact 530, but a break may also be formed in the enclosure 900 in the circumferential direction.

[0153] For two parts arranged in the arrangement direction D11, the overlapping part 911 has a length L1 and a length L2 along the circumferential direction. The non-overlapping part 912 has a length L3 along the circumferential direction. The non-overlapping part 913 has a length L4 along the circumferential direction. The length L3 is longer than the sum of the length L1 and the length L2, and the length L4 is longer than the sum of the length L1 and the length L2. As shown in the figure, each of the length L3 and the length L4 can occupy more than 1 / 4 of the entire circumference of the enclosure 900 of the connector system.

[0154] Above, an example of the structure in which the housing 300 overlaps with the housing 600 in the arrangement direction D11 and the arrangement direction D21 that intersect (for example, are orthogonal) with the circumferential direction is shown. As Figure 16 and Figure 17 shown, the housing 300 can also be configured to overlap with the housing 600 along the circumferential direction.

[0155] Figure 16 and Figure 17 shown, the housing 300 has a wall portion 371 corresponding to one of the pair of side wall portions 310 and a wall portion 372 corresponding to the base portion 320, and does not have a wall portion facing the wall portion 371. In the wall portion 371, a slot 373 is formed along the arrangement direction D11. The slot 373 opens to the housing 600.

[0156] The housing 600 has a wall portion 632 corresponding to the base portion 622 and a wall portion 631 connected to the wall portion 632 along the circumferential direction. The wall portion 631 is perpendicular to the wall portion 632. In the wall portion 631, a slot 633 is formed along the arrangement direction D21. The slot 633 opens to the housing 300.

[0157] The wall portion 632 faces the wall portion 372 and is held in contact with the housing 300 along the circumferential direction by being inserted into the slot 373 of the wall portion 371. The wall portion 372 is held in contact with the housing 300 along the circumferential direction by being inserted into the slot 633 of the wall portion 631. At the portion where the wall portion 632 is inserted into the slot 373 and the portion where the wall portion 372 is inserted into the slot 633, the housing 300 overlaps with the housing 600 along the circumferential direction. Since the overlapping portion of the housing 300 and the housing 600 along the circumferential direction constitutes a part of the enclosure 900, the portion where the wall portion 632 is inserted into the slot 373 and the portion where the wall portion 372 is inserted into the slot 633 both correspond to the overlapping part 911. The length of the overlapping part 911 in the circumferential direction is substantially zero.

[0158] As Figure 16As shown, a contact convex portion 374 that protrudes inward and contacts the wall portion 632 (for example, contacts the outer surface of the wall portion 632) can be formed on the inner edge of the slot 373. Similarly, a contact convex portion 634 that protrudes inward and contacts the wall portion 372 (contacts the outer surface of the wall portion 372) can be formed on the inner edge of the slot 633.

[0159] [Summary]

[0160] The embodiments exemplified above include the following configurations.

[0161] (1) A connector system 1 includes a connector 2 and a mating connector 3. The connector 2 has: an insulating housing 100; conductive contacts 200 held in the insulating housing 100; and a conductive outer shell 300 held in the insulating housing 100 so as to be disposed around the contacts 200. The connector 3 has: a mating insulating housing 520 that is fitted to the insulating housing 100 along the fitting direction D12; conductive mating contacts 530 held in the mating insulating housing 520 and contacting the contacts 200 when the mating insulating housing 520 is fitted to the insulating housing 100; and a conductive mating outer shell 600 held in the mating insulating housing 520, which, when the mating insulating housing 520 is fitted to the insulating housing 100, cooperates with the outer shell 300 to form an enclosure 900 that surrounds the contacts 200 and the mating contacts 530 along an axis in the fitting direction D12. And in the circumferential direction around the axis, the lengths of the portions of the outer shell 300 that form the enclosure 900 without overlapping with the mating outer shell 600 and the portions of the mating outer shell 600 that form the enclosure 900 without overlapping with the outer shell 300 are each longer than the total length of the portion of the enclosure 900 formed by the overlapping of the outer shell 300 and the mating outer shell 600.

[0162] The enclosure 900 that surrounds the contacts 200 and the mating contacts 530 can be formed with a reduced overlapping portion between the outer shell 300 and the mating outer shell 600. Therefore, the reliability of signal transmission and miniaturization can be effectively balanced.

[0163] (2) The connector system 1 according to (1), wherein the connector 2 further has: a conductive second contact 200B, which is held by the insulating housing 100 in a manner that it is arranged along an arrangement direction D11 perpendicular to the fitting direction D12 and aligned with the contact 200; a conductive second outer shell 300B, which is held by the insulating housing 100 in a manner that it is disposed around the second contact 200B; the mating connector 3 further has: a conductive mating second contact 530B, which is held by the mating insulating housing 520 in a manner that it is arranged along the arrangement direction D11 and aligned with the mating contact 530, and contacts the second contact 200B in a state where the mating insulating housing 520 is fitted to the insulating housing 100; and a conductive mating second outer shell 300B, which is held by the mating insulating housing 520 and, in a state where the mating insulating housing 520 is fitted to the insulating housing 100, cooperates with the second outer shell 300B to form a second enclosure 900B that surrounds the second contact 200B and the mating second contact 530B along an axis in the fitting direction D12; and in the circumferential direction around the axis, the lengths of the portions of the second outer shell 300B that form the second enclosure 900B without overlapping with the mating second outer shell 300B and the portions of the mating second outer shell 300B that form the second enclosure 900B without overlapping with the second outer shell 300B are each longer than the total length of the portion of the second outer shell 300B and the mating second outer shell 300B that form the second enclosure 900B by overlapping.

[0164] For the second contact 200B and the mating second contact 530B, the second enclosure 900B can also be formed while reducing the overlapping portion between the second outer shell 300B and the mating second outer shell 300B. Therefore, the reliability of signal transmission and miniaturization can be more effectively balanced.

[0165] (3) The connector system 1 according to (2), wherein the contact 200 and the second contact 200B are electrically connected to the first signal line and the second signal line of the circuit substrate, and the mating contact 530 and the mating second contact 530B are electrically connected to the first signal conductor and the second signal conductor of one or more cables.

[0166] It is effective for miniaturizing the machine equipped with the circuit substrate.

[0167] (4) The connector system 1 according to (3), wherein the insulating housing 100 has an opposing surface 101 that faces the circuit substrate, and the arrangement direction D11 and the fitting direction D12 are parallel to the opposing surface 101.

[0168] It is effective for miniaturizing the connector 2 relative to the circuit substrate.

[0169] (5) The connector system 1 according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the housing 300 includes a contact portion 313 that contacts the mating housing 600 at a portion where the housing 300 and the mating housing 600 overlap to form an enclosure 900.

[0170] By the contact between the housing 300 and the mating housing 600, the reliability of signal transmission can be further improved.

[0171] (6) The connector system 1 according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the enclosure 900 continuously encloses the contact 200 and the mating contact 530 without disconnection.

[0172] By the contact between the housing 300 and the mating housing 600, the reliability of signal transmission can be further improved.

[0173] (7) The connector system 1 according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the length of the portion of the housing 300 that forms the enclosure 900 without overlapping with the mating housing 600, and the length of the portion of the mating housing 600 that forms the enclosure 900 without overlapping with the housing 300 each account for more than 1 / 4 of the entire circumference of the enclosure 900.

[0174] It is more effective for miniaturization.

[0175] (8) The connector system 1 according to (7), wherein the portion of the housing 300 that forms the enclosure 900 without overlapping with the mating housing 600 includes: a pair of side portions 311 that face each other in a direction opposite to the fitting direction D12; and a base portion that connects the pair of side portions 311; and the portion of the mating housing 600 that forms the enclosure 900 without overlapping with the housing 300 includes a mating base portion that faces the base portion.

[0176] It is more effective for miniaturization.

[0177] (9) The connector system 1 according to (8), wherein the housing 300 has a pair of overlapping portions 312 respectively connected to the pair of side portions 311, and the mating housing 600 has a pair of mating overlapping portions 621 that face each other in the opposite direction and overlap the pair of overlapping portions 312 from the inside respectively, and are held in a state of contacting the housing 300.

[0178] The reliability of signal transmission and miniaturization are more effectively balanced.

[0179] (10) The connector system 1 according to (9), wherein the housing 300 overlaps the mating housing 600 along the circumferential direction around the axis.

[0180] It is more effective for miniaturization.

[0181] (11) The connector system 1 according to (10), wherein the housing 300 has a wall portion 371, and a slot 373 is formed in the wall portion 371 along the fitting direction D12; the mating housing 600 has a mating wall portion 631, and the mating wall portion 631 is held in contact with the housing 300 along the circumferential direction by being inserted into the slot 373 intersecting the wall portion 371.

[0182] More effectively balance the reliability of signal transmission and miniaturization.

[0183] (12) The connector system 1 according to (11), wherein the mating housing 600 further has a mating cross wall portion 632 intersecting the mating wall portion 631, a mating slot 633 is formed in the mating cross wall portion 632 along the fitting direction D12, the housing 300 has a cross wall portion 372, and the cross wall portion 372 is held in contact with the mating housing 600 along the circumferential direction by being inserted into the mating slot 633 intersecting the mating wall portion 632.

[0184] More effectively balance the reliability of signal transmission and miniaturization.

[0185] (13) A connector 2 that is connected to a mating connector 3, the mating connector having: a mating insulating housing 520; conductive mating contacts 530 held in the mating insulating housing 520; and a conductive mating housing 600 held in the mating insulating housing 520 so as to be disposed around the mating contacts 530; and the connector 2 having: an insulating housing 100 that is fitted with the mating insulating housing 520 along the fitting direction D12; conductive contacts 200 held in the insulating housing 100 and in contact with the mating contacts 530 when the insulating housing 100 is fitted into the mating insulating housing 520; and a conductive housing 300 held in the insulating housing 100, and when the insulating housing 100 is fitted into the mating insulating housing 520, cooperating with the mating housing 600 to form an enclosure 900 that surrounds the contacts 200 and the mating contacts 530 along an axis along the fitting direction D12; and in the circumferential direction around the axis, the lengths of the portions of the housing 300 and the mating housing 600 that do not overlap with each other to form the enclosure 900 are longer than the total length of the portion of the housing 300 and the mating housing 600 that overlap with each other to form the enclosure 900.

[0186] Above, the embodiments have been described, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to the illustrated embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist thereof.

[0187] [Reference Signs]

[0188] 1... Connector system, 2... Connector, 200... Contact, 100... Insulating housing, 101... Opposing surface, D11... Arrangement direction, D12... Fitting direction, 200B... Second contact, 300B... Second housing, 3... Mating connector, 520... Mating insulating housing, 530... Mating contact, 530B... Mating second contact, 900... Enclosure, 900B... Second enclosure, 311... Side portion, 312... Overlapping portion, 621... Mating overlapping portion, 313... Contact portion, 371... Wall portion, 373... Slot, 372... Intersecting wall portion, 631... Mating wall portion, 632... Mating intersecting wall portion, 633... Mating slot.

Claims

1. A connector system, comprising a connector and a mating connector, the connector having: An insulating housing; Conductive contacts, held in the aforementioned insulating housing; and A conductive outer shell, held in the aforementioned insulating housing so as to be disposed around the aforementioned contacts; The mating connector having: A mating insulating housing, mating with the aforementioned insulating housing along the mating direction; Conductive mating contacts, held in the aforementioned mating insulating housing, and contacting the aforementioned contacts when the aforementioned mating insulating housing is mated with the aforementioned insulating housing; and A conductive mating outer shell, held in the aforementioned mating insulating housing, and cooperating with the aforementioned outer shell to form an enclosure surrounding the aforementioned contacts and the aforementioned mating contacts along an axis along the aforementioned mating direction when the aforementioned mating insulating housing is mated with the aforementioned insulating housing; and In the circumferential direction around the aforementioned axis, the lengths of the portions of the aforementioned outer shell and the aforementioned mating outer shell that form the aforementioned enclosure without overlapping with each other are longer than the total length of the portion of the aforementioned outer shell and the aforementioned mating outer shell that form the aforementioned enclosure by overlapping with each other.

2. The connector system according to claim 1, wherein the aforementioned connector further has: Conductive second contacts, held in the aforementioned insulating housing so as to be arranged along an arrangement direction perpendicular to the aforementioned mating direction and arranged with the aforementioned contacts; and A conductive second outer shell, held in the aforementioned insulating housing so as to be disposed around the aforementioned second contacts; and The aforementioned mating connector further has: Conductive mating second contacts, held in the aforementioned mating insulating housing so as to be arranged along the aforementioned arrangement direction and arranged with the aforementioned mating contacts, and contacting the aforementioned second contacts when the aforementioned mating insulating housing is mated with the aforementioned insulating housing; A conductive mating second outer shell, held in the aforementioned mating insulating housing, and cooperating with the aforementioned second outer shell to form a second enclosure surrounding the aforementioned second contacts and the aforementioned mating second contacts along the aforementioned axis along the aforementioned mating direction when the aforementioned mating insulating housing is mated with the aforementioned insulating housing; and In the aforementioned circumferential direction around the aforementioned axis, the lengths of the portions of the aforementioned second outer shell and the aforementioned mating second outer shell that form the aforementioned second enclosure without overlapping with each other are longer than the total length of the portion of the aforementioned second outer shell and the aforementioned mating second outer shell that form the aforementioned second enclosure by overlapping with each other.

3. The connector system according to claim 2, wherein the aforementioned contacts and the aforementioned second contacts are electrically connected to a first signal line and a second signal line of a circuit substrate, The aforementioned mating contacts and the aforementioned mating second contacts are electrically connected to a first signal conductor and a second signal conductor of one or more cables.

4. The connector system according to claim 3, wherein the aforementioned insulating housing has an opposing surface opposing the aforementioned circuit substrate, The aforementioned arrangement direction and the aforementioned mating direction are parallel to the aforementioned opposing surface.

5. The connector system according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a contact portion that contacts the mating housing at a portion where the housing and the mating housing overlap to form the surrounding body.

6. The connector system according to claim 1, wherein the surrounding body continuously surrounds the contact and the mating contact.

7. The connector system according to claim 1, wherein the length of the portion of the housing that forms the surrounding body without overlapping with the mating housing, and the length of the portion of the mating housing that forms the surrounding body without overlapping with the housing, each account for more than 1 / 4 of the entire circumference of the surrounding body.

8. The connector system according to claim 7, wherein the portion of the housing that forms the surrounding body without overlapping with the mating housing comprises: a pair of side portions facing each other in a direction opposite to the fitting direction; and a base portion connecting the pair of side portions; the portion of the mating housing that forms the surrounding body without overlapping with the housing includes a mating base portion facing the base portion.

9. The connector system according to claim 8, wherein the housing has a pair of overlapping portions respectively connected to the pair of side portions, the mating housing has a pair of mating overlapping portions facing each other in the opposite direction, overlapping the pair of overlapping portions from the inside respectively, and being held in a state of contacting the housing.

10. The connector system according to claim 9, wherein the housing overlaps the mating housing along the circumferential direction around the axis.

11. The connector system according to claim 10, wherein the housing has a wall portion formed with a slot along the fitting direction, the mating housing has a mating wall portion that is inserted into the slot intersecting with the wall portion and is held in a state of contacting the housing along the circumferential direction.

12. The connector system according to claim 11, wherein the mating housing further has a mating cross wall portion intersecting with the mating wall portion, a mating slot is formed in the mating cross wall portion along the fitting direction, the housing has a cross wall portion that is inserted into the mating slot intersecting with the mating cross wall portion and is held in a state of contacting the mating housing along the circumferential direction.

13. A connector that is connected to a mating connector, the mating connector having: a mating insulating housing; a conductive mating contact held in the mating insulating housing; and a conductive mating housing held in the mating insulating housing so as to be disposed around the mating contact; and the connector having: an insulating housing that is fitted with the mating insulating housing along the fitting direction; a conductive contact held in the insulating housing and contacting the mating contact when the insulating housing is fitted into the mating insulating housing; and a conductive housing held in the insulating housing and, when the insulating housing is fitted into the mating insulating housing, cooperating with the mating housing to form a surrounding body that surrounds the contact and the mating contact around an axis along the fitting direction; and In the circumferential direction around the aforementioned axis, the lengths of the parts of the aforementioned housing that form the aforementioned surrounding body without overlapping with the aforementioned mating housing, and the parts of the aforementioned mating housing that form the aforementioned surrounding body without overlapping with the aforementioned housing, are each longer than the total length of the part of the aforementioned housing and the aforementioned mating housing that form the aforementioned surrounding body while overlapping with each other.

Images