Connector

Abstract

In a connector in which a flat conductor is connected to a substrate, the isolation characteristics of the connector are improved, and noise is reduced. A connector (1) is provided with a signal terminal, first ground terminals (21), second ground terminals (31), and a housing (51), the housing (51) having an insertion portion (52) for inserting an end portion of a flat conductor into the housing (51) from the front of the housing (51), the first ground terminals (21) being respectively disposed on the right and left of the signal terminal, the signal terminal and the first ground terminals (21) extending forward from the rear of the housing (51), and the second ground terminals (31) extending forward from the rear of the housing (51). The second ground terminal (31) is disposed on the right of the first ground terminal (21) on the right side or on the left of the first ground terminal (21) on the left side, and extends rearward from the front portion of the housing (51), and when the connector (1) is viewed from the right side or the left side, the front portion of the signal terminal, the front portion of the first ground terminal (21), and the rear portion of the second ground terminal (31) overlap each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention primarily relates to connectors for connecting FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) or FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) to a rigid substrate. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, FPC or FFC are widely used as transmission media for signals or electricity. Hereinafter, FPC, FFC and other flat transmission media will be referred to as "flat conductors".

[0003] Furthermore, connectors that connect flat conductors to a substrate (rigid substrate) are currently widely used. An example of such a connector is described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-155243 (Patent Document 1). Additionally, hereinafter, when referred to simply as "substrate," it means a rigid substrate.

[0004] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-155243. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to improve the isolation characteristics of a connector in which a flat conductor is connected to a substrate, and to reduce noise.

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, the invention described in technical solution 1 is a connector for connecting a flat conductor to a substrate. This connector includes multiple terminals and a housing supporting the terminals. The housing has an insertion portion into which the end of the flat conductor is inserted from the front. The multiple terminals include: a signal terminal extending forward from the rear of the housing, with its rear portion connected to a signal terminal connection portion of the substrate, and its front portion contacting a signal terminal contact portion located on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor; and two first ground terminals extending forward from the rear of the housing, respectively positioned to the right and left of the signal terminals, with their respective rear portions connected to the ground terminals of the substrate. The terminal connection is connected, and the front part of each of them contacts the ground terminal contact part provided on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor; and the second ground terminal extends rearward from the front part of the housing and is arranged to the right of the first ground terminal provided to the right of the signal terminal or to the left of the first ground terminal provided to the left of the signal terminal. The front part is connected to the ground terminal connection part of the substrate, and the rear part contacts the ground terminal contact part provided on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. When the connector is viewed from the right or left side, the front part of the signal terminal, the front part of each of the two first ground terminals, and the rear part of the second ground terminal overlap each other.

[0007] The connector of this invention has a terminal group including a signal terminal, two first ground terminals, and a second ground terminal. In this terminal group, a first ground terminal is arranged to the right and left of the signal terminal, and a second ground terminal is arranged to the right of the first ground terminal arranged to the right of the signal terminal or to the left of the first ground terminal arranged to the left of the signal terminal. Furthermore, when the connector is viewed from the right or left, the front portion of the signal terminal, the front portion of each of the two first ground terminals, and the rear portion of the second ground terminal overlap each other. Each first ground terminal and each second ground terminal functions to shield the signal terminal. For example, if there is another transmission path to the right of the terminal group, the second ground terminal is positioned to the right of the first ground terminal arranged to the right of the signal terminal. This forms a structure in which a shield is double-distributed between the connector's signal terminal and the other transmission path. Additionally, if there is another transmission path to the left of the terminal group, the second ground terminal is positioned to the left of the first ground terminal arranged to the left of the signal terminal. This results in a configuration where shielding is doubled between the connector's signal terminals and the other transmission paths. Furthermore, if other transmission paths exist on both the right and left sides of the terminal group, the two second grounding terminals can be positioned to the right of the first grounding terminal positioned to the right of the signal terminal and to the left of the first grounding terminal positioned to the left of the signal terminal, respectively. This also results in a configuration where shielding is doubled between the connector's signal terminals and the other transmission paths on the right side of the terminal group, and also doubled between the connector's signal terminals and the other transmission paths on the left side of the terminal group.

[0008] Furthermore, in the connector of this invention, each first ground terminal extends forward from the rear of the housing, while the second ground terminal extends rearward from the front of the housing. For example, in a terminal group, when the second ground terminal is positioned to the right of the first ground terminal positioned to the right of the signal terminal, the right side of the signal terminal is covered by the first ground terminal extending forward from the rear of the housing and the second ground terminal extending rearward from the front of the housing. Therefore, the area shielding the signal terminal from its right side can be expanded in the front-back direction, increasing the shielding range of the signal terminal. Additionally, in a terminal group, when the second ground terminal is positioned to the left of the first ground terminal positioned to the left of the signal terminal, the area shielding the signal terminal from its left side can be expanded in the front-back direction, increasing the shielding range of the signal terminal.

[0009] Furthermore, in the connector of this invention, each first ground terminal extends forward from the rear of the housing, with the rear portion connected to the ground terminal connection portion of the substrate, and the front portion contacting the ground terminal contact portion provided on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. On the other hand, the second ground terminal extends rearward from the front of the housing, with the front portion connected to the ground terminal connection portion of the substrate, and the rear portion contacting the ground terminal contact portion provided on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. Thus, the connector of this invention has the following structure: each first ground terminal is connected to the ground portion of the substrate at the rear of the housing, and the second ground terminal is connected to the ground portion of the substrate at the front of the housing. That is, the connector of this invention has the following structure: the shield covering the signal terminals (each first ground terminal and the second ground terminal) is connected to the ground portion of the substrate at multiple different locations. With this structure, multiple paths for noise current flow can be formed within the connector via the shield, and these paths can be made distinct from each other.

[0010] Furthermore, in the connector of this invention, each first grounding terminal extends forward from the rear of the housing, and each second grounding terminal extends backward from the front of the housing. When the connector is viewed from the right or left, the front portion of each of the two first grounding terminals and the rear portion of each of the second grounding terminals overlap. In this structure, the rear portion of each first grounding terminal is located at the rear of the housing, the front portion of each second grounding terminal is located at the front of the housing, and the front portion of each first grounding terminal and the rear portion of each second grounding terminal are located at the midpoint of the housing in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the length of each first grounding terminal is the distance from the rear of the housing to the midpoint in the front-rear direction, which is approximately half the size of the housing in the front-rear direction, and the length of the second grounding terminal is the distance from the front of the housing to the midpoint in the front-rear direction, which is approximately half the size of the housing in the front-rear direction. The length of each of the first and second grounding terminals is approximately half the length of the front-to-back dimension of the housing. Therefore, the lengths of each of the first and second grounding terminals are the same and shorter (neither the first nor the second grounding terminal is extremely short, and the other is not extremely long). By shortening the length of each grounding terminal, the impedance of each grounding terminal can be reduced, facilitating the flow of noise current.

[0011] As described above, the connector according to this invention can be configured with a double shield between the connector's signal terminals and other transmission paths. Furthermore, the shielding range for the signal terminals can be increased. Additionally, multiple paths for noise current flow can be formed within the connector via the shielding, and these paths can be made distinct from each other. Moreover, by shortening the length of each grounding terminal, noise current can flow more easily. Therefore, the isolation characteristics of the connector—that is, the isolation characteristics of the transmission paths formed by the connector's terminal group—can be improved, and noise reduction can be achieved.

[0012] In the connector of the invention according to technical solution 2, based on the invention according to technical solution 1, the rear end of the second ground terminal is located further rearward than the front end of the signal terminal and each of the two first ground terminals. Therefore, when the connector is viewed from the right or left, the overlapping range of the front portion of the signal terminal, the front portion of each of the two first ground terminals, and the rear portion of the second ground terminal can be increased. This reliably improves the isolation characteristics of the connector.

[0013] In the connector of the invention according to technical solution 3, based on the connector of the invention according to technical solution 1, a substrate connecting portion connected to the signal terminal connecting portion of the substrate is formed at the rear end of the signal terminal; a transmission body contact portion contacting the signal terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor is formed at the front end of the signal terminal; a substrate connecting portion connected to the ground terminal connecting portion of the substrate is formed at the rear end of each of the first ground terminals; and a transmission body contact portion contacting the ground terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor is formed at the front end of each of the first ground terminals. The connector comprises a substrate connecting portion formed at the front end of the second ground terminal, which connects to the ground terminal connecting portion of the substrate; and a transmission body contact portion formed at the rear end of the second ground terminal, which contacts the ground terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. The substrate connecting portions of the signal terminal and each of the two first ground terminals are located at the rear end of the housing, the substrate connecting portion of the second ground terminal is located at the front end of the housing, and the transmission body contact portions of the signal terminal, the two first ground terminals, and each of the second ground terminal are located at the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the housing. The connector according to this invention achieves the same effects as the connector of the invention according to technical solution 1.

[0014] In the connector of the invention according to technical solution 4, based on the connector of the invention according to technical solution 1, the plurality of terminals include a third ground terminal. This third ground terminal is configured to overlap with each of the front portions of the signal terminals, the front portions of the two first ground terminals, and the rear portions of the second ground terminal when the connector is viewed from above. A portion of this third ground terminal is connected to the ground terminal connection portion of the substrate, and another portion is in contact with the ground terminal contact portion provided on the upper surface of the end of the flat conductor. In the connector of this invention, the third ground terminal functions as a shield that covers the front portions of the signal terminals, the front portions of the two first ground terminals, and the rear portions of the second ground terminal from above. By providing the third ground terminal, it is possible to suppress noise intrusion into the signal terminals of the connector and noise radiation from the signal terminals.

[0015] In the connector of the invention according to technical solution 5, based on the connector of the invention according to technical solution 4, a transmission body contact portion is formed at the front end of the signal terminal to contact the signal terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor; a transmission body contact portion is formed at the front end of each of the first ground terminals to contact the ground terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor; and a transmission body contact portion is formed at the rear end of the second ground terminal to contact the ground terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. The third grounding terminal has a plate-shaped shielding portion extending in both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. This shielding portion is located above the transmission contact portion of each of the signal terminal, the two first grounding terminals, and the second grounding terminal. The right edge of the shielding portion is positioned to the right of the transmission contact portion of the rightmost terminal among the signal terminal, the two first grounding terminals, and the second grounding terminal, while the left edge is positioned to the left of the transmission contact portion of the leftmost terminal among the signal terminal, the two first grounding terminals, and the second grounding terminal. In the connector of this invention, the shielding portion of the third grounding terminal extensively covers the transmission contact portion from the leftmost terminal among the signal terminal, the two first grounding terminals, and the second grounding terminal to the rightmost terminal. This improves the shielding effect of the third grounding terminal on the signal terminal, the first grounding terminals, and the second grounding terminal.

[0016] In the connector of the invention according to technical solution 6, based on the connector of the invention according to technical solution 4, a transmission body contact portion is formed at the front end of the signal terminal to contact the signal terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor; a transmission body contact portion is formed at the front end of each of the first ground terminals to contact the ground terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor; a transmission body contact portion is formed at the rear end of the second ground terminal to contact the ground terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor; and the third ground terminal has a plate-shaped shielding portion extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, the shielding portion being located above the transmission body contact portion of each of the signal terminal, the two first ground terminals, and the second ground terminal. Furthermore, the leading edge of the shielding portion is located forward of the front end of the signal terminal and the foremost of the two first ground terminals, or the front-rear position of the leading edge of the shielding portion is aligned with the front-rear position of the front end of the signal terminal and the foremost of the two first ground terminals. Furthermore, the rear edge of the aforementioned shielding portion is located further rearward than the rear end of the second grounding terminal, or the position of the rear edge of the aforementioned shielding portion in the front-rear direction coincides with the position of the rear end of the second grounding terminal in the front-rear direction. In the connector of this invention, the shielding portion of the third grounding terminal extensively covers at least from the front end of the signal terminal and the foremost of the two first grounding terminals to the rear end of the second grounding terminal. This improves the shielding effect of the third grounding terminal on the signal terminal, the first grounding terminal, and the second grounding terminal.

[0017] In the connector of the invention according to technical solution 7, based on the connector of the invention according to technical solution 1, the plurality of terminals include two of the aforementioned signal terminals. When the connector is viewed from the right or left side, the front portion of each of the two signal terminals, the front portion of each of the two first ground terminals, and the rear portion of the second ground terminal overlap each other. According to the connector of this invention, differential signals can be transmitted using two signal terminals, thereby improving the isolation characteristics of the differential signal transmission path.

[0018] In the connector of the invention according to technical solution 8, based on the connector of the invention according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 3, multiple terminal groups including the aforementioned signal terminals, the aforementioned two first ground terminals, and the aforementioned second ground terminals are arranged in a left-right direction. According to the connector of this invention, the isolation characteristics of each terminal group can be improved by using the first ground terminals and second ground terminals in each terminal group. For example, in two adjacent terminal groups, crosstalk between high-frequency signals flowing in the signal terminals of one terminal group and high-frequency signals flowing in the signal terminals of the other terminal group can be suppressed. Therefore, even if multiple terminal groups are arranged with narrow spacing within the connector, the high quality of the high-frequency signals flowing in the signal terminals of each terminal group can be ensured. Therefore, a compact connector capable of transmitting multiple high-frequency signals simultaneously can be realized.

[0019] In the connector of the invention according to technical solution 9, based on the connector of the invention according to any one of technical solutions 4 to 6, it includes multiple terminal groups including the aforementioned signal terminal, the aforementioned two first ground terminals, the aforementioned second ground terminal, and the aforementioned third ground terminal, and the aforementioned multiple terminal groups are arranged in a left-right direction. According to the connector of this invention, the isolation characteristics of each terminal group can be improved by the first ground terminal and the second ground terminal in each terminal group, and the noise immunity of each terminal group can be improved by the third ground terminal in each terminal group. Therefore, when realizing a compact connector that can transmit multiple high-frequency signals simultaneously, the quality of each transmitted high-frequency signal can be further improved.

[0020] In the connector of the invention according to technical solution 10, based on the connector of the invention according to technical solution 7, multiple terminal groups are provided, including the two signal terminals, the two first ground terminals, and the second ground terminal, and the multiple terminal groups are arranged in a left-right direction. According to the connector of this invention, a compact connector that can transmit multiple differential signals simultaneously can be realized, and the high quality of each transmitted differential signal can be ensured.

[0021] According to the present invention, in a connector in which a flat conductor is connected to a substrate, the isolation characteristics of the connector can be improved and noise can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the state of the connector, substrate, and flat conductor of the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the upper rear left side.

[0023] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram showing the upper surface of the substrate in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the upper surface of the flat conductor in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 (B) is an explanatory diagram showing the lower surface of the flat conductor.

[0025] Figure 4 (A) indicates along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a flat conductor cut by the cut line bb in (A). Figure 4 (B) indicates along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a flat conductor cut by the cut line cc in (A).

[0026] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the state of the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention after the locking lever has been separated from the housing, as viewed from the upper rear left side.

[0027] Figure 6 (A) is a front view of the connector of an embodiment of the present invention with the locking lever removed. Figure 6 (B) is a top view of the connector.

[0028] Figure 7 (A) is a bottom view of the connector of an embodiment of the present invention with the locking lever removed. Figure 7 (B) is the rear view of the connector.

[0029] Figure 8 (A) is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the connector with the cut wire dd cut in (A). Figure 8 (B) is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the connector with the cut wire ee cut off in (A). Figure 8 (C) is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the connector with the cut line ff cut off in (A).

[0030] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing four terminal groups in a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 10 This is an explanatory diagram showing the structure and operation of the locking lever in the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 11 (A) is a perspective view showing the signal terminals in a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 (B) is a perspective view showing the first grounding terminal in the connector. Figure 11 (C) is a perspective view showing the second grounding terminal in the connector. Figure 11(D) is a perspective view representing the third grounding terminal in the connector.

[0033] Figure 12 This is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the terminal group in the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above.

[0034] Figure 13 This is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the terminal group in the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right side.

[0035] Figure 14 This is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the signal terminal, the first ground terminal, and the second ground terminal are in contact with the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor inserted into the housing in the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 15 This is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the third grounding terminal is in contact with the upper surface of the end of the flat conductor inserted into the housing in the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 16 This is an explanatory diagram showing the measurement results of the isolation characteristics in the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 17 This is an explanatory diagram showing the measurement results of the isolation characteristics in the connector of the first comparative example.

[0039] Figure 18 This is an explanatory diagram showing the measurement results of the isolation characteristics in the connector of the second comparative example.

[0040] Figure 19 This is an explanatory diagram showing the measurement results of the isolation characteristics in the connector of the third comparative example.

[0041] Figure 20 This is an explanatory diagram showing the measurement results of the isolation characteristics in the connector of the fourth comparative example.

[0042] Figure 21 This is an explanatory diagram showing the measurement results of the isolation characteristics in the connector of the fifth comparative example.

[0043] Figure 22 This is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0045] 1. 91... Connector; 5~8... Terminal group; 11... Signal terminal; 12... Substrate connection part; 15... Transmission body contact part; 21... First ground terminal; 22... Substrate connection part; 25... Transmission body contact part; 31... Second ground terminal; 32... Substrate connection part; 35... Transmission body contact part; 41... Third ground terminal; 42... Shielding part; 42A... Right edge; 42B... Left edge; 42C... Leading edge; 42D... Rear edge; 43... Substrate connection Part; 46... Transmission body contact part; 51... Housing; 52... Insertion part; 61... Substrate; 62... Signal terminal connection pad (signal terminal connection part); 63, 64, 65... Ground terminal connection pad (ground terminal connection part); 71... Flat conductor; 79... End; 79A... Upper surface; 79B... Lower surface; 81... Upper ground terminal contact part (ground terminal contact part); 83... Lower ground terminal contact part (ground terminal contact part); 86... Signal terminal contact part. Detailed Implementation

[0046] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, when describing the directions of up (Ud), down (Dd), front (Fd), back (Bd), left (Ld), and right (Rd) for the connector of this embodiment, it will be in accordance with... Figure 1 , 2 The arrows depicted in the lower left of numbers 4-10 and 12-22.

[0047] (Connector overview)

[0048] Figure 1 The diagram shows the state of connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the upper rear left side. Figure 1 In the image, connector 1 is shown together with substrate 61 and flat conductor 71.

[0049] Connector 1 is a connector that connects the flat conductor 71 to the substrate 61. For example... Figure 1 As shown, connector 1 is mounted on the upper surface 61A of substrate 61. In addition, flat conductor 71 is pluggably fitted into connector 1.

[0050] (Substrate)

[0051] Figure 2 The upper surface 61A of substrate 61 is shown. Substrate 61 is a rigid substrate formed of a rigid insulating material. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, signal wiring patterns and a ground layer, each formed of a conductive material, are provided on substrate 61. Furthermore, the upper surface 61A of substrate 61 serves as a mounting surface for components. Figure 2As shown, signal terminal connection pads 62 and ground terminal connection pads 63, 64, and 65, respectively, formed of conductive material, are formed on the upper surface 61A. The signal terminal connection pads 62 are connected to the signal wiring pattern of the substrate 61. The ground terminal connection pads 63, 64, and 65 are connected to the ground layer of the substrate 61. Furthermore, Figure 2 The double-dotted line indicates the position where connector 1 is mounted on the upper surface 61A. Furthermore, signal terminal connection pad 62 is a specific example of a "signal terminal connection part," and ground terminal connection pads 63, 64, and 65 are specific examples of "ground terminal connection parts."

[0052] (Flat conductor)

[0053] Figure 3 (A) shows the upper surface of the flat conductor 71. Figure 3 (B) shows the lower surface of the flat conductor 71. Figure 4 (A) shows from Figure 3 Observing the right side of (A) along Figure 3 The state of the cross section of the flat conductor 71 cut by the cutting line bb in (A). Figure 4 (B) shows from Figure 3 Observing the right side of (A) along Figure 3 The state of the cross-section of the flat conductor 71 cut by the cutting line cc in (A). Furthermore, Figure 3 The cutting position indicated by the cutting line bb in (B) is the same as... Figure 3 The cutting position indicated by the cutting line bb in (A) is the same. Figure 3 The cutting position indicated by the cutting line cc in (B) is similar to... Figure 3 The cutting position indicated by the cutting line cc in (A) is the same.

[0054] In this embodiment, the flat conductor 71 is an FPC. For example... Figure 4 (A) and Figure 4 As shown in (B), the flat conductor 71 has: a lower ground layer 72 formed of a conductive material; a lower base layer 73 disposed above the lower ground layer 72 and formed of a flexible insulating material; and four signal wiring patterns 74 (see reference). Figure 3 The (B) dashed line is disposed above the lower base layer 73 and is formed of a conductive material; the upper base layer 75 is disposed above the four signal wiring patterns 74 and is formed of a flexible insulating material; and the upper ground layer 76 is disposed above the upper base layer 75 and is formed of a conductive material. In addition, in the portion of the flat conductor 71 other than the end 79, protective layers 77 are formed on the lower surface of the lower ground layer 72 and the upper surface of the upper ground layer 76, respectively.

[0055] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown in (A), an upper grounding terminal contact 81 is formed on the upper surface 79A of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 by covering the upper surface of the upper grounding layer 76 with a coating 80. Figure 3 As shown in (A), the upper grounding terminal contact portion 81 is formed over the entire area of ​​the upper surface 79A of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71, except for its edge portion.

[0056] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown in (A), a lower grounding terminal contact 83 is formed on the lower surface 79B of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 by covering the lower surface of the lower grounding layer 72 with a coating 82. Figure 3 As shown in (B), five lower grounding terminal contacts 83 are formed on the lower surface 79B of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71, and these lower grounding terminal contacts 83 are arranged in the left-right direction.

[0057] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown in (B), four signal terminal contacts 86 are formed on the lower surface 79B of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71. Figure 4 As shown in (B), each signal terminal contact 86 is formed by providing a pattern 84 made of conductive material, separated from the lower ground layer 72, at the end 79 of the flat conductor 71, below the lower base layer 73, and covering the lower surface of the pattern 84 with a coating 85. Furthermore, the four signal terminal contacts 86 are connected to the four signal wiring patterns 74 respectively via through holes 87. Figure 3 As shown in (B), four signal terminal contacts 86 are arranged in the left-right direction on the lower surface 79B of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71. The four signal terminal contacts 86 are disposed between two adjacent lower grounding terminal contacts 83. In addition, each signal terminal contact 86 is located away from the lower grounding terminal contacts 83 on both sides.

[0058] (Details about the connector)

[0059] Figure 5 The state of connector 1 after locking lever 57 has been separated from housing 51 is shown when viewed from the upper rear left side. Figure 6 (A) is the front view of connector 1. Figure 6 (B) is a top view of connector 1. Figure 7 (A) is a bottom view of connector 1. Figure 7 (B) is the rear view of connector 1. Figure 8 (A) is viewed from the right side along Figure 6 The state of the cross section of connector 1 cut by the cut line dd in (A). Figure 8(B) is viewed from the right side along Figure 6 The state of the cross section of connector 1 cut by the cut line ee in (A). Figure 8 (C) is viewed from the right side along Figure 6 The state of the cross-section of connector 1 cut by the cut line ff in (A). Furthermore, in Figure 6 (A) ~ Figure 8 In (C), connector 1 is shown with the locking lever 57 removed. Figure 9 The four terminal groups 5 to 8 of connector 1 are shown.

[0060] like Figure 5 As shown, connector 1 has four terminal groups 5, 6, 7, and 8. (As indicated...) Figure 9 As shown, each terminal group 5-8 includes a signal terminal 11, two first ground terminals 21, two second ground terminals 31, and a third ground terminal 41. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, connector 1 has a housing 51 that supports the terminals 11, 21, 31, and 41 of the four terminal groups 5 to 8, and a locking rod 57 that locks the flat conductor 71 fitted into connector 1.

[0061] (case)

[0062] like Figure 6 (A) ~ Figure 7 As shown in (B), the housing 51 is formed of an insulating material. Furthermore, the housing 51 is formed into a cuboid shape having a front surface 51A, a rear surface 51B, an upper surface 51C, a lower surface 51D, a right surface 51E, and a left surface 51F. Additionally, the housing 51 has a shape that is laterally longer and relatively low in height, with its left-right dimension being longer than its front-back dimension and its vertical dimension being shorter than its front-back dimension.

[0063] In addition, such as Figure 6 As shown in (A), the housing 51 has an insertion portion 52 into which the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 is inserted from the front of the housing 51. The insertion portion 52 is an opening on the front surface 51A of the housing 51, extending rearward from the front surface 51A into the housing 51, either a hole or a recess. Furthermore, the insertion portion 52 extends from the left end to the right end of the housing 51. Additionally, the insertion portion 52 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71. Figure 8 (A) ~ Figure 8 As shown in (C), the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 is inserted into the insertion portion 52 from the front of the housing 51, fits into the insertion portion 52, and is disposed within the housing 51.

[0064] In addition, such as Figure 8As shown in (A), a front terminal support portion 53 supporting the second grounding terminal 31 is provided at the lower part of the front portion of the housing 51. Figure 6 (A) and Figure 7 As shown in (A), eight second grounding terminals 31 are supported on the front terminal support portion 53.

[0065] In addition, such as Figure 8 As shown in (B) and (C), a rear terminal support 54 is provided at the front of the housing 51 to support the signal terminal 11, the first ground terminal 21, and the third ground terminal 41. Figure 7 (A) and Figure 7 As shown in (B), four signal terminals 11, eight first ground terminals 21 and four third ground terminals 41 are supported on the rear terminal support 54.

[0066] (Locking lever)

[0067] exist Figure 1 In this design, the locking lever 57 is a mechanism for locking the flat conductor 71 inserted into the insertion portion 52 of the housing 51 and preventing the flat conductor 71 from disengaging from the housing 51. The locking lever 57 is disposed above the housing 51 and is rotatably mounted on the housing 51.

[0068] Figure 10 (A) shows the view from the right side (in) Figure 1 (Middle to top left) Observe along Figure 1 The figure shows the state of the cross-section of the locking rod 57 cut by the cutting line aa. The figure also shows the state in which the flat conductor 71, inserted into the insertion part 52 of the housing 51, is locked to the housing 51 by the locking rod 57. Figure 10 (B) shows the state in which the locking lever 57 is rotated in order to unlock.

[0069] like Figure 10 As shown in (A), a rotating shaft 58 is provided at the right front end of the locking lever 57. Similarly, a rotating shaft is also provided at the left front end of the locking lever 57. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, locking rod support portions 55 are respectively provided at the right front end and the left front end of the housing 51. Figure 10 As shown in (A), the rotation shaft 58 of the right front end of the locking lever 57 is rotatably supported on the locking lever support portion 55 of the right front end of the housing 51. Similarly, the rotation shaft of the left front end of the locking lever 57 is rotatably supported on the locking lever support portion 55 of the left front end of the housing 51. Thus, as Figure 10 (A) and Figure 10 As shown in (B), the locking lever 57 is rotatably mounted on the housing 51.

[0070] In addition, such as Figure 3As shown in (A), cutouts 88 are formed at the right and left ends of the flat conductor 71. Additionally, as... Figure 10 As shown in (A), a locking protrusion 59 is provided at the right end of the locking lever 57. Similarly, a locking protrusion is also provided at the left end of the locking lever 57. When the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 is inserted into the insertion portion 52 of the housing 51, the left and right locking protrusions 59 of the locking lever 57 respectively enter the inner side of the left and right cuts 88 of the flat conductor 71. Thus, the flat conductor 71 is locked to the housing 51 by each locking protrusion 59, thereby preventing the flat conductor 71 from detaching from the housing 51.

[0071] In addition, such as Figure 10 As shown in (B), when the locking lever 57 is rotated, the left and right locking protrusions 59 of the locking lever 57 extend outward from the inside of the left and right cutouts 88 of the flat conductor 71, respectively. As a result, the lock of the flat conductor 71 relative to the housing 51 is released, and the flat conductor 71 can be removed from the housing 51.

[0072] (Terminal structure)

[0073] like Figure 9 As shown, connector 1 has four terminal groups 5 to 8. In addition, each terminal group 5 to 8 includes a signal terminal 11, two first ground terminals 21, two second ground terminals 31, and a third ground terminal 41.

[0074] Figure 11 (A) shows signal terminal 11. Figure 11 As shown in (A), the signal terminal 11 is formed of a conductive material into a rod shape that is bent or flexed at multiple locations. The signal terminal 11 has a substrate connection portion 12, a supported portion 13, a spring portion 14, a transmission contact portion 15, and a tilting portion 16. The substrate connection portion 12 is formed at one end of the signal terminal 11. The supported portion 13 is formed on the other side of the substrate connection portion 12. The spring portion 14 is formed on the other side of the supported portion 13. The transmission contact portion 15 is formed at the other end of the signal terminal 11 and is located on the other side of the spring portion 14. The tilting portion 16 is formed at the front end of the other end of the signal terminal 11.

[0075] like Figure 8 As shown in (C), in the signal terminal 11, the supported portion 13 is embedded in and supported by the rear terminal support portion 54 of the housing 51. Furthermore, the substrate connection portion 12 is connected to the signal terminal connection pad 62 of the substrate 61, for example, by soldering. Additionally, the transmission body contact portion 15 contacts the signal terminal contact portion 86 of the flat conductor 71.

[0076] Figure 11 (B) shows the first grounding terminal 21. Figure 11 As shown in (B), the first grounding terminal 21 is formed of a conductive material into a rod shape that is bent or flexed at multiple locations. The first grounding terminal 21 has a substrate connection portion 22, a supported portion 23, a spring portion 24, a transmission body contact portion 25, and an inclined portion 26. The shape, size, and structure of the first grounding terminal 21 are the same as those of the signal terminal 11.

[0077] like Figure 8 As shown in (B), in the first grounding terminal 21, the supported portion 23 is embedded in and supported by the rear terminal support portion 54 of the housing 51. Additionally, the substrate connection portion 22 is connected to the grounding terminal connection pad 63 of the substrate 61, for example, by soldering. Furthermore, the transmission body contact portion 25 contacts the lower grounding terminal contact portion 83 of the flat conductor 71.

[0078] Figure 11 (C) shows the second grounding terminal 31. Figure 11 As shown in (C), the second grounding terminal 31 is formed of a conductive material into a rod shape that is bent or flexed at multiple locations. The second grounding terminal 31 has a substrate connection portion 32, a supported portion 33, a spring portion 34, a transmission body contact portion 35, and an inclined portion 36. (Comparison) Figure 11 (C) and Figure 11 As can be seen from (B), the shape of the supported portion 33 of the second grounding terminal 31 is different from the shape of the supported portion 23 of the first grounding terminal 21. In addition, the length of the spring portion 34 of the second grounding terminal 31 is slightly longer than the length of the spring portion 24 of the first grounding terminal 21. Apart from this, the second grounding terminal 31 is formed in the same manner as the first grounding terminal 21.

[0079] like Figure 8 As shown in (A), in the second grounding terminal 31, the supported portion 33 is embedded in and supported by the front terminal support portion 53 of the housing 51. Additionally, the substrate connection portion 32 is connected to the grounding terminal connection pad 64 of the substrate 61, for example, by soldering. Furthermore, the transmission body contact portion 35 contacts the lower grounding terminal contact portion 83 of the flat conductor 71.

[0080] Figure 11 (D) shows the third grounding terminal 41. The third grounding terminal 41 is formed of a conductive material. Figure 11 As shown in (D), the third grounding terminal 41 has a shielding portion 42, two substrate connecting portions 43, two supported pieces 44, a spring portion 45, a transmission body contact portion 46, and an inclined portion 47. The shielding portion 42 is formed in... Figure 11The shielding portion 42 extends in the X1-X2 and Y1-Y2 directions in (D). One substrate connecting portion 43 extends in the X1 direction from the X1 and Y1 side ends of the shielding portion 42. The other substrate connecting portion 43 extends in the X1 direction from the X1 and Y2 side ends of the shielding portion 42. In addition, one supported piece 44 protrudes in the Y1 direction from the Y1 side end of the X1 side portion of the shielding portion 42. The other supported piece 44 protrudes in the Y2 direction from the Y2 side end of the X1 side portion of the shielding portion 42. In addition, in the shielding portion 42, the portion closer to the X2 side than the portion where two supported pieces 44 are formed becomes a spring portion 45. Furthermore, in the shielding portion 42, the portion from the X2 side portion of the spring portion 45 to the X2 side end bends in a manner that protrudes in the Z2 direction. The protruding end of this bendable portion becomes a transmission body contact portion 46. In addition, in the shielding portion 42, the portion from the part closer to the X2 side than the contact portion 46 of the transmission body to the end on the X2 side becomes the inclined portion 47.

[0081] In the third grounding terminal 41, such as Figure 7 As shown in (B), two support plates 44 are supported on the rear terminal support portion 54 of the housing 51. Additionally, as... Figure 8 As shown in (A), the substrate connection portion 43 is connected to the ground terminal connection pad 65 of the substrate 61 by soldering, for example. In addition, the transmission body contact portion 46 contacts the upper ground terminal contact portion 81 of the flat conductor 71.

[0082] (Terminal configuration)

[0083] Figure 12 The state of terminal group 5 as viewed from above is shown. Figure 13 The state of terminal group 5 is shown when viewed from the right.

[0084] like Figure 12 As shown, in terminal group 5, two first ground terminals 21 are respectively disposed to the right and left of signal terminal 11. In addition, two second ground terminals 31 are respectively disposed to the right of the first ground terminal 21 disposed to the right of the signal terminal 11, and to the left of the first ground terminal 21 disposed to the left of the signal terminal 11.

[0085] Furthermore, in terminal group 5, the signal terminal 11 and the two first ground terminals 21 are respectively configured to extend forward from the rear of the housing 51. Specifically, the substrate connection portion 12 formed at one end of the signal terminal 11 is located at the rear end of the housing 51, and the transmission contact portion 15 formed at the other end of the signal terminal 11 is located at the middle of the housing 51 in the front-rear direction. In addition, the substrate connection portion 22 formed at one end of each first ground terminal 21 is located at the rear end of the housing 51, and the transmission contact portion 25 formed at the other end of each first ground terminal 21 is located at the middle of the housing 51 in the front-rear direction.

[0086] On the other hand, in the terminal group 5, the two second grounding terminals 31 are respectively configured to extend from the front of the housing 51 to the rear. Specifically, the substrate connecting portion 32 formed at one end of each second grounding terminal 31 is located at the front end of the housing 51, and the transmission body contact portion 35 formed at the other end of each second grounding terminal 31 is located at the middle part of the housing 51 in the front-rear direction.

[0087] In addition, such as Figure 13 As shown, in terminal group 5, signal terminal 11, two first ground terminals 21, and two second ground terminals 31 are respectively disposed in the lower part of housing 51 (below the insertion part 52). In addition, the rear end of each second ground terminal 31 is located further rearward than the front end of each of the signal terminal 11 and the two first ground terminals 21.

[0088] In addition, such as Figure 13 As shown, when connector 1 is viewed from the right or left, in terminal group 5, the front portion of signal terminal 11, the front portion of each of the two first ground terminals 21, and the rear portion of second ground terminal 31 overlap each other. Here, the front portion of signal terminal 11 refers to the portion of... Figure 11 The portion of signal terminal 11 in (A) surrounded by a double-dotted line, that is, the portion in signal terminal 11 where the spring portion 14, the transmission body contact portion 15, and the inclined portion 16 are formed. Additionally, the front portion of the first ground terminal 21 refers to the portion where... Figure 11 The portion of the first grounding terminal 21 in (B) surrounded by the double-dotted line, that is, the portion in the first grounding terminal 21 in which the spring portion 24, the transmission body contact portion 25, and the inclined portion 26 are formed. Furthermore, the rear portion of the second grounding terminal 31 refers to the portion in... Figure 11 The portion of the second grounding terminal 31 in (C) surrounded by the double-dotted line, that is, the portion in the second grounding terminal 31 in which the spring portion 34, the transmission body contact portion 35, and the inclined portion 36 are formed. Observation Figure 12As can be seen from 13, specifically, when viewing connector 1 from the right or left, in terminal group 5, the portion of the front part of signal terminal 11 from the front end of spring portion 14 to the front end of inclined portion 16, the portion of the front part of each first ground terminal 21 from the front end of spring portion 24 to the front end of inclined portion 26, and the portion of the rear part of each second ground terminal 31 from the rear end of spring portion 34 to the rear end of inclined portion 36 respectively overlap with each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in terminal group 5, the front-rear position of each of the following components—the transmission contact portion 15 of signal terminal 11, the transmission contact portion 25 of each first ground terminal 21, and the transmission contact portion 35 of each second ground terminal 31—is consistent with each other.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the signal terminal 11 and the two first ground terminals 21 are identical in shape and size, and their arrangement in the front-to-back and vertical directions is also identical. Therefore, when the connector 1 is viewed from the right or left side, the signal terminal 11 and the two first ground terminals 21 completely overlap.

[0090] In addition, such as Figure 13 As shown, in terminal group 5, the third grounding terminal 41 is configured to extend forward from the rear of housing 51. Specifically, the substrate connection portion 43 of the third grounding terminal 41 is located at the rear end of housing 51, and the transmission contact portion 46 of the third grounding terminal 41 is located at the middle of housing 51 in the front-rear direction.

[0091] Additionally, when viewing connector 1 from above, as... Figure 12 As shown, in terminal group 5, the third ground terminal 41 is configured to overlap with each of the front portion of the signal terminal 11, the front portions of the two first ground terminals 21, and the rear portions of the two second ground terminals 31. Specifically, the shielding portion 42 of the third ground terminal 41 is located above the front portion of the signal terminal 11, the front portions of the two first ground terminals 21, and the rear portions of the two second ground terminals 31. Moreover, the shielding portion 42 extends in both the front-rear and left-right directions to cover the front portions of the signal terminal 11, the front portions of the two first ground terminals 21, and the rear portions of the two second ground terminals 31 from above.

[0092] More specifically, the right edge 42A of the shielding portion 42 is located to the right of the transmission contact portion (in this embodiment, the transmission contact portion 35 of the rightmost terminal of the signal terminal 11, the two first ground terminals 21, and the two second ground terminals 31). Furthermore, the left edge 42B of the shielding portion 42 is located to the left of the transmission contact portion (in this embodiment, the transmission contact portion 35 of the leftmost terminal of the signal terminal 11, the two first ground terminals 21, and the two second ground terminals 31). Additionally, the leading edge 42C of the shielding portion 42 is located forward of the front end of the foremost terminal of the signal terminal 11 and the two first ground terminals 21 (in this embodiment, the front ends of each of the signal terminal 11 and the two first ground terminals 21 are aligned, therefore it is the front end of each of the signal terminal 11 and the two first ground terminals 21). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the leading edge 42C of the shielding portion 42 is located forward of the transmission contact portion 35 of the two second grounding terminals 31. Additionally, the trailing edge 42D of the shielding portion is located rearward of the rear end of the last of the two second grounding terminals 31 (in this embodiment, the rear ends of each of the two second grounding terminals 31 are aligned, therefore it is the rear end of each of the two second grounding terminals 31). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the trailing edge 42D of the shielding portion 42 is located rearward of the supported portion 13 of the signal terminal 11 and the supported portion 23 of the two first grounding terminals 21.

[0093] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 13 As shown, in terminal group 5, the position of the transmission contact portion 46 of the third ground terminal 41 in the front-back direction is consistent with the position of the transmission contact portion 15 of the signal terminal 11, the transmission contact portion 25 of each of the first ground terminals 21, and the transmission contact portion 35 of each of the second ground terminals 31 in the front-back direction.

[0094] like Figure 9 As shown, the configuration of signal terminal 11, two first ground terminals 21, two second ground terminals 31, and third ground terminal 41 in terminal groups 6-8 is the same as that in terminal group 5. Furthermore, the four terminal groups 5-8 are arranged in a left-right direction within the housing 51. Additionally, as... Figure 9 As shown, the four terminal groups 5-8 are arranged in a row, but they can also be arranged in a different row.

[0095] (Contact between the terminal and the flat conductor)

[0096] Figure 14The diagram shows the state in which four signal terminals 11, eight first ground terminals 21, and eight second ground terminals 31 are in contact with the lower surface 79B of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 inserted into the insertion portion 52 of the housing 51.

[0097] When the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 is inserted into the insertion portion 52 of the housing 51, as Figure 14 As shown, the transmission contact portion 15 of a total of four signal terminals 11 included in the four terminal groups 5 to 8 respectively contacts the four signal terminal contact portions 86 formed on the lower surface 79B of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71. Additionally, the transmission contact portion 25 of a total of eight first ground terminals 21 included in the four terminal groups 5 to 8 respectively contacts the lower ground terminal contact portion 83 formed on the lower surface 79B of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71. Furthermore, the transmission contact portion 35 of a total of eight second ground terminals 31 included in the four terminal groups 5 to 8 respectively contacts the lower ground terminal contact portion 83 formed on the lower surface 79B of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71.

[0098] Figure 15 The diagram shows the state in which the four third grounding terminals 41 are in contact with the upper surface 79A of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 inserted into the insertion portion 52 of the housing 51.

[0099] When the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 is inserted into the insertion portion 52 of the housing 51, as Figure 15 As shown, the transmission body contact portion 46 of the total four third grounding terminals 41 included in the four terminal groups 5 to 8 respectively contacts the upper grounding terminal contact portion 81 formed on the upper surface 79A of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71.

[0100] Furthermore, in each of the terminal groups 5 to 8, the inclined portion 16 of the signal terminal 11 tilts downwards while extending forwards. When the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 is inserted into the insertion portion 52 of the housing 51, the front end of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 abuts against the upper surface of the inclined portion 16 of the signal terminal 11, thereby causing the spring portion 14 of the signal terminal 11 to elastically deform, and the inclined portion 16 of the signal terminal 11 and the transmission contact portion 15 to displace downwards. Moreover, the transmission contact portion 15 of the signal terminal 11 is in close contact with the signal terminal contact portion 86 formed on the lower surface 79B of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 by the elastic force of the spring portion 14. Similarly, when the end 79 of the flat conductor 71 is inserted into the insertion portion 52 of the housing 51, the transmission contact portion 25 of each first grounding terminal 21 is in close contact with the lower grounding terminal contact portion 83 of the flat conductor 71 by the elastic force of the spring portion 24. In addition, the transmission contact portion 35 of each second grounding terminal 31 is in close contact with the lower grounding terminal contact portion 83 of the flat conductor 71 by the elastic force of the spring portion 34. In addition, the transmission contact portion 46 of the third grounding terminal 41 is in close contact with the upper grounding terminal contact portion 81 of the flat conductor 71 by the elastic force of the spring portion 45.

[0101] (Examination of the isolation characteristics of connectors 1)

[0102] In the connector 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, each terminal group 5-8 includes a signal terminal 11, two first ground terminals 21, and two second ground terminals 31. The first ground terminals 21 are respectively arranged to the right and left of the signal terminal 11, and the second ground terminals 31 are respectively arranged to the right of the first ground terminal 21 arranged to the right of the signal terminal 11 and to the left of the first ground terminal 21 arranged to the left of the signal terminal 11. Furthermore, when the connector 1 is viewed from the right or left side, the front portion of the signal terminal 11, the front portion of each of the two first ground terminals 21, and the rear portion of the second ground terminal 31 overlap each other. Both the first ground terminals 21 and the second ground terminals 31 have the function of shielding the signal terminal 11. In each terminal group 5-8, the signal terminal 11 is doubly shielded from its right by the first ground terminals 21 and 31 arranged to its right. Furthermore, the signal terminal 11 is doubly shielded from its left by a first ground terminal 21 and a second ground terminal 31 located to its left. Therefore, the isolation characteristics between signal terminals 11 in two adjacent terminal groups of the four terminal groups 5-8 can be improved. Additionally, if other transmission paths exist to the left of the connector 1, the isolation characteristics between the signal terminal 11 in terminal group 5 and other transmission paths existing to the left of the connector 1 can be improved. Furthermore, if other transmission paths exist to the right of the connector 1, the isolation characteristics between the signal terminal 11 in terminal group 8 and other transmission paths existing to the right of the connector 1 can be improved.

[0103] Here, the isolation characteristics of each of the connector 1 of this embodiment and the connector of the first comparative example are measured to confirm that the connector 1 of this embodiment can improve the isolation characteristics between signal terminals 11, etc. The connector 1 has the following structure: in each terminal group 5 to 8, two second ground terminals 31 are respectively disposed to the right of the first ground terminal 21 disposed to the right of the signal terminal 11 and to the left of the second ground terminal 31 disposed to the left of the signal terminal 11.

[0104] Figure 16 (A) and Figure 16 (B) shows the configuration of the signal terminal 11, two first ground terminals 21, two second ground terminals 31 and third ground terminal 41 in each terminal group 5 to 8 of the connector 1 of this embodiment. Figure 16 (C) shows the measurement results of the isolation characteristics between the signal terminal 11 of the leftmost terminal group 5 and the signal terminal 11 of the second terminal group 6 from the left in the connector 1 of this embodiment. Figure 16In the graph (C), the horizontal axis represents the frequency of the signal used for measurement, and the vertical axis represents the signal attenuation between the two signal terminals. Furthermore, for the following... Figure 17 (C) Figure 18 (C) Figure 19 (C) Figure 20 (C) and Figure 21 For chart (B), the same applies to the horizontal and vertical axes.

[0105] Depend on Figure 16 As can be seen from (C), the signal attenuation between the two signal terminals 11 in the terminal group 5 and the terminal group 6 of the connector 1 in this embodiment is greater than 50dB (less than -50dB) in the entire frequency range up to 15GHz.

[0106] on the other hand, Figure 17 (A) and Figure 17 (B) shows the configuration of the signal terminal 11, two first ground terminals 21, two second ground terminals 31, and third ground terminal 41 in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector of the first comparative example. In the connector of the first comparative example, as Figure 17 (A) and Figure 17 As shown in (B), the two second ground terminals 31 in each terminal group 5-8 are positioned further forward than the two second ground terminals 31 in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector 1 of this embodiment. Furthermore, the positions of the second ground terminals 31 in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector of the first comparative example are significantly offset forward compared to the positions of the second ground terminals 31 in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector 1 of this embodiment. Therefore, when viewing the connector of the first comparative example from the right or left, the rear portion of each second ground terminal 31 in each terminal group 5-8 does not overlap with the front portion of the signal terminal 11 and the front portions of the two first ground terminals 21. Moreover, the connector of the first comparative example is the same as the connector 1 of this embodiment except for the positions of the second ground terminals in each terminal group; therefore, the terminal groups and terminals of the connector of the first comparative example are labeled with the same reference numerals as those of the terminal groups and terminals of the connector 1 of this embodiment. Figure 17 (C) shows the measurement results of the isolation characteristics between the two signal terminals 11 included in terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector in the first comparative example.

[0107] Depend on Figure 17 As can be seen from (C), between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector in the first comparative example, the signal attenuation is less than 50dB (higher than -50dB) at frequencies near 6GHz, near 7GHz and near 10GHz.

[0108] Compare Figure 16 The measurement results for connector 1 in this embodiment shown in (C) are... Figure 17 As shown in (C), the measurement results for the connector of the first comparative example indicate that the isolation characteristics between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal groups 5 and 6 of the connector 1 of this embodiment are higher than those between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal groups 5 and 6 of the connector of the first comparative example. That is, from... Figure 16 (C) and Figure 17 The two measurement results shown in (C) confirm that the connector 1 of this embodiment can achieve the effect of improving the isolation characteristics between signal terminals 11, etc. The connector 1 has the following structure: in each terminal group 5 to 8, two second ground terminals 31 are respectively arranged to the right of the first ground terminal 21 arranged to the right of the signal terminal 11 and to the left of the second ground terminal 31 arranged to the left of the signal terminal 11.

[0109] (Examination of the isolation characteristics of connectors 2)

[0110] In each terminal group 5-8 of the connector 1 of this embodiment, each first ground terminal 21 extends forward from the rear of the housing 51, while each second ground terminal 31 extends rearward from the front of the housing 51. With this structure, in each terminal group 5-8, the right side of the signal terminal 11 is covered by the first ground terminal 21 extending forward from the rear of the housing 51 and the second ground terminal 31 extending rearward from the front of the housing 51. Therefore, the range of shielding the signal terminal 11 from the right side can be expanded in the front-back direction, increasing the shielding range of the signal terminal 11. Similarly, in each terminal group 5-8, the left side of the signal terminal 11 is covered by the first ground terminal 21 extending forward from the rear of the housing 51 and the second ground terminal 31 extending rearward from the front of the housing 51. Therefore, the range of shielding the signal terminal 11 from the left side can be expanded in the front-back direction, increasing the shielding range of the signal terminal 11. This improves the isolation characteristics between signal terminals 11.

[0111] Furthermore, in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector 1 in this embodiment, each first ground terminal 21 extends forward from the rear of the housing 51, and the substrate connection portion 22 formed at the rear end is connected to the ground terminal connection pad 63 of the substrate 61. The transmission body contact portion 25 formed at the front end contacts the lower ground terminal contact portion 83 of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71. On the other hand, each second ground terminal 31 extends rearward from the front of the housing 51, and the substrate connection portion 32 formed at the front end is connected to the ground terminal connection pad 64 of the substrate 61. The transmission body contact portion 35 formed at the rear end contacts the lower ground terminal contact portion 83 of the end 79 of the flat conductor 71. Thus, the connector 1 of this embodiment has the following structure: each first ground terminal 21 is connected to the ground portion of the substrate 61 at the rear of the housing 51, and each second ground terminal 31 is connected to the ground portion of the substrate 61 at the front of the housing 51. That is, the connector 1 of this embodiment has the following structure: the shield covering the signal terminals 11 (each first ground terminal 21 and each second ground terminal 31) is connected to the ground portion of the substrate 61 at multiple different locations. With this structure, multiple paths for the flow of noise current can be formed within the connector 1 via the shield, and these paths can be made different from each other. As a result, the isolation characteristics between the signal terminals 11 can be improved.

[0112] Here, the effect of improving the isolation characteristics between signal terminals 11 is confirmed by measuring the isolation characteristics of each of the connector 1 of this embodiment and the connector of the second comparative example. The connector 1 has the following structure in each terminal group 5 to 8: each first ground terminal 21 extends forward from the rear of the housing 51, and each second ground terminal 31 extends backward from the front of the housing 51; and each first ground terminal 21 is connected to the ground portion of the substrate 61 at the rear of the housing 51, and each second ground terminal 31 is connected to the ground portion of the substrate 61 at the front of the housing 51.

[0113] Figure 18 (A) and Figure 18 (B) shows the arrangement of the signal terminal 11, two first ground terminals 21, two second ground terminals 31, and a third ground terminal 41 in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector of the second comparative example. In each terminal group 5-8 of the connector 1 of this embodiment, each first ground terminal 21 extends forward from the rear of the housing 51, and each second ground terminal 31 extends rearward from the front of the housing 51. In contrast, in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector of the second comparative example, as... Figure 18 (A) and Figure 18As shown in (B), each first grounding terminal 21 and each second grounding terminal 31 extends forward from the rear of the housing 51. Furthermore, in the connector of the second comparative example, when viewed from the right or left side, in each terminal group 5-8, the spring portion 34, the transmission contact portion 35, and the inclined portion 36 of each second grounding terminal 31 overlap with the spring portion 14, the transmission contact portion 15, and the inclined portion 16 of the signal terminal 11, and the spring portion 24, the transmission contact portion 25, and the inclined portion 26 of the two first grounding terminals 21, respectively. Additionally, in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector of the second comparative example, the front end position of each second grounding terminal 31 in the front-rear direction corresponds to the front end position of each of the signal terminal 11 and each of the two first grounding terminals 21 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector 1 in this embodiment, each first ground terminal 21 is connected to the ground portion of the substrate 61 at the rear of the housing 51, and the second ground terminal 31 is connected to the ground portion of the substrate 61 at the front of the housing 51. In contrast, in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector in the second comparative example, as... Figure 18 (A) and Figure 18 As shown in (B), at the rear of the housing 51, each first ground terminal 21 and each second ground terminal 31 are connected to the ground portion of the substrate 61. Furthermore, the connector of the second comparative example is the same as the connector 1 of this embodiment except for the arrangement of the second ground terminals in each terminal group; therefore, the terminal groups and terminals of the connector of the second comparative example are labeled with the same reference numerals as those of the terminal groups and terminals of the connector 1 of this embodiment. Additionally, Figure 18 (C) shows the measurement results of the isolation characteristics between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector in the second comparative example.

[0114] Depend on Figure 18 As can be seen from (C), between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector included in the second comparative example, at a frequency of around 8 GHz, the signal attenuation is less than 50 dB (higher than -50 dB).

[0115] Compare Figure 16 The measurement results for connector 1 in this embodiment shown in (C) are... Figure 18 As shown in (C), the measurement results for the connector of the second comparative example indicate that the isolation characteristics between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal groups 5 and 6 of the connector 1 of this embodiment are higher than those between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal groups 5 and 6 of the connector of the second comparative example. That is, according to... Figure 16 (C) and Figure 18The two measurement results shown in (C) confirm that the connector 1 of this embodiment can improve the isolation characteristics between signal terminals 11, etc. The connector 1 has the following structure in each terminal group 5 to 8: each first ground terminal 21 extends forward from the rear of the housing 51, each second ground terminal 31 extends backward from the front of the housing 51, and each first ground terminal 21 is connected to the ground portion of the substrate 61 at the rear of the housing 51, and each second ground terminal 31 is connected to the ground portion of the substrate 61 at the front of the housing 51.

[0116] (Examination of the isolation characteristics of connectors 3)

[0117] In each terminal group 5-8 of the connector 1 of this embodiment, each first grounding terminal 21 extends forward from the rear of the housing 51, and each second grounding terminal 31 extends backward from the front of the housing. When the connector 1 is viewed from the right or left, the front portion of each of the two first grounding terminals 21 and the rear portion of each of the two second grounding terminals 31 overlap each other. In this structure, the rear portion of each first grounding terminal 21 is located at the rear of the housing 51, the front portion of each second grounding terminal 31 is located at the front of the housing 51, and the front portion of each first grounding terminal 21 and the rear portion of each second grounding terminal 31 are located at the midpoint of the front-rear direction of the housing 51. Therefore, the length of each first grounding terminal 21 is the distance from the rear of the housing 51 to the midpoint of the front-rear direction, which is approximately half the size of the front-rear direction of the housing 51, and the length of each second grounding terminal 31 is the distance from the front of the housing 51 to the midpoint of the front-rear direction, which is approximately half the size of the front-rear direction of the housing 51. The length of each of the first grounding terminals 21 and the second grounding terminals 31 is approximately half the front-rear dimension of the housing 51. Therefore, the lengths of each of the first grounding terminals 21 and the second grounding terminals 31 are the same and decreasing (neither the first grounding terminal 21 nor the second grounding terminal 31 is extremely short, and the other is not extremely long). By shortening the lengths of the first grounding terminals 21 and the second grounding terminals 31 respectively, the impedance of the first grounding terminals 21 and the second grounding terminals 31 can be reduced, allowing noise current to flow more easily. This improves the isolation characteristics between signal terminals 11, etc.

[0118] Here, the isolation characteristics of each of the connector 1 of this embodiment and the connector of the third comparative example are measured to confirm that the connector 1 of this embodiment, whose length of each of the first ground terminal 21 and the second ground terminal 31 is approximately half the size of the front-rear direction of the housing 51, achieves the effect of improving the isolation characteristics between signal terminals 11, etc.

[0119] Figure 19 (A) and Figure 19 (B) shows the arrangement of the signal terminal 11, two first ground terminals 21, two second ground terminals 31, and third ground terminal 41 in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector of the third comparative example. In each terminal group 5-8 of the connector 1 of this embodiment, the length of each of the first ground terminals 21 and each of the second ground terminals 31 is approximately half the length of the front-rear dimension of the housing 51. In contrast, in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector of the third comparative example, as... Figure 19 (A) and Figure 19 As shown in (B), the length of each first grounding terminal 21 is approximately half the front-rear dimension of the housing 51, but the length of each second grounding terminal 31 is significantly greater than half the front-rear dimension of the housing 51. Furthermore, the connector of the third comparative example is identical to the connector 1 of this embodiment except for the length of each second grounding terminal in each terminal group. Therefore, the terminal groups and terminals of the connector of the third comparative example are labeled with the same reference numerals as those of the terminal groups and terminals of the connector 1 of this embodiment. Additionally, Figure 19 (C) shows the measurement results of the isolation characteristics between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector in the third comparative example.

[0120] Depend on Figure 19 As can be seen from (C), between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector included in the third comparative example, the signal attenuation is less than 50dB (higher than -50dB) at frequencies around 6GHz, around 7.5GHz and around 9GHz.

[0121] Compare Figure 16 The measurement results for connector 1 in this embodiment shown in (C) are... Figure 19 As shown in (C), the measurement results for the connector of the third comparative example indicate that the isolation characteristics between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector 1 of this embodiment are higher than those between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector of the third comparative example. That is, according to Figure 16 (C) and Figure 19 The two measurement results shown in (C) confirm that the connector 1 of this embodiment, whose length of each of the first grounding terminal 21 and each of the second grounding terminals 31 is approximately half the size of the housing 51 in the front-rear direction, achieves the effect of improving the isolation characteristics between signal terminals 11.

[0122] (Other effects)

[0123] In this embodiment, each terminal group 5 to 8 of the connector 1 includes a third ground terminal 41. The third ground terminal 41 functions as a shield that covers the front of the signal terminal 11, the front of the two first ground terminals 21, and the rear of the two second ground terminals 31 from above. By providing the third ground terminal 41, it is possible to suppress noise intrusion into the signal terminal 11 and the radiated noise from the signal terminal 11.

[0124] Furthermore, the shielding portion 42 of the third grounding terminal 41 is located above the transmission contact portions 15, 25, and 35 of each of the signal terminal 11, the two first grounding terminals 21, and the two second grounding terminals 31. The right edge of the shielding portion 42 is positioned to the right of the transmission contact portion 35 of the rightmost second grounding terminal 31 in each terminal group 5-8, and the left edge of the shielding portion 42 is positioned to the left of the transmission contact portion 35 of the leftmost second grounding terminal 31 in each terminal group 5-8. Thus, in each terminal group 5-8, the shielding portion 42 of the third grounding terminal 41 extends significantly in the left-right direction, covering all the transmission contact portions 15, 25, and 35 of the signal terminal 11, the two first grounding terminals 21, and the two second grounding terminals 31. This improves the shielding effect of the third grounding terminal 41 on the signal terminal 11, the first grounding terminal 21, and the second grounding terminal 31.

[0125] Furthermore, the shielding portion 42 of the third grounding terminal 41 is located above the transmission contact portions 15, 25, and 35 of each of the signal terminal 11, the two first grounding terminals 21, and the two second grounding terminals 31. The leading edge of the shielding portion 42 is positioned forward of the front end of each of the signal terminal 11 and the two first grounding terminals 21, and the trailing edge of the shielding portion 42 is positioned backward of the rear end of the two second grounding terminals 31. Thus, in each terminal group 5 to 8, the shielding portion 42 of the third grounding terminal 41 extends significantly in the front-rear direction and covers all the transmission contact portions 15, 25, and 35 of the signal terminal 11, the two first grounding terminals 21, and the two second grounding terminals 31. This improves the shielding effect of the third grounding terminal 41 on the signal terminal 11, the first grounding terminal 21, and the second grounding terminal 31.

[0126] Furthermore, the connector 1 of this embodiment includes four terminal groups 5-8, which are arranged in a left-right direction within the housing 51. As described above, each terminal group 5-8 has high isolation characteristics, thus suppressing crosstalk of high-frequency signals flowing in the signal terminals 11 included in each terminal group 5-8, and reducing the left-right spacing of the terminal groups 5-8. Therefore, a compact connector capable of transmitting multiple high-frequency signals simultaneously can be realized.

[0127] (An example of permitted changes to the position of the terminals)

[0128] In the connector 1 of the above embodiment, in each terminal group 5 to 8, the signal terminal 11, the two first ground terminals 21, and the two second ground terminals 31 are arranged such that the positions of the transmission contact portions 15, 25, and 35 of these terminals are aligned in the front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. When viewing the connector from the right or left side, in each terminal group 5 to 8, within the range of maintaining the overlap of the front portion of the signal terminal 11, the front portion of each first ground terminal 21, and the rear portion of each second ground terminal 31, the signal terminal 11, each first ground terminal 21, and each second ground terminal 31 may be arranged such that the position of the transmission contact portion 35 of the second ground terminal 31 in the front-rear direction is different from the position of the signal terminal 11 and the transmission contact portions 15, 25 of the two first ground terminals 21 in the front-rear direction.

[0129] here, Figure 20 (A) and Figure 20 (B) shows the configuration of the signal terminal 11, two first ground terminals 21, two second ground terminals 31, and third ground terminal 41 in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector of the fourth comparative example. In the connector of the fourth comparative example, as... Figure 20 (A) and Figure 20 As shown in (B), the two second grounding terminals 31 in each terminal group 5-8 are positioned further rearward than the two second grounding terminals 31 in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector 1 of this embodiment. As a result, the position of the transmission contact portion 35 of each second grounding terminal 31 in the front-rear direction differs from the position of the transmission contact portions 15, 25 of each of the signal terminal 11 and the two first grounding terminals 21 in the front-rear direction. However, when viewing the connector of the fourth comparative example from the right or left side, the front portion of the signal terminal 11, the front portion of the two first grounding terminals 21, and the rear portion of the two second grounding terminals 31 in each terminal group 5-8 overlap with each other. Furthermore, the connector of the fourth comparative example is the same as the connector 1 of this embodiment except for the position of the second grounding terminals in each terminal group; therefore, the terminal groups and terminals of the connector of the fourth comparative example are labeled with the same reference numerals as those of the terminal groups and terminals of the connector 1 of this embodiment. Additionally, Figure 20 (C) shows the measurement results of the isolation characteristics between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal groups 5 and 6 of the connector in the fourth comparative example, respectively. Figure 20 As can be seen from (C), the attenuation between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector in the fourth comparative example is greater than 50 dB (less than -50 dB) across the entire frequency range up to 15 GHz. (Comparison) Figure 20The measurement results for the connector of the fourth comparative example are shown in (C). Figure 16 As shown in (C), the measurement results for the connector 1 of this embodiment show that the isolation characteristics between the two signal terminals 11 included in the terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector of the fourth comparative example are the same as those between the two signal terminals 11 included in the terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector 1 of this embodiment. That is, even when the connector is viewed from the right or left, in each terminal group 5 to 8, if the signal terminal 11, each first ground terminal 21 and each second ground terminal 31 are arranged in a manner that maintains the overlap of the front part of the signal terminal 11, the front part of each first ground terminal 21 and the rear part of each second ground terminal 31, and the position of the transmission body contact portion 35 of the second ground terminal 31 in the front-back direction is different from the position of the signal terminal 11 and the transmission body contact portions 15, 25 of the two first ground terminals 21 in the front-back direction, the isolation characteristics between the signal terminals 11 can be improved.

[0130] (An example of permitted changes to the terminal structure)

[0131] In each terminal group 5-8 of the connector 1 described above, the two second grounding terminals 31 are respectively disposed at two locations: to the right of the first grounding terminal 21 disposed to the right of the signal terminal 11, and to the left of the first grounding terminal 21 disposed to the left of the signal terminal 11. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, in each terminal group 5-8, one second grounding terminal 31 may be disposed to the right of the first grounding terminal 21 disposed to the right of the signal terminal 11, instead of being disposed to the left of the first grounding terminal 21 disposed to the left of the signal terminal 11. Furthermore, one second grounding terminal 31 may be disposed to the left of the first grounding terminal 21 disposed to the left of the signal terminal 11, instead of being disposed to the right of the first grounding terminal 21 disposed to the right of the signal terminal 11.

[0132] here, Figure 21 (A) shows the configuration of the signal terminal 11, the two first ground terminals 21, the second ground terminal 31, and the third ground terminal 41 in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector of the fifth comparative example. In the connector of the fifth comparative example, as Figure 21As shown in (A), in each terminal group 5-8, a second ground terminal 31 is disposed to the left of the first ground terminal 21 disposed to the left of the signal terminal 11, and no second ground terminal 31 is disposed to the right of the first ground terminal 21 disposed to the right of the signal terminal 11. Furthermore, the connector of the fifth comparative example is the same as the connector 1 of this embodiment except that the second ground terminal is not disposed to the right of the first ground terminal disposed to the right of the signal terminal. Therefore, the terminal groups and terminals of the connector of the fifth comparative example are labeled with the same reference numerals as those of the terminal groups and terminals of the connector 1 of this embodiment. Additionally, Figure 21 (B) represents the measurement results of the isolation characteristics between the two signal terminals 11 included in terminal groups 5 and 6 of the connector in the fifth comparative example. Figure 21 As can be seen from (B), the attenuation between the two signal terminals 11 in terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector in the fifth comparative example is greater than 50 dB (less than -50 dB) across the entire frequency range up to 15 GHz. Comparison Figure 21 The measurement results for the connector of the fifth comparative example are shown in (B). Figure 16 As shown in (C), the measurement results for the connector 1 of this embodiment show that the isolation characteristics between the two signal terminals 11 in the terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector of the fifth comparative example are the same as those between the two signal terminals 11 in the terminal group 5 and terminal group 6 of the connector 1 of this embodiment. That is, even if in each terminal group 5 to 8, a second ground terminal 31 is placed to the right of the first ground terminal 21 placed to the right of the signal terminal 11, instead of placing the second ground terminal 31 to the left of the first ground terminal 21 placed to the left of the signal terminal 11, or a second ground terminal 31 is placed to the left of the first ground terminal 21 placed to the left of the signal terminal 11, instead of placing the second ground terminal 31 to the right of the first ground terminal 21 placed to the right of the signal terminal 11, the isolation characteristics between the signal terminals 11 can be improved.

[0133] (Other examples of permitted changes to the terminal structure)

[0134] Furthermore, in the connector 1 of the above embodiment, as... Figure 9 As shown, in each terminal group 5-8, a signal terminal 11 is provided between the two first ground terminals 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may also be implemented as follows. Figure 22 As shown in connector 91, in each terminal group 5-8, two signal terminals 11 are provided between the two first ground terminals 21. In each terminal group 5-8, the two signal terminals 11 can be used, for example, for the transmission of differential signals.

[0135] In connector 91, the two signal terminals 11 are identical. Furthermore, the configuration for supporting the signal terminals 11 in the housing 51 is identical, as described above. Additionally, the two signal terminals 11 are identical in both the front-rear and vertical directions. Furthermore, each of the two signal terminals 11 is configured to extend forward from the rear of the housing 51. When connector 91 is viewed from the right or left, in each of terminal groups 5-8, the front portion of each of the two signal terminals 11, the front portion of each of the two first ground terminals 21, and the rear portion of the second ground terminal 31 overlap. Furthermore, when connector 91 is viewed from above, in each of terminal groups 5-8, the third ground terminal 41 is configured to overlap with the front portion of each of the two signal terminals 11, the front portion of each of the two first ground terminals 21, and the rear portion of each of the two second ground terminals 31.

[0136] (Other permitted changes)

[0137] In each terminal group 5-8 of the connector 1 described in the above embodiment, the leading edge 42C of the shielding portion 42 of the third ground terminal 41 is located further forward than the front end of the signal terminal 11 and the foremost of the two first ground terminals 21, but the present invention is not limited to this. In each terminal group 5-8, the position of the leading edge of the shielding portion 42 of the third ground terminal 41 in the front-rear direction may also be consistent with the position of the front end of the signal terminal 11 and the foremost of the two first ground terminals 21 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, in each terminal group 5-8 of the connector 1 described in this embodiment, the trailing edge 42D of the shielding portion 42 of the third ground terminal 41 is located further backward than the rear end of the second ground terminal 31, but the present invention is not limited to this. In each terminal group 5-8, the position of the trailing edge of the shielding portion 42 of the third ground terminal 41 in the front-rear direction may also be consistent with the position of the rear end of the second ground terminal 31 in the front-rear direction. The above points also apply to the connector 91 described above.

[0138] Furthermore, in the connector 1 of the above embodiment, a third grounding terminal 41 is provided for each terminal group. Therefore, in the connector 1 having four terminal groups 5 to 8, four third grounding terminals 41 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A third grounding terminal may also be provided in the connector, for example, to centrally cover multiple terminal groups arranged in the housing 51. This also applies to the connector 91 described above.

[0139] In addition, the connectors 1 and 91 in the above embodiments each have four terminal groups 5 to 8, but in the connector of the present invention, the number of terminal groups may be one, two, three or more.

[0140] Furthermore, although the above embodiment uses a connector connecting an FPC and a rigid substrate as an example, the present invention can also be applied to connectors connecting an FPC to a rigid substrate. Also, although the above embodiment uses the case where connector 1 is mounted on a rigid substrate 61 as an example, the connector of the present invention can also be mounted on the surface of an FPC.

[0141] Furthermore, the present invention may be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit or idea of ​​the invention as can be read from the claims and the specification in their entirety, and the connectors accompanying such modifications are also included in the technical concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a flat conductor to a substrate, characterized in that, The connector has multiple terminals and a housing supporting the multiple terminals. The housing has an insertion portion for inserting the end of the flat conductor into the housing from the front. The plurality of terminals include: The signal terminal extends forward from the rear of the housing, with the rear part connected to the signal terminal connection part of the substrate and the front part contacting the signal terminal contact part disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. Two first grounding terminals extend forward from the rear of the housing, respectively, and are positioned to the right and left of the signal terminals. Their rear portions are connected to the grounding terminal connection portion of the substrate, and their front portions are in contact with the grounding terminal contact portion located on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. The second grounding terminal extends rearward from the front of the housing and is positioned to the right of the first grounding terminal located to the right of the signal terminal or to the left of the first grounding terminal located to the left of the signal terminal. Its front portion connects to the grounding terminal connection portion of the substrate, and its rear portion contacts the grounding terminal contact portion located on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. When the connector is viewed from the right or left, the front portion of the signal terminal, the front portion of each of the two first ground terminals, and the rear portion of the second ground terminal overlap each other.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rear end of the second grounding terminal is located behind the front end of the signal terminal and each of the two first grounding terminals.

3. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, A substrate connection portion is formed at the rear end of the signal terminal, which connects to the signal terminal connection portion of the substrate. A transmission body contact portion is formed at the front end of the signal terminal, which contacts the signal terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. A substrate connecting portion is formed at the rear end of each of the first grounding terminals, which connects to the grounding terminal connecting portion of the substrate. A transmission body contact portion is formed at the front end of each of the first grounding terminals, which contacts the grounding terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. A substrate connection portion is formed at the front end of the second grounding terminal, which connects to the grounding terminal connection portion of the substrate. A transmission body contact portion is formed at the rear end of the second grounding terminal, which contacts the grounding terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. The substrate connection portion of the signal terminal and each of the two first ground terminals is located at the rear end of the housing, the substrate connection portion of the second ground terminal is located at the front end of the housing, and the transmission contact portion of the signal terminal, each of the two first ground terminals and the second ground terminal is located at the middle part of the housing in the front-rear direction.

4. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of terminals includes a third ground terminal, which is configured to overlap with each of the front portions of the signal terminal, the front portions of the two first ground terminals, and the rear portions of the second ground terminal when viewed from above, and a portion thereof is connected to the ground terminal connection portion of the substrate, and another portion thereof is in contact with the ground terminal contact portion disposed on the upper surface of the end of the flat conductor.

5. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, A transmission body contact portion is formed at the front end of the signal terminal, which contacts the signal terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. A transmission body contact portion is formed at the front end of each of the first grounding terminals, which contacts the grounding terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. A transmission body contact portion is formed at the rear end of the second grounding terminal, which contacts the grounding terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. The third grounding terminal has a plate-shaped shielding portion that extends in the front-back direction and the left-right direction. The shielding portion is located above the transmission contact portion of each of the signal terminal, the two first ground terminals, and the second ground terminal. The right edge of the shielding portion is located to the right of the transmission body contact portion of the rightmost terminal among the signal terminal, the two first ground terminals, and the second ground terminal. The left edge of the shielding portion is located to the left of the transmission contact portion of the leftmost terminal among the signal terminal, the two first ground terminals, and the second ground terminal.

6. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, A transmission body contact portion is formed at the front end of the signal terminal, which contacts the signal terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. A transmission body contact portion is formed at the front end of each of the first grounding terminals, which contacts the grounding terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. A transmission body contact portion is formed at the rear end of the second grounding terminal, which contacts the grounding terminal contact portion disposed on the lower surface of the end of the flat conductor. The third grounding terminal has a plate-shaped shielding portion that extends in the front-back direction and the left-right direction. The shielding portion is located above the transmission contact portion of each of the signal terminal, the two first ground terminals, and the second ground terminal. The leading edge of the shielding portion is located further forward than the front end of the signal terminal and the foremost of the two first grounding terminals, or the front-rear position of the leading edge of the shielding portion is consistent with the front-rear position of the signal terminal and the foremost of the two first grounding terminals. The rear edge of the shielding part is located behind the rear end of the second grounding terminal, or the position of the rear edge of the shielding part in the front-back direction is the same as the position of the rear end of the second grounding terminal in the front-back direction.

7. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of terminals includes two of the signal terminals. When the connector is viewed from the right or left, the front portion of each of the two signal terminals, the front portion of each of the two first ground terminals, and the rear portion of the second ground terminal overlap each other.

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, It has multiple terminal groups including the signal terminal, the two first ground terminals and the second ground terminal, and the multiple terminal groups are arranged in a left-right direction.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, It has multiple terminal groups including the signal terminal, the two first ground terminals, the second ground terminal and the third ground terminal, and the multiple terminal groups are arranged in a left-right direction.

10. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, It has multiple terminal groups, including the two signal terminals, the two first ground terminals and the second ground terminal, which are arranged in a left-right direction.

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