COMMUNICATION CONNECTORS

Abstract

In order to provide a communication connector which has a simple structure and is nevertheless capable of reducing the effect of electromagnetic noise, a communication connector (1) according to the invention has a housing (10) which is made of an electrically conductive material and accommodates a mating connector (100), a first conductive region (30) which is held and thereby conductively connected to the housing (10) and which is conductively connected to a shielding element (110) of a mating connector (100), a second conductive region (40A) which is provided on one side of the housing (10) and conductively connected to the housing (10), and a third conductive region (15) which is provided on another side of the housing (10) and conductively connected to the housing (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication connector.

[0002] In one example, a communications connector is connected to a complementary connector while being connected to a printed circuit board housed within an electrically conductive enclosure.

[0003] A communication connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a molded contact body having two contacts and a resin housing accommodating an electrically conductive tubular member. Patent literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: JP2023-102172A

[0005] Communication connectors must reduce the impact of electromagnetic noise on communication signals to ensure good communication characteristics. Even if the impact of electronic noise can be reduced, the structure of the communication connector should not be complicated.

[0006] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a communication connector which has a simple structure yet is capable of reducing the effect of electromagnetic noise.

[0007] A communication connector according to the present invention comprises a housing formed of an electrically conductive material and accommodating a mating connector, a first conductive portion which is retained while being conductively connected to the housing and which is conductively connected to a shielding member of the mating connector, a second conductive portion provided on one side of the housing and conductively connected to the housing, and a third conductive portion provided on another side of the housing and conductively connected to the housing.

[0008] In the communication connector of the present invention, preferably, the first conductive portion has a tubular shape and is conductively connected to the shielding member at an outer peripheral surface of the tubular shape, and the second conductive portion elastically deforms, thereby being conductively connected to an enclosure.

[0009] In the communication connector of the present invention, the third conductive region is preferably a mounting region when the communication connector is mounted on a circuit board.

[0010] In the communication connector of the present invention, when a side on which the mating connector is received is a front side in a first direction, the second conductive portion preferably presses against a wall on the front side in the first direction of the enclosure and elastically deforms, thereby being conductively connected to the enclosure.

[0011] In the communication connector of the present invention, when a direction in which the mating connector is received is a first direction and a direction intersecting the first direction is a second direction, in a view of the second conductive portion in the first direction, preferably, a dimension of the second conductive portion continuous in the second direction is larger than a dimension of the shielding member of the mating connector in the second direction.

[0012] According to the present invention, a communication connector can be provided which has a simple structure yet is capable of reducing the effect of electromagnetic noise.

[0013] The drawings show: Fig. 1 is an isometric view showing a communication connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a mating connector; Fig. 2 a sectional view along a line II-II in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an isometric view showing the communication connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention with a grounding piece separated therefrom; Fig. 4 is an isometric view showing the communication connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 a sectional view along a line VV in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an isometric view illustrating a communication connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 a sectional view along a line VII-VII in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an isometric view illustrating a communication connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 a sectional view along a line IX-IX in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is an isometric view illustrating a communication connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 a sectional view along a line XI-XI in Fig. 10; and Fig. 12 is an isometric view illustrating a communication connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] A communication connector 1 according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the term "connection" here includes both electrical connection and mechanical connection. Note that, for convenience of description, as shown in the respective drawings, a connection direction of the communication connector 1 and a complementary connector 100 is regarded as a first direction X, a direction orthogonal to the first direction X is regarded as a second direction Y, and a direction orthogonal to the second direction Y is regarded as a third direction Z. Further, (F) represents front in the first direction X, (B) represents rear in the first direction X, (R) represents right in the second direction Y, (L) represents left in the second direction Y, (U) represents top in the third direction Z, and (D) represents bottom in the third direction Z. <Erste Ausführungsform: Siehe FIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5>

[0015] The communication connector 1 is a communication connector that is mounted on a printed circuit board 200 installed inside an enclosure 300 and that is connected to the mating connector 100 inserted through an opening portion of the enclosure 300, thereby transmitting communication signals from the mating connector 100 to the board 200.

[0016] The communication connector 1 includes a housing 10 that accommodates the mating connector 100 when the communication connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, a tubular member 30 as a first conductive portion conductively connected to a shielding member 110 of the connected mating connector 100, a grounding piece 40A as a second conductive portion conductively connected to the enclosure 300, and a contact molding 50 provided with a contact portion 51 that is brought into contact with a contact portion 130 of the mating connector 100 to transmit differential signals. <Gehäuse 10: Siehe FIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5>

[0017] The housing 10, which is made of an electrically conductive material, is formed with a connection opening 11 through which a housing 150 of the mating connector 100 is inserted at the time of connection with the mating connector 100, a locking opening 12 which communicates with the connection opening 11 and in which a locking portion 140 of the mating connector 100 is locked, a holding portion 13 which holds the tubular element 30 as a first conductive portion which is conductively connected to the shielding element 110 of the mating connector 100 and which is conductively connected to the tubular element 30, a fastening portion 20A which elastically deforms and thereby pressurizes the enclosure 300 and to which the grounding piece 40A is attached as a second conductive portion which is conductively connected to the enclosure 300, and a conducting portion 15 as a third conductive region inserted into the circuit board 200.The tubular element 30 as the first conductive region, the grounding piece 40A as the second conductive region and the conducting region 15 as the third conductive region are conductively connected to one another.

[0018] At the time of connection with the mating connector 100, the housing 150 of the mating connector 100 is inserted into the housing 10, that is, the housing 10 accommodates the mating connector 100. Moreover, a side of the housing 10 on which it accommodates the mating connector 100 is a front side F in the first direction X.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the housing 10 formed of an electrically conductive material consists of a die-cast member made of, for example, an aluminum alloy.

[0020] The connection opening 11 is formed on the front side F of the housing 10, through which the mating connector 100 is inserted. The locking opening 12 is formed in a top surface 10U of the housing 10 and communicates with the connection opening 11. When the mating connector 100 is inserted through the connection opening 11, the locking portion 140 of the mating connector 100 is locked in the locking opening 12, thereby preventing unexpected withdrawal of the mating connector 100.

[0021] The retaining portion 13 holds the tubular element 30 and is conductively connected to the tubular element 30 by a retained part of the tubular element 30.

[0022] The contact molded body 50 is inserted into the tubular element 30. The tubular element 30 has the function of shielding an inserted region of the contact molded body 50. The tubular element 30 is conductively connected to the shielding element 110 on an outer peripheral surface of the tubular element 30.

[0023] The contact molded body 50 is a component consisting of a contact portion 51 made of an electrically conductive element and a resin body 52 integrally molded onto the contact portion 51. The contact portion 51 functions to contact a contact portion 130 of the mating connector 100 inserted through the connection opening 11 and to transmit differential signals thereto. The contact portion 51 is bent in the center or along its length to have a portion extending in the first direction X and a portion extending in the third direction Z.

[0024] Here, the portion of the contact portion 51 extending in the forward / backward direction is referred to as the first contact portion 51a, the portion of the contact portion 51 extending in the third direction Z is referred to as the second contact portion 51b, and further, a portion extending in the backward direction B from a lower end of the second contact portion 51b is referred to as the third contact portion 51c. The third contact portion 51c is soldered to a contact portion of the circuit board 200 when the communication connector 1 is mounted on the circuit board 200. That is, the third contact portion 51c is surface-mounted on the circuit board 200.

[0025] The mounting portion 20A is formed on the top surface 10U at the rear side B of the housing 10. Specifically, a mounting hole 22A is formed extending from a rear side 10B of the housing 10 in the forward direction F, and an insertion hole 23A communicating with the mounting hole 22A is formed in the top surface 10U of the housing 10. The mounting portion 20A is formed with a locking portion 21A.

[0026] The grounding piece 40A is formed in a U-shape 41A in a side view, and is formed with a shielding portion 43A extending from an upper portion 42A of the U-shape 41A, and a curved portion 44A is formed on a distal end side of the shielding portion 43A. A lower portion 47A of the U-shape 41A extends in the forward direction F and extends obliquely downward in the forward direction F on a distal end side. Furthermore, the shielding portion 43A is formed with a notch portion 45A, thereby dividing it into two branches. Furthermore, an opening 46A is formed in a central portion of the U-shape 41A, and when the grounding piece 40 is attached to the fixing portion 20A, the locking portion 21A of the fixing portion 20A enters the opening 46A to prevent unexpected withdrawal of the grounding piece 40A.The grounding piece 40A has a function as a flat spring to press against the enclosure 300 with the curved portion 44A by elastically deforming a portion leading from the upper section 42A to the shielding portion 43A and the shielding portion 43A.

[0027] The lead portion 15 extends in the downward direction D from a bottom surface of the housing 10, has a cylindrical shape, and includes five lead portions 15 formed on the housing 10. When the connector 1 is mounted on the circuit board 200, the lead portion 15 serves as a mounting portion 15A, which is inserted into the circuit board 200 and further soldered thereto and conductively connected to the circuit board 200. That is, after being inserted into the circuit board 200, the cylindrical lead portion 15 is firmly attached in a through-hole mounting manner.

[0028] Since each of the five conduction regions 15 and the circuit board 200 are conductively connected, the number of electrical current paths to grounding can be increased. By forming a plurality of grounded electrical current paths, the number of paths for releasing electrical current that causes noise to an area where communication signals are not affected can be increased, and the occurrence of noise can be reduced. Furthermore, by forming the grounded electrical current paths between the conduction regions 15 and the circuit board 200, an electrical current conduction distance is shortened, and the occurrence of noise can be reduced. <Kommunikationsverbinder 1 und Platine 200: Siehe FIG. 1, 5>

[0029] The communication connector 1 is mounted on the circuit board 200 integrated into the enclosure 300. When the communication connector 1, which is conductively connected to the contact area of ​​the circuit board 200 via the third contact portion 51c, is connected to the mating connector 100, the contact area 130 of the mating connector 100 and the first contact portion 51a are brought into contact with each other, thereby transmitting signals transmitted from the mating connector 100 to the circuit board 200.

[0030] Furthermore, when the communication connector 1, which is conductively connected to the lead portion 15 of a through-hole portion of the circuit board 200, is connected to the mating connector 100, the shielding member 110 of the mating connector 100 and the tubular member 30 are conductively connected to each other. Furthermore, since the tubular member 30 and the retaining portion 13 retaining the tubular member 30 are conductively connected to each other, and the retaining portion 13 of the aluminum alloy housing 10 and the lead portion 15 are conductively connected to each other, the ground potentials of the mating connector 100 and the communication connector 1 are maintained at the same ground potential as the circuit board 200. <Kommunikationsverbinder 1 und Umschließung 300: Siehe FIG. 1, 5>

[0031] The communication connector 1 is conductively connected to the enclosure 300 by pressing the grounding piece 40A, which is attached to the mounting portion 20A of the housing 10, against the enclosure 300. Each of the two branches of the shielding portion 43A of the grounding piece 40A and the enclosure 300 are conductively connected to each other, and thereby a plurality of grounded electrical current paths can be formed.

[0032] By forming a plurality of grounded electric current paths, the number of paths for releasing noise-causing electric current to an area where communication signals are not affected can be increased, and the occurrence of noise can be reduced.

[0033] Furthermore, when the communication connector 1, which is conductively connected to the through-hole portion of the circuit board 200 via the lead portion 15, is connected to the mating connector 100, the shielding member 110 of the mating connector 100 and the tubular member 30 are conductively connected to each other. Furthermore, the tubular member 30 and the retaining portion 13 that retains the tubular member 30 are conductively connected to each other, and the retaining portion 13 of the aluminum alloy housing 10 and the fixing portion 20A are conductively connected to each other. Since the fixing portion 20A and the grounding piece 40A are conductively connected to each other, the ground potentials of the mating connector 100 and the communication connector 1 are maintained at the same ground potential as the enclosure 300.

[0034] Furthermore, by disposing the grounding piece 40A between the housing 10 and the enclosure 300 in a protruding part of the grounding piece 40A when the housing 10 is viewed from the front, the propagation of radiation noise entering through an opening portion 301 between the housing 10 and the enclosure 300 can be shielded. This can reduce the impact of radiation noise on the communication connector 1 and the circuit board 200. Note that "when the housing 10 is viewed from the front" refers to a view in the first direction X, in which the housing 10 is viewed from the front side F in the first direction X to the rear side B. <Von der Ausführungsform erzielte vorteilhafte Wirkungen>

[0035] The communication connector 1 of the present embodiment includes the housing 10 made of an electrically conductive material, the tubular member 30 as the first conductive portion which is held while being conductively connected to the housing 10 and which is conductively connected to the shielding member 110 of the mating connector 100, the grounding piece 40A as the second conductive portion which is provided on the upper surface 10U as one side of the housing 10 and which is conductively connected to the housing 10, and the conducting portion 15 as the third conductive portion which is provided on the lower surface 10D as another side of the housing 10 and which is conductively connected to the housing 10.

[0036] The communication connector 1 includes the housing 10 made of an electrically conductive material. Therefore, for example, when the grounding piece 40A as a second conductive portion is brought into electrical contact with the enclosure 33 and the lead portion 15 as a third conductive portion is electrically connected to the circuit board 200, the enclosure 300 and the circuit board 200 are conductively connected to each other, so that the advantageous effect of maintaining the ground potentials of the mating connector 100 and the communication connector 1 at the same ground potential as the enclosure 300 can be achieved. Furthermore, by forming a plurality of grounded electrical current paths, the number of paths for releasing noise-causing electric current to a region where communication signals are not affected can be increased, and the occurrence of noise can be reduced.Therefore, the communication connector 1 has a simple structure and can still reduce the effect of electromagnetic noise. <Zweite Ausführungsform: Siehe FIG. 6, 7>

[0037] In the communication connector 1 of the first embodiment, the fixing portion 20A is formed on the rear side B of the housing 10, and the shielding portion 43A of the grounding piece 40A is arranged at a position far from the opening portion 301, whereas the communication connector 1 of the present embodiment differs in that a fixing portion 20B is formed on the front side F of the housing 10, and a shielding portion of a grounding piece 40B is arranged at a position near the opening portion 301. It should be noted that the same elements as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1, so that their description can be omitted.

[0038] The fixing portion 20B is formed with triangular ribs 22B projecting in the upward direction U from the top surface 10U of the housing 10 and connecting to side surfaces of the housing 10 on opposite sides in the second direction Y. In a central portion in the second direction Y of the fixing portion 20B, a locking portion 21B is formed, projecting from a surface on the rear side B.

[0039] In addition, the fixing portion 20B is formed closer to the front side F than to the center point of a length L in the first direction X of the housing 10. That is, the fixing portion 20B is formed on the housing 10 on the side of the connection opening 11 to which the mating connector 100 is connected or inserted.

[0040] The grounding piece 40B is formed in an inverted U-shape 41B in a side view, a curved portion 48B is formed in a front portion 42B of the U-shape 41B, a shield portion 43B is formed extending from the curved portion 48B, and a curved portion 44B is formed at a distal end side of the shield portion 43B. A rear portion 47B of the U-shape 41B extends in the downward direction D and extends obliquely downward in the rearward direction B at a distal end side.

[0041] The grounding piece 40B is formed in a plan view with a notch portion 45B in the shielding portion 43B and is divided into two branches. Furthermore, an opening 46B is formed in a central portion of the U-shape 41B. When the grounding piece 40B is attached to the fixing portion 20B, the locking portion 21B of the fixing portion 20B enters the opening 46B to prevent unexpected withdrawal of the grounding piece 40B. <Kommunikationsverbinder 1 und Umschließung 300: Siehe FIG. 7>

[0042] In the present embodiment, the grounding piece 40B is arranged at the front side F of the housing 10 between the housing 10 and the enclosure 300, and a portion connecting the curved portion 48B to the shielding portion 43B and the shielding portion 43B elastically deforms, causing the curved portion 44B to press against a wall 310F of the enclosure 300 at the front side F in the first direction X. In a projected part of the grounding piece 40B when the housing 10 is viewed from the front, radiation noise entering through the opening portion 301 between the housing 10 and the enclosure 300 can be blocked at a position at the front side F of the housing 10. This prevents the radiation noise from entering between the communication connector 1 and the enclosure 300, enabling further reduction of the effect on the circuit board 200. <Dritte Ausführungsform: Siehe FIG. 8, 9>

[0043] In the communication connectors 1 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the shielding portion 43A of the grounding piece 40A and the shielding portion 43B of the grounding piece 40B are divided into two branches, whereas a communication connector 1 of the present embodiment differs in that a shielding portion 43C of a grounding piece 40C is continuously formed in the second direction Y. Note that the same elements as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1, so that the description of them can be omitted.

[0044] The grounding piece 40C is formed in a U-shape 41C lying on its side on the rear side B in a side view. An upper portion 42C of the U-shape 41C is formed, a curved portion 48C is formed that extends from the upper portion 42C and is bent backward. A shield portion 43C is formed that extends from the curved portion 48C, and a curved portion 44C is formed at a distal end side of the shield portion 43C. A lower portion 47C of the U-shape 41C extends in the forward direction F and extends obliquely downward at a distal end side in the forward direction F. <Kommunikationsverbinder 1 und Umschließung 300: Siehe FIG. 8>

[0045] In the present embodiment, when the housing 10 is viewed from the front, that is, when the housing 10 is viewed in the first direction X, the projected shape of the grounding piece 40C is continuous in the second direction Y. A large shielding area can be formed for shielding radiation noise entering through the opening portion 301 between the housing 10 and the enclosure 300. In the present embodiment, the dimension of the grounding piece 40 in the second direction Y is larger than the dimension of the shielding member 110 of the mating connector 100 in the second direction Y. By making the dimension of the grounding piece 40 in the second direction Y larger than the dimension of the shielding member 110 of the mating connector 100 in the second direction Y, the effect of radiation noise on the communication connector 1 and the circuit board 200 can be reduced.

[0046] Since the shielding portion 43C of the grounding piece 40C is continuous in the second direction Y, the section modulus in the thickness direction of the shielding portion 43C is larger than that of the shielding portion 43A of the grounding piece 40A and the shielding portion 43B of the grounding piece 40B, which are divided into two branches. By the shielding portion 43C of the grounding piece 40C, even with a slight displacement of the elastic deformation of the shielding portion 43C as a flat spring, a pressing force can be ensured on the enclosure 300, and the mechanical stability of the conductive portion can be improved. <Vierte Ausführungsform: Siehe FIG. 10, 11>

[0047] In the communication connector 1 of the second embodiment 2, the fixing portion 20B is formed on the front side F of the housing 10, and the wall 310F on the front side F in the first direction X of the enclosure 300 is pressed by the curved portion 44B of the grounding piece 40B. In contrast, a communication connector 1 of the present embodiment differs in that a ceiling surface 320U on the top side U in the third direction Z of the enclosure 300 is pressed by a curved portion 44D of a grounding piece 40D. Note that the same elements as in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1, so that their description can be omitted.

[0048] The grounding piece 40D is formed in a side view into an inverted U-shape 41D, and an upstream portion 42D and a downstream portion 47D are formed, which are connected from the U-shape 41D. In a front view, an extended portion 43D is formed, which extends from the right side R to the left side L and extends obliquely upward U, and a curved portion 44D is formed at a distal end side of the extended portion 43D. <Kommunikationsverbinder 1 und Umschließung 300: Siehe FIG. 10, 11>

[0049] As in Fig.11, in the present embodiment, the grounding piece 40D is attached to the attachment portion 20B formed on the side of the connection opening 11 where the mating connector 100 is inserted, which is the front side F of the housing 10. Moreover, the ceiling surface 320U on the upper side U is pressed in the third direction Z of the enclosure 300 by the curved portion 44D of the grounding piece 40D. By forming a grounded electric current path on the front side F of the housing 10 and between the housing 10 and the ceiling surface 320U, the conduction distance of the electric current is shortened, so that the occurrence of electromagnetic noise can be reduced. <Fünfte Ausführungsform: Siehe FIG. 12>

[0050] In the communication connectors 1 of the first to fourth embodiments, the grounding pieces 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D are attached to the attachment portions 20 formed in the specific shapes, whereas the communication connector 1 in the present embodiment is different in that the shape for attaching a grounding piece 40E is not limited to a specific shape, but the grounding piece 40E is installed on the top surface 10U of the housing 10.

[0051] The grounding piece 40E is attached to the top U of the housing 10. The housing 10 and the grounding piece 40E are connected and secured together, for example, with an electrically conductive double-sided adhesive tape or the like. Alternatively, they are soldered together, for example. <Kommunikationsverbinder 1 und Umschließung 300: Siehe FIG. 10>

[0052] In the present embodiment, the enclosure 300 and the housing 10 can be electrically connected to each other, with the grounding piece 40E attached to the top surface 10U of the housing 10. Since the housing 10 is electrically conductive, the grounding piece 40E can be attached to a desired position on the top surface 10U of the housing 10. By attaching the grounding piece 40E to a desired position on the top surface 10U of the housing 10, an electrical current path can be formed at a desired position, the degree of freedom for countermeasures against electromagnetic noise is increased, and it becomes easier to take countermeasures against electromagnetic noise.

[0053] Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the configurations shown in the above-described embodiments may be selectively adopted or eliminated, or they may be appropriately modified into other configurations.

[0054] In the first embodiment, the lead portion 15 serves as a mounting portion 15A mounted on the circuit board 200 in a through-hole mounting manner, but is not limited thereto. For example, the lead portion 15, like the third contact portion 51c, may be a surface-mounted mounting portion on a contact portion of the circuit board 200. List of reference symbols 1 communication connector 10 housings 11 Connection opening 12 locking opening 13 Holding area 15 Management area 15A mounting area 20, 20A, 20B mounting area 21A, 21B locking area 30 tubular element 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E earthing piece 43A, 43B, 43C shielding area 50 contact molds 51 Contact area 51a first contact section 51b second contact section 51c third contact section 52 resin bodies 100 counter connectors 200 boards 300 enclosure 301 opening area 310F Wall 320U ceiling area QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2023-102172A

[0004]

Claims

[1] Communication connector comprising: a housing formed of an electrically conductive material, the housing receiving a mating connector; a first conductive region which is held and thereby conductively connected to the housing and which is conductively connected to a shielding element of the mating connector; a second conductive region provided on one side of the housing and conductively connected to the housing; and a third conductive region provided on another side of the housing and conductively connected to the housing. [2] Communication connector according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive region has a tubular shape and is conductively connected to the shielding element on an outer peripheral surface of the tubular shape, and wherein the second conductive region deforms elastically, whereby it is conductively connected to an enclosure. [3] The communication connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third conductive region is a mounting region when the communication connector is mounted on a circuit board. [4] A communication connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when a side on which the mating connector is received is a front side in a first direction, the second conductive portion presses against a wall on the front side in the first direction of the enclosure and elastically deforms, thereby being conductively connected to the enclosure. [5] The communication connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when a direction in which the mating connector is received is a first direction and a direction intersecting the first direction is a second direction, in a view of the second conductive portion in the first direction, a dimension of the second conductive portion continuous in the second direction is larger than a dimension of the shielding member of the mating connector in the second direction.

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