Connector and contact module

Abstract

To provide a contact module having a simpler structure and a higher connection reliability.SOLUTION: A contact module 14 comprises: a ground member 30; an insulation part 40; and a conductive part 50. The ground member 30 includes: a ground terminal 33; and a terminal base part 37. Each of the ground terminal 33 and the terminal base part 37 has an elastic performance in at least part. The ground terminal 33 includes: a ground contact point 34 that is connected to a first object; and a ground connection part 35 that is connected to a second object. The ground contact point 34 can be moved to a vertical direction. In the terminal base part 37, the insulation part 40 is formed. In the insulation part 40, the conductive part 50 is formed. The terminal base part 37, the insulation part 40, and the conductive part 50 form a signal terminal 60. The conductive part 50 includes: a signal contact 54 that is connected to the first object; and a signal connection part connected to the second object. The signal contact 54 can be moved to the vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact module in a connector that connects a first object and a second object to each other.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses this type of contact module.

[0003] The connector (not shown) of Patent Document 1 connects a substrate (not shown) as a first object and an FPC (flexible printed circuits) assembly (not shown) as a second object to each other.

[0004] Referring to FIG. 17, the connector of Patent Document 1 includes a contact module including a plurality of contacts 90. Each of the contacts 90 has a main portion 92, three extension portions (first terminals) 93 connected to the first object, and three extension portions (second terminals) 94 connected to the second object. Further, each of the contacts 90 is formed with two layers, a base portion 96 made of a metal plate and an insulating layer 97 made of an insulator. Furthermore, a ground line (ground layer) 98, which is a third layer, is formed on two of the insulating layers 97 of the first terminals 93, and a signal line (signal layer) 99, which is a third layer, is formed on one of the insulating layers 97 of the first terminals 93. Each of the ground layers 98 is partially connected to the base portion 96 through the insulating layer 97. With the above-described structure, a microstrip line and a coplanar line can be formed in the contact 90.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The contact module of Patent Document 1 has the three-layer structure described above. Further, the base portion located at the lowermost layer and the ground layer located at the uppermost layer are connected to each other through an insulating layer which is an intermediate layer. Such a complicated structure is difficult to manufacture and is likely to increase the manufacturing cost. In addition, there is a risk that the connection reliability is reduced due to problems such as poor contact between the ground layer and the base portion.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a contact module having a simpler structure and higher connection reliability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention provides, as a first connector, a connector that connects a first object and a second object to each other, wherein the connector includes a contact module, the contact module includes a ground member made of metal, an insulating portion, and a conductive portion, the ground member has a ground terminal and a terminal base, each of the ground terminal and the terminal base has at least partial elasticity, the ground terminal has a ground contact connected to the first object and a ground connection portion connected to the second object, the ground contact is movable in a predetermined direction, the insulating portion is formed on the terminal base, the conductive portion is formed on the insulating portion, the terminal base, the insulating portion, and the conductive portion form a signal terminal, the conductive portion has a signal contact connected to the first object and a signal connection portion connected to the second object, the signal contact is movable in the predetermined direction and provides a connector.

[0009] The present invention provides, as a second connector, a first connector, wherein the ground contact and the signal contact are located at the same position as each other in the predetermined direction and provides a connector.

[0010] The present invention provides, as a third connector, a second connector, wherein the ground terminal has an overhanging portion, the overhanging portion extends in the predetermined direction and partially functions as the ground contact and provides a connector.

[0011] The present invention provides, as a fourth connector, a first connector, wherein the ground terminal and the signal terminal are arranged side by side in the pitch direction, the ground member has a strip portion, a first spring portion, and a second spring portion, the strip portion extends in the pitch direction, each of the first spring portion and the second spring portion extends from the strip portion in a direction orthogonal to the pitch direction, the first spring portion at least partially forms the ground terminal, the ground contact is provided on the first spring portion, the second spring portion at least partially forms the terminal base portion, the signal contact is supported by the second spring portion via the insulating portion, and the ground contact and the signal contact are located at the same position as each other in a direction orthogonal to both the pitch direction and the orthogonal direction and provides a connector.

[0012] The present invention provides, as a fifth connector, a first connector, wherein the connector includes a holding member, the holding member has a holding portion, the contact module has a portion to be held, The held part is held by the holding part provides a connector.

[0013] The present invention provides, as a sixth connector, a fifth connector, wherein the predetermined direction is the vertical direction, each of the ground contact and the signal contact is movable vertically, in a state where the connector is sandwiched vertically between the first object and the second object, the ground contact and the signal contact are pressed against the first object and connected, and the ground connection part and the signal connection part are pressed against the second object and connected provides a connector.

[0014] The present invention provides, as a first contact module, a contact module connected to a first object and a second object, wherein the contact module includes a ground member made of metal, an insulating part, and a conductive part, the ground member has a ground terminal and a terminal base, each of the ground terminal and the terminal base is at least partially elastic, the ground terminal has a ground contact connected to the first object and a ground connection part connected to the second object, the ground contact is movable in a predetermined direction, the insulating part is formed on the terminal base, the conductive part is formed on the insulating part, the terminal base, the insulating part, and the conductive part form a signal terminal, the conductive part has a signal contact connected to the first object and a signal connection part connected to the second object, the signal contact is movable in the predetermined direction provides a contact module.

Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the contact module of the present invention, a part of a metal ground member can be used as a ground terminal connected to the ground wire of a first object and the ground wire of a second object. That is, according to the present invention, a ground terminal having a single-layer structure can be formed. For this reason, the contact module can be manufactured relatively easily. In addition, while preventing problems such as poor contact of the ground terminal, the ground terminal can be reliably connected to the ground wire of the first object and the ground wire of the second object. Further, the signal terminal of the present invention can be elastically deformed by utilizing the spring force of a metal ground member. According to this structure, the signal terminal can be reliably connected to the signal wire of the first object and the signal wire of the second object. That is, according to the present invention, a contact module having a simpler structure and higher connection reliability can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 together, the connector 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention connects the first object 82 and the second object 86 to each other. The first object 82 and the second object 86 of the present embodiment are attached to and connected to the connector 10 so as to sandwich the connector 10 in the vertical direction.

[0018] In this embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z direction. In this embodiment, the upward direction is the +Z direction, and the downward direction is the -Z direction. Terms related to positions such as the vertical direction do not indicate the absolute positional relationship with respect to the ground, but only indicate the relative positional relationship in the drawing. For example, in the description of the present invention, the direction in which the connectors 10, the first object 82, and the second object 86 connected to each other are arranged is defined as the vertical direction.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, each of the first object 82 and the second object 86 in this embodiment is a circuit board on which various conductive patterns are formed, and extends along a horizontal plane (XY plane) orthogonal to the vertical direction. The connector 10 in this embodiment is a so-called compression connector. Two circuit boards (the first object 82 and the second object 86) extending parallel to each other can be electrically connected to the connector 10 just by pressing against the connector 10.

[0020] For example, on the lower surface of the first object 82, a plurality of ground lines 83 made of a conductor and a plurality of signal lines 84 made of a conductor are formed, and on the upper surface of the second object 86, a plurality of ground lines 87 made of a conductor and a plurality of signal lines 88 made of a conductor are formed. In the connection state where the connector 10 is connected to the first object 82 and the second object 86 (the state in FIG. 7), the ground lines 83 are electrically connected to the ground lines 87 respectively, and the signal lines 84 are electrically connected to the signal lines 88 respectively.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 6, each of the first object 82 and the second object 86 in this embodiment has the above-described structure. However, the structure of each of the first object 82 and the second object 86 in the present invention can be variously deformed.

[0022] For example, the second object 86 may extend along a vertical plane (YZ plane) parallel to the vertical direction. In this case, the connector 10 may be fixed to the second object 86 by soldering or the like, and the first object 82 may be electrically connectable to the connector 10 just by pressing against the connector 10.

[0023] For example, the connector 10 may be a so-called edge connector. In this case, the first object 82 may extend along the YZ plane, and a plurality of terminals may be provided at the lower end of the first object 82. The connector 10 may be attached to the first object 82 so as to sandwich the terminals at the lower end of the first object 82 in the XY plane. In this case, the second object 86 may extend along the XY plane or may extend along a plane intersecting the XY plane.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8 together, the connector 10 of the present embodiment includes a holding member 12 made of an insulator and a plurality of contact modules 14. Each of the contact modules 14 is held by the holding member 12. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, in the connected state, the ground line 83 and the signal line 84 of the first object 82 are electrically connected to the ground line 87 and the signal line 88 of the second object 86 via the contact module 14, respectively. That is, each of the contact modules 14 is connected to the first object 82 and the second object 86.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, the number of the contact modules 14 of the present embodiment is 10. The ten contact modules 14 are divided into two groups in the pitch direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The five contact modules 14 of each group are arranged in a row in the front-rear direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the pitch direction. The pitch direction of the present embodiment is the horizontal direction and is the Y direction. The front-rear direction of the present embodiment is the X direction. In the present embodiment, the front is the +X direction, and the rear is the -X direction.

[0026] The connector 10 of the present embodiment includes only the holding member 12 and the contact module 14. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the connector 10 may further include another member in addition to the holding member 12 and the contact module 14. On the other hand, the holding member 12 may be provided as needed. In other words, the connector 10 may include only the contact module 14. In this case, only the contact module 14 may function as the connector 10. Regardless of whether the connector 10 includes the holding member 12 or not, the number of contact modules 14 may be 1 or 2 or more.

[0027] Hereinafter, one of the contact modules 14 of the present embodiment will be described. The following description is applicable to each of the contact modules 14.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 8 in combination with FIG. 1, the contact module 14 of the present embodiment is a contact module that can be used as the contact module of the connector 10, and includes a ground member 30 made of metal, a plurality of insulating portions 40 made of an insulator, and a plurality of conductive portions 50 made of a conductor.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 10, the ground member 30 of the present embodiment is formed of a metal plate suitable for forming springs such as a copper alloy plate or a stainless steel plate, and has a strip portion 31, a plurality of first spring portions 32, a plurality of second spring portions 36, and two held portions 38. In the present embodiment, the number of the first spring portions 32 is 10, and the number of the second spring portions 36 is 10. The two held portions 38 are respectively located at both ends of the ground member 30 in the pitch direction (Y direction). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the number of the first spring portions 32 may be 1, and the number of the second spring portions 36 may be 1. The held portion 38 may be provided as needed.

[0030] The strip portion 31 of the present embodiment is a belt-shaped portion having a constant size in the vertical direction and has a flat plate shape orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The strip portion 31 extends in the pitch direction. Specifically, the strip portion 31 is located at the middle portion of the ground member 30 in the vertical direction and extends straight along the pitch direction between both ends of the ground member 30 in the pitch direction.

[0031] Each of the first spring portions 32 includes an elastically deformable first upper spring portion 322 and an elastically deformable first lower spring portion 324. Each of the first upper spring portions 322 extends upward from the upper edge of the strip portion 31, and each of the first lower spring portions 324 extends downward from the lower edge of the strip portion 31. In each of the first spring portions 32, the first upper spring portion 322 and the first lower spring portion 324 are at the same position as each other in the pitch direction (Y direction) and have the same size as each other in the pitch direction.

[0032] According to the present embodiment, in each of the first spring portions 32, the first upper spring portion 322 and the first lower spring portion 324 have a shape that is mirror-symmetrical about the XY plane and have the same spring property as each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first upper spring portion 322 and the first lower spring portion 324 may have a shape that is asymmetrical about the XY plane.

[0033] Each of the second spring portions 36 includes an elastically deformable second upper spring portion 362 and an elastically deformable second lower spring portion 364. Each of the second upper spring portions 362 extends upward from the upper edge of the strip portion 31, and each of the second lower spring portions 364 extends downward from the lower edge of the strip portion 31. In each of the second spring portions 36, the second upper spring portion 362 and the second lower spring portion 364 are at the same position as each other in the pitch direction (Y direction) and have the same size as each other in the pitch direction.

[0034] According to the present embodiment, in each of the second spring portions 36, the second upper spring portion 362 and the second lower spring portion 364 have a shape that is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the XY plane and have the same spring characteristics as each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second upper spring portion 362 and the second lower spring portion 364 may have a shape that is asymmetrical with respect to the XY plane.

[0035] As described above, each of the first spring portion 32 and the second spring portion 36 of the present embodiment is formed of two springs that can be elastically deformed independently of each other, and extends in a direction orthogonal to the pitch direction (Y direction) from the belt-like portion 31. The orthogonal direction in the present embodiment is the vertical direction, which is the Z direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the orthogonal direction may intersect the vertical direction.

[0036] The first spring portion 32 and the second spring portion 36 of the present embodiment are arranged in a row at equal intervals in the pitch direction (Y direction). Also, the first spring portion 32 and the second spring portion 36 of the present embodiment are divided into five sets. Each set includes two first spring portions 32 and two second spring portions 36. In each set, the two second spring portions 36 are adjacent to each other in the pitch direction, and the two first spring portions 32 are respectively located on both sides of the two second spring portions 36 in the pitch direction. The first spring portion 32 and the second spring portion 36 of the present embodiment are arranged as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The arrangement of the first spring portion 32 and the second spring portion 36 can be deformed as necessary.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 8, each of the held portions 38 of the present embodiment is a metal piece that obliquely intersects the front-rear direction. Each of the held portions 38 extends downward while inclining forward from the lower edge of the belt-like portion 31. Each of the held portions 38 has the above-described initial shape and can be elastically deformed into a shape orthogonal to the front-rear direction. A force to return to the initial shape is generated in each of the elastically deformed held portions 38. Each of the held portions 38 of the present embodiment has the above-described structure. However, the structure of each of the held portions 38 can be deformed as necessary.

[0038] Explaining the structure of the ground member 30 of this embodiment from another perspective, the ground member 30 has a plurality of ground terminals 33 and a plurality of terminal bases 37. Each of the ground terminals 33 of this embodiment consists of a first spring portion 32 and a portion located between the first upper spring portion 322 and the first lower spring portion 324 of the strip portion 31. That is, each of the first spring portions 32 at least partially forms the ground terminal 33. Each of the terminal bases 37 of this embodiment consists of a second spring portion 36 and a portion located between the second upper spring portion 362 and the second lower spring portion 364 of the strip portion 31. That is, each of the second spring portions 36 at least partially forms the terminal base 37. Each of the ground terminals 33 and terminal bases 37 formed as described above is at least partially elastic.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 9 in combination with FIG. 8, insulating portions 40 are respectively formed on the terminal bases 37. That is, the number of insulating portions 40 is equal to the number of terminal bases 37, and the insulating portions 40 respectively correspond to the terminal bases 37. Further, conductive portions 50 are respectively formed on the insulating portions 40. That is, the number of conductive portions 50 is equal to the number of insulating portions 40, and the conductive portions 50 respectively correspond to the insulating portions 40. Each of the terminal bases 37, together with the corresponding insulating portion 40 and the corresponding conductive portion 50, forms one signal terminal 60. In other words, each of the terminal bases 37, the insulating portion 40, and the conductive portion 50 forms the signal terminal 60. Each of the signal terminals 60 has a three-layer structure composed of the terminal base 37, the insulating portion 40, and the conductive portion 50.

[0040] According to this embodiment, in each of the signal terminals 60, the insulating portion 40 completely covers the terminal base 37. On the other hand, in each of the signal terminals 60, the conductive portion 50 completely covers the insulating portion 40 in the direction in which the signal terminal 60 extends, while covering only the intermediate portion of the insulating portion 40 in the pitch direction. According to this structure, while reliably insulating between the conductive portion 50 and the terminal base 37, a signal terminal 60 having a spring force by the terminal base 37 can be obtained. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the insulating portion 40 may be formed only between the conductive portion 50 and the terminal base 37.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 7 in combination with FIG. 4, in the connected state where the connector 10 is connected to the first object 82 and the second object 86 (the state in FIG. 7), each of the ground terminals 33 is connected to the ground wire 83 and the ground wire 87 and has a ground potential, and each of the signal terminals 60 is connected to the signal wire 84 and the signal wire 88 to transmit a signal between the first object 82 and the second object 86.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, the ground terminal 33 and the signal terminal 60 are formed in a comb shape and are arranged in the pitch direction (Y direction). Specifically, the ground terminal 33 and the signal terminal 60 are arranged in a row at equal intervals in the pitch direction, forming one terminal row.

[0043] The ground terminal 33 and the signal terminal 60 of the present embodiment are divided into five sets. Each set consists of two ground terminals 33 and two signal terminals 60. In each set, the two signal terminals 60 are adjacent to each other in the pitch direction, and the two ground terminals 33 are respectively located on both sides of the two signal terminals 60 in the pitch direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the arrangement of the ground terminal 33 and the signal terminal 60 can be deformed according to the first object 82 (see FIG. 7) and the second object 86 (see FIG. 7), and can also be deformed in consideration of impedance matching. Also, the number of the ground terminals 33 may be 1, and the number of the signal terminals 60 may be 1.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 9, the contact module 14 of the present embodiment includes a strip-shaped insulating portion 42 made of an insulator. The strip-shaped insulating portion 42 is formed on the strip-shaped portion 31 of the ground member 30, and extends straight along the pitch direction (Y direction) between both ends of the strip-shaped portion 31 in the pitch direction. That is, the strip-shaped insulating portion 42 includes the intermediate portion in the vertical direction among all the insulating portions 40. The contact module 14 of the present embodiment is provided with the above-described strip-shaped insulating portion 42. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. As long as the contact module 14 includes the insulating portion 40, the strip-shaped insulating portion 42 may be provided as necessary.

[0045] Hereinafter, the holding member 12 (see FIG. 1) of the present embodiment will be described.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the holding member 12 of the present embodiment has a rectangular flat plate shape parallel to the XY plane. That is, the holding member 12 has an upper surface and a lower surface extending parallel to the XY plane. The holding member 12 has six positioning protrusions 22. Three of the positioning protrusions 22 extend upward from the upper surface of the holding member 12. The other three of the positioning protrusions 22 extend downward from the lower surface of the holding member 12. Further, three through holes 24 are formed in the holding member 12. Each of the through holes 24 penetrates the holding member 12 in the vertical direction and opens to the upper surface and the lower surface.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6 together, the first object 82 of the present embodiment is positioned and attached to the connector 10 in the XY plane by the upper three positioning protrusions 22. The second object 86 of the present embodiment is positioned and attached to the connector 10 in the XY plane by the lower three positioning protrusions 22. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6 together, the first object 82 and the second object 86 attached to the connector 10 are fixed to the connector 10 by screws screwed into screw holes (not shown) of the first object 82 and the second object 86 through the through holes 24.

[0048] In the holding member 12 of the present embodiment, the positioning protrusions 22 and the through holes 24 that function as described above are formed. However, the structure of the holding member 12 can be variously deformed according to the first object 82 and the second object 86. For example, the positioning protrusions 22 and the through holes 24 may be formed as necessary.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 1, the holding member 12 of the present embodiment is provided with ten holding regions 25 corresponding to the ten contact modules 14 respectively. Each of the contact modules 14 is housed and held in the corresponding holding region 25. The number of the holding regions 25 only needs to match the number of the contact modules 14. For example, when the connector 10 includes only one contact module 14, only one holding region 25 may be provided.

[0050] Hereinafter, one of the holding regions 25 of the present embodiment will be described. The following description is applicable to each of the holding regions 25.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 1 in combination with FIGS. 3 and 4, the holding region 25 is formed with a plurality of accommodating portions 26, a groove portion 27, and two holding holes 28. Each of the accommodating portion 26, the groove portion 27, and the holding hole 28 is a space formed inside the holding member 12.

[0052] The accommodating portions 26 are provided corresponding to the ground terminals 33 and the signal terminals 60 of the contact module 14 respectively, and are arranged in a row in the pitch direction (Y direction) to form an accommodating row. Each of the accommodating portions 26 is open upward and downward. The holding holes 28 are provided corresponding to the held portions 38 of the contact module 14 respectively, and are located on both sides of the accommodating row in the pitch direction. Each of the holding holes 28 is open upward. The groove portion 27 is provided corresponding to the strip portion 31 of the contact module 14, and extends along the pitch direction between the two holding holes 28. The groove portion 27 is open only downward.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 3, each of the holding holes 28 has a holding portion 29. That is, the holding member 12 has the holding portion 29. Each of the holding portions 29 is the front side portion of the holding hole 28 and is recessed forward from the rear side portion of the holding hole 28. Each of the holding portions 29 is a space with a bottom. In other words, each of the holding portions 29 is open only upward. The rear side portion of the holding hole 28 communicates with the groove portion 27 in the vertical direction and opens downward through the groove portion 27.

[0054] The holding region 25 (see FIG. 1) of the present embodiment has the above-described structure. However, as long as the holding region 25 can hold the contact module 14, the structure of the holding region 25 is not particularly limited.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 8 in combination with FIGS. 3 and 4, the contact module 14 of the present embodiment is attached to and held by the holding member 12 as described below.

[0056] First, the strip portion 31 of the contact module 14 is inserted into the groove portion 27 of the holding member 12 from below. At this time, the upper portions of the ground terminal 33 and the signal terminal 60 of the contact module 14 are respectively received in the accommodating portion 26. Further, the held portion 38 of the contact module 14 is received in the groove portion 27 while being elastically deformed so as to extend along the YZ plane. When the contact module 14 is continuously moved upward, the held portion 38 passes through the groove portion 27 and is located inside the holding hole 28. At this time, the held portion 38 returns to its initial shape, and the lower end of the held portion 38 is located directly above the bottom of the holding portion 29. At this time, the contact module 14 is attached to the holding member 12.

[0057] When the contact module 14 is attached to the holding member 12, the held portion 38 is held by the holding portion 29. More specifically, when the contact module 14 is moved downward, the held portion 38 abuts against the bottom of the holding portion 29. When the contact module 14 is further moved upward, the strip portion 31 abuts against the ceiling of the groove portion 27.

[0058] As described above, the held portion 38 of the present embodiment functions as a lance that prevents the removal of the contact module 14. According to the present embodiment, since the two held portions 38 are respectively provided at both ends of the contact module 14 in the pitch direction (Y direction), the holding member 12 can hold the contact module 14 more reliably. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of the held portions 38 may be 1. The held portion 38 is not limited to a lance. For example, the held portion 38 may be a press-fitting portion. As will be described later, the contact module 14 may be soldered to the second object 86 (see FIG. 6). In this case, it is not necessary to provide the holding portion 29 and the held portion 38.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 7 together, when the contact module 14 is held by the holding member 12, each of the ground terminal 33 and the signal terminal 60 is located inside the corresponding accommodating portion 26. At each of the ground terminal 33 and the signal terminal 60, the upper end protrudes upward from the accommodating portion 26, and the lower end protrudes downward from the accommodating portion 26. Each of the accommodating portions 26 has a size that allows elastic deformation of the corresponding ground terminal 33 or the corresponding signal terminal 60. More specifically, each of the first spring portion 32 of the ground terminal 33 and the second spring portion 36 of the signal terminal 60 can be elastically deformed inside the accommodating portion 26 without contacting the inner wall surface of the accommodating portion 26.

[0060] Hereinafter, one of the ground terminals 33 and one of the signal terminals 60 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail. The following description is applicable to each of the ground terminals 33 and each of the signal terminals 60.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 11 in conjunction with FIG. 7, the ground terminal 33 of the present embodiment is formed from only one metal piece. The ground terminal 33 has a ground contact 34 connected to the first object 82 and a ground connection portion 35 connected to the second object 86. Gold plating is applied to each of the ground contact 34 and the ground connection portion 35, for example. Each of the ground contact 34 and the ground connection portion 35 is movable in a predetermined direction. The predetermined direction of the present embodiment is the vertical direction, the Z direction. However, as will be described later, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 11, each of the ground contact 34 and the ground connection portion 35 of the present embodiment is provided on the first spring portion 32. Specifically, the ground contact 34 is provided on the first upper spring portion 322, and the ground connection portion 35 is provided on the first lower spring portion 324. The ground contact 34 is located at the upper end of the ground terminal 33 and is movable up and down as the first upper spring portion 322 elastically changes. The ground connection portion 35 is located at the lower end of the ground terminal 33 and is movable up and down as the first lower spring portion 324 elastically changes. The ground contact 34 and the ground connection portion 35 are movable independently of each other.

[0063] According to the present embodiment, the ground contact 34 is formed by bending the upper end portion of the first upper spring portion 322 into an arc shape that protrudes upward, and the ground connection portion 35 is formed by bending the lower end portion of the first lower spring portion 324 into an arc shape that protrudes downward. However, the method of forming the ground contact 34 and the ground connection portion 35 of the present invention is not particularly limited.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 12 in combination with FIG. 4, the signal terminal 60 of the present embodiment includes a first layer made of a single metal piece including a part of the second spring portion 36 and the strip portion 31, a second layer made of the insulating portion 40, and a third layer made of the conductive portion 50. The conductive portion 50 has a signal contact 54 connected to the first object 82 and a signal connection portion 55 connected to the second object 86. Gold plating is applied to each of the signal contact 54 and the signal connection portion 55, for example. Each of the signal contact 54 and the signal connection portion 55 is movable in a predetermined direction (Z direction).

[0065] As shown in FIG. 12, each of the signal contact 54 and the signal connection portion 55 of the present embodiment is supported by the second spring portion 36 via the insulating portion 40. Specifically, the signal contact 54 is supported by the second upper spring portion 362 via the insulating portion 40, and the signal connection portion 55 is supported by the second lower spring portion 364 via the insulating portion 40. The signal contact 54 is located at the upper end of the signal terminal 60 and is movable up and down as the second upper spring portion 362 elastically changes. The signal connection portion 55 is located at the lower end of the signal terminal 60 and is movable up and down as the second lower spring portion 364 elastically changes. The signal contact 54 and the signal connection portion 55 are movable independently of each other.

[0066] According to the present embodiment, the signal contact 54 is formed by bending the upper end portion of the second upper spring portion 362 into an arc shape that protrudes upward, and the signal connection portion 55 is formed by bending the lower end portion of the second lower spring portion 364 into an arc shape that protrudes downward. However, the method of forming the signal contact 54 and the signal connection portion 55 of the present invention is not particularly limited.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 8 in combination with FIGS. 4 and 7, in the connection state (the state of FIG. 7) where the connector 10 is connected to the first object 82 and the second object 86, the ground contact 34 and the ground connection portion 35 of the ground terminal 33 are pressed against and in contact with the ground line 83 of the first object 82 and the ground line 87 of the second object 86, respectively, and the signal contact 54 and the signal connection portion 55 of the signal terminal 60 are pressed against and in contact with the signal line 84 of the first object 82 and the signal line 88 of the second object 86, respectively.

[0068] As described above, according to the contact module 14 of the present embodiment, a part of the metal ground member 30 can be used as a ground terminal 33 connected to the ground wire 83 of the first object 82 and the ground wire 87 of the second object 86. That is, according to the present embodiment, a ground terminal 33 having a single-layer structure can be formed. For this reason, the contact module 14 can be manufactured relatively easily. Further, according to the present embodiment, a conventional complicated structure such as connecting a ground layer to a metal base through an insulating layer is unnecessary. For this reason, while preventing problems such as poor contact of the ground terminal 33, the ground terminal 33 can be reliably connected to the ground wire 83 of the first object 82 and the ground wire 87 of the second object 86 with sufficient contact force.

[0069] Further, the signal terminal 60 of the present embodiment is elastically deformable by utilizing the spring force of the metal ground member 30. According to this structure, the signal terminal 60 can be reliably connected to the signal wire 84 of the first object 82 and the signal wire 88 of the second object 86 with sufficient contact force. That is, according to the present embodiment, a contact module 14 having a simpler structure and higher connection reliability can be provided.

[0070] According to the present embodiment, by changing the size of the portion of the ground terminal 33 that protrudes beyond the upper surface of the holding member 12, the contact force with respect to the ground wire 83 of the first object 82 can be adjusted, and by changing the size of the portion of the ground terminal 33 that protrudes beyond the lower surface of the holding member 12, the contact force with respect to the ground wire 87 of the second object 86 can be adjusted. Similarly, by changing the size of the portion of the signal terminal 60 that protrudes beyond the upper surface of the holding member 12, the contact force with respect to the signal wire 84 of the first object 82 can be adjusted, and by changing the size of the portion of the signal terminal 60 that protrudes beyond the lower surface of the holding member 12, the contact force with respect to the signal wire 88 of the second object 86 can be adjusted.

[0071] According to this embodiment, the ground member 30 in the connected state has a ground potential, and thereby, the signal terminal 60 forms a microstrip line. According to this embodiment, the conductive portion 50 of the signal terminal 60 is at a position different from that of the ground terminal 33 in the XZ plane (orthogonal plane), excluding the signal contact point 54 and the signal connection portion 55. However, the ground terminal 33 having a ground potential and the signal terminal 60 through which a signal flows are adjacent to each other and extend parallel to each other. According to these structures, the signal transmission characteristics of the contact module 14 can be improved.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 8 in combination with FIG. 13, according to this embodiment, the ground contact point 34 and the signal contact point 54 are at the same position as each other in the front-rear direction orthogonal to both the pitch direction (Y direction) and the orthogonal direction (Z direction), and the ground connection portion 35 and the signal connection portion 55 are at the same position as each other in the front-rear direction. According to this arrangement, it is easy to arrange the ground terminal 33 and the signal terminal 60 in the connected state parallel to each other. However, the arrangements of the ground contact point 34, the signal contact point 54, the ground connection portion 35, and the signal connection portion 55 can be deformed as necessary.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the predetermined direction in which each of the ground contact point 34, the signal contact point 54, the ground connection portion 35, and the signal connection portion 55 in this embodiment moves is the vertical direction. That is, each of the ground contact point 34 and the signal contact point 54 can move vertically. Similarly, each of the ground connection portion 35 and the signal connection portion 55 can move vertically. In a state where the connector 10 is sandwiched vertically between the first object 82 and the second object 86, the ground contact point 34 and the signal contact point 54 are pressed against the first object 82 and connected, and the ground connection portion 35 and the signal connection portion 55 are pressed against the second object 86 and connected. At this time, the first spring portion 32 and the second spring portion 36 are elastically deformed, and thereby, each of the ground terminal 33 and the signal terminal 60 is completely received inside the corresponding housing portion 26.

[0074] That is, the contact module 14 of the present embodiment can be electrically connected to the first object 82 and the second object 86 without soldering. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The method of connecting the contact module 14 to the first object 82 and the second object 86 can be variously modified as described below.

[0075] For example, each of the ground connection portion 35 and the signal connection portion 55 may be soldered to the ground line 87 and the signal line 88 of the second object 86, respectively. In this case, the first object 82 may be pressed downward against the contact module 14 soldered and fixed to the second object 86. Further, when the connector 10 is an edge connector, each of the ground contact 34 and the signal contact 54 may be movable in the front-rear direction. That is, the predetermined direction may be the front-rear direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. In this case, each of the ground contact 34 and the signal contact 54 may be pressed and connected in the front-rear direction with respect to the first object 82 extending along the YZ plane.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 14 in combination with FIGS. 4 and 7, the ground contact 34 and the signal contact 54 of the present embodiment are at the same position as each other in a predetermined direction (Z direction). According to this arrangement, when connecting the connector 10 to the first object 82, the amount of movement of the ground contact 34 can be made to coincide with the amount of movement of the signal contact 54, and the ground contact 34 and the signal contact 54 can be connected to the first object 82 with similar contact forces. Similarly, the ground connection portion 35 and the signal connection portion 55 of the present embodiment are at the same position as each other in a predetermined direction (Z direction). According to this arrangement, the ground connection portion 35 and the signal connection portion 55 can be connected to the second object 86 with similar contact forces.

[0077] However, the arrangements of the ground contact 34, the signal contact 54, the ground connection portion 35, and the signal connection portion 55 can be variously modified according to the first object 82 and the second object 86. For example, when pressing each of the ground contact 34 and the signal contact 54 along the front-rear direction with respect to the first object 82, the ground contact 34 and the signal contact 54 may be arranged at the same position as each other in a predetermined direction (X direction).

[0078] The ground terminal 33 of this embodiment has an overhanging portion 332. The overhanging portion 332 protrudes in a predetermined direction (Z direction) and partially functions as a ground contact 34. Specifically, the overhanging portion 332 has the same size as the total thickness TH of the insulating portion 40 and the conductive portion 50 of the signal terminal 60 in the predetermined direction.

[0079] According to this embodiment, by forming the overhanging portion 332, while bending the upper part of the first upper spring portion 322 in the same way as the upper part of the second upper spring portion 362, the ground contact 34 and the signal contact 54 can be arranged at the same position as each other in the predetermined direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by bending the upper part of the first upper spring portion 322 differently from the upper part of the second upper spring portion 362, the ground contact 34 and the signal contact 54 may be arranged at the same position as each other in the predetermined direction. In this case, it is not necessary to form the overhanging portion 332.

[0080] The ground terminal 33 of this embodiment has, in addition to the overhanging portion 332, an overhanging portion 334. The overhanging portion 334 protrudes in a predetermined direction (Z direction) and partially functions as a ground connection portion 35. Specifically, the overhanging portion 334 has the same size as the total thickness TH of the insulating portion 40 and the conductive portion 50 of the signal terminal 60 in the predetermined direction, similar to the overhanging portion 332. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The method of forming the ground connection portion 35 can be deformed in the same way as the ground contact 34.

[0081] The contact module 14 of this embodiment can be manufactured as follows.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 15, first, the base member 70 is fabricated. Specifically, first, a rectangular metal plate 72 is fabricated. Next, an insulating member 74 is formed on the metal plate 72. Next, a conductive member 76 is formed on the insulating member 74. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, next, the base member 70 is cut out to fabricate an intermediate member 71. The intermediate member 71 is formed with a ground member 30, a plurality of insulating portions 40, a strip-shaped insulating portion 42, and a plurality of conductive portions 50. Referring to FIG. 16 in combination with FIG. 8, next, the intermediate member 71 is processed such as by bending to fabricate the contact module 14. According to the above-described manufacturing method, a large number of ground terminals 33 and a large number of signal terminals 60 of the contact module 14 can be easily fabricated together. However, the above-described manufacturing method is merely an example, and the manufacturing method of the contact module 14 is not particularly limited.

Explanation of Signs

[0083] 10 Connector 12 Holding member 14 Contact module 22 Positioning projection 24 Through hole 25 Holding region 26 Accommodating portion 27 Groove portion 28 Holding hole 29 Holding portion 30 Ground member 31 Strip-shaped portion 32 First spring portion 322 First upper spring portion 324 First lower spring portion 33 Ground terminal 332, 334 Overhanging portion 34 Ground contact 35 Ground connection portion 36 Second spring portion 362 Second upper spring portion 364 Second lower spring portion 37 Terminal base 38 Held portion 40 Insulating portion 42 Strip-shaped insulating portion 50 Conductive portion 54 Signal contact point 55 Signal connection part 60 Signal terminal 70 Base material 71 Intermediate member 72 Metal plate 74 Insulating member 76 Conductive member 82 First object 83 Ground wire 84 Signal wire 86 Second object 87 Ground wire 88 Signal wire

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a first object and a second object to each other, wherein the connector includes a contact module, the contact module includes a ground member made of metal, an insulating portion, and a conductive portion, the ground member has a ground terminal and a terminal base, each of the ground terminal and the terminal base is at least partially elastic, the ground terminal has a ground contact connected to the first object and a ground connection portion connected to the second object, the ground contact is movable in a predetermined direction, the insulating portion is formed on the terminal base, the conductive portion is formed on the insulating portion, the terminal base, the insulating portion, and the conductive portion form a signal terminal, the conductive portion has a signal contact connected to the first object and a signal connection portion connected to the second object, the signal contact is movable in the predetermined direction connector.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the ground contact and the signal contact are at the same position as each other in the predetermined direction connector.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the ground terminal has an overhanging portion, the overhanging portion extends in the predetermined direction and partially functions as the ground contact connector.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the ground terminal and the signal terminal are arranged side by side in the pitch direction, the ground member has a strip portion, a first spring portion, and a second spring portion, the strip portion extends in the pitch direction, each of the first spring portion and the second spring portion extends from the strip portion in a direction orthogonal to the pitch direction, the first spring portion at least partially forms the ground terminal, the ground contact is provided on the first spring portion, the second spring portion at least partially forms the terminal base, the signal contact is supported by the second spring portion via the insulating portion, the ground contact and the signal contact are at the same position as each other in a direction orthogonal to both the pitch direction and the orthogonal direction connector.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes a holding member, the holding member has a holding portion, the contact module has a portion to be held, The held part is held by the holding part connector.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined direction is the vertical direction, each of the ground contact and the signal contact is movable vertically, in a state where the connector is sandwiched vertically between the first object and the second object, the ground contact and the signal contact are pressed against the first object and connected, and the ground connection part and the signal connection part are pressed against the second object and connected connector.

7. A contact module connected to a first object and a second object, wherein the contact module includes a ground member made of metal, an insulating portion, and a conductive portion, the ground member has a ground terminal and a terminal base, each of the ground terminal and the terminal base has at least partial elasticity, the ground terminal has a ground contact connected to the first object and a ground connection part connected to the second object, the ground contact is movable in a predetermined direction, the insulating portion is formed on the terminal base, the conductive portion is formed on the insulating portion, the terminal base, the insulating portion, and the conductive portion form a signal terminal, the conductive portion has a signal contact connected to the first object and a signal connection part connected to the second object, the signal contact is movable in the predetermined direction contact module.

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