Communication connector

Abstract

To provide a communication connector which enables reduction of influence of electromagnetic noise while having a simple structure.SOLUTION: A communication connector 1 of the invention includes: a housing 10 which is formed of an electrically conductive material and receives a mating connector 100; a first conducting portion 30 which is retained in the housing 10 while conductively connected to the housing, and which is conductively connected to a shield member 110 of the mating connector 100; a second conducting portion 40A which is provided on one side of the housing 10 and conductively connected to the housing 10; and a third conducting portion 15 which is provided on the other side of the housing 10 and conductively connected to the housing 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to communication connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the communication connector is connected to a substrate housed inside a conductive housing and is mated with a mating connector.

[0003] The communication connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a molded contact body having two contacts and a resin housing that accommodates a conductive tubular member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-102172 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Communication connectors are required to minimize the effects of electromagnetic noise on communication signals to ensure good communication characteristics. Even if the effects of electromagnetic noise can be reduced, it is desirable to avoid making the communication connector structure more complex. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a communication connector that has a simple structure yet is capable of reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The communication connector of the present invention comprises a housing made of a conductive material that receives a mating connector, a first conductive portion that is held in a conductive state by the housing and is conductive with the shielding member of the mating connector, a second conductive member that is provided on one side of the housing and is conductive with the housing, and a third conductive portion that is provided on the other side of the housing and is conductive with the housing.

[0007] In the communication connector of the present invention, the first conductive portion is preferably cylindrical and is electrically connected to the shielding member at its outer peripheral surface, and the second conductive portion is electrically connected to the housing by elastic deformation.

[0008] In the communication connector of the present invention, the third conductive portion is preferably a mounting portion where the communication connector is mounted to the substrate.

[0009] In the communication connector of the present invention, preferably, when the side that receives the mating connector is set to the front in the first direction, the second conductive portion presses against the wall of the housing on the front side in the first direction and elastically deforms, thereby becoming electrically conductive with the housing.

[0010] In the communication connector of the present invention, preferably, when the direction in which the mating connector is received is defined as a first direction and the direction intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, the dimension in the second direction of the second conductive portion that is continuous in the second direction when viewed in the first direction is larger than the dimension in the second direction of the shielding member of the mating connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication connector that has a simple structure yet is capable of reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a communication connector and a mating connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a ground piece of a communication connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention has been removed. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a communication connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a communication connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a communication connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a communication connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a communication connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a communication connector 1 according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this description, "connection" refers to both an electrical connection and a mechanical connection. For ease of explanation, as shown in the drawings, the mating direction of the communication connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is referred to as a first direction X, a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X, and a third direction Z perpendicular to the second direction Y. In addition, the front of the first direction X is referred to as (F), the rear is referred to as (B), the right side of the second direction Y is referred to as (R), the left side is referred to as (L), and the upside of the third direction Z is referred to as (U) and the downside is referred to as (D).

[0014] [First embodiment: see Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5] The communication connector 1 is mounted on a substrate 200 installed inside the housing 300, and is a communication connector that relays communication signals from the mating connector 100 to the substrate 200 by mating with the mating connector 100 inserted through an opening in the housing 300.

[0015] The communication connector 1 comprises a housing 10 that receives the mating connector 100 when the communication connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are mated, a tubular member 30 as a first conductive portion that is electrically connected to the shielding member 110 of the mating connector 100, a grounding piece 40A as a second conductive portion that is electrically connected to the housing 300, and a contact molded body 50 that has a contact portion 51 that contacts the contact portion 130 of the mating connector 100 and relays differential signals.

[0016] [Housing 10: See Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5] Housing 10, made of a conductive material, is formed with mating opening 11 into which housing 150 of mating connector 100 is inserted when mating with mating connector 100, locking hole 12 that connects to mating opening 11 and locks with locking portion 140 of mating connector 100, holding portion 13 that holds tubular member 30 as a first conductive portion that provides conductivity with shield member 110 of mating connector 100 and provides conductivity with tubular member 30, mounting portion 20A to which ground piece 40A as a second conductive portion that elastically deforms to press against housing 300 and is provided for conductivity with housing 300, and lead portion 15 as a third conductive portion that is inserted into board 200. Cylindrical member 30 as the first conductive portion, ground piece 40A as the second conductive portion, and lead portion 15 as the third conductive portion are mutually conductive.

[0017] When the housing 10 is mated with the mating connector 100, the housing 150 of the mating connector 100 is inserted into the housing 10, that is, the housing 10 receives the mating connector 100. The side of the housing 10 that receives the mating connector 100 is the front F in the first direction X. In this embodiment, the housing 10 made of a conductive material is made of, for example, a die-cast member made of an aluminum alloy.

[0018] The mating opening 11 is formed in the front F of the housing 10, and the mating connector 100 is inserted into it. The locking hole 12 is formed in the top surface 10U of the housing 10, and is connected to the mating opening 11. When the mating connector 100 is inserted into the mating opening 11, the locking portion 140 of the mating connector 100 is locked into the locking hole 12, preventing the mating connector 100 from being accidentally removed.

[0019] The holding portion 13 holds the cylindrical member 30 and is electrically connected to the cylindrical member 30 from the holding portion. The molded contact 50 is inserted into the cylindrical member 30. The cylindrical member 30 serves to shield the portion into which the molded contact 50 is inserted. The cylindrical member 30 is electrically connected to the shield member 110 on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member 30.

[0020] The contact molded body 50 is a component made up of a contact portion 51 made of a conductive material and a resin body 52 integrally molded with the contact portion 51. The contact portion 51 serves to relay differential signals by coming into contact with the contact portion 130 of the mating connector 100 inserted through the mating opening 11. The contact portion 51 is curved midway and has a portion extending in the first direction X and a portion extending in the third direction Z.

[0021] Here, the portion of the contact portion 51 extending in the front-rear 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 the portion extending from the lower end of the second contact portion 51b toward the rear B is referred to as the third contact portion 51c. When the communication connector 1 is mounted on the board 200, the third contact portion 51c is soldered to the contact portion of the board 200. In other words, the third contact portion 51c is surface-mounted to the board 200.

[0022] The mounting portion 20A is formed on an upper surface 10U of the rear B of the housing 10. Specifically, a mounting opening 22A is formed extending from the rear surface 10B of the housing 10 toward the front F, and an insertion opening 23A connected to the mounting opening 22A is formed on the upper surface 10U of the housing 10. A latch portion 21A is formed on the mounting portion 20A.

[0023] The grounding piece 40A is formed into a U-shape 41A in a side view. A shielding portion 43A extends from an upper portion 42A of the U-shape 41A, and a curved portion 44A is formed at the tip of the shielding portion 43A. A lower portion 47A of the U-shape 41A extends forward F and extends diagonally downward toward the front F at the tip. A notch 45A is formed in the shielding portion 43A, causing it to split into two. An opening 46A is formed in the center of the U-shape 41A. When the grounding piece 40A is attached to the mounting portion 20A, the latch portion 21A of the mounting portion 20A fits into the opening 46A, preventing the grounding piece 40A from accidentally coming off. The grounding piece 40A functions as a leaf spring, pressing the housing 300 with the curved portion 44A by elastic deformation of the portion connecting the upper portion 42A to the shielding portion 43A and the shielding portion 43A.

[0024] The lead portions 15 extend downward D from the underside of the housing 10, have a cylindrical shape, and five of them are formed on the housing 10. When the connector 1 is mounted on the board 200, the lead portions 15 are inserted into the board 200 and then soldered to form mounting portions 15A, thereby establishing electrical continuity with the board 200. In other words, after being inserted into the board 200, the cylindrical lead portions 15 are through-hole mounted and firmly fixed.

[0025] Conduction between each of the five lead portions 15 and the substrate 200 increases the number of current paths for grounding. Forming multiple grounded current paths increases the number of paths for discharging noise-causing current to areas that do not affect communication signals, thereby reducing noise generation. Furthermore, forming a grounded current path between the lead portion 15 and the substrate 200 shortens the current conduction distance, reducing noise generation.

[0026] [Communication connector 1 and board 200: see Figures 1 and 5] The communication connector 1 is mounted on a substrate 200 incorporated in a housing 300. When the communication connector 1, in which the third contact portion 51c is electrically connected to the contact portion of the substrate 200, is mated with a mating connector 100, the contact portion 130 of the mating connector 100 comes into contact with the first contact portion 51a, and the signal transmitted from the mating connector 100 is relayed to the substrate 200.

[0027] Furthermore, when communication connector 1, in which lead portions 15 are electrically connected to the through-hole portions of substrate 200, is mated with mating connector 100, electrical continuity is established between shield member 110 of mating connector 100 and tubular member 30. Furthermore, electrical continuity is established between tubular member 30 and retaining portion 13 that retains tubular member 30, and between retaining portion 13 of housing 10 made of an aluminum alloy and lead portions 15, so the ground potential of mating connector 100 and communication connector 1 is maintained at the same potential as the ground potential of substrate 200.

[0028] [Communication connector 1 and housing 300: see Figures 1 and 5] The communication connector 1 is electrically connected to the housing 300 by pressing the ground piece 40A attached to the attachment portion 20A of the housing 10 against the housing 300. By electrically connecting the ground piece 40A, which has the bifurcated shielding portion 43A, to the housing 300, multiple current paths connected to ground can be formed.

[0029] By forming multiple current paths that are grounded, it is possible to increase the number of paths that allow noise-causing currents to escape to areas that do not affect communication signals, thereby reducing the generation of noise.

[0030] Furthermore, when the communication connector 1, whose lead portions 15 are electrically connected to the through-hole portions of the substrate 200, is mated with the mating connector 100, electrical continuity is established between the shielding member 110 of the mating connector 100 and the tubular member 30. Furthermore, electrical continuity is established between the tubular member 30 and the holding portion 13 that holds the tubular member 30, and between the holding portion 13 of the housing 10 made of an aluminum alloy and the mounting portion 20A. Because electrical continuity exists between the mounting portion 20A and the ground piece 40A, the ground potential of the mating connector 100 and the communication connector 1 is maintained at the same potential as the ground potential of the housing 300.

[0031] Furthermore, by disposing the grounding piece 40A between the housing 10 and the housing 300, the projection of the grounding piece 40A when the housing 10 is viewed from the front can block the propagation of radiated noise that has entered through the opening 301 between the housing 10 and the housing 300. This reduces the effect of radiated noise on the communication connector 1 and the board 200. Note that the front view of the housing 10 refers to the view from the front F to the rear B of the first direction X, that is, the view from the first direction X.

[0032] [Effects of the embodiment] The communication connector 1 of this embodiment comprises a housing 10 made of a conductive material, a tubular member 30 as a first conductive portion that is held in a conductive state by the housing 10 and is conductive with the shielding member 110 of the mating connector 100, a grounding piece 40A as a second conductive portion that is provided on the upper surface 10U, which is one side of the housing 10, and is conductive with the housing 10, and a lead portion 15 as a third conductive portion that is provided on the lower surface 10D, which is the other side of the housing 10, and is conductive with the housing 10.

[0033] The housing 10 of the communication connector 1 is made of a conductive material. Therefore, for example, by electrically connecting the ground piece 40A, which serves as the second conductive portion, to the housing 300 and the lead portion 15, which serves as the third conductive portion, to the board 200, electrical continuity is established between the housing 300 and the board 200, thereby achieving the effect of maintaining the ground potential of the mating connector 100 and the communication connector 1 at the same potential as the ground potential of the housing 300. Furthermore, by forming multiple grounded current paths, it is possible to increase the number of paths for currents that cause noise to escape to areas that do not affect the communication signal, thereby reducing noise generation. Therefore, the communication connector 1 has a simple structure yet is able to reduce the effects of electromagnetic noise.

[0034] [Second embodiment: see Figs. 6 and 7] The communication connector 1 in the first embodiment has the mounting portion 20A formed at the rear B of the housing 10, and the shielding portion 43A of the grounding piece 40A located far from the opening 301, whereas in this embodiment, the mounting portion 20B is formed at the front F side of the housing 10, and the shielding portion of the grounding piece 40B is located closer to the opening 301. Elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1, and their description will be omitted.

[0035] The mounting portion 20B protrudes upward U from the upper surface 10U of the housing 10, and has triangular ribs 22B formed on both sides in the second direction Y that connect to the side surfaces of the housing 10. A latch portion 21B protruding from the surface on the rear B side is formed in the central portion of the mounting portion 20B in the second direction Y.

[0036] The mounting portion 20B is formed on the front F side of half the length L1 of the housing 10 in the first direction X. In other words, the mounting portion 20B is formed on the housing 10 on the mating opening 11 side into which the mating connector 100 is mated.

[0037] In a side view, grounding piece 40B is formed into a U-shape 41B with an upper U upside down, a curved portion 48B is formed in a front portion 42B of U-shape 41B, a shielding portion 43B is formed extending from curved portion 48B, and a curved portion 44B is formed at the tip side of shielding portion 43B. A rear portion 47B of U-shape 41B extends downward D and extends obliquely downward toward the rear B at the tip side.

[0038] In plan view, ground piece 40B is bifurcated by a notch 45B formed in shielding portion 43B. An opening 46B is formed in the center of U-shape 41B, and when ground piece 40B is attached to mounting portion 20B, latch portion 21B of mounting portion 20B fits into opening 46B, preventing inadvertent removal of ground piece 40B.

[0039] [Communication connector 1 and housing 300: see Figure 7] In this embodiment, the ground piece 40B is disposed on the front F side of the housing 10 between the housing 10 and the housing 300, and the portion connecting the curved portion 48B to the shielding portion 43B and the shielding portion 43B elastically deform, causing the curved portion 44B to press against the wall 310F on the front F side of the housing 300 in the first direction X. When the housing 10 is viewed from the front, the projection of the ground piece 40B can block radiation noise that has entered through the opening 301 between the housing 10 and the housing 300 at a position on the front F of the housing 10. This prevents radiation noise from entering between the communication connector 1 and the housing 300, thereby further reducing the impact on the board 200.

[0040] [Third embodiment: see Figs. 8 and 9] The communication connector 1 in the first and second embodiments is different in that the shielding portion 43A of the grounding piece 40A and the shielding portion 43B of the grounding piece 40B are bifurcated, whereas in this embodiment, the shielding portion 43C of the grounding piece 40C is continuous in the second direction Y. Note that the same elements as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 and their description will be omitted.

[0041] In a side view, grounding piece 40C is formed into a U-shape 41C with rear B turned over, with upper portion 42C of U-shape 41C formed, with curved portion 48C extending from upper portion 42C and curved portion 48C extending back, with shielding portion 43C extending from curved portion 48C and curved portion 44C formed at the tip side of shielding portion 43C. Lower portion 47C of U-shape 41C extends forward F and extends diagonally downward toward the front F at the tip side.

[0042] [Communication connector 1 and housing 300: see Figure 8] In this 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 surface can be formed to block radiation noise that enters through the opening 301 between the housing 10 and the case 300. In this 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 board 200 can be reduced.

[0043] Furthermore, because the shielding portion 43C of the grounding piece 40C is continuous in the second direction Y, the section modulus of the shielding portion 43C in the plate thickness direction is greater than those of the bifurcated shielding portion 43A of the grounding piece 40A and the shielding portion 43B of the grounding piece 40B. The shielding portion 43C of the grounding piece 40C can ensure a pressing force against the housing 300 even if the displacement of the elastic deformation of the shielding portion 43C as a leaf spring is small, thereby improving the mechanical stability of the conductive part.

[0044] [Fourth embodiment: see Figs. 10 and 11] In the communication connector 1 of the second embodiment, the mounting portion 20B is formed on the front F side of the housing 10, and the wall 310F on the front F side in the first direction X of the casing 300 is pressed by the curved portion 44B of the grounding piece 40B. In contrast, this embodiment differs in that the ceiling surface 320U on the upper U side in the third direction Z of the casing 300 is pressed by the curved portion 44D of the grounding piece 40D. Note that the same elements as in the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, and their description will be omitted.

[0045] In a side view, grounding piece 40D is formed into an upside-down U-shape 41D, with an upstream portion 42D and a downstream portion 47D connected to U-shape 41D. In a front view, grounding piece 40D is formed with an extension 43D that extends from right direction R to left direction L and then diagonally upward U, and a curved portion 44D is formed at the tip of extension 43D.

[0046] [Communication connector 1 and housing 300: see Figures 10 and 11] 11, in this embodiment, the grounding piece 40D is attached to an attachment portion 20B formed on the front F side of the housing 10, on the side of the mating opening 11 where the mating connector 100 is mated. In addition, a curved portion 44D of the grounding piece 40D presses against a ceiling surface 320U above U in the third direction Z of the casing 300. By forming a current path that is grounded between the front F side of the housing 10 and the ceiling surface 320U, the current conduction distance is shortened, and the generation of electromagnetic noise can be reduced.

[0047] [Fifth embodiment: see FIG. 12] The communication connector 1 in the first to fourth embodiments has ground pieces 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D attached to an attachment portion 20 formed in a specific shape, whereas in this embodiment, the attachment shape of the ground piece 40E is not limited to a specific shape, and the ground piece 40E is installed on the upper surface 10U of the housing 10, which is different.

[0048] The ground piece 40E is disposed on the upper surface 10U of the housing 10. The housing 10 and the ground piece 40E are bonded and fixed together, for example, with a conductive double-sided tape or the like. Alternatively, they may be fixed together by soldering, for example.

[0049] [Communication connector 1 and housing 300: see FIG. 10] In this embodiment, the casing 300 and the housing 10 can be electrically connected by the ground piece 40E attached to the top surface 10U of the housing 10. Because the housing 10 is conductive, it can be attached to a desired position on the top surface 10U of the housing 10. By attaching it to a desired position on the top surface 10U of the housing 10, a current path can be formed at a desired position, which increases the degree of freedom in taking measures against electromagnetic noise and makes it easier to take measures against electromagnetic noise.

[0050] In addition to the above, the configurations given in the above embodiments can be selected or changed as appropriate to other configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0051] In the first embodiment, the lead portion 15 is the mounting portion 15A that is mounted on the substrate 200 via a through-hole, but is not limited to this. For example, like the third contact portion 51c, the lead portion 15 may be a contact portion of the substrate 200 and a mounting portion that is surface-mounted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Communication connector 10. Housing 11. Mating opening 12 Locking hole 13 Holding part 15 Lead section 15A mounting section 20, 20A, 20B mounting part 21A, 21B Latch section 30 Cylindrical member 40A,40B,40C,40D,40E Grounding piece 43A, 43B, 43C Shielding part 50 Contact molding 51 Contact part 51a First contact part 51b Second contact part 51c Third Contact 52 Resin body 100 Mating Connector 200 boards 300 cabinets 301 Opening 310F Wall 320U ceiling surface

Claims

1. a housing made of a conductive material that receives a mating connector; a first conductive portion that is held in a conductive state in the housing and is conductive with a shield member of the mating connector; a second conductive portion provided on one surface of the housing and electrically connected to the housing; a third conductive portion provided on the other surface of the housing and electrically connected to the housing.

2. the first conductive portion is cylindrical and is electrically connected to the shielding member at an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion; The second conductive portion is elastically deformed to be electrically connected to the housing.

10. The communication connector of claim 1.

3. the third conductive portion is a mounting portion when the communication connector is mounted on a substrate.

3. The communication connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the side that receives the mating connector is set to the front in a first direction, the second conductive portion presses against a wall of the housing on the front side in the first direction and is elastically deformed, thereby being electrically connected to the housing.

3. The communication connector of claim 2.

5. When a direction in which the mating connector is received is defined as a first direction and a direction intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a dimension of the second conductive portion in the second direction, which is continuous with the second conductive portion as viewed in the first direction, is larger than a dimension of the shielding member of the mating connector in the second direction. The communication connector of claim 2.

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