Composite connector

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make variations hard to occur in absolute positions of and a relative positional relation between two connector parts of a composite connector.CONSTITUTION: A connector C1 comprises a first connector part C1a, a second connector part C1b and a coupling part 100c. The first connector part C1a includes a first body 100a, at least one first terminal 200a, and a shell 300a. The shell includes a shell main body 310a which covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the first body 100a, and at least one third mounting part 331a. The second connector part C1b includes a second body 100b and at least one second terminal 200b. The coupling part 100c couples the first body 100a and the second body 100b. The at least one third mounting part 331a is disposed on a Z' direction side with respect to at least one through hole 101c of the coupling part 100c or in the at least one through hole 101c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a composite connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below describes a conventional first connector and a conventional second connector. The first connector is a coaxial connector. The second connector includes an insulating body, a plurality of terminals held by the body, and a pair of fixing members.

[0003] The first connector is mounted on a substrate. The second connector is also mounted on the same substrate. Specifically, the body of the second connector is fixed to the substrate, multiple terminals of the second connector contact multiple electrodes of the substrate, and a pair of fixing members of the second connector are fixed by soldering. In this way, the second connector is mounted at a predetermined position relative to the first connector on the substrate.

[0004] In the following Patent Document 2, [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2017-520132 (see Figures 13 to 15) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The first connector and the second connector are separate connectors. Therefore, each time the first connector and the second connector are mounted on a board, variations occur in the absolute positions of the first connector and the second connector on the board, and in the relative positional relationship between the first connector and the second connector (such as the distance and / or direction between the first connector and the second connector).

[0007] The present invention provides a composite connector in which variations in the absolute positions and relative positional relationship between two connector portions are unlikely to occur. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A composite connector according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first connector portion, a second connector portion, and a connecting portion.

[0009] The first connector portion has a first body and at least one first terminal made of a conductive material. The first body is made of an insulating material and extends in a first direction. The at least one first terminal has a first held portion, a first contact portion, and a first mounting portion. The first held portion is held within the first body. The first contact portion extends from the first held portion in one direction in the first direction and is at least partially exposed or protrudes from the first body. The first direction is the height direction of the first body. The second direction is approximately perpendicular to the first direction. The third direction is approximately perpendicular to the first direction and intersects with the second direction.

[0010] The second connector portion has a second body and at least one second terminal made of a conductive material. The second body is made of an insulating material, extends in a first direction, and is disposed on the other side of the second direction with a gap relative to the first body. The at least one second terminal has a second held portion, a second contact portion, and a second mounting portion. The second held portion is held within the second body. The second contact portion extends from the second held portion in one direction in the first direction and is at least partially exposed or protruding from the second body.

[0011] The connecting portion connects the first body and the second body and has at least one through-hole passing through the connecting portion in the first direction.

[0012] The first connector portion may further include a conductive shell, and the shell may have a shell main body that covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the first body.

[0013] The shell may further include at least one third mounting portion. The at least one third mounting portion of the shell may be at least partially disposed on the other side in the first direction of the at least one through hole of the coupling portion or within the at least one through hole. In this case, the first mounting portion of the at least one first terminal may be at least partially located on the other side in the first direction, one side in the second direction, one side in the third direction, or the other side in the third direction with respect to the first body, and the second mounting portion of the at least one second terminal may be at least partially located on the other side in the first direction, the other side in the second direction, one side in the third direction, or the other side in the third direction with respect to the second body.

[0014] Alternatively, a portion of the first mounting portion of at least one first terminal may be disposed on the other side in the first direction with respect to at least one through hole or within at least one through hole. In this case, the second mounting portion of at least one second terminal may be at least partially located on the other side in the first direction, the other side in the second direction, one side in the third direction, or the other side in the third direction with respect to the second body. Note that whether or not a shell is provided is optional.

[0015] Alternatively, a portion of the second mounting portion of at least one second terminal may be disposed on the other side in the first direction with respect to at least one through hole or within at least one through hole. In this case, the first mounting portion of at least one first terminal may be at least partially located on the other side in the first direction, one side in the second direction, one side in the third direction, or the other side in the third direction with respect to the first body. Note that whether or not a shell is provided is optional. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] In the composite connector of the above aspect, the connecting portion connects the first body of the first connector portion and the second body of the second connector portion, which reduces variation in the absolute positions of the first connector portion and the second connector portion on the board each time the composite connector is mounted on a board, and also reduces variation in the relative positions of the first connector and the second connector on the board. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1A] 1 is a front, top, and right side perspective view of a composite connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] 1 is a perspective view of the composite connector of the first embodiment, as viewed from the rear, bottom, and left side. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1 is a front view of a composite connector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1D] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the composite connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 1E] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a composite connector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1F] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the composite connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 2A] 2A-2A cross-sectional view of the composite connector of the first embodiment taken along line 2A-2A in FIG. 1E. [Figure 2B] 2B-2B in FIG. 1E of the composite connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 2C] 2C-2C cross-sectional view of the composite connector of the first embodiment taken along line 2C-2C in FIG. 1E. [Figure 2D] 2D-2D cross-sectional view of the composite connector of the first embodiment taken along line 2D-2D in FIG. 1E. [Figure 2E] 2E-2E cross-sectional view of the composite connector of the first embodiment taken along line 2E-2E in FIG. 2C. [Figure 2F] 2F-2F cross-sectional view of the composite connector of the first embodiment taken along line 2F-2F in FIG. 2C. [Figure 3A] 1 is an exploded perspective view of the composite connector of the first embodiment shown from the front, top, and right side. [Figure 3B] 1 is an exploded perspective view of the composite connector of the first embodiment, as viewed from the rear, bottom, and left side. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view of a composite connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear, bottom, and left side. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the composite connector of the second embodiment taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 11 is a perspective view of a composite connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear, bottom, and left side. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the composite connector of the third embodiment taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6. [Figure 8A] 2B is a cross-sectional view of a modified design of the composite connector of the first embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 2A. [Figure 8B] 2B is a partial cross-sectional view of a design modification of the composite connector of the first embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 2B. [Figure 9A] 6 is a cross-sectional view of a modified design of the composite connector of the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 9B] 2B is a partial cross-sectional view of a modified design of the composite connector of the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 2B. [Figure 10A] 8 is a cross-sectional view of a modified design of the composite connector of the third embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 10B] FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional view of a modified design of the composite connector of the third embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 2B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described, including Examples 1, 2, and 3 and their design variations. Note that the components of the examples and design variations described below can be combined with each other as long as they are not inconsistent. Also, note that the materials, shapes, dimensions, numbers, and arrangements of the components in each aspect of the examples and design variations described below are merely examples, and that any design variation is possible as long as the same functions can be achieved. [Example]

[0019] A composite connector C1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "connector C1") according to multiple embodiments of the present invention, including a first embodiment and its design variations, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3B. FIGS. 1A to 3B show the connector C1 of the first embodiment. FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A to 2D, and 3A to 3B show the Z-Z' direction (first direction). The Z-Z' direction includes the Z direction (one of the first directions) and the Z' direction (the other of the first directions). FIGS. 1A to 2B and 2C to 3B show the Y-Y' direction (second direction). The Y-Y' direction is substantially perpendicular to the Z-Z' direction and includes the Y direction (one of the second directions) and the Y' direction (the other of the second directions). FIGS. 1A to 1B, 1E to 1F, and 2C to 3A to 3B show the X-X' direction. The X-X' direction is approximately perpendicular to the Z-Z' direction and the Y-Y' direction. The X-X' direction includes the X and X' directions. Hereinafter, a diagonal direction including components of the Y' and X directions will be referred to as the "first diagonal direction," a diagonal direction including components of the Y' and X' directions will be referred to as the "second diagonal direction," a diagonal direction including components of the Y and X directions will be referred to as the "third diagonal direction," and a diagonal direction including components of the Y and X' directions will be referred to as the "fourth diagonal direction." The fourth diagonal direction is the opposite direction to the first diagonal direction. The third diagonal direction is the opposite direction to the second diagonal direction. The X-X' direction, the diagonal direction including the first and fourth diagonal directions, and the diagonal direction including the second and third diagonal directions correspond to the third directions. The X direction, the first diagonal direction, and the third diagonal direction correspond to one of the third directions. The X' direction, the second diagonal direction, and the fourth diagonal direction correspond to the other of the third directions. However, the third direction may be any direction as long as it is substantially perpendicular to the ZZ' direction and intersects with the YY' direction.

[0020] The connector C1 includes a first connector portion C1a, a second connector portion C1b, and a coupling portion 100c. Each portion will be described in detail below.

[0021] The first connector portion C1a has a first body 100a. The first body 100a is made of an insulating material (e.g., insulating resin) and extends in the Z-Z' direction. The Z-Z' direction is the height direction of the first body 100a.

[0022] For example, the first body 100a may be a substantially cylindrical column (see FIGS. 1A to 1E, 2A, 2C, and 2E to 3B) or a substantially polygonal column (not shown) extending in the Z-Z' direction. The central axis of the first body 100a extends in the Z-Z' direction. The first body 100a has a base portion 110a, a tip portion 120a, and at least one first receiving hole 130a.

[0023] The base 110a has a lower portion 111a on the Z' direction side and an upper portion 112a on the Z direction side of the lower portion 111a. The upper portion 112a can be a substantially cylindrical column (see FIGS. 1A to 1E, 2A, 2C, and 2E to 3B) or a substantially polygonal prism (not shown) extending in the Z-Z' direction. The lower portion 111a can be a substantially cylindrical column (see FIGS. 1A to 1E, 2A, 2C, and 2E to 3B) or a substantially polygonal prism (not shown) extending in the Z' direction from the upper portion 112a. The outer shape of the lower portion 111a of the base 110a in a cross section taken along the X-X' direction and the Y-Y' direction may be different from the outer shape of the upper portion 112a of the base 110a in a cross section taken along the X-X' direction and the Y-Y' direction (see FIGS. 1A to 1E, 2A, 2C, and 3A to 3B), or may be substantially the same (not shown). The outer dimensions of the lower portion 111a of the base 110a in a cross section taken along the X-X' direction and the Y-Y' direction may be smaller than the outer dimensions of the upper portion 112a of the base 110a in a cross section taken along the X-X' direction and the Y-Y' direction (see FIGS. 1A to 1E, 2A, 2C, and 3A to 3B), or may be substantially the same (not shown).

[0024] Tip portion 120a can be a substantially cylindrical (see FIGS. 1A to 1E, 2A, 2C, and 2E to 3B) or a substantially polygonal prism (not shown) extending in the Z direction from base portion 110a. The outer shape of tip portion 120a in a cross section taken along the X-X' direction and the Y-Y' direction is preferably substantially the same as the outer shape of upper portion 112a of base portion 110a in a cross section taken along the X-X' direction and the Y-Y' direction (see FIGS. 1A to 1E, 2A, 2C, and 3A to 3B), but may be different (not shown). The outer dimensions of the tip portion 120a in a cross section taken along the XX' and YY' directions may be smaller than the outer dimensions of the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a in a cross section taken along the XX' and YY' directions (see Figures 1A to 1E, 2A, 2C, and 3A to 3B), but they may also be approximately the same (not shown).

[0025] The at least one first accommodating hole 130a may be one or more. For the sake of convenience, the at least one first accommodating hole 130a will be described below as being one, but even if there are multiple first accommodating holes 130a, each of the multiple first accommodating holes 130a may have the same configuration as the first accommodating hole 130a described below.

[0026] The first accommodating hole 130a penetrates the first body 100a in the Z-Z' direction. The first accommodating hole 130a has a first opening 131a on the Z-direction side and a second opening 132a on the Z'-direction side. The cross-sectional shapes of the first opening 131a taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions may be different from the cross-sectional shapes of the second opening 132a taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1E, 1F, 2A, 2C, 3A, and 3B), but may be substantially the same (not shown). The dimensions of the first opening 131a in a cross section taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions may be smaller than the dimensions of the second opening 132a in a cross section taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions (see Figures 1A, 1B, 1E, 1F, 2A, 2C, 3A and 3B), but may also be approximately the same (not shown).

[0027] The first body 100a may further have at least one first cutout 140a. The number of the at least one first cutout 140a may be one or more depending on the number of the at least one first receiving holes 130a. For convenience of explanation, the at least one first cutout 140a will be described below as being one, but even when there are multiple first cutouts 140a, the same configuration as the first cutout 140a described below can be used.

[0028] The first cutout 140a penetrates the lower portion 111a of the base 110a in the Y direction (not shown), the X direction (not shown), the X' direction (see FIGS. 1B, 1D, 1F, 2C, and 3B), the first oblique direction (not shown), the second oblique direction (not shown), the third oblique direction (not shown), or the fourth oblique direction (not shown), and communicates with the first receiving hole 130a. The first cutout 140a opens in the Z' direction.

[0029] The first body 100a having any of the above configurations has a surface on the Z' direction side. The Z' direction side of the first body 100a is also the Z' direction side surface of the lower part 111a of the base 110a.

[0030] The second connector portion C1b has a second body 100b. The second body 100b is made of an insulating material (e.g., insulating resin) and extends in the Z-Z' direction. The second body 100b is disposed on the Y' direction side of the first body 100a.

[0031] For example, the second body 100b can be a substantially polygonal prism (see FIGS. 1A to 1E, 2B, and 2D to 3B) or a substantially circular cylinder (not shown) extending in the Z-Z' direction. Although the second body 100b is a substantially square prism in FIGS. 1A to 1E, 2B, and 2D to 3B, it can also be a substantially polygonal prism other than a substantially square prism. The second body 100b has a lower portion 110b on the Z'-direction side and an upper portion 120b on the Z-direction side of the lower portion 110b.

[0032] The second body 100b has at least one second accommodating hole 130b. The at least one second accommodating hole 130b may be one or more. For ease of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that there are multiple at least one second accommodating holes 130b. However, even if there is only one second accommodating hole 130b, it may have the same configuration as one of the multiple second accommodating holes 130b described below.

[0033] The plurality of second receiving holes 130b (all of the second receiving holes 130b) may include multiple rows spaced apart in the Y-Y' direction, with each row including a plurality of second receiving holes 130b spaced apart in the X-X' direction (a plurality of second receiving holes 130b less than all of the second receiving holes 130b). In FIGS. 1A to 1E, 2B, and 2D to 3B, all of the second receiving holes 130b include two rows spaced apart in the Y-Y' direction, with each row including two second receiving holes 130b spaced apart in the X-X' direction, but this is not limiting. Alternatively, the plurality of second receiving holes 130b (all of the second receiving holes 130b) may be arranged in a single row spaced apart in the Y-Y' direction or the X-X' direction (not shown).

[0034] Each second accommodating hole 130b penetrates the second body 100b in the Z-Z' direction. Each second accommodating hole 130b has a first opening 131b on the Z-direction side and a second opening 132b on the Z'-direction side. The shape of the first opening 131b in a cross section taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions may be substantially the same as the shape of the second opening 132b in a cross section taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1E, 1E, 2B, and 2D to 3B), but may be different (not shown). The dimensions of the first opening 131b in a cross section taken along the XX' and YY' directions may be smaller than the dimensions of the second opening 132b in a cross section taken along the XX' and YY' directions (see Figures 1A, 1B, 1E, 1E, 2B, and 2D to 3B), but may also be approximately the same (not shown).

[0035] The second body 100b has a surface on the Z' direction side. The Z' direction side of the second body 100b is also the Z' direction side surface of the lower portion 110b of the second body 100b.

[0036] The Z'-direction surface of the second body 100b may be located closer to the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a (see FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A to 2D, and 3B). In this case, the second body 100b may further include at least one protrusion 140b. The at least one protrusion 140b is provided on the Z'-direction surface of the second body 100b and is protruding in the Z'-direction. The dimension of the one or more protrusions 140b in the Z-Z' direction is approximately the same as the linear distance in the Z-Z' direction from the Z'-direction surface of the second body 100b to the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a. The Z'-direction surface of the one or more protrusions 140b is located at approximately the same height as the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a in the Z-Z' direction. Note that at least one protrusion 140b may be omitted.

[0037] Alternatively, the surface of the second body 100b on the Z' direction side may be located at approximately the same height as the surface of the first body 100a on the Z' direction side in the Z-Z' direction (not shown). In this case, the at least one protrusion 140b is omitted, and the second body 100b has at least one second cutout (not shown). The at least one second cutout may be one or more, depending on the number of the at least one second accommodating hole 130b. For convenience of explanation, the at least one second cutout will be described below as being multiple, depending on the number of the at least one second accommodating hole 130b. However, even when there is only one second cutout, it may have the same configuration as one of the multiple second cutouts described below.

[0038] Each second cutout penetrates the lower portion 110b of the second body 100b in the Y' direction, the X direction, the X' direction, the first oblique direction, the second oblique direction, the third oblique direction, or the fourth oblique direction, and communicates with the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b. The second cutout is open in the Z' direction.

[0039] The second body 100b may further include at least one key portion 150b. When there is one at least one key portion 150b, the key portion 150b extends from the second body 100b so as to convex in the Y' direction, the X direction, the X' direction, the first oblique direction, or the second oblique direction. When there is a plurality of at least one key portion 150b, each key portion 150b extends from the second body 100b so as to convex in the Y' direction, the X direction, the X' direction, the first oblique direction, or the second oblique direction. Note that in FIGS. 1A to 1F and 3A to 3B, there are two at least one key portion 150b, and one of the key portions 150b extends from the second body 100b so as to convex in the X direction, and the other key portion 150b extends from the second body 100b so as to convex in the X' direction, but this is not limited to this. Note that at least one key portion 150b may be omitted.

[0040] The connecting portion 100c connects the first body 100a and the second body 100b. The connecting portion 100c may be made of an insulating material (e.g., insulating resin) and may be integrally formed with the first body 100a and the second body 100b (see FIGS. 1A to 3B). In this case, the first body 100a, the second body 100b, and the connecting portion 100c are integrally molded from an insulating material (e.g., insulating resin) to form a single body. Alternatively, the connecting portion 100c may be separate from the first body 100a and the second body 100b and made of an insulating material (e.g., insulating resin) or a conductive material (not shown). In this case, the Y-direction end of the connecting portion 100c is fixed to the first body 100a, and the Y'-direction end of the connecting portion 100c is fixed to the second body 100b. Alternatively, the connecting portion 100c may be made of an insulating material (e.g., insulating resin) and may be separate from either the first body 100a or the second body 100b but may be integral with the other body (not shown). In this case, one of the Y-direction end and Y'-direction end of the connecting portion 100c is fixed to one body, and the other end is molded integrally with the other body.

[0041] The connecting portion 100c has at least one through hole 101c. The at least one first accommodating hole 130a may be one or more. For convenience of explanation, the at least one through hole 101c will be described as being one, but even if there are multiple through holes 101c, each of the multiple through holes 101c may have the same configuration as the below-described through hole 101c. The through hole 101c penetrates the connecting portion 100c in the Z-Z' direction.

[0042] For example, the connecting portion 100c may have any one of the following configurations (1) to (6).

[0043] (1) The connecting portion 100c has a generally annular connecting body 110c integrally molded with the second body 100b and the first body 100a (see FIGS. 1A to 3B). The connecting body 110c has a through-hole 101c penetrating the connecting body 110c in the Z-Z' direction. The connecting body 110c has a first portion 111c and a second portion 112c. The connecting body 110c may further have a third portion 113c, a fourth portion 114c, and a fifth portion 115c.

[0044] The first portion 111c and the second portion 112c extend in the YY' direction and are located on the X-direction side and the X'-direction side of the through-hole 101c.

[0045] When the third portion 113c is provided, the third portion 113c is located on the Y'-direction side of the through-hole 101c, and is connected to the Y'-direction ends of the first portion 111c and the second portion 112c and to the lower portion 110b of the second body 100b. When the third portion 113c is not provided, it is preferable that the first portion 111c and the second portion 112c are connected to the lower portion 110b of the second body 100b.

[0046] The fourth portion 114c extends from the Y-direction end of the first portion 111c to the X-direction side of the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a. The fifth portion 115c extends from the Y-direction end of the second portion 112c to the X'-direction side of the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a.

[0047] A first slit 114c1 opening in the Z direction may be provided at a first boundary between the fourth portion 114c and the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a. A second slit 115c1 opening in the Z direction may be provided at a second boundary between the fifth portion 115c and the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a.

[0048] An engagement hole 116c opening in the Z direction may be provided in at least one of the first boundary and the second boundary. When the first slit 114c1 and the engagement hole 116c are provided in the first boundary, the engagement hole 116c extends in the Z' direction from the bottom surface of the first slit 114c1 (not shown). When the first boundary does not include the first slit 114c1 but includes the engagement hole 116c, the engagement hole 116c extends in the Z' direction from the surface of the first boundary on the Z direction side (not shown). When the second slit 115c1 and the engagement hole 116c are provided in the second boundary, the engagement hole 116c extends in the Z' direction from the bottom surface of the second slit 115c1 (see FIGS. 2C, 2E, and 2F). If the second boundary does not have the second slit 115c1 but has the engagement hole 116c, the engagement hole 116c extends in the Z' direction from the surface of the second boundary on the Z-direction side (not shown). Note that the engagement hole 116c can be omitted.

[0049] When the third portion 113c of the connecting body 110c of the connecting part 100c is provided, the connecting part 100c may further include a protruding part 120c. The protruding part 120c is a wall part extending in the Z direction from the third portion 113c of the connecting body 110c and connected to the second body 100b. In other words, the protruding part 120c protrudes from the second body 100b in the Y direction and is connected to the third portion 113c of the connecting body 110c. Note that the protruding part 120c may be omitted.

[0050] The connecting portion 100c may further include a pair of reinforcing portions 130c. When the protruding portion 120c is provided, the pair of reinforcing portions 130c extend from the protruding portion 120c in the Y direction and are connected to the first portion 111c and the second portion 112c of the connecting main body 110c. When the protruding portion 120c is not provided, the pair of reinforcing portions 130c extend from the second body 100b in the Y direction and are connected to the first portion 111c and the second portion 112c of the connecting main body 110c. The pair of reinforcing portions 130c reinforce the first portion 111c and the second portion 112c of the connecting main body 110c. In FIGS. 1A to 1E, 2A, 3A, and 3B, the pair of reinforcing portions 130c are walls of a substantially right-angled triangle whose hypotenuse is inclined in an oblique direction including components in the Y direction and the Z' direction, but the shape is not limited thereto. The pair of reinforcing portions 130c may be omitted.

[0051] The connecting body 110c having any of the above configurations has a surface on the Z' direction side. The surface on the Z' direction side of the connecting body 110c is located at a height position as shown in (1-1) or (1-2) below.

[0052] (1-1) The Z'-direction surface of the connecting body 110c may be located closer to the Z'-direction than the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a. (1-1-1) When the Z'-direction surface of the second body 100b is located closer to the Z'-direction than the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a, the Z'-direction surface of the connecting body 110c may be located at approximately the same height as the Z'-direction surface of the second body 100b (see FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, and 3B), or may be located at a different height (not shown). (1-1-2) When the Z'-direction surface of the second body 100b is located at approximately the same height as the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a, the Z'-direction surface of the connecting body 110c may be located closer to the Z'-direction than the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a and the Z'-direction surface of the second body 100b (not shown).

[0053] The connecting portion 100c may further include at least one protrusion 140c. The at least one protrusion 140c may be one or more, and is provided on the surface of the connecting body 110c on the Z' direction side and is convex in the Z' direction. The dimension of the one or more protrusions 140c in the Z-Z' direction is approximately the same as the linear distance in the Z-Z' direction from the surface of the connecting body 110c on the Z' direction side to the surface of the first body 100a on the Z' direction side. The surface of the one or more protrusions 140c on the Z' direction side is located at approximately the same height as the surface of the first body 100a on the Z' direction side in the Z-Z' direction. Note that at least one protrusion 140c may be omitted.

[0054] (1-2) The surface of the connecting body 110c facing in the Z' direction may be located at approximately the same height as the surface of the first body 100a facing in the Z' direction and the surface of the second body 100b facing in the Z' direction. In this case, at least one protrusion 140c is omitted.

[0055] (2) The connecting portion 100c has the same configuration as the connecting portion 100c having the configuration (1) above (not shown), except that the connecting body 110c does not have the fourth portion 114c and the fifth portion 115c. When the third portion 113c is provided, the first portion 111c and the second portion 112c extend from the third portion 113c to the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a. When the third portion 113c is not provided, the first portion 111c and the second portion 112c extend from the lower portion 110b of the second body 100b to the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a. The protruding portion 120c and / or the pair of reinforcing portions 130c may or may not be provided. A third boundary between the first portion 111c and the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a may have a third slit (not shown) that opens in the Z direction. A fourth boundary between the second portion 112c and the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a may have a fourth slit (not shown) that opens in the Z direction. An engagement hole 116c may extend from the bottom surface of at least one of the third slit and the fourth slit, but this does not have to be the case. If the third slit and the fourth slit are not provided, an engagement hole 116c may be provided on the Z direction surface of at least one of the third boundary and the fourth boundary, but this does not have to be the case.

[0056] (3) The connecting body 110c of the connecting part 100c differs from the connecting body 110c of the connecting part 100c having the above (1) in that it is separate from the first body 100a and the second body 100b, but has the same configuration as the connecting body 110c of the connecting part 100c having the above (1) (not shown). The fourth part 114c and the fifth part 115c (ends on the Y direction side) of the connecting body 110c are fixed to the X direction side and X' direction side portions of the upper part 112a of the base part 110a of the first body 100a. If the third part 113c (end on the Y' direction side) of the connecting body 110c is provided, the third part 113c is fixed to the lower part 110b of the second body 100b. When the third portion 113c is not provided, the Y'-direction ends of the first portion 111c and the second portion 112c of the connecting body 110c are fixed to the lower portion 110b of the second body 100b. The protruding portion 120c and the pair of reinforcing portions 130c are omitted.

[0057] (4) The connecting body 110c of the connecting part 100c has the same configuration as the connecting body 110c of the connecting part 100c having the configuration described in (2) above, except that the connecting body 110c is separate from the first body 100a and the second body 100b (not shown). The Y-direction ends of the first part 111c and the second part 112c of the connecting body 110c are fixed to the upper part 112a of the base part 110a of the first body 100a. If the third part 113c of the connecting body 110c is provided, the third part 113c (the Y'-direction end) of the connecting body 110c is fixed to the lower part 110b of the second body 100b. When the third portion 113c is not provided, the Y'-direction ends of the first portion 111c and the second portion 112c of the connecting body 110c are fixed to the lower portion 110b of the second body 100b. The protruding portion 120c and the pair of reinforcing portions 130c are omitted.

[0058] (5) The connecting body 110c of the connecting part 100c has the same configuration as the connecting body 110c of the connecting part 100c having the above (1) except that the connecting body 110c of the connecting part 100c is separate from either the first body 100a or the second body 100b (not shown).

[0059] When the connecting body 110c is separate from the first body 100a, the fourth portion 114c and the fifth portion 115c (ends on the Y direction side) of the connecting body 110c are fixed to the X direction side and the X' direction side of the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a. In this case, it is optional whether or not to provide the protruding portion 120c and the pair of reinforcing portions 130c.

[0060] When the connecting body 110c is separate from the second body 100b and the third part 113c of the connecting body 110c is provided, the third part 113c (the end part on the Y' direction side) of the connecting body 110c is fixed to the lower part 110b of the second body 100b. When the connecting body 110c is separate from the second body 100b and the third part 113c is not provided, the Y' direction ends of the first part 111c and the second part 112c of the connecting body 110c are fixed to the lower part 110b of the second body 100b. In either the former or latter case, the protruding part 120c and the pair of reinforcing parts 130c are omitted.

[0061] (6) The connecting body 110c of the connecting part 100c has the same configuration as the connecting body 110c of the connecting part 100c having the configuration (2) above, except that the connecting body 110c of the connecting part 100c is separate from either the first body 100a or the second body 100b (not shown).

[0062] When the connecting body 110c is separate from the first body 100a, the ends of the first portion 111c and the second portion 112c of the connecting body 110c on the Y direction side are fixed to the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a. In this case, it is optional whether or not to provide the protruding portion 120c and the pair of reinforcing portions 130c.

[0063] When the connecting body 110c is separate from the second body 100b and the third part 113c of the connecting body 110c is provided, the third part 113c (the end part on the Y' direction side) of the connecting body 110c is fixed to the lower part 110b of the second body 100b. When the connecting body 110c is separate from the second body 100b and the third part 113c is not provided, the Y' direction ends of the first part 111c and the second part 112c of the connecting body 110c are fixed to the lower part 110b of the second body 100b. In either the former or latter case, the protruding part 120c and the pair of reinforcing parts 130c are omitted.

[0064] The first connector portion C1a further includes a conductive shell 300a. The shell 300a may be made of a conductive material (e.g., a metal or a carbon material such as carbon nanotubes). For example, the shell 300a may be formed by processing a metal plate, may be made of cast metal, or may be made of a conductive material created by a 3D printer. Alternatively, the shell 300a may be made of an insulating material (e.g., insulating resin) with a metal film plated or vapor-deposited on the inner and / or outer surfaces.

[0065] The shell 300a has a shell main body 310a that covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the first body 100a. The shell main body 310a can be configured to cover, for example, at least one or a portion of the outer surface on the X direction side, the X' direction side, the Y direction side, and the Y' direction side of the first body 100a. Alternatively, the shell main body 310a can be configured to have, for example, a substantially tubular shape (a substantially cylindrical shape or a substantially polygonal tubular shape) with its central axis extending in the Z-Z' direction and to cover at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface (outer surface) of the first body 100a. In the latter case, the shell main body 310a may have any of the following configurations (a) to (d).

[0066] (a) The shell main body 310a is generally cylindrical and covers the outer peripheral surface (outer surface) of the upper part 112a of the base part 110a of the first body 100a (see FIGS. 1A to 1F, 2A, and 2C). The shell main body 310a fits onto the upper part 112a of the base part 110a of the first body 100a from the Z direction side. The outer shape and outer dimensions of the shell main body 310a in cross sections taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions correspond to the outer shape and outer dimensions of the upper part 112a of the base part 110a of the first body 100a in cross sections taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions.

[0067] (b) The shell main body 310a is generally cylindrical and covers not only the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a but also the outer peripheral surface (outer surface) of the tip portion 120a (not shown). The shell main body 310a fits over the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a and the tip portion 120a of the first body 100a from the Z direction side. The outer shape and outer dimensions of the shell main body 310a in cross sections taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions correspond to the outer shape and outer dimensions of the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a in cross sections taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions, and also correspond to the outer shape and outer dimensions of the tip portion 120a of the first body 100a in cross sections taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions.

[0068] (c) The shell main body 310a is substantially cylindrical (not shown) and covers the outer peripheral surface (outer surface) of the base portion 110a (lower portion 111a and upper portion 112a) of the first body 100a. The shell main body 310a fits onto the base portion 110a of the first body 100a from the Z direction side. The outer shape and outer dimensions of the shell main body 310a in cross sections taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions correspond to the outer shape and outer dimensions of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a in cross sections taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions. When the first body 100a has the first notch 140a, the shell main body 310a also has a third notch (not shown). The third notch penetrates the shell main body 310a in the same direction as the first notch 140a and is in communication with the first notch 140a. The third cutout is open in the Z' direction.

[0069] (d) The shell main body 310a is generally cylindrical and covers not only the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 110a (lower portion 111a and upper portion 112a) of the first body 100a but also the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 120a (not shown). The shell main body 310a fits over the base portion 110a and tip portion 120a of the first body 100a from the Z direction side. The outer shape and dimensions of the shell main body 310a in cross sections taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions correspond to the outer shape and dimensions of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a in cross sections taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions and also correspond to the outer shape and dimensions of the tip portion 120a of the first body 100a in cross sections taken along the X-X' and Y-Y' directions. When the first notch 140a is provided in the first body 100a, the shell main body 310a is provided with the third notch described above.

[0070] When a plurality of first cutouts 140a are provided, the same number of third cutouts as the plurality of first cutouts 140a are also provided.

[0071] When the connecting portion 100c has the configuration (1), (3), or (5) above, a first recess 311a and a second recess 312a may be provided in the X-direction side portion and the X'-direction side portion of the shell body 310a having the configuration of any one of the above (a) to (d). The first recess 311a penetrates the X-direction side portion of the shell body 310a in the X-X' direction and opens in the Z' direction. The second recess 312a penetrates the X'-direction side portion of the shell body 310a in the X-X' direction and opens in the Z' direction. The shell body 310a has a Y'-direction side portion between the first recess 311a and the second recess 312a and a Y-direction side portion between the first recess 311a and the second recess 312a.

[0072] When first slit 114c1 and second slit 115c1 are provided, the Z-direction edge of first recess 311a and the Z-direction edge of second recess 312a are inserted into first slit 114c1 and second slit 115c1 from the Z-direction side and abut against the bottom surfaces of first slit 114c1 and second slit 115c1 from the Z-direction side, and the first boundary portion and the second boundary portion are inserted into first recess 311a and second recess 312a from the Z'-direction side. The portion of shell main body 310a on the Y'-direction side between first recess 311a and second recess 312a is disposed within through-hole 101c of connecting portion 100c.

[0073] When the engagement hole 116c extends from the bottom surface of at least one of the first slit 114c1 and the second slit 115c1, an engagement piece 313a extending in the Z' direction from the edge on the Z-direction side of at least one of the first recess 311a and the second recess 312a is provided. The engagement piece 313a is inserted into the engagement hole 116c and press-fitted into the engagement hole 116c.

[0074] When the first slit 114c1 and the second slit 115c1 are not provided, the first boundary and the second boundary are inserted into the first recess 311a and the second recess 312a from the Z' direction, and the Z-direction edges of the first recess 311a and the Z-direction edges of the second recess 312a abut against the first boundary and the second boundary from the Z direction. The Y'-direction portion of the shell body 310a between the first recess 311a and the second recess 312a is disposed within the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c. When the engagement hole 116c is provided on the Z-direction surface of at least one of the first boundary and the second boundary, the engagement piece 313a is inserted into the engagement hole 116c and press-fitted into the engagement hole 116c.

[0075] When coupling portion 100c has the configuration (2), (4), or (6) above, shell body 310a having any of the configurations (a) to (d) above may be provided with a third recess and a fourth recess (not shown) at two locations on the Y'-direction side. The third recess and the fourth recess penetrate shell body 310a at these two locations in the Y-Y' direction and are open in the Z'-direction. Shell body 310a has a portion on the Y'-direction side between the third recess and the fourth recess, and a portion on the Y-direction side between the third recess and the fourth recess.

[0076] When the third slit and the fourth slit are provided, the Z-direction edges of the third recess and the Z-direction edges of the fourth recess are inserted into the third slit and the fourth slit from the Z-direction and abut against the bottom surfaces of the third slit and the fourth slit from the Z-direction, respectively, and the third boundary and the fourth boundary are inserted into the third and fourth recesses from the Z'-direction. The Y'-direction portion between the third and fourth recesses of the shell body 310a is disposed within the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c. When the engagement hole 116c extends from the bottom surface of at least one of the third and fourth slits, the Z-direction edge of at least one of the third and fourth recesses is provided with an engagement piece 313a extending in the Z'-direction from the edge. The engagement piece 313a is inserted into the engagement hole 116c and press-fitted into the engagement hole 116c.

[0077] When the third slit and the fourth slit are not provided, the third boundary and the fourth boundary are inserted into the third recess and the fourth recess from the Z' direction, and the Z-direction edges of the third recess and the Z-direction edges of the fourth recess abut the third boundary and the fourth boundary from the Z direction. The Y'-direction portion between the third recess and the fourth recess of the shell body 310a is disposed within the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c. When the engagement hole 116c is provided on the Z-direction surface of at least one of the third boundary and the fourth boundary, the engagement piece 313a is inserted into the engagement hole 116c and press-fitted into the engagement hole 116c.

[0078] The shell body 310a may be configured so that the first recess 311a and the second recess 312a are omitted and the shell body 310a abuts against the first boundary portion and the second boundary portion from the Z direction side, or the third recess and the fourth recess are omitted and the shell body 310a abuts against the third boundary portion and the fourth boundary portion from the Z direction side.

[0079] When the shell body 310a has the configuration (a) or (c) above, the shell 300a may further have a plurality of segment portions 320a. The plurality of segment portions 320a extend from the shell body 310a in the Z direction and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the shell body 310a. The plurality of segment portions 320a are arranged facing the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 120a of the first body 100a with gaps therebetween. The plurality of segment portions 320a are bent so that their tip portions are convex outward. When the shell body 310a has the configuration (b) or (d) above, the plurality of segment portions 320a are omitted. Even when the shell body 310a has the configuration (a) or (c) above, the plurality of segment portions 320a can be omitted.

[0080] The shell 300a further has at least one third mounting portion 331a. The at least one third mounting portion 331a can be one or more. For convenience of explanation, the at least one third mounting portion 331a will be described as being multiple. However, even when there is only one third mounting portion 331a, the third mounting portion 331a can have the same configuration as any one of the multiple third mounting portions 331a described below.

[0081] Each third mounting portion 331a can be of a surface mounting type.

[0082] When the shell main body 310a has the above configuration (a) or (b), each third mounting portion 331a is an approximately L-shaped plate that extends from the shell main body 310a in the Z' direction and then extends toward the through hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c (for example, in the Y' direction, the first diagonal direction, or the second diagonal direction).

[0083] When the shell main body 310a has the configuration (c) or (d) above, each third mounting portion 331a is an approximately L-shaped plate that extends from the shell main body 310a in the Z' direction and then extends toward the through hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c (for example, in the Y' direction, the first diagonal direction, or the second diagonal direction), or may extend from the shell main body 310a toward the through hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c (for example, in the Y' direction, the first diagonal direction, or the second diagonal direction).

[0084] When the Z'-side surface of the connecting main body 110c is located closer to the Z direction than the Z'-side surface of the first body 100a, the entirety or portions of the third mounting portions 331a on the Z'-side are disposed on the Z'-side of the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c (see FIGS. 1A to 2F). When the Z'-side surface of the connecting main body 110c is located at approximately the same height as the Z'-side surface of the first body 100a in the Z-Z' direction (not shown), the entirety or portions of the third mounting portions 331a on the Z'-side are disposed within the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c. In this way, the third mounting portions 331a are visible from the Z direction through the through-hole 101c.

[0085] The shell 300a may further have at least one fourth mounting portion 332a. The at least one fourth mounting portion 332a may be one or more. For convenience of explanation, the at least one fourth mounting portion 332a will be described as being multiple. However, even when there is only one fourth mounting portion 332a, the fourth mounting portion 332a may have the same configuration as any one of the multiple fourth mounting portions 332a described below.

[0086] Each fourth mounting portion 332a may be of a surface mount type.

[0087] When the shell main body 310a has the above configuration (a) or (b), each fourth mounting portion 332a is an approximately L-shaped plate that extends from the shell main body 310a in the Z' direction and then extends in the Y direction, X direction, X' direction, third diagonal direction, or fourth diagonal direction.

[0088] When the shell main body 310a has the configuration (c) or (d) above, each fourth mounting portion 332a is a substantially L-shaped plate that may extend from the shell main body 310a in the Z' direction and then extend in the Y direction, the X direction, the X' direction, the third diagonal direction, or the fourth diagonal direction, or may extend from the shell main body 310a in the Y direction, the X direction, the third diagonal direction, or the fourth diagonal direction.

[0089] In any of the above configurations, the multiple fourth mounting portions 332a are disposed on the Y direction side of the through hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c (see FIGS. 1A to 2F). The Z' direction surfaces of the multiple fourth mounting portions 332a and the Z' direction surfaces of the multiple third mounting portions 331a are positioned at approximately the same height in the Z-Z' direction. The Z' direction surfaces of the multiple fourth mounting portions 332a and the Z' direction surfaces of the multiple third mounting portions 331a may be positioned at approximately the same height in the Z-Z' direction as the Z' direction surface of the first body 100a, or may be positioned on the Z' direction side of the Z' direction surface of the first body 100a. Note that at least one fourth mounting portion 332a may be omitted.

[0090] The first connector portion C1a further has at least one first terminal 200a. The at least one first terminal 200a may be one or more. For convenience of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that there is one at least one first terminal 200a. However, even if there are multiple first terminals 200a, each of the multiple first terminals 200a may have the same configuration as the first terminal 200a described below.

[0091] The first terminal 200a is made of a conductive material (for example, a metal or a carbon material such as carbon nanotubes), and has a first held portion 210a, a first contact portion 220a, and a first mounting portion 230a.

[0092] The first held portion 210a is a portion of the first terminal 200a between the first contact portion 220a and the first mounting portion 230a. For example, the first held portion 210a may be formed of a generally cylindrical plate extending in the Y-Y' direction (see FIGS. 2A and 2C to 3B), a generally U-shaped plate extending in the Y-Y' direction (not shown), or a plate or rod extending in the Y-Y' direction (not shown). The cross-sectional shapes and dimensions of the first held portion 210a in the Y-Y' and X-X' directions correspond to the cross-sectional shapes and sizes of the first accommodating hole 130a of the first body 100a in the Y-Y' and X-X' directions. The first held portion 210a is inserted into the first accommodating hole 130a of the first body 100a from the Z' direction and fits in. In this manner, the first held portion 210a is held within the first accommodating hole 130a of the first body 100a.

[0093] The first contact portion 220a extends in the Z direction from the first held portion 210a and is at least partially exposed from the first body 100a. For example, the first contact portion 220a is configured by a pair of beams extending in the Z direction from the first held portion 210a (see FIGS. 2A, 3A, and 3B), a rod (not shown) extending in the Z direction, a flat plate (not shown) extending in the Z direction, or a cylinder (not shown) extending in the Z direction. The first contact portion 220a is accommodated in the first accommodating hole 130a of the first body 100a and is partially exposed from the first opening 131a of the first accommodating hole 130a.

[0094] The first held portion 210a and / or the first contact portion 220a of the first terminal 200a may be arranged so that their central axes are aligned with the central axis of the first body 100a and / or the central axis of the shell main body 310a of the shell 300a. The first held portion 210a and the first contact portion 220a of the first terminal 200a are arranged substantially coaxially with the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a, thereby forming the first connector portion C1a as a coaxial connector. In this case, the first terminal 200a is used as the central conductor of the coaxial connector, and the shell 300a is used as the outer conductor of the coaxial connector. The first held portion 210a and the first contact portion 220a of the first terminal 200a may also be arranged so as not to be substantially coaxial with the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a of the shell 300a.

[0095] The first mounting portion 230a is at least partially located on the Z'-direction side, the Y-direction side, the X-direction side, the X'-direction side, the first diagonal direction side, the second diagonal direction side, the third diagonal direction side, or the fourth diagonal direction side with respect to the first body 100a. The first mounting portion 230a may be a surface-mount type.

[0096] When the shell body 310a of the shell 300a has the configuration (a) or (b) above, the first mounting portion 230a may be a substantially L-shaped rod or plate that extends from the first held portion 210a in the Z' direction and then extends in the Y direction, the X direction, the X' direction, the first oblique direction, the second oblique direction, the third oblique direction, or the fourth oblique direction (see FIGS. 1A to 3B), or may be a linear rod or plate that extends from the first held portion 210a in the Y direction, the X direction, the X' direction, the first oblique direction, the second oblique direction, the third oblique direction, or the fourth oblique direction (not shown). The first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a passes through the first notch 140a of the first body 100a and the Z' direction side of the shell main body 310a, and its tip is located on the Y direction side (not shown), the X direction side (not shown), the X' direction side (see Figures 1B, 1D to 1F and 2C), the first diagonal direction (not shown), the second diagonal direction (not shown), the third diagonal direction (not shown) or the fourth diagonal direction (not shown) relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a.

[0097] When the shell main body 310a of the shell 300a has the configuration (c) or (d) above, the first mounting portion 230a is the above-mentioned approximately L-shaped rod or plate, or the above-mentioned straight rod or plate, which passes through the first notch 140a of the first body 100a and the third notch of the shell main body 310a, and its tip is located on the Y direction side, X direction side, or X' direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a (not shown).

[0098] Regardless of which of the above-mentioned configurations the first mounting portion 230a has, the Z'-direction side surface of the first mounting portion 230a is located at approximately the same height in the Z-Z' direction as the Z'-direction side surfaces of the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a and the Z'-direction side surfaces of the multiple fourth mounting portions 332a (only if provided).

[0099] In order to avoid interference between the first mounting portion 230a and the plurality of third mounting portions 331a and the plurality of fourth mounting portions 332a, the plurality of third mounting portions 331a and the plurality of fourth mounting portions 332a are not provided in the location where the first mounting portion 230a is provided. For example, as follows.

[0100] When the tip end of the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a is located on the Y-direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a and multiple fourth mounting portions 332a of the shell 300a are provided, each fourth mounting portion 332a of the shell 300a extends from the shell main body 310a in the Z' direction and then extends in the X-direction, the X'-direction, the third diagonal direction, or the fourth diagonal direction, or extends from the shell main body 310a in the X-direction, the X'-direction, the third diagonal direction, or the fourth diagonal direction.

[0101] When the tip end of the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a is located on the X-direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a and multiple fourth mounting portions 332a of the shell 300a are provided, each fourth mounting portion 332a of the shell 300a extends from the shell main body 310a in the Z' direction and then extends in the Y direction, the X' direction, the third diagonal direction, or the fourth diagonal direction, or extends from the shell main body 310a in the Y direction, the X' direction, the third diagonal direction, or the fourth diagonal direction.

[0102] When the tip end of the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a is located on the X' direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a and multiple fourth mounting portions 332a of the shell 300a are provided, each fourth mounting portion 332a of the shell 300a extends from the shell main body 310a in the Z' direction and then extends in the Y direction, the X direction, the third diagonal direction, or the fourth diagonal direction, or extends from the shell main body 310a in the Y direction, the X direction, the third diagonal direction, or the fourth diagonal direction.

[0103] The second connector portion C1b further has at least one second terminal 200b. For convenience of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that there are a plurality of the at least one second terminal 200b, but even when there is only one second terminal 200b, the second terminal 200b can have the same configuration as any one of the plurality of second terminals 200b described below.

[0104] Each second terminal 200b is made of a conductive material (for example, a metal or a carbon material such as carbon nanotubes). Each second terminal 200b may be used for signal transmission, power transmission, or ground connection, but the purpose is not important. Each second terminal 200b has a second held portion 210b, a second contact portion 220b, and a second mounting portion 230b.

[0105] The second held portion 210b of each second terminal 200b is a portion between the second contact portion 220b and the second mounting portion 230b of the second terminal 200b. For example, the second held portion 210b is configured as a substantially cylindrical plate extending in the Y-Y' direction (see FIGS. 2B and 2D to 3B), a substantially U-shaped plate extending in the Y-Y' direction (not shown), or a plate or rod extending in the Y-Y' direction (not shown). The outer shapes and outer dimensions of the cross sections of the second held portion 210b in the Y-Y' and X-X' directions correspond to the shapes and sizes of the cross sections of the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b in the second body 100b in the Y-Y' and X-X' directions. The second held portion 210b is inserted into the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b in the second body 100b from the Z' direction and fits in. In this way, the second held portion 210b is held in the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b of the second body 100b. The Z'-direction surface of the second held portion 210b may be located at approximately the same height as the Z'-direction surface of the second body 100b in the Z-Z' direction (see FIGS. 2B and 2D), or may be located on the Z-direction side relative to the Z'-direction surface of the second body 100b (not shown).

[0106] The second contact portion 220b of each second terminal 200b extends in the Z direction from the second held portion 210b and is at least partially exposed from the second body 100b. For example, the second contact portion 220b is configured as a pair of beams extending in the Z direction from the second held portion 210b (see FIGS. 2B, 3A, and 3B), a rod (not shown) extending in the Z direction, a flat plate (not shown) extending in the Z direction, or a tube (not shown) extending in the Z direction. The second contact portion 220b is accommodated in the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b of the second body 100b and is partially exposed from the first opening 131b of the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b.

[0107] The second mounting portion 230b of each second terminal 200b is at least partially located on the Z' direction side, Y' direction side, X direction side, X' direction side, first diagonal direction side, second diagonal direction side, third diagonal direction side, or fourth diagonal direction side with respect to the second body 100b. The second mounting portion 230b of each second terminal 200b can be a surface-mount type.

[0108] When the Z'-side surface of the second body 100b is located closer to the Z'-side surface of the first body 100a, the second mounting portion 230b is a generally L-shaped rod or plate that extends from the second held portion 210b in the Z'-side and then in the Y'-side, X-side, X'-side, first oblique direction, second oblique direction, third oblique direction, or fourth oblique direction (see FIGS. 1A to 1D, 1F, and 2D). The second mounting portion 230b is at least partially located closer to the Z'-side surface of the second body 100b.

[0109] When the surface on the Z' direction side of the second body 100b is positioned at approximately the same height as the surface on the Z' direction side of the first body 100a, the second mounting portion 230b may be a substantially L-shaped rod or plate that extends from the second held portion 210b in the Z' direction and then extends in the Y' direction, the X direction, the X' direction, the first oblique direction, the second oblique direction, the third oblique direction, or the fourth oblique direction (not shown), or may be a straight rod or plate that extends from the second held portion 210b in the Y' direction, the X direction, the X' direction, the first oblique direction, the second oblique direction, the third oblique direction, or the fourth oblique direction (not shown). In either case, the second mounting portion 230b passes through the corresponding second notch in the second body 100b, and its tip is positioned on the Y'-direction side, X-direction side, X'-direction side, first diagonal direction side, second diagonal direction side, third diagonal direction side or fourth diagonal direction side relative to the second body 100b.

[0110] Regardless of which of the above-mentioned configurations the second mounting portion 230b has, the Z'-direction side surface of the second mounting portion 230b is located at approximately the same height in the Z-Z' direction as the Z'-direction side surface of the first mounting portion 230a.

[0111] Each second terminal 200b may further include a position fixing portion 240b and a plurality of joint portions 250b. The position fixing portion 240b is disposed at a distance in the Z direction from the second contact portion 220b. The position fixing portion 240b is configured of a substantially cylindrical plate extending in the Y-Y' direction (see FIGS. 2B and 2D to 3B), a substantially U-shaped plate extending in the Y-Y' direction (not shown), a plate or rod extending in the Y-Y' direction (not shown), or the like. The cross-sectional shapes and dimensions of the position fixing portion 240b in the Y-Y' direction and the X-X' direction correspond to the cross-sectional shapes and sizes of the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b in the second body 100b in the Y-Y' direction and the X-X' direction. The position fixing portion 240b is inserted into the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b of the second body 100b from the Z' direction side, and the second held portion 210b is press-fitted into and held in the second accommodating hole 130b.

[0112] The plurality of joints 250b extend from the second held portion 210b to the position fixing portion 240b. Note that the position fixing portion 240b and the plurality of joints 250b can be omitted.

[0113] A non-limiting method for manufacturing the connector C1 will now be described: First, a first body 100a and a second body 100b connected by a connecting portion 100c are prepared.

[0114] A shell 300a is prepared. The shell main body 310a of the shell 300a is fitted onto at least a portion of the first body 100a from the Z direction side as described above. If the shell 300a has multiple segment portions 320a, the shell main body 310a is fitted onto the upper portion 112a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a or the base portion 110a, and the multiple segment portions 320a are arranged opposite the tip portion 120a of the first body 100a with a gap therebetween. If the shell 300a does not have multiple segment portions 320a, the shell main body 310a is fitted onto the upper portion 112a and tip portion 120a of the base portion 110a of the first body 100a, or the base portion 110a and tip portion 120a of the first body 100a.

[0115] When any of the above-mentioned shell bodies 310a is fitted externally, the entire or Z'-direction side portions of the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a pass through the through holes 101c of the connecting portion 100c from the Z-direction side and are positioned on the Z'-direction side of the through holes 101c or within the through holes 101c.

[0116] When a first slit 114c1 and a second slit 115c1 are provided at a first boundary and a second boundary between first body 100a and connecting portion 100c, and an engagement hole 116c extends from the bottom surface of at least one of first slit 114c1 and second slit 115c1, when any of the above-mentioned shell main bodies 310a are fitted externally, the Z-direction edge of first recess 311a and the Z-direction edge of second recess 312a of shell main body 310a are inserted into first slit 114c1 and second slit 115c1 from the Z-direction side, and the first boundary and second boundary are inserted into first recess 311a and second recess 312a from the Z'-direction side, and engagement piece 313a of shell main body 310a is inserted into engagement hole 116c and hooked onto the wall of engagement hole 116c. If engagement hole 116c and engagement piece 313a are not provided, the step of inserting engagement piece 313a into engagement hole 116c is omitted. If not only engagement hole 116c and engagement piece 313a but also first slit 114c1 and second slit 115c1 are not provided, when any of the above-mentioned shell bodies 310a are fitted externally, the first boundary portion and second boundary portion are inserted into first recessed portion 311a and second recessed portion 312a of shell body 310a from the Z' direction side.

[0117] If third and fourth slits are provided at the third and fourth boundaries between first body 100a and connecting portion 100c, and engagement hole 116c extends from the bottom surface of at least one of the third and fourth slits, when any of shell main bodies 310a described above is fitted externally, the Z-direction edges of the third and fourth recesses of shell main body 310a are inserted into the third and fourth slits from the Z-direction, and the third and fourth boundaries are inserted into the third and fourth recesses from the Z'-direction, and engagement piece 313a of shell main body 310a is inserted into engagement hole 116c and press-fitted into engagement hole 116c. If engagement hole 116c and engagement piece 313a are not provided, the step of inserting engagement piece 313a into engagement hole 116c is omitted. If not only the engagement hole 116c and the engagement piece 313a but also the third slit and the fourth slit are not provided, when any of the above-mentioned shell bodies 310a are externally fitted, the third boundary portion and the fourth boundary portion are inserted into the third recess and the fourth recess of the shell body 310a from the Z' direction side.

[0118] As described above, the shell 300a is attached to the first body 100a.

[0119] First, a first terminal 200a is prepared. The first contact portion 220a and the first held portion 210a of the first terminal 200a are inserted into the first accommodating hole 130a of the first body 100a, and the first held portion 210a is held in the first accommodating hole 130a. At this time, the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a is inserted into the first notch 140a of the first body 100a, or into the first notch 140a of the first body 100a and the third notch of the shell 300a, from the Z' direction side, and the tip of the first mounting portion 230a is positioned on the Y direction side, the X direction side, the X' direction side, the first diagonal direction side, the second diagonal direction side, the third diagonal direction side, or the fourth diagonal direction side with respect to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a.

[0120] A plurality of second terminals 200b are provided.

[0121] When the multiple second terminals 200b have a position fixing portion 240b and multiple joint portions 250b, the position fixing portion 240b, multiple joint portions 250b, second contact portion 220b, and second held portion 210b of each second terminal 200b are inserted into the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b, and the position fixing portion 240b and second held portion 210b are press-fitted into and held in the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b. When the multiple second terminals 200b do not have a position fixing portion 240b and multiple joint portions 250b, the second contact portion 220b and second held portion 210b of each second terminal 200b are inserted into the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b, and the second held portion 210b is held in the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b.

[0122] In either case, when each second terminal 200b is inserted into the corresponding second accommodating hole 130b, the second mounting portion 230b of each second terminal 200b is at least partially positioned on the Z' direction side relative to the second body 100b, or the second mounting portion 230b of each second terminal 200b is inserted into the corresponding second notch of the second body 100b from the Z' direction side, and the tip of the second mounting portion 230b is positioned on the Y' direction side, X direction side, X' direction side, first diagonal direction side, second diagonal direction side, third diagonal direction side or fourth diagonal direction side relative to the second body 100b.

[0123] In this manner, the connector C1 is manufactured.

[0124] The above-described attachment of shell main body 310a of shell 300a to first body 100a, insertion of first terminal 200a into first accommodating hole 130a, and insertion of second terminal 200b into second accommodating hole 130b may be performed in any order.

[0125] A method for surface mounting the above-mentioned connector C1 on a substrate (not shown) will be described below. The substrate may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. The substrate may also be a single-sided substrate, a double-sided substrate, or a multilayer substrate. A first surface electrode, multiple second surface electrodes, one or multiple third surface electrodes (GND electrodes), and one or multiple fourth surface electrodes (GND electrodes) are provided on the surface on the Z direction side of the substrate. The Z-Z' direction is also the mounting direction of the connector C1 on the substrate.

[0126] The connector C1 is placed on the board by moving the connector C1 relatively close to the board in the Z-Z' direction. At this time, the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 is placed on the first surface electrode of the board, the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell body 310a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 are placed on one or more third surface electrodes of the board, the multiple fourth mounting portions 332a of the shell body 310a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 are placed on one or more fourth surface electrodes of the board, and the second mounting portions 230b of the multiple second terminals 200b of the second connector portion C1b of the connector C1 are placed on the multiple second surface electrodes of the board, respectively. Then, by using a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method, the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 is connected to the first surface electrode of the board, the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell body 310a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 are connected to one or more third surface electrodes of the board, the multiple fourth mounting portions 332a of the shell body 310a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 are connected to one or more fourth surface electrodes of the board, and the second mounting portions 230b of the multiple second terminals 200b of the second connector portion C1b of the connector C1 are connected to the multiple second surface electrodes of the board. In this way, the first connector portion C1a and the second connector portion C1b of the connector C1 are surface-mounted in predetermined positions on the board. Note that if the multiple fourth mounting portions 332a are omitted, the one or more fourth surface electrodes of the board are also omitted.

[0127] Since the connecting portion 100c is provided with the through-hole 101c, the mounting state of the plurality of third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a can be confirmed from the Z direction side through the through-hole 101c.

[0128] The following describes a non-limiting method for connecting the above-mentioned connector C1 to a mating connector (not shown). The mating connector may be a cable connector or a relay connector that relays between the cable connector and connector C1. The mating connector has a third connector portion and a fourth connector portion. The third connector portion has a coaxial connector portion and a coaxial cable. The fourth connector has a multi-core connector portion and a multi-core cable.

[0129] The connector C1 and the mating connector are brought relatively close to each other in the Z-Z' direction. If the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 has multiple segment portions 320a, the multiple segment portions 320a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a are inserted into the cylindrical shell body of the third connector portion of the mating connector, and the multiple segment portions 320a elastically contact the shell body of the third connector portion, and the contact portion of the third terminal of the third connector portion is inserted into the first accommodating hole 130a of the first body 100a of the first connector portion C1a and contacts the first contact portion 220a of the first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C1a. When the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 does not have the plurality of segments 320a, the shell main body 310a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a is inserted into the shell main body of the third connector portion of the mating connector and comes into contact with the shell main body of the third connector portion, and the contact portion of the third terminal of the third connector portion is inserted into the first accommodating hole 130a of the first body 100a of the first connector portion C1a and comes into contact with the first contact portion 220a of the first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C1a. In this way, the first connector portion C1a and the third connector portion of the mating connector are connected.

[0130] When this first connector portion C1a is connected to the third connector portion of the mating connector, the second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b of the connector C1 is inserted between the first, second, and third retaining arms of the fourth connector portion of the mating connector and is held by the first, second, and third retaining arms from the Y' direction side, X direction side, and X' direction side, or is fitted (FIT IN) into the connection hole of the fourth connector portion of the mating connector.

[0131] If at least one key portion 150b is provided on the second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b, when the second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b is inserted between the first, second, and third retaining arms of the fourth connector portion of the mating connector, the at least one key portion 150b fits (FIT IN) into at least one key groove of the mating connector, or abuts against at least one of the second retaining arm and the third retaining arm of the mating connector from the Y' direction side, or when fitted into the connection hole of the fourth connector portion of the mating connector, the at least one key portion 150b fits (FIT IN) into at least one key groove of the mating connector.

[0132] When the second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b is inserted between the first, second, and third holding arms of the fourth connector portion of the mating connector or when it is fitted into the connection hole of the fourth connector portion of the mating connector, the contact portions of the multiple fourth terminals of the fourth connector portion of the mating connector are inserted into the multiple second accommodating holes 130b of the second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b and come into contact with the second contact portions 220b of the multiple second terminals 200b, thereby connecting the second connector portion C1b and the fourth connector portion of the mating connector.

[0133] The coupling portion 100c of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 may be shaped to avoid interference between the coupling portion 100c and the shell body of the third connector portion of the mating connector when the plurality of segment portions 320a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a are inserted into the shell body of the third connector portion of the mating connector or when the shell body 310a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a is inserted into the shell body of the third connector portion of the mating connector (connected state). For example, if the coupling portion 100c has a protruding portion 120c and a pair of reinforcing portions 130c, the pair of reinforcing portions 130c may have a shape such as the above-mentioned approximately right-angled triangle that can avoid interference with the shell body of the third connector portion of the mating connector in the connected state. When the connecting portion 100c has the protruding portion 120c but does not have the pair of reinforcing portions 130c, the protruding amount of the protruding portion 120c in the Y direction may be set to a protruding amount that avoids interference with the shell body of the third connector portion of the mating connector in the connected state. When the connecting portion 100c does not have the protruding portion 120c and the pair of reinforcing portions 130c, the height position of the surface of the connecting portion 100c on the Z direction side of the connecting body 110c may be set to a height position that avoids interference with the shell body of the third connector portion of the mating connector in the connected state.

[0134] In addition, if the shell 300a of the first connector part C1a of the connector C1 does not have multiple segment portions 320a, the third connector part of the mating connector may be configured so that, rather than the shell body, multiple segment portions extending from the shell body elastically contact the shell body 310a of the shell 300a of the first connector part C1a.

[0135] The composite connector C1 as described above has the following technical features and effects (1) to (7).

[0136] Technical Features and Effects (1) A first body 100a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 and a second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b are connected by a connecting portion 100c. Therefore, each time the connector C1 is mounted on a board, the absolute positions of the first connector portion C1a and the second connector portion C1b on the board are unlikely to vary, and the relative positional relationship between the first connector portion C1a and the second connector portion C1b on the board (such as the distance and / or direction between the first connector portion C1a and the second connector portion C1b) is also unlikely to vary.

[0137] Technical Features and Effects (2) The above-described conventional first and second connectors are separate connectors. Therefore, each time the conventional first and second connectors are mounted on a circuit board, variations occur in the absolute positions of the first and second connectors on the circuit board, and the relative positional relationship between the first and second connectors also varies. To accommodate these variations and ensure reliable connection of the conventional first and second connectors to the third and fourth connector portions of the mating connector, it is necessary to enlarge the contact portions of the multiple terminals of the second connector so that the contact portions of the terminals of the conventional first connector can contact the contact portions of the third terminals of the third connector of the mating connector, and the contact portions of the multiple terminals of the conventional second connector can reliably contact the contact portions of the multiple fourth terminals of the fourth connector portion of the mating connector. Enlarging the contact portions of the multiple terminals of the conventional second connector in this way increases the distance between the multiple terminals, resulting in an increase in the size of the conventional second connector.

[0138] In contrast, as described above, the connector C1 is less likely to have variations in the absolute positions of the first connector portion C1a and the second connector portion C1b, and is also less likely to have variations in the relative positional relationship between the first connector portion C1a and the second connector portion C1b. Therefore, in order to enable the first connector portion C1a and the second connector portion C1b of the connector C1 to be connected to the third connector portion and the fourth connector portion of the mating connector, it is not necessary to enlarge the second contact portions 220b of the multiple second terminals 200b of the second connector portion C1b of the connector C1, and therefore it is possible to prevent the second connector portion C1b of the connector C1 from becoming larger.

[0139] Technical Features and Effects (3) The coupling portion 100c is provided with a through hole 101c, and the entire or Z'-side portions of the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a are disposed on the Z'-direction side of the through hole 101c (see FIGS. 1A to 2F) or within the through hole 101c. Therefore, the mounting state of the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a can be confirmed from the Z-direction side through the through hole 101c. Furthermore, in addition to the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a being mounted on the board and the second mounting portions 230b of the multiple second terminals 200b being mounted on the board, the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a are mounted on the board on the Z'-direction side of the through hole 101c of the coupling portion 100c or within the through hole 101c (i.e., between the first body 100a and the second body 100b), which improves the peel strength of the connector C1.

[0140] Technical Features and Effects (4) When the Z'-side surface of the connecting body 110c of the connecting portion 100c is positioned closer to the Z'-side surface of the first body 100a, the entirety or portions of the Z'-side of the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a can be positioned on the Z'-side of the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c. In this case, when the Z'-side surface of the first body 100a is placed on a substrate, a gap is formed between the Z'-side surface of the connecting body 110c of the connecting portion 100c and the substrate. Because the entirety or portions of the Z'-side of the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a are positioned in this gap, it becomes easier to connect the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a to one or more third surface electrodes of the substrate by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method.

[0141] Technical Features and Effects (5) When the shell main body 310a of the shell 300a is fitted onto at least a portion of the outer periphery of the first body 100a from the Z direction side and the shell main body 310a of the shell 300a abuts against the first boundary portion, the second boundary portion, the third boundary portion, or the fourth boundary portion between the first body 100a and the connecting body 110c of the connecting portion 100c from the Z direction side as described above, the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a are mounted to one or more third surface electrodes of the substrate, thereby reducing the possibility of the first body 100a falling off from the substrate in the Z direction.

[0142] Technical Features and Effects(6) The tip of the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C1a is located on the Y-direction side, the X-direction side, or the X'-direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a. Therefore, with the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a mounted on the first surface electrode of the substrate, it is possible to mount an electronic component such as an IC for the first connector portion C1a on the substrate near the Y-direction side, the X-direction side, or the X'-direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a. Furthermore, because the electronic component is located near the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a as described above, the connection line extending from the first surface electrode of the substrate to the electronic component can have a simple shape that is less likely to generate stubs or reflections, and the length of the connection line can also be shortened.

[0143] Technical Features and Effects(7) When the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C1a extends in the Z' direction from the first held portion 210a and then extends in the X or X' direction, or when the first mounting portion 230a extends in the X or X' direction from the first held portion 210a, the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a and the multiple fourth mounting portions 332a of the shell 300a can be arranged symmetrically in the Y-Y' direction with respect to an imaginary line (not shown) that passes substantially through the center of the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a and extends in the X-X' direction. This facilitates impedance control at the connection portion between the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C1a and the board. [Example]

[0144] A composite connector C2 (not shown) according to multiple embodiments of the present invention, including a second embodiment and its design variations, (hereinafter also referred to simply as "connector C2"), will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the connector C2 of the second embodiment. The connector C2 has the same configuration as the connector C1 described above, except that it includes a first connector portion C2a instead of the first connector portion C1a. Below, only the differences will be described in detail, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Note that in FIG. 4, the Z-Z' direction, the Y-Y' direction, and the Y-Y' direction are shown in the same way as in FIG. 1B. In FIG. 5, the Z-Z' direction and the Y-Y' direction are shown in the same way as in FIG. 2A.

[0145] The first connector portion C2a of the connector C2 has a first body 100a' and at least one first terminal 200a'.

[0146] The first body 100a' of the first connector portion C2a of the connector C2 and the second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b are connected by a connecting portion 100c, similar to the first body 100a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 and the second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b. This connecting portion 100c may have, for example, any of the configurations (1) to (6) above.

[0147] The first body 100a' of the first connector part C2a has the same configuration as the first body 100a of the first connector part C1a, except that the configuration of its at least one first cutout 140a' is different from the configuration of the at least one first cutout 140a of the first body 100a of the first connector part C1a.

[0148] The number of the at least one first cutout 140a' may be one or more depending on the number of the at least one first receiving hole 130a. For convenience of explanation, the number of the at least one first cutout 140a' will be described as one, but even when there are multiple first cutouts 140a', they can have the same configuration as the first cutout 140a' described below.

[0149] The first cutout 140a penetrates the lower portion 111a of the base 110a in the Y' direction (see FIGS. 4 and 5), a first oblique direction (not shown), or a second oblique direction (not shown), and communicates with the first accommodating hole 130a. The first cutout 140a' opens in the Z' direction.

[0150] The first connector portion C2a may further include a shell 300a'. The shell 300a' includes a shell body 310a. The shell body 310a of the shell 300a' has the same configuration as the shell body 310a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1, except for the following points.

[0151] If a third notch (not shown) is provided in the shell body 310a of the shell 300a' of the first connector portion C2a, this third notch penetrates the shell body 310a in the same direction as the first notch 140a and communicates with the first notch 140a'. The third notch is open in the Z' direction.

[0152] The shell 300a' may further have a plurality of segment portions 320a. The plurality of segment portions 320a of the shell 300a' have the same configuration as the plurality of segment portions 320a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1.

[0153] Shell 300a' may further include at least one third mounting portion 331a and / or at least one fourth mounting portion 332a, but these are not required. For ease of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that there are multiple of each of at least one third mounting portion 331a and at least one fourth mounting portion 332a. However, even when there is only one third mounting portion 331a and one fourth mounting portion 332a, the third mounting portion 331a and the fourth mounting portion 332a can have the same configuration as any one of the multiple third mounting portions 331a and multiple fourth mounting portions 332a described below.

[0154] The plurality of fourth mounting portions 332a of the shell 300a' have the same configuration as the plurality of fourth mounting portions 332a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1.

[0155] The at least one first terminal 200a' of the first connector portion C2a may also be one or more. For convenience of explanation, the at least one first terminal 200a' will be described as being one, but even if there are multiple first terminals 200a', each of the multiple first terminals 200a' may have the same configuration as the first terminal 200a' described below.

[0156] The first terminal 200a' of the first connector portion C2a has the same configuration as the first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C2a, except that the configuration of the first mounting portion 230a' is different from the configuration of the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C2a. The first mounting portion 230a' can be a surface-mount type.

[0157] When the shell body 310a of the shell 300a' has the configuration (a) or (b) above, the first mounting portion 230a' may be a substantially L-shaped rod or plate that extends in the Z' direction from the first held portion 210a of the first terminal 200a' and then extends in the Y' direction (see Figures 4 and 5), a first diagonal direction (not shown), or a second diagonal direction (not shown), or may be a straight rod or plate that extends in the Y' direction, a first diagonal direction, or a second diagonal direction (not shown) from the first held portion 210a of the first terminal 200a'. The first mounting portion 230a' passes through the first notch 140a' of the first body 100a' and the Z' direction side of the shell main body 310a, and its tip is located on the Y' direction side (see Figures 4 and 5), the first diagonal direction side (not shown), or the second diagonal direction side (not shown) relative to the first body 100a' and the shell main body 310a.

[0158] When the shell main body 310a of the shell 300a' has the configuration (c) or (d) above (not shown), the first mounting portion 230a' is the above-mentioned approximately L-shaped rod or plate, or the above-mentioned straight rod or plate, which passes through the first notch 140a' of the first body 100a' and the third notch of the shell main body 310a, and its tip is located on the Y' direction side, the first diagonal direction side, or the second diagonal direction side relative to the first body 100a' and the shell main body 310a.

[0159] When the Z'-side surface of the connecting body 110c of the connecting portion 100c is positioned on the Z'-side surface of the first body 100a', the tip of the first mounting portion 230a' is arranged on the Z'-side of the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The entirety or the Z'-side portions of the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a' are also arranged on the Z'-side of the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c.

[0160] When the Z'-direction surface of the connecting body 110c of the connecting portion 100c is positioned at approximately the same height as the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a' in the Z-Z' direction (not shown), the tip of the first mounting portion 230a' is disposed in the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c. The entirety or the Z'-direction portions of the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a' are also disposed in the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c.

[0161] The tip end of first mounting portion 230a' of first terminal 200a' and the entire or Z' direction portions of the multiple third mounting portions 331a of shell 300a' are arranged so as not to interfere with each other on the Z' direction side of through hole 101c of connecting portion 100c or within through hole 101c of connecting portion 100c. For example, the tip end of first mounting portion 230a' of first terminal 200a' and the multiple third mounting portions 331a of shell 300a' can be arranged as follows:

[0162] The tip of the first mounting portion 230a' of the first terminal 200a' extends in the Y' direction (see Figures 4 and 5), while each third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a' extends from the shell main body 310a in the Z' direction and then extends in a first diagonal direction or a second diagonal direction (see Figures 4 and 5) or extends from the shell main body 310a in the first diagonal direction or a second diagonal direction (not shown).

[0163] The tip of the first mounting portion 230a' of the first terminal 200a' extends in a first diagonal direction (not shown), while each third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a' extends from the shell main body 310a in the Z' direction and then extends in the Y' direction or a second diagonal direction, or extends from the shell main body 310a in the Y' direction or a second diagonal direction.

[0164] The tip of the first mounting portion 230a' of the first terminal 200a' extends in a second diagonal direction (not shown), while each third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a' extends from the shell main body 310a in the Z' direction and then extends in the Y' direction or the first diagonal direction, or extends from the shell main body 310a in the Y' direction or the first diagonal direction.

[0165] The Z'-direction surface of the first mounting portion 230a' of the first terminal 200a', the Z'-direction surface of the second mounting portions 230b of the multiple second terminals 200b, the Z'-direction surface of the multiple third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a', and the Z'-direction surface of the multiple fourth mounting portions 332a (only if provided) are located at approximately the same height in the Z-Z' direction, and are located at approximately the same height in the Z-Z' direction as the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a, or are located on the Z'-direction side of the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a.

[0166] The shell 300a' can be omitted.

[0167] Connector C2 can be manufactured in the same manner as connector C1. Also, connector C2 can be surface-mounted on a substrate in the same manner as connector C1. Like the first connector portion C1a of connector C1, connector C2 has a first connector portion C2a that is connected to a third connector portion of a mating connector, and like the second connector portion C1b of connector C1, has a second connector portion C1b that is connected to a fourth connector portion of the mating connector.

[0168] The connector C2 as described above has the same technical features and effects as the connector C1, as described above in (1) and (2).

[0169] Furthermore, a through hole 101c is provided in the connecting portion 100c, and the tip of the first mounting portion 230a' of the first terminal 200a' is disposed on the Z' direction side of the through hole 101c (see FIGS. 4 and 5) or is disposed within the through hole 101c. Therefore, the mounting state of the first mounting portion 230a' of the first terminal 200a' can be confirmed from the Z direction side through the through hole 101c.

[0170] Furthermore, when the first connector portion C2a of the connector C2 has the shell 300a', the connector C2 has the same technical features and effects as the above-mentioned technical features and effects (3) to (5) of the connector C1.

[0171] Furthermore, when a plurality of third mounting portions 331a are provided on the shell 300a' of the first connector portion C2a, and the first mounting portion 230a' of the first terminal 200a' of the first connector portion C2a extends in the Z' direction from the first held portion 210a and then extends in the Y' direction, or when the first mounting portion 230a' extends in the Y' direction from the first held portion 210a, the plurality of third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a' include one or more third mounting portions 331a located on the X' direction side of the first mounting portion 230a' of the first terminal 200a' and one or more third mounting portions 331a located on the X' direction side of the first mounting portion 230a' of the first terminal 200a'. The one or more third mounting portions 331a on the X-direction side and the one or more third mounting portions 331a on the X'-direction side can be arranged symmetrically in the X-X' direction with respect to an imaginary line (not shown) that passes substantially through the center of the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a and extends in the Y-Y' direction. In this case, it is easy to control the impedance at the connection portion between the first mounting portion 230a' of the first terminal 200a' of the first connector portion C2a and the board. [Example]

[0172] A composite connector C3 (not shown) according to multiple embodiments of the present invention, including a third embodiment and its design variations, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the connector C3 of the third embodiment. The connector C3 has the same configuration as the connector C1 described above, except that it includes a first connector portion C3a instead of the first connector portion C1a and a second connector portion C3b instead of the second connector portion C1b. Only the differences will be described in detail below, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Note that in FIG. 6, the Z-Z' direction, the Y-Y' direction, and the Y-Y' direction are shown in the same way as in FIG. 1B. In FIG. 7, the Z-Z' direction and the Y-Y' direction are shown in the same way as in FIG. 2A.

[0173] The first connector portion C3a of the connector C3 has a first body 100a and at least one first terminal 200a.

[0174] The first body 100a of the first connector portion C3a of the connector C3 has the same configuration as the first body 100a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1.

[0175] The at least one first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C3a of the connector C3 has the same configuration as the at least one first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1. For convenience of explanation, the at least one first terminal 200a will be described as being one, but even if there are multiple first terminals 200a, each of the multiple first terminals 200a can have the same configuration as the first terminal 200a described below.

[0176] The first connector portion C3a of the connector C3 may further include a shell 300a''. The shell 300a'' includes a shell body 310a. The shell body 310a of the shell 300a'' has the same configuration as the shell body 310a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1.

[0177] The shell 300a'' may further have a plurality of segment portions 320a. The plurality of segment portions 320a of the shell 300a'' have the same configuration as the plurality of segment portions 320a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1.

[0178] The shell 300a'' may further include at least one third mounting portion 331a and / or at least one fourth mounting portion 332a, but is not necessarily required to include these.

[0179] At least one third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a'' has the same configuration as at least one third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1.

[0180] At least one fourth mounting portion 332a of the shell 300a'' has the same configuration as at least one fourth mounting portion 332a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1.

[0181] The second connector portion C3b of the connector C3 has a second body 100b. The second body 100b of the second connector portion C3b of the connector C3 has the same configuration as the second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b of the connector C1. The first body 100a of the first connector portion C3a of the connector C3 and the second body 100b of the second connector portion C3b are connected by a connecting portion 100c, similar to the first body 100a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 and the second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b of the connector C1. This connecting portion 100c may have, for example, any of the configurations (1) to (6) above.

[0182] The second connector portion C3b of the connector C3 further has at least one second terminal 200b'. The at least one second terminal 200b' of the second connector portion C3b may be one or more. For convenience of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that there are multiple second terminals 200b'. However, even if there is only one second terminal 200b', the second terminal 200b' may have the same configuration as any one of the multiple second terminals 200b' described below.

[0183] Each second terminal 200b' has the same configuration as at least one second terminal 200b of the second connector portion C1b of the connector C1, except that the configuration of its second mounting portion 230b' differs from the configuration of the second mounting portion 230b of at least one second terminal 200b of the second connector portion C1b of the connector C1.

[0184] The second mounting portion 230b' of each second terminal 200b' may be of a surface mount type.

[0185] When the Z'-direction surface of the second body 100b and the Z'-direction surface of the connecting portion 100c are located on the Z'-direction side of the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a (see FIGS. 6 and 7), the second mounting portion 230b' of each second terminal 200b' is a substantially L-shaped rod or plate that extends from the second held portion 210b of each second terminal 200b' in the Z'-direction and then extends in the Y-direction (see FIGS. 6 and 7), a third oblique direction (not shown), or a fourth oblique direction (not shown). The tip of the second mounting portion 230b' of each second terminal 200b' is located on the Z'-direction side of the through-hole 101c of the connecting main body 110c of the connecting portion 100c. The entirety or a portion of the Z'-direction side of at least one third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a'' is also located on the Z'-direction side of the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c.

[0186] When the Z'-direction surface of the second body 100b and the Z'-direction surface of the connecting portion 100c are positioned at approximately the same height as the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a (not shown), the second mounting portion 230b' of each second terminal 200b' is a substantially L-shaped rod or plate that extends from the second held portion 210b of each second terminal 200b' in the Z'-direction and then extends in the Y-direction, the third oblique direction, or the fourth oblique direction to penetrate the lower portion 110b of the second body 100b. The tip of the second mounting portion 230b' of each second terminal 200b' is disposed in the through-hole 101c of the connecting main body 110c of the connecting portion 100c. At least one third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a'' is also disposed entirely or at its Z'-direction portion in the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c.

[0187] The tip portions of the second mounting portions 230b' of the plurality of second terminals 200b' and the entire or a portion thereof on the Z' direction side of the at least one third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a'' are arranged so as not to interfere with each other on the Z' direction side of the through hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c or within the through hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c. For example, the tip portion of the second mounting portion 230b' of at least one second terminal 200b' among the plurality of second terminals 200b' may be arranged on the Z' direction side of the through hole 101c or within the through hole 101c, and on the X direction side of the at least one third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a'', and the tip portion of the second mounting portion 230b' of the at least one remaining second terminal 200b' may be arranged on the Z' direction side of the through hole 101c or within the through hole 101c, and on the X' direction side of the at least one third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a''. Alternatively, the tip ends of the second mounting portions 230b' of the multiple second terminals 200b' may be positioned on the Z'-direction side of the through hole 101c or within the through hole 101c, on the X-direction side or the X'-direction side of at least one third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a''.

[0188] The second connector portion C3b may further include at least one second terminal 200b, which may have the same configuration as the at least one second terminal 200b of the second connector portion C1b of the connector C1.

[0189] The Z'-direction surface of the first mounting portion 230a' of the first terminal 200a', the Z'-direction surface of the second mounting portion 230b' of the multiple second terminals 200b', the Z'-direction surface of the second mounting portion 230b of at least one second terminal 200b, the Z'-direction surface of at least one third mounting portion 331a (only if provided) of the shell 300a'' and the Z'-direction surface of at least one fourth mounting portion 332a (only if provided) are located at approximately the same height in the Z-Z' direction, and are located at approximately the same height in the Z-Z' direction as the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a, or are located on the Z'-direction side of the Z'-direction surface of the first body 100a.

[0190] It should be noted that the shell 300a'' and / or at least one second terminal 200b may be omitted.

[0191] The connector C3 as described above has the same technical features and effects as the connector C1, which have the above-mentioned technical features and effects (1) to (2) and (6).

[0192] Furthermore, a through hole 101c is provided in the connecting portion 100c, and the tip portions of the second mounting portions 230b' of the plurality of second terminals 200b' are disposed on the Z' direction side of the through hole 101c (see FIGS. 6 and 7) or are disposed within the through hole 101c. Therefore, the mounting state of the second mounting portions 230b' of the plurality of second terminals 200b' can be confirmed from the Z direction side through the through hole 101c.

[0193] Furthermore, when the first connector portion C3a of the connector C3 has a shell 300a'', the connector C3 has the same technical features and effects as the above-mentioned technical features and effects (3) to (5) of the connector C1.

[0194] Furthermore, when the first connector portion C3a of the connector C3 has a plurality of third mounting portions 331a and a plurality of fourth mounting portions 332a of the shell 300a″ and the first mounting portion 230a of the first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C3a extends from the first held portion 210a in the Z′ direction and then extends in the X direction or the X′ direction, or extends from the first held portion 210a in the X direction or the X′ direction, the connector C3 exhibits technical features and effects similar to the technical features and effects of the connector C1 described above in (7).

[0195] The composite connector described above is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified in any manner within the scope of the claims.

[0196] The first mounting portion 230a of at least one first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C1a or the first connector portion C3a described above can be configured as the above-mentioned substantially L-shaped rod or plate that passes through the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a in the Z' direction, with its tip positioned on the Y direction side, the X direction side, the X' direction side, the third diagonal direction side, or the fourth diagonal direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a. In this case, the first notch 140a of the first body 100a of the first connector portion C1a or the first connector portion C3a is omitted. When the shell main body 310a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a or the shell main body 310a of the shell 300a'' of the first connector portion C3a has the configuration (c) or (d) above, the third notch of the shell main body 310a is also omitted.

[0197] The first mounting portion 230a' of at least one first terminal 200a' of the first connector portion C2a described above can be configured as the above-mentioned substantially L-shaped rod or plate, passing through the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a in the Z' direction, with its tip positioned on the Y' direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a and on the Z' direction side relative to the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c. In this case, the first notch 140a' of the first body 100a' of the first connector portion C2a is omitted. When the shell main body 310a of the shell 300a' of the first connector portion C2a has the above configuration (c) or (d), the third notch of the shell main body 310a is also omitted.

[0198] The first mounting portion 230a of at least one first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 described above, the second mounting portion 230b of at least one second terminal 200b of the second connector portion C1b, and at least one third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a can be of a through-hole mounting type as described below (see FIG. 8A). If the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1 described above has at least one fourth mounting portion 332a, the at least one fourth mounting portion 332a can also be of a through-hole mounting type as described below (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). The other configurations of the connector C1 are the same as those of the connector C1 described above.

[0199] The first mounting portion 230a of at least one first terminal 200a is a rod extending in the Z' direction from its first held portion 210a, and its entirety or a portion on the Z' direction side protrudes from at least one first accommodating hole 130a of the first body 100a of the first connector portion C1a or the first connector portion C3a and is positioned on the Z' direction side of the first body 100a.

[0200] The second mounting portion 230b of at least one second terminal 200b is a rod extending in the Z' direction from its second held portion 210b, and its entirety or a portion on the Z' direction side protrudes from at least one second accommodating hole 130b of the second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b and is positioned on the Z' direction side relative to the second body 100b.

[0201] At least one third mounting portion 331a is a rod extending in the Z' direction from the shell main body 310a, and its entirety or a portion on the Z' direction side is located on the Z' direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a, and is also located on the Z' direction side relative to the through hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c.

[0202] At least one fourth mounting portion 332a is a rod extending in the Z' direction from the shell main body 310a, and its entirety or a portion on the Z' direction side is located on the Z' direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a.

[0203] The first mounting portion 230a of at least one first terminal 200a is inserted into at least one first through-hole electrode of a substrate (not shown) and connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method. The second mounting portion 230b of at least one second terminal 200b is inserted into at least one second through-hole electrode of the substrate and connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method. The at least one third mounting portion 331a is inserted into at least one third through-hole electrode of the substrate and connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method. The mounting state of the at least one third mounting portion 331a can be confirmed from the Z direction side through the through hole 101c. The at least one fourth mounting portion 332a is inserted into at least one fourth through-hole electrode of the substrate and connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method (only if provided).

[0204] The first mounting portion 230a' of at least one first terminal 200a' of the first connector portion C2a of the connector C2 described above and the second mounting portion 230b of at least one second terminal 200b of the second connector portion C1b can be of the through-hole mounting type as follows (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). When the shell 300a' of the first connector portion C2a of the connector C2 described above has at least one third mounting portion 331a and / or at least one fourth mounting portion 332a, at least one third mounting portion 331a and / or at least one fourth mounting portion 332a can also be of the through-hole mounting type as follows (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). The other configurations of the connector C2 are the same as those of the connector C2 described above.

[0205] The first mounting portion 230a' of at least one first terminal 200a' is a bent rod and has a first portion 231a' and a second portion 232a'. The first portion 231a' of the first mounting portion 230a' extends from the first held portion 210a in the Z' direction and then extends in the Y' direction, a first oblique direction, or a second oblique direction, or extends from the first held portion 210a in the Y' direction, the first oblique direction, or the second oblique direction. The second portion 232a' of the first mounting portion 230a' extends in the Z' direction from the tip of the first portion 231a' of the first mounting portion 230a' and is located on the Z' direction side of the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c.

[0206] The second mounting portion 230b of at least one second terminal 200b is a rod extending in the Z' direction from its second held portion 210b, and its entirety or a portion on the Z' direction side protrudes from at least one second accommodating hole 130b of the second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b and is positioned on the Z' direction side relative to the second body 100b.

[0207] At least one third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a' is a rod extending in the Z' direction from the shell main body 310a, and its entirety or a portion on the Z' direction side is located on the Z' direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a, and is also located on the Z' direction side relative to the through hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c.

[0208] At least one fourth mounting portion 332a of the shell 300a' is a rod extending in the Z' direction from the shell main body 310a, and its entirety or a portion on the Z' direction side is located on the Z' direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a.

[0209] The second portion 232a' of the first mounting portion 230a' of at least one first terminal 200a' is inserted into at least one first through-hole electrode of the substrate (not shown) and connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method. The mounting state of the first mounting portion 230a' of at least one first terminal 200a' can be confirmed from the Z direction through the through hole 101c. The second mounting portion 230b of at least one second terminal 200b is inserted into at least one second through-hole electrode of the substrate and connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method. The at least one third mounting portion 331a is inserted into at least one third through-hole electrode of the substrate and connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method (only if provided). The mounting state of the at least one third mounting portion 331a can be confirmed from the Z direction through the through hole 101c. At least one fourth mounting portion 332a is adapted to be inserted into at least one fourth through-hole electrode of the substrate and connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method (if provided).

[0210] The first mounting portion 230a of at least one first terminal 200a of the first connector portion C3a of the connector C3 described above and the second mounting portion 230b' of at least one second terminal 200b' of the second connector portion C3b can be of a through-hole mounting type as follows (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). When the second connector portion C3b described above has at least one second terminal 200b, the second mounting portion 230b of the at least one second terminal 200b can also be of a through-hole mounting type as follows (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). When the shell 300a'' of the first connector portion C3a of the connector C3 described above has at least one third mounting portion 331a and / or at least one fourth mounting portion 332a, the at least one third mounting portion 331a and / or at least one fourth mounting portion 332a can also be of a through-hole mounting type as follows (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). Other than these, the configuration of the connector C3 is the same as that of the connector C3 described above.

[0211] The first mounting portion 230a of at least one first terminal 200a is a rod extending in the Z' direction from its first held portion 210a, and its entirety or a portion on the Z' direction side protrudes from at least one first accommodating hole 130a of the first body 100a of the first connector portion C1a or the first connector portion C3a and is positioned on the Z' direction side of the first body 100a.

[0212] The second mounting portion 230b' of at least one second terminal 200b' can be a bent rod having a first portion 231b' and a second portion 232b'. The first portion 231b' of the second mounting portion 230b' extends from the second held portion 210b in the Z' direction and then extends in the Y direction, the third oblique direction, or the fourth oblique direction, or extends from the second held portion 210b in the Y direction, the third oblique direction, or the fourth oblique direction. The second portion 232b' of the second mounting portion 230b' extends in the Z' direction from the tip of the first portion 231b' of the second mounting portion 230b' and is located on the Z' direction side of the through-hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c.

[0213] The second mounting portion 230b of at least one second terminal 200b is a rod extending in the Z' direction from its second held portion 210b, and its entirety or a portion on the Z' direction side protrudes from at least one second accommodating hole 130b of the second body 100b of the second connector portion C1b and is positioned on the Z' direction side relative to the second body 100b.

[0214] At least one third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a'' is a rod extending in the Z' direction from the shell main body 310a, and its entirety or a portion on the Z' direction side is located on the Z' direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a, and is also located on the Z' direction side relative to the through hole 101c of the connecting portion 100c.

[0215] At least one fourth mounting portion 332a of the shell 300a'' is a rod extending in the Z' direction from the shell main body 310a, and its entirety or a portion on the Z' direction side is located on the Z' direction side relative to the first body 100a and the shell main body 310a.

[0216] The first mounting portion 230a of at least one first terminal 200a is inserted into at least one first through-hole electrode of a substrate (not shown) and connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method. The second portion 232b' of the second mounting portion 230b' of at least one second terminal 200b' is inserted into at least one second through-hole electrode of the substrate and connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method. The mounting state of the second mounting portion 230b' of at least one second terminal 200b' can be confirmed from the Z direction side through the through hole 101c. The second mounting portion 230b of at least one second terminal 200b is inserted into at least one other second through-hole electrode of the substrate and connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method (only if provided). At least one third mounting portion 331a is inserted into at least one third through-hole electrode of the substrate and is connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method (only if provided). The mounting state of the at least one third mounting portion 331a can be confirmed from the Z direction side through the through hole 101c. At least one fourth mounting portion 332a is inserted into at least one fourth through-hole electrode of the substrate and is connected by a solder connection method (including solder reflow) or other well-known connection method (only if provided).

[0217] The first contact portion 220a of the at least one first terminal 200a described above may extend from the first held portion 210a in the Z direction and may be at least partially exposed or protruding from the first body 100a. For example, the first contact portion 220a of the at least one first terminal 200a described above may protrude from the first body 100a in the Z direction. The first contact portion 220a of the at least one first terminal 200a' described above may extend from the first held portion 210a in the Z direction and may be at least partially exposed or protruding from the first body 100a'. For example, the first contact portion 220a of the at least one first terminal 200a' described above may protrude from the first body 100a' in the Z direction.

[0218] The second contact portion 220b of the at least one second terminal 200b, 200b' may extend in the Z direction from the second held portion 210b and may be at least partially exposed or protrude from the second body 100b. For example, the second contact portion 220b of the at least one second terminal 200b, 200b' may protrude in the Z direction from the second body 100b.

[0219] It is sufficient that the first held portion 210a of the at least one first terminal 200a described above is held by the first body 100a. For example, the first held portion 210a of the at least one first terminal 200a described above may be insert-molded into the first body 100a. It is sufficient that the second held portion 210b of the at least one second terminal 200b, 200b' described above is held by the second body 100b. For example, the second held portion 210b of the at least one second terminal 200b, 200b' described above may be insert-molded into the second body 100b.

[0220] The at least one through hole 101c of the coupling portion 100c of the connector C1 described above can be multiple, depending on the number of third mounting portions 331a of the shell 300a of the first connector portion C1a of the connector C1. In this case, the multiple through holes 101c may correspond one-to-one to the multiple third mounting portions 331a. The entire or a portion on the Z' direction side of each surface-mounted third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a may be positioned on the Z' direction side of or within the corresponding through hole 101c, or the entire or a portion on the Z' direction side of each through-hole-mounted third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a may be positioned in the Z' direction relative to the corresponding through hole 101c.

[0221] When the shell 300a' of the first connector portion C2a of the connector C2 does not include at least one third mounting portion 331a, the coupling portion 100c of the connector C2 may include at least one through hole 101c corresponding to the number of first terminals 200a' of the first connector portion C2a. In this case, the through holes 101c may correspond one-to-one to the first terminals 200a'. The tip of the surface-mounted first mounting portion 230a' of each first terminal 200a' may be located on the Z'-direction side of the corresponding through hole 101c or within the corresponding through hole 101c, or the second portion 232a' of the through-hole-mounted first mounting portion 230a' of each first terminal 200a' may be located on the Z'-direction side of the corresponding through hole 101c.

[0222] When the first connector portion C2a of the connector C2 has at least one third mounting portion 331a in the shell 300a', the number of through holes 101c in the coupling portion 100c of the connector C2 can be multiple, corresponding to the sum of the number of at least one first terminal 200a' in the first connector portion C2a and the number of at least one third mounting portion 331a in the shell 300a'. In this case, the multiple through holes 101c include at least one first through hole 101c corresponding to the at least one first terminal 200a' and at least one second through hole 101c corresponding to the at least one third mounting portion 331a in the shell 300a'. Alternatively, the tip of the surface-mounted first mounting portion 230a' of at least one first terminal 200a' may be positioned on the Z' direction side of at least one first through hole 101c or within at least one first through hole 101c, and the entirety or a portion of the Z' direction side of at least one surface-mounted third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a' may be positioned on the Z' direction side of at least one second through hole 101c or within at least one second through hole 101c, or the second portion 232a' of the through-hole-mounted first mounting portion 230a' of at least one first terminal 200a' may be positioned in the Z' direction with respect to at least one first through hole 101c, and the entirety or a portion of the Z' direction side of at least one through-hole-mounted third mounting portion 331a of the shell 300a' may be positioned in the Z' direction with respect to at least one second through hole 101c.

[0223] When the shell 300a″ of the first connector portion C3a of the connector C3 described above does not include at least one third mounting portion 331a, the number of at least one through hole 101c in the coupling portion 100c of the connector C3 can be multiple, depending on the number of second terminals 200b′ of the second connector portion C3b. In this case, the multiple through holes 101c may correspond one-to-one to the multiple second terminals 200b′. A tip end of the surface-mounted second mounting portion 230b′ of each second terminal 200b′ may be located on the Z′-direction side of or within the corresponding through hole 101c, or a second portion 232b′ of the through-hole-mounted second mounting portion 230b′ of each second terminal 200b′ may be located on the Z′-direction side of the corresponding through hole 101c.

[0224] When the shell 300a" ​​of the first connector portion C3a of the connector C3 described above is provided with at least one third mounting portion 331a, the number of at least one through hole 101c in the coupling portion 100c of the connector C3 can be multiple, corresponding to the sum of the number of at least one second terminal 200b' in the first connector portion C3a and the number of at least one third mounting portion 331a in the shell 300a". In this case, the multiple through holes 101c include at least one first through hole 101c corresponding to the at least one second terminal 200b' and at least one second through hole 101c corresponding to the at least one third mounting portion 331a in the shell 300a". Alternatively, the tip of the surface-mounted second mounting portion 230b' of at least one second terminal 200b' may be positioned on the Z' direction side of at least one first through hole 101c or within at least one first through hole 101c, and the entirety or a portion of the Z' direction side of at least one surface-mounted third mounting portion 331a of shell 300a'' may be positioned on the Z' direction side of at least one second through hole 101c or within at least one second through hole 101c, or the second portion 232b' of the through-hole-mounted second mounting portion 230b' of at least one second terminal 200b' may be positioned in the Z' direction with respect to at least one first through hole 101c, and the entirety or a portion of the Z' direction side of at least one through-hole-mounted third mounting portion 331a of shell 300a'' may be positioned in the Z' direction with respect to at least one second through hole 101c.

[0225] The second connector portion C1b of the connector C1 or C2, or the second connector portion C3b of the connector C3, may further include a shell (not shown). The shell of the second connector portion C1b or C3b may be conductive and may be configured to cover at least a portion of the second body 100b.

[0226] Although the above-described mating connector includes a third connector portion and a fourth connector portion, the third connector portion and the fourth connector portion may be separate mating connectors. The third connector portion can be connected to the first connector portion C1a of connector C1, the first connector portion C2a of connector C2, or the first connector portion C3a of connector C3. The fourth connector portion can be connected to the second connector portion C1b of connector C1, the second connector portion C1b of connector C2, or the second connector portion C3b of connector C3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0227] C1, C2, C3: Composite connectors C1a, C2a, C3a: First connector part 100a, 100a': First body 110a: Base 111a: Bottom 112a: Top 120a: Tip 130a: First receiving hole 140a, 140a': First notch 200a, 200a': 1st terminal 210a: First held part 220a: First contact part 230a, 230a': First mounting part 300a, 300a', 300a: Shell 310a: Shell body 320a: Cut piece portion 331a: Third mounting portion 332a: Fourth mounting portion C1b, C3b: Second connector part 100b: Second body 110b: Bottom 120b: Upper part 130b: Second storage hole 140b: Convex part 100c: Connection part 101c: Through hole 110c: Connection body 111c: Part 1 112c: Part 2 113c: Part 3 114c: Part 4 115c: Part 5 120c: Overhang 130c: Reinforcement part 140c: Convex part 200b, 200b': 2nd terminal 210b: Second retaining part; 220b: Second contact part; 230b, 230b': Second mounting part

Claims

1. a first connector portion; a second connector portion; and a connecting portion, The first connector portion includes a first body made of an insulating material and extending in a first direction; At least one first terminal made of a conductive material; and a conductive shell, the at least one first terminal has a first held portion, a first contact portion, and a first mounting portion; the first held portion is held within the first body, the first contact portion extends from the first held portion in one of the first directions and is at least partially exposed or protrudes from the first body; the first mounting portion is at least partially located on the other side of the first direction, one side of the second direction, one side of the third direction, or the other side of the third direction with respect to the first body, the first direction being a height direction of the first body, the second direction being approximately perpendicular to the first direction, and the third direction being approximately perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction; the shell has a shell main body that covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the first body and at least one third mounting portion, the second connector portion includes a second body that is made of an insulating material, extends in the first direction, and is disposed on the other side in the second direction with a gap therebetween relative to the first body; and at least one second terminal made of a conductive material, the at least one second terminal has a second held portion, a second contact portion, and a second mounting portion; the second held portion is held within the second body, the second contact portion extends from the second held portion in one of the first directions and is at least partially exposed or protrudes from the second body; the second mounting portion is at least partially located on the other side in the first direction, the other side in the second direction, the one side in the third direction, or the other side in the third direction with respect to the second body, a composite connector in which the connecting portion connects the first body and the second body and has at least one through hole penetrating the connecting portion in the first direction, and the at least one third mounting portion of the shell is at least partially positioned on the other side of the at least one through hole in the first direction or within the at least one through hole.

2. 2. The composite connector according to claim 1, the first mounting portion of the at least one first terminal at least partially extends in one direction of the second direction and is at least partially located on one side of the first body in the second direction, at least partially extends in one direction of the third direction and is at least partially located on one side of the first body in the third direction, or at least partially extends in the other direction of the third direction and is at least partially located on the other side of the first body in the third direction, the second mounting portion of the at least one second terminal at least partially extends in the other direction of the second direction and is at least partially located on the other side of the second direction with respect to the first body, at least partially extends in one direction of the third direction and is at least partially located on the one side of the third direction with respect to the first body, or at least partially extends in the other direction of the third direction and is at least partially located on the other side of the third direction with respect to the first body, the at least one third mounting portion of the shell extends at least partially in the other of the second direction, the one of the third directions, or the other of the third directions; A composite connector in which the other side surface of the first mounting portion in the first direction, the other side surface of the second mounting portion in the first direction, and the other side surface of the at least one third mounting portion in the first direction are positioned at approximately the same height in the first direction.

3. 3. The composite connector according to claim 2, a surface of the connecting portion on the other side in the first direction is located on one side in the first direction with respect to a surface of the first body on the other side in the first direction, A composite connector in which the at least one third mounting portion of the shell is at least partially positioned on the other side of the at least one through hole in the first direction.

4. 2. The composite connector according to claim 1, the first mounting portion of the at least one first terminal at least partially extends in the other direction in the first direction and is at least partially located on the other side in the first direction with respect to the first body, the second mounting portion of the at least one second terminal at least partially extends in the other direction in the first direction and is at least partially located on the other side of the second body in the first direction, A composite connector wherein the at least one third mounting portion of the shell extends at least partially in the other direction of the first direction, is at least partially located on the other side of the first direction relative to the connecting portion, and is at least partially arranged on the other side of the first direction relative to the at least one through hole.

5. 2. The composite connector according to claim 1, the shell main body of the shell has a cylindrical shape extending in the first direction and covers at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the first body, A composite connector in which the at least one first terminal is one, and the first held portion and / or the first contact portion are arranged approximately coaxially with respect to the first body and the shell main body.

6. 2. The composite connector according to claim 1, The shell main body of the shell is cylindrical and extends in the first direction, and is fitted onto the first body from one side in the first direction and abuts against the boundary between the first body and the connecting portion from one side in the first direction.

7. a first connector portion; a second connector portion; and a connecting portion, The first connector portion includes a first body made of an insulating material and extending in a first direction; at least one first terminal made of a conductive material; the first direction is a height direction of the first body, the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and the third direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and intersects with the second direction; the at least one first terminal has a first held portion, a first contact portion, and a first mounting portion; the first held portion is held within the first body, the first contact portion extends from the first held portion in one of the first directions and is at least partially exposed or protrudes from the first body; the second connector portion includes a second body that is made of an insulating material, extends in the first direction, and is disposed on the other side in the second direction with a gap therebetween relative to the first body; and at least one second terminal made of a conductive material, the at least one second terminal has a second held portion, a second contact portion, and a second mounting portion; the second held portion is held within the second body, the second contact portion extends from the second held portion in one of the first directions and is at least partially exposed or protrudes from the second body; the second mounting portion is at least partially located on the other side in the first direction, the other side in the second direction, the one side in the third direction, or the other side in the third direction with respect to the second body, a composite connector in which the connecting portion connects the first body and the second body and has a through hole passing through the connecting portion in the first direction, and a portion of the first mounting portion of the at least one first terminal is positioned on the other side of the at least one through hole in the first direction or within the at least one through hole.

8. The composite connector according to claim 7, the first mounting portion of the at least one first terminal at least partially extends in the other of the second direction, one of the third directions, or the other of the third direction; the second mounting portion of the at least one second terminal at least partially extends in the other direction of the second direction and is at least partially located on the other side of the second direction with respect to the first body, at least partially extends in one direction of the third direction and is at least partially located on the one side of the third direction with respect to the first body, or at least partially extends in the other direction of the third direction and is at least partially located on the other side of the third direction with respect to the first body, A composite connector in which the other side surface of the first mounting portion of the at least one first terminal in the first direction and the other side surface of the second mounting portion of the at least one second terminal in the first direction are positioned at approximately the same height in the first direction.

9. 9. The composite connector according to claim 8, a surface of the connecting portion on the other side in the first direction is located on one side in the first direction with respect to a surface of the first body on the other side in the first direction, A composite connector in which the portion of the first mounting portion of the at least one first terminal is arranged on the other side of the at least one through hole in the first direction.

10. The composite connector according to claim 7, the portion of the first mounting portion of the at least one first terminal extends in the other direction in the first direction on the other side of the at least one through hole of the connecting portion in the first direction, A composite connector in which the second mounting portion of the at least one second terminal extends at least partially in the other direction of the first direction and is at least partially located on the other side of the first direction relative to the second body.

11. a first connector portion; a second connector portion; and a connecting portion, The first connector portion includes a first body made of an insulating material and extending in a first direction; at least one first terminal made of a conductive material; the at least one first terminal has a first held portion, a first contact portion, and a first mounting portion; the first held portion is held within the first body, the first contact portion extends from the first held portion in one of the first directions and is at least partially exposed or protrudes from the first body; the first mounting portion is at least partially located on the other side of the first direction, one side of the second direction, one side of the third direction, or the other side of the third direction with respect to the first body, the first direction being a height direction of the first body, the second direction being approximately perpendicular to the first direction, and the third direction being approximately perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction; the second connector portion includes a second body that is made of an insulating material, extends in the first direction, and is disposed on the other side in the second direction with a gap therebetween relative to the first body; and at least one second terminal made of a conductive material, the at least one second terminal has a second held portion, a second contact portion, and a second mounting portion; the second held portion is held within the second body, the second contact portion extends from the second held portion in one of the first directions and is at least partially exposed or protrudes from the second body; a composite connector in which the connecting portion connects the first body and the second body and has a through hole passing through the connecting portion in the first direction, and a portion of the second mounting portion of the at least one second terminal is positioned on the other side of the at least one through hole in the first direction or within the at least one through hole.

12. The composite connector according to claim 11, the first mounting portion of the at least one first terminal at least partially extends in one direction of the second direction and is at least partially located on one side of the first body in the second direction, at least partially extends in one direction of the third direction and is at least partially located on one side of the first body in the third direction, or at least partially extends in the other direction of the third direction and is at least partially located on the other side of the first body in the third direction, the second mounting portion of the at least one second terminal extends in one of the second directions, one of the third directions, or the other of the third directions; A composite connector in which the other side surface of the first mounting portion of the at least one first terminal in the first direction and the other side surface of the second mounting portion of the at least one second terminal in the first direction are positioned at approximately the same height in the first direction.

13. 13. The composite connector of claim 12, a surface of the connecting portion on the other side in the first direction is located on one side in the first direction with respect to a surface of the first body on the other side in the first direction, A composite connector in which the portion of the second mounting portion of the at least one second terminal is arranged on the other side of the at least one through hole in the first direction.

14. The composite connector according to claim 11, the first mounting portion of the at least one first terminal at least partially extends in the other direction in the first direction and is at least partially located on the other side in the first direction with respect to the first body, A composite connector in which the portion of the second mounting portion of the at least one second terminal extends in the other direction in the first direction on the other side of the at least one through hole of the connecting portion.

15. The composite connector according to claim 7 or 11, the first connector portion further includes a conductive shell, the shell has a shell main body that covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the first body and at least one third mounting portion, A composite connector in which the at least one third mounting portion of the shell is at least partially positioned on the other side of the at least one through hole of the connecting portion in the first direction or within the at least one through hole.

16. The composite connector according to claim 7 or 11, the first connector portion further includes a conductive shell, The shell has a shell body, The shell main body is a cylindrical body extending in the first direction, fitted onto the first body from one side in the first direction, and abutting against the boundary between the first body and the connecting portion from one side in the first direction.

17. The composite connector according to claim 7 or 11, the first connector portion further includes a conductive shell, The shell has a shell body, the shell main body of the shell has a cylindrical shape extending in the first direction and covers at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the first body, A composite connector in which the at least one first terminal is one, and the first held portion and / or the first contact portion are arranged approximately coaxially with respect to the first body and the shell main body.

18. The composite connector according to claim 1, 7 or 11, A composite connector in which the other side surface of the second held portion of the at least one second terminal in the first direction and the other side surface of the second body in the first direction are positioned at approximately the same height in the first direction.

19. The composite connector according to claim 1, 7 or 11, the at least one second terminal is plural; A composite connector in which the second held portions of the plurality of second terminals are arranged at intervals in the second direction and / or the third direction within the second body.

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