Electrical Connectors

Abstract

To provide an electric connector that further improves EMI characteristics.SOLUTION: A receptacle connector 10 includes a ground contact 12 having a cylindrical standing wall portion 121 and a substrate connecting portion 122 connected to a substrate, a signal contact 11 arranged so as to be surrounded by the standing wall portion, a housing 13 that holds the ground contact and the signal contact in an insulated state, and an extension that fixes the housing to the ground contact, the signal contact includes a contact portion 111, and a terminal portion 112 extending so as to be pulled out from the contact portion and connected to the signal terminal portion, and the extension extends from the housing in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the terminal portion, and is locked to the substrate connection portion outside the vertical wall portion to fix the housing to the ground contact.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electrical connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a connector device that electrically connects a signal transmission member to an electric circuit of a board by fitting a plug connector connected to the signal transmission member with a receptacle connector mounted on the board (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The receptacle connector of Patent Document 1 includes an external terminal having a cylindrical portion, an internal terminal disposed inside the cylindrical portion, and an insulator in which a groove is formed that communicates between the inside and outside of the cylindrical portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 031760 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, in the receptacle connector of Patent Document 1, a notch for arranging an insulator is formed from the inside to the outside of the cylindrical portion. Such a notch makes it easier for signals from the internal terminals to leak out (easier for noise to be generated), and the EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) characteristics of the connector deteriorate.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure provides an electrical connector that further improves EMI characteristics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electrical connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an electrical connector mounted on a board, and includes signal contacts having a contact portion extending away from the board and a terminal portion extending along the board so as to be drawn out from the contact portion, a vertical wall portion seamlessly surrounding the contact portion, and a ground contact having a board connection portion formed integrally with the vertical wall portion and extending outward along the board and seamlessly surrounding the vertical wall portion, and an insulating housing disposed between the signal contacts and the ground contacts and holding the signal contacts and the ground contacts.

[0007] In an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the periphery of the contact portion of the signal contact is seamlessly surrounded by the vertical wall portion of the ground contact in the direction away from the board. Also, the periphery of the vertical wall portion is seamlessly surrounded by the board connection portion of the ground contact in the direction along the board. Furthermore, an insulating housing is interposed between the signal contact and the ground contact. With this configuration, the signal contact is seamlessly surrounded by the ground contact, so that the signal from the signal contact is unlikely to leak outside the ground contact (a configuration in which noise is unlikely to be generated). This can improve the EMI characteristics of the electrical connector.

[0008] In the electrical connector according to the present disclosure, the housing has a columnar portion extending along an inner circumferential surface of the vertical wall portion. With this configuration, the contact area between the housing and the vertical wall portion is increased, so that the housing can more appropriately hold the signal contacts and the ground contacts.

[0009] In the electrical connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the ground contact has a protruding locking portion that protrudes toward the area surrounded by the vertical wall portion and locks the housing to the ground contact. With this configuration, the vertical wall portion and the columnar portion extending along the inner circumferential surface of the vertical wall portion are engaged by the locking portion that protrudes into the area surrounded by the vertical wall portion. This prevents the housing from falling off, and allows the housing to be more appropriately held.

[0010] In an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking portion protrudes from a tip portion, which is an end portion of the vertical wall portion in a direction away from the board, toward a region surrounded by the vertical wall portion, and a recess is formed in the housing to be locked by the locking portion. The protruding locking portion is fitted into the recess formed in the columnar portion, thereby further suppressing movement (e.g., rotation) of the housing along the inner peripheral surface of the vertical wall portion. This makes it possible to hold the housing more suitably.

[0011] In the electrical connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the tip of the vertical wall is bent toward the area surrounded by the vertical wall. With this configuration, the housing along the inner circumferential surface contacts the tip within the area surrounded by the vertical wall, thereby auxiliarily suppressing movement of the housing in a direction away from the board. This makes it possible to more appropriately hold the housing.

[0012] In the electrical connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the locking portions are provided in pairs facing each other with the contact portion in between. By the pair of locking portions facing each other around the periphery of the contact portion, movement of the housing is suppressed in a balanced manner, and the housing can be more suitably held.

[0013] In an electrical connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the ground contact and the housing are formed separately, and the housing has a press-fit portion with a convex surface facing the inner peripheral surface of the vertical wall portion. Since the ground contact and the housing are formed separately, the electrical connector can be manufactured by an assembly method, and the manufacturing equipment can be simplified. In addition, the press-fit portion, which is the convex surface, presses the inner peripheral surface of the vertical wall portion of the ground contact, thereby increasing the fixing strength of the housing and making it possible to more suitably hold the housing.

[0014] In the electrical connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the ground contact has a vertical wall portion and a board connection portion integrally formed by drawing. The vertical wall portion and the board connection portion of the ground contact are integrally formed by drawing, and no seam is formed between the vertical wall portion and the board connection portion. This improves the ease of manufacture of the ground contact.

[0015] In the electrical connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the housing is integrally formed with the ground contact by insert molding so as to enclose the periphery of the locking portion. By fixing the columnar portion and the locking portion, the housing can be more suitably held. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electrical connector that further improves EMI characteristics. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a connector device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a receptacle connector mounted on a printed circuit board. [Diagram 3] 3A is a plan view of a receptacle connector, FIG. 3B is a bottom view, and FIG. 3C is a perspective view. [Figure 4]4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams illustrating signal contacts of a receptacle connector, with FIG. [Diagram 5] 5A is a plan view of the ground contact of the receptacle connector, FIG. 5B is a bottom view, and FIG. 5C is a perspective view. [Figure 6] 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams showing the housing of the receptacle connector, in which Fig. 6(a) is a plan view, Fig. 6(b) is a bottom view, and Fig. 6(c) is a perspective view. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the receptacle connector before being press-fitted and fixed. [Figure 8] 8(a) is a plan view showing a mated state between the plug connector and the receptacle connector, and FIG 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG 8(a). [Figure 9] 9A, 9B, and 9C are diagrams showing a receptacle connector according to a second embodiment, in which Fig. 9A is a plan view, Fig. 9B is a bottom view, and Fig. 9C is a perspective view. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a connector device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a receptacle connector mounted on a printed circuit board. [Figure 12] 12A is a plan view of a receptacle connector, FIG. 12B is a bottom view, and FIG. 12C is a perspective view. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing signal contacts of a receptacle connector, with Fig. 13A being a plan view and Fig. 13B being a perspective view. [Figure 14] 14A is a plan view of the ground contact of the receptacle connector, FIG. 14B is a bottom view, and FIG. 14C is a perspective view. [Figure 15] 15A is a plan view of the housing of the receptacle connector, FIG. 15B is a bottom view, and FIG. 15C is a perspective view. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the receptacle connector before being press-fitted and fixed. [Figure 17]17A and 17B are diagrams illustrating a mated state between the plug connector and the receptacle connector, with Fig. 17A being a plan view and Fig. 17B being a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 17A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0019] [First embodiment] An overview of a connector device 1 in a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the connector device 1 includes a receptacle connector 10 (electrical connector 10) and a plug connector 100. The receptacle connector 10 is mounted on a board 200 (see Fig. 2) by, for example, soldering or the like. The plug connector 100 is connected to a coaxial cable SC (signal transmission member) and fitted into the receptacle connector 10. In the connector device 1, the plug connector 100 attached to the end of the coaxial cable SC fits into the receptacle connector 10 mounted on the board 200, thereby electrically connecting the coaxial cable SC to the electric circuit of the board 200. The board 200 is, for example, a printed circuit board, but is not limited thereto. In addition, other signal transmission members that transmit signals of various electronic devices may be used instead of the coaxial cable SC.

[0020] In the following description, the mating direction of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 100 in the connector device 1 may be referred to as the "Z direction", the axial direction of the coaxial cable SC in the mated state as the "X direction", and the direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction as the "Y direction". Furthermore, with respect to the Z direction, the direction in which the plug connector 100 is located in the state shown in Fig. 1 may be referred to as the "upper", and the direction in which the receptacle connector 10 is located as the "lower". Furthermore, with respect to the X direction, the direction in which the end of the coaxial cable SC to which the plug connector 100 is attached is located may be referred to as the "front", and the direction in which the opposite end is located as the "rear".

[0021] Next, the receptacle connector 10 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 to 8. As shown in Figures 3(a) to 3(c), the receptacle connector 10 includes signal contacts 11, ground contacts 12, and a housing 13. In the first embodiment, the ground contacts 12 and the housing 13 are formed separately.

[0022] The signal contacts 11 are attached so as to be surrounded by the housing 13. The signal contacts 11 are also disposed in the center of the receptacle connector 10. The ground contacts 12 are disposed so as to surround the periphery of the signal contacts 11 and the housing 13.

[0023] As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the signal contact 11 is a cylindrical conductor. The signal contact 11 is formed of, for example, a thin metal plate. The signal contact 11 is electrically connected to a signal contact 101 of the plug connector 100 (see Figure 8(b)).

[0024] The signal contact 11 has a contact portion 111 extending in a direction away from the substrate 200 (upward), and a terminal portion 112 extending along the substrate 200 so as to be drawn out from the lower end of the contact portion 111.

[0025] The contact portion 111 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axial direction aligned with the Z direction. The outer circumferential surface of the contact portion 111 comes into contact with the signal contact 101 of the plug connector 100 (see FIG. 8(b)).

[0026] The terminal portion 112 is formed in a rectangular shape. For example, the terminal portion 112 is formed so that the length in the Y direction is shorter than the length in the X direction when viewed from the Z direction. The terminal portion 112 is continuous with the lower end of the contact portion 111, extends forward in the X direction (in a direction away from the inner conductor SC1 of the coaxial cable SC (see FIG. 8(b))), and is connected to a signal terminal portion (not shown) of the substrate 200.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 3(a), the terminal portion 112 is accommodated within an area surrounded by the ground contacts 12. The terminal portion 112 also has an exposed portion 11x, which is a tip area, exposed to the outside. Being exposed to the outside means, for example, that it is visible from the outside. More specifically, when the receptacle connector 10 is viewed from above, the exposed portion 11x is arranged so as to be visible. The exposed portion 11x is a contact area of ​​the terminal portion 112 with a signal terminal portion (not shown).

[0028] 5(a) to 5(c), the ground contact 12 is a conductor having a shape of a rectangular plate with a cylinder disposed in the center of one side. When the ground contact 12 is viewed from above, the central region of the ground contact 12 is hollowed out in a substantially circular shape. The ground contact 12 is electrically connected to a ground contact 102 of the plug connector 100 (see FIG. 8(b)).

[0029] The ground contact 12 has a vertical wall portion 121 that seamlessly surrounds the periphery of the contact portion 111, and a board connection portion 122 that is formed integrally with the vertical wall portion 121 and extends outward along the board 200 to seamlessly surround the periphery of the vertical wall portion 121. The ground contact 12 also has a protruding locking portion 123 that protrudes toward the area surrounded by the vertical wall portion 121 and locks the housing 13 to the ground contact 12.

[0030] The vertical wall portion 121 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the Z direction as its axial direction. The vertical wall portion 121 accommodates the housing 13 in its cylindrical hole. The vertical wall portion 121 seamlessly surrounds the periphery of the housing 13, thereby seamlessly surrounding the contact portion 111 of the signal contact 11. A fitting recess 12x recessed toward the axial center of the vertical wall portion 121 is formed on the outer circumferential surface 121a of the vertical wall portion 121 over the entire circumference. The fitting recess 12x is fitted with a fitting protrusion 102x formed on the outer periphery of the ground contact 102 of the plug connector 100 (see FIG. 8(b)). The inner circumferential surface 121b of the vertical wall portion 121 contacts the outer circumferential surface 13a of the housing 13 (described later) except for the region where the housing 13 is not formed (see FIG. 8(b)).

[0031] The standing wall portion 121 is formed with a tip portion 121c which is an end portion (upper end portion) in a direction away from the substrate 200. The end portion here does not refer only to the tip portion, but also includes the area in the vicinity of the tip portion. The tip portion 121c of the standing wall portion 121 is formed so as to bend toward the area surrounded by the standing wall portion 121. The tip portion 121c comes into contact with an abutment portion 132b of the housing 13, which will be described later, in an area close to the inner circumferential surface 121b. By coming into contact in this manner, the tip portion 121c assists in suppressing the movement of the housing 13 in the upward direction.

[0032] The board connection portion 122 is formed in a plate shape, is continuous with the lower end of the standing wall portion 121, and extends radially outward along the board 200 to seamlessly surround the periphery of the standing wall portion 121. The board connection portion 122 is disposed on the board 200 (see FIG. 2) and is connected to a ground terminal portion (not shown) of the board 200.

[0033] In the ground contact 12, the standing wall portion 121 and the board connection portion 122 are integrally formed by drawing. For example, in the ground contact 12, the standing wall portion 121, which is a side portion, and the board connection portion 122, which is a flange portion, are integrally formed by applying drawing (e.g., cylindrical drawing) to a metal plate. Since the ground contact 12 is formed by drawing, no joint is formed in the standing wall portion 121 and the board connection portion 122. In addition, the standing wall portion 121 is formed continuously with the board connection portion 122 so as to stand upright from the board connection portion 122.

[0034] The locking portion 123 is a protrusion that protrudes toward the area surrounded by the vertical wall portion 121. For example, the locking portion 123 protrudes from a tip portion 121c, which is an end portion of the vertical wall portion 121 in a direction away from the substrate 200, toward the area surrounded by the vertical wall portion 121. The locking portion 123 is formed integrally with the tip portion 121c so as to be continuous with the tip portion 121c. The locking portion 123 is locked to the housing 13, thereby suppressing the movement (e.g., rotation) of the housing 13 along the inner circumferential surface 121b of the vertical wall portion 121. The locking portion 123 is also provided in a pair so as to face each other with the contact portion 111 therebetween. That is, the locking portion 123 is provided in a pair so as to protrude toward the center of the receptacle connector 10. Two or more pairs of the locking portions 123 may be provided as in this embodiment.

[0035] As shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(c), the housing 13 is an insulating member formed in a semi-cylindrical shape having a bottom surface with the Z direction as its axial direction. The housing 13 is made of, for example, resin. In this embodiment, the housing 13 is formed integrally with the signal contacts 11 by, for example, insert molding. Therefore, Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 6(a) to 6(c) show the signal contacts 11 and the housing 13 before they are integrated together.

[0036] The housing 13 is disposed between the signal contacts 11 and the ground contacts 12, and holds the signal contacts 11 and the ground contacts 12. The housing 13 is disposed so as to surround a portion of the signal contacts 11 and be surrounded by the standing wall portion 121 of the ground contact 12. An outer peripheral surface 13a of the housing 13 contacts an inner peripheral surface 121b of the standing wall portion 121, except for an area where the housing 13 is not formed (see FIG. 8(b)).

[0037] The housing 13 has a base 131, a columnar portion 132, and a press-fit portion 133. The base 131 is formed in a semicircular plate shape and is disposed at one end of the housing 13. The base 131 has an upper surface 131a facing the plug connector 100 and a bottom surface 131b facing the board 200. The base 131 has a support portion 13y, which is a hole for attaching the contact portion 111, formed from the center of the upper surface 131a to the center of the bottom surface 131b.

[0038] The columnar portion 132 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape, and is formed continuously with the base portion 131 so as to stand from the base portion 131. The columnar portion 132 extends in the Z direction along the inner peripheral surface 121b of the standing wall portion 121. The tip (upper end) of the columnar portion 132 may be shaped to reach the tip portion 121c of the standing wall portion 121, or may be shaped not to reach the tip portion 121c (extending only below the tip portion 121c). The tip of the columnar portion 132 is formed so as not to exceed the tip portion 121c of the standing wall portion 121 in the direction away from the substrate 200 (upward) (see FIG. 3(c)).

[0039] The housing 13 is formed with a recess 132a that is engaged with the locking portion 123. More specifically, the columnar portion 132 is formed with a recess 132a that is engaged with the locking portion 123. For example, a plurality of recesses 132a are formed at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction of the columnar portion 132 at the upper end of the columnar portion 132. The recesses 132a are formed so as to be recessed corresponding to the shape of the locking portion 123 from the upper end of the columnar portion 132 toward the substrate 200. The recesses 132a are also formed at positions corresponding to the locking portion 123, except for an area where the housing 13 is not formed.

[0040] The columnar portion 132 is formed with an abutment portion 132b that abuts against a region of the tip portion 121c of the standing wall portion 121 near the inner circumferential surface 121b. For example, the abutment portion 132b is formed in a stepped shape at the upper end portion in correspondence with a region of the tip portion 121c of the standing wall portion 121 near the inner circumferential surface 121b, over the entire periphery of the region in which the housing 13 is formed. The abutment portion 132b abuts against the tip portion 121c secondarily suppresses the movement of the housing 13 in the upward direction.

[0041] The press-fit portion 133 is a convex surface facing the inner peripheral surface 121b of the standing wall portion 121. As shown in FIG. 7, the housing 13 is formed separately from the ground contact 12. The housing 13 is inserted into the area surrounded by the standing wall portion 121, and is press-fitted and fixed to the ground contact 12. Here, the press-fit portion 133 presses the inner peripheral surface 121b of the standing wall portion 121 to fix the ground contact 12 and the housing 13. By fixing them in this manner, it is possible to prevent the housing 13 from falling off the ground contact 12. A plurality of (for example, four) press-fit portions 133 are provided on the outer peripheral surface 13a of the housing 13.

[0042] Returning to FIG. 3(a), the housing 13 is provided only in the area surrounded by the vertical wall portion 121. When the receptacle connector 10 is viewed in a plan view, the housing 13 is provided only in an area closer to the contact portion 111 than the tip of the terminal portion 112 in the extension direction of the terminal portion 112. The housing 13 is formed so as to expose the exposed portion 11x of the signal contact 11 to the outside. The housing 13 may be formed so as to expose the exposed portion 11x to the outside by, for example, having a configuration in which a portion is cut out.

[0043] In the receptacle connector 10, the signal contacts 11 are seamlessly surrounded by the ground contacts 12. In other words, the receptacle connector 10 has a structure in which the periphery of the signal contacts 11 is completely closed. Such a receptacle connector 10 is configured such that signals from the signal contacts 11 are unlikely to leak outside the ground contacts 12 (a configuration in which noise is unlikely to be generated).

[0044] [Mating state of receptacle connector and plug connector] Next, referring to Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the connector device 1 in a state where the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 100 are mated with each other will be described. Figure 8(a) is a plan view, and Figure 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). As shown in Figure 8(b), the plug connector 100 includes signal contacts 101, ground contacts 102, and a housing 103.

[0045] The signal contact 101 is electrically connected to the signal contact 11 of the receptacle connector 10. The signal contact 101 is attached inside the housing 103. The signal contact 101 is also connected to the inner conductor SC1 of the coaxial cable SC, and is also connected to the contact portion 111 of the signal contact 11.

[0046] The ground contact 102 extends along the X direction. One end of the ground contact 102 in the extending direction is formed into a cylindrical shape to be fitted into the ground contact 12 of the receptacle connector 10. The other end of the ground contact 102 in the extending direction is connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable SC. A fitting protrusion 102x is formed in an area near the lower end of the cylindrical shape of the ground contact 102, protruding toward the center in the radial direction around the entire circumference.

[0047] The housing 103 is formed in a cylindrical shape and holds the signal contacts 101 and the ground contacts 102 in an insulated state. The outer circumferential surface of the housing 103 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the ground contacts 102.

[0048] The mating recess 12x in the vertical wall portion 121 of the receptacle connector 10 engages with the mating protrusion 102x in the ground contact 102 of the plug connector 100. This brings the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 100 into a mated state. In the mated state, the terminal portion 112 is accommodated in an area surrounded by the ground contact 102 of the plug connector 100.

[0049] In the mated state, the signal contact 101 connected to the inner conductor SC1 of the coaxial cable SC is in contact with the contact portion 111 of the receptacle connector 10. The contact portion 111 is connected to a signal terminal portion (not shown) of the board 200 via a terminal portion 112. This forms a signal transmission circuit of the connector device 1.

[0050] In addition, in the mated state, the ground contact 102 connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable SC is in contact with the standing wall portion 121 of the receptacle connector 10. The standing wall portion 121 is connected to a ground terminal portion (not shown) of the board 200 via a board connection portion 122. This forms a ground circuit of the connector device 1.

[0051] [Effects of this embodiment] Next, the function and effect of the above-described receptacle connector 10 (electrical connector 10) will be described.

[0052] The electrical connector 10 of this embodiment is an electrical connector 10 mounted on a board 200, and comprises: a signal contact 11 having a contact portion 111 extending in a direction away from the board 200 and a terminal portion 112 extending along the board 200 so as to be pulled out from the contact portion 111; a vertical wall portion 121 that seamlessly surrounds the contact portion 111; a ground contact 12 having a board connection portion 122 that is formed integrally with the vertical wall portion 121 and extends outward along the board 200 to seamlessly surround the vertical wall portion 121; and an insulating housing 13 that is arranged between the signal contact 11 and the ground contact 12 and holds the signal contact 11 and the ground contact 12.

[0053] In the electrical connector 10 according to this embodiment, the periphery of the contact portion 111 of the signal contact 11 is seamlessly surrounded by the vertical wall portion 121 of the ground contact 12 in the direction away from the board 200. Moreover, the periphery of the vertical wall portion 121 is seamlessly surrounded by the board connection portion 122 of the ground contact 12 in the direction along the board 200. Furthermore, an insulating housing 13 is interposed between the signal contact 11 and the ground contact 12. According to this configuration, the signal contact 11 is seamlessly surrounded by the ground contact 12, so that the signal from the signal contact 11 is unlikely to leak outside the ground contact 12 (a configuration in which noise is unlikely to be generated). This can improve the EMI characteristics of the electrical connector.

[0054] In the electrical connector 10 according to this embodiment, the housing 13 has a columnar portion 132 extending along the inner circumferential surface 121b of the standing wall portion 121. With this configuration, the contact area between the housing 13 and the standing wall portion 121 is increased. This allows the housing 13 to more appropriately hold the signal contacts 11 and the ground contacts 12.

[0055] In the electrical connector 10 according to this embodiment, the ground contacts 12 have protruding locking portions 123 that protrude into the area surrounded by the vertical wall portions 121 and lock the housing 13 to the ground contacts 12. According to this configuration, the vertical wall portions 121 and the columnar portions 132 extending along the inner peripheral surface 121b of the vertical wall portions 121 are engaged with each other by the locking portions 123 that protrude into the area surrounded by the vertical wall portions 121. This prevents the housing 13 from falling off, and therefore the housing 13 can be held more appropriately.

[0056] In the electrical connector 10 according to this embodiment, the locking portion 123 protrudes from a tip portion 121c, which is an end portion of the standing wall portion 121 in a direction away from the board 200, toward a region surrounded by the standing wall portion 121, and a recessed portion 132a that is locked by the locking portion 123 is formed in the housing 13. The protruding locking portion 123 is fitted into the recessed portion 132a formed in the columnar portion 132, thereby further suppressing movement (e.g., rotation) of the housing 13 along the inner peripheral surface 121b of the standing wall portion 121. This makes it possible to hold the housing 13 more suitably.

[0057] In the electrical connector 10 according to this embodiment, the tip 121c of the vertical wall portion 121 is formed to bend toward the area surrounded by the vertical wall portion 121. With this configuration, within the area surrounded by the vertical wall portion 121, the housing 13 along the inner circumferential surface 121b comes into contact with the tip 121c, thereby secondarily suppressing the movement of the housing 13 in the direction away from the board 200. This makes it possible to hold the housing 13 more suitably.

[0058] In the electrical connector 10 according to this embodiment, a pair of locking portions 123 are provided facing each other across the contact portion 111. Since the pair of locking portions 123 faces each other around the periphery of the contact portion 111, movement of the housing 13 is suppressed in a balanced manner, and the housing 13 can be held more suitably.

[0059] In the electrical connector 10 according to this embodiment, the ground contacts 12 and the housing 13 are formed separately, and the housing 13 has a press-fit portion with a convex surface that faces the inner peripheral surface 121b of the vertical wall portion 121. Since the ground contacts 12 and the housing 13 are formed separately, the electrical connector can be manufactured by an assembly method, and therefore the manufacturing equipment can be simplified. In addition, the press-fit portion with a convex surface presses the inner peripheral surface 121b of the vertical wall portion 121 of the ground contacts 12, thereby increasing the fixing strength of the housing 13, and the housing 13 can be held more suitably.

[0060] In the electrical connector 10 according to this embodiment, the ground contact 12 has a vertical wall portion 121 and a board connecting portion 122 integrally formed by drawing. The vertical wall portion 121 and the board connecting portion 122 of the ground contact 12 are integrally formed by drawing, and no seam is formed between the vertical wall portion 121 and the board connecting portion 122. This improves the ease of manufacturing the ground contact 12.

[0061] [Second embodiment] With reference to Fig. 9, details of a receptacle connector 20 (electrical connector 20) in the second embodiment will be described, focusing mainly on differences from the receptacle connector 10 (first embodiment). As shown in Fig. 9(a) to Fig. 9(c), the receptacle connector 20 includes signal contacts 11, ground contacts 12, and a housing 13. In the receptacle connector 20, the signal contacts 11, the ground contacts 12, and the housing 13 are integrally formed by insert molding.

[0062] The locking portion 123 has a tapered shape that is gradually thinner toward the contact portion 111 (that is, the region of the locking portion 123 closer to the contact portion 111 becomes thinner).

[0063] The housing 13 is formed integrally with the ground contact 12 by insert molding so as to enclose the periphery of the locking portion 123. For example, the housing 13 is filled along the inner circumferential surface 121b of the standing wall portion 121, and the columnar portion 132 is formed. The housing 13 is also filled along the periphery of the tapered locking portion 123, and the columnar portion 132 and the locking portion 123 are fixed together. The tip of the locking portion 123 may or may not reach the inner circumferential surface of the columnar portion 132 of the housing 13 (it may penetrate the columnar portion 132).

[0064] [Effects of this embodiment] In the electrical connector 20 according to this embodiment, the housing 13 is integrally formed with the ground contact 12 by insert molding so as to enclose the periphery of the locking portion 123. By fixing the columnar portion 132 and the locking portion 123, the housing 13 can be more suitably held.

[0065] [Third embodiment] An overview of a connector device 3 in the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. As shown in Figure 10, the connector device 3 includes a receptacle connector 30 (electrical connector 30) and a plug connector 300. Details of the connector device 3 will be described below, focusing on differences from the connector device 1 (first embodiment).

[0066] The connector device 3 is a multi-core connector having a plurality of connection terminals. The plug connector 300 is connected to a plurality of coaxial cables SC (signal transmission members). When the receptacle connector 30 and the plug connector 300 are mated with each other, the shape of the plug connector 300 as seen from the receptacle connector 30 and the shape of the receptacle connector 300 as seen from the plug connector 300 are both approximately rectangular. Hereinafter, the direction along the long side of this rectangle (Y direction) is referred to as the long side direction, and the direction along the short side of this rectangle (X direction) is referred to as the short side direction.

[0067] Next, the receptacle connector 30 according to the third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 12 to 17. As shown in Figures 12(a) to 12(c), the receptacle connector 30 includes signal contacts 31, ground contacts 32, and a housing 33.

[0068] The signal contacts 31 are attached so as to be surrounded by the housing 33. A plurality of (for example, three) signal contacts 31 are provided. For example, one signal contact 31 is arranged in the center of the receptacle connector 30, and two other signal contacts 31 are arranged along the long side direction so as to sandwich the central signal contact 31. All the signal contacts 31 are arranged so that their contact directions as seen from the plug connector 300 are along the same direction.

[0069] 13(a) and 13(b), the signal contact 31 is a conductor having a pair of protrusions. The protrusions of the signal contact 31 each protrude along the Z direction. The signal contact 31 has a connection portion with the substrate 200 and a contact portion with the signal contact 301 of the plug connector 300, which are interconnected. The signal contact 31 is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate.

[0070] The signal contact 31 has a contact portion 311 extending in a direction away from the substrate 200 (upward), and a terminal portion 312 extending along the substrate 200 so as to be drawn out from the lower end of the contact portion 311 .

[0071] The contact portion 311 has a first portion 311a, a second portion 311b, and a connecting portion 311c. The first portion 311a and the second portion 311b each protrude toward the plug connector 300 along the Z direction. The first portion 311a and the second portion 311b extend along the connection direction so as to face each other in the short side direction. The first portion 311a and the second portion 311b each contact the signal contact 301 of the plug connector 300 so as to sandwich the signal contact 301 (see FIG. 17(b)). The connecting portion 311c connects the lower end of the first portion 311a to the lower end of the second portion 311b.

[0072] The terminal portion 312 is formed in a rectangular shape. For example, the terminal portion 312 is formed so that the length in the Y direction is shorter than the length in the X direction when viewed from the Z direction. The terminal portion 312 is continuous with the lower end of the contact portion 311, extends forward in the X direction (a direction moving away from the inner conductor SC1 of the coaxial cable SC (see FIG. 17(b))), and is connected to a signal terminal portion (not shown) of the substrate 200.

[0073] 12(a), the terminal portion 312 is accommodated in an area surrounded by the ground contact 32. The terminal portion 312 also has an exposed portion 31x, which is a tip area, exposed to the outside. The exposed portion 31x is a contact area of ​​the terminal portion 312 with a signal terminal portion (not shown).

[0074] 14(a) to 14(c), the ground contact 32 is a conductor having a shape in which a square tube is arranged in the center of one side of a rectangular plate. When the ground contact 32 is viewed from above, the central region of the ground contact 32 is hollowed out in a rectangular shape. The ground contact 32 is electrically connected to a ground contact 302 of a plug connector 300 (see FIG. 17(b)). The ground contact 32 has a pair of long sides in the long side direction and a pair of short sides in the short side direction.

[0075] The ground contact 32 has a vertical wall portion 321 that seamlessly surrounds the periphery of the contact portion 311, and a board connection portion 322 that is formed integrally with the vertical wall portion 321 and extends outward along the board 200 to seamlessly surround the periphery of the vertical wall portion 321. The ground contact 32 also has a protruding locking portion 323 that protrudes toward the area surrounded by the vertical wall portion 321 and locks the housing 33 to the ground contact 32.

[0076] The vertical wall portion 321 is formed in a square cylindrical shape with the Z direction as its axial direction. The vertical wall portion 321 accommodates the housing 33 in its cylindrical hole. The vertical wall portion 321 seamlessly surrounds the periphery of the housing 33, thereby seamlessly surrounding the contact portion 311 of the signal contact 31. A fitting recess 32x is formed on the outer circumferential surface 321a of the vertical wall portion 321, recessed toward the axial center of the vertical wall portion 321, over the entire circumference. The fitting recess 32x is fitted with a fitting protrusion 302x formed on the outer periphery of the ground contact 302 of the plug connector 300 (see FIG. 17(b)). The inner circumferential surface 321b of the vertical wall portion 321 contacts the outer circumferential surface 33a of the housing 33 (described later) except for the region where the housing 33 is not formed (see FIG. 17(b)).

[0077] The standing wall portion 321 is formed with a tip portion 321c which is an end portion (upper end portion) in a direction away from the substrate 200. The end portion here does not refer only to the tip portion, but also includes a region in the vicinity of the tip portion. The tip portion 321c of the standing wall portion 321 is formed so as to bend toward a region surrounded by the standing wall portion 321. The tip portion 321c comes into contact with a contact portion 332b of the housing 33, which will be described later, in a region close to the inner circumferential surface 321b. By coming into contact in this manner, the tip portion 321c assists in suppressing the movement of the housing 33 in the upward direction.

[0078] The board connection portion 322 is formed in a plate shape, is continuous with the lower end of the standing wall portion 321, and extends radially outward along the board 200 to seamlessly surround the periphery of the standing wall portion 321. The board connection portion 322 is disposed on the board 200 (see FIG. 11) and is connected to a ground terminal portion (not shown) of the board 200.

[0079] In the ground contact 32, the standing wall portion 321 and the board connection portion 322 are integrally formed by drawing. For example, in the ground contact 32, the standing wall portion 321, which is the side portion, and the board connection portion 322, which is the flange portion, are integrally formed by applying drawing (e.g., square tube drawing) to a metal plate. Since the ground contact 32 is formed by drawing, no joint is formed in the standing wall portion 321 and the board connection portion 322. In addition, the standing wall portion 321 is formed continuously with the board connection portion 322 so as to stand upright from the board connection portion 322.

[0080] The locking portion 323 is a protrusion that protrudes toward the area surrounded by the vertical wall portion 321. For example, the locking portion 323 protrudes from a tip portion 321c, which is an end portion of the vertical wall portion 321 in a direction away from the board 200, toward the area surrounded by the vertical wall portion 321. The locking portion 323 is formed integrally with the tip portion 321c so as to be continuous with the tip portion 321c. The locking portion 323 is locked to the housing 33, thereby suppressing the movement of the housing 33 along the inner peripheral surface 321b of the vertical wall portion 321. The locking portion 323 is also provided in a pair so as to face each other with the contact portion 311 therebetween. That is, the locking portion 123 is provided in a pair so as to protrude toward the center of the receptacle connector 10. Two or more pairs of the locking portions 323 may be provided.

[0081] 15(a) to 15(c), the housing 33 is an insulating member formed in a rectangular shape. The housing 33 is made of, for example, resin. In this embodiment, the housing 33 and the signal contacts 31 are manufactured by an assembly method. For example, the housing 33 and the signal contacts 31 may be integrally formed by insert molding.

[0082] The housing 33 is disposed between the signal contacts 31 and the ground contacts 32, and holds the signal contacts 31 and the ground contacts 32. The housing 33 is disposed so as to surround a portion of the signal contacts 31 and be surrounded by the standing wall portion 321 of the ground contact 32. An outer peripheral surface 33a of the housing 33 contacts an inner peripheral surface 321b of the standing wall portion 321, except for an area where the housing 33 is not formed (see FIG. 17(b)).

[0083] The housing 33 has a base 331, a columnar portion 332, and a press-fit portion 333. The base 331 is formed in a rectangular shape and is disposed in the center of the housing 33. The base 331 has an upper surface 331a facing the plug connector 300 and a bottom surface 331b facing the board 200. The base 331 has a support portion 33y, which is a hole for attaching the contact portion 311, formed along the long side direction from the upper surface 331a to the bottom surface 331b. The support portions 33y are formed in the number corresponding to the number of the signal contacts 31 (i.e., three), at positions corresponding to the positions where the signal contacts 31 are disposed. In this embodiment, three signal contacts 31 are formed, but one of them may be a ground contact 32, or the ground contacts 32 may be appropriately provided according to the number of the signal contacts 31.

[0084] The columnar portion 332 is formed in a square tube shape, and is formed continuously with the base portion 331 so as to surround the outer periphery of the base portion 331. The columnar portion 332 extends in the Z direction along the inner peripheral surface 321b of the standing wall portion 321. The tip (upper end) of the columnar portion 332 may be shaped to reach the tip portion 321c of the standing wall portion 321, or may be shaped not to reach the tip portion 321c (extending only below the tip portion 121c). The tip of the columnar portion 332 is formed so as not to exceed the tip portion 321c of the standing wall portion 321 in the direction away from the substrate 200 (upward) (see FIG. 12(c)).

[0085] The housing 33 is formed with a recess 332a that is engaged with the locking portion 323. More specifically, the columnar portion 332 is formed with a recess 332a that is engaged with the locking portion 323. For example, a plurality of recesses 332a are formed at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction of the columnar portion 332 at the upper end of the columnar portion 332. The recesses 332a are formed so as to be recessed corresponding to the shape of the locking portion 323 from the upper end of the columnar portion 332 toward the substrate 200. The recesses 332a are also formed at positions corresponding to the locking portion 323, except for an area where the housing 33 is not formed.

[0086] The columnar portion 332 is formed with an abutment portion 332b that abuts against a region of the tip portion 321c of the standing wall portion 321 near the inner circumferential surface 321b. For example, the abutment portion 332b is formed in a stepped shape at the upper end portion in correspondence with a region of the tip portion 321c of the standing wall portion 321 near the inner circumferential surface 321b, over the entire periphery of the region in which the housing 33 is formed. The abutment portion 332b abuts against the tip portion 321c secondarily suppresses the movement of the housing 33 in the upward direction.

[0087] The press-fit portion 333 is a convex surface facing the inner peripheral surface 321b of the standing wall portion 321. As shown in FIG. 16, the housing 33 is formed separately from the ground contact 32. The housing 33 is inserted into the area surrounded by the standing wall portion 321, and is press-fitted and fixed to the ground contact 32. Here, the press-fit portion 333 presses the inner peripheral surface 321b of the standing wall portion 321 to fix the ground contact 32 and the housing 33. By fixing them in this manner, it is possible to prevent the housing 33 from falling off the ground contact 32. A plurality of press-fit portions 333 (for example, four press-fit portions corresponding to the four corners of the housing 33) are provided on the outer peripheral surface 33a of the housing 33.

[0088] Returning to FIG. 12(a), the housing 33 is provided only in the area surrounded by the vertical wall portion 321. When the receptacle connector 30 is viewed from above, the housing 33 is provided only in an area closer to the contact portion 311 than the tip of the terminal portion 312 in the extension direction of the terminal portion 312. The housing 33 is formed so as to expose the exposed portion 31x of the signal contact 31 to the outside. For example, the housing 33 may be formed so as to expose the exposed portion 31x to the outside by being partially cut out. Since the exposed portion 31x of the signal contact 31 is exposed to the outside when viewed from above, when the receptacle connector 30 is mounted on the board 200, the connection between the signal contact 31 and the board 200 can be visually confirmed.

[0089] In the receptacle connector 30, the signal contacts 31 are seamlessly surrounded by the ground contacts 32. In other words, the receptacle connector 30 has a structure in which the periphery of the signal contacts 31 is completely closed. Such a receptacle connector 30 is configured so that signals from the signal contacts 31 are unlikely to leak outside the ground contacts 32 (a configuration in which noise is unlikely to be generated).

[0090] [Mating state of receptacle connector and plug connector] Next, referring to Figures 17(a) and 17(b), the connector device 3 in a state where the receptacle connector 30 and the plug connector 300 are mated with each other will be described. Figure 17(a) is a plan view, and Figure 17(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). As shown in Figure 17(b), the plug connector 300 includes signal contacts 301, ground contacts 302, and a housing 303.

[0091] The signal contact 301 is electrically connected to the signal contact 31 of the receptacle connector 30. The signal contact 301 is attached inside the housing 303. The signal contact 301 is also connected to the inner conductor SC1 of the coaxial cable SC, and is connected by being sandwiched between the contact portion 311 of the signal contact 31.

[0092] The ground contact 302 extends along the X direction. One end of the ground contact 302 in the extending direction is formed into a square tube shape to be fitted into the ground contact 32 of the receptacle connector 30. The other end of the ground contact 302 in the extending direction is connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable SC. A fitting protrusion 302x is formed in a region near the lower end of the square tube shape of the ground contact 302, protruding toward the center in the radial direction around the entire circumference.

[0093] The housing 303 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape, and holds the signal contacts 301 and the ground contacts 302 in an insulated state. The outer circumferential surface of the housing 303 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the ground contacts 302.

[0094] The mating recess 32x of the vertical wall portion 321 of the receptacle connector 30 and the mating protrusion 302x of the ground contact 302 of the plug connector 300 engage with each other. This brings the receptacle connector 30 and the plug connector 300 into a mated state. In the mated state, the terminal portion 312 is accommodated in an area surrounded by the ground contact 302 of the plug connector 300.

[0095] In the mated state, the signal contact 301 connected to the inner conductor SC1 of the coaxial cable SC is in contact with a contact portion 311 of the receptacle connector 30. The contact portion 311 is connected to a signal terminal portion (not shown) of the board 200 via a terminal portion 312. This forms a signal transmission circuit of the connector device 3.

[0096] In the mated state, the ground contact 302 connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable SC is in contact with the standing wall portion 321 of the receptacle connector 30. The standing wall portion 321 is connected to a ground terminal portion (not shown) of the board 200 via a board connection portion 322. This forms a ground circuit of the connector device 3. Note that the plug connector 300, which is the mating connector in the third embodiment, is connected to the coaxial cable SC, but may be a mating connector to which another board to which, for example, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) is connected is connected.

[0097] Although the embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10...receptacle connector (electrical connector), 11...signal contact, 111...contact portion, 112...terminal portion, 121...standing wall portion, 122...board connection portion, 12...ground contact, 13...housing, 20...receptacle connector (electrical connector), 200...board, 30...receptacle connector (electrical connector), 31...signal contact, 311...contact portion, 312...terminal portion, 321...standing wall portion, 322...board connection portion, 32...ground contact, 33...housing.

Claims

1. An electrical connector mounted on a substrate, a signal contact having a contact portion extending in a direction away from the substrate and a terminal portion extending along the substrate so as to be led out from the contact portion; a ground contact having a vertical wall portion seamlessly surrounding the contact portion, and a board connection portion formed integrally with the vertical wall portion, extending outward along the board to seamlessly surround the vertical wall portion, and connected to the board over the entire periphery of the vertical wall portion; an insulating housing disposed between the signal contacts and the ground contacts and holding the signal contacts and the ground contacts; Equipped with the terminal portion is accommodated within a region surrounded by the ground contact, the ground contact has a protruding locking portion that protrudes from a tip portion, which is an end portion of the vertical wall portion in a direction away from the board, toward a region surrounded by the vertical wall portion and locks the housing to the ground contact; The housing is formed with a recess that is engaged with the engaging portion. Electrical connector.

2. An electrical connector to be mounted on a substrate, a signal contact having a contact portion extending in a direction away from the substrate and a terminal portion extending along the substrate so as to be led out from the contact portion; a ground contact having a vertical wall portion seamlessly surrounding the contact portion, and a board connection portion formed integrally with the vertical wall portion, extending outward along the board to seamlessly surround the vertical wall portion, and connected to the board over the entire periphery of the vertical wall portion; an insulating housing disposed between the signal contacts and the ground contacts and holding the signal contacts and the ground contacts; Equipped with the terminal portion is accommodated within a region surrounded by the ground contact, the ground contact has a protruding locking portion that protrudes from a tip portion, which is an end portion of the vertical wall portion in a direction away from the board, toward a region surrounded by the vertical wall portion and locks the housing to the ground contact; The locking portions are provided in pairs so as to face each other with the contact portion therebetween. Electrical connector.

3. 3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a columnar portion extending along an inner circumferential surface of the vertical wall portion.

4. 4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the standing wall portion is formed so as to bend toward a region surrounded by the standing wall portion.

5. The ground contact and the housing are formed separately, 5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a press-fit portion having a convex surface facing an inner circumferential surface of said standing wall portion.

6. 6. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said ground contact has said upright wall portion and said board connecting portion integrally formed by drawing.

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