Connector Assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector assembly capable of suppressing deformation of and damage to a connector, due to displacement of one connector in a connector fitting state.SOLUTION: A connector assembly is structured so that one of a first connector and a second connector into an inner side of the other one and thereby the first connector is fitted to the second connector. The first connector includes a projection part projected to a side where the second connector is arranged in a fitting direction of the first and second connectors. The second connector includes a regulation part that regulates the deformation of the first connector in a crossing direction crossed to the fitting direction. In the state where the first connector is fitted with the second connector, the regulation part regulates the displacement of the first connector by being coming into contact with the projection part in the cross direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly formed by mating a first connector with a second connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Among connector assemblies, there are connector assemblies configured by fitting two connectors together, such as the connector assembly described in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as connector assembly 1).

[0003] 25, the connector assembly 1 is composed of a receptacle connector 2 and a plug connector 3. The plug connector 3 fits into the space inside a first shell 4 of the receptacle connector 2, thereby forming the connector assembly 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-192656 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above connector assembly 1, after the connectors are mated, the plug connector 3 may be displaced relative to the receptacle connector 2 in a direction intersecting the mating direction of the connectors. In this case, the second shell 5 of the plug connector 3 comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the first shell 4, and an external force acts from the first shell 4 to the second shell 5. This external force causes the second shell 5 to deform so as to be displaced inward.

[0006] On the other hand, the second shell 5 is attached to the housing 7 in a state in which it surrounds the housing 7 which holds the contacts 6. If the second shell 5 is deformed by an external force, it will come into contact with and press against a side wall of the housing 7, and there is a risk that the side wall of the housing 7 will be deformed or damaged by the pressing force from the second shell 5.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to achieve the following: It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector assembly that solves the above problems of the conventional technology and can suppress deformation and damage of the connectors that may occur when one of the connectors is displaced when the connectors are mated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector assembly of the present invention is a connector assembly formed by one of a first connector and a second connector inserting inside the other and mating the first connector with the second connector, wherein the first connector has a protrusion that protrudes toward the side where the second connector is positioned in the mating direction of the first connector and the second connector, and the second connector has a regulating portion that regulates displacement of the second connector in a cross direction that intersects the mating direction, and when the first connector is mated with the second connector, the regulating portion regulates displacement of the second connector by contacting the protrusion in the cross direction.

[0009] In the connector assembly of the present invention, when the first connector is mated with the second connector, the restricting portion contacts the protruding portion in a direction intersecting the mating direction to restrict displacement of the second connector, thereby suppressing an external force caused by displacement of the second connector, and as a result, deformation and damage of the second connector that may be caused by the external force are effectively suppressed.

[0010] The first connector may have a first contact, a first housing that holds the first contact, and a first shell that surrounds the first housing. The second connector may have a second contact that is connected to the first contact, a second housing that holds the second contact, and a second shell that surrounds the second housing. The first shell may have an opening at one end of the first shell in the mating direction, and a bottom wall at an end opposite the opening in the mating direction. In this case, it is preferable that the protruding portion protrudes from the bottom wall toward the side where the opening is located. According to the above configuration, since the protruding portion protrudes from the bottom wall of the first shell, the protruding portion can be easily provided inside the first connector.

[0011] It is more preferable that, in a state in which the first connector is mated with the second connector, the restricting portion is positioned outer than the protruding portion in the intersecting direction. According to the above configuration, since the restricting portion is located outside the protruding portion in the intersecting direction, when the second connector is displaced in the intersecting direction, the restricting portion is located in the direction of the displacement as viewed from the protruding portion, thereby making it possible to effectively restrict the displacement of the second connector.

[0012] In the above configuration, the intersecting direction may include a first intersecting direction and a second intersecting direction that are perpendicular to each other. Each of the first connector and the second connector may extend longer in the second intersecting direction than in the first intersecting direction. In this case, it is more preferable that the restricting portion is located outside the protruding portion in the first intersecting direction when the first connector is mated with the second connector. According to the above configuration, the displacement of the second connector in the first intersecting direction can be effectively restricted.

[0013] In the above configuration, when the first connector is mated with the second connector, a shield may be provided inside the connector assembly along the first intersecting direction. In this case, it is more preferable that the protrusion is disposed closer to the corner of the first connector than the shield in the second intersecting direction. According to the above configuration, the displacement of the second connector in the first intersecting direction (specifically, the displacement in the direction of rotation about the axis along the fitting direction) can be more effectively restricted.

[0014] The protruding portion may have two protruding portions arranged at positions spaced apart from each other in the first intersecting direction, and it is preferable that the restricting portion has two restricting portions arranged at positions corresponding to the two protruding portions in the first intersecting direction. According to the above configuration, since two protruding portions and two restricting portions are provided, the displacement of the second connector in the first intersecting direction can be restricted more effectively.

[0015] Also, the first housing may be attached to the first shell by being sandwiched between two protrusions. According to the above configuration, the first housing is attached to the first shell by press-fitting the first housing between the two protrusions. That is, the protrusion is used to restrict the displacement of the second connector together with the restricting portion, as well as to attach the first housing to the first shell. This makes it possible to reduce the number of components of the connector assembly compared to a case in which parts (sections) are provided separately for each purpose.

[0016] The protrusion may be made of the same material as the bottom wall and may be integrated with the bottom wall. In other words, the protrusion and the bottom wall may be molded as one piece. This allows the number of components of the first connector to be reduced compared to when the protrusion and the bottom wall are separate parts. In the above configuration, the protruding portion and the bottom wall may be formed from the same metal plate.

[0017] The second shell may have an extending wall extending in the fitting direction and a curved wall curved from an end of the extending wall in the fitting direction toward the inside in the intersecting direction. In this case, it is more preferable that a restricting portion is provided at an end of the curved wall on the inside in the intersecting direction. According to the above configuration, a part of the curved wall of the second shell (specifically, an inner end in the intersecting direction) can be used to provide the restricting portion.

[0018] In the above configuration, it is more preferable that a notch is formed in an inner end portion of the curved wall in the intersecting direction, and that the portion of the curved wall in which the notch is formed constitutes the restricting portion. According to the above configuration, the restricting portion can be provided by utilizing the portion of the curved wall where the notch is formed. Also, according to the above configuration, interference between the protrusion and the curved wall can be easily avoided when the connectors are mated with each other, so that the connectors can be mated with each other smoothly.

[0019] The second connector may be inserted inside the first connector and engaged with the second connector, the second housing may have a sidewall at an end of the second housing in the intersecting direction, and the second connector may further include a reinforcing member having higher rigidity than the second housing. It is more preferable that a portion of the reinforcing member is attached to the sidewall in a state where it is inserted between an outer wall surface located on the side of the sidewall facing the second shell and an inner wall surface located on the opposite side to the outer wall surface. According to the above configuration, a portion of the reinforcing member is fitted between the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the side wall of the second housing and attached to the side wall. With this configuration, when an external force acts on the side wall of the housing from the second shell, the portion of the reinforcing member attached to the side wall resists the external force, thereby suppressing deformation and damage to the side wall. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, a connector assembly is realized that is capable of suppressing deformation and damage to the second connector that may occur when the second connector is displaced in a direction intersecting the mating direction in a mated state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of a connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cross section II of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a JJ cross section of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a side view of a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front view of a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the first connector as viewed from below. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an exploded equipment view of a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first housing is press-fitted between two protrusions. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a side view of a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a front view of a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is an exploded equipment view of a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a shield. [Figure 21] 2 is a perspective view showing the first connector and the second connector in a mated state, excluding the housing and the contacts. FIG. [Figure 22] 3 is a plan view showing the first connector and the second connector in a mated state, excluding the housing and the contacts. FIG. [Diagram 23] 7 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the protruding end portion of FIG. 6. [Figure 24] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of the protruding end portion. [Diagram 25] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a conventional connector assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, one embodiment of a connector assembly according to the present invention will be described with reference to an example configuration shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0023] The embodiment described below is merely an example given to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved from the following embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The material, shape, design dimensions, etc. of each part constituting the connector assembly of the present invention can be set according to the application of the present invention and the state of the art at the time of carrying out the present invention. The present invention also includes equivalents thereof.

[0024] In the following description, the three mutually orthogonal directions are referred to as the X, Y, and Z directions, with the X direction being the width direction of the connector assembly, the Y direction being the front-rear direction of the connector assembly, and the Z direction being the up-down direction of the connector assembly. Here, the Z direction corresponds to the mating direction of the first connector and the second connector, and the X and Y directions correspond to intersecting directions that intersect with the mating direction. The intersecting directions include a first intersecting direction and a second intersecting direction that are orthogonal to each other, with the X direction corresponding to the first intersecting direction and the Y direction corresponding to the second intersecting direction.

[0025] In the following description, the +Z side is the upper side of the connector assembly, and the -Z side is the lower side of the connector assembly. Here, the +Z side is the side where the second connector is located when viewed from the first connector in the Z direction.

[0026] In addition, in this specification, "orthogonal" and "parallel" include the range of error generally accepted in the technical field of the present invention, and also include states where they are deviated from strictly perpendicular and parallel within a range of less than a few degrees (e.g., 2 to 3°).

[0027] Also, for ease of explanation, hereinafter, the mating of the first connector with the second connector will be referred to as "connector mating," and the state in which the first connector is mated with the second connector will be referred to as the "connector mated state."

[0028] <<Examples of connector assembly configurations>> An outline of the configuration of a connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, connector assembly 100) will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Figure 6 shows a cross section II of Figure 5, which is an XZ plane passing through a blocking plate 80 described later. Figure 7 shows a cross section JJ of Figure 5, which is an XY plane passing through a protrusion 42 described later.

[0029] The connector assembly 100 has as its components a first connector 10 shown in Fig. 1 and a second connector 50 shown in Fig. 2. In the connector assembly 100, the first connector 10 is a receptacle connector, and the second connector 50 is a plug connector. The second connector 50 fits inside the first connector 10, thereby fitting the connectors together to form the connector assembly 100.

[0030] The first connector 10 is mounted on a substrate by having its -Z end fixed by solder to the surface of the substrate (not shown). As shown in Fig. 1, the first connector 10 has a generally rectangular appearance in a plan view and extends longer in the Y direction than in the X direction. The first connector 10 has a symmetrical structure with respect to the center positions in the X and Y directions.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the first connector 10 has first contacts 12, 14, a first housing 20 that holds the first contacts 12, 14, a first shell 30 that surrounds the first housing 20, and an insulating shield piece 40 that constitutes the insulating shield 120.

[0032] The first contact 12 held in the center (housing center 21) of the first housing 20 in the Y direction is a contact for low-frequency signal transmission or power supply. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of (six in FIG. 1) first contacts 12 are held in the housing center 21. The first contacts 14 held in both ends (housing end 22) of the first housing 20 in the Y direction are contacts for high-frequency signal transmission, that is, terminals for RF (Radio Frequency). The high frequency corresponds to a frequency band of, for example, 6 GHz or higher, including the 28 GHz band used for 5G (5th Generation). In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, one first contact 14 is held in each of the housing ends 22 on the +Y side and the -Y side.

[0033] The first housing 20 is a molded product made of an insulating resin material, and is assembled to the first shell 30 while being disposed inside the first shell 30. The first shell 30 is a metallic frame having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the end on the +Z side is an open end. That is, the first shell 30 has an opening M at one end in the mating direction of the connectors, as shown in FIG. 1. When the connectors are mated, the second connector 50 enters the inside of the first connector 10 through the opening M. Then, in the mated state, the second connector 50 is entirely accommodated in the inner space of the first shell 30, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7.

[0034] 1, two blocking shield pieces 40 are attached to each of the +Y side and -Y side housing ends 22. The two blocking shield pieces 40 attached to each housing end 22 form a pair, are disposed at the same position in the Y direction, and are spaced apart from each other in the X direction.

[0035] The second connector 50 is mounted on a substrate by having its end on the +Z side fixed by solder to the surface of the substrate (not shown). As shown in Fig. 2, the second connector 50 has a generally rectangular appearance in a plan view and extends longer in the Y direction than in the X direction. The second connector 50 has a symmetrical structure with respect to the center positions in the X and Y directions.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the second connector 50 has second contacts 52, 54, a second housing 60 that holds the second contacts 52, 54, a second shell 70 that surrounds the second housing 60, and an insulating plate 80 that constitutes the insulating shield 120.

[0037] The second housing 60 has a center portion (housing center portion 61) in the Y direction that holds the same number of second contacts 52 as the first contacts 12 (six in FIG. 2). Each second contact 52 is disposed at a position corresponding to the first contact 12, and is electrically connected to the corresponding first contact 12 when the connectors are mated. This enables transmission of low-frequency signals between the connectors. Each of the +Y side and Y side ends (housing ends 62) of the second housing 60 holds one second contact 54 for transmitting high-frequency signals. Each second contact 54 is disposed at a position corresponding to the first contact 14, and is electrically connected to the corresponding first contact 14 when the connectors are mated. This enables transmission of high-frequency signals between the connectors.

[0038] The second housing 60 is a molded product made of an insulating resin material, and is assembled to the second shell 70 while being disposed inside the second shell 70. The second shell 70 is a metal frame having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and in the connector mated state, the outer wall surface of the second shell 70 is adjacent to the inner wall surface of the first shell 30 as shown in FIG.

[0039] The blocking plate 80 is a metal plate extending in the X direction as shown in Fig. 2, and is attached to the second housing 60 by, for example, insert molding. A plurality of blocking plates 80 (two in Fig. 2) are provided in the Y direction between the second contacts 54 held at the housing ends 22 on the +Y side and -Y side. Each blocking plate 80 constitutes a blocking shield 120 together with the blocking shield piece 40 in the connector mated state (see Figs. 20 to 22).

[0040] The shields 120 are provided inside the connector assembly 100 in the mated state, and a plurality of shields (specifically, two shields) are provided between the high-frequency signal contacts arranged one on each of the +Y side and the -Y side. Each shield 120 is provided extending along the X direction in order to suppress crosstalk between the high-frequency signal contacts (see FIGS. 21 and 22).

[0041] <<Detailed configuration of the first connector>> The detailed configuration of the first connector 10 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 14. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first housing 20 is press-fitted between two protrusions 42, and this cross section is taken along the XZ plane passing through the protrusions 42.

[0042] The first housing 20 has a plurality of portions aligned in the Y direction, specifically a housing central portion 21, and housing end portions 22 on the +Y side and -Y side. As shown in Figs. 8 and 13, the housing central portion 21 has a central protrusion 23 located in the center in the X direction, and side protrusions 24 located on both sides of the central protrusion 23 in the X direction. The central protrusion 23 and the two side protrusions 24 extend along the Y direction, and a fitting groove 25 is provided between the central protrusion 23 and the side protrusions 24. A plurality of first contacts 12 (three in Fig. 1) are fitted into each fitting groove 25 at intervals in the Y direction.

[0043] As shown in Figures 8 and 13, each of the housing ends 22 on the +Y side and -Y side of the first housing 20 has a fitting recess 26 formed in the center in the X direction so as to be recessed inward in the Y direction. The fitting recess 26 has an open end at the outer end in the Y direction, and the other ends are closed by a wall surface that rises vertically to the +Z side. As can be seen from Figures 12 and 13, the first contact 14 is press-fitted inward in the Y direction into the fitting recess 26.

[0044] 8 and 13, each housing end 22 has an engagement recess 27 formed at the +X side and -X side end, respectively, recessed outward in the Y direction. The engagement recess 27 has an open end at the inner end in the Y direction, and the other ends are closed by a wall surface that rises vertically to the +Z side. An insulating shield piece 40 fits into the engagement recess 27, and engages with the wall surface located at the outer end of the engagement recess 27 in the Y direction.

[0045] The blocking shield piece 40 is made of a metal piece that is bent into a substantially S-shape when viewed from the side and protrudes toward the +Z side. As shown in Figures 8, 9, 12, and 13, the blocking shield piece 40 is provided on the outer side of the first contact 12 held in the housing center portion 21 in the Y direction, and is disposed in substantially the same position as the first contact 14 held in the housing end portion 22.

[0046] In this embodiment, the blocking shield piece 40 is integrated with the first shell 30 and is made of the same metal plate as the first shell 30. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the blocking shield piece 40 is formed by raising a portion of the bottom wall 31 of the first shell 30, which has been punched into a predetermined shape, toward the +Z side and bending it into a substantially S-shape.

[0047] The first shell 30 is in contact with a conductive pattern for grounding (not shown) of the board on which the first connector 10 is mounted, and is connected to a ground potential. This allows the first shell 30 to exhibit a shielding function, blocking the first contacts 12, 14 from being affected by external influences (electromagnetic interference).

[0048] As shown in Figs. 8 to 14, the first shell 30 has a bottom wall 31 provided at an end on the -Z side (i.e., the end opposite the opening M) and a side wall 32 rising from the outer edge of the bottom wall 31 to the +Z side. The side wall 32 has a rectangular shape in a plan view as shown in Fig. 8, and has a pair of long side portions 33 extending in the Y direction and a pair of short side portions 34 extending in the X direction. The pair of long side portions 33 and the pair of short side portions 34 are connected seamlessly and without interruption as shown in Figs. 8 and 12. That is, the side wall 32 is seamlessly continuous around the entire periphery of the first shell 30.

[0049] 12 and 13, the end (upper end) on the +Z side of the side wall 32 is bent toward the outside of the first shell 30 to form a flange portion 35. The flange portion 35 is provided in the first shell 30 to surround the opening M. Since the upper end of the side wall 32 is bent toward the outside of the first shell 30 to form the flange portion 35 in this manner, the second connector 50 is appropriately guided inside the first shell 30 when the connectors are fitted together.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the side wall 32 is partially provided with a raised portion 36 that is raised toward the inside of the first shell 30 by pressing the wall body of the side wall 32 inward.

[0051] The bottom wall 31 is made of a flat plate along the XY plane, and extends toward the inside of the first shell 30 as shown in Figures 9 and 12. The first housing 20 is placed on the upper surface (surface on the +Z side) of the bottom wall 31, and the lower surface (surface on the -Z side) of the bottom wall 31 is fixed to the substrate.

[0052] In this embodiment, the bottom wall 31 is integrally formed with the side wall 32, and more specifically, is made of the same metal plate as the side wall 32. That is, the first shell 30 shown in Figs. 8 to 13 is made of a single metal plate, and can be manufactured by applying drawing (strictly speaking, square cylinder drawing) to this metal plate. The material of the metal plate is not particularly limited, but copper alloys such as brass and bronze, stainless steel, etc. can be used. The thickness of the metal plate is not particularly limited, but is set to, for example, 0.06 mm to 0.15 mm.

[0053] In this embodiment, most of the bottom wall 31 is punched out, and the bottom wall 31 is composed of edge portions 37, corner portions 38, and connecting portions 39. The edge portions 37 are narrow portions provided along the outer edge of the inner space of the first shell 30, as shown in Figures 9 and 12. The corner portions 38 exist in the form of approximately rectangular fragments at the four corners of the first shell 30.

[0054] The connecting portion 39 extends linearly in the X direction and connects the +X side end and the -X side end of the edge portion 37, and a plurality of connecting portions (specifically, two connecting portions) are provided at positions spaced apart from each other in the Y direction as shown in Figures 9 and 12. The connecting portions 39 provided on the +Y side and the -Y side are disposed between the corner portion 38 on the +Y side and the corner portion 38 on the -Y side in the Y direction. The aforementioned blocking shield pieces 40 are continuous with the connecting portions 39, and two blocking shield pieces 40 extend to the +Z side from each of the +Y and -Y side connecting portions 39. In other words, the position where the connecting portions 39 are provided in the Y direction corresponds to the position where the blocking shield 120 is provided in the connector mated state.

[0055] 8 and 13, a protrusion 42 is provided on the inside of the first shell 30, protruding from the bottom wall 31 toward the +Z side, that is, toward the side where the second connector 50 is disposed as viewed from the first connector 10. The protrusion 42 is a columnar convex portion that protrudes from the bottom wall 31 toward the side where the opening M is located, and the protrusion amount (more specifically, the protrusion amount from the upper surface of the bottom wall 31) is about 0.1 mm. Two protrusions 42 are disposed at positions separated from each other in the X direction, and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, one pair of the two protrusions 42 is provided on the +Y side and one pair on the -Y side.

[0056] The two protrusions 42 provided on the +Y side and the -Y side, respectively, have a symmetrical structure with respect to the center in the X direction of the first connector 10, and the two protrusions 42 are disposed at the same position in the Y direction. The distance between the two protrusions 42 in the X direction is approximately the same as the width of the housing end 22 of the first housing 20. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the end face of the protrusion 42 on the inner side in the X direction (i.e., the end face facing the paired protrusion 42) bulges out in a mountain shape.

[0057] 8 and 13, each of the protrusions 42 is provided in the first shell 30 near one of the four corners of the first shell 30 (in other words, the corners of the first connector 10). Specifically, the two protrusions 42 provided on the +Y side are provided at positions closer to the +Y side corners of the first connector 10 than the +Y side connecting portion 39, i.e., the blocking shield 120 provided on the +Y side. The two protrusions 42 provided on the -Y side are provided at positions closer to the -Y side corners of the first connector 10 than the -Y side connecting portion 39, i.e., the blocking shield 120 provided on the -Y side.

[0058] In this embodiment, each protrusion 42 is made of the same material as the bottom wall 31 and the side wall 32 of the first shell 30, and more specifically, is made of the same metal plate as the bottom wall 31 and the side wall 32. To be more specific, the protrusion 42 is formed by cutting and bending the top (inner end) of each corner 38 and standing it up on the +Z side. As a result, the bottom wall 31 and the side wall 32 of the first shell 30, the protrusion 42, and the blocking shield piece 40 are all integrated. As a result, the number of components of the first connector 10 is reduced compared to when each of these parts is separated into separate parts. However, this is not limited to this, and the protrusion 42 may be formed of a separate part from the first shell 30.

[0059] The protrusions 42 described above are used to attach the first housing 20 to the first shell 30. More specifically, the first housing 20 is inserted into the first shell 30 from the opening M side and placed in a predetermined position. At this time, as shown in Fig. 14, the housing end 22 is press-fitted between the two protrusions 42 and sandwiched between the protrusions 42. In this way, the first housing 20 is attached (assembled) to the first shell 30.

[0060] <<Details of the second connector configuration>> The detailed configuration of the second connector 50 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0061] The second housing 60 has multiple portions aligned in the Y direction, specifically a housing center portion 61, and housing end portions 62 on the +Y side and -Y side. As shown in Figures 15 and 19, the housing center portion 61 has a contact holding portion 63 that rises on the -Z side and extends in the Y direction. Two contact holding portions 63 are provided with a gap between them in the X direction. Each contact holding portion 63 has a plurality of recesses formed with a gap between them in the Y direction, and the second contacts 52 are press-fitted into each recess.

[0062] 15 and 19, the housing end 62 has a contact holding portion 64 and side walls 65, 66 arranged on the outside of the contact holding portion 64. The contact holding portion 64 has a recess formed on the inside in the Y direction, and the second contact 54 is press-fitted into the recess.

[0063] The side walls 65 are walls that rise vertically to the -Z side and are provided on the edge portions of the housing ends 62. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the side walls 65 (hereinafter, X-direction side walls 65) are provided on the edge portions of the housing ends 62 in the X direction. The X-direction side walls 65 form the ends (side ends) of the second housing 60 in the X direction. In addition, two side walls 66 (hereinafter, Y-direction side walls 66) are provided on the outer edge portions of the housing ends 62 in the Y direction with a gap therebetween in the X direction. The recesses into which the second contacts 54 are press-fitted are provided between the Y-direction side walls 66 in the X direction as shown in FIGS. 15 and 19.

[0064] Each side wall 65, 66 has a thickness and has an outer wall surface S1 located on the side facing the second shell 70 in the thickness direction, and an inner wall surface S2 located on the opposite side to the outer wall surface S1 (see FIG. 23). The outer wall surface S1 is a flat surface parallel to the Z direction and is adjacent to the inner wall surface of the second shell 70. In this embodiment, a small gap is provided between the outer wall surface S1 and the inner wall surface of the second shell 70 (see FIG. 23). However, this is not limited, and the gap may be infinitesimally small, or the outer wall surface S1 may be adjacent to the inner wall surface of the second shell 70.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 19, a sidewall recess 67 is provided on the inner side of the sidewall 65 in the X direction, recessed in a trapezoidal shape outward in the X direction. When the second housing 60 is attached to the second shell 70, the sidewall recess 67 and the restricting portion 78 of the second shell 70 overlap in the Z direction, as shown in Fig. 15. More specifically, the sidewall recess 67 and the restricting portion 78 overlap such that their outer edges coincide with each other.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 19, an engagement recess 68 is provided on the inner side of the side wall 66 in the Y direction and recessed outward in the Y direction. As shown in Fig. 15, an engagement piece 77 of the second shell 70 engages with the engagement recess 68.

[0067] The second shell 70 is made of a metal plate, for example, a copper alloy such as brass or bronze, or a stainless steel plate. The thickness of the metal plate constituting the second shell 70 is set to, for example, 0.06 mm to 0.15 mm. The end of the +Z side of the second shell 70 is in contact with a conductive pattern for grounding (not shown) of the board on which the second connector 50 is mounted, and is connected to the ground potential. This allows the second shell 70 to perform a shielding function, blocking external influences (electromagnetic interference) on the second contacts 52, 54. The second shell 70 is fixed to the board over its entire periphery by soldering.

[0068] 15 and 19, the second shell 70 of the present embodiment is divided into two pieces in the Y direction. To explain in detail, the two pieces each having a substantially C-shape in plan view are arranged so that their lip-side ends (open ends) face each other to form the second shell 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second shell 70 may be a single continuous, indivisible frame body.

[0069] The structure of the two pieces constituting the second shell 70 is symmetrical in the Y direction. As shown in Figs. 15 to 19, each piece has a pair of first walls 71 arranged in parallel with a gap in the X direction, and a second wall 72 located between the pair of first walls 71 in the X direction. As shown in Fig. 17, the first wall 71 has an extending wall 73 that rises perpendicularly to the Z direction and extends in the Y direction, and a curved wall 74 that curves in an arc shape from the end of the -Z side of the extending wall 73 toward the inside in the X direction. A predetermined portion of the end of the +Z side of the extending wall 73 is cut out in a substantially rectangular shape as shown in Fig. 17. As shown in Fig. 17, the X direction end of the blocking plate 80 (more specifically, the end of the extending portion 81) faces into this cutout.

[0070] 15 and 19, in each of the pair of first wall portions 71, a trapezoidal cutout is formed in an end portion on the outer side in the Y direction and the inner side in the X direction of the curved wall 74. Note that the shape of the cutout is not limited to a trapezoid and may be, for example, a rectangular or semicircular shape. The above-mentioned cutout is provided for the purpose of preventing the protrusion 42 of the first connector 10 from interfering with the second shell 70, more specifically, the curved wall 74 of the first wall portion 71, when the connectors are fitted together. Therefore, the above-mentioned cutout is disposed at a position corresponding to the protrusion 42 in the X and Y directions.

[0071] Specifically, the first connector 10 has two protrusions 42 spaced apart from each other in the X direction on each of the +Y side and the -Y side. Correspondingly, the second connector 50 has the above-mentioned notches formed in the curved walls 74 of a pair of first wall portions 71 aligned in the X direction on each of the +Y side and the -Y side.

[0072] In addition, the portion of the curved wall 74 where the notch is formed is used to restrict the displacement (positional deviation) of the second connector 50 in the X direction and the Y direction when the connectors are in a mated state. In other words, the portion of the curved wall 74 where the notch is formed constitutes a restricting portion 78 that restricts the displacement of the second connector 50. As shown in Figs. 15 and 19, the restricting portion 78 is provided at the end of the curved wall 74 on the inner side in the X direction. Also, as described above, the restricting portion 78 is disposed at a position corresponding to each of the two protruding portions 42 that are separated from each other in the X direction. In other words, two restricting portions 78 are provided at the end of each of the +Y side and -Y side of the second shell 70, which are disposed with an interval in the X direction.

[0073] 15 and 19, the restricting portions 78 are provided in the second shell 70 near the four corners of the second shell 70 (in other words, the corners of the second shell 70). Specifically, the two restricting portions 78 provided on the +Y side are provided at positions closer to the corners of the +Y side of the second connector 50 than the blocking plate 80 on the +Y side, i.e., the blocking shield 120 provided on the +Y side. The two restricting portions 78 provided on the -Y side are provided at positions closer to the corners of the -Y side of the second connector 50 than the blocking plate 80 on the -Y side, i.e., the blocking shield 120 provided on the -Y side.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 18, the second wall portion 72 has an extending wall 75 that rises perpendicularly to the Z direction and extends in the X direction, and a curved wall 76 that curves in an arc shape from the -Z side end of the extending wall 75 toward the inside in the Y direction. Both ends of the extending wall 75 in the X direction are bent at approximately right angles as shown in Fig. 16, and have portions that extend toward the inside in the Y direction (hereinafter, extending wall end portions 75A). As shown in Fig. 16, the extending wall end portions 75A are disposed in a position parallel to and adjacent to the extending wall 73 of the first wall portion 71 in the X direction.

[0075] 15 and 19, the curved wall 76 is formed with an engagement piece 77 that is curved in an inverted J shape from the inner end in the Y direction toward the -Z side. Also, each of the first wall portion 71 and the second wall portion 72 is provided with a protrusion 79 that protrudes in a bead shape from the outer surfaces of the extending walls 73, 75 as shown in FIGS.

[0076] The second shell 70 configured as above is attached to the -Z side end of the second housing 60 by inserting the engagement pieces 77 into the engagement recesses 68 as shown in FIG.

[0077] The blocking plate 80 is made of a member having higher rigidity than the second housing 60, specifically a metal member, for example, a copper alloy plate such as brass or bronze. The thickness of the metal plate constituting the blocking plate 80 is designed to be within a range of 0.06 mm to 0.15 mm, for example. In this embodiment, the blocking plate 80 is attached to the second housing 60 by insert molding as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the blocking plate 80 may be attached to the second housing 60 by providing a recess (not shown) in the second housing 60 and press-fitting the blocking plate 80 into the recess.

[0078] The blocking plate 80 constitutes the blocking shield 120 together with the blocking shield piece 40 in the connector mated state, but in this embodiment, it also functions as a reinforcing member that reinforces the second housing 60. This reinforcing function will be described later.

[0079] 15, the +Y side blocking plate 80 is disposed between the second contacts 52 held by the contact holding portion 63 and the second contacts 54 held by the +Y side contact holding portion 64. The -Y side blocking plate 80 is disposed between the second contacts 52 held by the contact holding portion 63 and the second contacts 54 held by the -Y side contact holding portion 64. The bottom surface (+Z side surface) of each blocking plate 80 is fixed to the board along the X direction by solder. The blocking plate 80 may be soldered continuously over the entire range from the +X side end to the -X side end, or may be soldered intermittently in the X direction.

[0080] The blocking plate 80 has an extending portion 81 that extends linearly along the X direction at the end on the +Z side (see FIG. 6). The extending portion 81 is a prism-shaped portion, and is embedded in the bottom of the second housing 60. The end face on the +Z side of the extending portion 81 is exposed from the bottom of the second housing 60, and is fixed to the board with solder.

[0081] A tongue-shaped first blocking portion 82 that rises vertically toward the -Z side is provided in the center of the extending portion 81 in the X direction and is continuous with the extending portion 81 (see FIG. 6). On both sides of the first blocking portion 82 in the X direction, as shown in FIG. 19, second blocking portions 83 that rise while curving toward the +Z side are provided. The second blocking portions 83 arranged on the +X side and the -X side are curved in an S-shape when viewed from the side and have elasticity.

[0082] Furthermore, the blocking plate 80 has a protruding end portion 84 that protrudes from the end face on the -Z side of the extending portion 81 and is continuous with the extending portion 81 at a position outer than the second blocking portion 83 in the X direction (see FIGS. 6 and 23). The protruding end portions 84 are provided on both ends of the blocking plate 80 in the X direction, and protrude in an oblique direction relative to the extending portion 81.

[0083] The blocking plate 80 is attached to the second housing 60 by insert molding, so that each protruding end 84 is embedded in the X-direction side wall 65 of the second housing 60 (see FIG. 6). Specifically, the +X-side protruding end 84 is embedded in the +X-side side wall 65, and the -X-side protruding end 84 is embedded in the -X-side side wall 65. In other words, the protruding end 84, which is a part of the blocking plate 80, is attached to the side wall 65 in a state in which it is inserted between the outer wall surface S1 and the inner wall surface S2 of the side wall 65 in the X direction. Incidentally, since the protruding end 84 protrudes in an oblique direction as described above, it is embedded in the side wall 65 in a state in which it is difficult to come out.

[0084] <<About the connector mating state>> The first connector 10 and the second connector 50 in the connector mated state will be described with reference to Figures 20 to 24. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the blocking shield 120, and this cross section is a YZ plane passing through the blocking shield piece 40 and the blocking plate 80. Figures 21 and 22 are views showing the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 in the connector mated state, respectively, excluding the housing and contacts. Figure 23 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the protruding end 84 in Figure 6, and Figure 24 is a view corresponding to Figure 23 and shows a modified example of the protruding end 84.

[0085] In the connector mated state, the second connector 50 is entirely housed inside the first shell 30. In addition, in the connector mated state, the second shell 70 contacts the first shell 30 in the X direction and the Y direction. More specifically, the protrusion 79 provided on the second shell 70 contacts the inner wall surface of the side wall 32 of the first shell 30 (see FIG. 6). In addition, the raised portion 36 provided on the side wall 32 contacts the outer wall surface of the second shell 70 (see FIG. 6).

[0086] 20 to 22, in the connector mated state, each of the two second blocking portions 83 of the blocking plate 80 elastically deforms and comes into contact with the corresponding blocking shield piece 40, maintaining contact with the blocking shield piece 40. As a result, the blocking plate 80 and the blocking shield piece 40 constitute the blocking shield 120.

[0087] 21 and 22, in the connector mated state, each of the two protrusions 42 arranged on the +Y side and the -Y side of the first connector 10 faces a restricting portion 78 provided on the curved wall 74 of the second shell 70. More specifically, the restricting portion 78 is arranged at a position outside each of the protrusions 42 in the X direction, and the edges of the protrusions 42 and the restricting portion 78 are adjacent to each other with a small clearance therebetween (see FIG. 7).

[0088] 21 and 22, in the connector mated state, the protrusion 42 fits inside the cutout portion forming the restricting portion 78 in the curved wall 74 in the X direction. In the normal connector mated state, that is, when the second connector 50 is placed in the correct position in the first shell 30, the protrusion 42 is spaced from the edge of the restricting portion 78 by about 0.05 mm.

[0089] With the above configuration, in the connector mated state, the restricting portion 78 can restrict the displacement of the second connector 50 in the X direction relative to the first connector 10. To be more specific, in the connector mated state, for example, the second connector 50 may be displaced in a direction twisted about the Z axis relative to the first connector 10 (the direction indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 4). At this time, the restricting portion 78 (strictly speaking, the restricting portion 78 on the same side as the direction in which the second connector 50 is displaced as viewed from the protrusion 42) comes into contact with the protrusion 42 in the X direction. More specifically, of the edge of the cutout forming the restricting portion 78, a portion located at the end in the X direction locks the protrusion 42. This restricts the displacement of the second connector 50.

[0090] The restriction portion 78 restricts the displacement of the second connector 50, thereby suppressing deformation and damage of the second connector 50 due to the displacement. To explain in detail, in the connector mated state, the outer wall surface of the second shell 70 contacts the inner wall surface of the first shell 30 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, when the second connector 50 is displaced in the above-mentioned torsional direction, the second shell 70 is pressed inward in the X direction by the first shell 30, and the first wall portion 71 of the second shell 70 is displaced inward in the X direction. The second shell 70 contacts the side wall 65 in the X direction of the second housing 60, and an external force (hereinafter, external force during torsion) acts on the side wall 65 from the second shell 70 in the X direction. Since the side wall 65 is a resin molded product, it is deformed so as to bend inward in the X direction when an external force during torsion is applied, and if the amount of deformation becomes large, there is a risk of damage or breakage.

[0091] In contrast, in the connector assembly 100 of this embodiment, the protrusion 42 abuts against the restricting portion 78, thereby restricting the displacement of the second shell 70 in the X direction. This prevents the external force acting on the side wall 65 during torsion, thereby suppressing deformation and damage to the side wall 65. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, the protrusion 42 is disposed at a position closer to the corner of the first connector 10 than the shield 120, and the restricting portion 78 is disposed at a position closer to the corner of the second connector 50 than the shield 120. With this configuration, the protrusion 42 and the restricting portion 78 can effectively restrict the displacement of the second connector 50 in the torsional direction.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the strength of the second housing 60 against external forces, more specifically, the strength of the side wall 65 in the X direction, is increased by the blocking plate 80. To explain in more detail, as shown in Fig. 23, the protruding end 84 of the blocking plate 80 fits between the outer wall surface S1 and the inner wall surface S2 of the side wall 65. This allows the protruding end 84 to receive the external force acting on the side wall 65 during twisting. As a result, deformation of the side wall 65 is restricted, thereby suppressing damage and breakage of the side wall 65 and protecting the second connector 50.

[0093] In this embodiment, the protruding end 84 extends outward in the X direction, and its tip surface (the end surface on the outer side in the X direction) is disposed on the same plane as the outer wall surface S1 of the side wall 65 in the X direction as shown in Fig. 23, and is continuous with the outer wall surface S1. With this configuration, the effect of the blocking plate 80 in resisting the external force during torsion is more appropriately exhibited.

[0094] Note that the tip surface of the protruding end 84 needs only to be on the same plane as the outer wall surface S1 and exposed while being surrounded by the outer wall surface S1, and for example, a gap may be provided between the tip surface of the protruding end 84 and the outer wall surface S1. Also, as shown in Fig. 24, the tip surface of the protruding end 84 may protrude outward from the outer wall surface S1 in the X direction. Also, although not particularly shown, the tip surface of the protruding end 84 may be located inside the outer wall surface S1 in the X direction and between the outer wall surface S1 and the inner wall surface S2.

[0095] In this embodiment, the blocking plate 80 is fixed to the substrate along the X direction by soldering, and a protruding end 84 is provided at the X direction end of the blocking plate 80. Since an external force during torsion acts along the X direction, the effect of the blocking plate 80 against the external force during torsion is more effectively exerted in combination with the bonding force with the substrate by the solder.

[0096] In this embodiment, the second shell 70 is in contact with the first shell 30 in the connector mated state, and the second shell 70 receives a contact force from the first shell 30 and is easily deformed inward in the X direction. Therefore, the side wall 65 in the X direction is easily subjected to an external force during torsion, and the effect of the blocking plate 80 in resisting the external force during torsion becomes more significant.

[0097] <<Other embodiments>> The connector assembly of the present invention has been described above using specific examples, but the above-described embodiment is merely an example provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and embodiments other than those described above may also be considered.

[0098] In the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the first connector having the protrusion is a receptacle connector, the second connector having the restriction portion is a plug connector, and the second connector fits inside the first connector. However, this is not limited thereto, and the first connector having the protrusion may be a plug connector, the second connector having the restriction portion is a receptacle connector, and the first connector may fit inside the second connector.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the protrusion contacts the edge of the restricting portion in the X direction to restrict the displacement of the second connector in the X direction. However, this is not limited to this, and the protrusion and the restricting portion may be configured such that the protrusion contacts the restricting portion in the Y direction to restrict the displacement of the second connector in the Y direction.

[0100] In the above embodiment, when the connectors are in a mated state, the restricting portion is disposed outside the protruding portion in the intersecting direction (specifically, the X direction), and when the second connector is displaced, the protruding portion comes into contact with the restricting portion on the outside of the protruding portion. However, this is not limited to this, and the restricting portion may be disposed inside the protruding portion in the intersecting direction, and the protruding portion may come into contact with the restricting portion on the inside of the protruding portion.

[0101] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the outer shape of each of the first shell 30 and the second shell 70 is rectangular in a planar view, but this is not limited to this, and the outer shape may be circular, trapezoidal, diamond or other quadrangle other than a rectangle in a planar view, or a polygonal shape other than a rectangle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1 Connector Assembly 2 Receptacle Connector 3 Plug Connector 4. First Shell 5. Second Shell 6 Contact 7. Housing 10 First Connector 12,14 First Contact 20 1st Housing 21 Center of housing 22 Housing end 23 Central convex part 24 Lateral convexity 25 Fitting groove 26 Fitting recess 27 Engagement recess 30 First Shell 31 Bottom wall 32 Side wall 33 Long side 34 Short side 35 Flange part 36 Ridge 37 Edge 38 Corner 39 Liaison Department 40 Blocking shield piece 42 Protrusion 50 2nd Connector 52,54 Second Contact 60 Second Housing 61 Center of housing 62 Housing end 63,64 Contact retention part 65,66 side wall 67 Side wall recess 68 Engagement recess 70 2nd Shell 71 1st wall 72 Second wall 73,75 Extension wall 75A Extension wall end 74,76 Curved Wall 77 Engagement piece 78 Regulatory Department 79 Protrusion 80 Blocking Plate 81 Extending part 82 First cutoff section 83 Second cutoff section 84 Projecting end 100 Connector assembly M opening S1 Exterior wall S2 Inner wall

Claims

1. A connector assembly configured by fitting one of a first connector and a second connector into the other, the first connector being fitted into the second connector, the first connector has a first contact, a first housing that holds the first contact, a first shell that surrounds the first housing, and a protruding portion that protrudes toward a side on which the second connector is disposed in a fitting direction of the first connector and the second connector, the second connector includes a second contact connected to the first contact, a second housing that holds the second contact, a second shell that surrounds the second housing, and a restricting portion that restricts displacement of the second connector in a direction intersecting the mating direction, The second shell has an extending wall extending in the fitting direction and a curved wall curved from an end of the extending wall in the fitting direction toward the inside in the intersecting direction, A notch is formed at an inner end of the curved wall in the intersecting direction, A portion of the curved wall where the notch is formed constitutes the restriction portion, A connector assembly in which, when the first connector is mated with the second connector, the regulating portion regulates displacement of the second connector by contacting the protrusion that is inserted into the notch in the intersecting direction.

2. the first shell has an opening at one end of the first shell in the fitting direction, and a bottom wall at an end opposite to the opening in the fitting direction; The connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion protrudes from the bottom wall toward a side where the opening is located.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the restricting portion is located outwardly of the protruding portion in the intersecting direction when the first connector is mated with the second connector.

4. The intersecting direction includes a first intersecting direction and a second intersecting direction that are perpendicular to each other, each of the first connector and the second connector extends longer in the second intersecting direction than in the first intersecting direction; The connector assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the restricting portion is located outwardly of the protruding portion in the first intersecting direction when the first connector is mated with the second connector.

5. When the first connector is mated with the second connector, a shield is provided inside the connector assembly along the first intersecting direction, The connector assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the protrusion is disposed at a position closer to the corner of the first connector than the blocking shield is in the second intersecting direction.

6. The protrusion includes two protrusions arranged at positions spaced apart from each other in the first intersecting direction, 6. The connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the restricting portion includes two restricting portions arranged at positions corresponding to the two protruding portions, respectively, in the first intersecting direction.

7. 7. The connector assembly of claim 6, wherein said first housing is attached to said first shell by being sandwiched between said two projections.

8. 8. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion is made of the same material as the bottom wall and is integral with the bottom wall.

9. 9. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion and the bottom wall are formed from the same metal plate.

10. The second connector is inserted inside the first connector, and the first connector is fitted to the second connector, the second housing has a side wall at an end of the second housing in the transverse direction, the second connector further includes a reinforcing member having higher rigidity than the second housing, 10. A connector assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein a portion of the reinforcing member is attached to the side wall in a state where it is sandwiched between an outer wall surface located on the side of the side wall facing the second shell and an inner wall surface located opposite the outer wall surface.

Images