Connector Assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector assembly structured to reduce a size in a pitch direction.SOLUTION: A connector assembly 10 comprises a connector 12 and a mating-side connector 16. The connector 12 includes a shield part 46 positioned between a first terminal and a second terminal, and a hold part 24 holding the shield part 46. The shield part 46 includes a plate portion 47 where a projection 488 is provided, and an armer portion 49. The mating-side connector 16 includes a mating-side shield part 76 positioned between a mating-side first terminal and a mating-side second terminal. The mating-side shield part 76 includes a mating-side plate portion 77. In a fitting state, a position of the plate portion 47 in a pitch direction and a position of the mating-side plate portion 77 in the pitch direction (X direction) are overlapped with each other, and the projection 488 of the plate portion 47 is in contact with the mating-side plate portion 77 in a lateral direction (Y direction). The armer portion 49 protrudes outside of the hold part 24 in the lateral direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly including a connector and a mating connector that are matable with each other. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector assembly of this type.

[0003] Referring to FIG. 14, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector assembly 90 including a first connector (connector) 92 and a second connector (mating connector) 96 that can be fitted together. The connector 92 includes a first protruding terminal (first terminal) 922, a second protruding terminal (second terminal) 924, and a first partial wall terminal 928. The first partial wall terminal 928 is located between the first terminal 922 and the second terminal 924 in the pitch direction (X direction in FIG. 14). The mating connector 96 includes a first recessed terminal (mating first terminal) 962, a second recessed terminal (mating second terminal) 964, and a second partial wall terminal 968. The second partial wall terminal 968 is located between the mating first terminal 962 and the mating second terminal 964 in the pitch direction.

[0004] In a mated state in which the connector 92 and the mating connector 96 are mated with each other, the first terminal 922 and the mating first terminal 962 come into contact with each other to form a first engagement terminal for transmitting a high-frequency signal. In a mated state, the second terminal 924 and the mating second terminal 964 come into contact with each other to form a second engagement terminal. In addition, in a mated state, the first partial wall terminal 928 and the second partial wall terminal 968 come into contact with each other in the pitch direction to form a wall-shaped terminal with no gaps (see the dashed line in FIG. 14). The first engagement terminal and the second engagement terminal are reliably separated from each other by the wall-shaped terminal, and thus high frequencies radiated from the first engagement terminal are electromagnetically shielded. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6635242 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As can be seen from FIG. 14, the wall terminal of Patent Document 1 tends to increase the size of the connector assembly 90 in the pitch direction.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly having a structure that enables the size in the pitch direction to be reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a first connector assembly, A connector assembly comprising a connector and a mating connector, The connector and the mating connector are capable of being fitted together in a vertical direction, The connector includes a housing, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a shield portion, The housing has a holding portion, the holding portion holds the first terminal, the second terminal, and the shield portion, the shield portion is located between the first terminal and the second terminal in a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, the mating connector includes a mating first terminal, a mating second terminal, and a mating shield part; the mating shield part is located between the mating first terminal and the mating second terminal in the pitch direction, When the connector and the mating connector are in a mated state, the first terminal and the mating first terminal are connected to each other, and the second terminal and the mating second terminal are connected to each other; one of the shield part and the mating shield part has a plate part, and the other of the shield part and the mating shield part has a mating plate part, At least the plate portion has a protrusion, The protrusion protrudes in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the pitch direction, In the fitted state, a position of the plate portion in the pitch direction overlaps a position of the mating plate portion in the pitch direction, and the protrusion is in contact with the mating plate portion in the lateral direction, The shield portion has an armor portion, The armor portion protrudes outward from the holding portion in the lateral direction, The armor portion extends upward to a position equal to or beyond the first terminal, and also extends upward to a position equal to or beyond the second terminal. A connector assembly is provided.

[0009] The present invention provides a second connector assembly comprising a first connector assembly, The armor portion has a top end, a side end, and a connecting portion, The upper end portion extends along the lateral direction, The side end portion extends along the up-down direction, The connecting portion connects the upper end portion and the side end portion to each other, The connecting portion protrudes from the holding portion in a plane perpendicular to the pitch direction. A connector assembly is provided.

[0010] The present invention provides a third connector assembly, which is the first or second connector assembly, The plate portion has a support portion, The support portion is elastically deformable and supports the protrusion, The protrusion comes into contact with the mating plate portion in the fitted state as the support portion elastically deforms. A connector assembly is provided.

[0011] The present invention provides a fourth connector assembly, which is any one of the first to third connector assemblies, The first terminal is a terminal for high frequency transmission. A connector assembly is provided.

[0012] The present invention provides a fifth connector assembly, which is any one of the first to fourth connector assemblies, The shield portion has the plate portion, the mating shield part has the mating plate part, The plate portion has two U-shaped portions, The U-shaped portions are aligned in the lateral direction, Each of the U-shaped portions has a base and two arms, Each of the base portions extends along the lateral direction, In each of the U-shaped portions, the arm portions are located on both sides of the base portion in the lateral direction and extend upward from the base portion, In each of the U-shaped portions, at least one of the two arms has the protrusion, the mating plate portion has two connection portions corresponding to the U-shaped portions, The connection portions are aligned in the lateral direction, In the mated state, each of the connection parts is received between the two arms of the corresponding U-shaped part and contacts the protrusion. A connector assembly is provided.

[0013] The present invention provides a sixth connector assembly, which is any one of the first to fifth connector assemblies, In the fitted state, a gap is formed between the plate portion and the mating plate portion in a plane perpendicular to the pitch direction, The width of the gap is smaller than both the plate thickness of the plate portion and the plate thickness of the mating plate portion. A connector assembly is provided.

[0014] The present invention provides a seventh connector assembly, which is any one of the first to sixth connector assemblies, The connector includes a shell, The shell has a peripheral wall portion and a lower plate portion, The peripheral wall portion is spaced from the holding portion in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction and surrounds the holding portion, The lower plate portion extends between the peripheral wall portion and the holding portion, The shield portion is integrally formed with the shell. A connector assembly is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, in the mated state, the position in the pitch direction of the plate portion provided on one of the shield portion and the mating shield portion overlaps the position in the pitch direction of the mating plate portion provided on the other of the shield portion and the mating shield portion. This structure makes it possible to provide an electromagnetic shielding function while suppressing an increase in the size of the connector assembly in the pitch direction. In other words, the present invention makes it possible to provide a connector assembly having a structure that allows the size in the pitch direction to be reduced.

[0016] The armor part of the present invention protrudes laterally outwardly from the holding part of the housing and extends vertically to a height equal to or greater than the first and second terminals. The armor part thus formed can protect the housing, the first and second terminals from damage during the fitting operation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a connector of a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the outline of a portion of a circuit board on which the connector is mounted being drawn by a dashed line. [Diagram 2]1 is a perspective view showing a mating connector of a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the outline of part of a mating circuit board on which the mating connector is mounted being drawn by a dashed line. [Diagram 3] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a connector assembly consisting of the connector of Fig. 1 and the mating connector of Fig. 2. The connector assembly is in a mated state in which the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly taken along line VV of FIG. 4. The outline of the mating connector before mating is partially drawn by a dashed line. [Figure 6] Fig. 2 is a top view showing the connector of Fig. 1. The positions of a mating first terminal and a mating second terminal of the mating connector in a mated state are drawn by dashed lines. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 6 taken along line VII-VII. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 3 is a bottom view showing the mating connector of FIG. 2. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a top view showing the mating connector of FIG. 2. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the connector of FIG. 1 excluding the housing. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11. The position of the upper end of the armor part is drawn by a dashed line. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11. The position of the upper end of the armor part is drawn by a dashed line. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Patent Document 1. The connector and the mating connector of the connector assembly are separated from each other. The approximate positions of the second partial wall terminals when the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other are drawn by dashed lines. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] 1 and 2, a connector assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a connector 12 and a mating connector 16. The connector 12 is mounted on a circuit board 82 when in use. The mating connector 16 is mounted on a mating circuit board 84 when in use. That is, the connector 12 and the mating connector 16 of this embodiment are each a so-called board connector. Also, the connector 12 is a receptacle, and the mating connector 16 is a plug. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various connector assemblies 10.

[0019] 3 to 5, the connector 12 and the mating connector 16 can be fitted to each other along the up-down direction. The up-down direction in this embodiment is the Z direction. The upside is the +Z direction. The downside is the -Z direction. Before being fitted to each other, the connector 12 and the mating connector 16 are in a separated state (not shown) in which they are separated from each other in the up-down direction. The mating connector 16 in the separated state is located above the connector 12. The mating connector 16 in the separated state can be fitted to the connector 12 by moving downward. In the fitted state (the state of FIGS. 3 to 5) in which the connector 12 and the mating connector 16 are fitted to each other, the circuit board 82 (see FIG. 1) is electrically connected to the mating circuit board 84 (see FIG. 2).

[0020] The mating connector 16 of this embodiment will now be described.

[0021] 2, the mating connector 16 of the present embodiment includes a mating housing 50 made of an insulator, a plurality of mating first terminals 62 made of a conductor, a plurality of mating second terminals 64 made of a conductor, a mating shell 70 made of a conductor, and two mating shield parts 76. The mating connector 16 of the present embodiment includes the above-mentioned members. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of the mating first terminals 62 and the number of the mating second terminals 64 may each be one. Furthermore, the mating connector 16 may include other members in addition to the above-mentioned members.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 10, the mating housing 50 has a bottom surface 52. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the bottom surface 52 is located at the upper end of the mating housing 50 in the mated state, and extends along a horizontal plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the up-down direction. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, when the connector 12 and the mating housing 50 are in a separated state in which they are separated from each other, the bottom surface 52 of the mating housing 50 is located at the upper end of the mating housing 50 and faces upward. The positions of each member and each part of the mating connector 16 in the up-down direction described below are the positions when the bottom surface 52 is at the upper end of the mating housing 50.

[0023] As shown in Figs. 2 and 9, the mating housing 50 has a mating holding portion 54. The mating holding portion 54 protrudes downward from the bottom surface 52 (see Fig. 10). The mating housing 50 in this embodiment is a single member having the above-mentioned structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mating housing 50 may be formed by combining two or more members. Furthermore, the mating housing 50 may have further portions in addition to the above-mentioned portions.

[0024] 2, the mating connector 16 of the present embodiment includes two mating first terminals 62 made of metal. Each of the mating first terminals 62 is held by the mating holding portion 54. The two mating first terminals 62 are located on both sides of the mating holding portion 54 in the pitch direction. The pitch direction in the present embodiment is the X direction. The two mating first terminals 62 are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to a vertical plane (YZ plane) perpendicular to the pitch direction. The mating first terminals 62 of the present embodiment are arranged as described above. However, the arrangement of the mating first terminals 62 in the present invention is not particularly limited.

[0025] 2, 9, and 10, the mating first terminals 62 of the present embodiment have the same structure. Each of the mating first terminals 62 has a mating first contact portion 624 and a mating first fixed portion 626. The mating first contact portion 624 has a rectangular prism shape and protrudes downward from the mating holding portion 54. The mating first fixed portion 626 is exposed upward from the bottom surface 52 of the mating holding portion 54. When the mating connector 16 is mounted on the mating circuit board 84, the mating first fixed portion 626 is fixed and connected to a conductive pad (not shown) of the mating circuit board 84 by soldering or the like. The mating first terminals 62 of the present embodiment have the above-mentioned structure. However, the structure of the mating first terminals 62 in the present invention is not particularly limited.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, the mating connector 16 of this embodiment includes six mating second terminals 64 made of metal. Each of the mating second terminals 64 is held by the mating holding portion 54. The six mating second terminals 64 are divided into two rows in a horizontal direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the pitch direction. The horizontal direction in this embodiment is the Y direction. The three mating second terminals 64 in each row are aligned in the pitch direction. The two rows of mating second terminals 64 are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to a predetermined plane (XZ plane) perpendicular to the horizontal direction. The mating second terminals 64 of this embodiment are arranged as described above. However, the arrangement of the mating second terminals 64 in the present invention is not particularly limited.

[0027] 2, 9, and 10, the mating second terminals 64 of the present embodiment have the same structure except for the difference in size in the pitch direction. Each of the mating second terminals 64 has a mating second contact portion 644 and a mating second fixed portion 646. The mating second contact portion 644 has a flat plate shape and protrudes downward from the mating holding portion 54. The mating second fixed portion 646 is exposed upward from the bottom surface 52 of the mating holding portion 54. When the mating connector 16 is mounted on the mating circuit board 84, the mating second fixed portion 646 is fixed and connected to a conductive pad (not shown) of the mating circuit board 84 by soldering or the like. The mating second terminals 64 of the present embodiment have the above-mentioned structure. However, the structure of the mating second terminals 64 in the present invention is not particularly limited.

[0028] The mating shell 70 of this embodiment has a mating peripheral wall portion 72. More specifically, the mating shell 70 of this embodiment includes two partial shells 71. Each of the partial shells 71 is a single metal plate having a bend. Each of the partial shells 71 has half of the mating peripheral wall portion 72 in the pitch direction. The two partial shells 71 are arranged side by side with a small gap in the pitch direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mating shell 70 may be a single metal plate having a bend.

[0029] The mating peripheral wall portion 72 in this embodiment is a part of the mating shell 70. In other words, the mating peripheral wall portion 72 is formed integrally with the mating shell 70. On the other hand, each of the mating shield parts 76 in this embodiment is a separate member from the mating shell 70 and is not in contact with the mating shell 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the mating shield parts 76 may be a part of the mating shell 70.

[0030] 2, when the mating connector 16 is mounted on a mating circuit board 84, the mating peripheral wall portion 72 is fixed to and grounded by soldering or the like to a conductive pad (not shown) of the mating circuit board 84. The mating peripheral wall portion 72 surrounds the mating holding portion 54 in the XY plane. That is, the mating peripheral wall portion 72 electromagnetically shields the mating first terminal 62 and the mating second terminal 64 in the XY plane.

[0031] In the present embodiment, eight spring pieces 74 are formed on the mating peripheral wall portion 72. Each of the spring pieces 74 protrudes outward from the mating peripheral wall portion 72 so as to move away from the mating holding portion 54 in the XY plane. Each of the spring pieces 74 is elastically deformable so as to move closer to the mating holding portion 54 in the XY plane. The mating peripheral wall portion 72 in the present embodiment has the above-mentioned structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the spring pieces 74 may be provided as necessary.

[0032] 5, each of the mating shield parts 76 of the present embodiment has a flat plate shape extending parallel to the YZ plane. Each of the mating shield parts 76 extends to the vicinity of the upper end of the mating peripheral wall part 72 in the lateral direction, but is not connected to the mating peripheral wall part 72. Referring to FIG. 10, each of the mating shield parts 76 is held by the mating holding part 54. The upper end of each of the mating shield parts 76 is exposed upward from the mating holding part 54. When the mating connector 16 is mounted on the mating circuit board 84 (see FIG. 2), the upper end of each of the mating shield parts 76 is fixed to and grounded by soldering or the like to a conductive pad (not shown) of the mating circuit board 84. As a result, each of the mating shield parts 76 has a ground potential and functions as a mating ground terminal.

[0033] The mating shell 70 in this embodiment is attached and fixed to the mating housing 50 by holding a part of the mating peripheral wall portion 72 by the mating housing 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the mating shield portion 76 is a part of the mating shell 70, the mating shell 70 may be attached to the mating housing 50 by holding the mating shield portion 76 by the mating housing 50.

[0034] 2, 9, and 10, the two mating shield parts 76 are arranged to sandwich the two rows of mating second terminals 64 in the pitch direction. Each of the mating shield parts 76 is located between the mating first terminals 62 and the mating second terminals 64 in the pitch direction. With reference to FIG. 5, each of the mating shield parts 76 has a mating plate part 77. Each of the mating plate parts 77 is a middle part in the lateral direction of the mating shield part 76. Each of the mating plate parts 77 has an upper end part exposed upward from the mating holding part 54, and two connecting parts 78. The two connecting parts 78 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction. Each of the connecting parts 78 has a flat plate shape and protrudes downward from the upper end part of the mating plate part 77.

[0035] The connector 12 of this embodiment will now be described.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, the connector 12 of the present embodiment includes a housing 20 made of an insulator, a plurality of first terminals 32 made of a conductor, a plurality of second terminals 34 made of a conductor, and a shell 40 made of a conductor. Referring to FIG. 1 together with FIG. 2, the first terminals 32 are provided corresponding to the mating first terminals 62 of the mating connector 16, respectively. The second terminals 34 are provided corresponding to the mating second terminals 64 of the mating connector 16, respectively. The connector 12 of the present embodiment includes the above-mentioned members. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the number of the first terminals 32 and the number of the second terminals 34 may each be one. In addition to the above-mentioned members, the connector 12 may further include other members.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 8, the housing 20 has a bottom surface 22. The bottom surface 22 is located at the lower end of the housing 20 and extends along the XY plane. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the housing 20 has a holding portion 24 and a central convex portion 26. The holding portion 24 and the central convex portion 26 protrude upward from the bottom surface 22 (see FIG. 8). The central convex portion 26 is surrounded by the holding portion 24 in the XY plane. The housing 20 of this embodiment is a single member having the above-mentioned structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the housing 20 may be formed by combining two or more members. Furthermore, the housing 20 may have further other portions in addition to the above-mentioned portions.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the holding portion 24 of this embodiment has two intermediate holding portions 242 and four corner portions 244. The two intermediate holding portions 242 are located on both sides of the holding portion 24 in the lateral direction, and extend parallel to each other along the pitch direction. The four corner portions 244 are located at the four corners of the holding portion 24 in the XY plane. The central protrusion 26 of this embodiment is located between the two intermediate holding portions 242 in the lateral direction, and extends along the pitch direction. The central protrusion 26 has an upper wall portion 262. The upper wall portion 262 is located at the upper end of the central protrusion 26. A receiving portion 14 is formed between the central protrusion 26 and each of the intermediate holding portions 242 in the lateral direction. Each of the receiving portions 14 is a space recessed downward and extends along the pitch direction.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the holding portion 24 and the central protrusion 26 each have the structure described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the central protrusion 26 may be provided as necessary. Furthermore, the structures of the holding portion 24 and the central protrusion 26 each are not particularly limited.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, the connector 12 of the present embodiment includes two first terminals 32 made of metal. The two first terminals 32 are located on both sides of the holding portion 24 in the pitch direction. The two first terminals 32 are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to the YZ plane. Each of the first terminals 32 is located between two corners 244 arranged in the horizontal direction and is held by the holding portion 24. In other words, the holding portion 24 holds the first terminals 32. The first terminals 32 of the present embodiment are arranged as described above. However, the arrangement of the first terminals 32 in the present invention is not particularly limited.

[0041] 6, 8, and 12, the first terminals 32 of this embodiment have the same structure. Each of the first terminals 32 has two first spring portions 322, two first contact portions 324, and a first fixed portion 326. Referring to Fig. 8, the first fixed portion 326 is exposed downward from the bottom surface 22 of the holding portion 24. When the connector 12 is mounted on the circuit board 82 (see Fig. 1), the first fixed portion 326 is fixed and connected to a conductive pad (not shown) of the circuit board 82 by soldering or the like.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 12 together with FIG. 6, each of the first spring portions 322 extends upward from the holding portion 24 and is elastically deformable. Referring to FIG. 6, in each of the first terminals 32, the two first spring portions 322 are aligned in the horizontal direction. In each of the first terminals 32, the two first contact portions 324 are provided on the first spring portions 322, respectively, and face each other in the horizontal direction. Each of the first contact portions 324 is movable in the horizontal direction in association with the elastic deformation of the first spring portions 322. The first terminals 32 of this embodiment have the above-mentioned structure. However, the structure of the first terminals 32 in the present invention is not particularly limited.

[0043] In the mated state, each mating first contact portion 624 of the mating first terminal 62 is sandwiched between the two first contact portions 324 while elastically deforming the first spring portion 322 of the corresponding first terminal 32. In other words, in the mated state, each of the first terminals 32 and the corresponding mating first terminal 62 are electrically connected to each other. Each of the first terminals 32 and the mating first terminal 62 of this embodiment is a terminal for high-frequency transmission. In other words, the first terminal 32 and the mating first terminal 62 connected to each other transmit a high-frequency signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the first terminals 32 and the mating first terminals 62 may be a terminal for low-frequency transmission.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, the connector 12 of the present embodiment includes six second terminals 34 made of metal. The six second terminals 34 are divided into two rows in the horizontal direction. Three second terminals 34 in each row are aligned in the pitch direction. The two rows of second terminals 34 are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to the XZ plane. The two rows of second terminals 34 correspond to two intermediate holding portions 242, respectively. Each of the second terminals 34 is held by the corresponding intermediate holding portion 242. In other words, the holding portion 24 holds the second terminals 34. The second terminals 34 of the present embodiment are arranged as described above. However, the arrangement of the second terminals 34 in the present invention is not particularly limited.

[0045] 6, 8, and 13, the second terminals 34 of this embodiment have the same structure. Each of the second terminals 34 has two second spring portions 342, two second contact portions 344, and a second fixed portion 346. Referring to Fig. 8, the second fixed portion 346 is exposed downward from the bottom surface 22 of the holding portion 24. When the connector 12 is mounted on the circuit board 82 (see Fig. 1), the second fixed portion 346 is fixed and connected to a conductive pad (not shown) of the circuit board 82 by soldering or the like.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 13 together with FIG. 6, each of the second spring portions 342 extends upward from the holding portion 24 and is elastically deformable. In each of the second terminals 34, the two second spring portions 342 are aligned in the horizontal direction. In each of the second terminals 34, the two second contact portions 344 are provided on the second spring portions 342, respectively, and face each other in the horizontal direction. Referring to FIG. 6, each of the second contact portions 344 is located inside the receiving portion 14 and can move in the horizontal direction with the elastic deformation of the second spring portions 342. The second terminals 34 of this embodiment have the above-mentioned structure. However, the structure of the second terminals 34 in the present invention is not particularly limited.

[0047] In the mated state, the mating second contact portion 644 of the mating second terminal 64 is received in the receiving portion 14. Each of the mating second contact portions 644 is sandwiched between the two second contact portions 344 while elastically deforming the second spring portion 342 of the corresponding second terminal 34. In other words, in the mated state, each of the second terminals 34 and the corresponding mating second terminal 64 are electrically connected to each other. Each of the second terminal 34 and the mating second terminal 64 of this embodiment is a terminal for low-frequency transmission. In other words, the second terminal 34 and the mating second terminal 64 connected to each other transmit a low-frequency signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the second terminal 34 and the mating second terminal 64 may be a terminal for high-frequency transmission.

[0048] 1, the shell 40 of this embodiment has a peripheral wall portion 42, a lower plate portion 44, and two shield portions 46. That is, the connector 12 includes the peripheral wall portion 42, the lower plate portion 44, and the shield portion 46. The shell 40 of this embodiment is a single bent metal plate. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shell 40 may be formed by combining two bent metal plates.

[0049] In this embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 42, the lower plate portion 44, and the shield portion 46 are each part of the shell 40. In other words, the peripheral wall portion 42, the lower plate portion 44, and the shield portion 46 are each formed integrally with the shell 40. This structure can increase the strength of the shell 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the peripheral wall portion 42, the lower plate portion 44, and the shield portion 46 may each be a member formed separately from one another.

[0050] When the connector 12 is mounted on the circuit board 82, the peripheral wall portion 42 is fixed to and grounded by soldering or the like to a conductive pad (not shown) of the circuit board 82. The peripheral wall portion 42 is spaced apart from the holding portion 24 in the XY plane and surrounds the holding portion 24. The upper end of the peripheral wall portion 42 protrudes outward while being spaced apart from the holding portion 24 in the XY plane. With reference to Figures 3 and 4 together with Figure 1, in the mated state, the peripheral wall portion 42 and the mating peripheral wall portion 72 surround and electromagnetically shield the first terminal 32, the second terminal 34, the mating first terminal 62, and the mating second terminal 64 in the XY plane.

[0051] As described above, the mating peripheral wall portion 72 of this embodiment includes two portions that are slightly separated in the pitch direction. On the other hand, the peripheral wall portion 42 of this embodiment is a single portion and can surround the mating peripheral wall portion 72 with almost no gap in the XY plane. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mating peripheral wall portion 72 may be a single portion. In this case, the peripheral wall portion 42 may include two portions.

[0052] 6 and 7, the lower plate portion 44 extends along the XY plane between the peripheral wall portion 42 and the holding portion 24. With reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, each of the shield portions 46 in this embodiment is formed by bending a part of the lower plate portion 44 at a right angle. That is, each of the shield portions 46 has the same ground potential as the shell 40 and functions as a ground terminal. Each of the shield portions 46 has a flat plate shape extending parallel to the YZ plane. Each of the shield portions 46 extends laterally and is connected to the lower plate portion 44.

[0053] 6 and 7, each of the shield portions 46 is held by the holding portion 24. In other words, the holding portion 24 holds the shield portions 46. With reference to FIG. 8, the lower end of each of the shield portions 46 is exposed downward from the holding portion 24. When the connector 12 is mounted on a circuit board 82 (see FIG. 1), the lower end of each of the shield portions 46 is fixed and grounded by soldering or the like to a conductive pad (not shown) of the circuit board 82. As a result, each of the shield portions 46 more reliably functions as a ground terminal.

[0054] 8, the shell 40 of the present embodiment is attached and fixed to the housing 20 by holding the shield portion 46 with the holding portion 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shell 40 may be attached to the housing 20 by a portion other than the shield portion 46.

[0055] 1, 6 and 8, the two shield portions 46 are disposed so as to sandwich the two rows of second terminals 34 in the pitch direction. Each of the shield portions 46 is located between the first terminals 32 and the second terminals 34 in the pitch direction. With reference to FIG. 7, each of the shield portions 46 has a plate portion 47 and two armor portions 49. Each of the plate portions 47 is a middle portion of the shield portion 46 in the lateral direction. The two armor portions 49 in each of the shield portions 46 are located on both sides of the plate portion 47 in the lateral direction.

[0056] One of the armor sections 49 of this embodiment will be described in detail below. The following description is applicable to each of the armor sections 49.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1 and 7, the armor portion 49 protrudes outward from the retaining portion 24 in the lateral direction. In particular, referring to Figures 6 and 7, the armor portion 49 has an outer end 496. The outer end 496 is located at the outermost position in the lateral direction of the armor portion 49. The retaining portion 24 has an outer end 246. The outer end 246 is located at the outermost position in the lateral direction of the retaining portion 24. The outer end 496 of the armor portion 49 is located laterally outward from the outer end 246 of the retaining portion 24.

[0058] 12 and 13, the armor portion 49 extends upward to the same position as the first terminal 32 or to a position beyond the first terminal 32, and also extends upward to the same position as the second terminal 34 or to a position beyond the second terminal 34. More specifically, the armor portion 49 has an upper end 498. The upper end 498 is located at the uppermost side of the armor portion 49. The upper end 498 is also located at the uppermost side of the shield portion 46. The first terminal 32 has an upper end 328. The upper end 328 is located at the uppermost side of the first terminal 32. The second terminal 34 has an upper end 348. The upper end 348 is located at the uppermost side of the second terminal 34. The upper end 498 of the armor portion 49 is located at the same position as or above both the upper end 328 of the first terminal 32 and the upper end 348 of the second terminal 34.

[0059] 1 and 2, during the mating operation of mating the mating connector 16 of this embodiment to the connector 12, the connector 12 and the mating connector 16 are sandwiched between the circuit board 82 and the mating circuit board 84 and cannot be seen. Therefore, the operator performing the mating operation will blindly mate the mating connector 16 to the connector 12. For example, the operator needs to position the mating connector 16 with respect to the connector 12 while changing the position of the mating connector 16 in the XY plane.

[0060] 5 together with Fig. 1, there is a risk that the mating connector 16 may be inserted into the connector 12 without being properly positioned relative to the connector 12 and in an inclined state (see the dashed line in Fig. 5). If the armor part 49 were not provided at this time, metal members such as the mating peripheral wall part 72 of the mating shell 70 would be pressed against the housing 20, the first terminal 32 or the second terminal 34, and these members would be damaged.

[0061] On the other hand, the armor portion 49 of the present embodiment protrudes laterally outward from the holding portion 24 of the housing 20, and extends vertically to a height equal to or greater than the first terminal 32 and the second terminal 34. The armor portion 49 thus formed is likely to come into contact with metal members such as the mating peripheral wall portion 72 when the position of the mating connector 16 in the XY plane shifts during a mating operation. That is, the armor portion 49 of the present embodiment can protect the housing 20, the first terminal 32, and the second terminal 34 from damage during a mating operation.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the armor part 49 of this embodiment has an upper end 492, a side end 493, and a connecting part 494. The upper end 492 extends along the lateral direction. All parts of the upper end 492 in the lateral direction protrude upward from the holding part 24. The upper end 498 is provided on the upper end 492. The side end 493 extends along the vertical direction. All parts of the side end 493 in the vertical direction protrude outward in the lateral direction from the holding part 24. The outer end 496 is provided on the side end 493. The connecting part 494 extends along a predetermined direction obliquely intersecting the vertical direction, and connects the upper end 492 and the side end 493 to each other. The connecting part 494 protrudes from the holding part 24 in the YZ plane. In detail, all parts of the connecting part 494 in the predetermined direction protrude outward from the holding part 24 to the YZ plane.

[0063] The armor part 49 of this embodiment has the above-mentioned structure. That is, the armor part 49 protrudes from the holding part 24 from the inner end in the lateral direction of the upper end part 492 to the lower end of the side end part 493. This structure can more reliably prevent damage to the housing 20, the first terminal 32, and the second terminal 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the upper end part 492, the side end part 493, and the connecting part 494 may be formed into a required shape as necessary.

[0064] 1, each of the shield parts 46 in this embodiment has two armor parts 49 that protrude laterally from both sides of the retaining part 24. Each of the armor parts 49 protrudes upward from the retaining part 24. This structure makes it easy to prevent damage to the housing 20, the first terminal 32, and the second terminal 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number and arrangement of the armor parts 49 in each of the shield parts 46 can be modified as necessary.

[0065] 5, the lower end of each of the mating shield parts 76 in this embodiment is located above the lower end of the mating peripheral wall part 72 of the mating shell 70. By forming the mating shield part 76 as described above, damage to the housing 20, the first terminal 32, and the second terminal 34 by the mating shield part 76 can be prevented. With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the upper end 498 of each of the armor parts 49 in this embodiment is located below the upper end of the peripheral wall part 42 of the shell 40. With reference to FIG. 1 together with FIG. 2, 、 By forming the armor portion 49 as described above, damage to the mating housing 50, the mating first terminal 62, and the mating second terminal 64 caused by the armor portion 49 can be prevented.

[0066] 2 and 3, in a mating operation, after the mating connector 16 is roughly positioned relative to the connector 12 in the XY plane, when the mating connector 16 is pressed downward, each of the spring pieces 74 is guided by the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 42 and elastically deforms, reliably positioning the mating connector 16 relative to the connector 12 in the XY plane. That is, the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 42 functions as a guide portion in the mating operation. Also, each of the spring pieces 74 functions as a positioning portion in the mating operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and guide portions and positioning portions may be provided as necessary.

[0067] 1, the upper wall portion 262 of the central protrusion 26 partially covers the second terminal 34 from above. The upper wall portion 262 formed in this manner prevents damage to the second terminal 34 during the fitting operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the central protrusion 26 may be provided as necessary.

[0068] Hereinafter, one of the plate portions 47 (see FIG. 7) of the present embodiment will be described in detail. The following description is applicable to each of the plate portions 47.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 7, the plate portion 47 of the present embodiment has two projections 488. Each of the projections 488 projects in the lateral direction. Referring to FIG. 5, in the mated state, each of the projections 488 contacts the mating plate portion 77 of the mating connector 16 in the lateral direction. Referring to FIG. 5 together with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the plate portion 47 and the mating plate portion 77 thus combined have a ground potential, and separate the second terminal 34 and the mating second terminal 64 from the first terminal 32 and the mating first terminal 62 in the pitch direction. That is, the plate portion 47 and the mating plate portion 77 electromagnetically shield the first terminal 32 and the mating first terminal 62 that transmit high frequency waves.

[0070] In this embodiment, the shield part 46 and the mating shield part 76 are separated from each other in a separated state. On the other hand, the shield part 46 and the mating shield part 76 contact each other in a mated state to form a conductor wall having a ground potential. This conductor wall reduces the propagation of noise from the first terminal 32 and the mating first terminal 62 that transmit high-frequency signals to the second terminal 34 and the mating second terminal 64 that transmit low-frequency signals. According to this embodiment, an electromagnetic shielding function can be provided by combining the shield part 46 and the mating shield part 76, which are separate from each other.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, the plate portion 47 of the present embodiment is a part of the shield portion 46. The mating plate portion 77 of the present embodiment is a part of the mating shield portion 76. The protrusion 488 is provided only on the plate portion 47. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the plate portion 47 may be a part of the mating shield portion 76. The mating plate portion 77 may be a part of the shield portion 46. That is, it is sufficient that one of the shield portion 46 and the mating shield portion 76 has the plate portion 47, and it is sufficient that the other of the shield portion 46 and the mating shield portion 76 has the mating plate portion 77. In addition, the mating plate portion 77 may have a protrusion. That is, it is sufficient that at least the plate portion 47 has the protrusion 488.

[0072] 5, according to this embodiment, in the mated state, the position in the pitch direction of the plate portion 47 provided on one of the shield portion 46 and the mating shield portion 76 overlaps with the position in the pitch direction of the mating plate portion 77 provided on the other of the shield portion 46 and the mating shield portion 76. This structure makes it possible to provide an electromagnetic shielding function while suppressing an increase in the size of the connector assembly 10 in the pitch direction. In other words, this embodiment makes it possible to provide a connector assembly 10 having a structure that makes it possible to reduce the size in the pitch direction.

[0073] 5 and 8, the size of the plate portion 47 in the pitch direction in this embodiment is the plate thickness TP. Referring to FIG. 4, the size of the mating plate portion 77 in the pitch direction in this embodiment is the plate thickness TP. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the plate thickness TP of the plate portion 47 is equal to the plate thickness TP of the mating plate portion 77. Also, according to this embodiment, in the mated state, the position of the plate portion 47 in the pitch direction coincides with the position of the mating plate portion 77 in the pitch direction. In other words, the plate portion 47 and the mating plate portion 77 form one plate of equal thickness in the mated state. According to this structure, it is easy to reduce the size of the connector assembly 10 in the pitch direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the plate thickness of the plate portion 47 may be different from the plate thickness of the mating plate portion 77. Also, in the mated state, the position of the plate portion 47 in the pitch direction may partially coincide with the position of the mating plate portion 77 in the pitch direction.

[0074] 8, the horizontal intermediate portion of the lower end of each shield portion 46 is sandwiched between the retaining portions 24 with a small gap therebetween. The size of this small gap in the pitch direction is extremely small compared to the plate thickness TP. That is, the horizontal intermediate portion of the lower end of each shield portion 46 is sandwiched between the retaining portions 24 with substantially no gap. According to this embodiment, the size of the connector 12 in the pitch direction can be further reduced. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the arrangement of the shield portions 46 can be modified as necessary.

[0075] 10, the horizontal middle portion of the upper end of each mating shield part 76 is sandwiched by the mating holding part 54 with substantially no gap. According to this embodiment, the size of the mating connector 16 in the pitch direction can be made smaller. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the arrangement of the mating shield part 76 can be modified as necessary.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 7, the plate portion 47 of this embodiment has two support portions 486. Each of the support portions 486 is elastically deformable and supports a protrusion 488. Referring to FIG. 5 together with FIG. 7, each of the protrusions 488 contacts the mating plate portion 77 with the elastic deformation of the support portions 486 in the mating state. According to this embodiment, damage such as the plate portion 47 being scraped by the mating plate portion 77 during the mating operation can be prevented. In addition, the plate portion 47 of this embodiment contacts the mating plate portion 77 at two points with sufficient contact force. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of support portions 486 provided with the protrusions 488 may be one, or may be three or more. The support portions 486 may be provided as necessary.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 7, the plate portion 47 of the present embodiment has two U-shaped portions 48. The U-shaped portions 48 are arranged in a horizontal direction. Each of the U-shaped portions 48 has a base portion 482 and two arms 484, 486. Each of the base portions 482 extends along the horizontal direction. In each of the U-shaped portions 48, the arms 484, 486 are located on both sides of the base portion 482 in the horizontal direction and extend upward from the base portion 482. In each of the U-shaped portions 48, the arm portion 486, which is one of the two arms 484, 486, has a protrusion 488 and functions as the support portion 486 described above.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 5, the mating plate portion 77 has two connecting portions 78 corresponding to the U-shaped portions 48, respectively. In a mated state, each of the connecting portions 78 is received between the two arm portions 484, 486 of the corresponding U-shaped portion 48 and contacts the protrusion 488. The plate portion 47 of the present embodiment contacts the mating plate portion 77 in a well-balanced manner. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the arm portion 486, or in addition to the arm portion 486, the arm portion 484 may function as a support portion. That is, in each of the U-shaped portions 48, at least one of the two arm portions 484, 486 may have a protrusion 488. Each of the protrusions 488 may protrude laterally outward or inward.

[0079] As long as the plate portion 47 and the mating plate portion 77 are in reliable contact with each other, the structure of the plate portion 47 and the structure of the mating plate portion 77 are not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the U-shaped portions 48 may be connected to each other in the lateral direction or may be separated from each other. The number of U-shaped portions 48 in each of the plate portions 47 may be one, or three or more. Moreover, the U-shaped portions 48 may be provided as necessary.

[0080] 5, in the fitted state of this embodiment, a gap 18 is formed between the plate portion 47 and the mating plate portion 77 in a plane perpendicular to the pitch direction. The width of the gap 18 is smaller than both the plate thickness TP of the plate portion 47 and the plate thickness TP of the mating plate portion 77. In particular, the size of the gap 18 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the gap 18 extends is smaller than the plate thickness TP over the entire gap 18. The gap 18 thus formed does not substantially reduce the electromagnetic shielding function of the plate portion 47 and the mating plate portion 77. In addition, by allowing the formation of the gap 18, the plate portion 47 and the mating plate portion 77 can be reliably brought into contact with each other while taking into account the tolerance.

[0081] 1, in addition to the various modifications already described, this embodiment can be modified in various ways. As described above, the arrangement and number of the first terminals 32 in the present invention are not particularly limited. However, it is preferable that each of the first terminals 32 is isolated from the other first terminals 32 and the second terminals 34 by a ground terminal. For example, the connector 12 may include two first terminals 32 arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. In this case, a ground terminal may be provided between the two first terminals 32. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10 Connector assembly 12 Connectors 14 Receptor 16 Mating Connector 18 Gap 20. Housing 22 Bottom 24 Holding part 242 Intermediate holding part 244 Corner 246 Outer edge 26 Central protrusion 262 Upper wall section 32 1st terminal 322 First spring section 324 1st contact part 326 1st fixed part 328 Top 34 2nd terminal 342 Second spring part 344 2nd contact part 346 Second fixed part 348 Top 40 Shell 42 Peripheral wall part 44 Lower plate part 46 Shield section 47 Board part 48 U-shaped part 482 Base 484 Arm 486 Arm (Support) 488 Protrusion 49 Armor Division 492 Upper end 493 Side edge 494 Connection part 496 Outer edge 498 Top 50 Mating housing 52 Bottom 54 Counterpart holding part 62 1st terminal of the other side 624 Counterpart first contact part 626 First fixed part on the other side 64 2nd terminal of the other side 644 Counterpart second contact part 646 Second fixed part on the other side 70 Counterpart shell 71 Partial Shell 72 Counterpart peripheral wall 74 Spring piece 76 Shield part of the other side 77 Counterpart plate 78 Connection 82 Circuit Board 84 Counterpart circuit board

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising a connector and a mating connector, The connector and the mating connector are capable of being fitted together in a vertical direction, The connector includes a housing, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a shield portion, The housing has a holding portion, the holding portion holds the first terminal, the second terminal, and the shield portion, the shield portion is located between the first terminal and the second terminal in a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, the mating connector includes a mating first terminal, a mating second terminal, and a mating shield part, the mating shield part is located between the mating first terminal and the mating second terminal in the pitch direction, When the connector and the mating connector are in a mated state, the first terminal and the mating first terminal are connected to each other, and the second terminal and the mating second terminal are connected to each other; one of the shield part and the mating shield part has a plate part, and the other of the shield part and the mating shield part has a mating plate part, At least the plate portion has a protrusion, The protrusion protrudes in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the pitch direction, In the fitted state, a position of the plate portion in the pitch direction overlaps a position of the mating plate portion in the pitch direction, and the protrusion is in contact with the mating plate portion in the lateral direction, The shield portion has an armor portion, The armor portion protrudes outward from the holding portion in the lateral direction, The armor portion extends upward to a position equal to or beyond the first terminal, and extends upward to a position equal to or beyond the second terminal. Connector assembly.

2. 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, The armor portion has a top end, a side end, and a connecting portion, The upper end portion extends along the lateral direction, The side end portion extends along the up-down direction, The connecting portion connects the upper end portion and the side end portion to each other, The connecting portion protrudes from the holding portion in a plane perpendicular to the pitch direction. Connector assembly.

3. 3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, The plate portion has a support portion, The support portion is elastically deformable and supports the protrusion, The protrusion comes into contact with the mating plate portion in the fitted state as the support portion elastically deforms. Connector assembly.

4. A connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The first terminal is a terminal for high frequency transmission. Connector assembly.

5. A connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The shield portion has the plate portion, the mating shield part has the mating plate part, The plate portion has two U-shaped portions, The U-shaped portions are aligned in the lateral direction, Each of the U-shaped portions has a base and two arms, Each of the base portions extends along the lateral direction, In each of the U-shaped portions, the arm portions are located on both sides of the base portion in the lateral direction and extend upward from the base portion, In each of the U-shaped portions, at least one of the two arms has the protrusion, the mating side plate portion has two connection portions corresponding to the U-shaped portions, The connection portions are aligned in the lateral direction, In the mated state, each of the connection portions is received between the two arms of the corresponding U-shaped portion and contacts the protrusion. Connector assembly.

6. A connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, In the fitted state, a gap is formed between the plate portion and the mating plate portion in a plane perpendicular to the pitch direction, The width of the gap is smaller than both the plate thickness of the plate portion and the plate thickness of the mating plate portion. Connector assembly.

7. A connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The connector includes a shell, The shell has a peripheral wall portion and a lower plate portion, The peripheral wall portion is spaced from the holding portion in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction and surrounds the holding portion, The lower plate portion extends between the peripheral wall portion and the holding portion, The shield portion is integrally formed with the shell. Connector assembly.

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