Connector shield with guide projection

Abstract

To facilitate the mating of connectors, especially the shields of the connectors.SOLUTION: A connector shield (1) of a connector (3) for transmitting a signal includes a plurality of shielded walls (19), the shielded wall (19) forms a receptacle (9) for accepting a mating connector, and the receptacle (9) opens at the front end (11) of the shield (1) in the insertion direction (I) to insert the mating connector, and at least two shielded walls (19) are at least partially parallel to each other in a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction (I). At least one shield wall (19) includes at least one guide protrusion (31) protruding from the shield wall (19) toward the receptacle (9) in order to facilitate the mating of the two connectors.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector shield for a connector for transmitting signals, the connector shield comprising a plurality of shield walls forming a receptacle for receiving a mating connector, the receptacle being open in an insertion direction at a front end of the shield for inserting the mating connector, at least two shield walls being at least partially parallel to each other in a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction. The present invention further relates to a signal connector and a mating pair of signal connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Signal connectors and connector shields are known in the art. Connector shields are used to electromagnetically shield the signal contact elements of the connector from influences external to the connector and to control the impedance of the signal lines to which the signal contact elements belong. Particularly in small signal connectors, for example connectors with a diameter of less than 10 mm or even less than 5 mm, it is important that the shields and other parts of the connector are not damaged during mating of the connector. Furthermore, it is important that the positions of the shields relative to each other are clearly defined in the mated state. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector shield, a connector, and a mating connector as described above, which facilitates mating of the connectors, in particular mating of their shields, and which allows the relative positions of the two connector shields to be clearly determined relative to each other in the mated state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved with respect to the aforementioned connector shield in that at least one shield wall comprises at least one guiding projection protruding from the shield wall towards the receptacle side. With respect to the aforementioned signal connector, this object is achieved in that the connector comprises a connector shield according to the invention. With respect to the mating connector, this object is achieved in that at least one connector is a connector according to the invention.

[0005] The at least one guiding protrusion can guide the mating connector, in particular its shield, during mating of the two connectors. The at least one guiding protrusion further protects the shield wall, from which at least one protrusion can protrude during mating of the connectors, in particular during mating of the two shields. Finally, the at least one guiding protrusion can determine the position of the two connectors relative to one another in the mated state, in particular in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. The at least one guiding protrusion provides a synergistic effect, since the shield itself can guide the mating connector. For example, additional guiding means in the connector housing can be dispensed with.

[0006] The at least one guide projection is capable of contacting a connector shield or a contact carrier of a mating connector during mating and when the connector is in a fully mated state.

[0007] Further refinements of the invention are described below, which can be combined independently of one another, depending on whether the particular advantages of a particular refinement are required for a particular application.

[0008] According to a first advantageous refinement, the connector shield preferably has a polygonal cross section, for example a rectangular or trapezoidal cross section, at least in the region of the receptacle. The trapezoidal shape can be used to prevent the connector from being inserted in the housing in the wrong orientation.

[0009] At least one shield wall preferably has at least one run-on slope at the front end of the connector shield for guiding the two connectors during mating, and at least one guide protrusion is located at least behind the run-on slope. The run-on slope can facilitate guiding the two connectors into the mating position. When the front ends of both connectors or the front end of one connector shield and part of the other connector pass at least one of the run-on slopes, the at least one guide protrusion can continue guiding the two connectors relative to each other. In other words, the mating connector is first guided by the run-on slope and then by the at least one guide protrusion until the mating position is reached.

[0010] The term "behind" refers to a position away from the run-on slope as viewed along the insertion direction. Or, in other words, the at least one guiding projection may be recessed along the insertion direction from the front end. The at least one run-on slope may be formed by a chamfered edge of the shield wall at the front end. Preferably, some shield walls are provided with a run-on slope to form a funnel for receiving a shield of the mating connector or another part of said mating connector. At least a part of the mating connector may be formed as a wedge to interact with the at least one run-on slope to facilitate insertion of one connector into the other connector.

[0011] At least one guiding protrusion may have a rim or rail shape to facilitate guidance along the insertion direction. Preferably, two guiding protrusions are arranged adjacent and parallel to each other. Preferably, the two guiding protrusions extend parallel to the insertion direction.

[0012] To securely fix the two mated connectors relative to each other, the connector shield can comprise at least one, in particular elastically deflectable, shield contact spring for generating a contact force in a direction towards the receptacle, and at least one guide projection is arranged between the at least one shield contact spring and a front end of the connector shield. The at least one shield contact spring can fix both connectors by a press fit. The at least one shield contact spring can protrude at least partially towards or into the receptacle of the mating connector. When the mating connector or a part of it is inserted into the receptacle, the at least one shield contact spring can be deflected outwards from the receptacle and can apply a spring force to the mating connector.

[0013] The at least one guide protrusion and the at least one shield contact spring can at least partially overlap along the insertion direction. In other words, the at least one guide protrusion and the at least one shield contact spring at least partially overlap each other when viewed along the insertion direction. The at least one guide protrusion at least partially covers the at least one shield contact spring along the insertion direction. Thereby, the at least one guide protrusion can protect the at least one shield contact spring, in particular during mating of the two connectors.

[0014] In order to provide a simple but reliable shield contact spring, the at least one shield contact spring is preferably formed as a leaf spring extending essentially parallel to the insertion direction. The at least one shield contact spring is preferably deflectable perpendicularly to the insertion direction. More preferably, the at least one shield contact spring extends into the receptacle of the mating connector in an undeflected state and deflects out of the receptacle in a fully mated state. A free end of the leaf spring can point towards the at least one guiding lug.

[0015] In order to overlap the at least one shield contact spring even when the shield contact spring extends into the receptacle of the mating connector, the at least one guide projection preferably has a recess that recesses from the plane of the remaining shield wall into the receptacle.

[0016] The recess can be formed as a straight section between two bends, which bends separate said straight section from the plane of the remaining shield wall. The straight section can be parallel to the remaining shield wall. The at least one recess is preferably arranged along the insertion direction between a front end of the shield and an opening in the shield wall which opens a movement space for the at least one shield contact spring. In other words, the at least one recess can have the overall shape of a web extending perpendicularly to the insertion direction.

[0017] Preferably, the at least one guide projection has an overall arcuate shape, with a rear portion of the arc extending into the receptacle. The rear portion may define a recess. The arc may connect at least two shield walls that are parallel to one another.

[0018] The connector shield preferably comprises at least one further guiding projection, in particular on a shield wall different from the shield wall carrying said guiding projection.

[0019] To further facilitate mating of the two connectors, the connector shield may comprise at least two guide projections arranged on two faces of the connector shield facing each other across the receptacle of the mating connector. Preferably, the at least two guide projections are arranged facing each other across the receptacle. More preferably, the connector shield comprises at least one shield contact spring on each face of the receptacle, each shield contact spring being arranged behind one guide projection as described above. At least one face of the connector shield may comprise at least two shield contact springs, the shield contact springs being arranged next to each other in the circumferential direction of the connector shield, both shield contact springs extending essentially parallel to the insertion direction.

[0020] The connector shield may have at least two openings in the shield wall, in particular allowing the signal contact elements to enter said openings during deflection of the contacts, the at least two openings being arranged side by side perpendicular to the insertion direction, and the at least one guiding projection being formed in a web between the at least two openings.

[0021] The at least two openings may be useful for providing a space into which the signal contact element or the front end of the signal contact element can be deflected without coming into contact with the shield wall during mating of the two connectors. The web preferably extends parallel to the insertion direction. The at least one guiding projection can be formed, for example, as a protrusion projecting from the web. In another preferred embodiment, the web can form a deflectable spring with a protrusion at its free end.

[0022] In order to fix the connector shield firmly in the connector housing, the connector shield preferably comprises at least one neck extending perpendicularly to the insertion direction on the peripheral surface of the shield to hold the connector shield in the connector housing, and the at least one guiding projection is preferably arranged between the front end of the connector shield and the at least one neck. The at least one neck may form a reduced section of the cross section of the shield. The neck may be formed as a circumferential retaining groove.

[0023] The connector shield may be a stamp-bent part, with the at least one guiding projection being integrally formed with at least one of the shield walls. It is also preferred that the at least one shield contact spring is integrally formed with the at least one guiding projection and with at least one of the shield walls. If the connector shield comprises a neck, it is also preferred that the groove is integrally formed with said element. It is preferred that the shield walls are electrically interconnected with each other, more preferably that the shield walls are integrally formed with each other and with the remaining shield.

[0024] The connector comprises at least one neck and at least one contact carrier for at least one signal contact element, the at least one contact carrier extending through the at least one neck into the receptacle, preferably with at least a part of the contact carrier extending into the receptacle having a diameter or cross-section equal to or smaller than the inner diameter or cross-section of the neck. The at least one signal contact element is preferably surrounded or embedded in the at least one contact carrier, which allows the contact carrier to be spaced apart from a shield wall adjacent to the groove. In other words, an empty space can be formed between the contact carrier and the shield wall, the shield wall being larger than the shield wall of the mating connector to be inserted into the empty space.

[0025] The at least one guiding projection can in this case in particular form a spacer for spacing the corresponding shield wall from the inserted shield wall of the counter connector. In the fully mated state, the at least one shield wall of the mating connector is located between the at least one guiding projection and the at least one contact carrier. This makes it possible to prevent tilting of the connector shield relative to the counter connector.

[0026] In the fully mated state, the connector shield of the mating connector is preferably inserted into the connector shield of the signal connector, or vice versa. If both shields of a pair of connectors are to be provided with at least one guiding projection, both shields can be formed by the shield according to the invention. In the fully mated state, at least one signal contact element of the connector is preferably electrically connected to a corresponding signal contact element of the mating connector.

[0027] The invention and its improvements are explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings. As mentioned above, the various features shown in the embodiments can be used independently of one another in specific applications.

[0028] In the following drawings, elements having the same function and / or the same structure are designated by the same reference numerals. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a connector having a connector shield according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector shield of FIG. 1 without other portions of the connector. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1 with a mating connector inserted therein. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a connector having a shield according to the present invention. [Diagram 5]5 shows a connector having a shield according to the present invention that can be inserted into the connector of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6 shows a further embodiment of the connector shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6 shows a further embodiment of the connector shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 6 shows a further embodiment of the connector shown in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In the following, a first advantageous embodiment of a connector shield 1 according to the invention is described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Thereby, Figure 1 shows the connector shield 1 for use in a signal connector 3, and Figure 2 shows the connector shield 1 without other parts of the signal connector 3.

[0031] The signal connector 3 comprises a pair of signal contact elements 5 embedded in a contact carrier 7. The contact carrier 7 may be made of a dielectric material. The contact carrier 7 carries the signal contact elements 5.

[0032] The signal contact elements 5 are surrounded by the shield 1 along a circumferential direction C that runs around a longitudinal axis L of the shield 1 and of the connector 3. Said longitudinal direction L runs parallel to an insertion direction I along which a mating connector (not shown yet) can be inserted into the shield 1.

[0033] The shield 1 opens into a receptacle 9 for receiving a mating connector. The receptacle 9 opens into a front end 11 of the shield 1, which also forms the front end 11 of the connector 3. At a rear end 13, the shield 1 is provided with a crimp barrel 15 for connection to a cable 17. The shield 1 preferably extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis L from the rear end 13 to the front end 11.

[0034] The shield 1 preferably has a rectangular or trapezoidal cross section, at least in the area of ​​the receptacle 9. Other polygonal shapes are possible. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cross section has a general trapezoidal shape. The trapezoidal shape can be used to prevent the connector 3 from being inserted into the housing in the wrong orientation.

[0035] The shield 1 is comprised of a plurality of shield walls 19 that are preferably integrally formed with one another by stamp bending from a sheet of material 27. In other words, the shield 1 is preferably a stamp-bent part 21. Each shield wall 19 is essentially flat and defines a plane 20.

[0036] To retain the connector shield 1 within the housing, the shield 1 includes a neck 23 that extends along a circumferential direction C through a peripheral surface 25 of the shield 1. The neck 23 is preferably formed by bending a sheet of material 27 prior to forming the shield wall 19 and closing the receptacle 9.

[0037] The two signal contact elements 5 are arranged side by side to define a signal contact element plane 29 shown in FIG. 1. Two of the side walls 19 are parallel to each other and to the signal contact plane 29. The signal contact plane 29 defines a horizontal direction H parallel to the plane 29 and perpendicular to the insertion direction I, and the signal contact plane 29 further defines a vertical direction V perpendicular to the signal contact plane 29. It should be noted that the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are chosen for illustrative purposes only. These terms refer to the organization and said directions of the shield and the connector, and not to the orientation of the connector in space.

[0038] The two shield walls 19 that are not parallel to the signal contact plane 29 are angled relative to one another to form an overall trapezoidal shape.

[0039] One shield wall 19 parallel to the signal contact plane 29 is provided with two guide projections 31. The shield wall 19 with the guide projections 31 is the shield wall 19 below the shield 1 in Figures 1 and 2. The guide projections 31 extend longitudinally parallel to the insertion direction I and project perpendicularly to the signal contact plane 29 into the receptacle 9. The guide projections 31 have an overall rim or rail shape.

[0040] Guide protrusion 31 may be considered a “vertical” guide protrusion 31 because it may guide the mating connector along the vertical direction V during mating of the connectors. Guide protrusion 31 may be formed by stamping or pressing material 27 to form an elongated shape that protrudes from shield wall 19.

[0041] The guide projection 31 is disposed between the front end 11 and the neck 23 along the insertion direction I. At the front end 11, the material 27 of the shield is chamfered or beveled to form a general funnel shape to facilitate the insertion of the mating connector into the receptacle 9. Thus, the material 27 is provided with a chamfered edge 30 at the front end 11.

[0042] In addition to the "vertical" guiding protrusions 31, the shield 1 further comprises two guiding protrusions 33. The guiding protrusions 33 are located on the shield wall 19 which are inclined relative to each other to form a trapezoidal shape. The guiding protrusions 33 protrude towards each other into the receptacle 9. The guiding protrusions 33 essentially protrude in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction I and perpendicular to the vertical direction V. The guiding protrusions 33 can be considered as "horizontal" guiding protrusions 33 since they can guide the mating connector along the horizontal direction H.

[0043] The "horizontal" guide projections 33 may be formed by bending a strip of material 27 such that for each projection 33 there is a straight section 35 and two curved sections 37. The straight section 35 forms a recess 36 in the guide projection 33. The curved sections 37 connect the straight section 35 with the remaining shield wall 19. At the front end 11, each guide projection 33 has a chamfered edge 30. Each guide projection 33 has an overall shape of an arcuate 43 with a rear section 45 of the arcuate 43 extending into the receptacle 9.

[0044] As mentioned above, the guide projection 33 is formed from a strip of material 27. The strip is formed by an opening 41 in the material 27 of the shield wall 19, which is arranged behind the projection 33 along the insertion direction I.

[0045] The shield 1 includes a shield contact spring 39 that is resiliently deflectable out of the receptacle 9. Each shield contact spring 39 is preferably formed as a leaf spring 40. In the unmated state shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shield contact springs 39 extend into the receptacle 9 and can be deflected out of the receptacle 9 when a mating contact is inserted into the receptacle 9.

[0046] The openings 41 allow the shield contact springs 39, at least by their free ends 47, to move freely along the horizontal direction H. Each shield contact spring 39 has a base 49 to which a corresponding shield wall 19 is connected and a free end 47 extending from the base 49. Each shield contact spring 39 has a generally elongated shape extending parallel to the insertion direction I, with the base 49 located near the rear end 13 and the free end 47 located near the front end 11.

[0047] Two shield contact springs 39 extend into each opening 41. Two shield contact springs 39 arranged on the same shield wall 19 are arranged parallel to each other and adjacent to each other in the vertical direction V. A total height 51 of both shield contact springs 39 on the same shield wall 19 is preferably greater than a height 53 of the straight portion 35 of the guide projection 33.

[0048] The guide projections 33 at least partially overlap the shield contact springs 39 along the insertion direction I and protect the shield contact springs 39 when the connectors are mated.

[0049] 3, the signal connector 3 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is shown in a partially mated state. In the partially mated state, a mating connector 55 is placed in the receptacle 9. Figure 3 shows the connectors 3 and 55 along a cross-sectional cut extending parallel to the insertion direction I and the vertical direction V through the signal contact elements 5.

[0050] The mating connector 55 comprises a shield 57 for electromagnetically shielding the signal contact elements 59 of the mating connector 55. The mating connector 55 can be formed as a connector 3, in particular the shield 57 can be formed as a shield 1 according to the invention. However, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the shield 57 of the mating connector 55 does not comprise a guiding protrusion. In the mated state, each signal contact element 5 is electrically connected to a corresponding signal contact element 59 of the mating connector 55.

[0051] The shield 57 is formed by a shield wall 61, similar to the shield 1. The shield 57 is preferably formed with a cross-sectional shape (not shown) corresponding to the trapezoidal shape of the shield 1. In the mated state, the outer surface of the shield 57 abuts against the inner surface of the shield 1. Furthermore, the shield contact spring 39 applies a contact force F to the shield 57, thereby holding the shield 57 in a fixed position. The guide projection 31 abuts against the shield 57 and prevents the shield 57 from moving, particularly tilting along the vertical direction V.

[0052] The guiding projection 31 may be necessary to compensate for the reduction in the cross section of the contact carrier 7, especially if the shield 1 comprises a neck 23. In other words, in order to insert the contact carrier 7 into the shield 1 during the manufacture of the signal connector 3, the entire contact carrier 7 may have a diameter 63 that is smaller than the inner diameter 65 of the shield 1 in the region of the neck 23. However, due to this necessity, the contact carrier 7 is spaced apart from the shield wall 19 in the receptacle 9. The guiding projection 31 can compensate for this and can abut against the shield 57 in the mated state. In the mated state, the shield wall 61 of the counter connector 55 is located without play between the contact carrier 7 and the guiding projection 31.

[0053] On the opposite side to the receptacle 9, the shield wall 61 of the counter connector 55 can abut directly against the shield wall 19 of the shield 1. However, said shield wall 19 can also be provided with at least one further guiding projection 31.

[0054] In the following, further embodiments of the connector 3 and the mating connector 55 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 8. For the sake of brevity, only the differences from the previous embodiment will be described in detail.

[0055] Figure 4 shows a signal connector 3 with a connector shield 1. In contrast to the previous embodiment, the shield 1 has a generally rectangular shape instead of a trapezoidal shape. Furthermore, the "vertical" guiding projection 31 is omitted. Finally, the shield 1 comprises, at its front end 11, a point 67 which projects along a vertical direction V from the plane 20 of the shield wall 19. The point 67 is intended to prevent the shield 1 from being inserted in the wrong orientation into a connector housing. Such a connector housing (not shown) preferably comprises a complementary groove into which the point 67 can be inserted.

[0056] The contact carrier 7 is provided with through holes 69 through which the signal contact elements 5 can extend opposite the end 67 of the receptacle 9. The through holes 69 allow the signal contact elements 5 to move, in particular when the connector 3 is mated with the counter connector 55. The signal contact elements 5 can then be elastically deflected and slide into the through holes 69.

[0057] To prevent the signal contact elements 5 from contacting the shield wall 61 of the shield 57, the shield wall 61 is provided with an opening 71 capable of receiving at least the free end of the signal contact element 5 in the mated position.

[0058] The openings 71 are preferably arranged next to each other along the horizontal direction H and separated by webs 73 running parallel to the insertion direction I of the shield 57. It should be noted that the shield 57 of the second embodiment may also be formed as the shield 1 according to the invention, since it comprises a receptacle 75 into which the contact carrier 7 of the signal connector 3 can be inserted. Furthermore, the shield 57 comprises a guiding projection 31.

[0059] A first embodiment of the guide projection 31 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is arranged between the web 73 and the front end 11. As shown in Figure 6, in the mated state, the guide projection 31 abuts against the contact carrier 7 of the connector 3.

[0060] In a further embodiment of the guiding projection 31 of the second embodiment of the mating connector 55, the guiding projection 31 is formed as an elastically deflectable leaf spring 77 formed by a web 73. In other words, the web 73 is connected by only one of its ends to the remaining shield 57 so as to be movable along the vertical direction V. The leaf spring 77 may be pre-bent towards the receptacle 75 so as to be elastically deflected outwards from said receptacle 75 when the contact carrier 7 is placed in said receptacle 75.

[0061] Finally, a third embodiment of the guide projection 31 is shown in figure 8. The guide projection 31 is formed in a web 73 by a bend 79, at which the web 73 projects into a receptacle 75, thereby forming the guide projection 31. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Connector Shield 3 Signal Connector 5 Signal Contact Elements 7 Contact Carrier 9 Receptacle 11 Front end 13 Rear end 15 Crimping Barrel 17 Cable 19 Shield Wall 20 planes 21 Stamping and bending parts 23 Neck 25 Surrounding Surface 27 Sheet material 29 Signal Contact Plane 30 Beveled Edge 31 Guide protrusion 33 Guide protrusion 35 Straight section 36 Recess 37 music section 39 Shield contact spring 40 Leaf spring 41 Opening 43 Arcuate 45 Rear 47 Free end 49 Base 51 Height 53 Height 55 Mating connector 57 Shield 59 Signal Contact Element 61 Shield Wall 63 diameter 65 Inner diameter 67 Tip 69 Through hole 71 Opening 73 Web 75 Receptacle 77 Leaf Spring 79 Curved Section C circumferential direction F Contact force H horizontal direction I Insertion direction L Longitudinal axis V Vertical

Claims

1. A connector shield (1) for a connector (3) for transmitting signals, comprising: The connector shield (1) includes a plurality of shield walls (19); The shield wall (19) forms a receptacle (9) for receiving a mating connector (55), the receptacle (9) being open in an insertion direction (I) at a front end (11) of the connector shield (1) for inserting the mating connector (55); At least two shield walls (19) are at least partially parallel to each other in a cross section perpendicular to said insertion direction (I), At least one shield wall (19) has at least one guide projection (31, 33) protruding from the shield wall (19) toward the receptacle (9), The connector shield (1) has a crimp barrel (15) at its rear end (13) for connection to a cable (17); The connector shield (1) extends longitudinally from the rear end (13) to the front end (11) along a longitudinal axis (L); the connector shield (1) comprises at least one neck (23) extending perpendicular to the insertion direction (I) on a peripheral surface (25) of the connector shield (1) for retaining the connector shield (1) in a connector housing; the at least one guide projection (31, 33) is disposed between the front end (11) and the at least one neck portion (23) of the connector shield (1); Characterized in that Connector shield (1).

2. the connector shield (1) comprises at least one shield contact spring (39) for exerting a contact force (F) in a direction towards the receptacle (9); A connector shield (1) according to claim 1.

3. the at least one guide projection (31, 33) and the at least one shield contact spring (39) at least partially overlap along the insertion direction (I). A connector shield (1) according to claim 2.

4. the at least one shield contact spring (39) is formed as a leaf spring (40) extending essentially parallel to the insertion direction (I). A connector shield (1) according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The at least one guide protrusion (31, 33) has a recess (36) recessed from a plane (20) of the remaining shield wall (19) toward the receptacle (9). A connector shield (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The at least one guide projection (31, 33) has an overall shape of an arc (43), and a rear part (45) of the arc (43) extends toward the receptacle (9). A connector shield (1) according to claim 5.

7. characterised in that the connector shield (1) comprises at least one further guiding projection (31, 33), A connector shield (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. At least two guide projections (31, 33) are arranged on two faces of the connector shield (1) facing each other across the receptacle (9). A connector shield (1) according to claim 7.

9. The connector shield (1) is configured to be able to partially accommodate an additional connector shield (57), said additional connector shield (57) having at least two openings (71) in a shield wall (61) for allowing the signal contact elements (5) to enter the openings (71), said at least two openings (71) being arranged side by side perpendicular to said insertion direction (I); At least one guide projection (31) is formed on the web (73) between the at least two openings (71), A connector shield (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. The neck portion (23) is formed as a circumferential groove. A connector shield (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. The connector shield (1) is a stamped and bent part (21), said at least one guide projection (31, 33) being integrally formed with at least one of said shield walls (19); A connector shield (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. A connector (3) comprising a connector shield (1) and at least one signal contact element (5) at least partially surrounded by said connector shield (1), A connector, characterized in that the connector shield (1) is formed according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The connector (3) is Further comprising at least one contact carrier (7) for said at least one signal contact element (5), The at least one contact carrier (7) extends through the at least one neck (23) into the receptacle (9); at least a part of the contact carrier (7) extending into the receptacle (9) has a diameter (63) equal to or smaller than an inner diameter (65) of the neck (23), A connector (3) according to claim 12.

14. A connector assembly comprising a mating pair of connectors (3, 55), A connector assembly, characterized in that at least one connector (3) is formed according to claim 13.

15. At least one shield wall (61) of the mating connector (55), which is one of the pair of connectors (3, 55), is disposed between the at least one guiding protrusion (31, 33) and the at least one contact carrier (7) in a fully mated state.

15. The connector assembly of claim 14.

16. A connector assembly comprising a mating pair of connectors (3, 55), A connector assembly, characterized in that at least one connector (3) is formed according to claim 12.

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