Connectors, Board Assemblies and Electronics

Abstract

Provided is a connector / board assembly and electronic device capable of detecting damage to a receptacle connector. [Solution] A connector-board assembly 12 includes a receptacle connector 26 and a board 28 on which the receptacle connector 26 is mounted. The receptacle connector 26 has a tongue 34 with an electrode 42 at a substantially vertically intermediate portion of a plug insertion hollow portion 30b. The tongue 34 has insulating layers 40 provided above and below a metal plate 38, and the electrodes 42 are provided on the surfaces of the upper and lower insulating layers 40. The metal plate 38 has a first portion 48a and a second portion 48b that extend from the base end side toward the opening side and are conductive to each other at the opening side. The first portion 48a is connected to a signal input port 28aa in the board 28 and is connected to a power source P via a pull-up resistor 50, and the second portion 48b is connected to ground G.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector-board assembly including a receptacle connector and a board on which the receptacle connector is mounted, and to an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Notebook or tablet computers have a receptacle connector on the side of their flat housing. The receptacle connector is often mounted on the edge of the motherboard. The receptacle connector may have a tongue with an electrode at approximately the middle in the vertical direction of the plug insertion hollow section (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-36484 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if excessive force beyond what is expected is applied to the receptacle connector, the tongue portion may break, disabling the functions of the motherboard that the receptacle connector is required to function with (such as the charging function). If it is difficult to identify the location of the failure visually, for example, the motherboard itself may have to be replaced, which could result in a large cost burden on the user.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a connector-board assembly and electronic device that are capable of detecting damage to a receptacle connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a connector-board assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention is a connector-board assembly comprising a receptacle connector and a board on which the receptacle connector is mounted, wherein the receptacle connector has a tongue portion equipped with an electrode at approximately the middle in the vertical direction in a plug insertion hollow portion, the tongue portion has a first ground level conductor and a second ground level conductor extending from a base end side toward an opening side of the receptacle connector and conducting to each other at the opening side, the first ground level conductor is connected to a signal input port of a detection judgment unit on the board and is connected to a power supply via a pull-up resistor, and the second ground level conductor is connected to ground.

[0007] An electronic device according to a second aspect of the present invention is an electronic device comprising a receptacle connector and a substrate on which the receptacle connector is mounted, wherein the receptacle connector has a tongue portion equipped with an electrode at approximately the middle in the vertical direction in a plug insertion hollow portion, the tongue portion having a first ground level conductor and a second ground level conductor extending from a base end side toward an opening side of the receptacle connector and conducting to each other at the opening side, the first ground level conductor being connected to a signal input port of a detection judgment unit on the substrate and connected to a power supply via a pull-up resistor, and the second ground level conductor being connected to a ground on the substrate. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the above aspects of the present invention, damage to the receptacle connector can be detected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook PC according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the receptacle connector. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the receptacle connector. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a view of the receptacle connector as seen from the outside. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the receptacle connector. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a metal plate and a part of an electric circuit in a substrate to which the metal plate is connected. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tip of the tongue in a receptacle connector according to a first modified example, where (a) is a diagram showing a normal state, (b) is a diagram showing a first abnormal state, and (c) is a diagram showing a second abnormal state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a receptacle connector according to a first modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the bottom surface of a receptacle connector according to a first modified example and a part of an electric circuit in a board to which the receptacle connector is connected. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the bottom surface of a receptacle connector according to a second modified example and a part of an electric circuit in a board to which the receptacle connector is connected. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tip of a tongue portion in a receptacle connector according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a connector-circuit board assembly and an electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0011] Hereinafter, examples of a connector-board assembly and an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook PC (electronic device) 10, which is an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The notebook PC 10 includes a connector and board assembly 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connector and board assembly 12 is incorporated inside a housing 14 of the notebook PC 10. The electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to the notebook PC 10, and may be, for example, a desktop PC or a mobile tablet terminal.

[0013] The notebook PC 10 has a cover 16 that can be opened and closed by a hinge 18 with respect to a housing 14, and by closing the cover 16, the notebook PC 10 becomes compact and is suitable for mobile use.

[0014] The housing 14 is provided with a keyboard device 20 and a touch pad 22. On the front side of the cover 16, a display device 24 that occupies most of the area, as well as a speaker and a camera (not shown) are provided.

[0015] The connector-board assembly 12 is incorporated in the housing 14. The connector-board assembly 12 includes a receptacle connector 26 and a board 28. The board 28 is the main board in the notebook PC 10 and is provided inside the housing 14, spanning almost both the left and right ends. A CPU (detection and judgment unit) 28a that controls the entire notebook PC 10 is mounted on the board 28. The board 28 on which the receptacle connector 26 is mounted in the connector-board assembly 12 may be a sub-board separate from the main board. The receptacle connector 26 is mounted on one surface of the board 28 in a so-called top mount manner, but may also be mounted in a so-called mid mount manner in which the receptacle connector 26 fits into a notch formed in the board 28. The mounting manner of the receptacle connector 26 on the board 28 is not limited to soldering, and may be a detachable pin contact type or the like.

[0016] For ease of explanation, the side of the housing 14 around the receptacle connector 26 is referred to as the outside, and the inside of the housing 14 is referred to as the inside. Also, using the board 28 as a reference, the side on which more components are mounted is referred to as the top, and the opposite side is referred to as the bottom. This reference for up and down can be reversed with respect to the housing 14, with the side on which the keyboard device 20 is provided being referred to as the bottom. These directional names are used for ease of explanation, and the invention is not limited to these.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of receptacle connector 26. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of receptacle connector 26. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view of receptacle connector 26 as viewed from the outside (opening side).

[0018] The receptacle connector 26 is a small connector, for example, a standardized USB Type C connector, and is used for data transmission and charging. The receptacle connector 26 may be an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface, registered trademark) connector or the like. The receptacle connector 26 is configured with a flat plug-holding cylinder 30 with rounded corners as a base. The plug-holding cylinder 30 is generally made of metal. A connector hole 14a (see FIG. 1) is formed in the side of the housing 14, and a plug insertion opening 30a of the plug-holding cylinder 30 is exposed from the connector hole 14a. A plug connector (not shown) is inserted and connected into a plug insertion hollow portion 30b corresponding to the inside of the plug insertion opening 30a. The plug connector can be inserted upside down. The plug-holding cylinder 30 is mounted with its lower surface resting on the upper surface of the substrate 28, and its side and upper surfaces are covered with a metal shell 32. The shell 32 has a flat horseshoe shape and is mounted on the substrate 28. The shell 32 is substantially integral with the plug retaining cylinder 30 and is considered to be a part of the receptacle connector 26. The plug retaining cylinder 30 and the shell 32 are electrically connected to the ground of the board 28 and have an electromagnetic shielding effect.

[0019] The receptacle connector 26 has a tongue portion 34 at approximately the middle in the vertical direction of the plug insertion hollow portion 30b of the plug holding cylinder 30. The tongue portion 34 is plate-shaped and extends from an inner molded base portion 36 of the receptacle connector 26 toward the outside inside the plug holding cylinder 30. When viewed from the outside (see FIG. 5), the tongue portion 34 has equal gaps from the top, bottom, left, and right walls of the plug holding cylinder 30. The tongue portion 34 has an outer tip portion 34b that is slightly thinner than the inner base portion 34a (see FIG. 3), and an inclined step 34c is formed between them. The tip portion of the tongue portion 34 is slightly inside the outer end portion of the plug holding cylinder 30.

[0020] A metal plate 38 is provided at the upper and lower intermediate portion of the tongue portion 34, and insulating layers 40 made of a resin material are provided above and below the metal plate 38. The metal plate 38 and the upper and lower insulating layers 40 have approximately the same thickness. The outer ends 38a of the metal plate 38 are slightly exposed from the insulating layer 40 and are adapted to contact the ground terminals of the plug connector. The inner ends of the metal plate 38 form two mounting terminals 38ba, 38bb (see also FIG. 6). The mounting terminals 38ba, 38bb are bent downward at their inner portions. The mounting terminal 38ba is electrically connected to the detection line D of the board 28 (see FIG. 8), and the mounting terminal 38bb is electrically connected to the ground G of the board 28 (see FIG. 8).

[0021] The tongue portion 34 is provided with a plurality of electrodes 42. The electrodes 42 are exposed on the top and bottom surfaces of the tip portion 34b and are adapted to come into contact with electrodes of the plug connector. In this embodiment, a total of 24 electrodes 42 are provided, 12 on each side of the top and bottom of the tip portion 34b. The electrodes 42 pass through the base end portion 34a and are bent downward inside the molded base 36, with their bottom ends forming mounting terminals 44 that are electrically connected to the substrate 28.

[0022] Fig. 6 is a bottom view of receptacle connector 26. Mounting terminals 44 are arranged in two rows, slightly offset in the inward and outward directions. Of these, those in the outer row are connected to the underside of tongue portion 34, and those in the inner row are connected to the upper side of tongue portion 34. The inner row and the outer row are slightly offset in the vertical direction of the paper surface of Fig. 6. Of the mounting terminals 44, a total of four at each end of the inner row and the outer row are ground terminals 44a, which are electrically connected to the ground of substrate 28. The ground terminals 44a are connected to ground electrode 42a.

[0023] Four mounting terminals 32a protrude from the lower edge of the shell 32 and are electrically connected to the ground of the board 28. The plug holding cylinder 30 is in contact with the shell 32 and is electrically at the same potential as the shell 32. Note that the mounting terminals 32a, mounting terminal 38bb, and ground terminal 44a, which are at the ground level, are not connected to each other inside the receptacle connector 26, but are connected via the ground of the board 28.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector 26. The electrodes 42 are provided in two stages above and below the tongue portion 34, and both ends of each stage are ground electrodes 42a. The ground electrodes 42a and the metal plate 38 are shown with light dots. The ground electrodes 42a are longer than the other electrodes (see FIG. 4). The two electrodes next to the ground electrodes 42a on the upper left side and the lower right side are high-speed transmission electrodes 42b. The two electrodes next to the ground electrodes 42a on the upper right side and the lower left side are high-speed reception electrodes 42c. The electrodes located inward of the high-speed transmission electrodes 42b and the high-speed reception electrodes 42c are power electrodes 42d. The power electrodes 42d are shown with dark dots. The power electrodes 42d are shorter than the ground electrodes 42a and longer than the other electrodes 42 (see FIG. 4). The electrodes next to the power electrodes 42d on the upper left side and the lower right side are plug orientation detection electrodes 42e. Adjacent to each of the power supply electrodes 42d on the upper right and lower left are extension electrodes 42f. Adjacent to each of the plug orientation detection electrodes 42e on the upper left and lower right are low speed transmission electrodes 42g. Adjacent to each of the extension electrodes 42f on the upper right and lower left are low speed reception electrodes 42h.

[0025] The high-speed transmitting electrode 42b and the high-speed receiving electrode 42c are electrodes for a signal that forms a communication pair. The low-speed transmitting electrode 42g and the low-speed receiving electrode 42h are electrodes for a signal that forms a communication pair. The communication by the high-speed transmitting electrode 42b and the high-speed receiving electrode 42c is faster than the communication by the low-speed transmitting electrode 42g and the low-speed receiving electrode 42h. In other words, the high-speed transmitting electrode 42b and the high-speed receiving electrode 42c are the fastest signal line electrodes in the receptacle connector 26.

[0026] The upper and lower high-speed transmission electrode 42b, high-speed reception electrode 42c, plug orientation detection electrode 42e, extension electrode 42f, low-speed transmission electrode 42g, and low-speed reception electrode 42h are surrounded by the plug holding cylinder 30 at ground potential and the ground electrode 42a, so electromagnetic leakage is low. The upper and lower stages are also separated by a metal plate 38, so there is little mutual interference. The metal plate 38 also acts to ensure the strength of the tongue portion 34. The high-speed transmission electrode 42b and high-speed reception electrode 42c are more likely to generate noise than the low-speed transmission electrode 42g and low-speed reception electrode 42h, but they are sandwiched on both sides by the ground electrode 42a and the power electrode 42d, so there is little electromagnetic leakage.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a metal plate 38 and a part of an electric circuit in the substrate 28 to which the metal plate 38 is connected. The metal plate 38 is almost square, but the inner end 38c bulges out on both sides, and both outer ends 38a protrude slightly. A plurality of holes 38d are provided in the metal plate 38 for integral molding with the insulating layer 40 (see FIG. 3). The inner end 38c of the metal plate 38 is disposed inside the base end 34a (see FIG. 3), and the other part is disposed inside the tip end 34b. The mounting terminals 38ba and 38bb are connected to the ends of the inner end 38c. The mounting terminal 38ba is connected to the upper side of the two inner end portions 38c in FIG. 8, and the mounting terminal 38bb is connected to the lower side of the paper.

[0028] The metal plate 38 is formed with a thin slit-like notch 46 that extends inward and outward and opens inward. The notch 46 is located toward the top of the paper in FIG. 8 and divides the metal plate 38 into an upper first portion (first ground level conductor) 48a with a narrow width and a lower second portion (second ground level conductor) 48b with a wide width. The first portion 48a is slightly wide at the portion formed at the inner end 38c, but is narrower at the portion outside of that. The inner end 46a of the notch 46 is inclined at about 45° so as to be upward toward the inside. The outer end 46b of the notch 46 is connected to one of the holes 38d. The metal plate 38 is cut out from the plate material by a single punching process, including the notch 46 and the hole 38d, so that no additional processing is required to form the notch 46 and the hole 38d, and there is almost no increase in cost.

[0029] The first portion 48a and the second portion 48b each extend from the base end side toward the plug insertion opening 30a side (outside) and are electrically connected to each other at the outer portions. Since the mounting terminal 38bb is connected to the ground G, the first portion 48a and the second portion 48b each are normally at 0 potential, that is, at the ground level.

[0030] The first portion 48a is connected to a signal input port 28aa of the CPU 28a on the board 28 via a mounting terminal 38ba and a detection line D, and is also connected to a power supply P via a pull-up resistor 50. A capacitor 52 is provided between the detection line D and ground G. The signal input port 28aa is, for example, a GPIO (General-purpose input / output), and detects an input voltage as 0 when it is at the ground G level, and detects it as 1 when it is at the power supply P level. The capacitor 52 shorts the first portion 48a and ground G with respect to the AC component, and therefore has a ground return effect for high-speed noise superimposed on the first portion 48a.

[0031] Since the first portion 48a is normally at ground level, as shown by arrow A, the CPU 28a detects "0" and recognizes that the receptacle connector 26 is normal. On the other hand, if an excessive force beyond what is expected is applied to the receptacle connector 26 via a plug connector or the like, the tongue portion 34 may be damaged. For example, it may be bent at the step 34c as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 3. In that case, there is a concern that the first portion 48a of the metal plate 38, which is sufficiently thinner than the second portion 48b, may be cut off. An example of a portion where there is a concern of cutting is diagrammatically indicated by reference numeral 54.

[0032] When first portion 48a is cut at portion 54, electrical continuity with second portion 48b is lost, and the potential of detection line D becomes the same as that of power supply P via pull-up resistor 50. Therefore, as shown by arrow B, CPU 28a detects "1" and is able to detect damage to receptacle connector 26.

[0033] If the first portion 48a and the second portion 48b were the same thickness, there would be a possibility that neither would be cut and an abnormality would not be detected, but by setting the first portion 48a and the second portion 48b to different thicknesses as in this embodiment, the thinner side is cut and an abnormality can be detected. Although it is considered that the metal plate 38 is cut by the thin first portion 48a, it is also possible to detect an abnormality even if it is cut by the thick second portion 48b or at the boundary between the first portion 48a and the second portion 48b. By making the second portion 48, which is directly connected to the ground G, relatively thicker than the first portion 48a and the second portion 48, the electromagnetic shielding effect is preferably maintained.

[0034] When the signal detected at the signal input port 28aa is "1", the CPU 28a displays "connector abnormal" or the like on the display device 24 to inform the user or operator. When the signal detected at the signal input port 28aa is "0", the CPU 28a does not need to take any particular action, but depending on the specifications, it may display "connector normal" or the like on the display device 24. The CPU 28a basically checks the receptacle connector 26 for abnormalities through the signal input port 28aa at all times, but may also check at system startup, at a specified interval, or at a specified timing (for example, when a user requests an abnormality investigation). The state of the detection line D is not necessarily detected by digital processing using software, and may be detected by an analog circuit that sounds a beep or lights up a lamp.

[0035] Also, there may be cases where the electrical function of receptacle connector 26 is hardly affected by only thin first portion 48a being cut, and charging, communication, etc. can continue. In particular, when the detection by signal input port 28aa is not always "1" but is mostly "0" with occasional "1", CPU 28a may determine to display "Caution Connector" or "Check Connector" rather than "Connector Abnormal".

[0036] When charging or communication is not possible through receptacle connector 26 in notebook PC 10, if "connector abnormal" is displayed on display device 24, the user or worker can identify the faulty part and focus on adjusting or repairing receptacle connector 26. Furthermore, by replacing receptacle connector 26, it is no longer necessary to replace the relatively expensive motherboard itself, reducing the cost burden on the user.

[0037] Returning to FIG. 7, the notch 46 is formed thin enough so as not to reduce the function of the metal plate 38 as a ground, and in this embodiment, it is formed in the range from the right end of the high-speed transmitting electrode 42b and the high-speed receiving electrode 42c to the right end of the ground electrode 42a in FIG. 7. When viewed in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the tongue portion 34 (viewed in the vertical direction on the paper in FIG. 7), the notch 46 at least partially overlaps with the upper and lower ground electrodes 42a. Also, the metal plate 38 does not exist in the portion of the notch 46, but the upper and lower ground electrodes 42a appropriately complement the electromagnetic leakage function. Even if the notch 46 is positioned so that it partially or completely overlaps with the power electrode 42d, the power electrode 42d still functions to prevent electromagnetic leakage.

[0038] That is, when viewed perpendicular to the surface of the tongue portion 34, the notch 46 is formed along the high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c, which are the highest-speed signal line electrodes among the electrodes 42, so as not to overlap them. As a result, the notch 46 does not divide the metal plate 38 at the portion facing the high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c, and the path (return path) of the return current of the high-frequency signal is properly secured, and noise can be reduced. If the notch 46 overlaps with the high-speed signal electrodes 42b and 42c, there is a concern that the return loss may deteriorate, so if a certain width is required for processing reasons, etc., it is preferable to position the notch 46 so that it overlaps with the ground electrode 42a. In addition, noise generated in the vertical direction by the high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c is shielded by the plug holding cylinder 30 or the metal plate 38. Furthermore, the metal plate 38 separates the high-speed transmission electrode 42b and the high-speed reception electrode 42c, and therefore mutual interference can be prevented.

[0039] Next, a receptacle connector 26A according to a first modified example and an electric circuit associated with the receptacle connector 26A will be described.

[0040] Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tip of tongue portion 34A in receptacle connector 26A, where (a) shows a normal state, (b) shows a first abnormal state, and (c) shows a second abnormal state. Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of receptacle connector 26A. Fig. 11 shows the bottom surface of receptacle connector 26A and a part of the electric circuit in substrate 28 to which receptacle connector 26A is connected. In the description of receptacle connector 26A, components similar to those of receptacle connector 26 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] The receptacle connector 26A has a tongue 34A and a metal plate 38A corresponding to the tongue 34 and the metal plate 38 described above. The metal plate (second ground level conductor) 38A does not have the notch 46 in the metal plate 38 described above. In the tongue 34A, one of the four ground electrodes 42a is used as an abnormality detection electrode (first ground level conductor) 56. The tip of the abnormality detection electrode 56 contacts and is conductive with the metal plate 38A as a contact portion 58. In other words, the tongue 34A has the abnormality detection electrode 56 and the metal plate 38A extending from the base end side toward the opening side and conductive with each other on the opening side. The abnormality detection electrode 56 is connected to the signal input port 28aa and is connected to the power source P via the pull-up resistor 50, and the metal plate 38A is connected to the ground G.

[0042] 9(a), the tip of the electrode 42 is inclined outwardly so as to approach the metal plate 38, and this portion is covered and protected by part of the insulating layer 40. The tip of the abnormality detection electrode 56 is inclined until it comes into contact with the metal plate 38 to form a contact portion 58. The contact portion 58 is formed by pressure welding or welding, and is protected by being molded integrally with the insulating layer 40. The abnormality detection electrode 56 is sufficiently thin compared to the metal plate 38.

[0043] In the receptacle connector 26A, the mounting terminal 38bb is electrically connected to the ground G (see FIG. 11) in the same manner as in the above example. The mounting terminal 38ba is also connected to the ground G.

[0044] In receptacle connector 26A, abnormality detection terminal 60, which is one of four ground terminals 44a that is connected to abnormality detection electrode 56, is connected to detection line D. Therefore, in receptacle connector 26A, abnormality detection electrode 56 has the same function as first portion 48a in the above example. That is, if abnormality detection electrode 56 is cut halfway as shown in FIG. 9(b), continuity with metal plate 38 is lost, and the potential of detection line D becomes the same potential as power supply P via pull-up resistor 50. Therefore, as shown by arrow B, CPU 28a detects "1" and can detect damage to receptacle connector 26A.

[0045] In addition, the tip of electrode 42 is covered and protected by insulating layer 40, but if unexpected strong stress is applied when inserting and removing the plug connector, it is possible that the resin will peel off, as shown in Fig. 9(c). In this case, the tip of abnormality detection electrode 56 will be exposed and separated from metal plate 38, and electrical continuity with metal plate 38 will be lost, making it possible to detect damage to receptacle connector 26A in the same way as in Fig. 9(b).

[0046] Next, a receptacle connector 26B according to a second modified example and an electric circuit associated with the receptacle connector 26B will be described.

[0047] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the bottom surface of receptacle connector 28B and a part of an electric circuit in a board to which receptacle connector 28B is connected. Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tip of tongue portion 38B in receptacle connector 26B.

[0048] The receptacle connector 26B has a tongue 34B and a metal plate 38B that correspond to the tongue 34 and metal plate 38 described above. In the tongue 34B, one of the four ground electrodes 42a is used as the abnormality detection electrode 56 similar to the above, and the other two are used as abnormality detection electrodes 56a, 56b. The abnormality detection electrode 56 is on the opposite side to the abnormality detection electrodes 56a, 56b. As shown in FIG. 13, the tips of the abnormality detection electrodes 56a, 56b are in contact with a contact portion 58a. The contact portion 58a is configured not to come into contact with the metal plate 38B.

[0049] In receptacle connector 26B, of the four ground terminals 44a, abnormality detection terminal 60a connected to abnormality detection electrode 56a is connected to detection line D. Furthermore, abnormality detection terminal 60b connected to abnormality detection electrode 56b is connected to abnormality detection electrode 56. That is, abnormality detection electrodes 56, 56a, 56b are connected in series. When such a receptacle connector 26B is used, if any of the three abnormality detection electrodes 56, 56a, 56b is cut midway, continuity with metal plate 38 is lost, and the potential of detection line D becomes the same potential as power supply P via pull-up resistor 50. This improves the accuracy of abnormality detection.

[0050] The four ground electrodes 44a may be used as abnormality detection electrodes, and the signals may be read by the signal input port 28aa via a four-input, one-output OR circuit.Four signal input ports 28aa may be provided, and the signals may be read individually.

[0051] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can of course be freely modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10 Notebook PCs 12 Connector and board assembly 26,26A Receptacle Connector 28 Substrate 28aa signal input port 30 Plug retaining cylinder 32 Shell 34,34A Tongue 38 Metal plate 38A Metal plate (second ground level conductor) 40 Insulating layer 42 electrodes 42a Ground electrode 42b High-speed transmission electrode 42c High-speed receiving electrode 44 Mounting terminal 44a Ground terminal 46 Notch 48a First Part (First Ground Level Conductor) 48b Second Part (Second Ground Level Conductor) 50 Pull-up resistor 52 Capacitor 56 Abnormality detection electrode (first ground level conductor) 58 Contact part 60 Abnormality detection terminal

Claims

1. A connector-board assembly including a receptacle connector and a board on which the receptacle connector is mounted, the receptacle connector has a tongue portion provided with an electrode at a substantially middle portion in a vertical direction of a plug insertion hollow portion, the tongue portion has a first ground level conductor and a second ground level conductor extending from a base end side toward an opening side of the receptacle connector and electrically connected to each other at the opening side; the first ground level conductor is connected to a signal input port of a detection and determination unit on the substrate and is connected to a power supply via a pull-up resistor; the second ground level conductor is connected to ground; The tongue portion includes insulating layers provided on the upper and lower surfaces of a metal plate, and the electrodes are provided on the surfaces of the insulating layers on the upper and lower surfaces, the first ground level conductor is a ground electrode among the electrodes, The second ground level conductor is the metal plate.

1. A connector-board assembly comprising:

2. A connector-board assembly comprising a receptacle connector and a board on which the receptacle connector is mounted, the receptacle connector has a tongue portion provided with an electrode at a substantially middle portion in a vertical direction of a plug insertion hollow portion, the tongue portion has a first ground level conductor and a second ground level conductor extending from a base end side toward an opening side of the receptacle connector and electrically connected to each other at the opening side; the first ground level conductor is connected to a signal input port of a detection and determination unit on the substrate and is connected to a power supply via a pull-up resistor; the second ground level conductor is connected to ground; The tongue portion includes insulating layers provided on the upper and lower surfaces of a metal plate, and the electrodes are provided on the surfaces of the insulating layers on the upper and lower surfaces, The first ground level conductor and the second ground level conductor are separated by a slit-shaped notch formed in the metal plate.

1. A connector-board assembly comprising:

3. 3. The connector-board assembly of claim 2, When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the tongue portion, the notch does not overlap with the highest speed signal line electrode among the electrodes.

1. A connector-board assembly comprising:

4. 4. The connector-board assembly of claim 3, a ground electrode is provided on the tongue portion adjacent to the fastest signal line electrode; When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the tongue portion, the notch is aligned along the fastest signal line electrode and overlaps with the ground electrode.

1. A connector-board assembly comprising:

5. 3. The connector-board assembly according to claim 1, The first ground level conductor is thinner than the second ground level conductor.

1. A connector-board assembly comprising:

6. An electronic device comprising a receptacle connector and a substrate on which the receptacle connector is mounted, the receptacle connector has a tongue portion provided with an electrode at a substantially middle portion in a vertical direction of a plug insertion hollow portion, the tongue portion has a first ground level conductor and a second ground level conductor extending from a base end side toward an opening side of the receptacle connector and electrically connected to each other at the opening side; the first ground level conductor is connected to a signal input port of a detection and determination unit on the substrate and is connected to a power supply via a pull-up resistor; the second ground level conductor is connected to a ground in the substrate; The tongue portion includes insulating layers provided on the upper and lower surfaces of a metal plate, and the electrodes are provided on the surfaces of the insulating layers on the upper and lower surfaces, the first ground level conductor is a ground electrode among the electrodes, The second ground level conductor is the metal plate.

1. An electronic device comprising:

7. An electronic device comprising a receptacle connector and a substrate on which the receptacle connector is mounted, the receptacle connector has a tongue portion provided with an electrode at a substantially middle portion in a vertical direction of a plug insertion hollow portion, the tongue portion has a first ground level conductor and a second ground level conductor extending from a base end side toward an opening side of the receptacle connector and electrically connected to each other at the opening side; the first ground level conductor is connected to a signal input port of a detection and determination unit on the substrate and is connected to a power supply via a pull-up resistor; the second ground level conductor is connected to a ground in the substrate; The tongue portion includes insulating layers provided on the upper and lower surfaces of a metal plate, and the electrodes are provided on the surfaces of the insulating layers on the upper and lower surfaces, The first ground level conductor and the second ground level conductor are separated by a slit-shaped notch formed in the metal plate.

1. An electronic device comprising:

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